Haddock Mining Group.
The country’s first large private mining company. While it was a private capital, Waterhoof City Mining Group owned 32% of its shares and the IBCS owned 19%. To some degree, it could be seen as a state-owned enterprise.
Its franchise had always belonged to the Haddock Chamber of Commerce, meaning it was in Gale Hurlbutt’s hands.
After all, without the state’s funds, it was impossible to even get the license to mine, let alone open a mining business in the country. Mining fell under controlled resources, and it was not a trade that anyone could take as they wished.
At the same time, it was also a business enterprise on the stock market.
The moment JW Capital and Haddock Mining Group both released official statements, the latter’s share price began to rise.
At the same time in a manor in the outskirts of Nauritus City.
In the luxurious room, Sirius slammed his hand on the table with a bang and growled wretchedly. “What the f*ck is that b*stard Jasper doing?! Is he really going to fight to the death with us?!”
Conrad was the only person in the room beside Sirius, and he was currently focused on cutting the cigar in his hands.
Hearing him, Conrad replied calmly, “Calm down. Do you not find yourself being ridiculous? We’ve already gone past the point of reconciliation long ago. Or did you somehow think this won’t end with one party dead?
“There’s no rule under the sun stating that only we can attack but they cannot counter back. He just managed to hit you where it hurts this time.”
Sirius suppressed the anger within him and complained to Conrad, “You might not know this, Mr. Monty, but the Hanks family’s entire focus is on this one business. We were just about to import the goods for the year when Jasper destroyed our plans.
“The sales channels under us have been coming to find us in the past two days, saying that either we compensate for their losses as per the contracts signed, or we give them the goods. At this rate, the Hanks family will be over even without Jasper’s attack.”
Conrad replied calmly, “That’s easy, then. There’s more than just one Waterhoof City manufacturer in the country. Nothing is stopping you from buying from other manufacturers.”
‘Oh, you f*cking sly b*stard!’
Sirius was extremely displeased, but his expression did not betray his emotions. He smiled bitterly instead. “It’s not that easy. Business like this requires a deposit before the manufacturer starts manufacturing the goods.
“We’ve tried to look for substitute manufacturers before, but they either directly declined us, or they set an ungodly high price. The Hanks family isn’t stupid. We would end up making a loss if we agreed. I might as well pay compensation as per the contracts at this point.”
“So pay the compensation, then.” Conrad smiled.
Sirius quickly explained, “We have tens of sales channels under us. We’ll go broke instantly if we compensate them according to the contracts. We’ve got an alliance, don’t we, Mr. Monty? You can’t just watch me meet my end like this.”
Conrad glanced at Sirius and asked calmly, “Do you wish that I provide you with money or goods?”
Sirius was stunned as he did not expect Conrad to be so willing. He probed, saying, “It’d be best if I got the goods. That way, we can still continue the business.”
“You’re a funny man, Mr. Hanks. The Monty family isn’t involved in such an industry, so how do you expect me to find you so many goods in such a short time?” Conrad asked calmly.
“As for money, I’m sure you wouldn’t believe me if I said I don’t have any. It’d be insincere of me to say so as well. However, the Monty family’s money belongs to the family, meaning that I can give you a bit to help with the situation, but not enough to save your life. Do you understand what I mean?”
Sirius’ expression soured.
His end was inevitable if even Conrad was not going to help him.
Over the past few days, while his sales channels asked him to repay his debts, they had also been in contact with JW Electronics. A large majority of them must have signed new contracts with JW Electronics as well.
He only came to know because a few old partners told him. They were people whom he had been working with for a long time, so they told him about it seeing that they were friends.
Sirius felt lost.
Seeing how devastated Sirius looked, Conrad’s impatience grew.
However, he did not express what he felt for he knew that if the Monty family wanted to benefit from this, he had to watch out for the Hanks family as well.
“Relax.”
Conrad fiddled with the cigar in his hand and explained calmly, “Patience is crucial to many things. Look at this cigar, for example. From planting to picking these tobacco leaves, to processing, fermenting, and making these leaves into rolls, it takes around a dozen skilled workers at least five months before one cigar is made.
“The world would have less fascinating things if everyone is as impatient as you.”
Lighting the cigar, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. The dense and fragrant smoke wafted around the room, covering Conrad’s face slightly, making the man look unreal.
“I’ll talk to people in Harbor City about your situation. If Kennedy wants you to work for him, then it wouldn’t make sense for him to do nothing and watch you die. Just because I can’t do anything doesn’t mean he can’t, do you understand?”
With such a promise, Sirius’ expression smoothened out as he nodded. “Seems like that’s the only thing we can do now. I’m afraid I can only last five days at most if I don’t have anything to give the sales channels.”
“Outstanding,” Conrad mocked calmly.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened at Conrad’s reply.
“Mr. Monty, I’ve just received news from the investment department. There’s been a change in the family’s Skyward Aluminum’s share price. It’s already risen to the limit now. According to our predictions, someone might be trying to buy Skyward Aluminum’s shares for malicious reasons.”
Conrad was stunned for a moment before he exploded. “You useless piece of trash! Why’d it take you so long to report it to me?!”
The person looked distressed as he explained fearfully, “It happened too fast, Mr. Monty. It only took five minutes for the share price to rise to the limit. We couldn’t even react in time.”
“All of you are absolutely useless! Immediately call for a managerial-level meeting at Skyward Aluminum! Go, what are you waiting for?” Conrad roared.
That person immediately fled without hesitation.
Sirius could not help but feel pleased to see Conrad agitated at that moment.
Jasper had finally made a move against Conrad.
It filled Sirius with relief as he was not the only one suffering anymore.
In fact, he even wanted to take a cigar for himself and repeat Conrad’s words to him unhurriedly. ‘Relax. The world’s more fascinating things are not to be rushed.’
