Teresa, sharp as ever, knew that a twenty percent profit from Sophia’s cosmetics company wouldn’t come without a cost.
Leo replied, “Henley Group is like a big ship. If we want to ride the waves and make progress, we need unity. Everyone wants a share of the profits from Sophia’s cosmetics company, but we can only hope for that after we’ve resolved the current crisis. So, my suggestion is to take Henley Group as collateral and borrow from the bank.”
Leo’s words landed like a bombshell, leaving the entire Henley family momentarily stunned.
Even the old Mrs. Henley’s expression finally changed. The shrewd glint in her aging eyes flickered.
In her heart, the old Mrs. Henley admitted that Leo’s move was indeed clever. By pledging twenty percent of the profits, he effectively tied Sophia’s cosmetics company and Henley Group together, making their fates intertwined, for better or worse.
The Henley family members, upon hearing the proposal to use Henley Group as collateral, were in uproar.
“Leo, it took us a lot of effort to bring Henley Group to where it is today. Just using it as collateral for Sophia’s cosmetics company seems like a ridiculous joke!”
“Exactly! I think this good-for-nothing son-in-law has sinister intentions. If the loan taken against the collateral doesn’t save Sophia’s cosmetics company, Henley Group will go down with it! I believe this waste of space wants to ruin Henley Group!”
“While the profits from Sophia’s cosmetics company are considerable, we can’t risk Henley Group for a mere morsel of profit. Mom, you need to think this through.”
Sophia herself was surprised by Leo’s proposal. She initially thought Leo’s plan was to use twenty percent of the profits to raise funds to tackle the equity crisis. However, his idea was to pledge Henley Group as collateral to borrow from the bank. Leo’s thinking was undoubtedly audacious.
The old Mrs. Henley cleared her throat, then asked in a low, somber tone, “Using Henley Group as collateral, how much are you looking to borrow?”
“One billion,” Leo calmly replied.
As expected, the figure of ten billion set the Henley family members off again.
“I think this freeloading son-in-law has lost his mind, daring to ask for a-billion-dollar loan. Is he trying to take on the world?”
“This waste clearly doesn’t understand the actual situation of Henley Group. Even with the entire Henley Group as collateral, getting a loan of fifty or sixty million would be a stretch. Yet, he’s talking about borrowing ten billion.”
“After all the fuss, he’s come up with a lousy idea, a total waste of time!”
Sophia also knew that borrowing one billion with Henley Group as collateral wasn’t feasible. She couldn’t help but lightly tug on Leo’s sleeve and whispered, “Leo, this proposal seems a bit unrealistic. Maybe we should figure something out on our own.”
Leo squeezed Sophia’s hand and said confidently, “Trust me, I’m sure of this.”
“Grandma, what do you think of my proposal?” Leo turned to the old Mrs. Henley and asked.
The wrinkles on the old Mrs. Henley’s face deepened, indicating she was deeply entangled in thought.
If there’s one person currently not feeling pleased, it’s Bruno.
If the old Mrs. Henley indeed accepts Leo’s proposal to use Henley Group as collateral, even if they can’t secure a billion, borrowing fifty or sixty million, combined with Henley Group’s existing funds, would certainly foil Patrick’s plan to acquire equity.
Bruno couldn’t tolerate this happening. He pointed at Leo and sneered loudly, “Leo, you good-for-nothing, what are you thinking? The Henley family has treated you well, and yet, you’re scheming to bury the entire Henley Group! A billion, do you know how much money that is? Do you think Grandma will fall for your risky gamble? You’re just daydreaming!”
Fanny, who had been hit, couldn’t sit still either. She mustered the courage to glare at Leo and shouted, “Leo, don’t think you can deceive us with your silver tongue. With your temper, aiming to borrow ten billion is sheer madness!”
“Bruno, Fanny, if you dare to blabber on, do you believe I’ll slap you?” Leo’s cold gaze swept over Bruno and Fanny, making them involuntarily cringe.
The threats from Leo didn’t seem to concern the old Mrs. Henley; she was still weighing the pros and cons of Leo’s proposal.
Leo scanned the room and asked sternly, “To achieve high returns, we must face high risks. All of you are business people. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”
Leo was well aware of the expressions on the faces of the Henley family members. In essence, they didn’t want to take on risks but still wanted a share of the profits from Sophia’s cosmetics company. Many of those in the meeting room were like parasites, living off the grand tree that was the Henley family.
The old Mrs. Henley seemed to have figured something out and, looking at Leo, calmly asked, “Leo, your proposal does have its merits, but a billion is no small sum. Have you thought about who will take the lead in approaching the bank?”
“If someone is willing to take on this task, I can offer twenty percent of Henley Group’s assets as collateral,” the old Mrs. Henley added.
The words of the old Mrs. Henley left the Henley family members gaping.
At the same time, they held deep admiration for the old Mrs. Henley. Even if they were to pledge the entire Henley Group, getting a billion would be a long shot, but with only twenty percent of the assets pledged, it wasn’t just unlikely; it was impossible.
Bruno felt like a man who had seen the sun after being in darkness. His heart was filled with hope once more. Grandmother had shown her support, and there was no way she would be manipulated by Leo.
“Grandma’s decision is very wise. Henley Group definitely can’t put everything on the line for Sophia’s cosmetics company. Offering twenty percent of the assets is the most reasonable approach. It helps Sophia’s cosmetics company while ensuring that Henley Group’s regular operations won’t be affected,” Bruno immediately voiced his support for the old Mrs. Henley.
Bruno felt happy again. First, pledging twenty percent of Henley Group’s assets meant borrowing a billion was impossible, effectively denying Leo’s proposal. Second, the old Mrs. Henley hadn’t mentioned the car accident, so it seemed like he had successfully reached the shore.
Now, it depended on Patrick. As long as he could bring Sophia down and form an alliance with him, Henley Group wouldn’t escape his grasp.
As Bruno’s words fell, the Henley family members chimed in, expressing their agreement and support.
“Now that the general direction is established, who will go to the bank to secure the loan?” one Henley family member asked loudly.
Another Henley family member immediately responded, “It’s simple. The one who proposed it should go. Henley Group has already shown enough sincerity. Do we really need Grandma to step in personally?”