Blackstone Code

Chapter 168:

A brief exchange basically confirmed that the only issue left was the cash ratio. The businessmen in Kurland City began an overnight investigation into Lynch and his Interstellar Trading Company.

A company that could be valued at seventy million during an economic downturn was something that was of great interest to any capitalist.

After several rounds of financing, they could apply for an initial public offering, potentially leading to another wealth legend.

Detailed information soon appeared before the capitalists of Kurland City, including details such as where Lynch was born and who delivered him.

This was the power of money. When enough was spent, no secret would remain in this world.

As a result, these people realized the true value of Interstellar Trading Company.

However, their "understanding" differed from Lynch's. To these capitalists, the value of a business lay in its ability to easily secure loans from banks.

This would make a company's accounts look impressive. Even if the company lost ten million in a year, securing a twenty million loan could show a net profit of ten million on the financial statements, causing the stock to soar and rapidly increasing their wealth.

Conscience, morality, ethics—these had long ceased to exist for capitalists. They pursued only profit and valuable returns.

The power of money was truly astonishing.

The next day, Lynch helped Katherine find a place to live near the state university. If she didn't want to stay on campus, she could live off-campus. He also prepared all the necessary daily essentials for her.

Seeing some students arriving early at the university, with classes starting next Wednesday, Katherine suddenly felt a bit melancholic.

At the end of the day, Lynch stood outside the new house. Katherine held his hands, just like years ago, and said, "I don't know what to say. It still feels like a dream to me, you know?"

Her voice was somewhat low. "I thought I was really unlucky, but you surprised me. Still, I have to thank you, Lynch."

The girl's gem-like eyes gazed at Lynch, filled with curiosity, reluctance, and a growing excitement. "Thank you for everything you've done for me. I'll work hard to complete my studies and make sure your investment is worth it."

Lynch sighed, pulling the girl into a hug and kissing her forehead. "I have one piece of advice for you: no matter what choices or difficulties you face in the future, never forget your original dreams."

He stepped back, recalling his own early days when he worked tirelessly, just wanting a bit of money left in his pocket at the end of the month, just wanting to afford the down payment on a small house, just wanting to live a simple life.

He had never intended to ride the waves; he was forced into it.

The girl didn't fully understand, but she kept his words in mind.

They looked at each other for a moment. Lynch smiled, took another step back, and waved. "Time to say goodbye. I'll leave now. Call me anytime if you need anything. You know my number."

The girl nodded, leaning against the door. After another moment of eye contact, Lynch turned and left, his car soon disappearing into the night.

Perhaps this was the best choice for now. Both of them returned to their paths. If possible, if they both worked hard, those paths might cross again.

But if neither of them worked hard, they would remain parallel lines forever.

After solving the girl's situation, Lynch threw himself into negotiations with the two groups. He now had a significant advantage, using the competition between the two sides to drive up their offers.

And just before Lynch returned to Sabin City, things changed again. A newly established Dawn Asset Management Company announced its intention to invest in Lynch's Interstellar Trading Company, demanding at least a five percent stake.

The sudden involvement of a third party disrupted the orderly competition, making Lynch's stance even more unpredictable.

After the meeting, the tall, thin man called Sabin City Social Services Bureau to inquire about Dawn Asset Management Company's registration information.

This company was undoubtedly based in Sabin City. Their business card had the abbreviation for Sabin City after the company name. Lynch's card didn't have this abbreviation since he considered himself belonging to the whole world, not needing such an abbreviation.

Most people who needed business cards would add the local name abbreviation to their titles for better recognition. This made Sabin City capitalists a distinct group, proud of their identity.

Since it was a Sabin City company, it fell under the jurisdiction of the Social Services Bureau. The tall, thin man quickly received the response: the company had a registered capital of one million and was wholly owned.

So far, the company had only a sole owner, giving them the right not to disclose further details to the public.

Even if the tall man spent money and pulled strings, he couldn't find out more information.

Some things were easily trampled upon by everyone because, in people's eyes, this trampling was seen as the right and most common thing to do. However, it had shifted from being unreasonable to becoming an accepted norm.

But some matters still adhered to the original rules and couldn't be easily changed, mainly due to people's consideration for their own safety.

After slamming the phone down, the tall, thin man paced the room while his companions watched, the atmosphere tense and heavy.

Lynch insisted that the cash portion should not be less than thirty-three percent, which was hard to accept. In concept, seventeen percent wasn't far from thirty-three percent. But in reality, it was almost doubled. They'd have to produce twice the cash initially planned to get what they wanted.

How could they accept that?

This led to many problems. If they followed the original plan and obtained the shares, they'd risk their own business due to the high cash outflow.

The risks of running a brick-and-mortar business were indeed substantial; whether profitable or not, monthly operating costs couldn't be avoided.

If they wanted to keep some cash, they wouldn't be able to acquire too many shares, possibly accepting only ten to fifteen percent, which wouldn't meet their initial goals.

They aimed to gain significant influence on the board, which was crucial.

Despite Lynch currently holding the most shares, once the first round of financing was complete, his shares would only decrease with each subsequent round. Whether later investors bought his shares or diluted everyone's shares, all participants would adhere to an unspoken rule: the founder's shares should only decrease, never increase.

This investment principle was akin to an unwritten rule, meant to marginalize founders and take over their wealth.

Yes, that's right. Capital harvesting capital was just like that. There was nothing to hide. If it could be done, why fear admitting it?

Plundering was how capital played the game, although it was the most criticized method.

Therefore, they sought about thirty percent of the shares to maintain a significant proportion through multiple financing rounds.

More shares meant more control in the boardroom, which was key.

Now things had become complicated. More so, because Dawn Asset Management Company agreed to Lynch's terms. They signed a letter of intent to acquire five percent of Interstellar Trading Company's shares with thirty-three percent cash.

This meant a little over a million in cash plus some other assets for five percent of the shares.

If no one agreed, Lynch would have eventually compromised. That was how business worked: each side would take a step back until both found the terms acceptable.

But now, someone had agreed, signifying that Lynch's terms were acceptable. Trying to negotiate down would be unreasonable, and Lynch could refuse their investment without anyone being able to say otherwise.

After all, if other people could accept it, why couldn't they?

The tall, thin man cursed the troublemaker, vowing to find out who was behind Dawn Asset Management and make them pay if discovered.

Suddenly, he paused, frowning. "Do you think it's possible that Lynch himself is behind Dawn Asset Management?"

After voicing his suspicion, he felt like he had uncovered the truth, speaking faster as he elaborated.

"It's very likely that Lynch registered that company in advance with the intention of intervening when necessary to raise our standards. Now, we're in a difficult position, and he has maintained his bottom line."Please vote for this novel at /series/blackstone-code/There are advance chapters available nowAccess will be granted 24 hours after the donationTier 1: 7 Advance chapters Link

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