Chapter 114: From Enemies to Allies (Part 1)

[Chapter 114: From Enemies to Allies (Part 1)]

Talking to a smart person was always the easiest way to handle a situation.

Once Boyle realized that Gaskill was alive, he understood there was room for negotiation. Simply put, everything revolved around money.

Ian bluntly stated, "Five hundred million."

Boyle shook his head repeatedly. "That's an outrageous demand."

Ian offered him a cold stare.

Boyle sneered, "You could send me to prison, but with my connections and wealth, I wouldn't spend a day behind bars. After all, your evidence only shows that I knew about it, not that I masterminded it! My charges aren't that severe! And don't expect me to sway the board. They would never accept it. Even as a board member, they could easily toss me aside. If that's the case, I might as well take the fall myself; I'll still be a board member!" He laughed, saying, "I would have no losses!"

Ian looked at him in confusion. "Did you misunderstand? When did I say I wanted to take legal action against you? Hey, buddy, I'm a businessman too! I deal with lawyers! I know what they can and cannot do!"

Boyle stared at him in silence. "And also dealing with gangsters?"

Ian chuckled, "Police can work with mobsters too; it's not exactly news when a crime boss is a guest of the governor! I have loads of that dirt, but none of it's worth anything locked in a safe!"

He glared menacingly at Boyle. "Why don't you give me some new evidence?" He pulled out a voice recorder and presented it to Boyle. "Just claim the entire plan was authorized by the board. How about it? Once you say that, I can help you jump off a building, making you a guy haunted by guilt, leaving behind a note to validate everything you claimed."

Boyle's expression changed dramatically. "You wouldn't dare do that; you're a businessman, not a criminal!"

At this, Ian pocketed the recorder.

He clapped his hands. "Hadark!"

A large man pushed the door open.

Ian said, "Throw him out."

As he held Jessica and Helen, he added, "Don't look, it might get bloody."

Helen chuckled lightly. "His body will end up on the floor, not here."

"Alright then," Ian shrugged.

...

Hadark had already grabbed Boyle by the neck and was walking towards the large bay window. It looked like he intended to smash Boyle's head through the glass.

This didn't even require throwing him outside; he'd be hurt just crashing into it. The bay window glass was tough.

Boyle shouted, "Alright, alright, I can help!" He wasn't willing to gamble!

Hadark released him.

Ian nodded appreciatively. Hadark let go of Boyle and strode out of the room.

Ian leisurely regarded Boyle. "That's more like it."

Boyle exhaled and adjusted his collar. "Just give me the recording; I need to confirm this with the board."

Ian pulled out the recorder and handed it to him. Boyle listened to it, but what was occupying his mind was that he hadn't made a backup. If he destroyed it now... never mind, destroying the recorder would save the entire board, but he would be finished.

...

Boyle then picked up his phone and made a call. Moments later, he said, "It's me, something happened; first, listen to this..."

He began playing the recording.

Moments later, furious shouting erupted from the other end of the line.

Ian signaled for Jessica and Helen to cover their ears. Jessica snickered, "The director's vocabulary when cursing is far more colorful than those guys."

Ian shrugged and pulled the two women into his arms, tenderly comforting them.

He kissed both beauties, with his hands boldly wandering.

Jessica appeared slightly embarrassed, while Helen seemed quite excited.

Excluding Kelsey, she was the most enthusiastic!

Boyle was still on the call. Clearly, this wasn't a one-man issue; they needed to discuss how to resolve it.

The conversation stretched on for about an hour.

...

Finally, Boyle ended the call and told Ian, "The company can offer you a maximum of thirty million."

"That's too far apart," Ian shook his head. "My friend happens to be the chairman of a bank!"

"But he's not dead," Boyle replied. "The value of this situation lies in how much my life is worth, not his."

"Your life is worth quite a bit too."

"The problem is the board doesn't care," Boyle sighed. "I am just a minor shareholder; in the board, I'm part of the management team and just an employee. If I let them suffer significant losses, they would kick me out... I'm almost at that point already." He looked at Ian helplessly. "You're ruining me!"

Hearing this, Ian considered for a moment.

Then he laughed, "No, they won't easily throw you out. Many things have ripple effects. This incident may not be deadly for Etna Insurance, but if they decide to discard you, the knowledge you possess could be deadly for them."

This struck a chord with Boyle, but he still shook his head. "I can't do that; I'd be dead too. You already know how adept we are at eliminating things as a medical insurance company. That would be a huge hassle for you too... it's not just you who can reach out to the mob; those guys are the dogs of the rich, we just prefer not to use them easily... You're far too casual with it, that's not a good habit!"

Damn it, everyone was clearly thinking straight. Ian didn't want to ruffle Etna too harshly. Right now, he had the leverage to extort some money, but if he pushed too hard, while he personally might not fear retaliation, his firm would certainly be afraid.

After a moment's thought, he asked, "What percentage of shares do you hold in Etna?"

Boyle replied, "0.8%, but I also indirectly control 5% from the management."

As the largest insurance company in America, Etna's market value was around fifty billion, so 0.8% translated to four hundred million. Combined with his high salary, his wealth was comparable to Gaskill's, but his influence far exceeded Gaskill's; it was unfortunate that standing before Ian, he appeared just like a fledgling.

Now that this incident happened, Boyle's future looked grim.

Ian laughed, "If you're willing to collaborate, I could arrange a new job for you. Although you're a scumbag and a lech, I believe that you are capable enough to become the CEO of Etna Insurance while managing the shares. Gaskill said I still needed time and recognition to attract those talents earning millions, but at this rate, it seems I could have an able person sooner than expected?"

Boyle was at a loss for words. "You can't afford me... you know that can't be fixed by threats."

"Only for now," Ian said. "By the end of the year at most, my company will have significantly expanded. But until then, I still need your assistance." He placed a hand on Boyle's shoulder. "If you're willing to find a new home with me in the future, you might offer better suggestions for resolving the current dilemma."

If you can't find a solution, toss the problem to the competitor. Under the pressure of life, their capacity for innovative thinking can surpass yours! Isn't that how Israel excelled?

Boyle knew he had no choice.

After thinking it over for a while, he said, "First, tell me your bottom line."

"A three-year, interest-free loan of two billion; the principal repaid after three years," Ian replied.

Asking for cash wasn't his true intention; it was the interest-free loan he sought.

At six percent, a two billion loan would cost him one hundred twenty million, amounting to three hundred sixty million over three years. To a businessman, it was far more preferable to acquire a two billion interest-free loan than three hundred sixty million in cash.

"What's it for?"

"To buy shares in CBS."

Boyle shook his head lightly. "That's not how this works; let me offer you a suggestion."

"What?"

"Etna can purchase your advertising services."

Ian laughed, "That would have to come at a premium!"

*****

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