章節 385: Chapter 385: Do You Think I'm Scared?
Due to being in the eye of the storm, Xia Yu took the initiative to hold a press conference, drawing the attention of everyone in Hong Kong. Even the stock market suddenly fell into an eerie calm, which demonstrated Xia Yu's influence.
Whether it was retail investors or financial institutions, no one dared to make any rash moves due to their personal stakes. They wanted to understand the situation clearly before taking action, afraid of being misled or missing the opportunity. Therefore, everyone was eager to get the first-hand information.
For a time, it was as if the Eight Immortals were crossing the sea, each showing their own talents. Underneath the already tumultuous waters of Hong Kong, currents were surging in secret.
Suddenly, a piece of news circulated from Jiuding Securities Company saying that the press conference would be broadcast live by a television station, with Li's TV station designated as the exclusive live broadcast platform.
As soon as this news broke, those interested in the matter immediately turned on their TVs, tuned to Li's TV station, and waited for the press conference to begin.
Due to the high level of attention, even though the press conference had not yet started, Li's TV station's viewership share surged to first place in Hong Kong, and the share continued to grow rapidly. This clearly demonstrated the far-reaching impact of this press conference.
---
Amidst the clamor, a temporary stage was quickly set up in front of Jiuding Securities Company. Although Xia Yu and Wang Qi had not yet appeared, the area around the stage was already packed with people, including media reporters and a crowd of onlookers.
In addition, reporters from various parts of Hong Kong Island were on their way, heading towards Jiuding Securities Company.
In front of the press conference stage, a space was left open and surrounded by a security cordon. The security personnel from Jiuding Securities Company stood guard around the cordon, keeping everyone out. The only entrance was guarded by inspection personnel who allowed entry only to those with press credentials.
As people anxiously awaited, a sharp-eyed reporter exclaimed, "Here they come, here they come, the stock god is coming out!"
Following his exclamation, everyone followed his gaze and indeed saw Xia Yu coming out of the company with Wang Qi and others.
For a moment, the crowd became restless, and many people instinctively tried to push forward, but they were firmly blocked by the ever-vigilant security personnel, accompanied by warnings.
"Everyone, please remain calm! The press conference will start when the noise dies down."
Wang Qi took the stage first, holding the microphone and speaking loudly.
With his words, the commotion ceased, and everyone turned to look at him, not daring to make any more noise.
Wang Qi nodded in satisfaction and then looked at Xia Yu, who had taken the stage.
Xia Yu gave a slight nod and then took his seat with Wang Qi and the other senior executives.
"I am very glad to see everyone here, and I want to express my sincere gratitude!"
Xia Yu took the microphone and said with a smile.
"Clap, clap, clap..."
Whether voluntary or involuntary, there was immediately a burst of warm applause from the crowd.
After all, it was a major figure personally holding the press conference, and such face-saving gestures were certainly appreciated by the sharp-minded reporters.
Moreover, everyone knew that Xia Yu rarely appeared in public. In past press conferences, Xia Yu had basically not attended and left the appearances to the general managers of various companies.
Now, breaking the precedent and taking the initiative to appear, many reporters were excited. After all, Xia Yu was not only a financial tycoon but also a former media magnate, someone they admired. If Xia Yu announced on-site recruitment, more than two-thirds of the reporters would definitely be willing to switch jobs.
"Enough small talk, let's get straight to the point!"
"Now, I am announcing a piece of news to the public!"
Xia Yu's expression turned serious as he spoke briefly.
All the reporters below thought to themselves, "Here it comes," and focused intently on Xia Yu, with their cameras rolling throughout, afraid of missing any detail.
"I announce that Jiuding Securities Company, in cooperation with Galaxy Fund, holds 62.2% of the shares of Hong Kong's Wharf Holdings..."
"Wow... Oh my God..."
"This is a big deal!"
...
Before Xia Yu could finish his sentence, the scene erupted into chaos. Everyone was stunned by this piece of news, and flashlights went off one after another.
Despite the uproar below, Xia Yu remained unmoved and continued to deliver his message. Fortunately, the announcement was not lengthy, and with the aid of sound equipment, the noisy crowd was subdued.
---
At the Yi He Kang Le Building, upon learning that Li's TV station would be broadcasting live, Old John turned on the TV and waited quietly.
Although he appeared calm, his sons Henry and Charles could still sense the anxiety and unease in their father.
Not only their father, but they themselves were also feeling heavy-hearted, with worry and anxiety evident in their expressions.
Soon, the television screen showed the scene of the press conference.
"Jiuding Securities Company, in cooperation with Galaxy Fund, holds 62.2% of the shares of Hong Kong's Wharf Holdings..."
Xia Yu's words were clearly broadcast through the TV speakers.
However, upon hearing this news, both Old John and the two old men, Niu Bixian and Henry, as well as the two brothers, Charles and Henry, stood up in shock.
Charles, who was the most unstable, blurted out in panic, "How is that possible!"
His round eyes and disbelieving expression showed his utter astonishment.
