Chapter 960: So evil

"... You want us to run the company even if you buy it? We’ll keep it and retain a small share? On top of the buyout?"

Theo and even his father had read this clause a few times before raising the question. After all, they had to make sure, because this contract seemed too good to be true.

Was their unlucky streak finally over, and now they were being blessed?

"It’s true, and it’s the one topic I’d like to discuss with the two of you," Penny nodded. "I thought about it long and hard and decided to add this clause. Of course, it’s still up to you if you agree with it. I would compromise or accept whatever conditions you wanted to add."

Conditions? How could the Millers have other conditions? They came here thinking they would accept the offer and sell their company for the price Penny told them last night. Penny probably knew that already and was saying this out of formality.

Even if it wasn’t the case and Penny was just naturally generous, Penny was a businesswoman. She built Prime Group from scratch and was now the matriarch of the Pierson Family.

How dare they negotiate and risk offending this door of opportunity?

"Miss Penelope, ha ha... this is... this is something I didn’t expect," Mister Miller laughed awkwardly. "To be honest with you, we came here because of the buyout. We didn’t expect such added clauses."

"Well, like I said, if you don’t like it, we can always proceed with the original plan."

Theo perked up. "That’s not what my father is saying, Miss Penelope. All we’re just saying is... this is... this is amazing! But we don’t want to push our luck. So, we’re a little confused. Why are you giving us so much?"

"So much?" Penny repeated innocently and shrugged. "I guess it does sound a little too much."

A few hundred million wasn’t much for her? The Millers almost choked upon hearing her meaningful response, but then they remembered who her husband was. Zoren could buy ten more of the Miller’s companies, and it wouldn’t even dent his cash flows.

That man was earning millions with every second he breathed.

One could just imagine how many hundreds of millions went in and out of the Pierson Corporation every single day.

"If I may be blunt, why are you asking us to run the company?" Theo mustered up the courage to quell his curiosity. "It’s true that we heard about the Bennet Family on our way here, so I was expecting that once this buyout is over, Atlas Bennet would take the helm."

"My first brother hasn’t heard about this, but I’m sure he’ll decline," Penny smiled at them. "He would accept it if he had the time — probably, but he’s quite busy."

Busy doing what?

Atlas was literally kicked out of Global Prime Logistics. Meaning, he was just unemployed!

"Oh..." Theo furrowed his brows, still having many questions in his mind. However, he didn’t want to bombard Penny with questions and irritate her.

"Do not overthink," Penny remarked reassuringly. "The only reason I added this clause is because my hands are tied at the moment. Besides, I do not plan on kicking out the wrong people and replacing them with mine. If there was someone who should do that, it should be the people who knew who deserved to stay and who didn’t."

"Keeping you at the helm under my guidance, I’m sure the Miller’s Company would rise above to the top again." Her smile stretched into a slight smirk as she tilted her head slightly to the side. "What do you think?"

Mister Miller and Theo looked at each other with wide eyes. They tried to hide their excitement, but it was evident in their eyes.

Today, signing that piece of paper would mean the end of their agony.

’Even if the share is just a couple of percentage points, if the company bounces back, that small percentage is probably worth half of the buyout money,’ Theo thought. ’No, with the Pierson Corporation behind her, the buyout money would be more like compensation.’

’If this were before, I would ask for a bigger percentage. However, our company is dying, and agreeing to a buyout — a one-time payoff — without asking for a seat in the shareholder meeting is enough for us. Considering the price she offered could cover our losses, pay off our debts, and leave us with something to live in comfort for the rest of our lives or start a new business, I thought we shouldn’t be greedy anymore,’ Mister Miller pondered, gripping his hand on his lap to contain his happiness and excitement. ’Is it really fine for us to accept this generosity?’

Slowly, Theo and his father raised their heads, their eyes twinkling so much that Penny could almost see it. They were beaming! As if they were staring at their goddess, their savior, their everything!

"Ahem!" Penny cleared her throat. "So? Do you accept this? I’m not saying there aren’t any changes, but everything will most likely stay the same. As long as you listen to me, you don’t have to worry about anything. You run the business with the thought of being number one in logistics."

This time, her friendly demeanor changed as her eyes sharpened. "I already have a few investors and clients who are waiting for the paperwork to be done." She then reached out for the piece of paper she had shown them earlier, sliding it in front of them with a pen on top of it.

"The sooner, the better. The paperwork takes time, so shall we finalize the agreement today?" she suggested, leaning back confidently.

"Uh... Young Miss Bennet, I have to..." Mister Miller hesitated, knowing he had to tell this to Penny before they proceeded. Otherwise, this might be the start of a problem for this partnership. "... A few months back, I took out a loan to cover our losses. The interest was sky-high, and—"

"Do not worry about that," Penny chuckled. "I’m certain that is already covered by the buyout payment, is it not?"

Mister Miller and Theo looked at her with bewilderment, only to see her laugh.

"I might be young, but I grew up watching my father stay up late working," said Penny. "I do not just buy things without proper research, Mister Miller. I know about the loan and the crippling interest. Isn’t that part of covering the losses?"

Well, the Millers had already computed, and if they had to pay the interest, there would still be enough left for them.

"If that is clear, shall we proceed?"

Theo and Mister Miller looked at each other first before the latter nodded at his son. Theo nodded back at his father, watching his father pick up the pen and sign the paper after a quick read. After that, Theo took out his pen from his pocket, signing the paper without a second’s hesitation. Theo had already read what was written on the paper while his father was signing it.

After that, Theo passed the paper to Penny, who casually signed it.

"I’m looking forward to working with you," Penny rose from her seat, offering her hand to Mister Miller.

Mister Miller clasped her hand with both his hands. "The feeling is mutual, Miss Penelope. Rest assured that my son and I won’t let you down."

"Do not worry about letting me down — I won’t let that happen," Penny returned as she retrieved her hand, only to shake Theo’s hand. "I’m looking forward to working with you, Theo Miller."

"The honor is mine." Theo happily nodded profusely, clasping Penny’s hand tightly. "Thank you for this opportunity."

How he wished his sister was half as good as Penny.

And just like that, the buyout proceeded, with all legal matters handled by both Grace and the Miller’s chosen lawyer.

---

Moments later...

Penny was already in the car, leaving the Pierson Corporation. Even before she left, Zoren hadn’t returned. From what she heard, the meeting was still ongoing.

"Considering it’s a discussion about Grandma’s retirement..." she trailed off, dialing someone before placing the phone to her ear. "Uncle Wild."

"Oh, you called! After forever!"

Penny smiled. "I’m sorry, just a little busy."

"Yeah... I heard. Your eldest brother was kicked out by his own uncle. That must’ve hurt his pride."

"Not really." She shrugged. "Anyway, Uncle, the Millers agreed to the buyout. I already sent the paperwork to Grace’s office."

"Oh! And the loan?"

"Just keep it," she ordered. "They’ve been making payments, afraid of such insane interest. So, I was able to buy them without exceeding our budget. Not even half."

Wild laughed. "Oh ho! What an evil girl. If not for that loan you offered them, they wouldn’t have drowned so fast. Tsk tsk tsk. They must be so grateful, not knowing we’re paying them with their own money. So evil — I like it! Very well, if that’s a done deal, I’ll mark the loan completed — err... about the company, are you putting it under Prime Group or like the usual?"

"I’ll think about it later. I’m hanging up now." With that, Penny hung up and looked out the window. As she did, her lips slowly curled up into a smirk. ’Patricia Miller, you are so dead.’