Chapter 230 You Big Liar!
Noah replied: [Alright, I got it. I'll check it out first.]
Isaiah asked right away: [Noah, how long is this gonna take? You know our supermarket's in a real mess. We can't afford any delays. Just tonight, three suppliers came to take back their goods 'cause we can't afford them. If that $50 million doesn't come through in a day, Evergreen Market's gonna shut down and go into a judicial auction to pay off those suppliers. So, that $50 million is really urgent, Noah. Please hurry!]
Noah assured her: [Okay, I'll get back to you within a day.]
Isaiah soon texted back: [I'll be waiting for your update then!]
With Noah's promise, Isaiah felt a bit more at ease. As long as the $50 million came through within a day, they could manage the cash flow and save the supermarket from bankrupt.
Noah then opened the financial reports and skimmed through them. He wasn't surprised by Evergreen Market's current predicament. The poor attitude of the sales staff he had encountered while sampling products at the store had already hinted at significant management issues.
Consequently, Evergreen Market was bound to go under. Isaiah's father's gambling losses just sped up the process.
After a quick review of the financial reports, Noah forwarded all the documents to the financial manager at Facebook Live, asking for an analysis of Evergreen Market's operations.
As for why Noah didn't go to Samuel from Noah Asset Management, he figured it wouldn't help. Xavier had told him that during family missions, he couldn't use any family connections except for money, so he had to rely on his people.
"Mr. Anderson, I'll compile the financial reports and send them to you in three hours," the financial manager replied promptly.
"Got it," Noah acknowledged and put down his phone to wait.
Before the three hours were up, the financial manager sent over a document with a note attaching: [Mr. Anderson, here's the summary based on Evergreen Market's financial reports. Please review.]
Noah replied: [Good job, thanks.]
Noah opened the document. According to the summary, Evergreen Market has been steadily profitable for the past two and a half years. With over a hundred stores in Oceanbridge City, the daily gross profit was around $200,000. After accounting for rent, wages, product costs, and store renovations, the annual net profit was over $40 million.
However, in the past six months, Isaiah's father's gambling losses caused cash flow issues, preventing them from paying suppliers. This disrupted the supply chain, making some products unavailable at Evergreen Market, which indirectly led to a decline in customers.
Starting from the second half of the year, Evergreen Market began to incur losses, initially losing $10,000 to $20,000 a day, which gradually increased to over $300,000 a day.
Moreover, many suppliers had started demanding payment and sending legal notices, taking the matter to court.
In the past six months, Isaiah's father had been repeatedly summoned to court for debt collection.
"Looks like Isaiah's dad lost way more than just a few million gambling. He probably blew through over a hundred million," Noah mused, stroking his chin. "He's probably also drowning in huge bank loans and high-interest debts."
The summary also mentioned that if the current cash flow issues were resolved, Evergreen Market could break even within a year and then gradually return to profitability.
"So, the $50 million would only stop the bleeding and get them to break even, and it would take a year," Noah pondered, already forming a plan.
At 7 PM, Isaiah sent Noah a message: [Noah, have you finished reviewing the financial reports? Have you made a decision?]
Noah saw the message but didn't reply immediately. After half an hour, he responded: [Almost done.]
Isaiah replied instantly: [Almost done? Noah, didn't you say you'd have an answer within a day? It's already dark.]
Noah replied calmly: [A day is 24 hours. I meant a day from the moment you sent me the documents. So, it should be by tomorrow morning.]
Isaiah was stunned, but she still quickly texted back: [You must be joking, right? By then, even if you invest the $50 million, it will be too late! The court will probably have already started the judicial auction process!]
Noah replied: [There's nothing I can do. I said a day, and I meant a day. I'll decide within that time. As for the judicial auction, that's your problem.]
After a two-minute silence, Isaiah sent a voice message, her tone furious and icy. "Noah, are you messing with me? A financial report, even if you don't understand it, a CPA could review it in two or three hours. But you're telling me you need a day? Are you messing with me?"
Then she quickly sent another one, "I get it. You just want to see our supermarket go under! Every word you've said since last night has been a lie! Noah, you're a big liar! Just wait, I'll find someone else! I'd rather sell myself than ask you for help with the cash flow!"
Isaiah sent a series of voice messages, each filled with rage.
Noah listened to each one, his expression unchanged. He didn't reply but switched to his browser and opened the "Oceanbridge City Judicial Auction" website. He registered an account and checked the latest auction information.
After searching for a while, Noah didn't find any information about Evergreen Market.
He wasn't in a hurry, remaining calm like a tiger waiting for its prey.
According to Isaiah, the judicial process for Evergreen Market would start tomorrow, so it was normal that it hadn't appeared on the website yet.
Suddenly, Noah's phone rang. It was Grace. "Mr. Anderson, something's wrong. Someone's come to my restaurant to cause trouble!"
As soon as he answered, Grace's anxious voice came through. Noah could hear the sound of beer bottles breaking, chairs being smashed, and people shouting.
"Who's causing trouble? Is it Jack from Orchard Breeze Avenue?" Noah frowned and asked.
"I don't know, but they don't look like Jack's people!" Grace's voice was tearful. "Mr. Anderson, what should I do now?"
"Wait there. I'll be there soon. Remember, try to keep things calm until I arrive. Don't get into any confrontations. If they want money, give it to them. Just don't get hurt," Noah said firmly.
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