He had absolutely not expected that Stuart, along with other major shareholders of 'FXCM International', had clearly expressed dissatisfaction with Su Yi's proposed guaranteed acquisition price during the initial negotiation meeting, but now they suddenly agreed to accept the guaranteed acquisition price proposed by 'Huayi Capital'.
"Yes, you heard correctly, we accept President Su's proposed guaranteed acquisition price," Stuart repeated.
"Didn't everyone say before..." Isaac was clearly puzzled and said, "Why doesn't the Chairman wait for 'Huayi Capital' to complete the assessment of our group's asset status and provide the final appraised price? Based on our group's asset status, if we wait for 'Huayi Capital' to complete the assessment, we should be able to negotiate a better acquisition offer price and obtain higher share sale terms."
"You just said that it will take some time for 'Huayi Capital' to complete the assessment and finally provide a fair price," Stuart said. "And how long that time will be is still uncertain."
"I estimate it will take no more than half a month for the results to come out," Isaac said.
Stuart replied, "But we don't have that much time to waste. Within our group, the capital chain is already on the verge of complete collapse. In another month, the loan payment periods for many banks will be due, and given our group's current situation, it will be very difficult to solve this problem.
And once we are fully overdue, our group's credibility will completely collapse. This is an outcome we cannot bear. In other words, we must sign with the prospective acquisition entity within one month, introduce new capital, and solve our group's current thorny capital chain breakdown problem.
At this time, apart from 'Huayi Capital'. You also have some understanding of the situations of other prospective acquisition entities. It's already too late for us to introduce new investment entities in terms of time.
This makes us have to accept the conditions offered by President Su of 'Huayi Capital'. And..."
Stuart paused and said, "Don't you think it's a bit too coincidental that several heads of 'Huayi Capital's asset evaluation team suddenly fell ill?"
"Chairman, do you mean..." Isaac instantly reacted upon hearing Stuart's words, "Are you saying that 'Huayi Capital' is deliberately stalling for time, just waiting for us to proactively propose the next negotiation request, and forcing us to accept their guaranteed acquisition terms?"
Stuart said, "I can't be entirely sure if they did it deliberately, I just have some suspicion. But even if it was intentional, there's nothing we can do. This is an open conspiracy. Although President Su of 'Huayi Capital' looks young, he is truly not simple."
"I think... it shouldn't be intentional," Isaac said.
Based on his understanding of Su Yi these days, he felt that the other party probably wouldn't resort to such tactics to stall for time.
"Ah, whether it was intentional or not is no longer important," Stuart said. "After discussions with our other shareholders, everyone unanimously decided to accept the guaranteed acquisition terms proposed by President Su of 'Huayi Capital'. Isaac... what do you think?"
Isaac was not present at the internal shareholder meeting just now.
But Stuart felt that at this moment, he should still ask for his opinion.
Isaac thought for a moment and said, "Chairman, and since the other shareholders have no objections, I naturally have no objections either."
Among the shareholders of 'FXCM International'.
Although he was the President of the Group's Marketing and Business Department, he was only considered a small shareholder.
Although the guaranteed acquisition price offered by 'Huayi Capital' was significantly lower than his estimated price, if the other core shareholders could accept this condition and make some concessions, then he naturally could also accept it.
What's more...
Just as Stuart said.
At this point, their group's capital chain was already facing a complete breakdown.
At this point in time, besides 'Huayi Capital', with whom initial negotiations had taken place and some letters of intent signed, they could not find any other prospective acquisition entities offering more favorable terms in a short period.
Moreover, he believed that while he was accompanying Su Yi and his entourage,
other important shareholders of the group, including Chairman Stuart, must have already tried to contact and communicate with other prospective acquisition entities.
Now, since the core shareholders of the group are willing to make some concessions and agree to 'Huayi Capital's prospective acquisition terms.
Then, it means that other prospective investment entities contacted by the group's core shareholders.
Did not offer prospective acquisition terms significantly better than those of 'Huayi Capital' during this period.
Of course, apart from these factors...
When he decided to tie his future interests to 'Huayi Capital', he had already hoped that the acquisition terms proposed by 'Huayi Capital' would be approved by the shareholders of 'FXCM International', allowing the acquisition plan to proceed and successfully bringing 'Huayi Capital' to take control of 'FXCM International'.
In other words, in fact, the current development of events was completely in line with his expectations.
Having understood all this, Isaac, after finishing his conversation with Stuart, hung up the phone and immediately informed Su Yi of the relevant news.
"You mean, Mr. Stuart and the other major shareholders of 'FXCM International' have all decided to accept our initially proposed acquisition terms?" Su Yi showed a clear look of surprise on his face upon hearing the news from Isaac. "Aren't they waiting for us to complete the final assessment of your group?"
Isaac replied, "The Chairman said that as long as President Su's initial promise counts... then there's no need to wait for the final assessment results."
"Alright," Su Yi said with a smile, "I've said before that we in Huaguo have an ancient saying: 'A gentleman's promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold.' What I, Su Yi, have said, and the promises 'Huayi Capital' has made, naturally count. Since your Chairman and the other shareholders of 'FXCM International' all feel that the guaranteed acquisition price I offered meets their expectations and they are willing to accept this condition, then we can proceed with the next round of negotiations at any time."
"Okay," Isaac replied, "Our Chairman stated that if President Su is willing, we can proceed with the next round of negotiations tomorrow."
Su Yi thought for a moment and replied, "Alright, let's do it tomorrow. You've worked hard during this time, Mr. Isaac."
"No, no," Isaac chuckled, paused for a moment, and then added, "Actually, from the very beginning, I strongly supported the acquisition terms proposed by you, President Su, and 'Huayi Capital'."