"Wharf Holdings!"
Old John felt as if stars were flashing before his eyes. He muttered, an intense feeling of suppression rising in his chest, as if the sky had fallen.
The consequences of a sudden rush of blood to the head meant that people were prone to fainting, like Old John in this state.
Seeing Old John swaying and about to fall backward, Henry and others quickly reached out to support him, anxiously calling out, "Father, Father..."
"Quick, call an ambulance!"
As Charles and others anxiously jumped up and down, after about ten seconds, Old John came to his senses and said in a hoarse voice, "I'm fine, no need to go to the hospital."
"Father, you should at least see a doctor..."
Henry said with a worried face.
"I said I'm fine. There are more important things to deal with now!"
Old John firmly refused, glancing towards the TV screen.
"Stock god! Stock god! Stock god!..."
At this moment, it seemed that someone, perhaps stunned, first shouted "stock god," and then everyone joined in, with a loud and unified cheer erupting from the entire press conference scene. Even through the TV, Old John and others could feel a shocking atmosphere.
For them, however, this atmosphere felt like a knife repeatedly stabbing at their wounds.
"Father..."
Looking at Old John with clenched fists, gritted teeth, and veins bulging on his old face, staring intently at the smiling face of Xia Yu on the TV screen, Henry, though burning with anger, was more concerned about whether his father could handle it. He called out worriedly.
Not only Henry but also Niu Bixian and Charles looked at him with concern, fearing that he might faint from the shock.
"Hiss... Hoo..."
Old John closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then exhaled slowly before opening his previously murky eyes again.
At this moment, his eyes, no longer murky, were now flashing with fierce light and killing intent.
"Father, what should we do now?"
Charles Keswick asked anxiously.
Old John raised a hand to signal for a pause and said slowly, "It's too late now. Let's watch the rest of the press conference first!"
He then fixed his gaze on the TV screen, watching the interview of Xia Yu with reporters, trying to understand more details for better preparation.
No matter what Xia Yu said, Old John remained expressionless, staring intently as if he were a statue.
After a long time, Old John turned off the TV and looked at the people who were staring at him. His gaze finally rested on Niu Bixian as he asked, "What percentage of Wharf Holdings do we own?"
Having collected the information, Niu Bixian had a relatively clear impression and answered without hesitation, "We control 18.9%, with Yi He Holdings directly holding 5% and the Land Development Group indirectly holding 13.9%."
Upon hearing this, Henry Keswick and Charles Keswick immediately thought of two words: "Finished!"
Even Old John closed his eyes in despair.
Indeed, it's over. With this shareholding situation, Wharf Holdings is beyond rescue, and there's no need to try.
Yi He Holdings is under the absolute control of the Keswick family, but the Land Development Group is not.
Land Development Group is also a listed company and is the largest real estate company in Hong Kong, founded in 1889 by Sir Paul Chater and James Chater Keswick, now 89 years old.
Over the years, the Keswick family's shareholding has dropped significantly. Although the Keswick family is the largest shareholder, their shareholding ratio is only around twenty percent, and the board is not entirely controlled by the Keswick family.
Land Development Group holds 13.5% of the shares in Wharf Holdings, creating an additional layer of difficulty for the Keswick family to operate.
Even if we divide the shares proportionally, the Keswick family's share of Wharf Holdings stock from the Land Development Group is only about 4%.
Moreover, an important point is that although Wharf Holdings is a core enterprise within
the Keswick family, the control of Wharf Holdings is much more significant than the total influence of the Land Development Group.
If Wharf Holdings and Galaxy Fund joined forces, they would only need to engage in commercial competition with the Land Development Group.
The most important thing is that now with Xia Yu's announcement, the stock price of Wharf Holdings will rise sharply, directly increasing the value of Jiuding Securities Company and Galaxy Fund. This is something that the Keswick family must face.
The real shock is that this shareholding has already reached the limit of the Keswick family's control and will inevitably lead to some major changes in the future.
Old John and others had already foreseen this, but no matter how they tried to escape, the situation was now irreversible.
The Keswick family had fallen into a crisis, and Xia Yu had completely won. No matter how powerful the Keswick family was, they could only watch as they were overwhelmed by the storm.
As for the Keswick family, what they could do next was not to fight back but to survive. What they could do was protect their remaining interests and try to continue operating. The pressure from the stock market was enormous, and even if the Keswick family had a high position, it was of no use.
The Keswick family was truly in despair.
"Father..."
Charles and Henry looked at Old John, who was obviously aging by a decade, their expressions filled with uncertainty.
Old John took a deep breath and suddenly shouted with a fierce gaze, "Do you think I'm afraid? If you want to fight, then fight! I, Old John, am not afraid of anyone! Now is the time for us to put up a good fight!"
With these words, Old John's eyes were full of fierceness and determination, as if he had determined to put up a fierce battle.
Even if the Keswick family was no longer the powerful entity it used to be, Old John still carried a fighting spirit, wanting to compete to the end.
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