Chapter 21 Water Plant Acquired

"What is he?" Mu Xin's voice turned cold suddenly, his gaze cutting toward Jimmy like a knife.

"He is the person who has worked as a free, long-term laborer for your family for decades, and the person who built the Water Plant from a small workshop into the only water supply enterprise in the whole town."

"Without Tobias, the Water Plant would have fucking shut down ten years ago."

"And what about you? Aside from spending money, squandering, and killing people in car accidents, what have you ever done?"

Jimmy's face flushed red, and he wanted to rush over, but was held back by Bruce.

Old Williams did not stop Mu Xin's words; he just looked at Tobias.

Tobias sat in the corner, head lowered, his shoulders trembling slightly.

He had not expected Mu Xin to say these things on such an occasion, in front of everyone.

Even less did he expect that Mu Xin would truly fulfill his previous promise: a 10% equity stake and full operational management rights.

"28 million, plus a 10% equity stake for Tobias." Old Williams's voice was very soft, as if he had exhausted all his strength. "I agree."

"Dad!" Jimmy roared, "Have you lost your mind?"

"I told you to shut up!" Old Williams slammed his hand on the armrest, and his whole body began to cough violently, coughing so hard that tears and snot flowed out.

Bruce hurriedly stepped forward to support him, but was pushed away with one hand.

"Jimmy, you listen to me carefully." Old Williams was coughing until his face was bright red, but his voice was unusually clear.

"The Water Plant was built by me single-handedly; I can sell it to whoever I want."

"If you feel unconvinced, you take out your own money and buy the Water Plant yourself."

"Can you afford it?"

Jimmy was left speechless by the question and could only glare fiercely at Mu Xin, his eyes full of hatred.

"Tobias." Old Williams turned his head and looked at Tobias in the corner. "Come here."

Tobias stood up and walked over to Old Williams.

Old Williams reached out and tremblingly grasped Tobias's hand.

Those hands were withered and cold, yet they carried an indescribable strength.

"I've wronged you all these years." Old Williams's voice was very soft, audible only to the two of them. "It's not that I didn't know, it's just..."

He did not finish, just shook his head and let go of Tobias's hand.

"Go. From now on, the Water Plant is in your hands."

Tobias stood still, looking at Old Williams's aged and weary face, a complex surge of emotions welling up inside him.

There was hatred, unwillingness, grievance, and also a tiny sliver of... soft-heartedness.

But he quickly suppressed that sliver of soft-heartedness.

He turned around, walked up to Mu Xin, and reached out his hand.

"Mr. Mu, happy to work with you."

Mu Xin stood up and shook his hand.

"Happy to work with you."

Jessica took the contract that had been prepared long ago out of her bag and placed it on the table.

"There are four copies of the contract. Each party keeps one, one is filed with the Public Utilities Commission, and one is archived at the Bureau of Commerce."

"All terms have been clearly listed, including the acquisition price, payment method, delivery time, and the terms regarding Mr. Tobias Williams serving as the General Manager of the Water Plant and holding a 10% equity stake."

Old Williams picked up the pen, his hand trembling so violently that he could barely hold it.

He tried twice, but couldn't write his name on the signature line.

Tobias stepped forward, wanting to help him, but was pushed away by Old Williams.

"I'll do it myself."

The third time, he finally gripped the pen and tremblingly signed his name on the contract.

Harlan Williams.

The handwriting was crooked, as if written by a child, yet it represented the end of an era.

From today on, the Water Plant would no longer bear the Williams name.

After signing, Old Williams put down the pen, his whole body seeming to be drained of energy, and he slumped into the massage chair.

His eyes looked at the yellowed old photo on the wall, his lips moving as if saying something, but no one could hear it clearly.

Jimmy slammed the door and left, and Bruce walked out of the living room in silence.

Only Tobias stood in the empty living room, clutching the contract, looking at Old Williams's aged and lonely back.

He knew that from today on, his life would be completely different.

But he also knew that from today on, Old Williams's life would also be completely different.

A local tyrant who had made his fortune through monopoly and exploitation had finally, in his own living room, signed the contract that destroyed his family business with his own hands.

This was perhaps the greatest irony of fate.

...

When Mu Xin walked out of Williams Manor, the sun was just right, shining warmly on his body.

Jessica followed behind him, letting out a long sigh of relief.

"28 million, plus a 10% equity stake for Tobias. Jimmy and the others are about to die of anger!"

Mu Xin sighed, "Tobias is the soul of the Water Plant. Without him, the Water Plant is worthless."

"Giving him a 10% equity stake and making him the General Manager is the only way he will work for us wholeheartedly."

"Besides, he is still holding onto all the dirt on the Williams Family."

"With him around, the Williams Family will never be able to make a comeback."

Jessica was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What about Jimmy? You promised Tobias that you wouldn't let Jimmy die too easily."

"No rush yet." Mu Xin smiled, a flash of cold light flickering in his eyes.

"When the acquisition is completely settled, and when Richard Miller gets the evidence he wants, Jimmy will naturally receive the punishment he deserves."

"What's most important now is to get the Water Plant's equipment upgrade started."

"A 20 million dollar investment, a 60-day rectification period—not a single day can be delayed."

Mu Xin took out his phone and sent a message to Tobias:

"The money will arrive tomorrow. From today on, you are fully in charge of the Water Plant's affairs."

A few seconds later, Tobias replied with a message:

"Understood. I will not let you down."

Mu Xin put away his phone and looked at the main street of Oxford Town, which only spanned two blocks.

There weren't many people on the street, and the sunlight spilled onto those low buildings, coating the quiet town in a layer of golden light.

"Jessica."

"Hmm?"

"This is just the beginning. Are you ready?"

"I have always been preparing. As long as the boss needs me, I can step up at any time."

Mu Xin smiled and said nothing, opened the car door, and sat in the driver's seat.

The engine started, the G63 4x4² emitted a low roar, and it slowly drove away from Williams Manor.

Jessica sat in the passenger seat, watching the scenery pass by outside the window.

She knew what Mu Xin meant.

Acquiring the Water Plant was just the beginning.

Next, there were more things waiting for them to do.

Bigger storms were still to come.

The most important thing right now was to renovate the Water Plant as soon as possible; this link had to be connected.

Otherwise, all previous efforts would be in vain...