Luke didn't return until most of the guests had left the side hall.
"How did the talk go?"
"Very well. About 90% completion."
Philip sighed. "I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing you're doing. The political arena is a huge quagmire; once you get stuck, it's hard to pull yourself out."
"It's precisely because it's a quagmire that the sapling can draw sufficient nutrients, and the company can have ample room to grow."
"That's true, but you chose the wrong person. Donald is a businessman, not a politician. The chances of him moving into the White House are extremely low."
"Who told you a businessman can't be president? Just wait and see. That guy is going to surprise everyone."
Philip chuckled and shook his head, clearly unconvinced.
Emily walked over. "What were you two talking about?"
"The future President of the United States. Emily, do you support Donald moving into the White House?"
"I don't support him. I support Hillary."
"Why?"
"Because Hillary is a woman."
Luke paused. "You have a point."
The Bait and the Bankers
As the elegant music started, it was time for the dance.
All sorts of men and women entered the ballroom, enjoying the delights of high society.
Luke led Emily onto the floor. After two rounds of ballroom dancing, they returned to the lounge. Robert Downs was waiting there. When he saw the stunning purple-haired girl in her formal attire, a flicker of admiration crossed his eyes before he quickly regained his composure.
"Boss, the bank people have arrived. They're in the conference room on the second floor."
Luke nodded. "Proceed with the plan."
"Understood."
Robert nodded to the girl and left.
As an FBI agent, Emily was never short on curiosity.
"What plan are you talking about?"
"The fundraising matter."
"Fundraising?" Emily was surprised. "Is ShowMe running low on money?"
"No."
"Why raise funds if you're not short on money?"
"Some things aren't up to you to decide."
Luke took a sip of champagne, saying calmly, "It's like when you're ravenously hungry, and you see a big, fragrant grilled lamb chop hanging in a roadside window. You know it belongs to someone else, but you can't resist the urge to eat it."
"Right now, ShowMe is that lamb chop. Some people want to take a bite of the fat meat to satisfy their craving, and others want to swallow it whole—meat and bone."
"It can't be that bad! Your company has only been around for a few days."
"The value of an internet company is not in its age, but in its future. Do you know how many users ShowMe has?"
Emily hesitated. "Eight million?"
Luke smiled and shook his head. "That's a vague, inflated number for show. The actual user base is 5.2 million, with about 4.8 million daily active users. That's the result of the first two months. Think about it: how many users will ShowMe have in a year?"
Five million in two months means over thirty million in a year, and double that in two years...
Emily's breathing quickened.
Luke continued,
"There's a famous quote in Das Kapital:
'With adequate profit, capital becomes very bold. A certain 10 percent will ensure its employment anywhere; 20 percent will bring it eagerness; 50 percent will cause positive audacity; 100 percent will make it ready to trample on all human laws; 300 percent will breed every crime, and devils are born.'
"ShowMe is currently valued at about eighty million. In a year, it could reach two billion. That's a 250-fold profit. Who wouldn't be tempted?"
"Then aren't you very dangerous?"
"Not really dangerous."
Luke waved his hand dismissively. If any blind fool tried to cause him trouble, he wouldn't mind showing them what Phantom Fire was.
"By the way, I need your help with something."
Luke called Emily closer and whispered instructions in her ear. She shook her head repeatedly at whatever he said.
"No way, I'm not playing the role of a maid."
"It's just acting!"
"I won't even act."
Luke stared at her, pleading, "Just this once."
Emily was speechless. After a long pause, she reluctantly nodded.
Luke smugly raised his eyebrows.
The first time is the hardest. Once you have a first time, you'll have a second, and after that, countless times.
Little girl, you wore my clothes, and now you want to run?
Playing Hard to Get
In the easternmost conference room on the second floor of the Hilton Hotel, the managers from various banks sat around aimlessly. Some were smoking, some drinking, and some resting their eyes. They had been in this state for a long time, and the main player was nowhere to be seen.
Bob Jack of Citibank looked at his watch and said with displeasure,
"It's been half an hour. Is he coming or not? Don't waste our time."
Robert quickly apologized. "Hold on, just a moment. The boss will be here shortly."
Regan Conner of Chase Bank sneered,
"I heard the founder of ShowMe is a seventeen-year-old kid. Robert, you've really hit rock bottom, working for a kid."
Robert offered a forced smile.
"It doesn't matter who you work for. The important thing is whether the boss has the ability."
The person next to him chimed in,
"So, your boss is very capable?"
"Naturally. Otherwise, you wouldn't all be waiting for him for half an hour."
Bob Jack took a drag from his cigar and said flatly,
"We're sitting here purely out of courtesy."
"I understand. I get it."
Robert maintained his smile the entire time, but a hint of coldness flashed in the depths of his eyes.
A few more minutes passed, and the conference room door finally opened. A dazzling Emily walked in, went straight to the main seat, and sat down. Suppressing her inner restlessness, she said,
"The young master had a sudden commitment and sent me to talk to you. You can tell me any requests you have, and I will relay them to the young master."
At her words, the conference room instantly erupted.
The bank managers were furious. They had waited patiently for dozens of minutes, only to be greeted by a messenger. Who did that kid think he was? Hitler?
Bob Jack angrily put out his cigar in the ashtray, his face dark.
"Where is Luke Shaw? I demand to see him."
Emily glanced at him and said with indifference,
"The young master said: If you want shares in ShowMe, sit down and talk to me. If you don't want any, you may leave now."
Bob was rebuffed, and his already bad temper instantly blew up. Without another word, he stood up and walked out.
Emily didn't try to stop him. She looked around at the others.
"You are all welcome to leave, too."
The remaining managers looked at each other, their eyes shifting, but none of them left.
Seeing their reaction, Emily couldn't help but recall what Luke had instructed on the way: The people in that conference room are a pack of untamed hounds. If you are cautious, they'll bare their teeth. If you brandish the whip, they'll become subservient. Maintain a high posture, and the hounds will yield to you.
That statement was perfectly accurate. Suddenly, Emily's confidence surged, and her voice became more assertive.
"We can talk now."
"Who wants to go first?"
Robert cleared his throat and placed a draft contract on the table.
"This is Chase Bank's acquisition plan."
Emily flipped to the last two pages of the contract, glanced at them, and casually tossed the document into the trash can.
"Next."
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