Chapter 355: God Does Not Exist, the Devil Is Real
When a person is starving, they may drink even poisoned water just to survive.
Hans Biopharmaceuticals had mortgaged everything it could to the bank, yet still owed over a million dollars. When someone offered to take over the company, it felt like a glimmer of hope breaking through the storm clouds.
Hans and the potential buyer, who introduced himself as Baker from South Africa, found a private room to discuss the acquisition. South Africa, once a British colony, became a dominion in 1910 and a member of the Commonwealth, similar to Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Today, the country's governors and major capitalists are predominantly white.
"I've investigated Hans Pharmaceuticals' situation thoroughly," Baker began. "All your assets are mortgaged, and you owe the bank $1.26 million, correct?"
Hans nodded, feeling the weight of his situation.
"Your anti-fever medication has been pulled from shelves, you're behind on wages, and the utility bills are unpaid. The research has stopped entirely, hasn't it?" Baker pressed further.
Hans nodded again, his expression grim. The man across from him had done his homework.
"Mr. Baker," Hans said, irritation seeping into his voice, "if all you're going to do is recite my problems back to me, what's the point of this meeting?"
Baker smiled. "I'm willing to buy Hans Biopharmaceuticals for $500,000, including all debts."
Hans was stunned. Given that the buyer knew about the massive debt and mortgaged assets, why would he still be interested?
"Are you serious about buying?" Hans asked, skeptical.
"Absolutely. But I have a few conditions," Baker replied smoothly.
Hans knew it couldn't be that simple. "What are your terms?"
"First, I want all your shares," Baker stated.
"No problem," Hans quickly agreed. His shares were worthless to him now.
"Second, I'll only give you $100,000 upfront. The rest will be contingent on your cooperation," Baker added.
Hans, not naïve, realized something was off. "What exactly do you want me to do?"
Baker leaned in, his eyes locking onto Hans's. "Do you think anyone would spend millions on a worthless company?"
Hans shook his head.
"Neither would we," Baker continued. "What I'm about to tell you is very confidential. If it leaks, your life—and your family's—could be in danger. Are you sure you want to hear it?"
Hans swallowed hard, his mind racing. After a moment, he nodded.
"We plan to use Hans Biopharmaceuticals for stock market manipulation, to inflate the stock price and profit from it," Baker revealed.
Hans had suspected as much, and now his fears were confirmed.
"What do you need me to do?" Hans asked, resigned.
"You'll cooperate with us. As the CEO and chief researcher, you'll help us create the appearance of a thriving company. Push the stock price higher, and you'll get the remaining $400,000. Do well, and there could be even more," Baker said, his smile like a devil's invitation.
Hans understood the true nature of the deal now. The $500,000 wasn't a purchase price—it was an incentive to pull him into a financial scam. He would be the frontman.
Should he take the offer?
If he didn't, the bank would seize Hans Biopharmaceuticals within a month, and he'd be buried under a mountain of debt. Bankruptcy was inevitable. His family would lose everything and face a life of hardship.
If he agreed, he could secure the money to solve his immediate crisis, but at the risk of future imprisonment if the scheme unraveled.
Hans knew God didn't exist. Only the devil was real.
He took a long drink of wine, then looked Baker in the eye. "I agree."
For the sake of his three children, Hans felt he had no other choice, even if it meant plunging into the abyss.
"But I want $200,000 upfront to secure my family's future," Hans demanded.
Baker thought it over. "Agreed. I'll give you $200,000."
---
When Hans returned home, his wife, Mary, noticed his drunken state and retreated to their bedroom, upset. Their children were already asleep, and Hans quietly visited each of them. His eldest daughter, Laura, was seven; Reese, the second daughter, was five; and his youngest son, Hans Jr., was just three. He kissed them gently as they slept.
In the master bedroom, Mary lay with her back to him. Hans felt a deep sense of helplessness. He had met Mary during the peak of his career, and they had been happy together. But now, with his company in ruins, their relationship was strained.
Love, Hans realized, could wither. Money was the catalyst—whether it drove love in a good or bad direction depended on how much you had.
"Mary, I need to talk to you," he said softly.
"What is it?"
"I want us to emigrate," Hans replied.
Mary turned to him, surprised. "Emigrate? Where to? And how could we even afford that right now?"
"I borrowed some money from a friend. I'm not putting it into the company anymore. You always said it was a bottomless pit, and you were right. I'm going to use it to secure a future for you and the kids. I'll handle the debt on my own," Hans explained.
Mary, seeing the strain on her husband's face, felt a pang of sympathy. She helped him to the bathroom to wash up. That night, they reconnected, sharing an intimacy they hadn't experienced in a long time.
---
The next day, Hans began the process of emigrating his family. Mary, originally from Portugal, had lived there as a child before moving to the United States just before World War II. Hans decided to relocate her and the children to Porto, Portugal, where she would feel at home.
The arrangements were swiftly made. Within days, Hans had completed all the necessary paperwork and personally accompanied his family to Portugal. He bought a house with a yard in Porto, ensuring they were well-settled.
Handing Mary a passbook, Hans said, "There's $150,000 in here for you and the kids. It's in Wells Fargo Bank, and you can access it in Portugal as well."
Mary looked at him with concern. "Hans..."
"Don't worry. Once I've dealt with the company, I'll join you. Maybe I'll find a job teaching or as a researcher here. The scenery in Porto is beautiful, and I've always loved the sea. I can go fishing. I believe life here will be good," Hans reassured her with a smile.
A few days later, Hans returned to the U.S. and headed straight to Hans Biopharmaceuticals. The first thing he did was call a meeting with the remaining staff to pay their overdue wages.
Curious, one of them asked, "Boss, did you find new funding?"
Hans smiled confidently. "Yes, I've found a new investment partner. Hans Pharmaceuticals is back on track. From now on, your salaries will be paid on time."
The staff cheered, unaware that Hans Biopharmaceuticals was no longer his. The company had been acquired by an offshore entity based in the Cayman Islands, with ownership dispersed across numerous accounts, making it nearly impossible to trace.
As for the legalities? In the Cayman Islands, Hardy made the rules.
Hans Pharmaceuticals, now a publicly listed company, had a stock price of just 4.6 cents. During this time, Baker's associates quietly acquired shares, waiting for the right moment to manipulate the stock.
Hans, now the chief researcher, focused all his efforts on developing a treatment for tuberculosis. He kept all research data to himself, entrusting only auxiliary tasks to others. With his family secure, he threw himself into the work.
---
Meanwhile, Hardy enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle, balancing business with pleasure. He spent time in Los Angeles with Ava, Sarah, and Taylor, and occasionally visited Heidi Lamar.
Hardy also made trips to the Cayman Islands, which were rapidly developing. The islands were like a massive construction site, with new infrastructure projects springing up everywhere—expanding docks, building roads, and constructing an airport capable of handling large aircraft.
In the city, new government buildings, a military port, company offices, banks, and utility companies were being established. Wells Fargo had constructed the largest and most luxurious building on the islands, complete with a vast underground vault to store gold, jewelry, and currencies from around the world.
A grand casino, larger than any in Las Vegas, was also under construction, alongside luxury beachfront villas, hotels, and a shopping district that would become a duty-free paradise, offering thousands of luxury brands.
In the Cayman Islands, Hardy envisioned a future where finance, tourism, and shopping converged, creating the world's largest luxury shopping destination.
---