With Wen Huaiyu's scream, Zhang Wei's partner, Wil Mario, burst into the living room with a group of men in black, their imposing presence and weapons signaling they were no ordinary visitors.
"Mario, what is this?" Zhang Wei stood up indignantly. "Let's talk this out. Put down your guns. I won't allow anyone to point a gun at my woman."
Zhang Minmin, only a year old, wailed in terror. Xu Qingxin quickly scooped her up, trying to soothe her.
Wil Mario, appearing to be in his mid-thirties, a cigar in his mouth, wore a knowing smile. "Zhang, I'm not here for anything major."
"I just want the thirty-five percent contract in your hands." He produced a prepared transfer agreement. "Sign your name on this, and your wife will live. Not only that, you'll get a million US dollars."
Zhang Wei's face contorted with anger. "Why? Why are you doing this to me?"
"Why are you using such methods against me?"
"Those shares are the fruits of my three years of youth!" After graduation, he had founded the company with Wil Mario. For three years, he had barely spent any time with his wife, even when she was pregnant, all in pursuit of a big score. He never expected that with the battery technology nearing completion, his partner would show up with armed men, even threatening his wife's life to force him to transfer the contract.
A million US dollars might seem substantial, but if the company went public, that thirty-five percent stake would be worth billions.
Wil Mario sneered, "If it weren't for me, what would your three years of youth be worth?"
"If it weren't for me, would you be living in a house like this?"
"Everything you own, I gave you!"
"If I hadn't recognized your potential, you'd still be in some forgotten corner."
"Enough talk, sign it quickly."
"Or don't blame me for disregarding our past friendship."
Zhang Wei's face was a mask of fury and humiliation, his heart filled with resentment. But now, he had no other choice. Trembling, he picked up the pen and signed his name on the share transfer agreement. All his dreams, all his aspirations for the future, dissolved into thin air. He had known Wil Mario was ambitious, but he never imagined this.
"I always keep my word. I said I'd give you a million US dollars, and I will." Wil Mario handed Zhang Wei a check for one million dollars. Zhang Wei felt a surge of anger, but then he reconsidered. Earning a million dollars in three years wasn't too bad.
Just then, Wil Mario handed Zhang Wei another contract. "Sign this one too."
"Mario, you're going too far!" Zhang Wei's eyes blazed, like a cornered beast. Wen Huaiyu, seeing this, also cried out in anger, "Mario, you're a beast! When we founded the company, you clearly said my husband would only contribute technology, receive a salary and shares, and have no responsibility for profits or losses."
"Why should he pay off your debts?"
"And with so much money, how can we repay it?"
Wil Mario chuckled lightly, "It's only two million US dollars. Sell your cars and house, add your current savings, and finding a million shouldn't be difficult, right?"
"Oh, and add the check I gave you, that makes two million, doesn't it?" He burst into wild laughter.
"Honey, don't agree to it. I don't believe he'd dare to kill me!" Wen Huaiyu's face was pale with anger. She had never expected Wil Mario to push their family of three to the brink. If they signed the debt transfer agreement, they would lose everything. Not to mention that...
Because they all yearned for a complete family. Therefore, even if they lost everything, as long as she could live with her husband and daughter, Wen Huaiyu would have no regrets.
"Three years of hard work, all gone..." The more Wen Huaiyu tried to comfort him, the louder Zhang Wei's sobs became. To develop that lithium battery, he already felt he owed Wen Huaiyu so much. He had planned to use the company's IPO to compensate her. But now... how could he make amends?
Chen Nan said, "Brother Wei, I have some connections in the US."
"Perhaps I can help you get the company back."
Zhang Wei shook his head. "It's no use. Wil Mario's uncle is the boss of this state. It's no exaggeration to say he holds immense power." He had chosen to cooperate with Wil Mario in the first place precisely because of his background. With such connections, the company could develop smoothly.
"Perhaps Wil Mario's uncle wields immense power, but we can't just let ourselves be bullied like this!" Chen Nan's eyes burned with intense killing intent. As Orientals, they would not be bullied! Not by anyone! He took out his phone and dialed Rockefeller Claude.
Wil Mario's background might be formidable, but could it compare to the Rockefeller family, the foremost hidden conglomerate in the US?