“Is that it?”Joseph sat at the long table while drinking his milk calmly.“Is that all he can do?”“Has he already run out of tricks?”“How boring.”Ruby frowned.“It’s not just that, Young Master Bauer.”“The stocks of Flutwell’s business alliance has been plummeting since this morning because of what happened the past two days.”“One tenth of our stocks were gone in just a matter of minutes!”“The elders of the business alliance have very big opinions about us right now.”“They called here asking you to deal with that b*stard Harvey as soon as possible.”“If not, they want you to compensate for the losses in the stock market.”“They signed a capital guarantee agreement, after all…”After a few battles against Harvey, Joseph’s strength was a lot better compared to before.After hearing Ruby’s words, however, he was on the verge of coughing up blood.“These old b*stards!”Joseph revealed a deathly cold gaze.“They were the ones crying to join Flutwell’s business allia
“Young Master Bauer!”Right as Ruby was about to leave, a steward of the family rushed over with a mystified expression.Joseph didn’t even raise his head.“What is it?”“Harvey said he wants to see you,” the steward replied.Joseph froze.“What for?” he asked, a curious look on his face.“Is that man trying to test me?”“Or is he just here to laugh at me?”The steward became hesitant.“He said he wanted to buy something; he wanted to make peace with you.”Joseph was planning to ignore Harvey, but his heart throbbed after he heard the steward’s words.“Let him in,” he said after a long while.If Harvey was willing to talk, Joseph wouldn’t mind it.After all, there would be a lot of casualties from both sides if they kept fighting.Soon after, Harvey showed up at the Bauer family’s courtyard with his arms crossed.Harvey smiled when he saw Joseph still having his breakfast.“You seem pretty calm. I didn’t think you’d still be in the mood to have breakfast. I have to adm
Harvey smiled after hearing Joseph’s threats.“We’re all smart people, Young Master Bauer.”“There’s no need to beat around the bush like that.”“If this alone can ruin my reputation, you would’ve done it by now with your authority.”“Why would you threaten me with this right now?”“You didn’t do this because you knew there’s no point in these people confessing.”Ruby was filled with unbridled rage upon seeing Harvey’s arrogance and disrespect.“Don’t you have any self-awareness at all?!” she exclaimed, slamming the table.“What do you mean, there’s no point?”“Those people are yours! Everyone will know that you acted out the entire thing if they confess!”“You’re finished!”“The people who admire you will turn their weapons against you!”“We’ll let you know how it feels to fall from power soon enough!”Clap, clap, clap!Harvey clapped his hands with a playful expression.“Your subordinate here has a sharp tongue…”“It’s just that her brain’s a little slow.”Harvey poi
Harvey casually poured himself a cup of black tea before taking a sip.Joseph was a man who knew how to enjoy himself; the tea itself must’ve cost a few thousand dollars per pound.“People outside have been saying that you only got this far because of the women you cling to.”“But I have to admit, you’re quite the capable man.”Joseph put his utensils down, glancing at Harvey with admiration.“Not only are you skillful at fighting, but you’re extremely scheming as well.”“You already knew I’d have no way out when you did this, didn’t you?”“Other people would think you’re just using my brother against me…”“But I can’t help but be impressed by your tricks!”It wasn’t Joseph’s first time suffering in Harvey’s hands, but he could clearly tell just how much of a nuisance Harvey was after this battle.That was why he stopped his meaningless efforts to fight back.He would only cause himself to be more passive, and eventually suffer from it.Harvey replied with a faint smile.“
“B*stard!”Joseph slammed the table, furious.“Dream on, Harvey!”“Even if Flutwell’s new district rots… Even if I die, I’ll never sell it to you!”“Fine. I won’t buy it.”“So, are you selling the chain Budokans?”Harvey gave another friendly suggestion, not at all angry at Joseph’s outburst. “Your chain Budokans are getting smashed up every single day, anyway. There’s no way you’ll be able to do business using them. Your reputation’s dead in the water as well.”“I’ll give you a hundred and fifty million if you give all the chain Budokans to me. I’ll take your instructors and all the other workers with me too!”“See? I’m doing all this just for you! That’s one less burden for you. You’ll have money to do some of your other businesses, too!”“I really am a good friend, right?”“You b*stard!”Joseph changed expressions.“My chain Budokans got into this mess because of your shameless tricks! Yet you’re here trying to buy them?!”Ruby and the others were in an uproar as well
Harvey stood up with a smile. He walked toward Joseph and tapped the latter gently on the face.“Why be this unapproachable, Young Master Bauer?”“You know full well how long you can last.”“Even if you hold onto your properties, who do you think is going to help you?”“Who do you think is going to lend you the money?”“Clyde? Or is it Elliot?”“Do you really think they’re good enough friends to get you out of trouble?”“Don’t be naive…”“You’ll sell everything sooner or later. It’s only a question of who you sell them to.”“It’s fine if you don’t sell them to me.”“I’ll just find a lot of people to buy it from you.”“Sooner or later, the properties will be in my hands.”“The longer you stall, the cheaper you’d have to sell.”“I wouldn’t mind waiting; we’ll see if you give up first or not.”“Anyway… I wish you all the best.”Harvey casually grabbed a pork bun on the table and took a bite before walking out, waving his hand nonchalantly as he did so.Joseph’s eyes twitch
Half an hour later, the stocks of Flutwell’s business alliance dropped by a dozen points.Right as the stocks were rising, a huge amount of capital flooded into the market.The capital went straight for the alliance, buying short stocks in an instant.The investors were completely shocked when they saw hundreds of thousands of pending orders.They all sold their stocks almost at the same time, afraid that they’ll turn into worthless numbers.In just a few minutes, Flutwell’s business alliance’s stocks plummeted from forty-four dollars to only twenty-eight dollars.One-third of the alliance’s billion-dollar market value was immediately gone.Aside from the people in Flutwell, who were following the situation, investors from abroad were completely in the dark.The simplest way to stop a situation like this is always to prevent it from happening.Under these circumstances, the stock prices of Flutwell’s business alliance would be completely slaughtered if people kept selling thei
The stock market opened up once again in the afternoon.Harvey didn’t leave the Bauer family’s courtyard just yet; he showed Flutwell’s business alliance’s stocks right at the entrance through a projector.Clearly, Harvey was planning to get into the family’s heads.After seeing that, the families who thought badly of Joseph walked right into the courtyard.They were all trying to cause trouble for Flutwell’s business alliance anyway; it would be a waste if they didn’t take whatever they wanted inside.While the furious battle of the stock market was ongoing, Mandy, who was inside Hearthstone Corporation, suddenly heard her phone ringing incessantly.She wasn’t planning to pick up the call, but she had no other choice after seeing the name on the screen.She let out a sigh.“I told you not to trade more stocks!”“Why won’t you just listen to me for once?!”“Not only did you put all your life savings in Flutwell’s business alliance, you’re even buying on margin?”“You only le