Chapter 462: If you can't beat them, join them

"How much would it cost to acquire Stormwater now?" Huang Fengwen's voice had calmed, but still carried a hint of barely suppressed excitement.
"Its current market capitalization is around 68 billion US dollars."
"So all we need is a controlling stake?"
"Yes. Vanguard and BlackRock hold a significant number of shares, but similar to the situation with Aston Villas, the shareholding structure is quite dispersed.
As long as we're willing to pay a premium and launch a blitzkrieg, acquiring a large number of shares, taking control shouldn't be a problem.
It's just... it'll be quite expensive."
Huang Fengwen's tone exuded an air of domineering arrogance:
"Perfect! The group's cash reserves are practically rotting; we're just wondering where to spend it!
Besides, hasn't our Netflix subsidiary always wanted to turn popular IPs into games? Isn't that a ready-made top-tier platform?"
“Exactly! This is perfectly legitimate!” Su Hao added, “Saving the game we love, giving it a new lease on life!
At the same time, we can transform Netflix's powerful IP into games, forming a perfect business loop. A double win!”
“Great! It’s settled then! Hahaha, just thinking about it is exciting!
I’ve played games for so many years, and now I’m going to personally shape it into the way I want it to be!
Is there anything more satisfying than this?!”
Huang Fengwen laughed heartily, his laughter filled with the triumphant satisfaction of victory.
“By the way,” Huang Fengwen suddenly remembered something, “I heard you’re planning to recruit a group of professionals in the US who can maintain long-term communication with high-ranking government officials?”
“Yes. It’s too much trouble for you to fly there every time there’s any trouble overseas, and I feel bad about it.
So I thought, even if it costs a little more, I should hire a few highly qualified professionals with impressive resumes and extensive networks.”
"Not only in the US, but we've also established communication channels in other major countries."
"There's no need for that... Wait, kid, you're not doing this because I skipped your team raid that you guys had been preparing for weeks when I went to the US, are you?"
"Absolutely not!" Su Hao said firmly.
"Hmm... that firm tone, that loud voice, it seems pretty much true."
"Really not!"
Although Su Hao denied it, he knew that deceiving this older brother he'd known for so many years wouldn't be easy!
***
The next morning.
Lin Fan handed a list to Su Hao's desk early in the morning.
"Chairman Su, the list of candidates from the US has been compiled.
This was selected by the research department after rigorous background checks and resume evaluations."
These individuals will serve as Fanghuan Investment's mouthpiece and weapon in the US, paving the way for the company's overseas expansion.
The names on the list are all incredibly accomplished, ranging from former high-ranking government officials to consultants for top financial groups.
However, after flipping through several pages, Su Hao felt something was missing. While these people were excellent, something just felt off.
Until he turned to the next page.
"...?"
A name, like a searchlight, instantly caught his eye.
It wasn't just that his intuition was starting to scream, but also because this person's resume was... just too perfect!
"This person... is it alright for us to hire him?"
"Chairman Su, hiring him under the guise of a 'lobbyist' would indeed cause trouble.
According to regulations, he has a two-year 'cooling-off period' during which he cannot engage in related lobbying activities.
However, the position we're recruiting for is closer to 'senior consultant,' a different nature, and strictly speaking, it's not against the rules."
Upon hearing this, Su Hao no longer hesitated.
"He's the one. Offer him the highest salary in the industry!"
"Okay, I'll arrange for someone to contact him immediately. As for candidates from other countries, it may take some time; we need to conduct a more careful evaluation."
"No rush, I'll wait for your news."
Although the other party hasn't accepted the invitation yet, Su Hao has already begun to envision the future.
Once this person is in place, Huang Fengwen will no longer have to personally fly halfway around the world for trivial matters, working himself to exhaustion.
Then, there won't be a tragedy like last time, where an epic raid team prepared for weeks only to have the raid leader run away at the last minute!
After all, for this group of people, the agreement in the game was a more sacred contract than any business agreement!
***
John, Aiden's former secretary, thought he could finally breathe like a normal person and regain his freedom when he submitted his resignation and walked out of the white building that once symbolized the pinnacle of world power.
However, reality slapped him hard in the face.
After leaving the white building, the deep-seated anxiety and panic only intensified, even evolving into a morbid paranoia.
He lived like a clichéd protagonist in a spy movie, always feeling that someone was eavesdropping on his phone, always feeling that someone was watching his every move in the shadows.
This severe paranoia tormented him, keeping him awake at night, and he eventually had to rely on medication to barely fall asleep.
Psychiatrists repeatedly told him that it was all just his delusion, a post-traumatic stress disorder caused by long-term high-pressure work, and that Fang Huan Investment couldn't possibly be monitoring him.
“As expected…”
However, today, he realized once again that he wasn't living in delusion!
He wasn't crazy!
His intuition had never been wrong!
“Fanghuan Investment…they’ve been watching me all along!”
Staring at the email from Fanghuan Investment on his computer screen, John's hands trembled like leaves in the autumn wind.
To open it, or not to open it?
This thought raced through his mind hundreds of times. Finally, the instinct for survival overcame his fear, and he opened the email.
He had expected it to be a blatant threat, perhaps even a death sentence.
However, the email's contents far exceeded his expectations.
“They…want to…hire me?”
It wasn't a threat, but a politely worded, formal offer of employment!
An invitation for him to serve as a “senior advisor” to Fanghuan Investment, becoming Fanghuan's communication bridge in the US!
Who was he once? The President's Secretary-General!
In Washington state politics, there was no one he didn't know, no door he couldn't knock on!
This job was indeed tailor-made for him.
However, the one extending the invitation was none other than the very nightmare that kept him up at night—Fanghuan Investment!
"Am I insane?! I'd work for these devils?!"
He roared, slamming his laptop shut.
However, his hand froze in mid-air.
"But...if I refuse..."
He was no longer the secretary-general protected by countless special agents; now, he was just an ordinary, unarmed middle-aged man.
An ordinary man who, even if he were sacked and had his legs broken in an alley one night, wouldn't cause a ripple.
In an instant, countless faces flashed through his mind, starting with the Japanese prime minister who died a violent death.
They all had one thing in common—they were all enemies of Fang Huan's investments!
He didn't want to die!
So, what was the way to live?
What was the way to escape this endless fear?
There were only two answers.
Either, open the drawer, take that revolver, and shoot himself in the throat, ending it all.
Either…
“Become one of them!”
If you can't beat them, join them.
This timeless classic is indeed the ultimate wisdom of the helpless.
“…Hoo.”
He exhaled a long breath, trying to calm his wildly beating heart. His trembling hands began to type, writing a reply.
Aiden's angry and disappointed face flashed through his mind.
But what good did it do?
Better to die than lose yourself.
A person has to survive first!