183: Chapter 183 Hongtai Construction's IPO Dream Shattered, Wang Hao's Recovery Unlikely (Part 2)

Wang Hao had no idea about any of this. He shook his head blankly, his expression growing increasingly grave.

Watching Wang Hao's ignorant and terrified appearance, Zhao Lintai couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. He paused deliberately before slowly speaking: "I can tell you that aside from the construction payments owed by the client, Hongtai Construction has almost no liquid funds left in its accounts. Two loan debts are due at the end of the month. Once the bank calls in the debts on schedule, Hongtai Construction's capital chain will immediately snap. At that point, the company will be insolvent, and the 10% of shares you hold will instantly turn into 10% of the debt. Oh, right, you still want to inherit your father's 49% of the shares, don't you? That would mean you'd have to shoulder 59% of the bank debt. Do you think you can pay that off?"

Wang Hao truly did not realize the company's situation was so dire. He looked at Zhao Lintai urgently, an indescribable anxiety surging within him. However, thinking of what Uncle Zhou had told him earlier, the only person who could save the company now was the Zhao Lintai before him. He could only force a smile and continue: "Chairman Zhao, don't forget that you also hold 40% of the shares; we are in the same boat. Only by successfully taking the company public can we resolve the current crisis. When that happens, we can all make money together—wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?"

Zhao Lintai cast a cold glance at Wang Hao, a sneer curling the corner of his mouth. He shook his head, wagged a finger in front of Wang Hao, and said decisively: "No, no, no. We are not in the same boat. If the company fails to go public, it will be considered my error in judgment; I can afford the loss and can withdraw at any time. But you? You won't have it so easy. Why should I go to all the trouble of working for you?"

Hearing this, Wang Hao felt a flash of anger. He gritted his teeth, his hands clenching into fists unconsciously. He took a deep breath, trying hard to calm his emotions, and said in the most sincere tone he could muster: "Chairman Zhao, please stop beating around the bush. Just tell me straight: what do you need me to do for you to continue pushing for the company's IPO?"

Zhao Lintai looked at Wang Hao's anxious and helpless appearance, paused deliberately, and then slowly spoke: "Fine. You give up inheriting the shares left by your father. As for the 10% of shares in your name, you can keep them; if the company becomes profitable in the future, you can continue to enjoy share dividends. However, these shares must be held in trust by me."

Upon hearing this, Wang Hao was instantly furious. He felt Zhao Lintai's request was completely excessive; it was nothing short of extortion. He stared intently into Zhao Lintai's eyes and said, word for word: "Chairman Zhao, don't you think this request of yours is too much?"

Zhao Lintai remained unmoved. He chuckled coldly, leaned back, crossed his legs, and countered: "Too much? Think about it carefully. Even if you inherit those shares, how many days can you last? Once the time stipulated in the valuation adjustment agreement arrives, those shares of your father's will still be taken by those two investment institutions from Hong Kong Island. At that time, not only will you get nothing, but you will also bear 10% of the debt. But if you agree to my request, I can promise you that even if the company fails to go public, it won't result in a broken capital chain due to inability to repay debts. Furthermore, I can give you a position in the company where you don't have to do anything. Aside from the share dividends, I can also give you a considerable fee every month, enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life. How about it? Think about it carefully, won't you?" As he spoke, he snapped his fingers at Wang Ming, signaling him to show the equity trust contract to Wang Hao.

Wang Ming nodded, took another document out of his briefcase, and handed it to Wang Hao.

Wang Hao was seething with anger inside, but dared not lash out. He had no choice but to take it. He flipped through two pages, his expression growing increasingly ugly, and the rage in his heart becoming harder to suppress. He took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, looked up at Zhao Lintai, and said in a trembling voice: "I need to go back and consult Uncle Zhou's opinion on this matter before I can give you an answer." Saying this, he forced back his anger, stood up, and prepared to leave.

However, just as he was about to take his leave, Zhao Lintai raised his hand to stop him. "Wait!" Zhao Lintai's voice was somewhat cold. He quickly operated his phone a few times, then turned it around and placed it on the table in front of Wang Hao, pointing at the phone as he continued: "Young Chairman Wang, don't be in such a rush. Take a look at this first; it's not too late to make a decision after you've seen it."

Wang Hao was startled, not knowing what tricks Zhao Lintai had up his sleeve. He sat back down and leaned in to look at the phone screen. In an instant, his complexion changed drastically. He jerked his head up, his eyes wide, staring at Zhao Lintai in sheer terror, his voice trembling so much he could barely speak coherently: "You… where did you get these from?"

