Chapter 22: CHAOS AT THE BOARD MEETING

“Cross Capital is prepared to take a strategic stake in Blackwood at eighty-two dollars per share.”

Cross pushed an elegant letter of intent into the center of the table and began speaking with complete confidence.

“We’ll inject two billion dollars to stabilize your share price and expand your energy portfolio. We require only one thing—a seat on the board and participation in the subsequent private placement.”

Eighty-two dollars was significantly above the current market price, making the offer appear extremely generous.

Several directors who had already been bought off immediately voiced their support.

“Cross Capital has tremendous financial strength. This is exactly the help we need in a crisis!”

“I think we should negotiate. It’s better than watching the group get dragged into ruin.”

Victoria sat upright, looking as though victory was already hers.

She had calculated it perfectly.

If Karen rejected the proposal, he could be accused of being jealous, short-sighted, and indifferent to the interests of the group.

But before Karen could speak, Evelyn spoke first.

“Eighty-two dollars is indeed very generous.”

She stood, picked up the letter of intent, and scanned the room.

“Too bad it’s fake.”

The smile on Cross’s face faded slightly.

“Miss, you shouldn’t make accusations without evidence.”

“The core assets of Blackwood are three North American shale oil and gas fields. According to the latest reserve assessments, their actual value exceeds forty billion dollars.”

Evelyn spoke calmly.

“Cross is entering with two billion dollars. After the private placement, you’ll immediately hold twenty-two percent of the shares, and with Victoria’s fifteen percent of scattered shares held through nominees…”

“At that point, your combined holdings will exceed Mr. Blackwood’s, making you the actual controlling party.”

“You’re using two billion dollars to pry open a four-hundred-billion-dollar empire, then dismantle the energy division, sell it off, and cash out.”

She raised her eyes and stared directly at Cross.

Her voice was cold.

“This isn’t help in a crisis.”

“It’s a vulture diving onto a corpse.”

“Am I right, Mr. Cross?”

The entire room erupted.

The directors who had been tempted only moments earlier instantly changed their expressions.

The letter of intent suddenly looked like a trap from beginning to end.

“Miss Thorne has sharp eyes.”

Cross laughed instead of getting angry.

“But business decisions cannot be based on speculation.”

“Whether it’s speculation or not, put the independent valuation reports for the three oil and gas fields next to the list of the seven companies Cross Capital dismantled over the past three years, and everything becomes clear.”

“If you still don’t believe me, bring in a third-party institution right now for verification.”

“I bet Mr. Cross wouldn’t dare.”

Victoria slammed her palm against the table.

“Enough! What right does an outsider widow have to interfere in a board meeting?”

She viciously turned her attack toward Evelyn.

“Arthur had barely died before she started inserting herself into the group’s affairs. I think she’s the one trying to hollow out Blackwood and collude with outsiders!”

Before Evelyn could respond, Karen turned a cold gaze toward Victoria.

“She is personally authorized by me to participate in every matter. If you object to her, then you object to me.”

“As for Cross Capital’s proposal, it concerns a change in control. An independent financial advisor must issue a fairness opinion, and the matter must then be submitted to the full shareholders’ meeting for a vote.”

“Until then, no one has the authority to sign any documents.”

It was an impeccable delay tactic—reasonable, lawful, and impossible to attack.

After the meeting, Cross stopped Evelyn in the hallway.

His smile was dangerous as he lowered his voice.

“Miss Thorne, you’re more interesting than I expected.”

“Unfortunately, intelligent people often die faster. Blocking my path to profit is not a consequence a widow like you can afford.”

Evelyn looked up without the slightest trace of fear.

“Mr. Cross, let me give you a piece of advice too.”

“You and Victoria came together because of profit.”

“When the profit is gone, so is the alliance.”

Cross’s pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

Evelyn turned and walked away, the curve of her lips cold.

The two of them looked unbreakable.

In reality, each had hidden motives.

All she needed was to light a fire between their greed.

Then this deadlock could come back to life.