I am the King

Chapter 71

"Ten billion dollars? And it's just small money?" Porter suddenly felt his entire worldview shatter. Only now did he realize that compared to Vincent, the England Joseph family was merely a minor player.

Taking a deep breath, Porter looked at Vincent with excitement. "Mr. Chesterton, I promise to complete the task!" He quickly left to initiate the process of acquiring those companies.

After Porter departed, Emma picked up the bourbon Vincent had been drinking and took a sip. "Once again, you've solved the problem," she said. She used to be shocked by Vincent's grand gestures, but she had grown accustomed to them over time.

Vincent watched Emma drink with surprise. He smiled and said, "If they bully you, they bully me. How could I let anyone bully my wife?"

Emma's lips curled into a charming smile.

Ten minutes later, an even more shocking announcement came from V&E Group: they declared that all companies terminating their cooperation with them would be permanently blacklisted, and they would acquire these companies.

When the news broke, many people thought it was the funniest joke they had ever heard. After all, V&E Group was a newcomer in Z City; how could they possibly have the funds to buy out dozens of its partner companies?

However, the subsequent actions of V&E Group served as a lesson to the businessmen and citizens of Z City.

V&E Group aggressively acquired shares of the partner companies at prices above market value. They spared no expense and poured vast amounts of money into the stock market. In less than four hours, V&E Group had acquired all the targeted companies.

***

Osborn was livid when he heard the news. He smashed everything within reach.

"How could this happen? How?" he roared. His plan had been to drive V&E Group out of Z City, but instead, they had bought out dozens of partner companies and acquired shares in most of them. V&E Group's swift maneuvers had cost him dearly.

Blade's face darkened. He had not anticipated such an outcome. Bowing and trembling, he said, "Mr. Frances, it's all my fault. Please punish me!"

Osborn glared at Blade and shouted, "What good will punishing you do now? Tell me, what the hell is going on?"

Blade shook his head. "I heard that V&E Group suddenly received a massive sum of money and went on a buying spree in the stock market. Despite my best efforts to block them, they were relentless. According to estimates, V&E Group spent nearly ten billion dollars..."

Ten billion dollars? Osborn was stunned. What kind of background did V&E Group have? How could they possess so much money? Was this company a cash cow?

Gritting his teeth, Osborn demanded, "Where did V&E Group get all this money from?"

Blade sighed. "I don't know. I checked with the bank, but they said it was transferred from a secret account. I didn't have clearance to see the details."

Osborn's frown deepened. "This V&E Group must be eliminated! If we allow them to remain in Z City, we're all dead!"

Osborn realized that V&E Group had become a dire threat. He had a sinking feeling that if left unchecked, he would inevitably become their victim.

Locking eyes with Blade, Osborn ordered through gritted teeth, "Issue a red notice immediately. Summon all gang leaders to the Cigar Club in Z City. We will wipe out V&E Group!"

Blade looked up, disbelief etched on his face.

The red notice was the highest decree in Z City's underworld. All gang leaders who received it had no choice but to comply or face Osborn's deadly punishment.

Osborn glared at him. “Did you hear me? Do as I say!”

Blade bowed his head. “Yes, sir.”

After Blade departed, Osborn gazed at the blood-red sunset.

“Vincent, let's see who comes out alive. No matter who you are, if you want my life, we'll see if you have the power to take it.”

Inside the V&E Group headquarters,

Galahad reported to Vincent, "My lord, I've just received news that Osborn has issued a red notice, summoning all the gang leaders in Z City to prepare an attack against us.”

Vincent chuckled. “Osborn is cunning, knowing he needs to go all out. But he overestimates himself.”

Vincent's actions in Z City were deliberate, intended to provoke Osborn into consolidating all the city's gang forces, enabling him to deal with them once and for all.

“Galahad, are the Knights ready?” Vincent asked.

Galahad replied respectfully, “As per your orders, sixty elite Knights stand ready.”

Sixty elite Knights were more than sufficient to confront Osborn and his gang forces.

Vincent rose from his seat. “Tomorrow is the day he either comes to beg forgiveness willingly or meets his end.”

The red notice threw Z City's underworld into chaos. Without hesitation, all the gang leaders converged at Osborn's club. In Z City, Osborn was the undisputed king; defying him meant certain death.

Within an hour, eighteen gang leaders gathered in a large conference room at Osborn's club, buzzing with speculation.

“Why did Mr. Frances suddenly issue a red notice and summon us here?”

“No clue! He hasn't issued a red notice in a decade.”

“A red notice spells trouble!”

“It seems Z City is in for another bloodbath!”

None of them knew Osborn's true intentions.

Suddenly, someone announced, “Mr. Frances has arrived!”

The room fell silent instantly, and all the gang leaders sat upright, not daring to make a move.