Acquiring a Stake in Stark Industries

"Fine! You said it yourself. The company is currently valued at over a hundred million dollars. Just give me fifty million!"

Howard nodded repeatedly, his face brimming with delight. He practically wanted to hug Chen Mo and kiss him. Now they had money, and research into Anti-Gravity Technology could continue!

Chen Mo merely said, "Fine. Have Eddie handle the handover with you later."

Chen Mo looked utterly calm, as though they had not just discussed a share acquisition worth tens of millions of dollars, but an ordinary shopping trip.

Howard could not help growing curious about Chen Mo's wealth. He sidled closer and asked in a low voice, "Honestly, just how much money do you have? How about I sell you the whole company?"

"Sure. Just send someone to negotiate with Eddie," Chen Mo said indifferently.

As HYDRA's big boss behind the scenes, money was nothing more than a number to him.

When he had created this identity, Chen Mo had prepared dozens of crates of gold and jewelry for authenticity. He had even made a grand show of bringing his "entire fortune" aboard a ship to seek refuge in the United States.

In the eyes of the United States government, he was an undisputed hidden tycoon.

Chen Mo himself did not know exactly how much money was in his bank accounts. His old butler, Albert, had always managed his finances. Even if it was not enough, there were still dozens of crates of gold bars and jewelry in the vault upstairs. Buying Howard's company would be more than affordable.

If Howard really dared to sell it, Chen Mo would not mind buying the whole thing.

"No! I was just saying. I plan to leave the company to my son someday!" Seeing that Chen Mo was willing to take whatever he offered, Howard failed to probe the depths of Chen Mo's wealth and nearly gave away his own family business instead. He shamelessly went back on his word.

"You don't even have a wife. Where are you going to get a son?" Chen Mo rolled his eyes at him, dismissing his pathetic excuse.

"I will! I will! Why don't you become my son's godfather? Consider that half of the shares a gift for your future godson." Once Howard had decided to abandon all shame, he felt much more relaxed. He simply resolved to be shameless to the end.

"Howard." Chen Mo looked at him gravely. "How did I never realize you were this shameless before?"

Howard rolled his eyes after being shut down. Chen Mo had looked so serious just now that he thought he was about to make some important decision. What a waste of excitement.

"I'll be your son's godfather. As for a gift, I'll naturally prepare the best one for him when the time comes. I can't exactly give away shares in your lousy company, so you'd better work for me properly."

Howard looked at Chen Mo in confusion.

"I've changed my mind," Chen Mo said seriously.

"You can't go back on your word. We already agreed on it! Fifty million for fifty percent of the shares. The European battlefield is fighting so fiercely right now, and the military has more weapons orders than it can handle. If you buy company shares now, you'll be waiting to get rich." Thinking Chen Mo had been angered by his shamelessness and was planning to back out, Howard hurriedly tried to persuade him.

"You have the nerve to talk about going back on one's word?" Chen Mo gave him a contemptuous look. Howard did not care in the slightest, as though he had not been the one who had just reneged on their agreement.

"I can provide the money, but not fifty million."

"Don't be so stingy. I was just joking. Any little gift for the godson will do. One of your swords, shields, anything like that."

Seeing Howard still refusing to change his ways and continuing to run his mouth, Chen Mo glared at him, shooting him a murderous look.

Howard shuddered and immediately shut his mouth, pretending nothing had happened. He knew that look all too well. Every time before Chen Mo beat him up, Chen Mo would look at him like that. If he did not take the hint and kept courting death, he would definitely be in for a brutal beating.

Seeing that Howard had finally settled down, Chen Mo withdrew his gaze and continued, "I've decided to acquire sixty percent of the shares in your Stark Industries Group. Are you selling or not?"

"Sixty percent? Wouldn't that make me your employee? No! No way!" Howard shook his head again and again. He might not have cared that much about the company, but he had founded it with his own hands and named it after himself. He really did intend to leave it to his future son. At fifty percent, they would still be equals. But if Chen Mo held sixty percent, would that not put him a step above Howard? Absolutely not!

"Forget it, then," Chen Mo said nonchalantly.

The percentage of shares had not mattered much to him in the first place. He would not stay in this world for long anyway, and he had only meant to help Howard out while he was at it. But Howard's shameless behavior had annoyed him just now. If Chen Mo did not teach him a lesson, he would not feel satisfied.

"Well, we can discuss it some more." Seeing Chen Mo directly drop the matter, Howard instantly caved. He truly needed money now. If Chen Mo did not invest, he could only sell to those Wall Street profiteers who cared about nothing but dollars.

"There's nothing to discuss. Are you selling or not? One sentence," Chen Mo said. Looking at Howard's agonized, conflicted expression, he finally felt better.

Seeing Chen Mo's firm attitude, Howard's thoughts raced. On one side were cunning, profit-obsessed businessmen; on the other was Chen Mo, who treated money like wastepaper and loved cutting-edge technology just as much as he did. After weighing the pros and cons, Howard finally gritted his teeth. "Sixty percent it is! But the company name can't be changed!"

Howard looked as dejected as though someone had forcibly taken away his favorite toy, and the sight put Chen Mo in an excellent mood.

"Fine. Then what should you call me now?" Chen Mo nodded and looked at Howard with amusement.

Howard glared at Chen Mo through gritted teeth and forced out a single word.

"Boss!"

Yet he kept chanting inwardly, Bandit! Robber! A bully taking advantage of a crisis!

Howard secretly blamed himself as well. Why had he not simply agreed earlier? He would have gotten fifty million and solved all his problems. Now, out of nowhere, he had a boss over his head. That was a company he had founded with his own hands! He had been the boss just moments ago, and now someone else was? Howard's heart was bleeding!

Chen Mo nodded in satisfaction. Seeing that Howard had been disciplined enough, he gave him a sweetener.

"I won't interfere with the company's operations. You can also use all of the annual dividends for your research."

Howard's eyes immediately lit up.

"And if you really do manage to have a son, although your lousy company is a bit too embarrassing to give as a gift, it can barely serve as an extra for my future godson."

"Boss, you are wise!" Howard's expression changed in an instant. With a face full of admiration, he began shamelessly flattering Chen Mo, making one wonder whether he was really the same man who had wanted to devour Chen Mo alive just moments ago.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely give you a son!" Howard promised solemnly.

"Get lost!" Chen Mo kicked out directly, sending Howard sprawling to the floor.