Chapter 38

Directly letting the Chaer Water Power Corporation go bankrupt would certainly avoid the majority of compensation, seemingly a good plan for all the directors, except for our own Chal Department Store. After all, this water power company also bears the name “Chaer”!

If I really agree with these people’s proposals and let the Chaer Water Power Corporation go bankrupt, most of the resentment will fall on our shoulders, and what happens afterward is predictable.

Enraged citizens can’t storm the Road Administration Department, nor can they boycott the three old noble families, but they can boycott the businesses of our other companies, and they can storm the buildings of Chaer Department Stores scattered throughout the Capital City! Don’t think that just because our department store now holds over seventy percent of the market share in the Capital City, once the impact of this incident spreads, all the stores will immediately become deserted, subjected to endless harassment, or even theft and robbery!

“You… you’ll never succeed!!!”

Looking at the cold expressions of the other directors, tinged with mockery, the elegantly dressed middle-aged woman took several quick breaths, then clenched her fists and slammed them hard on the table:

“Don’t forget we are the largest investors! Moreover, you all signed agreements; our Chaer Department Store has veto power! As long as I don’t agree, none of your proposals can pass!”

“If this is your answer, then I can only express my regret.”

Glancing at the hysterical form of the middle-aged woman, the middle-aged man from the Lionheart family shook his head, crossed his fingers, leaned back in the sofa, and said calmly: “Since you insist on unreasonable compensation and cannot reach a consensus with us on business philosophy, then we, the Lane Family, will withdraw.

Also, according to the original contract, we will hold a vote next. If it passes, we can still take this year’s dividends. But looking at your state…”

After looking at the bloodshot eyes of the woman, the middle-aged man from the Lionheart family shook his head and said:

“Never mind, there’s no need to waste more time. We, the Lane Family, will give up this year’s dividends. Wishing those who stay behind smooth operations.”

“You… you’re being unreasonable!”

Seeing someone directly choose to flip the table at this moment, the middle-aged woman couldn’t help but shout:

“This year’s dividend isn’t even enough to cover half of the compensation! And furthermore, you’ve been in charge of the water supply all along, now that something happened, how dare you walk away?”

“Hmm… Madam Chaer, what you’re saying isn’t right.”

The elder with a rose crest embroidered on his chest cleared his throat and leisurely reminded her:

“The veto power you hold can decide whether the proposal passes, but surely it can’t decide others’ departures, right?

Moreover, sorry, I can’t accept your proposal. The Marcellini Family will also withdraw. Wishing you smooth operations.”

“The York Family will also withdraw.”

“You… you…”

Seeing the three old noble families collectively throwing down their burdens, clearly having coordinated beforehand, the middle-aged woman, with nowhere to turn, instinctively turned her gaze to the remaining two families.

“Sorry, this matter was a natural disaster, unrelated to our Road Administration Department.”

An official from the River Bureau of the Road Administration Department looked sympathetically at the frantic middle-aged woman and shook his head: “Although our dam was breached, the direct cause of this accident was still the Water Power Corporation not following procedures. Our Road Administration Department won’t allocate funds for compensation.”

“Our Agriculture Department is the same.”

An official from the Water Conservancy Bureau of the Agriculture Department also shook his head:

“Our Agriculture Department does not participate in water supply services. Even if I apply for funds from above, it won’t be approved. The only thing we can do is report this year’s loss of the Water Power Corporation upward and give up receiving dividends. As for the rest, please forgive me, I’m powerless.”

“…”

“…”

“You can’t leave!”

Seeing everyone preparing to stand up and leave in the conference room, the middle-aged woman, tormented inside, gritted her teeth and stomped her foot forcefully:

“If you leave, it’s equivalent to giving up other parts of the business besides water supply! Not only will there be no dividends in the future, but you won’t get a single penny of the initial factory construction money either!”

“Since we’ve made the decision to withdraw, we naturally have prepared for these things.”

Upon hearing this, the blond middle-aged man raised his eyelids slightly and reminded her expressionlessly: “Madam Chaer, it seems you’ve forgotten that most of the business of the Water Power Corporation was brought by our few families. If no one buys your ‘products,’ no matter how strong the production capacity of the company is, it has no meaning.

After withdrawing from Chaer Water Power Corporation, we can easily set up a new company with the same business. We can even wait until Chaer Water Power Corporation goes bankrupt, then acquire its remnants for less than one-tenth of the original price.”

“Oh, and one more thing.”

Looking at Madam Chaer, whose face had turned pale and who was unconsciously clenching her teeth, the corner of the blond middle-aged man’s mouth twitched slightly, showing some expression for the first time on his poker face.

“Besides the water power company, our three families are also very interested in the department store business. Once our department store is completed, we welcome you and Mr. Chaer to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony.”

“…”

“You… you did this on purpose?!”

Looking at the smile on the blond middle-aged man’s face, the middle-aged woman’s brain felt like it was electrified, and she started trembling all over.

No wonder… no wonder such a low-level accident occurred! It turns out everything from the start was aimed at our family!

The funds used to build the water power company locked up our capital. Now, with the water power company going bankrupt just before breaking even, the huge compensation plus the completely ruined reputation is enough to drive our department store into a dead end, forcing us to spit out the captured market share!

And these three days of negotiations were less about failing to reach an agreement on the compensation plan and more about buying time to slow down our reaction, allowing the entire incident to gradually spread and ferment.

Even letting those protesters come near the water power company and then letting the security personnel beat them without completely driving them away was also to make the situation escalate quickly! No! That’s not all!

Looking at those directors who used to respect her greatly but now had nothing but ridicule in their eyes, the middle-aged woman felt dizzy and stumbled.

It was clear from the beginning that they didn’t need our family’s participation to build the water power company. There was no reason to drag Chaer Department Store into it and give us free money.

So this was all a setup from the start! From luring our investment and naming the water power company, their goal never changed—it was always to swallow our department store!

I… I… How could I be so stupid!!!

“Mom? Mom!”

Seeing that the middle-aged woman seemed off, the doll-faced girl behind her, full of worry, hurriedly stepped forward to support her.

And when she noticed her mother suddenly rolling her eyes and continuously laughing hoarsely without being able to utter a single clear word, the doll-faced girl’s complexion also changed, and her voice instantly carried a hint of crying.

“Help! Someone! Help!”

(The chapter ends here.)