Chapter 111: Done Deal
In the midst of a bustling office, the sound of Mr. Chambers' raised voice on the phone cut through the usual hum of activity. His frustration was palpable as he barked into the receiver, "Shouldn't we finish the merger before we pay the acquisition price? Check the contract! The negotiation deadline isn't until a month from now. What?! Why are you trying to pay in foreign currency?!"
After a moment's pause, his tone grew even more incredulous, "Fine, I'll give you ¥3,000,000 since we're suddenly operating like this! Just think of it as a gift from King Chambers!" With a forceful slam of the phone, the call ended, leaving a small echo in its wake.
"Was that Cecil Bank?" I asked.
He turned to me, his expression a mix of irritation and resignation. "Was that Cecil Bank? Of course, we've inherited a mess!" he grumbled, clearly aggravated by the complications arising from the financial negotiations.
Turning his attention towards me, perhaps seeking a brief escape from his own issues, he inquired, "What about you?"
Sighing, I shared my own ongoing challenge. "Mr. Azure isn't going to give me a break now that he's recognized me as a talent. It's really tough," acknowledging the pressure that came with being under such a watchful, expectant eye.
Sensing a teaching moment, Mr. Chambers posed a hypothetical, "What happens when the exchange rate reaches $2000?"
With a nonchalant shrug, I replied, "I'll be thankful because 5 million became 500 million," trying to find humor in the hypothetical financial windfall that such a fluctuation could bring.
Amused, Mr. Chambers let out a chuckle, "Look at you, barely in your twenties and with a net worth surpassing your grandfather." His laughter brought a brief respite from the stress of our conversation.
Feeling a bit playful yet sincere, I added, "I just wanted to take some time to focus on cooking and maybe start a family. I'll need an heir myself," hinting at a more personal life goal beyond the corporate ambitions.
This offhand remark caused Jasper, who had been quietly arranging some documents nearby, to suddenly drop the books he was holding. The thud of the books hitting the floor, followed by his embarrassed blush, filled the room with a light-hearted moment.
Mr. Chambers' laughter echoed slightly in the spacious office, appreciative of the lighter mood amidst the high-stakes environment. "Ah, you teasing Jasper is always amusing, I'll miss that," he remarked, shaking his head with a grin that momentarily softened the stern lines of his face.
"Don't worry, Mr. Chambers. I'll make sure you have a comfortable retirement with no worries in any place of your choosing," I reassured him, half-serious, half-playful, yet fully intent on honoring that commitment.
"As long as it's guaranteed," he responded, his tone half-jesting yet underscored with a genuine desire for a secure future. Then, shifting back to business, he handed me a list. "By the way, I checked out the next list of companies to acquire after the election." He watched intently as I scanned the document, gauging my reaction to each potential target. "Alex, are you sure Chen Construction will fall? They've been getting international orders and have retained earnings," Mr. Chambers questioned, his eyebrows raised in slight skepticism. It was a valid concern; Chen Construction had shown resilience and growth, seemingly against the odds.
"Do you not trust my judgment yet, Mr. Chambers?" I responded, my voice steady and confident. "The only companies that are going to survive are the ones I allow to survive. Everyone who doesn't get with the program will be kicked out with everyone who becomes useless." It was a bold claim, but one I was prepared to back up with equally bold actions.
It was natural for Mr. Chambers to assume they would pull through. That's just how strong Chen Construction was. Yet, the corporate world was shifting, becoming a more predatory and unforgiving environment. Up until now, this world was like an open meadow where carnivores couldn't hide. But from now on, it will be a generation of merciless carnivores showing their teeth, and since I decided that I would be king of this jungle, I had to be tough.
I prepared for Mr. Azure's arrival at the company, promising myself to mention Mr. Chambers to him in a positive light before Jasper could escort him from the office. When Mr. Azure walked into my office, his presence was commanding, adorned in the most expensive-looking suit I had ever seen, marking him distinctly from the regular crowd.
As usual, we skipped pleasantries and got straight to business, a mutual understanding that time was too valuable to waste on small talk.
In the cool ambiance of my office, Mr. Azure's voice carried a mix of challenge and amusement as he tossed a Manila folder onto the table. I opened it with a measure of curiosity and what I saw inside made my pulse quicken—20%! The proposal was to amalgamate 20% of Jameson Tech with shares from eight other companies, pooling them into one entity that would be under my control.
"What is this? A deal or an inheritance?" I couldn't help but ask, half-jokingly yet intrigued by the boldness of the offer.
"You little brat!" Mr. Azure laughed, his tone rich with arrogance. "Where is the end to your greed? Inheritance? I only want you to be a candidate, get yours from your parents!"
"My dad doesn't have as much money as me. But he was an idiot," I scoffed, not missing a beat to assert my position. This was not just about inheritance or simple transactions; it was about securing a future.
