A video call that spanned the distance of half the earth was established.
Celine Maynard sat in front of the computer. She stared at the image of Paulson on the screen with a calm expression.
Due to the time difference, it was now afternoon on Paulson’s side of the world.
Evidently, he was extremely busy. After accepting the video call, he immediately said, “Celine, you have ten minutes to talk to me. There’s another important meeting that I need to attend in ten minutes’ time.”
Celine nodded to indicate that she understood. “In that case, I’ll get straight to the point. I don’t mind if the headquarter sends a team to investigate me, but Jasper Laine’s listing plan for Sena cannot be put on hold because of this,” she said intently.
Paulson shook his head. “Celine, although I’ve always admired your capabilities, you let your emotions get in the way this time,” he said in a regretful tone.
“You have to understand that the questions raised by the directors are perfectly reasonable, and they also have the right to do so. This is the power that has been granted to them during the shareholders’ general meeting, and I cannot do anything about it.”
Celine replied solemnly, “Even so, anyone can tell that this listing benefits not just Jasper, but also our investment bank, right? We cannot just push Jasper into the hands of our competitors just because a few directors disagree.
“If that happens, Layman and Merlene Investments will be laughing at us in their sleep.”
Paulson frowned. He fixed a deep gaze upon Celine and said, “Celine, tell me right now. Why did you take the initiative to reduce Jasper Laine’s commission by 20%?”
“I did that to win him over,” Celine replied immediately without thinking twice.
“As I had previously reported to you, Jasper Laine is undoubtedly a business prodigy that everyone is underestimating. Sena, which is an extremely high-achieving company in our eyes, is simply one of the many companies in the diverse group of businesses that he owns.
“I think that our investment bank will benefit greatly from working together with someone like that.”
Paulson smiled and said, “I have to admit that Jasper Laine is a wondrous businessman. However, this does not mean that the board of directors will accept your excuse. To them, this listing case is indeed rewarding, but they are more concerned about the possibility of collusion occurring between internal members of the company and outsiders.”
“That’s why I’m not against the headquarters’ decision to send an investigation team over. They can investigate all they like. However, if Jasper cancels his deal with us over this, we will hurt badly!” Celine argued.
A slight frown formed on Paulson’s face. “As I said, this is our directors’ choice. There is no way for me to prevent it from happening,” he said.
“Yes, you can. As the chairman, you can use your veto power to veto their review of the listing,” Celine said.
Paulson burst out into laughter. “Celine, are you kidding me right now? Are you asking me to go against those directors because of Jasper Laine? What good does this do me?” He asked.
“I’m willing to bet my entire career on this!” Celine suddenly said.
Paulson’s smile froze on his face. He pinned a deep gaze on Celine and asked her solemnly, “Do you know what you’re talking about?”
“By all means, run the investigation, but any no circumstances can you stop the listing. If any problem arise, I’ll resign immediately,” Celine said calmly after taking in a deep breath.
Paulson remained silent for some time.
Right then, someone knocked on the door to Paulson’s on the other end of the line. His secretary had come over to remind him that his time was up.
“Ask them to wait for a moment as I have an important matter to handle right now,” Paulson said. After that, the sound of the door closing could be heard. He then continued to face the screen to look at Celine. “Celine, your father and I have been close friends for decades. I don’t want to see you make this big mistake,” he said.
“This is too risky for you. There is too much at stake. If something unexpected happens, you will not be able to continue working in the financial industry for the rest of your life. This does not just apply to Wall Street. No other investment bank in the world would dare to employ you ever again.”
“I know what I’m doing. Please help me this once, Uncle Paulson,” Celine said in an even tone.
Paulson let out a sigh and said, “I’m afraid that your guarantee isn’t enough to change the minds of those stubborn directors.”
“In that case, I’ll add on one other thing. If the share price of Sena is less than a hundred US dollars, I will voluntarily resign as well. I will also compensate the investment bank for their loss with an amount three times the commission. I’m giving you my word as the second-in-line heir to the Maynard family. Is that enough?”
Celine’s words traversed across the oceans and rang out loud and clear in Paulson’s office room.
Paulson stared at Celine, who was wearing a calm and determined look on her face, in shock. He then shook his head.
“A hundred US dollars? Do you know what a share price of a hundred US dollars means? After Nasdaq went through the Internet bubble, there are only a few dozen stocks worth more than a hundred US dollars left. Those companies all consist of large and well-known global companies!”
Celine did not say anything. She understood what Paulson was implying more than anyone else.
However, if she did not come up with such a bargain, the directors would never concede.
Therefore, Celine continued stare directly into Paulson’s eyes calmly.
Meanwhile, Paulson did not say anything either. He had watched Celine grow up and understood that whenever she showed such an expression, it meant that she would not go back on her words.
“I will try my best,” Paulson said and hung up on the video call.
After going through all of that, Celine leaned back on her chair in exhaustion. As she lowered her head, she caught sight of the red high-heels that she was currently wearing. Suddenly, she laughed out loud.
Was it worth it? Nobody knew.
Anyways, she had bet everything, her career included.
It was all because of this pair of red high-heels from that night.
…
Jasper did not see Celine for a few days. On the first day, Julian told him that he had caught sight of Miss Stone leaving the hotel despondently with all of her luggage.
Jasper was not sure about what had happened within the company. He did not intend to understand what had happened either.
He had even begun to contact other large investment banks like Layman or Merlene Investments.
In his opinion, Colossal Investments was acting like they were high and mighty. If that was the case, he could just change partners. It would be just another collaboration.
In any case, the company would be listed on the Nasdaq all the same. He did not worry about it at all.
On the third day, which was the last day of Celine and Jasper’s agreement, Celine knocked on the door to Jasper’s room.
She was still as graceful and charming as always. There was a hint of gentle loveliness in her pretty, feminine features as she smiled at him sweetly.
“It’s done. The listing of Sena has officially been approved. On the other hand, the headquarters have already begun lobbying the Nasdaq Review Committee. We shall soon head to New York to ring the bells,” she said.
