"Why not agree, Carson? When I was studying Jessie Realty, your name came up again and again. In the battles between your two companies, you repeatedly tried to acquire Jessie Realty.
So now that the opportunity is finally here, why are you against it?
Unless… you don't really want Pacific Realty to grow. You'd rather see Jessie Realty fall into the hands of your old employer instead."
Anderson's words struck right at the heart.
All the executives from the East in the conference room turned questioning eyes toward Carson — including Robert Lehman himself.
Carson choked on his words, unable to respond. Having sunk too deeply into the role he was playing, he now felt a pang of grievance. Shaking his head, he looked at Robert Lehman with an expression full of regret:
"You're the major shareholder. Since you've decided, then so be it. Pacific Realty is, after all, my life's work. If one day it's proven your decision was wrong, I only ask you to give me the chance to save my company.
To be honest, Robert, I should never have believed you when you said you wouldn't interfere with management. But now, I have no choice left."
With that, Carson Merlin left the room, looking utterly desolate.
His acting was superb. The mournful atmosphere lingered in the room, making many wonder whether acquiring Jessie Realty was truly the right move.
But not Anderson. To him, this deal was his stepping stone to promotion. He knew Robert Lehman would eventually return East; Anderson wanted the CEO seat at Pacific Realty. Carson Merlin? Just an outdated relic.
To cut short the wavering, Anderson immediately spoke:
"Gentlemen, since the plan has been set, let's move to the next step: how much money do we need to prepare to acquire Jessie Realty?"
His words worked. Thoughts of Carson vanished, and the room's focus shifted to the money.
The first question was: where will the funds come from?
The second, more pressing question was: how can each of them profit from such a large flow of money?
They were Wall Street veterans, masters of financial engineering.
For the first question, they all knew the answer but didn't dare speak it aloud. If something went wrong, they'd take the blame. Only Robert Lehman could voice it.
Robert knew this too. He pored over the plan again and again, scanning for hidden risks. After flipping through it four or five times, he finally raised his head and said firmly:
"We'll find a way through the government funds. Not directly — use them as collateral for loans. One condition: don't approach the big banks."
He had his reasons. The shareholders behind him would never allow such a risky move. And those same shareholders were also stakeholders in the big banks, who would surely notice his maneuver.
The boss had spoken. The subordinates were electrified. Anderson nodded eagerly:
"Understood, Mr. Lehman. You'll have good news from me soon."
But then he saw Robert's bloodshot eyes fix on him:
"You'd better. Otherwise, you'll pay the price you deserve."
The pressure was immense. Proving himself superior to Leo was only part of Robert's motivation. The real reason was that he wanted to show the great families his strength, to earn the Ford family's favor, and to secure IPO qualifications.
He longed for Lehman to rise as one of Wall Street's great investment banks.
Back in his office, Robert still felt uneasy. He reopened the plan, scanning it until his finger paused on two names: Sean and Kevin.
"These two aren't from the West."
Picking up the phone, he called a detective who had long served his family.
In Lynchburg, Virginia, a discreet Ford sedan rolled into town and parked outside the house of Kevin's old neighbors.
A man in black stepped out and politely knocked on the door. Moments later, he walked away, a satisfied smile on his face — he had what he came for.
Patting the roof of his ten-year-old Ford, he chuckled to himself:
"Old pal, looks like you're ready for retirement."
But just then, pain exploded in his skull. He blacked out instantly.
Before his body could hit the ground, a burly man caught him and shoved him into the car.
Another man handed cash to Kevin's neighbors — an elderly couple.
Overjoyed, they said:
"This will help Mr. Valentino, won't it?"
"Of course."
The man nodded.
"Good. In Lynchburg, anyone who doesn't remember Mr. Valentino's kindness has no conscience. Anyone trying to harm him — we'd be the first to stop it."
Back in Los Angeles, Robert Lehman received reassuring results.
Kevin, it turned out, was originally from San Francisco, later moving to Richmond, Virginia. He had already left the East before Leo's rise.
Sean was a Virginian, but investigations showed he had no ties to Leo.
Robert trusted his detective completely.
Standing at the window, he gazed at the building across the street, eyes burning with ambition.
"Valentino? Never lost? Heh… I, Robert Lehman, will be the one to make you taste defeat!"
By late June, Los Angeles scorched under the sun.
Out on the hunting grounds, Derrick Jessie fired his shotgun wildly into the empty fields, venting his rage.
He had expected his shares to be the first target of bidding wars between the rival real estate companies. Then, he could have leveraged that competition to secure wealth enough for generations of Jessies.
His logic was simple: whoever bought his shares would gain direct control of Jessie Realty.
But Pacific Realty had played it differently — sneaky and ruthless. They had gone straight to Sean and the others, offering share swaps plus premiums. Word was, Sean was already deep in talks with them.
"Father, I told you not to give Sean and the others so much equity. Now it's backfired!"
Luke Jessie had barely finished before his father swung the shotgun toward him.
