https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-37-Negotiations-The-Knife-of-Slaughter-Part-1-/12969541/
Chapter 38: Negotiations? The Executioner's Blade! (Part 2)
Chapter 38: Negotiations? The Executioner's Blade! (Part 2)
I think you're trying to get me killed!
As the middle-aged woman saw the other directors in the meeting room nodding in agreement, her chest began to heave violently, as if all the blood in her body was surging upwards, and her clenched fists were as cold as a corpse.
While letting Char Waterworks Company go bankrupt would indeed avoid most of the compensation and seemed like a favorable plan for all directors, it was only the Char Department Store that would suffer, as this waterworks company also bore the name "Char"!
If she were to agree to their proposal and allow the Char Waterworks Company to go bankrupt, the majority of the resentment would be directed at her family. What would happen next was all too predictable.
The angry public might not be able to storm the Transportation Department or resist the three old noble families, but they could disrupt the operations of her other companies. They could target the Char Department Store's buildings scattered throughout the capital city! Despite her department store currently holding over seventy percent of the market share in the capital, once this incident spreads, all the stores will become deserted, facing endless harassment, and even theft!
"You... You'll never get away with this!!!"
Seeing the subtle mockery beneath the other directors' indifferent expressions, the elegantly dressed middle-aged woman gasped for breath, then clenched her fists and slammed them on the table.
"Don't forget that we are the biggest investors! And initially, you all signed the agreement, giving us, the Char Department Store, the right to veto! As long as I disagree, none of your proposals can pass!"
"If this is your answer, then I can only express my regret."
After glancing at the middle-aged woman's hysterical state, the middle-aged man from the Lionheart Family shook his head, intertwining his fingers and leaning back in the sofa, he calmly said, "Since you insist on an unreasonable compensation and cannot reach a consensus with us on business philosophy, then the Lane Family will withdraw.
Additionally, according to the original contract, we will proceed with a round of voting. If the vote passes, we can still take this year's dividends. However, looking at your state..."
After observing the woman's bloodshot eyes, the middle-aged man from the Lionheart Family shook his head.
"Forget it. There's no need to waste more time. The Lane Family waives this year's dividends. We wish the rest of you smooth sailing."
"You... You're acting shamelessly!"
Seeing someone directly choosing to flip the table, the middle-aged woman couldn't help but feel infuriated.
"This year's dividends aren't even half of the compensation! And the water supply issue is clearly under your control. How can you just walk away when something goes wrong?"
"Ahem... Mrs. Char, your words are inappropriate."
The elderly man with a rose emblem embroidered on his chest cleared his throat and slowly reminded her, "Your veto power can decide whether a proposal passes or not, but it can't decide on others' participation, right?
Moreover, I'm sorry, but I cannot accept your proposal. The Marseille Family also withdraws. We wish you smooth sailing."
"The York Family also withdraws."
"You... You..."
Seeing the three old noble families collectively withdrawing, it was clear they had coordinated beforehand. The desperate middle-aged woman instinctively turned her gaze to the remaining two families.
"I'm sorry, but this incident is a natural disaster, and it has nothing to do with our Transportation Department."
The official from the Transportation and Waterways Bureau shook his head sympathetically, looking at the frantic middle-aged woman. "Although our department's dam was destroyed, the direct cause of this accident was the waterworks company's failure to follow procedures. Our department will not provide compensation."
"The Agriculture Department is in the same situation."
The official from the Agriculture and Water Resources Bureau also shook his head. "Our department is not involved in water supply services. Even if I apply for funds, it won't be approved. So, the only thing we can do is report this year's loss of the waterworks company and waive our dividends. As for the rest, please forgive my inability."
"..."
So, in the end, it all falls on me?!
"You can't leave!"
As the people in the meeting room prepared to stand up and leave, the middle-aged woman, her heart burning with anger, clenched her teeth and stomped her foot.
"If you leave, you're not only giving up the water supply business but also abandoning the other parts of the company! Not only will there be no future dividends, but you won't get a single penny of the initial investment back!"
"Since we've decided to withdraw, we are prepared for these consequences."
The middle-aged man with golden hair lifted his eyelids, his face as calm as a still well, and reminded her, "Mrs. Char, it seems you've forgotten that most of the water company's businesses were brought in by our families. Without anyone buying your 'products,' even a company with strong production capabilities becomes meaningless."
"After withdrawing from Char Hydropower Corporation, we can easily start a new company with the same business scope, or even wait for Char Hydropower to go bankrupt and then acquire its remains for a fraction of the original price."
"Oh, and there's more."
As the middle-aged woman unconsciously clenched her teeth, her face turning pale, the corner of the golden-haired man's mouth curled up, showing emotion for the first time on his expressionless face.
"Aside from the water company, our three families are also very interested in the department store business. Once our new department store is established, we welcome you and Mr. Char to attend the opening ceremony."
"..."
"You... you did this on purpose?!"
Seeing the smile on the golden-haired man's face, the middle-aged woman's mind went blank, and her entire body started to tremble.
No wonder... no wonder such a low-level accident occurred! It was all planned from the start to target her family!
The funds for establishing the water company had locked up her family's finances, and now, with the water company facing a huge compensation payout and a ruined reputation just before breaking even, it was enough to push her family's department store to the brink and force them to give up their hard-earned market share!
Moreover, these three days of negotiations weren't so much about failing to reach an agreement on the compensation plan; it was more about buying time for the news to spread.
Even allowing the protesters to gather near the water company and then having the security team fail to fully disperse them was also part of the plan to escalate the situation quickly!
But there's more!
Looking at the few people who used to respect her, now with eyes full of contempt, the middle-aged woman felt dizzy, and her legs stumbled.
They could have established the water company without her family's involvement, and there was no need to include Char Department Store, essentially giving away their money.
From the start, it had all been a setup! From the moment they involved her family's investment, their goal had never changed—to swallow her family's department store!
How... how could I be so stupid?!
"Mom? Mom!"
Noticing the middle-aged woman's distress, the young girl with a doll-like face rushed forward to support her.
But as she saw her mother suddenly roll her eyes, laughing uncontrollably yet unable to utter a clear word, the doll-like girl's face paled, and her voice trembled with tears.
"Help! Someone, please!"
(End of Chapter)
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