Darkstone Code
Chapter 170 - 0168 Olfaction

Chapter 170: 0168 Olfaction

The brief exchange essentially confirmed that the next issue was only a matter of proportion. The merchants in Curilan City began to investigate Lynch and his Interstellar Trade Company overnight.

A company that could be valued at seventy million even during an economic recession is something of great interest to any capitalist.

After a few rounds of financing, it could apply for an IPO, which might lead to another wealth myth!

Soon, more detailed information appeared before the capitalists in Curilan City, even including where Lynch was born and who delivered him; no information was left unchecked.

This is the great power of money; as long as money is spent wisely, there are no secrets in this world.

Hence, these people realized the value of this Interstellar Trade Company.

However, their "understanding" and Lynch’s "understanding" were not entirely the same. To these capitalists, the value of this business lay in its ability to easily secure loans from banks.

This could make the company’s financials look good. Even if the company lost ten million in a year, as long as they borrowed twenty million, the financial report would show a net profit of ten million, and then the stock would skyrocket, causing their wealth to rapidly expand.

Conscience, morality, and ethics had long ceased to exist for capitalists. They pursued only profit and valuable returns.

The suspicious girlfriend of Lynch, Catherine, also appeared in some people’s sights, adding two names to some "heroes’ lists," besides Lynch, there was also Catherine.

The power of money is truly magnificent!

The next day, Lynch took Catherine to find an apartment next to the State University. If she didn’t want to live on campus, she could live outside and also had all the daily necessities prepared.

Seeing some students had already arrived at the university early, and with classes starting next Wednesday, Catherine suddenly became somewhat melancholic.

At the end of the day, Lynch stood outside the door of the newly purchased house, and Catherine held his hands just like a few years ago, "I don’t know what to say, this is amazing, you know?"

Her voice was somewhat low, "I thought I was unlucky enough, and then you played a joke on me, but I still have to say, thank you, Lynch."

The girl’s gem-like eyes gazed directly at Lynch with curiosity, reluctance, and a gradually revitalized excitement, "Thank you for what you’ve done for me. I will strive to complete my studies, to assure you that the money you spent was worth it."

Lynch sighed, took the girl in his arms, and kissed her forehead, "I have one piece of advice for you: no matter what choices or predicaments you face in the future, never forget your original dream."

He stepped back a bit, memories of his initial self rushing back: struggling desperately, just wanting to have a little money left in his pocket at the end of the month, just wanting to afford a down payment for a small house, just wanting to live a simple life.

He never intended to ride the waves, he was forced to!

The girl didn’t fully understand, but it didn’t stop her from remembering these words.

The two looked at each other for a moment, Lynch smiled, took a step back, and waved, "It’s time to say goodbye. I’m leaving now. Call me anytime if you need anything, you know my number."

The girl leaned against the door, nodded, and after the two had another moment of eye contact, Lynch turned and left, his car quickly disappearing into the night.

Perhaps this was the best choice for now, with everyone returning to their tracks, and if possible, if everyone worked hard, these two tracks would intersect again.

But if someone doesn’t work hard, they will always remain parallel lines!

After resolving the girl’s matters, Lynch devoted all his energy to negotiating with the two groups. He now had a significant advantage; he could use the competition between the parties to drive up the price.

Moreover, on the day before Lynch returned to Sabin City, another change occurred: a newly established Dawn Asset Management Company announced plans to invest in Lynch’s Interstellar Trade Company, requesting at least a 5% stake.

The sudden involvement of a third party disrupted the previously orderly competition, also making Lynch’s stance more elusive.

After the meeting, the tall, thin man angrily called the Sabin City Social Services Department, trying to inquire about the registration information of Dawn Asset Management Company.

This was undoubtedly a company from Sabin City; the business card had a suffix after the name Dawn Asset Management Company, which was an abbreviation of Sabin City’s name. Of course, Lynch’s card didn’t have this abbreviation as he believed he belonged to the world, so he didn’t need the abbreviation.

