Chapter 87. Game Theory (4)

I thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Let's do it that way. After all, there's no reason for the buyer to lower the company's value by revealing such facts. It would look better to leave it as a program developed by the genius Rolf Butch of Silicon Valley rather than an unknown developer."

"What if Jason Kim's wife raises an issue?"

"Don't worry. There's nothing that can't be solved with money. If we give her enough, she'll be satisfied, won't she?"

"But... ..."

I tried to reassure him, who looked anxious.

"His wife doesn't even know what Cloud is. Even if she raises suspicions, she can't provide evidence. All the evidence is already in my hands. And I'll tell Julia Kim that Minerva only got ideas from Mimir and is a completely different program. Then she won't even be able to raise suspicions. In other words, as long as I keep quiet, no one will know."

David flinched slightly at my words but didn't say much.

"Of course, that's only if Mr. Rolf sells his shares. Is the contract ready?"

David silently took out the already prepared contract and handed it to Rolf.

He examined the contract for a long time, his face showing a mix of various thoughts.

Now, all that's left is to sign it.

But as he looked at the contract, he seemed to have second thoughts and put down the pen.

"I, I'll go back and consult with my lawyer before making a decision."

This is a deal involving a staggering $1 billion. It's only natural and common sense to have a lawyer review it.

However...

If he goes back, there's a high chance Alex will find out. Then he'll do everything to prevent the sale, and the situation will get complicated.

"The law firm advising Cloud is the one that deals with Preston Group, right? There's a chance Alex Preston will find out during the consultation process."

"So what?"

Lawyers have a duty to protect their clients' secrets, but there's no guarantee that nothing will leak.

So, I need to make him decide right here and now.

"Let me tell you an interesting fact."

"What is it?"

"By now, Mr. Preston is probably thinking about kicking you out of the company."

He was taken aback by my words.

"What do you mean?"

"After all, all the mistakes were yours. Objectively speaking, this is your problem, not Cloud's. Alex Preston is also a victim who was deceived by you. To prevent the company from going wrong, wouldn't it be best to kick you out?"

"No, that can't be."

"Think about it carefully. Have you heard anything similar?"

"Surely not... ..."

His expression suggested he had heard something similar.

I don't know exactly what Alex is thinking or what he has said, but when someone is in a corner, they tend to see everything that way.

"If Mr. Preston finds out you're trying to sell your shares, do you think he'll just sit there? He'll try to sell his shares first. By then, the value of your shares will drop even further."

Of course, he won't sell at a low price, and we don't have the money to buy it, but I didn't mention that.

Rolf's expression continued to show conflict.

"Can you really keep the secret?"

"Of course. It's written in the contract."

"But it only says you won't sue or file a lawsuit."

"Surely you don't trust me?"

"But the contract... ..."

I subtly kicked David's foot under the table. He then said in a scolding tone.

"Stop being so childish!"

"What, what did you say?"

Both Rolf and I were taken aback by the sudden scolding.

David said with a face full of irritation.

"It's better to negotiate with Alex Preston than to waste time talking to a guy like you."

Rolf jumped up and shouted.

"What? Are you done talking? Do you think I'll sign the contract if you treat me like this?"

But his voice was trembling, a desperate cry to avoid being overwhelmed by the other party's pressure.

David said in a cold, emotionless voice.

"It seems you still don't understand your position. Once we acquire Alex Preston's shares, we'll have a majority. Then we'll kick you out of the company and file lawsuits. The whole world will know what kind of trash you are, and your reputation as a Silicon Valley genius will be ruined. The media and the public will point fingers, curse, and spit at you. By then, your shares will be seized through lawsuits and settlements, and we won't even have to spend a penny."

"That's, that's not true."

It's not true at all.

There's no way the compensation would be that high.

However, Rolf's face was filled with fear. After all, when has a Silicon Valley genius ever been in such a situation? That's why he can't make a proper judgment.

David continued to pressure Rolf.

"If you don't want to sign, stop talking nonsense and get lost!"

"......"

Isn't that too harsh?

Even though it's not directed at me, I feel a chill. How much more must the person it's directed at feel?

It seems to have hit the mark, as Rolf started to sob.

"I, I... ..."

With the mask of genius stripped away, what's left is a despicable fraud? I understand why Sid treated him like an idiot.

