428: Chapter 428 Negotiation

Lei Jun looked at this land that was about to belong to her, an unprecedented emotion surging in her heart.

It wasn't simple satisfaction, nor was it pure excitement, but a deeper, more complex feeling. Like... a sense of belonging? Like... the feeling of home? Like... finding a place where her soul could rest?

She recalled the idea she had before setting out—an island of her own that could hold her "family" and create a world belonging to them. Now, looking at this beautiful scenery, the idea became more real and concrete. She could build a large villa here for everyone to live together; she could build an art gallery for Master Tony to hold exhibitions; she could build a livestreaming room for Lin Xiaoya; she could build a library for Lei Yue to read; she could build a training ground for Lei Ying and Ah Fu to train...

She turned to look at James. "I want this island."

James smiled. "Miss Lei Jun certainly has a good eye. Well then, next are the matters of price and the contract. Tomorrow, I will arrange for you to meet the seller for formal negotiations."

...

However, the subsequent negotiations did not go as smoothly as imagined.

That night, they stayed at a luxury resort in Fiji. The hotel was built by the sea, with a private beach and an infinity pool; the rooms were spacious and comfortable, and opening the window revealed the ocean. The presidential suite Lei Jun stayed in was even more extravagant, featuring a separate living room, bedroom, bathroom, as well as a terrace and a private pool.

The next morning, James arranged for Lei Yue to conduct formal contract negotiations with the island's seller—a well-dressed Caucasian man in his sixties.

The seller's name was Frederick von Eschenbach, an heir to a German financial family. He claimed the island was the result of three generations of his family's hard work and that he had decided to sell it due to internal family adjustments. He wore a custom suit and gold-rimmed glasses, speaking slowly and deliberately, exuding an aristocratic air.

The negotiations started smoothly enough, with the price set at $320 million, and neither side had much objection. But when it came to the payment method and the details of the title transfer, Frederick suddenly raised some additional requirements.

"Miss Lei Jun," Frederick said in German-accented English, his tone polite, but a hint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes. "$320 million is the price for the island, but there are also some family heirlooms and antique furniture on the island, all treasures from the 18th and 19th centuries, including several oil paintings, some sculptures, a set of Louis XIV-era furniture, and a collection of Chinese porcelain. These are collections from several generations of my family and are priceless. I hope you can pay an additional $80 million to purchase them all together. If these artworks and furniture were auctioned individually, the price would only be higher."

Lei Jun frowned slightly. Greg's introduction hadn't mentioned these "add-ons." Moreover, she had no knowledge of or interest in art. She was buying the island to live on, not to collect antiques.

Lei Yue immediately took over the conversation. "Mr. Frederick, please provide a detailed list of these artworks and furniture; we need a professional institution to conduct an appraisal. If the value indeed matches $80 million, we can consider it. But this should not be an additional condition for the island transaction, much less a forced bundle sale. We are only interested in the island itself; the artworks can be negotiated separately, or you can take them to auction yourself."

Frederick's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly regained his smile. "Of course, of course, they can be appraised. But I hope you know these are rarities; it would be a pity to miss them."

He paused and then proposed, "Additionally, the island transaction involves complex international tax issues. I suggest transferring the funds through an offshore company I designate; this can reasonably avoid taxes and reduce the tax burden for both parties. I have a company in the Cayman Islands with a good reputation. Transferring through it can save at least $20 million in taxes. Of course, I will bear all the costs; you only need to cooperate with the signatures."

Lei Yue's eyes sharpened. She knew this "designated offshore company" trick all too well—it was often used to cover up title defects, evade tax liabilities, or even for money laundering. As a top lawyer, she would never let Lei Jun fall into such a risk.

"Mr. Frederick," Lei Yue said, her tone calm but with an unquestionable firmness, "all funds will be paid directly to a bank account designated by your side and approved by both parties through legal and compliant channels. We will not accept any third-party transfers. We will handle the tax issues ourselves; there's no need for you to worry. If you have a reasonable tax avoidance plan, you can provide it for our reference, but it must be audited by our own lawyers and accountants."

Frederick's expression soured. He tried to propose several more additional conditions—

"There is a small cemetery on the island where several of my ancestors are buried, including my grandfather and great-grandfather. I hope to retain permanent usage rights, allowing me to visit and pay my respects once a year for no more than three days each time. This shouldn't affect your use, right?"

Lei Yue shook her head. "The cemetery can be preserved, but the permanent usage rights need to be clearly defined so they don't affect the development and utilization of the island. Specific terms need to be written into the contract and reviewed by lawyers from both sides. Three days a year is acceptable, but an appointment must be made in advance, and you cannot bring too many people."

"I hope you will pay an 'environmental protection deposit' for potential future issues, just in case environmental pollution is caused during the island's development. The deposit would be $5 million, to be refunded in full after five years if there are no problems."

Lei Yue continued to shake her head. "We will be responsible for environmental protection ourselves; no deposit is required. If your side has environmental concerns, relevant clauses can be added to the contract stipulating the environmental protection responsibilities of both parties, with regular assessments by a third-party institution. A deposit is unnecessary."

"I hope you promise not to resell the island to a third party within the next ten years without my consent. After all, this is the result of three generations of my family's hard work; I don't want to see it casually change hands."

Lei Yue refused outright. "This requirement is unreasonable. Once the purchase is complete, the island is Miss Lei Jun's private property, and she has complete freedom of disposal. We cannot accept this requirement. If you are concerned about this, a right of first refusal can be added to the contract; if Miss Lei Jun wishes to sell, you can have the priority to buy, but her right to sell cannot be restricted."

Frederick's expression grew increasingly grim. His attitude became tougher, even hinting that if Lei Jun did not accept these conditions, he might consider other buyers—reportedly, several Middle Eastern tycoons were very interested in the island and had offered higher prices.

The negotiations reached a stalemate.