Chapter 682: Coercion
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Are you threatening me?
Charlie was furious. After all, he had been in Atlanta for many years, and it had always been him who threatened others. The idea that someone else could threaten him was inconceivable.
Yet, the person on the other end of the line showed no deference, merely responding with an icy laugh:
“Mr. Charlie, what a curious question. If this isn’t a threat, then what would you call one?”
After pausing, the voice added:
“By tomorrow, I expect you to prepare one billion in cash. Otherwise, some very unpleasant things will happen to both of us.”
The call was abruptly disconnected. Listening to the dial tone, Charlie’s face turned ashen.
At that moment, Charlie wanted nothing more than to tear George to pieces. However, for the sake of his daughter, he had no choice but to swallow his anger.
‘Very well, George. I’d like to see what other tricks you have up your sleeve.”
Charlie felt cornered but knew he had to start gathering the cash. While one billion was not an astronomical sum for their conglomerate, Cosmoc Tower, it was a significant amount for him personally.
After all, Cosmic Tower wasn’t solely his enterprise; he would need the shareholders’ approval to withdraw such a large sum. Moreover, the shareholders would never agree to release this amount just to rescue his daughter.
Despite the hurdles, Charlie was not one to be deterred easily.
Picking up the internal phone, he dialed a number.
“Notify all shareholders to assemble in the conference room in one hour!”
The shareholders had no idea what had transpired. Ever since Cosmic Tower had become Atlanta’s largest conglomerate, Charlie had always been unflappable, never convening an emergency meeting. Clearly, they sensed that something significant had occurred.
In the conference room, the shareholders sat in silence, wary of offending Charlie.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Charlie wasted no time:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’ve called this emergency meeting to inform you of a situation. My daughter has been kidnapped, and the kidnapper is demanding one billion in cash. I intend to borrow this sum from the company and will return it once my daughter is safely back.”
“The reason I’ve gathered you all here today is to seek your approval, although this is a personal matter for me.”
No sooner had Charlie finished speaking than the room erupted into a buzz. “Chairman, this seems rather inappropriate.”
“Exactly, Chairman. One billion is not a trivial amount. If it affects the company’s cash flow, the subsequent loss could be far greater!”
“Chairman, if your daughter is truly in danger, why not just contact the police?
Let the professionals handle it. There’s no use for us to be overly anxious.”
Amid the chorus of objections, Charlie remained silent. The shareholders mistook his silence for concession until they saw his grim face.
Those who knew Charlie well understood that when he wore such an expression, someone was about to become an example.
Charlie had made many risky decisions in the past that had turned out profitable, albeit with high stakes. This led to conservative shareholders opposing him. Every time, Charlie would make an example of one outspoken individual to coerce the rest into agreement.
Clearly, no one wanted to be that example. Yet, Charlie’s expression signified that someone would have to be.
All sat with their heads down, daring not to speak.
But this time, Charlie did something uncharacteristic. Instead of making an example, he sighed deeply and looked at the shareholders.
“I understand this is a personal matter for me, and you may not want to get involved. However, as a father, rescuing my daughter is non-negotiable. Most of you are parents and should understand my sentiments.”
Here, Charlie changed tack.
“If any of you are genuinely unwilling to support me, then sell your shares. I will buy them at market value.”
“Even if it leaves me as the sole shareholder, I will proceed with this, no matter what!”
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