Just then, Zachary had already led Jasper over to a modest-looking middle-aged man who had a pair of round glasses on.
“Jasper, this is Michael Lane, otherwise known as Mr. Lane. He’s the CEO of Gladness International Corporation.”
“Mike, this is the wonderful young man I’ve been telling you about, Jasper Laine.”
When Zachary was done with the introductions, Jasper extended a hand and said while smiling, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Lane. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Michael smiled as he shook Jasper’s hand. “I’ve never heard about you in the past, but Zach’s been talking about you for the past few days.”
The fact that Zachary and Michael had nicknames for each other proved that they were on close terms.
After exchanging pleasantries, Jasper said, “Mr. Lane, I won’t beat around the bush anymore since Uncle Law is here. I’m interested in purchasing Gladness Entertainment, which you currently own.”
Michael glanced at Zachary before he smiled at Jasper and said, “I do intend to sell it. However, in terms of its pricing, I understand that it’s not exactly cheap, but I don’t plan to lower the price.”
Michael might be a good-tempered man who was easy to talk to, but he was a force to be reckoned with in the business world. After all, he had managed to build the empire that was now Gladness International Corporation.
“You can’t deny the fact that Harbor City’s movies are declining in popularity. I’m worried that you’ll struggle to find a buyer as sincere as I am if your price is too high.”
Jasper was not one to spend mindlessly and thus would not just agree to whatever price Michael had set. As such, he did not hesitate to retaliate.
Michael said calmly, “But Gladness Entertainment has the best assets in the entertainment industry. That’s a fact. Jasper, how much effort would you have to put into creating a company like mine from scratch if you wanted to enter the entertainment industry?”
“I would not be standing before you if I didn’t agree that Gladness Entertainment has the best assets, Mr. Lane,” Jasper smiled as he said that.
Michael laughed and thought for a moment before he shook his head and said, “I had put my heart and soul into Gladness Entertainment. I wouldn’t be selling it if I had a choice. No more negotiations regarding the price.”
Jasper said calmly, “If that’s the case, there’s no need to continue this conversation.”
With that, he turned and left.
Not only was Michael stunned at that swift exit, but so was Zachary.
Who did business like that, turning around and leaving the minute a disagreement surfaced?
Given Jasper’s assertive attitude, it did not look like he wanted to buy Gladness Entertainment but more like Michael was begging him to buy the company.
“Jasper, wait.”
Zachary had not interrupted thus far. He was merely a middleman for this transaction, and his role was to ensure things wrapped up nicely. Now that the deal was about to fall apart, he called after Jasper.
Just then, a waiter walked over with a tray. Zachary took three glasses of wine and gave Jasper and Michael a glass each before he took a sip. He then said while smiling, “What’s a business deal without a little compromise? Mich, you’re the senior here. Why don’t you express your attitude first?”
Michael frowned as he said, “I’m not explicitly demanding cash. You can also seal the deal with shares.”
“What if it’s a tip that can prevent Gladness International Corporation from losing 40% of its value in the market?” Jasper suddenly asked.
Michael’s eyes lit up as he gazed seriously into Jasper’s eyes and asked, “Young man, do you hear what you’re saying?”
Zachary’s expression turned solemn.
Jasper’s choice of business jargon had already crossed the line from being impolite to being insulting.
In his past life, Gladness International Corporation, which shifted their focus into the finance industry, had met with the burst of the dot-com bubble. They had suffered major losses at the end of the year 2000.
Memories of Gladness International Corporation played in Jasper’s mind as he said calmly, “The burst of the dot-com bubble is starting in the west. It might be as fast as a week or as slow as half a month. Either way, something will definitely happen. Most of Gladness International Corporation’s investments are in internet companies, right?”
Michael shuddered.
“Do you dare take responsibility for your words?” Michael asked solemnly.
Jasper glanced at Zachary before he said calmly, “Mr. Lane, I’m willing to bet a billion dollars with you if you don’t believe me.”
Michael barked out a laugh as he said, “No need for a bet. I can sell Gladness International Corporation to you for 15 billion dollars, but you have to promise me one thing.”
