The voice sounded familiar which made Luke and Dad look at each other. They turned around and glanced at Mr. Li quizzically. Did he just say, Shi Corp?
"Li Chen what are you doing?", Mr. Cheng asked quietly. Mr shi just crossed his legs smiling knowingly. Mr. Li looked at Mr. Cheng placidly and walked to where Shi corp was and sat down.
"Mr. Li, aren't you Mr. Cheng's business partner and your families are close? When did you join Cheng's group?", someone couldn't help but ask.
"Are you sure about that?", Mr. Shi laughed casually. "Mr. Li is part of Shi Corp. He's the branch manager of Shi Corp in Shanghai. "
The information shocked almost everyone, especially the Cheng industry. Mr. Cheng just looked at the calm Mr. Li his fist clenched under the table. Mr. Li wasn't just his business partner but also his friend.
"You might be his branch manager but you're still my business partner. ", he breathed and asked.
"You only made me your partner when I became successful but Mr. Shi Gongchen supported me when I was nothing. I'm withdrawing my shares from Cheng industry. ", Mr. Li said without turning back.
Mr. Cheng laughed to himself and nodded. They had everything planned. With the wavering problems he had now, Mr. Li pulling his twenty percent shares would make things worse.
"Dad calms down. ", Luke held his father's hand encouragingly. He was also confused about what Mr. Li did. Surely, even his daughter will be disappointed. Her father was working with Mr. Shi!
"Shi corp is bidding 36. Does the Cheng industry have an increase?"  Mrs. Tian asked not minding what just happened.
Mr. Cheng had to turn to independent companies that added another million together. Shi corp had the upper hand now as their independent companies hadn't been added yet.
Mr. Shi was calm and a million was added from their side. What will Mr. Cheng do now?
"Mr. Cheng. Someone just withdrew from your company. Then I guess.....that there is a free share waiting right?", someone spoke at the moment. Mr. Cheng turned and nodded at Mr. Lin.
"Are you sure you want to do this?", Mr. Shi glared at the man.
"What?", Mr. Lin laughed casually. "I'm a businessman and I take chances when I see them. I'm increasing my shares in the Cheng industry. Mr. Cheng, what do you think?", he turned to Mr. Cheng and asked.
"It's always a pleasure sir.", Mr. Cheng smiled.
"Then, I'm supporting with a million. ", Mr. Lin said.
Mr. Shi rolled his eyes and hissed.
"Is Shi corp still bidding?"
Mr. Shi smiled at Mr. Cheng and nodded.
"We're supporting, five hundred thousand. ", a voice sounded and a lady walked in.
"Father. "  she hugged Mr shi's shoulders and sat down beside him.
Wow! Luke shook his unbelievably. Since when has this family been playing with them?
"What's the meaning of this?", Mr. Cheng inquired. "Last time I checked, Miss Susan doesn't manage any of your companies."
"Really?", Mr. Shi raised his eyebrows.
Susan crossed her legs and replied, "It was going to be made public next week but I had no choice but to help my father you see. Peaches peak will be coming into the light and I'm the CEO. "
"You're a good girl. Aren't you still working with Cheng juice company and are you even the acting assistant manager?", Mr. Cheng inquired.
"Forget about it Dad.", Luke answered before she spoke. "I know of Susan's resignation. She was just acting as my assistant for a while as I already have one and we never stopped working together. It seems we have another competitor. Congratulations miss Shi."
Susan glanced at him and pursed her lips. Five hundred was just added but it had an impact.
Does the Cheng industry have another increase? It seems they were out of options.
"1.5 million. ", he finally spoke and everyone turned to Luke. What was that?
Mr. Shi immediately interjected. "Excuse me. What sort of joke is this? Dependent companies can't bid at the moment. "
"Who said we were a dependent company?", Luke smiled.
"What do you mean?", Mr. Shi asked narrowing his eyes.
"Cheng Juice company was already an independent company since last month. It just wasn't made public. I own fifty percent share of it, my partner owns thirty. If you want I can prove it. Do you still think......it's a joke?", Luke said calmly.
Mr. Shi's eyes widened slightly and even Susan was surprised. She didn't know of this. No one knew.
Dad had a feeling this might happen and had Luke join him. Only he, Luke, and Juliet knew of the matter. It was a good thing Juliet wanted to surprise her father, if not, their plan wouldn't have worked.
"As the Ceo of Cheng juice company, I'm adding 1.5 million. ", Luke repeated.
Mr. Shi looked like he was going to swallow him. "I don't think that small company of yours can afford to give that much right?"
"You seem to have a lot of information about me?", Luke said. He was referring to the spy Susan they left in his company. "I can bid a million right now and I can get support from my business partner. Five hundred is coming from there. Right? Mr. Park?"
A white man by the side smiled and nodded. Mr. Shi was speechless. They had him cornered. There was no way he was going to add more than a million again.
..............
Some hours ago.
US
Mr. Nicolas entered the cafe and spotted the lady by the window. She wore a black and white coat and had her legs crossed waiting patiently.
"Sorry I had you wait.", he walked over and apologized.
"Mr. Nicolas. ", Juliet stood up and shook his hands. They both sat down and she ordered coffee.
"I already went through your proposal. What is it for me if I join your company?", he asked after taking a sip.
Juliet kept her mug and returned.
"We already started a new branch in Florida and are missing a manager which we plan to give the ownership to you. Our large scale sales next year will also be international and we'll surely need your help, sir. We get a shareholder and business partner and you also benefit from us. It's a win-win."
"Taking care of your sales here in the states will benefit me a lot.", Mr. Nicolas nodded. "I  checked your credibility and the popularity of your products and I think I can work with you guys. "
"Thanks, Mr. Nicolas. ", Juliet smiled showing her teeth so that even the old man was mesmerized.
"I'm aware you guys know that my assistant is in China joining an auction for a resort. ", Mr. Nicolas squinted his eyes. Park was going to associate with whoever gets the resort.
Juliet shrugged and replied, "I can guarantee that you'll get what you want. What you have to do is just inform Mr. Park to announce our partnership and everything will be settled. "
Mr. Nicolas drank his coffee and smiled at the lady.
................
Luke had exchanged a look with Mr. Park and knew the work was done. Mr. Shi might have his plan but they had theirs too. Juliet didn't just spend a holiday there but also assessed the branch they were opening quietly.
"38.5 going ones. Twice." The countdown made Mr. Shi's fingers clench. After months of planning, he didn't expect to lose to Mr. Cheng again.
"Thrice and sold. Congratulations Mr. Cheng. ", miss Tian announced and everyone clapped, well except Shi corp.
"Congratulations. Congratulations. " a crowd suddenly formed around Mr. Cheng. Mr. Shi snorted and left the hall. Mr. Grey also walked over and shook his hands.
"I will be glad if my resort falls into your hands. And you have an excellent son over here. The lad saved the day.", he said and smiled at Luke. Luke bowed his head with a smile too. Since Dad was going to be busy for a while, he left the hall to deal with Mr. Park too.
"Sir. Mr. Park said he'll meet you at the cafeteria tomorrow. ", Leo informed him and he nodded. "Get everything ready and.......send what happened tonight to Juliet. Just don't mention the issue with Mr. Li. She knows what to do. "
Leo nodded and they separated he walked to his room just to meet Susan on the road. She seemed to have been waiting there.