"Why don't you stamp it as this will be my final offer?" Mr. Azure pushed, eager to seal the deal.
I weighed my options quickly. The risk of stalling seemed greater than the potential gains from playing hard to get. "Okay, I'll prepare what's needed with Mr. Chambers," I sighed, signaling my tentative acceptance.
"That's it?" Mr. Azure looked a bit stunned, perhaps expecting more resistance or negotiation.
"Should I harass you for more?" I shot back, suddenly aware that our conversation had already ventured into the realm of psychological gameplay.
"What are you planning?" Mr. Azure narrowed his eyes, suspicion lacing his voice.
"What do you mean?" I feigned ignorance, trying to maintain a facade of simplicity.
"You're just like your grandfather, and I won't fall for your act," he accused, his tone hardening.
"Act? The deal is done, today the currency is $1300, I raised it to $1600. What else am I planning?" I challenged. The truth was, in the volatile game of corporate power plays, anything was possible. Yet, establishing trust—or at least a semblance of it—was crucial.
"Do you think it'll reach $2000?" I prodded, testing his confidence in the economic forecasts.
"90% sure, but my people aren't always right. Why? Think it's a waste to hand over to me?" Mr. Azure responded, his demeanor shifting slightly.
"It's not a waste. Sometimes it's good not to bite the hand that feeds you," I remarked, a statement that held layers of meaning in our complex relationship.
"Yeah, you sure are a grateful one, but you also won't allow yourself to take any loss. Just tell me what it is you want," Mr. Azure rolled his eyes, his impatience growing.
He was so sure that I was hiding something. Making excuses or playing coy would only complicate matters further. "Prevent government subsidies from going to Chen Construction or Titan Industries," I finally revealed my deeper strategy.
"Why Chen Construction?"
"They're affiliated with Titan Industries."
"Do you think Titan industries are a small store?" Mr. Azure scoffed, underestimating my ambition.
"Compared to what I'm building, they're nothing but bugs," I stated confidently, revealing the extent of my plans to dominate the industry.
"To think you want to sabotage Titan Industries and take down their biggest subcontractor. Such big dreams," Mr. Azure mused, finally understanding the full scope of my vision.
"I had to ask," I concluded, knowing well that no opportunity could be missed during the upcoming electoral crisis. "No small company can escape the crisis during the election season. Chen Construction is hungry for profit but can't do anything without a government subsidy. They're sure to go bankrupt, and I'll pick it up then."
Mr. Azure's smile, calm yet unsettling, lingered in the air between us as he processed the information I had just revealed. "Hm, Chen Construction and Titan Industries in one package? That's... great to hear, Alex," he said, his expression betraying nothing more than a hint of amused approval. His smile did little to ease the discomfort that knotted in my stomach. Something about it didn't sit right with me, but I couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was.
"You know, under that face hides the most savage beast temperament, you're definitely the right choice for an heir, anyone who couldn't see that is an idiot," Mr. Azure continued, his tone light but carrying a weight that seemed to hint at a deeper understanding of the ruthless world we were navigating.
"I'm just being realistic," I replied, striving to keep my voice steady despite the creeping unease. "An investor is investing in the creation of a huge broadcasting and media infrastructure. I'll be very welcome. We may even get our hands on a government budget."
Mr. Azure studied my face for a long moment, as if trying to decipher my true intentions or perhaps the confidence behind my plans. "Are you your grandfather's clone? How did you come up with all this?"
"My mother inspired me. This is my insurance," I said, holding up a stack of files that documented everything necessary to ensure our control over my pick should he ascend to governorship. "With this, if Mr. Carter becomes governor, he won't be able to disobey us. The moment this is revealed, he'll have to stand trial alone. We're the only ones who know about this."
"We can't be sure that he'll win," Mr. Azure pointed out, a note of caution in his voice as he considered the risks involved.
"Since you're thinking about it positively, his chances are already higher," I countered, trying to reinforce the belief in our plan's success and sway him fully to our cause.
Mr. Azure took the files from my hand, his hands practically shaking as he scanned through the papers. After a long moment of silence where the weight of our decision hung heavily in the air, he nodded slowly. "Very well, I'll boost his campaign. We have a deal. Just be careful because politics is where the real evil is. I don't plan on losing my little prodigy to those politicians."
In other words, I better remember who made this possible for me.
I nodded, a sense of relief mixed with foreboding settling over me. "Understood," I replied, relaxing back into my chair, feeling as though I had just sold my soul. Politics was indeed a murky realm, and while we were poised to manipulate it to our advantage, the dangers were real and omnipresent.
I didn't know who would end up being Mr. Carter's competition, but I already pitied them. My information team was ruthless, well-prepared to tear apart any opposition in a display of strategic ferocity that was both terrifying and impressive.
As Mr. Azure left my office, the door clicking softly behind him, I was left with a mixture of triumph and trepidation. The game was on, and there was no turning back now.
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