Chapter 997: Other Options!

Hong Kong. The Victoria Hotel!

In a luxurious suite on the top floor, Sangchai, Monroe, Michiko, and the others were all gathered together, seemingly discussing something.

However, unlike their previous high spirits, everyone’s expressions were now grave, even bordering on a sense of deep sorrow.

Recently, the stock markets in Hong Kong, London, Tokyo, and New York had been in turmoil, and all six major conglomerates had suffered severe blows. This placed immense pressure on Sangchai and his team, who were far away in Hong Kong carrying out their elimination mission.

Especially after the heads of the major conglomerates learned that the recent crises facing their companies were all the result of Li Yi’s retaliation, they reacted with shock, anger, and regret, immediately devising new countermeasures.

Seated at the head of the table, Sangchai, his face grim, cleared his throat and said, “Gentlemen, I’m sure you’ve all heard about Li Yi’s recent acts of retaliation!”

“To avoid fighting on two fronts and to minimize losses, headquarters has issued me a final order: I must liquidate my shares as soon as possible and withdraw from the Hong Kong stock market!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Monroe sighed and said, “It’s the same here. That bastard Li has been hounding our group like a mad dog over in London. In less than a week, our company’s stock price has plummeted by more than half.”

“To ensure the safety of the parent company, headquarters has also ordered me to withdraw from the Hong Kong stock market as soon as possible. They’ve given me only three days—no matter what, I must sell off my shares within that time!”

Michiko chimed in with a grim expression, “You guys are still better off. Our company is in a real mess—after news broke about our broken cash flow and overdue debts, our stock price plummeted by two-thirds.”

“And just as this was happening, our company’s shares were targeted by a hostile takeover. Our situation is extremely dire—it’s quite possible that in the near future, the Ocean Group will have a new owner.”

Sangchai immediately asked, “Do you know who’s trying to take over your group?”

“On the surface, it’s our old rival, the Yamashita Group, but after our investigation, we discovered that the real mastermind behind it all is that Li Yi!” Michiko said, her voice a mix of anger and resignation.

A look of “I knew it” instantly appeared on Sangchai’s face, while the others looked utterly horrified.

By now, the name “Li Yi” had cast a psychological shadow over them.

They had thought it shocking enough that this man had made a bold, decisive move—trapping their hundreds of billions of dollars in capital by seizing controlling stakes in dozens of companies.

But they never imagined that his methods would be far more terrifying than they had ever anticipated.

After trapping them, he rapidly dumped shares, causing stock prices to plummet and the value of their holdings to shrink rapidly.

At the same time, he shifted his focus to the stock exchange where their parent company was listed, engaging in massive short-selling of the parent company’s shares and raking in a fortune.

Moreover, after the company’s stock price plummeted, the other party attempted to acquire large quantities of their shares, clearly intending to turn the tables on them.

You must understand: once the other party secures a controlling stake in the parent company, their shares here on Hong Kong Island will become a joke.

“Since your parent company is already mine, these Chinese-owned companies are mine as well…”

Collecting his thoughts, Sang Chai sighed and said, “It’s come to this. We’ve lost, and there’s no point dwelling on it. Let’s focus on how to get out of this mess!”

Monroe nodded and said, “Given the current situation, it’s impossible to extricate ourselves through the stock market. We might even have to turn to those Chinese businessmen for help.”

At these words, the room fell silent.

No one asked why; the situation was obvious.

In the current Hong Kong stock market, the confidence of ordinary investors had been severely shaken. With the stock prices of all Chinese business companies plummeting, no one dared to take on those shares at this time.

Secondly, there was the issue of financial strength. Aside from the members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, no one else had the capacity to absorb shares worth tens of billions of dollars!

“Are we really going to have to beg those Chinese businessmen?” Michiko said, frowning.

Thinking back on how she had previously belittled and mocked Li Yi, the thought of having to beg him now made Michiko feel a burning sensation on her cheeks.

“I’m worried that even if we beg them, they might not be willing to settle with us. After all, every day we delay puts our parent company in greater danger,” Monroe said with a sigh.

“Then what should we do?” Michiko asked, frowning.

Just then, Sangchai suddenly spoke up, “We might have other options!”

“What options?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Sangchai, waiting for his answer.

“Dawson, the British-owned group!”

“Mr. Sangchai, do you mean we should transfer our shares to Dolsons’ British-owned group?” Monroe asked, somewhat surprised.

“Well, judging by this operation, Dolsen clearly knows Li Yi better than we do. That’s why we’re stuck holding these shares at a loss, while Dolsen has raked in tens of billions of Hong Kong dollars.”

Sangchai continued, “Right now, aside from Li Yi and those Chinese businessmen, only Dolsen and the British-funded group he controls have the capacity to take over the shares we hold.”

“But is Dolsen willing to take over our shares in these companies?” Monroe asked, frowning.

Over the past few days, they had heard Sangchai say more than once that Dolsen was unreliable, and all signs pointed to the fact that Dolsen was indeed not on their side.

Given that, would he really be willing to help them?

“He will!”

Sangchai continued, “Although Dowson isn’t on our side, he isn’t exactly friends with those Chinese businessmen either. Over the past two years, he and the British-funded group have been crushed by that Li Yi—they couldn’t even hold their heads up—and at one point, they lost tens of billions of Hong Kong dollars.”

“More importantly, defeating Li Yi and his Star Investment Company, and eliminating the Chinese Merchants’ Association, is Dolsen’s trial mission. If he wants to secure his family’s inheritance and become the next family head, he must complete this mission.”

“And acquiring those Chinese-owned companies at a reasonable price is his only chance to defeat them. Knowing him as I do, he won’t let this opportunity slip by!”

After hearing Sangchai’s analysis, everyone instinctively nodded in agreement.

Just then, Monroe suddenly asked, “Mr. Sangchai, as far as I know, your relationship with Dolsen seems to be quite strained. Why are you helping him?”

“Who said I’m helping him?”

Sangchai then said coldly, “That traitor Dolsen betrayed the family long ago. How could I possibly help him? Do you think that man surnamed Li has been chasing our parent company like a mad dog for no reason? Ultimately, he’s after these shares.”

“Right now, these shares are like bait with a peculiar scent. No matter whose hands they fall into, they’ll be met with a frenzied attack from those Chinese merchants.”

Everyone instantly understood: Sangchai intended to use these company shares to provoke a war between Dolsen and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

No matter who emerged victorious in the end, it would be good news for them.

If the two sides could fight each other to a standstill, they might even reap the benefits and make a comeback.

“Mr. Sangchai, are you suggesting we go talk to Dolsen?” Monroe asked.

“I plan to speak with Dolsen about this tonight. But knowing Dolsen as I do, that bastard will surely use this opportunity to drive the price down as much as he can. You’d better be prepared for that,” Sangchai said.

“Understood… Given the current situation, we no longer have any leverage to bargain. As long as Durson doesn’t go too far, we’ll just have to put up with it!” Monroe said.

Michiko chimed in, “Mr. Monroe is right. At this point, we just need someone willing to take our shares—as long as the price is reasonable…”

“In that case, I’ll contact Dolsen tonight!” Sangchai said.

“Alright…”

However, what they didn’t know was that Li Yi had long anticipated their underhanded tactics and, in collaboration with Dolsen, had set a trap, waiting for them to walk right into it…

…………