"We naturally understand that," Su Yi said with a smile. "Don't worry, after this period of interaction and communication, I believe Mr. Isaac is very trustworthy and capable of handling important responsibilities. And I am confident that in the future development of 'FXCM International', Mr. Isaac will be able to exert even greater abilities and take on more tasks."
Upon hearing Su Yi's words, Isaac knew that his future career path within 'FXCM International' Group was practically paved.
So, he couldn't help but exchange a few more polite words with Su Yi before carefully hanging up the phone.
"Are there results?"
After the two hung up the phone, Wang Huaijin, who was beside Su Yi, saw the change in his expression and quickly asked.
Su Yi nodded slightly and said with a smile, "It seems our stalling tactic was effective. Isaac told me that the shareholders of 'FXCM International' have agreed to our initially proposed acquisition plan."
"They agreed so quickly?" Wang Huaijin was somewhat taken aback.
He had originally planned to continue this act, letting Li Mingxiu's team feign illness for another week, but he didn't expect the shareholders of 'FXCM International' to compromise so quickly.
"Yes," Su Yi said with a smile, "The other party took less time to consider than we expected."
Wang Huaijin thought for a moment and said, "This must be because they didn't get better acquisition terms from other prospective acquirers, which forced them to choose us, President Su... Does this mean that the guaranteed acquisition price we offered in previous negotiations was still a bit too generous?"
"You can't look at it that way," Su Yi said. "Given 'FXCM International's reputation in the global forex trading industry and the preliminary asset evaluation data provided by Li Mingxiu and his team, acquiring absolute control of 'FXCM International' for 1.05 billion US dollars has already exceeded our previous expectations.
If we were to further lower the acquisition price, Although it could further save our acquisition costs, it would also more likely lead to the failure of this acquisition attempt. Overall, for the shareholders of 'FXCM International' to accept the terms we offered is a win-win outcome for all of us."
Previously, Isabelle had stated that if she were to lead the acquisition team for negotiations.
The capital cost of acquiring 'FXCM International' could be reduced to around 1.5 billion US dollars.
Now, without Isabelle's intervention, they had already achieved this goal, so there was nothing to regret or be unwilling about.
After all, compared to acquiring absolute controlling interest in 'FXCM International'.
And completing the first step in 'Huayi Capital's future full expansion of its business overseas.
Spending an additional one or two hundred million US dollars in cost was completely irrelevant to Su Yi, and to 'Huayi Capital', which was currently flush with cash.
"That's true," Wang Huaijin thought for a moment and said, "Overall, we've come a long way this time, and the outcome is finally satisfactory."
Su Yi smiled and emphasized, "It can't be called complete yet. Only after tomorrow's negotiation meeting and the final acquisition agreement is finalized can we say it's complete."
"Hmm," Wang Huaijin nodded, beginning to look forward to tomorrow's negotiation meeting.
The next day, Thursday, July 14th.
Su Yi and his entourage once again entered the conference room of 'FXCM International' Group headquarters.
Stuart, Patrick, Noel, and other core shareholders of 'FXCM International' had completely different expressions on their faces compared to the first time.
At this moment, everyone's face was beaming with enthusiasm, and they were much more proactive towards the 'Huayi Capital' representative team led by Su Yi.
Su Yi smiled and greeted everyone.
Then, after exchanging pleasantries, both sides sat down again.
Without waiting for Stuart to speak, Su Yi went straight to the point and said, "After this period of interaction, I believe we all have a sufficient understanding of each other. I am even more confident that all important shareholders of 'FXCM International' have come to trust the sincerity of 'Huayi Capital'. As I said before, 'Huayi Capital' has indeed come with sincerity, and only we can give 'FXCM International' a better future."
After Su Yi finished speaking, Stuart cleared his throat, took over, and continued, "After this period of consideration, we indeed have a greater understanding of President Su and our friends from 'Huayi Capital'. At the same time, we welcome President Su and all our friends to join the 'FXCM International' family."
"President Su, your previous promise to acquire a total of 75% of 'FXCM International' shares we hold for 1.05 billion US dollars, should still count, right?" Noel, being impatient, immediately asked as soon as Stuart finished speaking, "If it counts, then there's no need to discuss anything else... let's sign directly."
Su Yi replied with a smile, "Naturally, it counts."
"Good, then I'll sign this agreement," Noel said decisively.
"Out of the 20% 'FXCM International' shares I hold, I am willing to sell 15% of the shareholding to President Su."
With Noel taking the lead, the other shareholders of 'FXCM International' naturally had nothing more to say.
Thus, the rest of the meeting essentially became a pure signing ceremony.
After several hours of busy work, witnessed by lawyers from both sides, group executives, and shareholders, all core shareholders of 'FXCM International' signed formal share transfer agreements with 'Huayi Capital', led by Su Yi.
Furthermore, various proposals regarding 'Huayi Capital's acquisition of 'FXCM International' were finalized during the process of shareholders signing the share transfer agreements.
"President Su, you are aware of 'FXCM International's current capital chain issues," Stuart hastily reminded Su Yi after the signing was completed.
"If external funds are not injected in time to replenish liquidity, I'm afraid the group's operations will be difficult to continue."
Su Yi replied, "I have thoroughly understood the specific situation. Within three business days, 'Huayi Capital' will inject 450 million US dollars into 'FXCM International' Group's account in the form of an indefinite, interest-free loan, to replenish 'FXCM International's cash flow and help the company overcome all its current crises.
Of course, within these three business days, all shareholders will also receive the corresponding share transfer payments. I am a man of my word. As long as everyone trusts me and trusts 'Huayi Capital', then the future... will definitely get better and better."
(End of chapter)