208: Chapter 207 Where is the Hope?

In the conference room, you could hear a pin drop.

The word "defeated" seemed to still be echoing in the conference room.

The people from Chen Group wore solemn expressions, and Director Chen Yuren's expression was particularly grave.

This single word, "defeated," could almost directly determine the fate of Chen Group.

But... was that really a defeat?

Director Chen Yuren couldn't help but look at Chen Zhongxuan beside him. Seeing that his expression remained as usual, seemingly unchanged, Director Chen Yuren's heavy heart felt a little lighter for some reason.

young man scanned the people opposite him. He was very satisfied with their silence and a hint of smugness appeared on his face.

"Chairman Chen, do you accept our aforementioned assessment results?"

According to procedure, this question was just a formality. After all, the facts were already laid out before them; anyone with any sense wouldn't try to fight it.

Beg us. Beg us to raise our hands high and let you off the hook.

young man stared at Chen Zhongxuan, wanting to see his unease.

But he had clearly miscalculated. Under his gaze, Chen Zhongxuan raised his head and shook it slightly: "I do not quite accept it."

Not accept it?

young man frowned: "Chairman Chen, this is the joint assessment result from Maple Leaf Capital and Qianhuan Group. Why do you not accept it?"

Chen Zhongxuan smiled and said: "I respect Maple Leaf Capital very much, and I also recognize the strength of Maple Leaf Capital, but respect and recognition do not mean unconditional obedience. Your company's audit results have obvious errors and omissions, which we cannot accept."

young man's brows furrowed even tighter. Just as he was about to speak up and question him, he was interrupted by the Middle-aged man beside him.

"Chairman Chen, which clause do you not accept?"

"The third one," Chen Zhongxuan smiled gently. "We believe there are obvious errors and omissions in the wording and scope of the assessment for the third clause."

"Oh?" The Middle-aged man picked up the document, flipped it open, and examined it carefully before looking up. "I don't see any issues with the wording."

"The wording isn't the main issue," Chen Zhongxuan said calmly. "But your assessment scope and method are problematic."

The Middle-aged man frowned.

"I wonder if your company brought the original valuation adjustment contract?"

young man was speechless. Who would bring that thing when the matter was already so certain?

After scanning the room for a long while and seeing no reaction from the other side, Chen Zhongxuan smiled indifferently: "It seems no one brought the original contract. That's alright, I brought mine."

Taking a crumpled contract from his person, Chen Zhongxuan moistened his finger with saliva and carefully opened it.

"Let me see... got it... Page four, line seven of the contract, the third sub-clause of the fourth major item."

Pointing to the contract, Chen Zhongxuan read carefully: "During the performance of the contract, the total stock valuation of Chen Group must reach over 120 billion, calculated based on the highest peak value."

"I would like to ask everyone here," Chen Zhongxuan raised his head, looking at the people opposite him. He gently pushed the contract in his hand toward them and smiled. "What does this 'calculated based on the highest peak value' mean?"

The Middle-aged man's expression changed slightly.

Beside him, someone was quick-eyed and nimble-handed; they swiftly picked up the contract and carefully examined its contents.

The more they read, the paler their face became. Before long, sweat was pouring down like rain.

young man frowned, took the contract from that person's hand, and examined it carefully. His expression immediately turned ugly, and he handed the contract to the Middle-aged man.

The Middle-aged man lowered his head, scanned it, and his expression turned gloomy.

He cast a glance at the trembling man beside him but said nothing, merely raising his head to look at the opposite side.

"According to our statistics, Chen Group's market value broke through 130 billion ten days ago. Although it has now dropped to 90 billion, according to the contract agreement, this does not affect the assessment of Chen Group's market value."

"I would like to ask your company, do you... accept this?"

young man glared fiercely at the man beside him. This guy, who couldn't accomplish anything but could ruin everything, had actually let such a huge loophole slip through while signing the contract, almost ruining the company's grand plan.

Fortunately, the conditions Zhi Shu gave at the time were generous enough; it wasn't as if there was no room for a counterattack now.

"We... do not deny this."

Having received the Middle-aged man's permission, young man replied very reluctantly.

"However, Chairman Chen, even if there is an issue with the assessment of the third clause and we count you as qualified after the change, overall, you are still defeated."

young man's voice was no longer as arrogant as before, but it remained firm and resonant.

Director Chen Yuren was somewhat silent.

Indeed, even though his brother-in-law had already made precautions in the contract text regarding the third clause, there was still the requirement of the fourth clause.

The group's net assets must exceed 45 billion!

And the group's current net assets were only 40.1 billion.

That was a difference of nearly 5 billion! Where were they supposed to conjure up nearly 5 billion in net assets?

This was an impossible requirement to fulfill, no matter what.

Director Chen Yuren looked at Chen Zhongxuan with some worry.

"That is indeed a problem." Chen Zhongxuan sighed and asked: "I would like to ask, what parts are included in the net assets your company calculated?"

"Our company calculates net assets strictly according to current standards," young man spoke eloquently. "For Chen Group, our company has calculated your group's existing real estate, personal property, expected earnings, receivables, stocks, patent earnings, etc., and after deducting the debt portion, we calculated your company's net assets."

"I see." Chen Zhongxuan nodded slowly and then said: "I don't understand this area; it's usually handled by professionals. I just want to ask your company, does patent technology also count as company assets?"

"Naturally, it counts as company assets."

young man explained, having long anticipated this: "Chairman Chen, you must be asking about the 'Mark I System', right? Our company finds it necessary to remind you that, after evaluation, the value of this patent belongs to another company, not your group, and cannot be counted toward the group's net assets."

"That is a matter of course." Chen Zhongxuan nodded as if it were only natural. If this part were also included, his company's market value would probably exceed 200 billion.

100 billion—this was the new valuation Chen Zhongxuan gave the Mark I System after seeing zero egg.

As for the others—fifty million, one hundred million, one billion—what were those things? None of them were solid valuations.

young man gave a contemptuous smile.

As a professional investment firm, if they couldn't even investigate such a simple matter, they might as well just go out of business. It would save them from being scammed to death without even knowing how they died.

The investment industry has never been a calm and tranquil field.

Big fish eat little fish, little fish eat shrimp, and shrimp play with leverage—this is the reality.

"Chairman Chen, the situation is now very clear. If your company cannot provide other assets today that our company can accept, then, unfortunately, Chen Group is still the losing party. According to the contract stipulations, your company needs to transfer 25% of the controlling shares and dividend shares to Qianhuan Group, and at the same time, accept the supervision of Qianhuan Group's financial supervision team."

Chen Zhongxuan nodded slightly: "That is indeed the case."

Director Chen Yuren frowned, looking at his brother-in-law with some worry, but he did not venture to speak out.

Because he noticed that although his brother-in-law was nodding and seemingly accepting what the other party said, his expression remained unchanged, just like his usual state when he had everything under control.

Director Chen Yuren was very familiar with this state.

But this time, where was the opportunity for survival?