novelraw Chapter 357 - 195: Yuan, You’re So Mean
Chapter 357 - 195: Yuan, You’re So Mean
Kenneth Osborne chuckled, "You think that just because the contract is signed, the acquisition is complete?""Isn’t it legally binding after signing?" Lawrence Winters sat up straight, half-jokingly saying, "That’s how it’s written in those CEO novels!"
She raised her arm, adopting a dominant CEO demeanor, and in a deep voice said, "...Dare to provoke my woman?! Buy me this company! I want to see the signed contract on my desk by tomorrow morning!"
"—See, as long as it’s signed, a company can be bought just like that. What are you worrying about?"
Lawrence covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes darker than most glinting with playful mischief.
Kenneth was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "...Is this the kind of trashy web novel you often read? —A company bought just like that; the author of this must have no acquisition experience, right?"
Lawrence didn’t actually understand, but she used the trope from CEO novels to tease him on purpose. Now, she widened her eyes in feigned innocence, "Really? I didn’t know! You know so much, Kenneth!"
Kenneth: "...Talk properly, it feels like you’re mocking me."
Lawrence burst into laughter, "Kenneth, I’m not mocking you, I just want to laugh ahahahaha..."
Amused for a while, she noticed Kenneth’s increasingly dark expression, and seized the opportunity to cover her head, exclaiming, "Headache..."
Kenneth knew she was pretending, but seeing her rare look of pitiful innocence, his heart softened. He raised a hand to gently massage the sides of her forehead, patiently saying, "Acquiring a company is a long process. From finding a target to setting a price, then bargaining, and finally both parties signing, that’s only halfway."
"Signing is only halfway through?" Lawrence clicked her tongue, "That’s too much trouble! What’s in the latter half?"
Kenneth smiled, "Because the signed contract has an effective date, before that date arrives, everything is still subject to change. It’s not just a signature and the deal is done."
"If one party is a listed company, it’s even more troublesome. After signing, it must be disclosed, reviewed by the board, and reported to the securities regulatory commission."
"In these three steps—disclosure, board review, and regulatory reporting—if any step is opposed, the contract becomes invalid, even if it’s signed. Because these are conditions outlined in the contract, recognized by both parties as conditional."
Lawrence started to understand, "So even if both parties sign, to make the contract effective, it still has to go through the process, step by step approval, right?"
"Correct, that’s what it means. So, those CEO novels you read, if a CEO wanted to buy a company overnight, it’s not impossible, like a small street vendor, it can be done overnight," Kenneth said earnestly.
Lawrence: "...Hahaha! Kenneth, you’re so wicked! But I like it!"
Kenneth looked at her calmly, and casually said, "Hmm, I like you too." But his ears secretly turned red.
Lawrence made a fist to encourage him, "Kenneth, you’re really lucky lately! The glow on your forehead means a financial fortune! You’re bound to make a great fortune!"
"I’ll take your blessing," Kenneth laughed, let go of her hand, leaned in to peck her cheek, "I got back early today, I’ll make you something to eat, do you want fried rice with eggs?"
Lawrence: "...Okay."
...
Justus Spencer had already boarded the private plane back to the Southern Region by this time.
By evening, he arrived at Z City Airport.
The driver, following his instructions, took him to the Spencer Group’s headquarters building.
Here it was brightly lit, with key personnel from the legal, investment, and finance departments waiting for him, to perform a preliminary review of his contract.
He had already informed his father to hold a board meeting the next day to discuss this acquisition contract.
As long as the board approves, and it’s reported to the securities commission, with a public notice on the company’s website, it can officially take effect in two weeks.
He first took the signed contract to the head of the legal department, saying, "Take a look at this acquisition contract; is there any improper wording?"
The contract wasn’t long, only a little over twenty pages.
For someone who regularly handles legal documents, it could be done in half an hour.
The head of the legal department hurriedly said, "Please wait a moment, I’ll verify it."
"Mm, don’t let your subordinates see it. This is an acquisition contract and needs confidentiality. The fewer people who know, the better," Justus warned the head of the legal department.