“Alright, this is negligence on our part. Mr. Laine has just arrived so we should let him rest well. In that case, we shall let Sylphie take you to rest. If you need anything, please tell her.” Emil saw this opportunity to escape the situation. Hence, he stood up and said.
After nodding in agreement, Jasper turned his head and said to Kit, “Mr. Kit, then I will leave first, and will ask you for advice later.”
Kit smiled and said, “Mr. Laine, you should rest first. We’ll talk later.”
With that, the first negotiation between Jasper and Sentel Corporation ended without embarrassment to either party.
Coming out of the study, Sylphie took Jasper to the guest room to rest. She whispered, “Mr. Laine, my father and grandpa both have big concerns surrounding this partnership. After all, this is not a trivial matter, so please understand.”
Jasper waved his hand and said, “It‘s okay, I would be surprised if your father agreed so quickly.”
“It’s just that it’s impossible to ask for JW’s stocks. It‘s like if we were in opposite positions and I were asking Sentel for its stocks in exchange for my services. It’s unrealistic.”
Sylphie nodded when she heard this. Then, she replied, “I understand.”
While they were talking, Sylphie brought Jasper to a guest room and said, “Mr. Laine, you can rest here. I will arrange for a servant to wait at the door. If you need something, you can call the servant at any time and I will come here as soon as possible.”
Jasper smiled. “It’s rare to get such treatment by you, right, Prince Sylphie?”
Sylphie chuckled. “You are the first.”
“Very good, I hope I’m the only one,” Jasper said.
Sylphie pursed her lips and smiled. Then, she watched Jasper enter the guest room.
At this moment, Emil and Kit were still talking in the study.
“Father, I don’t think there’s much hope of obtaining JW’s stocks,” Emil said to Kit.
Kit glanced at Emil and said slowly, “I never thought about getting their stocks. It’s of little value or interest to me.”
Emil was taken aback and asked, “But before this, this was the only condition you gave me, Father.”
“That’s because I know you wouldn’t be able to reach an agreement with him.”
Kit sighed.
Somerland was a vast land with great resources and great talents, but at the same time, all kinds of elites could be found over there.
When he looked at the successor that he had carefully cultivated for many years, he realized that this man was still only as good as Jasper, a grassroots youth from Somerland.
If Jasper were here, he might not have asked such a stupid question.
“Let me ask you, is there any hope that Jasper will win this war now?”
At the end of the day, he was the son whom he had carefully nurtured for decades. Kit did not give up on Emil because of this. Besides, even though Emil was not that great in strategy and big picture situations, his other defensive skills were still decent.
“Not really.”
Emil shook his head. This was something a person with a discerning eye could see.
“Furthermore, even if we join, it most likely won’t change the outcome.”
Kit nodded and said, “Yes, if Jasper loses, then what is the difference between JW’s stocks and waste paper?”
“The funds invested by JW, in addition to the investment raised in Somerland, are mostly from commercial loans and leveraged loans. At that time, JW will not only be penniless, but will also be burdened with sky-high debt.”
“So what should we do with the stocks then? Burn them for warmth?”
Kit was surprised, “Dad, in that case, why should we even negotiate with Jasper?”
“Because Jasper has what we desperately need.”
This was said by Sylphie, who had just opened the door. “Father, do you remember the Somerland intelligence dealer who introduced Jasper to us?”
Emil nodded and said, “Yes, I do. She seems to have a very extensive background in Somerland.”
“That has nothing to do with our transaction this time.”
Sylphie smiled and continued, “She once revealed that Jasper has an important bargaining chip that can change the attitude of the Maynards in North America.”
Emil was surprised. “I thought the intelligence dealer only said this to try persuade us to receive Jasper.”
Shaking her head, Sylphie said, “I have had contact with this intelligence dealer before. It’s not just us, many big families and companies purchased most of the important information relating to Somerland through her channel.”
“The only thing is that she won’t sell national intelligence. Although, I have no doubt that she can obtain it with her ability.”
“Moreover, this person has a very obvious style of doing business, which is that she never exaggerates the role of any piece of intelligence throughout the transaction. She also does not falsify information. This is why a lot of people will deal with her the second time, third time, or even many times after.”
“If that’s the case…” Emil furrowed his brows and said, “If we refuse to cooperate with Jasper, then our hopes of working with North America will be all but lost, but if we agree…”
Emil looked at Kit and continued, “The risk is great.”
“There is no risk-free option in business…”
“What we have to do is to strive for as many benefits as possible.”
Kit said flatly, “You should bring Jasper to my back garden for the second round of negotiations.”
Emil stood up and replied respectfully. “I understand, Father.”
Jasper naturally could not sleep well in Sentel Corporation’s house. He got up after a light sleep of just over two hours.
Even so, it was already early evening by the time Jasper got up.
After he opened the door and walked out, Sylphie happened to walk over from a distance.
At this time, Sylphie had changed her outfit. She was wearing a garnet red dress with a delicate silver corsage on her chest with no other accesories on her. Even so, Sylphie seemed to give off an aura full of extravagance and fastidiousness.
Anyone who saw Sylphie could tell that this woman had definitely grown up in a life of luxury. Otherwise, she would not be able to cultivate this temperament.
“You’re awake. Do you want dinner?” Sylphie asked in consideration.
“Let’s go out for dinner,” Jasper suggested.
“Didn’t you say that you want to bring me to see the beauty of Sela?”
Sylphie chuckled and said, “I thought you’d be very stressed, I didn’t expect you to be in the mood for pleasure.”
“One has to enjoy life while they’re still alive. If not, why should I bother making so much money?”
Jasper grabbed his coat and stood in front of Sylphie. He grinned and asked, “I wonder if I’ll get the honor of touring Sela with you, Princess Sylphie?”
“Of course.” Sylphie bowed slightly and answered.
