Chapter 56

Is the stock market really that easy to make money from?

This question needs to be answered in parts. If you are someone who can obtain insider information, or even has special intelligence channels, making money from the stock market is very easy, even in the United States, where various regulations exist, it is still quite simple. ●⌒

However, for ordinary people to make money in the stock market, it is not that simple. Making a little money is possible, but making a lot of money is almost impossible.

There is an old saying in China: "You only see the thief eating meat, but you don't see the thief getting beaten." This refers to those who only see people making money in the stock market but ignore the fact that some people lose everything and even jump from buildings.

But how many people can remain clear-headed and see the crisis every time the stock market is booming?

Lucas is such a person.

Anne is somewhat similar, but she hasn't taken action yet.

However, it cannot be denied that Anne is indeed tempted by the booming stock market.

Compared to Lucas, Anne, although she has taken action, is not as enthusiastic. Unlike Lucas, who is determined to sell the family toy factory and dive into the stock market to 'show his skills.'

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In the shopping street of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, at an Italian-owned café in the outdoor area, Anne and the old butler met Lucas.

Lucas is a refined man in his fifties, exuding an elegant Italian charm. At first glance, you might think he has a strong appeal to middle-aged women.

But those who know him well are aware that Lucas is gay; he doesn't like women, but men or boys, especially handsome young boys.

In the United States, people generally have an open attitude towards personal sexual orientation. After all, Americans believe that 'such people' pose no threat to society, so why should they be treated like monsters?

When Lucas arrived, Anne and the old butler Nord were already there, having ordered two cups of coffee and some small pastries, waiting for him.

Of course, Anne always brings Coco, and the little one was happily eating the Italian pastries, clearly enjoying them very much.

"I'm really sorry for being late."

Upon seeing Anne and old Nord sitting in the outdoor area, Lucas quickly walked over and repeatedly apologized for his tardiness.

"It's no problem, we just got here a little earlier than you."

Anne smiled and gestured for Lucas to sit down.

Lucas shook hands lightly with Anne and then with the old butler Nord.

After they were seated, the old butler Nord spoke first: "Mr. Lucas, the main reason we invited you here today is to inform you that we have found a potential buyer for the toy factory you asked us to find."

Hearing this news, Lucas's face immediately lit up with joy, and he eagerly asked, "Really! Oh, what a great piece of news. I've been hearing bad news lately, so this is really good."

The toy factory was losing money every day, and even when it wasn't operating, the workers still needed to be paid, or the union would cause trouble. So, Lucas, who was losing money painfully, couldn't help but be excited about this news.

In the United States, the union is the biggest fear for businessmen like Lucas.

The power of American unions is unimaginable, completely different from the unions in China.

The factory's daily losses have already made it difficult for Lucas to continue.

So, he is now thinking about how to quickly sell the toy factory and get rid of this mess.

Unfortunately, everyone is aware of the situation in the toy manufacturing and sales industries.

Who would take over at this time?

Japanese toy manufacturers are not to be underestimated. Their toy quality is excellent, and they have a significant influence and appeal among children through various anime and cartoons. Toy manufacturers worldwide can't compete with them.

Unless you are willing to become a subcontractor and manufacture Japanese toys.

Lucas has considered this, but the high wages of American workers and various costs make the quotes too high for the Japanese to accept.

So, Lucas can't even be a subcontractor. Apart from selling the factory, what else can he do? But the problem is that it's not easy to find a buyer.

If no one takes over, Lucas will have to file for bankruptcy.

But even if he files for bankruptcy, if the union disagrees, it will be troublesome for Lucas.

For example, if the union drags the process for two or three years before allowing bankruptcy, he will have to pay the workers' salaries during that time, which is a significant amount of money.

Therefore, Lucas is practically praying to all the gods and deities in the world for a fool to appear and save him. Now, this 'savior' has finally appeared.

Lucas was almost moved to tears in front of Anne and the old butler.

"Mr. Lucas, don't get too excited yet. We need to know your asking price. At what price would you be willing to sell your toy manufacturing factory? After all, the other party is also aware of the current downturn in the toy manufacturing industry, and if the price is too high, I'm afraid they might..."

On the way to meet Lucas, Anne hinted to the old butler that Kim Hyun-tae was interested.

So, even though Lucas is an acquaintance, the old butler was asked to try to negotiate a lower price. After all, considering Kim Hyun-tae's current funds, he might not be able to afford Lucas's toy factory.

Originally, such business negotiations didn't require Anne's personal involvement. Even if Lucas's father and her deceased father were very close, sending the old butler would have been sufficient.

But Anne felt that since this was Kim Hyun-tae's matter, she needed to handle it personally to ensure the best outcome.

Unconsciously, Anne has already taken on the role of a wife, thinking she is doing this for her husband.

Otherwise, why would she do this?

It doesn't make much sense.

Of course, Anne hasn't yet realized that there is something wrong with her mindset.

She just believes that Kim Hyun-tae's matters should be handled by her, as she is the best and most suitable person for the job.

Oh!

Anne's mindset is quite amusing.

Even if Kim Hyun-tae and she were to become a couple, it's not necessary for her to handle everything personally.

