Chapter 305: Wang Baowan's Response

Just as Chen Mo was kicking someone's bicycle at the Jun Du Hotel, Chen Taotao began frantically raising capital on the stock market.

That afternoon, Ou Yongen voluntarily disclosed multiple accounts of concerted actors to the Stock Exchange.

The shares of Prosperous Real Estate held by those accounts added up to 30%.

Ou Yongen also submitted a full tender offer and announced it.

When the news reached Wang Baowan's ears, he went completely dazed.

He had previously thought someone was trying to trade their company's stock for profit, not that the company itself was being targeted.

The tender offer price of 3.7 was about a 20% premium over the current stock price.

The market crash had ended just over a month ago, and the market was still sluggish; anyone holding their company's stock who wasn't foolish would basically sell it.

In other words, his position as chairman of the company was about to become unstable.

While he was at a loss, the office door was forcefully pushed open.

His wife Tang Zhudi entered with her assistant Cheng Wenjing.

Prosperous Real Estate was co‑founded by the couple; although Wang Baowan is chairman, Tang Zhudi also holds a key position in the company.

Moreover, she is one of the shareholders and has also received the tender offer.

"Zhudi, what should we do now? Do you have any solution?"

Wang Baowan was now panicking, feeling his mind wasn't working.

Tang Zhudi frowned tightly: "The top priority now is to contact our shareholders and stop them from selling their shares.

Also, how much money do you have? Can you buy back the small shareholders' stocks at a high price?"

"I… I have no money…" Wang Baowan sat dejectedly in his chair, barely daring to look up.

"What!" Tang Zhudi's tone suddenly rose, "Wang Baowan, tell me clearly, where is your money?"

Wang Baowan whispered, "A few days ago I repurchased some of the company's circulating shares, and the money in my account is almost gone."

"Nonsense!" Tang Zhudi didn't believe his explanation at all.

"Although our assets are separate, you think I don't know how much you have?

How much did you spend on the previous share repurchase? How could you be out of money?

Where did the money go?"

"It's really all spent. I only have a few million left in my account now, truly no money!

When we repurchased the shares, speculative capital came in, drove the price up, and I poured all my money into it."

"Hmph!" Tang Zhudi sneered, "Wang Baowan, you bastard, still lying to me!

Did you gamble again? Or are you keeping a mistress outside?"

Wang Baowan remained silent; such things could never be admitted.

"Not saying anything, huh? Since you won't speak, I'll stop caring. My money, how I spend it is up to me.

If you can't buy back the shares, just wait to be driven out of the company!"

After speaking, Tang Zhudi turned and returned to her office, leaving Wang Baowan sighing alone.

Back in the office, Tang Zhudi grew angrier, swept the items off the desk in one motion, and stomped on them fiercely.

Cheng Wenjing stood in the doorway, watching Tang Zhudi go berserk.

After Tang Zhudi vented, Cheng Wenjing stepped forward, picked up the scattered documents, and placed them back on the desk.

"Zhudi, now is not the time to be angry. Think about what to do next!"

"What does it matter to me? At worst I'll go home and be a rich lady. With the shares I hold, the annual dividends are substantial, and I'll have fewer worries."

Though she said that, Tang Zhudi honestly picked up the phone and began dialing.

She and Wang Baowan have been together since their student days.

After more than a decade of hard work, they finally brought Prosperous Real Estate to a market value of tens of billions.

Although their combined holdings are now only 35%, they can still sit securely as major shareholders.

If Chen Mo's tender offer ends with him holding more shares than them, Wang Baowan will certainly be ousted from the chairman seat.

Then, even with a sizable stake, they would lose control of the company.

To resolve this crisis now, they can only contact other small shareholders and keep increasing their holdings.

However, as each call is made, the replies increase, and Tang Zhudi's disappointment deepens.

It's hard enough to buy shares from those small shareholders, let alone keep them holding onto the shares.

Most people replied clearly that they have already agreed to sell their shares to Chen Mo.

It looks like the company's change of control is already a done deal.

Finally, Tang Zhudi also sat dejectedly in her chair.

Cheng Wenjing went behind Tang Zhudi and thoughtfully massaged her shoulders.

"What's wrong? Not feeling optimistic?"

Tang Zhudi rubbed her brow: "Hmm, the real estate sector has been sluggish lately, and the company's stock price remains low.

Most shareholders have already agreed to the acquisition.

Unless I can offer a price higher than 3.7, their shares will change hands."

She and Wang Baowan claim a net worth of over a billion, but that's net worth, not cash.

Her personal account only has a few tens of millions, which is a drop in the bucket for the current situation.

Facing Chen Mo's aggressive acquisition, the simplest solution is to bring in a "white knight."

But inviting a savior is easy; sending one away is hard.

Setting aside whether they can find a suitable "white knight" now, who can guarantee the one they bring in won't be another hungry wolf?

Unless absolutely necessary, she does not want to use this method.

Since his own funds are insufficient, he might as well borrow money first!

As long as he can borrow enough money, he can still buy enough shares to keep his position as the largest shareholder.

Unfortunately, money isn't that easy to borrow.

Tang Zhudi and Wang Baiwan were originally self-made; they naturally didn't have many friends who were both wealthy and powerful and had close ties.

Tang Zhudi's usual friends are mostly peers or officials' wives; at this time, they are basically useless.

Moreover, during this special period of economic contraction, everyone's funds are tight.

Moreover, their company is facing a crisis, so others need to think carefully before lending them money.

If the money is lent out but the company isn't saved, that lent money won't be easy to get back.

As for friends, Wang Baiwan's friends might be more reliable.

Thinking of this, Tang Zhudi got up again and went to Wang Baiwan's office.

In the office, Wang Baiwan was already on the phone borrowing money.

Regarding his own company, he was just as anxious.

Seeing Tang Zhudi come in, Wang Baiwan wearily said, "Only Da Yue is willing to lend me twenty million."

Just then, Wang Baiwan's assistant ran over.

"Chairman, someone named Chen Mo says he wants to see you."