America 1982-Chapter 281 - 11: The World is So Big, There are Always Kind People
Jason White, dressed to the nines, pushed open the conference room door, walked towards his seat while extending his right arm, and swung his palm downward, signaling to those at the conference table that they didn’t need to stand up to greet him.
He took a seat with the help of his secretary and then looked directly across the conference table at a group of young men. Smiling at the Asian youth sitting directly opposite him, he said,
"Drake, I have reasons to close the deal with you and your layout software today, so make it easy for me, will you? Tell me honestly, what terms would satisfy the ’genie’ here to invest in your company and support your growth?"
"Is it because Tommy Hawk has graced us with his presence that you’re determined to finalize negotiations with us? I see him sitting next door with a woman, looking at us through the glass." The Asian youth Jason had called Derek pointed to the left and stared at Jason as he spoke.
"Tommy does play a part, but not entirely. Let’s get back to the terms, no time to waste—there are many small companies awaiting this angel’s assistance." Jason took out a cigarette pack, lit one up, and then looked at the bespectacled youths opposite him, "You don’t mind if I smoke, do you?"
Derek pressed his finger against his nose to ward off the approaching smoke smell and spoke with dissatisfaction, "We’ve discussed this internally, and so far, our software has received good market feedback. We’re not struggling with capital recoupment, and we don’t want other investments influencing our decisions." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
"I’m just planning to make an investment, not cast spells on you. I’m an angel, not a sorcerer. I won’t control your thoughts. Unlike Tommy who might enjoy manipulating others, I don’t. Everyone in Silicon Valley, even the stray dogs on the street, knows that Jason White is a foolishly kind investor who only throws out money, expecting nothing in return." Jason exhaled a puff of smoke and spoke to Derek,
"My people have already planned your next steps. If we invest, we could use our channels to quickly introduce your layout software to the European and Asian markets, saving you a significant early market expansion cost. All we ask is a thirty percent stake."
"We have no plans to sell in Europe or Asia in the near future." Derek looked at his companions, and after a brief exchange of glances and nods, he took a deep breath,
"Mr. White, I apologize, but we don’t need financial support. We have our funding sources, and if we need to break into international markets, we’d rather do it on our own than through someone else’s channels."
"If you’re talking about support from your Japanese father who does business in New York, I have some news to give you for free." Jason spoke while the burning cigarette trembled in his mouth.
Derek’s eyes narrowed as he anxiously looked at Jason. His and his small company’s financial comfort came from the support his father could provide. While not extravagantly wealthy, in a city like New York filled with millionaires, his father was considered a man of substantial means.
"The broker in Wall Street managing his assets seems to have gotten into some trouble, and his funds should be frozen right now. I had my contacts keep an eye on it for you—no need to thank me. Perhaps your father didn’t want this to affect your mood, but I think he might need some comfort, you..." Jason tapped the ashes from his cigarette as he spoke to Derek.
Before Jason could finish, Derek had already risen, upset, grabbing his mobile phone and quickly left the conference room.
"Aren’t the Japanese supposed to be a goddamn polite breed? He walked out without even apologizing to me." Jason removed the cigarette from his mouth and asked his secretary Billy.
The nearby secretary replied, "I guess that’s just something the Japanese brag about themselves."
"Excellent, your Japanese general has gone to deal with domestic issues. Now, to you white-skinned ninjas, consider my offer." Jason spoke to those remaining in the conference room with a calm demeanor,
"That is, let me stuff your throats with cash, ensuring each of you shits gold. But first, you must let me do the stuffing, understand? Just open your mouths nicely. Will that Japanese guy give you as much money as I do? I doubt it. Would you rather wait a decade or more to become millionaires, or drive off in a sports car and pick up a lady right now? This multiple-choice question isn’t hard; even a high schooler knows the right answer, and you guys are f***ing MIT geniuses. I must declare, I have a girlfriend from California Institute of Technology, so forgive my lack of respect for MIT, their mortal enemy."
The young men opposite him remained silent, heads bowed.
Soon after, the Japanese youth named Derek walked back in. Despite trying hard to hide it, his face betrayed a hint of distress. He breathed deeply to compose himself and spoke in as steady a tone as he could,
"Jason White, is this how large companies like yours ’help’ the smaller ones? Cutting off my financial support and even troubling my family over it?"