I pretended to calm David down.

"Come on, don't be so harsh. Mr. Rolf didn't have bad intentions, right?"

At my words, Rolf nodded hesitantly.

I gently placed the pen in his hand.

"This is your last chance. Sign it quickly. Otherwise, we'll have no choice but to give up the negotiation, publish the report to WST, and file a lawsuit. You don't want that to happen, do you?"

The one who is reluctant to give up in a negotiation will lose.

The result was already decided when he came to me.

Rolf signed the document to sell his shares with a trembling hand. When he finished, he looked exhausted, as if all his energy had been drained.

I smiled inwardly.

With this, I have acquired 31.16% of Cloud's shares.

Is half the battle won?

* * *

I met Sid at a nearby franchise restaurant.

Sid was already there, eating a hamburger. I sat opposite him.

"Do you like hamburgers?"

He said with a mouth full of hamburger.

"Is there anyone who doesn't like them?"

"I know a place that serves really delicious hamburgers."

"Aren't all hamburgers the same?"

"I thought so too, but after trying that hamburger, my opinion changed. I can confidently say it's the best hamburger in New York."

"Is it that good?"

"It might even be the best in America."

Sid stopped eating and had a dazed look, imagining the taste.

"Listening to you, I want to go to New York right now."

"Don't worry. It will soon be available in Silicon Valley."

"How do you know?"

"I made an investment in that hamburger place."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Technically, I invested for other reasons.

At my words, Sid smiled like a child.

"I hope it opens soon."

"It won't take long."

"By the way, how did it go?"

"I successfully acquired Rolf's shares."

At my words, Sid looked surprised.

"How did you do it?"

"I just flattered and cajoled him."

It was ultimately a matter of money.

As long as I had a hold on his weakness, he had no choice but to sell his shares.

I told him about the situation and the negotiation process.

Sid asked, surprised.

"You said you wouldn't reveal Mimir? Do you really plan to keep that promise?"

I smiled and said.

"No way. According to him, a verbal promise doesn't have to be kept."

At my words, Sid burst out laughing.

"Phew, that's true. The truth must be revealed."

If we acquire the company smoothly, there's no point in creating unnecessary controversy, which would only lower the company's value.

But I plan to reveal it.

First, because I promised Julia Kim, and second, because Sid wants it that way.

In fact, Sid was the first to start erasing Rolf Butch's traces.

"Have you thought about what you'll do once you become CEO?"

"First, I need to cut unnecessary people and bring in the ones we need."

"Who are the people you'll cut?"

"I've made a list."

He wiped his sauce-covered fingers on his pants and took out a notepad from his pocket, handing it to me.

The writing was messy, but not unreadable.

Cloud has a total of 93 employees, excluding the two CEOs. Of these, 52 are in the development team. Sid had picked only four of them.

"Not many."

"Cloud isn't an easy place for incompetent people to stick around. And Rolf did pick one good employee."

Rolf had a natural talent for recognizing others' abilities.

That's why he hired the inexperienced and young Sid and immediately recognized the value of the program created by Jason Kim.

If he had remained just a businessman, he would have been successful, but what's the point of that genius reputation?

"I need a lot of money to do what I plan to do in the future."

Acquisition is just the beginning.

Despite its high corporate value, Cloud is currently a loss-making company. Although the losses are decreasing, it still incurs a loss of about $200 million per quarter.

The retained earnings are only $570 million, barely enough to last three quarters.

Moreover, the debt is a staggering $1.6 billion, accumulated through loans rather than investments.

Fortunately, the revenue model is already established, and the losses are due to continuous new investments.

Tightening the budget could reduce the losses, but it would also slow down growth.

"Don't worry. I'll earn as much as you need."

Sid scratched his head and said.

"Are you not pushing yourself too hard, bro?"

"There's no need for you to worry."

After all, it's all for my own selfish desires.

Since I don't plan to go public or seek investments, I'll have to earn all the investment funds myself.

Once the acquisition is complete, I'll think about the next steps.

After finishing his hamburger, Sid wiped his sauce-covered hands.

"Rolf is an idiot, but Alex won't be easy."

"True."

Unlike Rolf, Alex likely has no personal weaknesses.

But...

I muttered.

"Still, by now, he must have realized he has no choice but to sell his shares."