Chapter 734: 252, Despair_2
Donnie pointed out the situation that A&P is facing without any politeness, “If your company can entrust logistics and warehousing to United States Logistics, not only can you ensure that your company receives its goods in a shorter amount of time, but you also save the capital needed to establish a warehousing center, allowing A&P to recover more quickly.”
“I really can’t understand why you wouldn’t agree to something that is clearly beneficial to your company, John.”
“Because United States Logistics is yours, Donnie, and you are also the owner of the Apollo Chain!” John Hardford said with a bit of exaggeration, “Come on, Donnie, we can talk about this matter openly. If it weren’t for your ownership of the Apollo Chain, perhaps I would have already gone to Atlantic City to meet and seek your cooperation.”
“But now, the Apollo Chain is yours. If our two companies encounter problems again in the future, with just a word from you, my company might face a supply cut-off. Do you think I can agree to that?”
Donnie didn’t seem upset by John Hardford’s words, instead, he laughed, “Alright, it seems that this is something your company won’t agree to for now. Let’s agree to disagree and continue discussing the next issue.”
John Hardford shook his head and said, “Excuse my bluntness, but I can’t agree to any of these conditions from your company. Take the second one, for instance; you want A&P to sell its shares in Kraft Foods to you. How can you expect me to agree to such a condition? If I did so, would any other company dare to partner with us afterward?”
Although James Cuff’s performance at the A&P board meeting had left John Hardford very dissatisfied, he still couldn’t agree to Donnie’s conditions.
This was a matter of credibility!
Initially, he had lured Kraft Foods into a stock swap with A&P precisely to combat Donnie, and now bending the knee to Donnie and selling Kraft Foods’ shares to him would make him a shameful betrayer in business partnerships, tarnishing his reputation in the United States’ business world!
“And this clause, demanding A&P to give up all its markets in the Northeastern United States, is even more impossible for A&P to accept. These markets are the best-performing cities in the entire American retail industry. If I agreed to your terms, once I return to New York, A&P’s board would remove me from my position immediately!” Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn ɴoᴠel Fɪre.nᴇt
John Hardford also pointed out issues with several other clauses; basically, he found most of the terms in the contract unacceptable!
Donnie tapped gently on the desk, calmly saying, “John, haven’t you grasped the current situation? It is your company that is actively coming to us seeking peace, not ours needing it. Worst case, we continue the fight, but I believe the outcome will be quite unfavorable for A&P!”
John Hardford shook his head, also confident, “Donnie, I believe in terms of cash reserves, no one in the entire United States can compete with you right now, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have other ways. Maybe I alone cannot match your cash reserves, but what if there’s cash support from many companies?”
Donnie leaned back in his chair, a smile appearing on his face, “So, John, are you talking about the loans that Morgan and Wells Fargo are offering A&P?”
John Hardford leaned forward, his eyes incredulously fixed on Donnie, “How do you know that? Do you have an informant in our company?”
The promotional war between the Apollo Chain and A&P has been raging, and the loans from Morgan and Wells Fargo had become A&P’s last ace in the hole. John Hardford had intended to catch Donnie off guard with it, but Donnie was already aware of it.
Donnie said with a smile, “At first, there wasn’t any, but now… well…”
At that, Donnie gave a knowing look to Winston Marl, who understood and once again produced two contracts, handing them to John Hardford.
John Hardford snatched them up somewhat frantically, and upon seeing the content on the two contracts, a flush of unhealthy red surged onto his pale cheeks.
“These two traitors!”
John Hardford said through gritted teeth. The two contracts were those signed by Donnie with Lori Walton and Purcollen regarding the transfer of A&P shares.
Donnie said calmly, “John, before you arrived, my Crest Investments had already completed the equity transfer agreement with your company’s two directors concerning A&P’s shares. Also, when you boarded the train in New York, twenty million US Dollars had already entered Crest Investments’ account. At my command, Crest Investments in New York could sweep A&P’s stocks on the stock market now.
“I would like to know if at this time, either A&P or your family could put forward more funds to compete for A&P’s shares with us.
“Also, at this moment, John, do you think if Crest Investments were to initiate an acquisition request for the other directors’ shares on my behalf, how many would truly be willing to keep hold of A&P’s shares to the death as you are?”
Each sentence Donnie spoke was like a heavy hammer striking John Hardford’s heart.
“Did you design all of this?”