“Thump, thump, thump…”
Amid a rhythmic clatter of footsteps, a group of tall, imposing bodyguards entered the event hall.
The appearance of these uninvited guests immediately caught the attention of everyone at the event.
When the crowd got a clear look at the man flanked by the bodyguards, they were instantly stunned.
“It’s Li Yi from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. What is he doing here?”
“Mr. Li is here—could he be here to disrupt the event?”
“It’s unlikely he’s here to cause trouble—after all, this is a deal between Sangchai and Dolsen. Mr. Li is probably here to issue a challenge to Dolsen!”
“A battle of titans—this is going to be entertaining…”
Seeing this, the reporters quickly turned their cameras and rushed toward Li Yi.
But before they could get close, Zhang Ziqiang and his men blocked their path, while Li Yi, Li Futao, Huang Lixing, and the others made their way directly to the signing ceremony podium.
Sang Chai and his men also spotted Li Yi. Though they had no idea why he’d shown up at this moment, they stood tall, glaring defiantly at Li Yi and his entourage.
As Li Yi approached, Sang Chai glared at him fiercely and said, “What are you doing here? Did you come to laugh at us?”
The corners of Li Yi’s mouth turned up slightly, and he replied with disdain, “Watch you make fools of yourselves… Do you even deserve it?”
“Are you even worthy?”
These words were a blatant display of disregard and contempt toward Sangcai and his group, instantly setting Sangcai’s blood boiling.
But after the initial surge of anger, he quickly regained his composure and said smugly, “Li, if you’re here for those company shares, I’m afraid you’re in for a disappointment. We’ve already transferred all the shares to Dolsen. You’re too late.”
“Disappointed… I’m afraid you’re the one who’s disappointed.”
Li Yi continued, “We did come here today for those shares, but we never intended to acquire them from you.”
“So you’re saying you intend to launch a takeover bid against Dolsons?” Sang Chai said, his face darkening.
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Hah, it’s possible, but you’d better ask Dolsen first if he’ll agree,” Sangchai said coldly.
He didn’t believe Dolsen would transfer those company shares to Li Yi. After all, only by controlling the shares of these companies would he have a chance to defeat the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, complete his family’s trial, and become the true heir.
Becoming the family heir and eventually the clan leader was not only Dolsen’s goal but also the long-standing objective of their branch of the family. Sangchai didn’t believe Dolsen would pass up such a golden opportunity.
Just then, Li Yi turned his gaze to Dorson and asked loudly, “Mr. Dorson, I’d like to buy back the shares you hold at a 10% premium. Would you be willing to part with them?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, everyone’s gaze fixed on Dolsen, waiting for his response.
A strange smile played at the corners of Dolsen’s mouth, and under everyone’s gaze, he uttered three words: “I’m not willing…”
As soon as he spoke, Sang Chai burst out laughing, “Did you hear that? He said he’s not willing… not willing!”
“Li, although you defeated us using those three despicable and shameless tactics, those Chinese-owned companies are destined never to return to your hands. Compared to us outsiders, Dolsen and his British-funded group have more than enough capability to take over those companies. In the end, you still can’t beat the Sassoon family…”
However, before he could finish, Dolsen suddenly interrupted him from the side: “Sangchai, I haven’t finished speaking yet. What’s the rush?”
Sangchai was taken aback for a moment, then said, “I was getting ahead of myself. Go on!”
Dawson ignored him, instead fixing his gaze on Li Yi and declaring loudly, “Mr. Li Yi, I believe a 10% premium is a desecration and an insult to our friendship. I am willing to transfer all shares of the Huashang companies to you at the original price!”
Hearing this, the corners of Li Yi’s mouth turned up slightly, and he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
When Dolsen had said “I’m not willing” a moment ago, Li Yi had been a bit worried, truly believing the man had changed his mind.
He never expected the man to be waiting for him right here!
As he breathed a sigh of relief, Li Yi’s regard for Dolsen grew even more. By doing this, the man not only solidified the depth of their friendship but also increased the debt of gratitude Li Yi owed him.
The benefits he gained from this far outweighed the $1 billion thank-you fee.
“Whoosh…”
Dawson’s words hit everyone like a depth charge.
“What did we just hear? Dolsen is transferring his shares in BB Xi TR at face value?”
“That’s not the point. Didn’t you hear Dolsen say that a premium would be an insult to his friendship with Mr. Li? Does that mean their personal bond is actually quite deep?”
“So it turns out Dolsen isn’t willing to sell at a premium—he wants to sell at face value. That really took me by surprise…”
………
Sangcai and the others were also stunned by this turn of events. The situation had completely spiraled out of their control. Monroe, Michiko, and the others all turned their gaze toward Sangcai, their eyes filled with anger and concern.
“Dawson, do you know what you’re saying?” Sangchai roared angrily.
“Of course I do. I intend to transfer my shares to Mr. Li Yi at the original price. What’s the matter? Do you have a problem with that?” Dolsen asked coldly.
“How dare you? He is our family’s number one enemy in the East. Doing this is aiding the enemy—it’s a betrayal of the family. Have you considered the consequences of your actions?” Sangchai shouted.
“What consequences… Does that mean stripping the heir of his rights or expelling him from the family?”
Before Sangchai could answer, Dolsen spoke again: “Sangchai, even if I don’t transfer these shares to Mr. Li Yi, the family won’t let me become the heir to the clan leader. Those old fools would never hand over the family’s power to our branch.”
“Don’t even bother arguing. Don’t think I’m unaware of the underhanded schemes you’ve been pulling. Not only am I transferring my shares to Mr. Li Yi, but I’m also formally announcing that I, Dorson, am withdrawing from the Sassoon family effective immediately and establishing the Dorson family on Hong Kong Island.”
“Go back and tell those old fools on the Elders’ Council that times have changed. Let them sit on their meager savings and watch from the sidelines. Even without their support, I, Dolsen, will build an immortal family!”
“You… how dare you…”
As he spoke through gritted teeth, Sangchai’s face flushed crimson.
Finally, at a certain moment, his body suddenly lurched backward, and with a “gurgle,” he spat out a large mouthful of blood.
Immediately afterward, his entire body went limp like a deflated balloon, and he fell backward, stiff as a board.
Seeing this, Sangchai’s younger brother and his subordinates immediately fell into a panic, lifting Sangchai and rushing toward the elevator.
Monroe, Michiko, and the others—who had always looked to Sangchai for guidance—did not follow him this time.
They were all smart people; they knew that Sangchai had suffered a complete defeat this time. Not only had he failed to eliminate the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, but he had also suffered heavy losses and even driven Dolsen to turn against him.
Even as the deputy general manager of the Sini Group and a direct descendant of the Sassoon family, he would likely face severe repercussions upon his return.
In short, Sangchai was finished…
Li Yi and Dolsen paid no heed to Sangchai’s fate; to them, he was nothing more than a nobody.
For them, the most important matter was the share transfer.
At that moment, Dolsen waved his hand, and staff who had been standing by immediately stepped forward. They took down the banner in the event hall and replaced it with a brand-new one reading “Signing Ceremony for the Strategic Partnership Between Star Investment Company and the British Capital Group”—clearly, this had been planned in advance.
Subsequently, representatives from both sides took their places, and the signing ceremony resumed.
However, this time, the main protagonists of the signing had changed…
……….