Chapter 477 The Game (22) Cecilia's Plan
Cecilia casually punched in Bill's number.
Bill, fuming over the Kingsley Group mess, snapped, "Cecilia, what the heck is up with the Kingsley Group? Why do they owe you two billion bucks, and why did that guy punch someone in public? Are they trying to self-destruct?"
"Yeah, their finances are a dumpster fire. Stocks are tanking. If this keeps up, they're gonna crash and burn," Cecilia said, no sugar-coating.
"I should've teamed up with you instead! Your e-commerce game might be smaller, but with your skills, you'd probably outshine Kingsley in a year," Bill lamented.
Cecilia chuckled. "No need to beat yourself up, Bill."
"Why not? The board's tearing me apart. I've never been dragged like this at work, and my e-commerce investments have always been solid. If I tank because of Dominic, my rep's toast," Bill grumbled.
"Chill, Bill. I've got a fix for your mess," Cecilia said straight up.
"Spill it," Bill perked up.
"Our international e-commerce project is cruising along, right?" Cecilia asked.
"If it weren't for Kingsley's drama, we'd be raking in cash by now!" Bill fumed.
Thanks to Kingsley, everything was on hold.
"So, let's just keep pushing the project. We'll cover the losses," Cecilia suggested.
"How? Kingsley's a train wreck right now, with all that bad press. If we push forward, we might get boycotted, and all our work goes down the drain. I can't risk that!"
Cecilia nodded. "Here's the plan: get a third party to take over Kingsley's international e-commerce project."
Bill was floored.
He hadn't thought that far ahead.
Cecilia laid it out, "Honestly, Bill, the Lockhart Group wants to take over Kingsley and finish this project with you."
"That'd be awesome, but how are you gonna pull that off?" Bill asked.
"We need your help, Bill," Cecilia said, no beating around the bush.
"Shoot," Bill agreed without a second thought.
"Kingsley owes us two billion. They can't pay up, and they won't trade shares. The only move is to mortgage and auction. I've scoped out all of Kingsley's projects, and the only one worth anything is the international e-commerce gig. So, Dominic's gonna have to auction it. But he won't sell it to me. Our beef is too deep; he won't let me have it easy."
"So?" Bill prompted.
"So, you gotta go public and say you'll only team up with the Lockhart Group for this project. Basically, if Kingsley sells to anyone else, the project's dead. Business folks will see the real goldmine is in international e-commerce. The domestic scene's a mess. If the international project tanks, no one's gonna touch Dominic's e-commerce platform. This way, Dominic's got no choice but to sell it to me."
Bill nodded, impressed by Cecilia's sharp thinking.
He even started to believe Cecilia had been busting her butt on the e-commerce project just to earn his trust for this exact moment. Everything she did was part of her master plan.
With Bill staying silent for a bit, Cecilia got a little nervous.
She'd been scheming this from the get-go.
She worried Bill might feel played.
After a long pause, Bill finally said, "Alright."
Cecilia felt a wave of relief but kept her cool. "Thanks, Bill. I hope our future collabs are even better."
"Working with you is a no-brainer," Bill praised.
"I won't let you down," Cecilia promised. Then she added, "Bill, according to the contract, Kingsley has to notify you and get your okay before transferring the international e-commerce project. When they do, make it clear who you wanna work with."
"Got it."
"Thanks, Bill."
"Here's to mutual success."
They exchanged some pleasantries.
Cecilia hung up, a big grin spreading across her face.
Everything was falling into place just like she planned!
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
She picked up the intercom and called Rose, "Rose, tell Kingsley Group if they don't pay up by 10 AM tomorrow, we're taking legal action."
"Got it," Rose replied respectfully.
A bit later, Rose came in, "Ms. Lockhart, Kingsley Group said they'll pay the debt in person at 10 AM tomorrow."
"Good." Cecilia nodded.
Rose frowned. "Ms. Lockhart, isn't it weird? Where'd Kingsley get the cash to pay up? If they had money, they wouldn't have pulled that loan fraud stunt."
"Dominic's probably decided to cut his losses," Cecilia sneered.
If he didn't, he'd be totally screwed.
Dominic knew when to fold.
She said, "You can get back to work."
"Yes." Rose left.
A while later, Cecilia got another call from Bill, who said straight up, "Dominic just talked to me. Because of Kingsley's crappy management, he wants to transfer the e-commerce project. I agreed."
"Then, Bill, please make a public statement," Cecilia said.
"The statement's being reviewed and will be out in half an hour."
"Thanks."
After hanging up, Cecilia decided to call Dominic.
Seeing Cecilia's name pop up, Dominic's face twisted with anger. He sneered, "Cecilia, you really think you can take down Kingsley Group? I've got a thousand ways to keep Kingsley untouched! So stop acting all high and mighty! You're nothing to me. I'm not going to let you take me down!"
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