Competition Two

Receiving a signal from Robert, manager Cameron Oakes said with great passion, "Gentlemen, Kotei entered the department store and supermarket sector at the beginning of the year, and we have already achieved remarkable results in Vienna. In just three short months since opening, we have gone from zero to becoming the industry leader..."

"Pardon me, let me interrupt you for a moment, Mr. Cameron. If by 'industry leader' you mean the leader in industry losses, I don't think it's worth mentioning at all!" James Hurd interrupted Cameron without a shred of politeness.

James Hurd was Robert's uncle, the company's second-largest shareholder, and the former director of human resources. He had co-founded Kotei Department Store with the elder Robert and held significant influence over the company, though he was now retired.

Robert's face changed drastically. The fact that James, who had already retired, had come out of seclusion clearly showed he was already very dissatisfied with him.

"Mr. James, the losses are only temporary. Once we drive our competitors out of the market, that will be the time for us to reap the rewards!" Cameron defended himself.

"Then, Mr. Cameron, tell me how much longer it will take to drive the competitors out?" Zamar Hurd (Robert's younger brother) asked with a sneer.

Seeing Cameron fall silent, Zamar continued, "You must realize that our losses are increasing every day. Kotei may have a large foundation, but don't forget that our roots are in department stores, not supermarkets! We cannot pour all our strength into this bottomless pit!"

Seeing that Cameron had been defeated, Robert knew it was his turn to step up. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Alright, we have already reached this point; saying these useless things is over!"

"We have already invested too much in Kotei supermarkets—a full eighty thousand pounds! Gentlemen, do you think we can still withdraw now?"

"What? Eighty thousand pounds? Are you sure you didn't misspeak!" Zamar jumped up at once, questioning Robert.

"My brother, the documents were sent to all shareholders yesterday. Don't tell me you didn't receive them!" Robert said irritably.

Robert had never had much patience for his playboy younger brother, cursing inwardly: Damn it, at a time like this, you idiot are still causing trouble for me. I don't know how it happened—we're all from the Hurd family, so how did such an idiot come out of it!

Zamar smiled awkwardly and then sat back in his seat; it was clear he still feared his older brother somewhat.

James thought for a moment before stepping in as a peacemaker, saying, "Alright, since we've reached this point, everyone should try to find a way to weather the storm together! The company has already invested eighty thousand pounds, which is one-tenth of Kotei's assets. We are already riding a tiger and cannot get off."

He paused, and seeing no one speak, James asked, "Robert, the company's cash flow is likely about to run into trouble, isn't it? What is your countermeasure?"

"The company has earned quite a bit of money over the years, and everyone's annual dividends have not been small. I hope the shareholders will inject a sum of money into the company for turnover, in principle, based on our respective proportions!" Robert said calmly.

The room instantly erupted into chaos, with people discussing it heatedly; some agreed, while others opposed.

"For the company to survive this crisis, what is the specific figure for the shortfall?" James asked with concern.

Everyone turned their eyes toward Robert, filled with anticipation. It seemed that if the gap wasn't too large, they were prepared to put up the money.

"I have had the company accounts brought over. The current funding gap is two hundred thousand pounds—that is to say, five years of everyone's dividends!" Robert said gravely.

Everyone's faces changed. This figure was truly too large; even when divided by shareholdings, it was not a small amount. In terms of assets, they certainly had it, but who kept that much cash lying around? It was either spent or invested in other industries.

"How could it be so much? The supermarket project only invested eighty thousand pounds!" Zamar asked with a pale face.

"It's very simple. The department store has also been impacted. We have many products that overlap with the supermarkets, which has already affected our profits. The key is that the supermarket project requires continued investment. This figure is only under ideal conditions; we may need even more funds later!" Robert explained.

"We can provide the money, but what is your ultimate goal?" James stared fixedly at Robert and asked solemnly.

Robert knew that as long as he convinced James, today's matter would be settled. The others were not worth worrying about; the combined shares of the two of them already exceeded two-thirds.

"Clear out those small fry and let Kotei Supermarket and Volvo stand as equals!" Robert said solemnly.

"Hmm, very good. Although this goal is somewhat difficult, it still has some feasibility!" James revealed a long-lost smile.

Frankly speaking, Robert was the most capable of the next generation of the Hurd family, and James had always thought highly of this nephew.

At the same time, he was also worried about Robert's arrogance. The Hurd family was only a latecomer in the capital field and did not yet have the strength to challenge the Kohary family. After all, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was still a world of the nobility!

This time, Robert had launched a price war directly without resorting to other tricks. It wasn't because his moral character was so high, but because he simply didn't dare to break the rules.

Facing the Kohary family, if it weren't for the support of the Hungarian flour capitalists behind them, they wouldn't have chosen to enter the market at this time.

"By the way, Robert—what did those Hungarians say? Now is the time when we need them to contribute!" James went straight to the core.

"I have already communicated with them, and it is not very ideal. Apart from the previously negotiated conditions—providing us with a loan of two hundred thousand pounds and allowing us to purchase flour at cost price—they do not intend to contribute any further effort," Robert said bitterly.

That's right, two hundred thousand pounds was a large sum of money, but it was a loan, and it was collateralized. Aside from being able to purchase flour at cost, they hadn't gained the benefits they had anticipated.

"Isn't this within expectations! It is impossible for them to put in great effort for our sake. You must implement these conditions quickly. If you let Ferdinand react, I suspect you won't even be able to get these, and it won't be so easy to get loans later!" James instructed solemnly.

Robert said bitterly, "Alright, Uncle, I will go handle it immediately!"

Clearly, this incident had been a huge blow to him. The influence of the old-school nobility exceeded his imagination. Ferdinand had only shown a slight bit of goodwill, and those flour capitalists had already shrunk back.

"Robert has already fallen into the trap. Franz, what do you plan to do next?" Ferdinand asked, looking at Franz with anticipation.

"Your Highness, why not let them sink even deeper before we act! For now, I plan to clear the field first—for instance, by lowering prices by another 5 percent. In less than two months, half of the supermarkets in Vienna will be dead!" Franz said with a mischievous grin.

Ferdinand laughed along with him. Even though the supermarkets in Vienna were all losing money, the Shineway Food Group was making a killing. Retail prices had dropped, but sales volume had increased, and the ex-factory prices had not changed at all.