Chapter 3125

Nate didn't know yet that Jimmy already had other plans.

Although he was reluctant to give 200,000 stock options, when he thought that Jimmy was backed by the Rothschild family, a behemoth, he could only grit his teeth and agree, saying: "Okay! 200,000 shares it is! With 200,000 stock options, getting 12 million US dollars in dividends every year is still relatively stable. As our business continues to improve, the annual dividend amount will definitely increase further. Jimmy, your future at Ellis Law Firm is limitless!"

Although Nate made this decision with the conviction of a warrior cutting off his wrist, Jimmy frowned again at this time.

Because after a simple calculation, Jimmy came to a conclusion: now he needs more cash rather than stock options.

Stock options are more like a gamble, betting on whether the company's future development will go all the way.

If the company develops rapidly, stock options worth 1 million today might be worth tens of millions or more next year. But if the company starts to go downhill, then stock options worth 1 million today might only be exercisable at 100,000 or even lower next year.

The board members present all felt that the future development of Ellis Law Firm would definitely advance by leaps and bounds. This is not only because they have the best team and the greatest fame in the United States, but also because one of their biggest competitors at the time, Shi Misi Law Firm, has moved its focus to China. Although they have not given up their business in the US, due to the shift in main energy, the total volume of business in the US has naturally declined, and these are all growth points for Ellis Law Firm.

But Jimmy knew very well that when he left here with ten backbone members, Ellis Law Firm would inevitably enter a period of rapid decline. In this case, why still want stock options? Of course, cash is the most stable.

So he said: "I am a person who is relatively short-sighted. When my eldest brother and sister-in-law founded Shi Misi Law Firm, they proposed to give me 30% of the shares to let me join and start a business with them. I felt that the failure rate of starting a business was high and it was not as stable as receiving money every month, so I didn't agree. Now that you give me stock options, I still feel that it is not as stable as cash."

After saying that, he added: "How about this, let's still sign the agreement for ten years, but I don't want a single stock option. I will also return all the stock options given to me before. Didn't Nate just say that these 200,000 stock options can get at least 12 million in dividends a year, and will get more and more in the future? How about this, I will return these 200,000 stock options to you. For the next ten years, you only need to cash out 10 million US dollars to me every year. Even if the company's performance gets better and better in the future, and 200,000 stock options can get 20 million or more a year, I will not go back on my word and come to you to change the agreement. In the next ten years, I only want cash."

When Nate heard this, his expression was a bit surprised at first, but soon returned to normal.

He understood Jimmy's character. To put it nicely, it is cautious; to put it bluntly, it is stingy.

In Chinese myths, one can find a prototype almost identical to him, and that is the Pixiu.

In other words, this person is always only in and never out when it comes to money.

Don't look at the fact that he was already a senior partner of the law firm before, but he was never willing to spend money to subscribe for even a single stock option.

Generally speaking, the ways for partners to obtain stock options, in addition to board incentives, also include board sales. Most of them give a part and then sell a part, which also allows partners to participate with money. Once they really spend money, they will truly regard themselves as part of the law firm and work harder.

This method is applicable to most people, but it doesn't work on Jimmy.

Jimmy's investment view is that anything other than money can be used for investment, but money cannot.

If you don't invest money and earn 1 million, and if you invest 100,000, you have a high probability of earning 2 million, then he will definitely choose not to invest money and earn 1 million.

So wanting money instead of stock options at this time is indeed in line with his persona.

After figuring this out, Nate didn't dwell too much on this issue, thinking to himself: "No matter whether he wants stock options or cash, as long as he signs a 10-year contract with me, ensuring that he won't go back on his word for 10 years and won't resign from me, that's enough. Since he is backed by Steve Rothschild, as long as I keep him at Ellis, I can sit back and relax! Now the company is developing vigorously, it's his loss if he doesn't want stock options, don't blame me if he regrets it in the future."

So, Nate said very readily: "No problem, Jimmy! Since you insist on taking cash, then we will do as you say, sign a 10-year agreement, and I will pay you an additional 10 million US dollars in bonuses every year to offset all your stock options."

Jimmy reminded: "And you have already promised to double my base salary, which is 4 million. My guaranteed income every year is 14 million US dollars."

Nate waved his hand: "Jimmy, you are a bit too conservative. 4 million is your base salary, and 10 million is your stock option cash-out. If you perform well, there will also be specific performance bonuses and project bonuses. With your ability, it is not a problem to earn 20 million a year."

Jimmy shook his head very modestly and said: "I know my own situation very well. Let's not talk about bonuses first. As long as you write this 14 million into the contract, I can sign it at any time."

"Okay!" Nate smiled: "Then let's sign the contract as soon as possible, I'll have someone prepare the contract now."

Jimmy reminded him: "Oh, by the way, we haven't talked about the breach of contract compensation clause yet."

Nate said hurriedly: "Oh, Jimmy, I trust you 100%, no need for any breach of contract clauses."

Nate thought in his heart that this guy is backed by the Rothschild family, even if he really breached the contract, he wouldn't dare to settle accounts with him. Instead of this, it's better to do a favor and let him feel his trust in him.

But he didn't expect Jimmy to say very seriously at this time: "Nate, I'm not afraid that I will go back on my word, I'm afraid that you will go back on your word. What if you terminate the contract with me in advance? Then what should I do? I must have some guarantee."

"How could that be!" Nate said hurriedly: "With our relationship and my trust in you, it is absolutely impossible for me to terminate the contract with you in advance."

Jimmy nodded and said: "Although I trust you, I still need a written agreement to avoid any entanglement in the future."

As he spoke, Jimmy said: "How about this, we don't need other redundant clauses, I have only one, if you terminate the cooperation with me before these 10 years are up, you must compensate me for all the salary and stock option cash-outs for ten years at once, is that okay?"

Nate said without hesitation: "Don't worry, I have absolutely no problem! Just do as you say!"