Alexander knew it—his instincts had been right. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. And this opportunity… was enough to make him rise.
A sudden miracle drug appearing out of nowhere—most people would call it a scam. But Alexander wasn't most people. He wasn't stupid, but he wasn't going to act overly cautious at a time like this either.
Yes, part of him still had doubts, but going back now to verify the drug would only damage the goodwill he'd built with Marching Ant Company. Opportunities like this didn't come often, and if he hesitated now, someone else might seize it.
He had worked tirelessly to become Marching Ant's first choice for partnership. And he didn't believe for a second that they'd lie to him. His instincts as a businessman told him this offer was genuine.
"The structure of this collaboration is simple," Zhao Min said. "We'll form a joint venture company. Jianghe Pharmaceutical will permanently authorize the use of this drug to the new company."
Hearing that, Alexander felt like laughing out loud. Finally—after walking through clouds, the sky had cleared and the moon was shining down.
Equity in the joint venture? That would solve the investment bank's current crisis in one stroke. From a financial standpoint, the market potential of this drug was no less valuable than Marching Ant's mobile phone empire.
"Naturally," Alexander replied, unable to hide his excitement. "How will the shares be divided?"
"You'll invest one billion dollars for 10% equity. The shares can be transferred to a third party, but if we choose to buy them back under equal terms, we'll have the right of first refusal," Zhao Min explained calmly.
Alexander's eyes flashed. "How about this? We invest 2.4 billion dollars and receive 20%?"
This drug, if real—and in a monopolized market—would push the company's value beyond ten billion USD. A miracle product for women? That was like holding a license to print money.
"No." Zhao Min shook her head without hesitation.
Alexander pushed again. "Ten percent feels a little tight. What if we invest two billion and receive fifteen percent?"
"Ten percent is already generous," Zhao Min replied, firm and unmoving. "There's no room to negotiate further."
Though slightly disappointed, Alexander could only smile wryly. Clearly, she wasn't going to budge on this.
"Alright then," he said. "Any other conditions?"
Zhao Min leaned back slightly, her voice calm and composed.
"The joint venture company will be responsible for international expansion—excluding the Chinese market. You may recommend a candidate for the role of overseas president. Once approved, they may take the position. If their performance is unsatisfactory, we reserve the right to request a replacement.
"If no suitable candidate is available, or under special circumstances, we will appoint someone ourselves. As for the finance department, our personnel will be in charge."
Alexander nodded as he listened. He understood what Zhao Min was doing—ensuring control where it mattered most: personnel and finances. That meant Marching Ant would maintain control over the company, even while letting him manage the overseas side of things.
He respected that. Overseas markets were a different beast entirely. Jianghe's local team lacked the global network, experience, and resources required. Tan Yong and Hou Youliang were capable on the domestic front, but they weren't seasoned in global expansion.
Alexander, on the other hand, had deep knowledge of international markets, extensive contacts, and strategic insight. If Zhao Min was leveraging him for international speed and penetration, that was a smart play—and he would benefit handsomely from it.
Still, Zhao Min wasn't about to hand over everything. The finance department would remain firmly in her grip. The financial system of the Marching Ant Group was built with the help of its R&D division and upgraded into a smart finance system.
Zhao Min had learned her lesson the hard way. The company had suffered exactly one financial incident in its history—an accident Chen Mo personally flagged—and she had no intention of letting it happen again.
With Mo Nu's AI quietly monitoring all transactions, no shady dealings would go unnoticed. Ever since then, Zhao Min had tightened recruitment and financial oversight. The smart finance system wasn't just software—it was a warning system backed by artificial intelligence.
"That's no problem," Alexander replied without hesitation.
Zhao Min's conditions weren't unreasonable. As majority shareholder, the Marching Ant Group had the final say. If anything, Zhao Min had been generous in giving him oversight of the overseas business.
It was more than fair.
He knew the limits of this authority. If they performed well, Marching Ant would let them keep the reins. If they failed—or overstepped—they'd lose it.
Their profits would depend entirely on performance. The better the overseas company did, the more they earned. With 10% equity in hand, every gain in company value was a direct gain for him.
In the past, they'd only ever been an agent for Marching Ant. Now? A joint venture partner.
This wasn't just a business deal. It was a turning point. The beginning of a much deeper alliance.
And truth be told, 10% was already extremely favorable. Alexander knew that if Zhao Min ever went public with the drug and opened it to financing, Series A investment could easily hit one billion dollars—or even more. The product alone could make this company a pharmaceutical titan.
Over the next hour, Zhao Min and Alexander hashed out finer details of the agreement. With both parties highly motivated, the negotiations were smooth and efficient.
By the time they wrapped up, the initial framework was already settled.
"We'll finalize the legal language on both sides. If there's anything you disagree with, we'll review it together. But I hope the joint venture can be established before the drug is officially approved, so we don't delay the product's launch. Is that acceptable?" Zhao Min asked.
"Absolutely," Alexander agreed without hesitation.
As he stepped out of the Marching Ant building, Alexander's mood was sky-high. This was a major victory. If the company went through, it would resolve every major issue currently dragging him down.
Back in the car, he turned to his assistant.
"Alice, once we're back, assemble the team immediately. Have them draft the cooperation terms and prepare for a high-level meeting."
"Yes, boss." Alice gave a quick nod.
Alexander glanced once more out the window at the Marching Ant headquarters fading into the distance. He patted the suitcase beside him—the one containing the drug samples and clinical data Zhao Min had given him.
Once he was back, he'd find a top pharmacology expert to verify the material.
But even without confirmation, he already believed in the product.
Eighty percent of his mind was already convinced.
And that was enough to go all in.