"Hmph," Zhao Lintai looked at Wang Hao's terrified and flustered appearance, snorted coldly, then straightened his face and continued coldly: "Young Chairman Wang, please mind your attitude when speaking to me! You don't need to worry about where I got these! You only need to know what the consequences will be if I hand these over to the police. Right now, you are only a suspect in a fight; who knows, you might end up with several other charges, such as: gambling? Hiring someone to cause injury? Embezzling company funds?" As he spoke, he glanced at Wang Ming beside him, gave him a look, and continued: "Lawyer Wang, you are the professional. How many years do you think he'd get with these charges?"

Receiving Zhao Lintai's signal, Wang Ming immediately chimed in: "Gambling, if it's just participation, doesn't constitute a criminal offense, but it does violate the Public Security Administration Punishments Law. Given Young Chairman Wang's financial resources, the gambling stakes shouldn't be low, right? That would be at least ten to fifteen days of detention. Hiring someone to cause injury is a serious felony that violates criminal law; it would be at least three years to start. As for embezzling company funds, if the amount reaches 2 million, it would also be three years to start. Furthermore, if the embezzled funds were used for illegal activities, a ten-year sentence is possible. Young Chairman Wang, how much funds did you embezzle?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Hao's face turned deathly pale. He pleaded urgently: "No… it's not me, I didn't! My money was all given to me by my dad!"

Zhao Lintai chuckled coldly and replied: "Oh? So you're saying your father embezzled company funds? Well, if you inherit your father's estate, then you will have to repay these embezzled funds. 'A son repaying his father's debts' is only natural and right."

Hearing this, Wang Hao seemed as if he had been struck by lightning; his whole person instantly wilted, and he collapsed powerlessly into his chair.

Watching Wang Hao's state, Zhao Lintai couldn't help but shake his head and sigh inwardly: Wang Hongtai, with a son like you, even without me, you would never amount to anything in this lifetime.

He gently retrieved his phone, a glint of cunning flashing in his eyes. He walked behind Wang Hao, placed a hand on his shoulder, and spoke softly into his ear: "Young Chairman Wang, if you sign this equity trust agreement now, I guarantee that everything I promised you will be fulfilled one by one. Look, you can continue to enjoy share dividends, you'll have a job where you don't have to do anything, and you'll receive a handsome salary every month—isn't that a wonderful thing? Your father is no longer here; if you don't have a job, how will you live in the future? Even if you have shares, the company has to be profitable to pay dividends."

Zhao Lintai paused, then shifted his tone and continued: "Of course, I won't force you. If you are unwilling to sign, you can leave right now. You are welcome to go and inherit those shares your father left you, but I must remind you: when the end of the month arrives and the time stipulated in the valuation adjustment agreement is up, those shares you inherited will all turn into debt. At that point, let alone dividends, even you yourself will be dragged down, and you might even face prison. I've already given you the path; how you choose is up to you." Having finished, Zhao Lintai released his hand from Wang Hao's shoulder and returned to sit opposite him.

Wang Ming, standing to the side, saw that the time was right, so he calmly handed over a pen and gently placed it into Wang Hao's hand.

Wang Hao bit his upper lip tightly, his chest heaving violently. After hesitating for a moment, he finally let out a deep breath, looked up at Zhao Lintai, and continued: "Chairman Zhao, can you really fulfill what you promised?"

"Rest assured! A gentleman's word is his bond. Since I promised you, I will definitely fulfill it! Besides, isn't Lawyer Wang here? With a lawyer as a witness, what do you have to worry about?" Zhao Lintai put on a serious expression and nodded solemnly.

Hearing Zhao Lintai's promise, Wang Hao felt as if he had taken a soothing pill. But more importantly, he had no other path to choose now. Although Uncle Zhou was genuinely trying to help him, if he really had to shoulder such massive debt, he would likely never be able to pay it off in this lifetime. His father's spirit in heaven surely wouldn't blame him. Thinking this, Wang Hao gripped the pen tightly, opened the equity trust agreement, and quickly signed his name.

...

At the same time, in the buffet restaurant of the Hilton Hotel at the Bund, Qin Yi's hand paused, and the System's notification sound suddenly rang out in his Sea of Consciousness.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host. Random task — Kindness to the enemy is cruelty to oneself! Within one week, bring down Hongtai Construction Co., Ltd. and make sure Wang Hao can never make a comeback! The task is now complete. Rewards issued as follows: Host Charisma +2, Mental Energy +2, obtained special skill: Financial Prophet (Elementary)! Since there are 2 days, 4 hours, and 20 minutes remaining until the task ends, the host has additionally received 'Elementary Skill Upgrade Card' * 1, System Points 100!]