Chapter 410 Jardines Matheson Wants to Buy Apple Shares — Highest Bidder Wins!
On the other end of the phone, Thomas Morton remained silent for a moment, clearly weighing Lin Haoran's words and their family's purchasing intentions.
Lin Haoran continued, "Mr. Thomas, the 10% stake I hold is larger than the number of shares Apple issued in its IPO. Its value isn't merely reflected in the secondary market price.
I believe that with your family's investment experience, you understand that quality company shares often command a premium. Especially in this rapidly evolving computer era, Apple stands out as a leader. I believe you and your family can see that."
After a moment, Thomas Morton finally spoke, "Mr. Lin, your analysis is very convincing. Apple does show tremendous potential.
However, 300 million dollars exceeds our original budget. I'll need to discuss this price with my family."
"Of course, Mr. Thomas, I fully understand and respect your need to deliberate.
But I hope you can give me a prompt reply because, as I mentioned, Apple's stock price and market value are changing daily.
I don't want to miss the best selling opportunity.
Additionally, I've already let Citibank circulate the news. Apart from you, I've received calls from other interested buyers.
Ultimately, I'll sell to whoever is most sincere. Whether you seize this opportunity depends on you," Lin Haoran said calmly, maintaining the initiative in the negotiation.
"Mr. Lin, I understand. I'll give you an answer by tomorrow morning at the latest," Thomas Morton promised.
After hanging up, Lin Haoran smiled.
He knew he now had the advantage in the negotiation.
Apple's share price and market cap were rising steadily, just as he had predicted.
This not only increased the value of his holdings but also pressured potential buyers.
From Morton's tone, Lin Haoran could tell they were eager to acquire the shares.
But Lin Haoran wasn't in a rush.
He didn't know Morton personally, and he wasn't committed to selling to him.
There might even be others willing to offer a higher price.
Not long after hanging up with Morton, Lin Haoran received another call.
As expected, it was another potential buyer — but the offer was only 230 million dollars, and the tone lacked sincerity. Lin Haoran ended that call quickly.
Subsequent calls came in steadily — offers of 200 million, 220 million, and even 250 million dollars.
The higher the bid, the more eager the buyers sounded.
Clearly, these were financial groups very optimistic about Apple's future.
Lin Haoran was firm:
Anything below 300 million dollars — not worth considering.
Around 3 p.m., Lin Haoran received a call from London.
As expected, HSBC had spread the word.
This buyer from London was very sincere, immediately offering 270 million dollars — roughly matching Apple's closing price.
However, Lin Haoran told them he was already negotiating a 300 million dollar deal with the Morton family.
The buyer from London fell silent, then said he would call back after discussing with his team.
By 6 p.m., Lin Haoran received an unexpected call — from Henry Keswick, former taipan of Jardines Matheson.
"Mr. Lin, our Jardines Matheson hopes to purchase your Apple shares.
If you're interested, we can offer some of our Hong Kong assets as payment — such as Jardine Securities, Jardine Airport Services, and Jardine Insurance," Henry Keswick said.
Hearing this, Lin Haoran was genuinely surprised.
It was indeed unexpected.
He knew that after being weakened by him, Jardines Matheson's main assets were now overseas.
Their Hong Kong assets were few — and Jardine Securities, Jardine Airport Services, and Jardine Insurance were among their last remaining holdings in Hong Kong.
Now they wanted to exchange them for Apple shares?
This could only mean one thing:
Jardines Matheson was preparing to fully withdraw from Hong Kong.
"Mr. Henry, are you planning to relocate Jardines Matheson's headquarters?" Lin Haoran asked curiously.
Without such plans, they wouldn't be selling off their Hong Kong assets.
"As expected, we can't hide anything from Mr. Lin.
Indeed, we intend to move our headquarters to London," Henry Keswick admitted.
Lin Haoran understood.
Even in his previous life, Jardines Matheson eventually moved its headquarters to London — even without losing control of Land Holdings Group.
Now, having lost both Wharf and Land Holdings, it made sense.
Moreover, after being repeatedly undermined by Lin Haoran, they had every reason to fear future challenges from Chinese financial groups.
"Mr. Henry, I must apologize.
You should know my most urgent need right now is cash, not more assets.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be considering selling my Apple shares.
Currently, I already have an offer of 300 million dollars from an American group.
If Jardines Matheson can match that, considering our shared Hong Kong roots, I would be happy to give you priority," Lin Haoran replied politely.
His reasoning was impeccable.
Ever since the rumor about his financial troubles spread — and since he hadn't refuted it — everyone believed he was cash-strapped.
The truth was, he had no real interest in Jardines Matheson's remaining assets.
"Understood. If needed, we will contact you again.
I won't disturb you further," Henry Keswick said, clearly disappointed, before ending the call.
Clearly, the 300 million dollar price was far beyond Jardines Matheson's expectations.
Lin Haoran wasn't concerned.
In the past, Jardines Matheson could have matched it.
Now, after losing major subsidiaries and suffering financial setbacks, it was unlikely.
Unless they liquidated overseas assets or injected funds from their parent groups, they simply didn't have that kind of liquidity.
And considering the recent turbulence, their shareholders would be reluctant to dilute ownership any further.
After hanging up with Henry Keswick, Lin Haoran received two more calls.
One from the UK, one from San Francisco — both from groups interested in his Apple shares.
Both made high offers — 280 million and 290 million dollars, respectively — very close to Lin Haoran's 300 million target.
Seeing Apple shares so sought after, Lin Haoran felt completely at ease.
He had no reason to worry about selling his stake.
Looking at the list of interested buyers — over a dozen groups — Lin Haoran suddenly had an idea.
Since Apple shares were in such hot demand, why not hold a bidding competition?
Clearly, all these interested parties had deep pockets and existing operations in New York.
He could easily arrange for them to send representatives to an auction.
An auction would ensure he got the best possible price.
After all, each extra 10 million dollars would mean an additional 50 million Hong Kong dollars.
Excited by the idea, Lin Haoran immediately called back eight of the most serious buyers.
He explained his plan:
They were welcome to send representatives tomorrow morning for a closed-door bidding session.
In the end, five of the eight groups agreed to participate.
Five was enough.
Lin Haoran was confident they wouldn't collude to lower prices.
After all, he had full control — if their offers were too low, he could simply refuse to sell.
After setting up the bidding event, Lin Haoran left the office, enjoyed a buffet dinner at his hotel, and rested early.
Truthfully, if he waited longer, more buyers would certainly appear.
But Lin Haoran had no intention of waiting.
He knew Apple's stock price couldn't keep rising indefinitely.
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