Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 894 - 899 My Ideal

Chapter 894: Chapter 899 My Ideal

To attain Deyo’s inheritance, Yang Yi needed Steve, but after getting the money, how should he deal with Steve?

Would it be best to eliminate him with a single stroke to prevent future troubles after his usefulness had ended? While Yang Yi pondered this question, Steve had even more reason to think it over.

Therefore, Steve’s question arose: how could he trust that he wouldn’t be killed once his usefulness had expired?

This was a test of Yang Yi’s intelligence and ability.

"I offer you two choices."

Yang Yi hadn’t discussed the handling of Steve with anyone in advance because he didn’t know the full extent of Deyo’s assets or exactly what role Steve could play. He needed to make that decision after knowing these factors.

But now that Steve had posed this question, Yang Yi didn’t intend to consult with anyone else before responding. One reason was that consultation wasn’t necessary, and another was that he needed to settle Steve’s mind immediately, without delay or obfuscation. He wanted to completely ease Steve’s worries right there and then.

"One option is I give you Deyo’s ring. You said he has five billion US Dollars in a Swiss bank, and you can guess the password, so all you lack is the ring."

Yang Yi appeared very serious. He extended a hand and said, "You don’t need to reveal the password. As long as you help me secure the rest, I will give you all of the five billion US Dollars in cash."

Steve was unmoved. In a deep voice, he asked, "And the second choice?"

"I give you five hundred million US Dollars in cash, and you work for me."

Not just Steve, but everyone seemed surprised. Only Yang Yi remained calm as he continued, "It wouldn’t be about money if I decided to kill you because the mere five hundred million US Dollars would no longer interest me. After you’ve helped me to secure Deyo’s inheritance, the only reason I would have to kill you would be if you posed a threat to me. Perhaps you would assure me that you wouldn’t dare oppose me again, but do you think such a statement would hold any significance?"

Steve exhaled lightly and said, "It’s meaningless. So am I a dead man?"

"I’m not in the mood for such platitudes, Mr. Zola. What is it that we fear the most? Isn’t it being deemed of no further use? What do you think?"

Without waiting for Steve’s response, Yang Yi continued, "You’re still alive because you’re needed to access Deyo’s inheritance, hence you are of use. If you have value, you will surely not be killed. Therefore, are you hoping that upon falling into our hands, we would honor our word and not kill you? Do you believe in such things?"

"Please, go on," Steve said softly.

Yang Yi smiled and explained, "So, is there a way for you to pose no threat to us, while still remaining of use, and ensuring that you are always of value, preventing me from killing you? I believe there’s only one way: you work for me. Deyo needed a straw man, and so do I. If you could work for Deyo before, then you can certainly continue to do the same for me."

Steve was taken aback. After a moment’s thought, he replied tentatively, "You mean... keep the status quo?"

Yang Yi laughed heartily, "How could that be possible? How could I possibly leave such a vast fortune in your hands? First, all assets must be transferred into our possession; all personnel must be changed. We must have complete ownership and control over the assets."

"Then what exactly do you mean?" Steve asked, puzzled.

"It’s simple."

Yang Yi approached Steve and said solemnly, "You mentioned earlier that if you weren’t constantly managing finances for Deyo, you might have become the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, correct?"

"Yes, I said that, but it was just a casual remark."

"You studied finance but don’t trust the financial markets. You’d rather invest your funds in tangible industries, especially in tech companies, right?"

"Uh, well, finance has many aspects. Mmm, I do prefer developing industry rather than speculating in the financial markets."

Yang Yi spoke gravely, "I’m short-staffed, especially after acquiring Deyo’s inheritance. I’m in dire need of professionals who can manage those industries for me. It would be a shame to sell off all the shares. You said your investment choices have all been profitable, which is very difficult. This also proves your abilities. So, how about this: I hand those companies over to you to manage. You won’t be chairman, but a board member and CEO."

Steve was stunned. After pondering for a while, he said in a serious tone, "You’re saying... let me participate in the management?"

"You pick a company. No, no, all of them. You take control of whichever you believe you can directly control, or perhaps establish a consortium? Or maybe found a new investment company? Whatever approach you feel is appropriate for controlling those enterprises. What do you say?"

Steve immediately responded, "No need for all that hassle. Just give me Egertoni Company and let me reorganize the resources."

Yang Yi smiled, "No, all companies except for Egertoni Company. I mean any company other than Egertoni. Even if you want Egertoni to hold a controlling stake in one of them, no problem, I’ll give it to you."

Steve pondered for a moment, then said with resolve, "I don’t want the five hundred million Dollars."

"How much do you want?"

"I don’t want a single Dollar!"

Everyone was shocked once again, including Boer, who had always appeared so composed.

Unable to contain himself, Boer asked, "So you want shares instead?"

Steve shook his head again, "I don’t want shares either!"

Yang Yi couldn’t comprehend, "Please explain, Mr. Zola."

Taking a breath, Steve declared, "I know you may not understand, and giving up such a large sum of money seems unfathomable, but... five hundred million Dollars is enough for me to be killed a hundred times. It’s no small amount. I could take it, but I couldn’t keep it safe. But more importantly, my dream isn’t about how much money I make."

He paused briefly, then earnestly said, "My family background is not good; my childhood was spent in poverty. What I envied most as a child was a classmate whose father was the manager of a small company. When I was in school, my goal was to become the manager of a company. During college, my dream was to manage a large company, but I ended up starting as an accountant doing bookkeeping for an arms conglomerate."

After finishing, Steve smiled and continued gravely, "Believe it or not, my dream is to be a CEO. To stand under the spotlight, to attend galas, to hear people talking about the miracles that Steve Zola has led his company to achieve. So, my condition is about a salary system. I want to become the world’s highest-paid CEO!"