Chapter 327
Striding toward James, lan asked sharply, “Tell me. What is going on here?”
James’s expression had instantly switched from leisurely to sulking.
“Like I said, my component was in the final phase of development, and we just needed this microchip. We would
have to divert much of our resources if we want to make that microchip ourselves, so that’s not going to happen
quickly. That’s why I decided to order it from a foreign company, and we even signed an agreement so that they
would sell us that patent of microchip. It’s basically a monopoly, but I found out today that they’re a dummy
corporation! The samples they gave us were from another company–I’ve called the cops, though, so we just might
stop them…”
“Stop them? A foreign company?” lan breathed through clenched teeth even as he shook with rage. “You paid
them millions without doing a background check on them?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“I did! But their setup was so elaborate, it fooled even me…”
“And do you really believe we can get our money back after all that?”
It was now very clear to lan that it was all a set–up.
James had been swindled, and by a foreign company at that. There was no way they could apprehend them, not to
mention that any previously known identities must be fake!
Where would they even start searching?
“It was all because of my oversight,” James admitted.
“Did you really think that saying that would let you off the hook?” lan growled–James caused this mess, and lan was
not about to shoulder his responsibility.
Taking a seat opposite the other man, lan said, “Tell me. How would you make up for this?”
James hung his head for a moment and was smiling fawningly when he looked up again. “You see, I didn’t mean for
this to happen…”
“I don’t want excuses.” lan cut him short impatiently.
James made an awkward look in turn. “I’ve already bet my bottom dollar on this project. I can’t return the injection
you provided either…”
“You can give me your shares if you can pay up.” lan said, believing that he had quickly found the smartest solution.
“The agreement before will also be amended, and now I’ll have 80%, and you 20%.”
That was exactly what James wanted to say, but he acted hurt and reluctant. “I can’t… Look, I can pay you back in
the future, but you can’t keep cutting off my shares-”
“What do you have of value other than those shares?” lan asked.
As James stayed silent, lan continued. “Nothing. Right now, you can only say yes.”
“Eighty to twenty… I’m basically your wage slave, aren’t I? And considering my initial investment, I still paid the
most here even after we lost that injection. You’re really squeezing me dry here…”
Ian had always wanted the component’s distribution rights for himself anyway, and so, he snapped. obstinately, “If
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmyou refuse, then pay me back the capital we lost!”
James appeared utterly desperate. “Alright, alright! I’ll sign the amended agreement, but there must be an
additional clause: if I ever paid you back for your injections, we must revert to the previous fifty–fifty agreement.”
lan thought about it and said, “Fine, but for now, this project is basically mine.”
“Fine.” James breathed through clenched teeth.
Worried that he would renege, lan said, ‘I’ll have someone draft the agreement right now.”
With that, they signed a new agreement on the very same day, and lan left Eastdawn feeling just a little better.
Finally, something had gone his way
He was certainly smug now that he basically took control over Eastdawn–with 80% of the company’s shares, his will
was law in Eastdawn, while James was no more than a figurehead CEO.
However, his joy lasted for just one night.
The very next day, Eastdawn announced their bankruptcy and defaulted on truckloads of debts. lan thought he was
hearing things until he saw it on the news!