Chapter 1240 Joseph, You're Unwilling
"The fact that they snagged a bunch of shares from our folks without me even noticing means they either threw a ton of cash at 'em or scared the crap outta them," Joseph said, clenching his fist. "They must've offered way above market price. Whoever's backing Olivia ain't your average Joe; they're loaded, like top-of-the-world rich."
Cassie was floored. "But why the hell would they blow so much dough on Olivia?"
"Exactly. Buying out the Hernandez Group at such a crazy price is nuts. They gotta be outta their minds. Olivia's a nobody," Joseph said, shaking his head in disbelief.
Cassie thought it was bonkers too.
She really wanted to find whoever was behind Olivia and give 'em a piece of her mind.
"So, how many shareholders are still with the Hernandez Group?" Cassie asked, her voice shaky.
Joseph gave her a helpless look. "Just our family."
Cassie went quiet.
So, apart from the Hernandez family, everyone else had bailed.
"So, Olivia's now the biggest shareholder of the Hernandez Group?" After a long pause, she finally got the words out.
Joseph nodded, looking grim, shadows under his long lashes. "Let's head back to the Hernandez House."
On the way back, Xavier called, sounding all apologetic. "Joseph, I'm really sorry, man."
Joseph's lips twisted into a cold smile. "Xavier, you were tight with my grandpa, which made you the biggest shareholder outside our family. And now, you've sold us out. You really did it."
After a moment of awkward silence, Xavier said, "Joseph, I had no choice. My sons keep screwing up their businesses. My whole family depends on me, and I gotta think about their future."
"Hasn't the Hernandez Group given you enough over the years?" Joseph's anger was boiling over. "The future of the Hernandez Group is limitless."
"No, Joseph, the people gunning for the Hernandez Group aren't ordinary. Even if I didn't sell, the Group wouldn't last a year," Xavier said, sounding awkward. "When the Group goes down, how much do you think it'll be worth?"
"Xavier, don't you know what I'm capable of?" Joseph snapped. "The Hernandez Group has survived countless storms under my watch and even reclaimed its spot as Madison's top group."
"Joseph, the Hernandez Group's current success is just a facade." Xavier sighed. "Even if you're tight with the Jude family now, it's temporary. You have no idea who you're up against. One move from them can shake the world. Can you really take on someone like that?"
Joseph's body went rigid.
Cassie, beside him, squeezed his hand, feeling just as lost.
"And the price they offered was insane," Xavier said with a bitter laugh. "For my 30% shares, they offered $500 billion, straight up. How could I not sell? If I didn't, my sons would've found a way to off me and sell the shares themselves."
Joseph was stunned, his eyes wide.
For a long time, Joseph couldn't get a word out.
That kind of cash was just too tempting.
"Not just me. The other shareholders got billions each too," Xavier said, his voice dripping with guilt. "Joseph, I've seen you grow up. Trust me, let go of the Hernandez Group. Take your grandparents and get out. Don't end up with nothing."
Xavier hung up.
Joseph put his phone down, lowered his head, and hugged Cassie tight. After a bit, he whispered, "Cassie, take Sophia and Oliver and head to Yugrot with my family."
"What about you?" Cassie asked, looking up at him.
"I'll join you once I wrap things up here," Joseph said, ruffling her hair reluctantly. "Xavier's right. We can't take them on with what we've got. They're trying to crush us with money and cut off all our exits. So, get out of Madison for now. Didn't we talk about this before?"
Cassie stared at him for a while and then said, "I don't want to."
"Cassie!" Joseph's tone got sharp.
Cassie pulled away from his embrace. "Do you think I don't know? If I leave with your family, you'll have no worries and will try to take down the person behind Olivia, even if it means going down with them. Joseph, you're not willing to give up."
"Cassie, I won't. I'll come to you as soon as I can," Joseph said firmly.
"Forget it. I don't believe you. If it had just been an investigation before, you might have let it go. But now, Olivia's taken your company. The Hernandez Group is your life's work. She'll ruin it. All your hard work over the years will become hers. That's not what you want. You want to stay and destroy the Hernandez Group, and use Dragon's power to deal with them once and for all, right?"
Cassie looked at him intently. "Joseph, I get you."
He wasn't just a businessman; he was a man with dreams.
The Hernandez Group was his dream. She'd seen his joy and excitement when he developed new products.
Plus, he was a proud man. Being humiliated by Olivia and running away wasn't his style.
Joseph's every thought was laid bare by her, making him a bit irritable. "Yeah, you're right, Cassie. But you have to think about Sophia and Oliver. Do you want them to be without a mother? As for me, I haven't spent much time with them. They rely on you more."
"Joseph, your words are heartbreaking." Cassie let go of his hand, her eyes blazing with anger. "Sophia and Oliver aren't just my kids; they're yours too. If you didn't want this,, you shouldn't have reconciled with me in the first place."
Joseph felt a sting of pain and embarrassment from her accusation. "What can I do, Cassie? The Hernandez Group isn't just my life's work. It also holds years of advanced research from my dad's company. Do you want me to hand everything over to Olivia? That disgusting woman ruling Madison makes me sick."
Cassie felt a bit lost too.
Yeah, how did someone like Olivia get to where she is now?
"So, what now?"
"You leave, and I'll deal with Olivia and the people behind her. I'll make sure they never come back." Joseph's eyes gleamed with a cold, bloodthirsty determination.
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