I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World-Chapter 73: Next Target

July 20, 2020.

The morning air was crisp as Matthew sat in his penthouse office, reviewing Sentinel Systems' latest financial reports. His recent investment in OpenAI had solidified his position in the AI industry, but there was still more to do. While most companies were struggling to survive the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, Matthew saw opportunities. And his next target? SM Prime Holdings.

SM Prime, one of the largest property developers in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, was struggling. The pandemic had hit them hard—malls were closed, retail revenues had plummeted, and commercial leasing was at a standstill. Their stock had tanked, losing nearly 40% of its value since March 2020.

But Matthew knew better than to judge a company by its short-term losses. He understood market cycles. The moment the pandemic eased, consumer activity would explode. People would flock back to malls, businesses would reopen, and real estate would rebound stronger than ever. SM Prime wasn't going anywhere—it was simply a matter of weathering the storm.

He turned to Angel, who was seated across from him, already anticipating his next move. She had worked with him long enough to recognize that when Matthew saw an opening, he took it.

"I assume you already know what I'm about to ask," Matthew said, a smirk playing on his lips.

Angel adjusted her tablet and nodded. "You're looking at SM Prime Holdings. Their financials are weak right now, but long-term? They're still one of the biggest real estate and retail players in Asia. If we move now, we can secure a major stake before their value rebounds."

Matthew leaned forward. "Exactly. I want a board seat. I need you to reach out to their investor relations team. Make it clear that Sentinel is interested in acquiring a substantial stake and that we're not just another passive investor. We want influence."

Angel's green eyes flicked down to her screen as she pulled up the latest market data. "SM Prime's stock price is hovering around PHP 26 per share, down from its pre-pandemic high of PHP 40. Their market capitalization is at PHP 1.2 trillion, which means we'd need at least a 5% stake to be considered for board representation."

Matthew did the math in his head. "A 5% stake would cost us roughly PHP 60 billion—around $1.2 billion USD. Do we have enough liquidity to make that move without straining our cash reserves?"

Angel didn't hesitate. "Yes. Sentinel currently has $9.3 billion in immediate liquidity after the OpenAI deal. We can easily allocate $1.2 billion without affecting our other investments."

"Good," Matthew said. "We'll start with an initial buy-in of 3% to test the waters. If they're open to discussions, we'll push for more. I want to see how the Sy family reacts."

Angel raised an eyebrow. "You think they'll resist?"

"They'll be cautious," Matthew admitted. "SM Prime is a family-controlled empire. The Sy family holds a dominant position, and they don't typically let outsiders have too much control. But if we present ourselves as a strategic partner rather than a threat, we have a shot."

Angel tapped a few notes onto her tablet. "Understood. I'll have our acquisition team begin quietly buying shares on the open market. We'll also schedule a meeting with SM Prime's board once we pass the 3% threshold."

Matthew leaned back, satisfied. "Do it."

New novel chapters are published on freewёbn૦νeɭ.com.

July 25, 2020.

Five days later, Sentinel had already secured 2.8% of SM Prime's shares, worth around $700 million USD. Their purchases had been staggered over multiple transactions to avoid attracting too much attention.

Angel walked into Matthew's office with an update. "We've made contact with SM Prime's investor relations team. They're aware of our stake accumulation, and they've invited us for an initial discussion."

Matthew smirked. "That was faster than expected. They're watching their stock price drop, and they know they need strong institutional investors to stabilize it."

Angel nodded. "The meeting will be virtual. SM Prime's representatives will include Jose Sio, the current chairman, and Jeffrey Lim, the president. Henry Sy Jr. is expected to be present as well."

Matthew chuckled. "They're bringing in the big names. That means they're taking us seriously."

July 27, 2020.

The secure video call began promptly at 10 AM. The Sentinel Systems team—Matthew, Angel, and their chief financial strategist Lisa—were seated in their conference room.

On the other side of the screen, the executives of SM Prime Holdings appeared, their expressions polite but unreadable.

On the other side of the screen, the executives of SM Prime Holdings appeared, their expressions polite but unreadable.

"Mr. Borja," Jose Sio, the chairman, greeted first. "We understand Sentinel Systems has recently become one of our largest institutional investors. May I ask about your intentions?"

Matthew gave a calm, confident nod. "Sentinel Systems believes in long-term investments. We see SM Prime as a foundational part of the post-pandemic economic recovery. Malls, commercial real estate, and retail will rebound. When that happens, we want to be part of that growth."

Jeffrey Lim, the president, narrowed his eyes slightly. "And how involved do you plan to be?"

Matthew didn't hesitate. "We're not just looking for passive returns. We want a seat at the table. A position on the board would ensure that Sentinel can contribute to SM Prime's strategic direction."

Henry Sy Jr. finally spoke, his voice even. "SM Prime has traditionally been a family-led enterprise. We value strategic investors, but board seats are not something we give away easily."

Matthew smirked. "I respect that. But let's be realistic—your company is in a vulnerable position. The pandemic has stalled revenue, and your stock is underperforming. You need strong institutional backing to maintain investor confidence."

He let the words sink in before continuing. "Sentinel Systems isn't here to take over SM Prime—we're here to strengthen it. We bring technology, AI-driven analytics, and cybersecurity solutions that can modernize your entire real estate portfolio. Our involvement would not just be financial—it would be transformational."

There was a brief silence.

Jose Sio glanced at his fellow executives before responding. "We'll need time to review this proposal. If Sentinel Systems continues increasing its stake, we may be open to deeper discussions."

Matthew nodded, knowing that was the closest thing to a yes he'd get for now. "Take your time. In the meantime, we'll continue increasing our stake."

Henry Sy Jr. smirked slightly, acknowledging the move. "Very well. We'll be in touch."

The meeting ended, but Matthew knew the real game had just begun.

As soon as the call ended, Angel turned to Matthew. "So? What's the next step?"

Matthew smirked. "We push forward. Increase our stake to 5%. That'll force them to take us more seriously."

Lisa chuckled. "You really want that board seat, huh?"

Matthew leaned back, eyes gleaming. "Not just a seat, Daniel. I want a say in how this company moves forward. And trust me—by the time this pandemic is over, SM Prime will be stronger than ever. And Sentinel will be right at the center of it."