After the two left, Charlie Lee turned to his office.
"Ben, how's A.O. Smith doing these days?" Charlie suddenly realized it might be more practical to acquire an already established company rather than rebuild a factory from scratch.
"A.O. Smith has a state-of-the-art frame assembly line, considered a mechanical marvel, doesn't it?"
Ben sighed. "Boss, like most enterprises right now, they're struggling through an economic winter. The company's on the brink."
"Buy it," Charlie decided without hesitation. He had no interest in entangling himself in unnecessary disputes with the existing management. However, if buying the company served his broader industrial plans, he wouldn't mind shaking up a few old systems in the process.
"Jerry, let's hope your luck doesn't run out," Charlie murmured to himself with a grin.
As the calendar quietly crept toward the end of May, McDonald's first batch of franchise stores was ready to launch, thanks to Burke's massive recruitment drive. With ample manpower, construction projects had progressed ahead of schedule. Even the framework for McDonald's Paradise, a leisure complex, had started taking shape.
One afternoon, Lawrence invited Charlie to a party at the end of the month, hosted by Jonathan, a mutual acquaintance.
"It's a swimsuit party," Lawrence mentioned casually.
When Charlie arrived, he quickly realized the party had spiraled out of control. Scantily clad figures paraded across the lawn, their "swimsuits" consisting of little more than strategically placed strings and glittering adornments.
"Are you sure this is a swimsuit party?" Charlie asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jonathan, lounging nearby in flamboyant swim trunks, waved him over enthusiastically. "Come on, Charlie! This is a youth party!"
Charlie scanned the scene. "Are these girls… safe?" He wasn't unfamiliar with wild parties, but safety always came first.
Jonathan chuckled. "Do you need me to hand you their medical reports? Relax, man. I personally selected all 96 girls here. Let's just say I went above and beyond to ensure this party is unforgettable."
The girls hailed from various countries—France, Ukraine, Italy, and beyond—and Jonathan had spared no expense, spending $8,000 on the arrangements. The party wasn't just for fun; it was Jonathan's way of solidifying friendships with influential figures like Charlie and Lawrence.
"Well, that's reassuring," Charlie said, tossing aside his coat and diving into the festivities.
Jonathan grabbed a microphone and signaled for the music to stop. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the star of tonight's show! The man who's been making waves across industries, hailed as a miracle Chinese tycoon by The New York Times—Charlie Lee!"
Cheers erupted as the crowd's attention shifted to Charlie. Eyes filled with admiration and curiosity followed him as he nonchalantly grabbed the hand of a tall, elegant brunette and headed toward the pool.
With a theatrical leap, Charlie plunged into the water, sending a massive splash across the poolside. Before Lawrence, already in the pool, could react, a swarm of partygoers cannonballed in after Charlie. Within moments, the pool transformed into a lively, crowded scene of laughter and chaos.
Hours later, the party entered its frenzied peak, but by dawn, the energy had waned. As sunlight streamed through the windows, Lawrence emerged from a tangle of limbs, groaning and clutching his back.
"Good morning, Lawrence," Charlie greeted him, seated by the balcony with a fresh cup of coffee.
"Charlie, you damned pervert," Lawrence growled. The night before, he'd been egged on to outdo himself, entertaining a dozen women at once. Now, he was paying the price, feeling utterly drained.
"Don't blame me for your ambitions," Charlie said with a smirk. "Some of us are just built differently."
"Charlie, you're built like an ox. How do you do it?" Jonathan joined the conversation, sipping his own drink.
"Natural talent," Charlie replied smugly, flexing his arm theatrically.
"Shut up," Lawrence muttered, sinking into a nearby chair and shaking his head.
After the banter subsided, the trio began discussing business.
"How's everything going on your end, Jonathan?" Charlie asked.
"With the chaos my brother's causing? Don't even get me started," Jonathan replied bitterly.
Word had spread that Jonathan's half-brother, who managed much of their family's assets, was driving the Astor fortune into ruin. Among other disasters, he was rumored to be selling prime real estate in Manhattan for pennies on the dollar.
"The Astor family wealth is barely a shadow of its former self. If this keeps up, we'll soon be a footnote in history," Jonathan confessed.
Charlie and Lawrence exchanged glances. "Can we help?" Charlie offered.
"Yes," Jonathan said without hesitation. He'd reached the end of his patience and wasn't above seeking outside assistance.
"What do you need?" Lawrence asked.
"I need capital to buy out the family's remaining assets," Jonathan explained. "The Waldorf Astoria, the Reggie Hotel, 57 storefronts in New York, 23 office buildings, and 18 apartment complexes. If I don't step in now, it'll all be gone."
"How much are you looking for?" Charlie inquired.
"$150 million."
The room fell silent for a moment. It was an astronomical sum, even for seasoned businessmen like Charlie and Lawrence.
"And what's in it for us?" Lawrence asked bluntly.
Jonathan didn't flinch. "A guaranteed monthly return of 18.5%."
Charlie's eyes widened slightly. An annual return of over 130% was practically unheard of, but it came with risks.
"Do you have the support you need to execute this takeover?" Charlie pressed.
"Yes," Jonathan replied confidently. He outlined his plan: the boards of both the Waldorf Astoria and Reggie Hotel chains supported him, as did the family foundation. Even his stepmother had agreed to back his claim with her voting rights.
"Vincent's reckless spending has alienated everyone. They're ready to side with me to save what's left of the family fortune," Jonathan explained.
He'd made several concessions to secure their support, promising dividends and positions to key players. While those promises seemed generous, Jonathan had no intention of letting them stand. Once he regained control of the family assets, he planned to restructure entirely, leaving his rivals powerless.
"What do you think?" Charlie asked Lawrence after Jonathan stepped away to make a call.
"It's risky," Lawrence admitted. "But if he pulls it off, the returns will be worth it."
"I agree. Let's run the numbers and consult with the think tank before making a decision," Charlie said.
By the time the meeting concluded, Jonathan left with a sense of hope. Charlie and Lawrence, while cautious, had shown genuine interest. For now, all Jonathan could do was wait.
As Charlie watched him leave, he turned to Lawrence. "This Jonathan has more depth than I thought."
"No kidding," Lawrence replied. "We'll need to tread carefully with him."
With that, the two settled into a reflective silence, both weighing the potential rewards against the risks of Jonathan's ambitious plan.