Chapter 22: Money-Loser_3
Everyone gradually fell silent.
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The awkward atmosphere at the dinner table was broken by the sudden ring of a phone.
Jeff glanced down and saw that it was a message from Kelly — a video link. He frowned and clicked on the screen, and the picture jumped to a piece of news:
On screen, *** was sitting in the cockpit of the "Warthog," his face showing some curiosity as he tentatively fiddled with the joystick.
And sitting next to him, pointing at the instrument panel and talking cheerfully, was none other than Kelly — his ambitious but unfulfilled eldest daughter.
Her voice came through the phone speaker, clear and confident: "This system can achieve automatic hovering, and it's suitable for rapid landing operations when combined with naval armored units..."
In the video, the elder frequently nodded, even showing a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth — the reason for the uproar online.
Jeff was stunned, his fork suspended in mid-air, not noticing the sauce dripping from the steak.
He squinted to look again, confirming he wasn't seeing things — that was indeed Kelly, dressed in a sleek dark blue suit, standing confidently next to ***.
His heart raced, and his mind buzzed: "Is this my daughter? When did she climb to such heights?"
The glow from the phone screen reflected on the table, drawing the attention of several financial moguls.
Someone leaned over for a glance, then widened his eyes and whispered: "Isn't that Kelly? And next to her is a top executive from 'Dongda.' 'Holy Light' has this kind of network?"
Another bank executive put down his wine glass, his tone becoming more serious: "Looks like we need to reassess 'Electric Flight' and 'Holy Light Logistics.'
If this 'Warthog' really opens up the global short-distance air transport market, it's no small feat — it's a goldmine!"
The fund manager turned to Old Beck, testing: "Mr. Beck, can you reveal how much your ten million US dollars in 'Electric Flight' got you in terms of shares?"
Old Beck was leisurely forking a piece of strawberry when he heard the question. He looked up and forced a bitter smile before spitting out three words: "One percent."
"What the fuck!"
Several exclamations erupted around the table simultaneously, even the usually composed bank executive couldn't help but slap the table.
Everyone was infuriated. A startup company, selling just one percent of its shares for ten million US dollars?
This meant that the valuation of 'Electric Flight' had soared to the billion-dollar level, straight into the "tech unicorn" category.
No cheap chips to be gained.
This chapter first appeared on M|V|L^EMPYR.
The fund manager's face turned red instantly, pointing at Jeff, his fingers trembling slightly: "Didn't you say that ten million US dollars would at least get five percent of 'Electric Flight's' equity?
How could it be this expensive?" He turned to Old Beck, his tone full of doubt: "A valuation of ten billion US dollars is absurd!"
Jeff, in his sixties, had been navigating the investment banking world for decades, considering himself well-experienced, but the situation before him left his mind blank.
He turned urgently to Old Beck, almost gritting his teeth as he asked: "How could you accept such a deal?
I remember Victor only injected fifty million US dollars into 'Electric Flight,' and my daughter Jennifer invested twenty million, making a total of just seventy million.
This company at most is worth a hundred million — your ten million investment is disrupting the market rules!"
Old Beck shrugged, put down his fork, and spread his hands, "Because Victor doesn't lack money at all. He didn't want to take on investors, let alone dilute the shares.
Not just me, your younger daughter Jennifer's twenty million also got only five percent of the shares.
But Kelly, Victor values her a lot, invested five million, and also got five percent — would you call that luck?"
Jeff was petrified on the spot, his mind struck like by lightning. He slumped back into his chair, his eyes dull, his chest seething with anger.
Twenty million for five percent, yet five million also getting five percent?
This accounting didn't add up at all! His heart was burning with rage, inwardly cursing: "Both my daughters are money-losers?"