Chapter 323 Untitled

Due to the sudden assassination attempt, the negotiations between Li Mochen and Michel had to be relocated. Under such circumstances, Li Mochen did not want to bring his personal accountant, Huangfu Enda, and the negotiation team hastily assembled by Li Mei to this hotel.

Over the following day, they failed to achieve any results. They only managed to raise the valuation of Rising Sun Retail Company to 4.5 billion gold shields.

At this price, Michel refused to budge further. Then they diverged on the financing amount. The Michel Group intended to inject 1.125 billion gold shields in cash for a 25% stake in Rising Sun Retail. Li Mochen, however, only planned to give Michel 12.5% equity, divided into A and B shares with a voting ratio of 1:5. If the Michel Group needed additional equity, they could purchase it directly from Li Mochen with cash.

In fact, this price was already close to Li Mochen's psychological底线. But he did not intend to agree immediately. Financing of this scale could not be finalized in a short time, and what if someone later offered a higher price? As Rising Sun Retail expanded further, this was not impossible. Huangfu Enda had already contacted large consortiums like Rockefeller, Morgan, and Norfolk on his behalf, and these groups were also very interested in his company.

Rising Sun had only just begun scouting store locations in Manhattan, and the funds for purchasing stores had not yet arrived.

So before those Manhattan stores opened on a large scale, Li Mochen still had plenty of time to spare.

However, after a pause in negotiations, Michel Medici placed a second document in front of Li Mochen.

"What is this?"

After carefully examining it, Li Mochen frowned with displeasure: "I do not accept charity, Mr. Medici. If this is for Angela, it is completely unnecessary."

This was a deed of gift. With just his signature, Michel Medici's properties—including the Aldrich Tower, thirty-two various-sized properties in downtown Atlanta, and a manor north of the city—would become his.

He did not know the value of the manor, but the Aldrich Tower was a fifty-two-story office building near Atlanta's city center. In this city, where the tallest building was only 290 meters, it could be considered a landmark. Its value definitely exceeded 300 million gold shields! All its interior spaces would never lack tenants. As for the other properties, they were equally staggering. The total value of this gift should be no less than 1 billion gold shields.

Was this Mr. Medici treating him as a son-in-law?

So without hesitation, he handed the document back.

"Mr. Medici, I do not want to mix other things into my friendship with Angela. If you are worried about her future safety for some reason, then I can assure you: as long as I am in this world, no one will harm her. Whether or not she and I end up together, it is the same—she is my friend."

Michel was momentarily stunned, then a smile crept onto his face. He thought this guy was quite sharp—had he already figured it out? Too bad he was too thin-skinned.

But his daughter's judgment of people was impeccable.

"Kid, this is not charity, but capital for your rapid growth. The trouble Angela may face in the future is beyond your imagination. This is also my compensation to you, an explanation to that old man Conshuri. I think the trouble I brought you two days ago might not be resolved even with five or six billion gold shields."

Michel's lips curled slightly: "If you feel unworthy, then after ten years, you can repay these assets with interest at 4.5% annually to Angela. To be honest, Conshuri is very annoyed this time. You don't want me to be unable to leave Atlanta, do you?"

Li Mochen thought seriously, then asked: "Can we change it to an unsecured personal loan? Just a loan of 1 billion gold shields, repayable after ten years. And I hope Mr. Medici can transfer the few Fate Stones in your possession to me."

This was simpler than accepting asset gifts, and he would not have to pay the 35% gift tax. One billion gold shields would be just enough for his acquisition of Firefly Media and the Fate Stones.

"Just an unsecured loan and Fate Stones? You insist? Andre, you should be aware that this meeting of ours will spark many people's imaginations. Even so, you still insist?"

Michel met Li Mochen's gaze but still did not take the document back: "But I feel this is meaningless. In your current situation, you could get a loan, but the bank's interest rates would be higher. How about this: I'll take back all these properties, give you only the Aldrich Tower, plus 450 million gold shields—but these are off-the-books funds, can you accept that? As for the Fate Stones, I'll have them delivered to you within three days at most."

...

"So now, A Mo, you are already a billionaire worth 5 billion, right? Once you sign the financing contract with the Michel Group?"

On the way back, Eliza Targaryen looked dazed: "A valuation of 4.5 billion—our entire Targaryen family combined might not have that much money."

This was not entirely false. The Targaryen family's enduring place in Atlanta was due to their strong bloodline, numerous offspring, and influence spanning military, police, and politics. But they had few commercial achievements, currently only two hunter groups and a magic materials company worth mentioning.

"You're talking about cash, right? I know your Targaryen family are big landowners—three out of ten farms west of the city belong to your family."

Li Mochen shook his head: "Valuation and market value are all illusory. Besides, I haven't signed the contract yet. There are many variables ahead."

"What other variables could there be?"

Eliza pursed her lips: "Angela said herself that forty to fifty billion gold shields is the bottom line for that gentleman. Also, I think the compensation you got from him is way too little!"

She thought that given Michel's actions, Li Mochen claiming two or three billion gold shields wouldn't be excessive. That was all dirty money anyway, not fit to see the light—how much would be left after laundering?

And how could the Medici family's hostility be resolved with such a small amount of money? This guy was clearly greedy, so why was he being so polite and coy now?

Li Mochen countered: "Then how much do you think is appropriate, Eliza? Five billion, or ten?"

Asking for more 'compensation' from Michel wasn't unreasonable, but he truly didn't want his relationship with Angela to become impure—this was probably the original owner's naivety and pride.

If it were entirely up to the latter, he might not have accepted a single cent today.

As for Wenjian Taoran, he probably had no psychological barriers. Michel's funds would indeed allow him to cultivate a stronger force in a shorter time.

"Alright, friend, I know you like Angie."

Eliza sighed: "So that means if anything happens to Angie in the future, you'll take responsibility for her, right? Like you promised Michel?"

"Why not?"

Li Mochen's lips curled slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

This wasn't just because they were friends; Li Mochen also saw a great deal of merit in it. Earlier, when forcing Douglas Duncan and Richard to freeze time, he had noticed that half of the abundant merit energy gathering on the 'Divine Xia Fortune Purple Gold Tower' came from Angela.

Even a small change in Angela's fate yielded massive merit.

Angela's importance in the river of future fate far surpassed that of Hazel!

"Eliza, Angie is my friend, and so are you."

But just then, a 'Bone Eagle' that suddenly appeared on an armored vehicle caught his attention. It was the legendary lich's 'magical pet', bringing him information about the Dragon Witch Cult.

Li Mochen cast a cold glance in a certain direction outside the window.

"Eliza, tell Atai to act now. Before our convoy reaches the Ishbir Viaduct, take care of those fools. My requirement is to avoid alerting the magic tower defense array as much as possible."

According to Lind Emerson's comprehensive surveillance, the figures from the Dragon Witch Cult seemed to be planning to ambush him at this location. Li Mochen had clearly overthought it; these people really had no backup or reinforcements, and the Dragon Witch Cult still lacked a clear understanding of him.

"Understood!"

Eliza closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her brow, using her will to summon her animal companion.

Not only druids, but magic hunters could also have animal companions. However, one needed to be above level fifteen and possess a sufficiently powerful soul to tame an animal companion of the same level.

Eliza didn't meet that requirement yet, but with the help of the Calamity Flame Outer Pill, she had recently tamed a level fourteen 'Ghost Leopard'.

Though it didn't boost her combat power much, it was very convenient for communication—much safer than using mobile phones or walkie-talkies.