Chapter 254 Playing along

"We're all in the investment business; we've seen this kind of thing far too often. How could an ordinary person with no connections or initial capital possibly manage to buy a large shop in such a prime location?"

Wang Kai picked up a damp towel from the table and wiped his hands.

"This is clearly a scheme orchestrated by capital behind the scenes. Capital needs someone with a clean record and no business blemishes to act as a nominee shareholder. Your ex-husband, Lin Fan, just happens to fit that description: he's divorced, has little financial power, and is obedient and compliant."

"Capital created a persona for him as a 'master chef,' hiring online trolls and extras to queue up and make his daily revenue look impressive."

"Once the valuation of this restaurant brand is inflated, the capital will cash out and leave. When any problems arise with taxes or food safety, someone like Lin Fan, a front man with no connections, will be the first to be arrested and blamed."

Wang Kai's words were exactly the same as the analysis made by Attorney Zhang at Dacheng Law Firm earlier.

The smile in Su Qing's eyes deepened.

This is the consensus within their circle. Everything can be explained using the logic of capital operations. Those unusually high transaction volumes can only be attributed to fraud and money laundering.

"Attorney Zhang and I think so too." Su Qing took a sip of water to clear the taste from her mouth.

"I've already had my legal team check his tax records. Although it appears flawless on the surface, judges aren't fools. This kind of short-term, exploitative profiteering has absolutely no standing in court."

"So you don't need to waste your energy on someone like that." Wang Kai raised his glass. "Once the court delivers its verdict next week and you get custody back, you'll completely sever ties with him."

Su Qing looked at the myriad lights outside the French windows, said nothing, but simply picked up her wine glass and drank the remaining half glass of red wine in one gulp.

Yes.

How can a puppet tethered by capital compete with a billionaire CEO who is about to ring the bell at the stock exchange?

The dinner went very smoothly. The two chatted about the business empire after the IPO and the future land development plans for Jiangcheng.

In this comfortable private room, everything seemed so dignified and superior.

After dinner, the two went to the underground parking garage.

"Shall I take you home?" Wang Kai offered, standing next to the Porsche.

"No need, my driver is waiting for me." Su Qing opened the door of the Mercedes. "Thank you for dinner tonight. I'll treat you when I get back from the US."

"Okay, it's a deal. I wish you a successful roadshow in advance." Wang Kai stood there, smiling as he watched Su Qing's car drive out of the garage.

Only when the red taillights of the Mercedes completely disappeared around the corner of the garage did Wang Kai's gentle and understanding smile gradually fade, eventually turning into a cold expression.

He turned around, opened the Porsche door, and got into the driver's seat.

The car lights were off. Wang Kai didn't start the engine right away. Instead, he took out a black spare phone that he rarely used from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and dialed a number.

The phone rang three times before being answered.

"Mr. Li, are you resting?" Wang Kai's voice became very flat, carrying the indifference unique to those in a superior position.

A middle-aged man's voice came from the other end of the phone, respectful: "Not yet. What are your instructions, Mr. Wang?"

"Has the 500 million yuan bridge loan from the Su Group been disbursed yet?"

"As you instructed, the transactions have been completed using the name of the shell company HSBC Capital in Hong Kong. Su Qing herself signed the 15% original share pledge agreement."

"Well done." Wang Kai loosened his tie, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"However, Mr. Wang," Mr. Li hesitated, "the Su Group's project in the south of the city is a huge mess, and the SEC is holding it very tight. If we use 500 million yuan of real money to fill this hole, what if Su's IPO roadshow falls through and the funding chain breaks? Wouldn't all our money be wasted?"

After listening, Wang Kai chuckled softly.

"Old Li, you've been in venture capital for so many years, but your eye for talent still isn't sharp enough."

"Su Qing is an ambitious woman who leaves herself no way out. She is so eager to transcend social classes that she is willing to risk everything to ring the bell on NASDAQ."

"Their company has good potential. If she succeeds in her US operations next week and goes public smoothly, we can make a profit on our 500 million short-term bridge loan interest in just one month, which is higher than the profit from any high-risk investment."

"What if she fails?" Mr. Li asked.

"If she fails, then 15 percent of the original shares will trigger a forced liquidation agreement."

Wang Kai tapped the steering wheel lightly with his fingers and laughed, "According to the default price written in the betting agreement, we're essentially swallowing up the core control of the Su Group for a bargain price of 500 million."

He pursued Su Qing for two years. He admired her beauty and decisive nature, and was even willing to play the role of a gentle and refined suitor in front of her.

But he knew even better that dealing with this kind of aloof, self-assured, and powerful woman was not something that could be done by simply sending flowers, inviting her to dinner, or providing emotional support.

We need to control her financially.

When Su Qing is driven to desperation and forced into a corner by the betting agreement, she will naturally bow her head.

At that time, both the control of the Su Group and Su Qing herself will become his prey on the chopping block.

Su Qing thought she had found a venture capital firm in Hong Kong to solve her immediate problem and felt she could make waves in the business world. Little did she know that the hunter who had actually set her trap was sitting right across from her, cutting her steak with her.

"Keep a close eye on the Su Group's stock market movements next week. Report to me immediately if there are any signs of trouble," Wang Kai instructed.

"Understood, Mr. Wang."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Kai casually tossed the black spare phone into the storage box.

He picked up his other phone, opened his contacts, and skillfully dialed another number.

The phone rang twice, and a sweet, girlish voice came from the other end, with faint background music: "Young Master Wang, calling so late, are you missing me?"

Wang Kai leaned back in his chair, his voice instantly returning to its usual gentle and considerate tone: "Just finished some work-related socializing. Where are you? I'll come pick you up."

"I'm drinking with my best friend at a bar near Houhai. Hurry up and come pick me up, I'm a little drunk." The girl's voice was full of surprise and coquettishness.

"Wait there patiently, we'll be there in ten minutes."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Kai tossed it onto the passenger seat, a nonchalant smile playing on his lips.

Playing along and taking advantage of someone are his two greatest strengths.

The Porsche emitted a deep roar as it drove out of the dimly lit underground parking garage and completely disappeared into the night of Jiangcheng.

……