Chapter 898: Don’t Look at Me Like That

Looking at the silent Jim.

Xu Shaochen wasn’t in a hurry.

Sitting with one leg crossed over the other, one hand tapping gently on his knee, his face wore a gentle smile like a spring breeze.

Tony and Mike were even less anxious. They knew the Johnson Family better than Xu Shaochen, so they knew Jim had no other choice.

After a moment.

Jim raised his head and looked at the three in front of him, as if seeing three steel knives glinting coldly, aimed right at his forehead.

And he himself.

Could only endure the pain, letting them carve him up.

In less than half a month, the situation had completely reversed. What an ironic turn of events.

“Sigh—”

Jim let out a long breath and nodded: “Fine, I agree.”

As he spoke, his hand on his leg was gripping so tightly his leg had swollen.

His heart felt like it was bleeding.

Losing 30 percent of the shares in an instant, nearly a third of the Johnson Family was being handed over.

This was all supposed to be his rightful inheritance!

“Jim, I look forward to a great partnership.”

Xu Shaochen extended a hand toward Jim.

Jim didn’t respond: “Don’t rush. I can agree to the 30 percent, but I have conditions too.”

“Please.” Xu Shaochen made a gesture of invitation.

Jim’s eyes swept over the three: “That is, for five years, you have no voting rights. Only after five years will it be unlocked.”

This was to prevent Xu Shaochen and his group from using their shares to buy more stock, allying with other shareholders and seizing control of the company.

Five years would be enough time for the Johnson Family to bounce back and recover.

By then, they would naturally know how to handle the shares they had given away today.

“Jim, are you joking with us? Taking the shares but without any voting rights? How is that different from just pocketing cash?”

Tony chuckled dismissively, as if it was a ridiculous joke.

“Indeed, Jim, that’s absolutely impossible. We’ll take the shares, but we also keep the basic rights of a shareholder.”

Mike strongly defended his interests, expressing agreement.

Xu Shaochen spread his hands helplessly: “You see, your proposal is absurd. We won’t agree to that.”

After speaking, Xu Shaochen paused before continuing: “How about this? It seems we’re not going to finalize anything today. What if we revisit it in a couple of days?”

Jim couldn’t help cursing inwardly when he heard this. He knew this was Xu Shaochen threatening him again.

If they dragged this out another two days, who knew what kind of trouble the family would face? By then, those three predators would surely raise the price even higher.

“Xu, your demands are too excessive. Since this is a negotiation, I expect some sincerity from your side.”

Jim, barely holding back his rage, tried to maintain a calm tone as he addressed Xu Shaochen.

“Jim, didn’t you also want voting rights from the Xu Corporation back then? How about we swap places and think about it that way?”

Xu Shaochen suggested.

Jim fell silent, and the room grew quiet.

And like that, everyone sat in silence for a full two minutes.

“Well then, Jim. When you’re ready to show some sincerity, give me a call. I don’t want to waste my time next time.”

Xu Shaochen glanced at the watch on his wrist, breaking the silence. He stood up and prepared to leave.

Tony and Mike immediately followed suit, their pace slightly slower than usual.

“Wait!”

As expected, just as they took less than 30 steps, Jim’s voice called from behind.

Xu Shaochen smiled. Tony and Mike smiled as well.

But with their backs to Jim, he had no way to appreciate the joy exuding from them.

“Jim, is there something else?”

The instant Xu Shaochen turned around, the smile vanished, replaced by a look of confusion.

Jim took a deep breath and squeezed out his words through clenched teeth: “I agree to your terms. Right now! Just stop all your dirty tricks!”

A man on the chopping block, he could now understand how Xu Shaochen must have felt when he’d been threatened.

He wanted to kill someone!

“Buddy, shouldn’t we sign the contract first? That would be more fair, don’t you think?”

Tony said with a relaxed smile, lighting a cigarette as if without a care in the world.

What I say?

I say your mother’s a whore!

Jim cursed inwardly, although his face remained calm: “I’ll call someone to prepare the contract right now. Wait a moment.”

With that, he walked off with his phone.

Clearly, he wasn’t just calling to prepare the contract.

He needed to discuss this with his father. Even though he had agreed to the terms, it wouldn’t mean anything if his father didn’t give final approval.

“As per the agreed division, I’m taking 40 percent. You two get 30 percent each.”

Watching Jim walk away, Xu Shaochen reminded Tony and Mike about the division of spoils.

Of the 30 percent of shares, Xu Shaochen would keep 12 percent for himself.

“Of course, we’re businessmen. In business, honesty is paramount.”

Tony shrugged.

Xu Shaochen chuckled. “You’re not a businessman. You’re a capitalist, and capitalists care more about profits than honesty.”

“Well said. Besides, this is just the beginning. We haven’t fully taken control of the Johnson Family yet.”

Mike nodded. The real plan was still to completely swallow the Johnson Family.

Suddenly, the three stopped talking, because Jim was heading back.

“My father has agreed to your terms. The secretary is preparing the contract.”

Jim said expressionlessly.

“Buddy, hold on. The contract needs to be adjusted. I’m taking 12 percent, and they’ll split the remainder equally.”

Xu Shaochen reminded Jim, avoiding the need to draft a new contract later.

Hearing this, Jim gave Xu Shaochen a deep look. From the division alone, it was clear Xu Shaochen was the one truly in charge here.

“Brother, don’t look at me like that. I might think you’ve fallen for me. After all, your country is known for being risky in such matters.”

Xu Shaochen joked with a bright smile.

But Jim couldn’t smile at all. If he could, he would shove Xu Shaochen’s face straight into the toilet.

Shit! This damned Chinese bastard!

About half an hour later, the secretary and lawyer arrived with the necessary documents and items.

The four of them signed the contract right there on the golf course.

“Buddy, here’s to a smooth partnership.”

Xu Shaochen extended his hand toward Jim.

Tony and Mike did the same.

“Don’t forget what you promised.”

Jim tossed out coldly, ignoring the three as he left, barely containing his fury.