The Whitson International Bank has many capable professionals who could handle this.

But it is clear that Anne is very concerned and cares deeply about Kim Hyun-tae or his matters.

We can't help but marvel at how the 'substance' within Kim Hyun-tae, influenced by the time tunnel, is so powerful that it can affect a woman like Anne in this way. It's truly amazing.

Since the young lady has given the hint, the old butler Nord knows what to do, so personal relationships must be set aside.

"Sixty million! This includes the factory and the land. This price is not high. And most importantly, my factory has no loans or debts."

Sixty million is indeed a reasonable price, and Lucas is offering a fair deal.

Even Anne, who remained silent, acknowledged this.

She had reviewed the valuation report of Lucas's toy factory, which detailed the value of the factory, machinery, and land. The sixty million price is fair, with no hidden costs.

Unfortunately, Anne can't accept this price because she needs to consider Kim Hyun-tae, the father of her unborn child.

So, Lucas will have to bear the brunt of the negotiation.

Kim Hyun-tae, though wealthy, with over two million in the bank, and expecting a few million more from "A Song of Ice and Fire" this month, and more from "The Lord of the Rings" and "Fairy Tales by Wilhelm" next month, still doesn't have sixty million in cash.

Additionally, after buying the factory, you can't lay off the workers, who need to be paid monthly, which is a significant expense.

Therefore, Anne feels it is her 'duty' to consider the father of her child and try to negotiate a lower price.

The young lady's silence told the old butler Nord that she was not satisfied with the sixty million price.

Since the young lady is not satisfied, he needs to put pressure on Lucas to make him more realistic.

"Mr. Lucas, please forgive me, but I'm afraid the other party won't buy at this price."

"Mr. Nord, my price is a fair and honest one. If you don't believe me, you can hire a professional appraisal team to evaluate the factory's total value. I have not added any hidden costs to the price."

Hearing this, Lucas immediately protested.

The old butler knows that Lucas's price is fair, but since the young lady is not satisfied, he has to continue negotiating.

As for Lucas... well, I'm sorry.

"Mr. Lucas, you need to understand that my client might want to demolish and rebuild the factory, and the machinery might be discarded. Essentially, the only useful thing is the land. You need to consider this and adjust your price accordingly."

After a moment of contemplation, the old butler Nord continued, "Additionally, my client will have to take on the factory workers, and their monthly salaries are a significant expense. Have you considered these factors and given a reasonable price?"

The old butler Nord is very clever, pointing out the issues in Lucas's price that he cannot refute.

"We don't want the factory, just the land. We can take on the workers without any legal issues after selling the factory. In this case, I think thirty million is a reasonable price. What do you think?"

The old butler Nord ruthlessly cut Lucas's price in half, making Lucas's eyes turn red.

Thirty million dollars is a significant amount of money.

It's no wonder Lucas's eyes turned red, like a rabbit's.

Oh, he is a 'rabbit' after all.

"No way! I can't accept thirty million!"

Thirty million is a joke. If Lucas has any sense, he wouldn't agree to such a price.

"The workers must be taken on, and a new labor agreement must be signed with the union. There is no other choice. Additionally, the factory and equipment must be included in the price. This is my bottom line."

Lucas stated this as his 'bottom line.'

The old butler Nord could only shrug helplessly and say, "Alright, Mr. Lucas, you can stick to your price, but I have to regretfully inform you that you will lose this hard-won potential buyer and opportunity."

No!

No!

I don't want to!

"Mr. Nord, does the buyer have a bottom line price? Please tell me. I don't want to maintain the factory anymore. If the price is right, let's make a deal. I don't want to drag this on."

Seeing Nord about to back out and considering the daily wages he has to pay, Lucas finally couldn't hold back.

What bottom line? The workers do nothing, but he still has to pay them. Lucas doesn't want to be dragged down by the factory anymore.

Now, a 'fool' has finally appeared. If he lets this opportunity slip, he will truly be in a desperate situation.

Thirty million is a low price, but at least he can get cash and get rid of the factory, which is a black hole draining his wealth.

So, in this light, it's a good deal.

Therefore, Lucas decided to make one last effort.

"Thirty-five million, this is the final price. If you still don't agree, I really can't do anything. The client's offer is this much."

The old butler Nord, after some pretense, added five million.

Hearing the 'final' offer, Lucas clenched his teeth, his expression turning fierce, showing the intense 'struggle' in his mind.

After a long pause...

"Alright! Deal!"

Lucas finally nodded, accepting the old butler Nord's offer of thirty-five million. Anne, who had been silent throughout, smiled faintly and looked at Coco, who was curiously watching the negotiation.

"This is business, do you understand?"

Anne whispered to Coco.

At this moment, the old butler was saying goodbye to Lucas and telling him to meet at a certain place in the afternoon to sign the purchase contract with their respective lawyers.

Coco, with her curious gaze, turned to Anne, "Business? Is it fun?"

Anne, finding the little one's question amusing, replied with a slightly enticing smile, "It's very fun! Do you want to learn?"

Hearing that it's fun, the little one was delighted, clapping her small, tender hands and responding in a baby voice, "I really want to learn, I really want to play, I really want to do business!"

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