For a company that was established less than three months ago, $300 million is a huge sum.
Luke paced the room excitedly, like a child receiving his first Christmas present.
Robert sneered in his heart, but his expression did not change. "Mr. Sidney is very satisfied with ShowMe's performance and hopes to sign a contract as soon as possible."
"How long he wants it to be."
"Two days!"
Luke frowned, puzzled. "How can two days be enough? There are a lot of issues to discuss just regarding equity separation and business management, not to mention everything else."
Robert said in a deep voice, "Boss, you may not know Mr. Sidney. He is a pure investor and will not interfere with the company's management and decision-making rights."
"Is there such a good thing?"
Luke doesn't believe that there will be free lunches in the world. The investor is a wealthy man who will not interfere in the operation or management and only wants stock rights. This kind of good thing only happens in movies.
Robert explained with a smile,
"Mr. Sidney is focused on the growing user base. ShowMe has nearly six million users, and in a few months, that number could multiply several times. No one can ignore this; it's a long-term benefit."
Luke still shook his head. "That being said, the process was too casual. He wasn't worried that I'd run away with the money. That's three hundred million US dollars, more than I could spend in a lifetime!"
"Can you?"
"Of course not!"
"That's it." Robert spread his hands, "Boss, I think you're thinking too much. The company's goal is to raise funds. As long as the money is in hand and the management rights are not lost, other things are not a problem. Of course..." He changed his tone and continued,
"If you have any concerns, we also have Sequoia Group and the Wayne Family. Sequoia Group wants more than 67% of the shares, and Mr. Alfred of the Wayne Family wants 51%. We can discuss the financial aspects."
67% is absolute control! 51% is relative control!
The motives of both companies were not pure. Needless to say, Sequoia Group had proposed acquisitions many times, but they were all rejected by Luke. The big boss behind the scenes must be unhappy. As for Wayne...
Luke propped up his chin and shook his head helplessly.
"It turns out that from the beginning to the end, we only had one choice!"
Robert nodded slightly and didn't respond.
"When does Mr. Sidney wish to sign the contract?"
"They have prepared the relevant materials and legal documents and are ready to start at any time."
Luke nodded. "Since the other party is in a hurry to send money, we can't pretend to be reserved. Let's make an appointment in the afternoon and get the matter done."
"Got it, I'll arrange it now!"
Robert put away the documents, left the office, and walked out of the door. For some reason, he let out a long breath, as if a huge stone in his heart had fallen to the ground.
I raised my hand and wiped my forehead, and found a thin layer of sweat.
Robert shook his head in confusion, wondering what was wrong with him and why he was so nervous.
Cindy soon learned about the financing and immediately put down her work and went to Luke's office.
"Boss, are you really planning to cooperate with the Central Bank?"
"They offered the highest bid and made the lowest demands. If we don't choose them, who else can we choose?"
Cindy said seriously, "I've researched Central Bank. They have a complicated background. There's information showing they've been implicated in numerous international money laundering cases in recent years. Choosing them as a partner could very well drag ShowMe down with them."
"Is there any evidence?"
"No, but..."
"Everything must be based on evidence. If there is no evidence, it cannot be taken seriously."
Cindy wanted to say something more, but Luke raised his hand and said while sorting the documents,
"The matter has been decided and will not be changed. By the way, Luo Wen has been complaining to me about the lack of manpower. You should put aside the things you are doing and go to the marketing department to help.
You don't have to go to the afternoon negotiations. Will, Charlie, Robert and I are enough."
"I think this is inappropriate."
Cindy was anxious. "ShowMe's current market capitalization is $80 million, yet they're offering $300 million for only 30% of the shares. That's over a twelvefold premium. There's definitely something fishy going on."
"Investors are crucial to the company's future. We can't just ignore everything just because they offer the highest price. Even if we choose Central Bank, we have to thoroughly investigate their background. How can we make such a hasty decision? And Robert, I have a feeling he's got something up his sleeve. He's definitely hiding something from us."
This silly girl!
Luke shook his head in his heart. After all, he was a business elite who graduated from Stanford University, but how could he be so brainless?
"Okay, go back to work, you don't have to worry about this!"
Cindy's persuasion was fruitless, and she slammed the door and left in anger. She gritted her teeth in her heart and decided that when she returned, she would use all her connections to find out the background of Central Bank and would never let ShowMe be destroyed by it.
If Luke knew what she was thinking at this moment, he would definitely sigh to the sky: Why are all the people I trust such idiots!
…
After Robert's repeated negotiations, the two sides decided to hold the negotiations at the Fox Hotel in the West District of the Metropolitan City.
At two o'clock in the afternoon, the representatives of ShowMe: the owner and legal representative Luke Xiao, lawyer Will, assistant Charlie, and Robert Downs who is responsible for the financing plan arrived at the hotel on time.
When they arrived, Dominic Sidney, the general manager of Central Bank, was already in the lobby.
This is a white man about fifty years old, not tall, a little fat, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, giving people a very shrewd feeling.
As the junior, Luke was the first to greet: "Hello, Mr. Sidney, nice to meet you."
Sidney stayed on that too young face for a few seconds, a trace of disdain flashed through his mind, but his expression was very enthusiastic.
"Mr. Xiao is truly young and promising. At just seventeen, he's already achieved something that others wouldn't be able to achieve in their entire lives. Incredible, truly incredible!"
Luke laughed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Sidney. It was just luck."
"This way, please!"
"please!"
The two walked out of the hall side by side and headed towards the conference room on the second floor.
Robert deliberately fell behind and took the opportunity to go to the bathroom to go around to Room 203.
Alexander Rhodes was sitting on the sofa with a submachine gun at his side and a cigarette in his mouth.
Robert lowered his head and came to him, whispering,
"I'm ready."
Alexander waved his hand impatiently, signaling Robert to leave. Robert did not dare to stay any longer and turned back when he reached the door.
"Boss Ross, you must be careful during the negotiations later. You can't..."
"rest assured!"
Alexander grinned, not trying to hide the sneer on his face, "No one knows you are a traitor!"
Robert smiled awkwardly and turned away.
In the conference room on the second floor, there was a long table across the middle. The ShowMe team sat on the east side of the table, and the Central Bank team sat on the west side.
Without much politeness, after the formal introduction, the two sides exchanged materials.
The contract provided by the central bank is a bit simple, unlike the one provided by a large company, but fortunately it contains all the necessary terms.
The two major parts of operation and management are clearly marked. As an investor, Party A will not interfere in Party B's operation and management and personnel changes. However, there are big differences in terms of capital and equity.
After looking at the numbers above, Charlie and Will's faces changed at the same time. Robert suppressed his irritability and said,
"Mr. Sidney, maybe you got the wrong one?"