Chapter 534: The Truth Revealed

In the following days, Xia Yu devoted most of his energy to the Guangming Fund.

Affected by the overall economic environment, the financial industry also seemed to be in a downturn, and many professionals in the field were not faring well. As a result, many talents were eager to apply for the attractive salaries offered by Guangming Fund.

Moreover, due to market conditions, it was relatively easy for the four headhunting companies commissioned by Xia Yu to find candidates. Many elite talents were willing to give it a try when offered an olive branch by Xia Yu.

Therefore, Xia Yu was conducting interviews every day while instructing the already-formed acquisition team to quickly gather information on the Rolls-Royce Group.

It was also worth mentioning that Henry Howard had a strong enthusiasm for learning martial arts. With Li Wuming not leaving Xia Yu, he actively went to Guangming Fund to seek out Li Wuming, and Xia Yu instructed Li Wuming to teach Henry Howard in an empty room at the company.

Sometimes Elena would also come along, which made the siblings more familiar with Xia Yu.

Time flew by, and it was January 21.

Xia Yu had just finished holding a strategic deployment meeting for the temporary Rolls-Royce acquisition team in the large conference room. When he returned to his office and sat down, he saw George Berkeley walk in with a beaming smile.

Seeing this, Xia Yu also smiled, knowing that the acquisition had been successful!

Early this morning, George Berkeley had set out with his team to Pearson Group.

Pearson Group had given up on resisting, so the negotiations went exceptionally smoothly. George Berkeley also knew what his boss, Xia Yu, wanted, so he adjusted the offer incrementally as Pearson Group was amenable.

Over the past ten days, the price had gradually increased to 16.5 million pounds, while Pearson Group's bottom line had dropped to 17.5 million pounds.

The acquisition team judged that success was imminent and had prepared everything to proceed to Pearson Group.

"Did we get it?"

Xia Yu asked with a smile, a hint of anticipation rising in his heart.

"Boss, the equity transfer contract has been signed. The acquisition price is 17 million pounds, which buys 71% of the Financial Times Company's shares held by Pearson Group. As soon as the funds arrive, the deal will be finalized, and the shares will be transferred!"

"Here's the signed agreement. Please have a look!"

George Berkeley said as he handed over a stack of contracts enclosed in a brown paper file to Xia Yu.

Having successfully completed the task, George Berkeley's face was glowing with excitement.

Xia Yu opened the brown paper file and took out the stack of contracts, quickly flipping through them, noting each critical number.

Indeed, the transfer price was 17 million pounds, and it was for the entire Financial Times Group's shares, not just for the Financial Times magazine.

Xia Yu knew that the Financial Times Group not only held shares in the Financial Times but also owned 50% of the company that published The Economist, along with assets like the Economic Research Institute.

In addition to these intangible assets, the Financial Times Group also owned tangible assets such as office premises and materials.

With everything bundled together, it was estimated that Guangming Fund's 17 million-pound purchase of 71% of the shares indicated that the overall value of the Financial Times Group was close to 24 million pounds!

"Very well, go sign the payment slip and transfer the funds to Pearson Group's account to complete the final acquisition procedures."

Xia Yu instructed George Berkeley.

"Okay!"

"How much of the scattered shares have we acquired so far?"

Xia Yu suddenly inquired.

He was aware that although George Berkeley had been aggressively targeting the shares held by Pearson Group, the 29% of shares scattered among other small shareholders had also been divided into individual tasks and were being acquired by employees.

George Berkeley immediately responded, "Boss, we have acquired 18.4% of the shares so far, spending a total of 3.89 million pounds, which is lower than Pearson Group's price."

"There are still 10.6% of shares left to be acquired. It's not difficult; we can definitely complete the task within five days!"

Holding 89.4% of the Financial Times Group's shares, George Berkeley was confident. The small shareholders would have to sell, and as the major shareholder, there were ways to deal with them. As long as the small shareholders were wise, they would voluntarily relinquish their shares.

These small shareholders were already in contact, and once the news of Pearson Group's withdrawal was released, they would certainly comply.

So, five days was more than enough!

"Five days? That's fine; sooner is better. After completing this acquisition, immediately start acquiring the remaining 50% of The Economist's shares!"

Xia Yu nodded in satisfaction and instructed George Berkeley.

After George Berkeley agreed and left, Xia Yu's lips curled into a faint smile, realizing his worry was unfounded.

"But it's good this way. My relationship with Elena and Henry is good, and Duke Carter Howard's attitude and actions are clearly beneficial to me!"

"I remember Hong Yi said that Duke Carter Howard is also closely connected with the Conservative Party, which works perfectly for me!"

"It seems I need to make the most of this…"