Chapter 336
"Hey, Mr. Cena!"
Scarlett plopped down and asked, "Mr. Allen, you thought about our offer yet? Liberty Capital Group's throwing the highest bid, you know."
Patrick grinned, "Yeah, but Crafted Ales Collective's offer is pretty tempting too. Liberty Capital Group ain't exactly winning here."
Scarlett's eyes narrowed, "But we've got something Crafted Ales Collective can't touch—a killer promotion platform. We can get Sevan City beer all over the country in no time!"
"True, Ms. Williams, but don't forget, Crafted Ales Collective's got killer distribution channels. Your marketing might be top-notch, but they can get Sevan City beer nationwide in a day."
I listened intently, my mind racing. She's right, speed to market is critical in the beverage industry. Liberty Capital Group might fall short there, but Crafted Ales Collective has that angle covered.
Before Scarlett could jump in, Patrick continued, "Sure, 5.2 billion dollars is a lot, but Sevan City beer's already selling millions of bottles daily. Even at its peak, Crafted Ales Collective only hit 49 million bottles. Once we're on the shelves, we'll catch up. We're talking big bucks, with annual revenue over twenty billion dollars!"
"A company making over 2 billion dollars in profit, valued at 5.2 billion dollars, doesn't seem too crazy, right?"
Not at all.
I mused, 'I've been digging into this. The market's tight; the more you sell, the less there is for others. Sevan City beer's got the chops to compete with Crafted Ales Collective and BrewCrafters. Not every company can pull that off.'
"Even without your channels, we can still go nationwide, just a bit slower."
Patrick spoke with confidence, looking like he had it in the bag.
Scarlett asked, "Mr. Allen, can you spill what Crafted Ales Collective offered?"
Patrick just smiled and kept quiet. He knew Sevan City beer had the recognition, channels, and sales to back it up, so no worries about investment.
"No worries if you don't wanna share, Mr. Allen. Your future plans sound great, but when it gets cold, beer sales drop."
"Times have changed; there's no off-season for beer anymore. Sevan City's nightclubs, KTVs, restaurants, they all serve my beer. Just Sevan City alone brings in tens of millions every month. With The Allen Family's clout and my role in the Sevan City Brewers Association, I can sell in three surrounding provinces. So, Ms. Williams, still think fifty-two billion dollars is too much?"
I silently applauded Patrick, 'That's Patrick for you. Anyone else saying this would be laughed at. I thought today would be tough, but it's not so bad after all.'
'If Patrick were a newbie entrepreneur, today would've been rough, with threats and compromises. But The Allen Family's a big deal in Sevan City, and Patrick, as a director of the Sevan City Brewers Association, isn't scared of this stuff.'
"Mr. Allen, can we have a moment to discuss?"
Scarlett smiled.
"Sure thing!"
Patrick took me to another room where the Deputy General Manager of Crafted Ales Collective, a sharp middle-aged guy, was waiting. Patrick said, "Mr. Allen, after thinking it over, we're offering 5.3 billion dollars for eighteen percent of the shares!"
"Mr. Harrison, Sevan City beer's gonna be huge. Isn't fifty-three billion dollars a bit low? Liberty Capital Group..."
I watched Patrick spin his tale.
I thought, 'This is wild; no wonder they say you can't trust what businessmen say.'
Hearing Patrick's words, Mr. Harrison didn't even flinch, "Alright, Mr. Allen, this is a big deal. I'll check with the company and get back to you."
"Sure thing, Mr. Harrison, take your time!"
Back in the chairman's office, Patrick, puffing on a cigar, said, "Now we just wait for their final call."
"Who do you think's gonna win?"
"Hard to say, they're both pretty even."
Patrick went on, "Liberty Capital Group started with the internet, but it's getting tough to stay afloat there. The government's cracking down, and to boost the economy, they gotta focus on physical stuff. That's why they've been eyeing real-world investments lately."
"As for Crafted Ales Collective, they can't beat me 'cause I can make them vanish from Sevan City. That's why they sent someone to make an offer. Plus, our fruit beer aimed at young folks is killing it in nightclubs. Everyone knows how much money nightclubs rake in."
"Lots of nightclub owners brew their own booze, slap a brand on it, and sell a two-dollar drink for two hundred bucks. It's more profitable than robbing a bank!"
I nodded, 'The booze market's wild, with tons of brands making bank, showing just how lucrative it is.'
While we were chatting, the female secretary walked in, "Chairman, Liberty Capital Group has a response."
"Let's hear it!"
In the meeting room, Scarlett said, "Mr. Allen, after our discussion, we've re-evaluated Sevan City beer in terms of distribution, marketing, and brand. We're sticking with our original offer."
I furrowed my brows. Patrick smiled and nodded, "Alright, give us a moment. We'll discuss it."
After leaving the meeting room, I asked, "Seems like Liberty Capital Group's pretty firm on their stance."
"Yeah, expected. We've only got one factory, and while we're building a second one in Silverlake, the machinery will take time, plus delivery trucks and all that. Sevan City beer's products are mostly limited to Sevan City, so they're not budging."
I nodded.
At Crafted Ales Collective, Mr. Harrison said, "5.4 billion dollars for nineteen percent of the shares. In return, we'll help you break into other provinces."
"I get it. Let me talk it over with the shareholders." I nodded.
Back in the office, I said, "Doesn't seem like the price went up much."
"Can't help it. These folks are sharp, can't fool them. Unless our daily sales suddenly hit twenty million bottles, maybe then we could push our value over sixty billion dollars." Patrick sighed, feeling stuck for a moment.
He continued, "Crafted Ales Collective's offer seems the best. What do you think?"
"Yeah, let's go with that. I'll offer four percent of the shares!" I made my decision.
"Then I'll offer fifteen percent!" he also made up his mind.
We both grinned at each other.
Four percent, valued at 5.4 billion dollars, after taxes, that's still around one hundred and ninety million dollars.
I felt pretty good.
If I were just a regular employee, I'd never make this much in a hundred lifetimes.
"Sorry, Ms. Williams, we've decided to go with Crafted Ales Collective's investment."
Scarlett didn't seem upset and smiled, "That's a shame. Let's look forward to the next chance to work together."
I shook hands with her, and Scarlett looked at me with interest, saying, "Mr. Cena, I'm really interested in your WY Media Company. Wanna talk about it?"
My heart skipped a beat. She found out about the company under my name?
"I don't have any plans for financing right now."
I thought, 'WY Media Company is growing fast, and even if we needed funding, I wouldn't use the WY Media Company group for it. I'd pick any subsidiary under it.'
"I have high hopes for your company. Here's my card. Give me a call if you ever need anything!"
I took the card and nodded, "Thanks, Ms. Williams!"
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