“In the end, it’ll be impossible to reach an agreement,” Sharon said flatly. “I don’t want to waste my time or energy on people like them.”Â
Thomas nodded, his expression calm but approving.Â
“You’re right. Whether it’s the Kalen family or anyone else, there’s no need for us to owe favors to that kind of people.”Â
Sharon picked up her phone, about to call Enzo, when a sudden knock sounded at the office door.Â
Enzo entered quickly. “Miss McKinzie, there’s someone outside asking to see you.”Â
“Who is it?” Sharon asked.Â
Enzo frowned slightly. “He didn’t say. Only mentioned that he wants to invest in us and hopes to meet you in person.”Â
No one in their right mind would turn away an investor. Knowing how important potential capital was, Enzo hadn’t dared to delay and had come straight to her.Â
Sharon had been short on liquid funds lately. Though she didn’t know how much the mysterious visitor intended to invest, she decided it was worth finding out.Â
“Let him in.”Â
“Right away.”Â
Moments later, Enzo returned, ushering a man into the office.Â
He appeared to be in his mid–twenties–handsome, well–groomed, with refined features and an easy, courteous smile. When his gaze landed on Thomas standing beside Sharon, he paused for half a second before turning back to her with a polite nod.Â
“Miss McKinzie,” he greeted warmly, “my name is Doug Newman. I’m here on behalf of my employer to discuss an investmentÂ
with you.Â
“I’ve heard you’re the heiress of the Kalen family and hold controlling shares in several of the world’s leading tech companies. My employer greatly admires your vision and the industries you oversee. He would like to invest, if you are open to the idea.”Â
Since returning to the Kalen family, Sharon had already met a handful of so–called “investors” who were, in truth, merely opportunists hoping to carve out a share of her companies under the guise of cooperation.Â
None of them were sincere. They simply thought she was a newcomer they could manipulate.Â
Sharon smiled politely. “I’m sorry, Mr. Newman. While I do participate in decision–making, I don’t have the authority to alter the companies‘ equity structures. If you wish to invest, you’ll need to discuss it with the respective CEOS.”Â
Doug quickly shook his head. “You misunderstand, Miss McKinzie. My employer isn’t interested in buying shares from those companies. He wishes to invest in you.”Â
“In me?” Sharon echoed, surprised.Â
Doug nodded. “He intends to allocate a sum of money to you directly. You may use it however you wish. In return, he only asks for ten percent of the profits generated from your investments. That alone will suffice.”Â
Ten percent.Â
It wasn’t a small cut, but for a startup, it wasn’t excessive either. In fact, for an investor offering such freedom, it seemed almostÂ
modest.Â
Still, the group of companies Sharon currently controlled were running smoothly. None required external capital, especially notÂ
1/3Â
at the cost of sharing profits.Â
The Kalen Group, in particular, would never accept terms like that.Â
Which meant she would have to use this supposed investment to fund new ventures.Â
New industries carried risk. Their potential value was limited, and one poor decision could wipe out everything.Â
This investor was telling her she could use the money however she pleased–was he not afraid she might fabricate numbers or lose it all?Â
Sharon studied him carefully. “And how much,” she asked, “does your employer intend to invest?”Â
Doug raised his hand, extending five fingers.Â
Her brows furrowed slightly.Â
Ah. So that was why he sounded so generous–it was nothing serious, just a token amount.Â
After a brief pause, she said, “Mr. Newman, a five–million investment might be difficult to turn a real profit from. Even if it did, the returns would be minimal, or it might take years before you see any.”Â
Doug’s lips curved. “Miss McKinzie, I’m afraid there’s been a misunderstanding. Five million hardly counts as an investment.”Â
Her expression sharpened, her tone turning serious. “Then… 500 million?”Â
Doug’s smile remained unchanged.Â
“No. My employer wishes to invest… fifty billion.”Â
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