Chapter 375: Chapter 375: No Friends
Hearing this, Evelyn Clayton and Yara Reagan exchanged a surprised glance.
"Director Ford, you’re not deliberately trying to fool us, are you?" Yara laughed awkwardly, "Then how will you profit from this?"
Franklin Ford couldn’t help but laugh: "Hold on, I haven’t finished stating my terms yet. Although all the customization is for you to handle, my team’s labor costs naturally still need to come from your side, and besides... I’m asking for another two percent stake in Gem."
Evelyn Clayton listened, still finding it unbelievable.
Franklin Ford’s request sounded like a win-win, because even if they gave him two percent more shares, he would only hold seven percent in total, not much different from having five percent. Apart from receiving slightly more dividends each year, he wouldn’t gain much more.
Conversely, if Gem turned out to be just a flash in the pan and faded into obscurity, Franklin Ford would essentially be buying a bad stock.
Moreover, it was very likely that when Gem collapsed, he would share the responsibility with them.
This wasn’t Evelyn Clayton being pessimistic; business is inherently about being prepared for adverse events.
"Director Ford, your proposal sounds like charity." Evelyn smiled apologetically, "I’m sorry to put it that way, but are you really sure about this decision?"
Evelyn Clayton was afraid that Franklin Ford had some other reasons for making such generous terms.
She couldn’t afford to repay them.
Very quickly, Franklin Ford let out a light laugh.
"Evelyn, I’m a businessman; naturally, I wouldn’t casually engage in charity," Franklin smiled with a relaxed confidence in his eyes, "I once invested in building a hope primary school, and I was commended by countless people, most netizens jokingly called me the benevolent god of wealth. But many of them didn’t know that after donating buildings to the school, The Ford Group’s influence increased significantly, and the stock price of The Ford Group soared."
Franklin leaned gently back in his chair, the light in his eyes was faint, yet you could see his calm confidence, "When I invested in the hope primary school project, I had considered that point. Simply put, I trust the projects I believe in, and I will naturally invest heavily in them."
Evelyn Clayton completely understood.
In simpler terms, what Franklin Ford was saying was: I trust you.
It must be said, at such a critical moment, Evelyn felt somewhat touched, one might even say excited.
Because this was entirely different from the mutual encouragement she and Yara Reagan shared; this was an affirmation from a seasoned businessman, almost like a shot of adrenaline, that gave Evelyn even more confidence to make Gem successful.
Having settled the matter of customization, Franklin Ford readily agreed to have his team’s leader come and engage with her in a few days.
After seeing Franklin Ford off, Yara Reagan came to Evelyn Clayton’s office, and the two stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, drinking coffee.
Yara was still in a daze, taking a sip of the warm cappuccino, trying to make conversation: "Director Ford really... he’s quite a nice person, isn’t he?"
Evelyn laughed, "What are you trying to say?"
Yara rubbed her nose and cleared her throat lightly, "It seems like he’s quite generous with you."
"Nonsense." Evelyn shot her a glance, "Didn’t he say so himself? His investment in Gem shows his belief in its potential. Have you thought about how much that seven percent could be worth if we become a publicly traded company in the future?"
Yara, not fully processing, casually replied, "It’s not that much, right? Just give him a bit more money."
"You fool," Evelyn chuckled, "Violet Ford holds twenty percent, and Franklin Ford holds seven percent. If the two siblings combine their shares, they could easily become formidable competitors for us with Gem."
Stunned for a moment, Yara exclaimed, "Formidable competitors? You mean we could become their rivals?"
The corners of Evelyn’s mouth slowly curved downward, clinking her cup against Yara’s, she murmured softly.
"There’s no such thing as permanent enemies, nor permanent friends."