A Crazy One-night Stand
Chapter 31: The Art of Negotiation

Wilson's phone kept ringing. It was Walter. He had called multiple times without giving up.

Before this, Wilson would have blocked his calls, but he was in a good mood today. He picked up the phone and answered the call.

Walter's anxious voice came from the other end of the phone, "Mr. Wilson, you can't do this to us. You will destroy my Walter Group." "What, are you forcing me to invest now?" Wilson's tone was full of displeasure.

"No, Mr. Wilson, I didn't say that."

Wilson's lips curled up into a bloodthirsty sneer. "Mr. Walter, do you mean that I, Wilson, cannot make decisions on behalf of my own Group?"

"No, no, that's not what I meant." Walter hurriedly explained.

Wilson's tone was unforgiving. "So, you do know that I am in charge of every decision made by my Group?"

"Of course, of course!" Walter laughed sheepishly on the phone.

Wilson said coldly, "Since I am the decision-maker, then I'll be honest with you. I'm not optimistic about the future of the Walter Group. Then, what's wrong with withdrawing my investment? What, is it because my Group has been investing in Walter Group for a long time, you took our investment for granted? Even if we are in a losing position, we are obliged to invest in your company?"

"Mr. Wilson, you worry too much. How is investing in us a losing proposition?" Walter said cautiously on the other side of the phone.

"Mr. Walter, how long are you going to hide it from me? You must be underestimating me. Do you think that I, Wilson Scott, have been surviving until today in the industry just by sheer luck? Everyone knows that Walter Group is going bankrupt. Are you going to deceive the investors further?"

Wilson rebuked him severely, and Walter was speechless after being questioned. He tried to laugh it off and explained, "Mr. Wilson, it's just a rumour. You have to believe me, Mr. Wilson. After investing in Williams Group for so many years, you haven't suffered any losses, have you?"

"That's all in the past. Mr. Walter, you should know that the business world is like a battlefield. There are no favours between businesses, only deals. If we mutually benefit, we work together. If not, we go our separate ways. The news of Walter Group's bankruptcy has spread like wildfire. Regardless, even if Walter Group is as profitable as before, I do not intend to invest in Walter Group anymore. At present, real estate saturation and credit squeeze is a real threat to the economy. It will be more and more difficult to get approval for a bank loan with construction projects as collateral. In that case, why would I still invest in Walter Group? So many large-scale companies out there are vying for Wilson Group's funding, promising better and more lucrative returns on investment." Wilson tried to provoke Walter on the phone deliberately. He wants Walter to realize that Wilson was not someone to be trifled with.

"Mr. Wilson, you..." Walter was aggravated by Wilson's direct and blunt speech, but he couldn't defend himself. Wilson's words rang true to what he had thought himself.

If their positions were exchanged, he would probably do the same. Walter took a deep breath and composed himself. He replied with a smile, "Mr. Wilson, look, why don't you withdraw your investments partially? The real estate market is still thriving, and the process of restricting money supply may be a long one. You could continue your investments with the Williams Group, and roll over the profits to the real estate industry. The timing is just right!"

"I don't need you to teach me how to invest."

"Of course, of course!" Walter maintained his smile although his tone was pleading. "Mr. Wilson, how about we discuss the return of investment? Regardless of the market situation, I'll give you a fixed rate of return with an increase of eight percent on the last year's return. If you are still concerned, you may reduce the sum of your investment in Williams Group. How about investing half as compared to last year? One billion dollars. What do you think?"

"One billion dollars?" Wilson raised his voice.

Walter immediately replied, "Yes, one billion. Mr. Wilson, what do you think? I'll increase the rate of return by ten percent on last year's return."

"Twenty percent!" Wilson narrowed his eyes. "Walter, you are playing a dangerous game with me!" He thought as a sneer appeared on his face. ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