How much was the Zion family’s shipyard worth?
The 800-tonne gantry cranes they had imported from Germany were worth 400 million themselves.
There were also the most advanced computer numerical control machines of the day, each of which had a starting price of 100 million.
The members of the Zion family understood that even if the machines were dismantled and sold as scrap metal, they would be worth way more than 50 million.
Which was why Jasper’s offer of 50 million infuriated them.
Yet, did they have a choice?
No!
The Zion family was in shambles both on the inside and on the outside.
When they left the house, they were confronted with people demanding the Zion family to pay off their debts. When they returned home, every person in the family was calculating how they could get the greatest amount of money.
Most importantly, they understood one thing.
No one besides Jasper Laine would dare buy their shipyard.
It did not matter if there were great benefits or profits if you were not alive to spend them!
Jasper understood that. Which was why he had let Mr. Lambert drop by with a check for 50 million.
If it were any less, there would not be enough money to divide between the family members. They would not take the bait.
Jasper wanted to claim the shipyard without causing any casualties. If the Zion family decided to take the risk and not accept the offer, it would not fit Jasper’s consistent approach to maximizing benefits.
This amount of money was just enough to make the Zion family stop and think.
It would hurt them if they agreed.
However, it would hurt them even more if they refused!
“Eldest Brother, I think we should sell it.”
Harvey’s younger brother, Herman Zion, was the first one to speak.
The minute he spoke, his other relatives turned to glare at him.
The expression on Harvey’s face faltered before he yelled, “Are you stupid or crazy? We inherited this shipyard from Old Master Zion. It’s our family business and it’s worth well over a billion dollars! How could you agree to sell it for 50 million?!”
When Harvey finished yelling, he looked at his other relatives but realized that they did not look angered. Rather, they had sly expressions on their faces.
Harvey’s heart sank as he got a bad feeling.
“Eldest Brother, I think Second Brother has a point.”
Another woman spoke.
Harvey glared at her, his eyes resembling those of an angered tiger. The woman avoided his gaze but continued saying stubbornly, “Look at the situation we’re in now. There’s no way the Zion family is going to survive any longer in Brac County. To hell with a family business.
“You might have earned a lot over the years, but we only got a small portion of that money. We have our families and kids to feed.”
A murmur of agreement rang out as the woman spoke.
“That’s right. Eldest Brother, you should sell it.”
“What’s the point in staying stubborn? You can even get 50 million if you agree to sell it to Mr. Laine. Do you think anyone else in Brac County will dare buy our shipyard?”
The more Harvey listened to them, the angrier he became. He roared, “If no one in Brac County wants it, I’ll go to Greene City and Fortune County. As long as there’s a sea, there will be a shipyard. Does Jasper Laine think he can dominate the world?!”
“Dad,” Mark said weakly, “People are demanding we return our debt. They’re surrounding the outside now. There’s no way you can get out. They won’t give us time to raise the money.”
The furious expression on Harvey’s face melted away as his face turned ashen.
Mr. Lambert dusted his shirt as he looked at the expressions on the members of the Zion family. His respect for Jasper grew by another notch.
How terrifying!
Mr. Laine’s calculations when it came to dealing with humans were terrifying.