Even knowing it wasn't loaded, Luke flinched and crouched low. He knew his father well enough — Derrick Jessie would pull the trigger.
Looking at his trembling son, Derrick sighed deeply.
Foolish boy. To actually believe his own father would kill him. Even more foolish — to not realize that without Sean and the others, Jessie Realty wouldn't fetch a decent price.
Derrick truly wanted to fire, but blood was blood. At last, he lowered the gun and asked:
"Haven't the Western Realty people contacted you?"
Luke brushed off the dirt from his trousers and shook his head.
"No, not a word."
Derrick slammed the gun down and headed for his car.
He couldn't wait any longer. If Pacific locked in Sean and the others, his own shares would become worthless. He had to sell while they still held value.
New York, Empire State Building.
Leo was reviewing Atlantic Realty's plan for 150 welfare housing projects across thirty Eastern cities when Elena walked in.
"Leo, a guest from the West wants to cut in and see you. He says it's urgent."
"What's his name?" Leo asked.
"Derrick Jessie."
Leo smiled. The man he'd been waiting for had arrived.
"Send him in."
"Mr. Valentino, if I were to sell the Jessie family's shares to you, how much would you offer?" Derrick asked bluntly.
"One hundred million," Leo replied.
"Impossible! Not a cent under three hundred million!"
"Then I won't buy. As you can see, I already have three major real estate companies. They've drained enough of my energy."
Derrick pressed on:
"Valentino, the whole country knows you repay every slight! I don't believe you can stomach Pacific Realty's betrayal!"
"Tell me, Mr. Jessie, what offense is worth two hundred million for me to avenge?
Besides, even if I bought your shares for that price, the best assets are already gone. Jessie Realty's real value lies with Sean and the others.
And to be frank, Western Realty is already in talks with them. Whatever Pacific offers, they can match.
So you see, my hundred-million offer is already generous. No matter which group Sean and his allies choose, your shares will depreciate."
Leo's words left Derrick feeling stripped bare, with not a card left to play.
"Fine, Mr. Valentino. Years ago, I wanted to sell Jessie Realty to American Realty, but you chose Carson instead.
Let's compromise. One hundred fifty million."
Derrick's face aged before Leo's eyes, his tone edged with pleading.
"One hundred twenty million. That's with sympathy included," Leo replied coldly.
"Ahh…" Derrick sighed deeply. Silence, then a tortured struggle. At last, he spoke:
"Deal, Mr. Valentino. I've prepared a fine villa in Hawaii for my retirement. You're welcome to visit as my guest."
As they shook hands, Leo asked:
"Why come to me? Pacific is closer."
"I fought Carson my whole life. I'd sell Jessie Realty to anyone but him — no matter that his company now calls itself Pacific Realty."
And so, Leo acquired the Jessie family's 35% stake in Jessie Realty.
Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Anderson entered the conference room with his acquisition team — only to see Western Realty's CEO, Austin, smiling at him.
Frowning, Anderson turned to Sean:
"Sean, this isn't what I expected. I thought today was the day we closed our deal. Why is there an outsider here who brings nothing to the table?"
Sean said nothing. Austin cut in first:
"Now, Anderson, that's unfair. I'm here to protect Sean and the other distinguished shareholders of Jessie Realty from a loss. Everyone knows they're the company's true value. Your offer is too low."
"I don't recall addressing you, Austin."
"Oh, but let's pretend I was speaking to you anyway."
Turning to Sean and Kevin, Austin declared:
"Gentlemen, Western Realty is willing to add fifty million more each, on top of the existing offer."
Then he shot Anderson a provocative glance, as if to say: I'm the CEO of Western Realty. I can make the call. Can you, mere executive?
Anderson's face darkened. Pacific had already promised fifty million apiece plus a share swap. If Western was raising the stakes, Pacific would have to up its offer again — beyond Anderson's authority.
He knew today's deal was dead.
"You've broken business ethics, Sean," he snapped, then stormed out.
As Anderson neared his car, Sean caught up, offering an explanation:
"Sorry, Mr. Anderson. Austin was Kevin's introduction, not mine. You know our shares are tied together — I couldn't refuse."
Anderson looked at him, recognizing the act. Sean was just angling for a higher price. If their positions were reversed, he'd do the same. Business ethics? Even he didn't believe in that — not on Wall Street.
"I accept your apology. But Sean, can we still honor our prior agreement? I've told you more than once: with the families behind Pacific, it has the brightest future. It's the best place for men like you to shine."
Sean hesitated, then said:
"Mr. Anderson, perhaps you should ask Mr. Lehman if he's willing to raise the offer. I'll need that to convince Kevin."
Exactly as expected, Anderson thought grimly.
Things had reached the one place he dreaded most — a bidding war.
But walking away wasn't an option. His future depended on this deal.
"Give me some time."
He left, unaware that Sean, who had worn such a troubled expression moments before, now watched him go with a hunter's gaze fixed on prey.