Maximize Interest, My Money Grows Infinitely-Chapter 313 - 207 Alina Takes the Bait

Wen Shulin and David among others came to a small meeting room next door and casually shut the door.

The originally spacious room seemed a bit cramped because of the extra people.

"Wen, didn’t you say that Beijing CGG had already reached a preliminary acquisition intention with Chen Da? Why is he starting with an offer of 4 billion?"

David lowered his voice, visibly dissatisfied, "Why did you and him not finalize the details before asking us to come and negotiate?!"

The others also showed their difficulty, and Steve couldn’t help adjusting his glasses, saying:

"Wen, I know you urgently need this acquisition to achieve a significant breakthrough within the CGG board of directors, but we must separate public and private interests. CGG’s money does not grow on trees."

Catherine chimed in: "Exactly, Wen, you should be clearer than any of us about the value of Xingye Products, 4 billion is simply impossible!"

Wen Shulin sat at the head of the conference table, listening to their complaints with a calm expression, until they all quieted down, then she slowly began to speak.

"I know what you all are worried about," she said evenly,

"But have you ever thought about why Mr. Chen would quote a price of 4 billion?"

Everyone exchanged puzzled looks, seeing confusion in each other’s eyes.

"We all know the value of Chen Cheng’s shares is not worth 4 billion, so think about why he would quote such a high price right off the bat?" Wen Shulin asked again.

The meeting room fell silent for a few seconds before Steve tentatively asked:

"Is he... testing CGG’s bottom line?"

"Testing the bottom line?"

Wen Shulin shook her head slightly, "If it were just probing the bottom line, he wouldn’t have needed to quote such an outrageous price. 4 billion, that’s nearly double the valuation of his stake, this isn’t just testing, it’s pure provocation."

"Then what exactly does he mean?" Catherine asked, puzzled.

John had been silent all this while, his brows furrowed, as if deep in thought.

He adjusted his glasses and said in his usual steady voice, "I think, Mr. Chen must have some other purpose."

"Some other purpose?" David pressed, "What purpose?"

"If I’m not mistaken," John paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, "he’s trying to..."

He made a guess that shocked everyone:

"Force us to abandon the acquisition of Xingye Products!"

"That’s impossible!"

David was the first to react, slamming the table forcefully,

"Beijing CGG has been preparing for nearly a year to acquire Xingye Products, with significant investment of resources, we are on the brink of success, how could Chen Cheng possibly force us to give up now?!"

"But..." Steve hesitated, "At a price of 4 billion, it’s indeed absurd, we simply cannot accept it."

"Exactly," Catherine agreed, "If we really agreed to his terms, wouldn’t we be the fools?"

Wen Shulin watched as the three of them continued to speculate, feeling secretly thrilled.

She hadn’t said anything herself, yet it had sparked their debate. This was exactly the strategy she and Chen Cheng had discussed the night before.

Only through this, would Alina emerge behind the scenes.

"Alright," Wen Shulin gently tapped the table, signaling everyone to quiet down,

"We can’t assume Mr. Chen’s thoughts, nor should we try to guess them."

"The immediate priority is how we should respond."

She looked around, her expression resolute as she said:

"In my opinion, we should agree."

"What?!"

Hearing this, David and the others were instantly shocked, exclaiming in unison.

"Wen, have you lost your mind?!"

David looked at her incredulously, "4 billion is no small amount! Acquiring Xingye Products at twice the price is not justifiable by any standard."

"I know," Wen Shulin’s expression remained calm, "but have you considered the consequences if we don’t agree to it?"

The others were once again silent, they were not fools, they naturally understood what Wen Shulin meant.

"But..." Steve wanted to say more but was cut off by a raising of Wen Shulin’s hand.

She said firmly, "But please trust me, I have my reasons for doing this."

"This..."

Wen Shulin continued, "This 4 billion will be paid by Beijing CGG."

Her calm words stirred up a storm in the meeting room.

David suddenly stood up, his face ashen, in disbelief he looked at Wen Shulin:

"Wen, do you realize what you’re saying?! 4 billion, using Beijing CGG’s funds? You’re pushing yourself and us into the fire!"

His team was sent by CGG headquarters specifically to facilitate this equity acquisition. If Wen Shulin and Chen Cheng signed the contract, David and his team could not escape being held accountable, facing salary cuts, or even dismissal.

Steve could no longer restrain himself, even the usually composed man raised his voice:

"Wen, a loss of 2 billion, how do we explain this to headquarters? How to justify it to the shareholders?!"

Catherine stood directly opposite Wen Shulin, her tone sharp:

"Wen, I’ve always admired you, I thought you were a capable and daring leader. But today, I’m disappointed in you! How is what you’re doing any different from those who line their own pockets?!"

Wen Shulin faced their accusations yet still remained composed.

She had anticipated such a reaction.

billion might not be an astronomical figure for an investment giant like CGG.

But if that 2 billion appears as a loss, it’s a completely different matter.

Moreover, if the transaction is completed, this means that Beijing CGG’s net profit attributable to the parent company would directly decrease by 2 billion this quarter.