Besides Lynch, most people needing business cards would add the local name abbreviation after their position to enhance identification. This also made the capitalists in Sabin City another model. Fortunately, they didn’t see it as an offensive abbreviation and were even proud of it.

Since it was a Sabin City enterprise, it must be managed by the Social Services Department. Soon, the Social Services Department provided feedback: the company’s registered capital was one million, and it was solely owned.

Because, so far, this company had an independent shareholder, so they were not required to disclose further detailed information to the public.

Even if the tall, thin man paid money and pulled strings, he couldn’t figure it out.

Some things everyone can trample on freely because such trampling is seen as the most correct and conventional practice in people’s eyes.

It has turned from unreasonable to a reasonable perception.

But some matters still maintain their original rules and cannot be easily changed. In reality, this is also out of people’s consideration for their own safety.

After the tall, thin man threw the phone, he paced back and forth in the room, while the other companions on the sofa watched him, the room filled with a repressive and heavy atmosphere.

Lynch insisted that the cash ratio must not fall below 33%, which made it difficult for them to accept; in people’s concepts, a 17% difference with 33% isn’t very large—17% roughly equals 20%, and 33% roughly equals 30%, that’s how magical mathematics is.

Of course, this concept is based on "these are very small proportions," but in reality, it would almost double, meaning they would have to put up twice as much real cash to get what they initially wanted.

How could that be accepted?

This also led to many problems. If they proceeded with the initial plan to acquire those shares, the cash paid would be too much, potentially endangering their own business in the short term.

The risks of physical operations are indeed significant; regardless of profitability, monthly operating costs are unavoidable.

If they want to retain a part of the cash, they can’t demand too many shares, possibly having to settle for about 10% to 15%, which again doesn’t meet their initial requirements.

What they wanted was greater influence on the board, which is the most important thing.

Don’t be fooled by Lynch currently holding the most shares, as soon as the first round of financing is completed, followed by the second and third rounds, his shares will only decrease.

Whether newcomers directly purchase his shares or dilute everyone’s shares, all participants will adhere to an unspoken rule: the founder’s equity can only decrease, not increase.

It’s a kind of unspoken investment rule where some say the purpose is to strip the founder of control in order to take over their wealth.

Yes, that’s correct; cutting capital is just like that, nothing to be ashamed of; if it’s doable, why fear admitting it?

And this is the way capital plays its game, the most criticized manner of acquisition—plundering.

So they demanded about 30% of the shares to maintain more stake in future rounds of financing as much as possible.

The more equity you hold, the more initiative you have on the board, which is crucial.

The situation has become complicated, further complicated by Dawn Asset Management Company unexpectedly agreeing to Lynch’s demands; they signed a letter of intent, obtaining a 5% stake in Interstellar Trade with a 33% cash ratio.

Which means a little over one million in cash, plus some other considerations, acquired a 5% stake.

If no one agreed, Lynch would inevitably back down. This is how business is negotiated: you take a step back, I take a step back, and eventually, if everyone feels they can accept, that’s fine.

But now that someone has agreed, it means Lynch’s demands align with people’s approval of this company. To negotiate downward would be unreasonable, and even if Lynch rejected their investment, others couldn’t argue.

If others can accept it, and only you can’t, this is not business; this is nitpicking.

The tall, thin man detested this disruptor, cursing, essentially implying that if he didn’t find out who was behind this company, he’d make sure they paid once he did!

As he cursed, he suddenly paused, then frowned, "Do you think it’s possible that Dawn Asset Management Company is actually backed by Lynch himself?"

After voicing this thought, he immediately had a "I finally discovered the truth" feeling, the more he spoke, the more he felt he was stating the truth, rapidly accelerating his speech.

"It’s very possible Lynch pre-registered the Dawn Company to intervene when necessary – raising our standards so high that it’s difficult for us, while he maintains his baseline."

"I don’t think anyone would be foolish enough to directly agree to Lynch’s demands; we clearly can pressure Lynch together, that company must be Lynch’s own company!"

He spoke with unshakable conviction, just like Polo, unraveling all the clues and finding the fatal evidence!