The Supreme Soldier in the City
Chapter 465 - 474: Family is Very Important

Chapter 465: Chapter 474: Family is Very Important

Sarah Grandy said candidly, "I’ve thought about it. I’m young, still in college, and have no intention of managing my dad’s company. If I have to go, seeing these things would only remind me of my dad and put me in a bad mood. So I’m definitely going to sell this company. If you, Uncle and Uncle-in-law, have no plans, I’ll sell it to someone else."

"Charlotte, how can that be? Your dad worked hard for half his life to build this company to its current scale. Selling it to someone else would surely upset him. Have you decided how much you want to sell it for?"

Sarah only knew the amount of fixed assets and working capital in her father’s company but wasn’t aware of the company’s true value. She had discussed this with James Brown, and now said, "Uncle, Uncle-in-law, we’re family. You decide the price."

Her uncle-in-law, Christopher Johnson, who knew the company well, immediately said, "Charlotte, since you put it that way, I’m interested in taking it over. After all, I’ve been working in this company and know the situation. Continuing it won’t be a problem."

Her uncle, Tom Johnson, quickly added, "Your uncle-in-law can’t say that. Even though he’s been working here, it doesn’t mean I can’t do as well. I also want to buy this company."

"But can you afford it?" Christopher smiled and lit a cigarette.

"Of course I can."

"Then how much can you offer?"

"Why should I tell you? How much are you offering?"

They started arguing without saying much more, unwilling to reveal their cards, hoping to gain an advantage.

Sarah quickly grew impatient and yelled, "Stop arguing! Be straight with me. Do you want to buy it or not?"

Seeing Sarah’s impatience, they both stopped. Her uncle-in-law said, "Charlotte, this isn’t a small matter. I need time to think carefully. It’s not a small sum of money, and even if I want to buy it, raising the funds will take time."

Her uncle also chimed in, "Yes, Charlotte, this is the legacy your father, my dear brother, built with great effort over half his life. How can I let this company fall into others’ hands? Naturally, I want to buy it as well. But it’s a big decision, and I need to discuss it with your aunt."

Sarah stood up and said, "Alright then, you go and discuss it. Let me know once you’ve decided." Then she left the company with James Brown.

Just as they returned home, Sarah’s phone rang. It was her uncle-in-law, Christopher Johnson, who wanted to come over to see her.

James didn’t want anyone coming to his house, so he suggested a different place, and Sarah agreed.

They met in a tea house. Besides her uncle-in-law, Christopher, there was also her aunt-in-law, Jennifer Davis.

After some pleasantries and expressions of concern for Sarah, Christopher got to the main point, saying, "Charlotte, we’ve thought about it and do want to take over the company. Consider how much you’ll give us. You know I don’t have that much money. If you ask for too much, I can’t afford it."

Sarah directly said, "Uncle-in-law, if you really want it, then it’s two million dollars."

"Two million, Charlotte? That’s way too high. You might not be very familiar with the company. The fixed assets are about one million, but many are outdated. After depreciation, they wouldn’t fetch seventy thousand dollars. Working capital is over twenty thousand. Then there’s over a hundred thousand in receivables. It seems like a lot, but having been with this company for so long, I know many of those debts are hard to collect. Getting seventy thousand would be decent. So, all in all, this company is worth about one million. Asking your uncle-in-law for two million is excessive."

Normally, the figures Christopher Johnson mentioned wouldn’t be unreasonable, and his analysis seemed quite logical. Sarah wasn’t sure how to respond.

James Brown frowned and said, "You can’t quite say it like that. A company’s value isn’t just in tangible assets but also intangible ones. Charlotte’s father’s company, besides what you mentioned, includes reputation, client base, and future prospects. This company’s current earnings are around seventy thousand dollars per year, which also holds value. We can’t assess it using bankruptcy standards."

Christopher Johnson felt a chill inside. He knew very well that based on value, the company could sell for even three million, and many would take it. He assumed Sarah was too young to understand this, not expecting James Brown to be so knowledgeable.

Giving James a sidelong glance, Christopher said sarcastically, "This is a family matter between Sarah and me. It’s not appropriate for an outsider like you to interfere."

Sarah immediately said, "What Uncle says is what I say, whatever he says goes." Clearly, Sarah only had eyes for James Brown at this point.

Her aunt-in-law quickly added, "Charlotte, no matter what, your uncle-in-law is your mom’s brother. Do you think he would deceive you?"

James Brown, seeing Sarah in a dilemma, smiled and said, "It’s not that Charlotte doesn’t trust her uncle-in-law. By wanting to sell the company to family, she’s trying to keep others from taking advantage of it. You getting a deal is reasonable. Even at two million, taking over and reselling would earn a significant profit. I’m sure your uncle-in-law is well aware of this."

"This..." James’s words couldn’t have been clearer, offering Christopher Johnson a bargain he couldn’t refuse. Although reluctant, Christopher still hesitated, saying, "Charlotte, your uncle-in-law really can’t afford two million."

James smiled softly and said, "If you can’t afford it, why not find a partner? Charlotte’s main idea is for you and her uncle to take over together. If she sells the company and splits the money with you, that’s simpler. But she’s giving you a way to earn a living—teach a man to fish rather than give him a fish. I think you’d prefer running this company, right?"

Sarah nodded in agreement, feeling that James had articulated her thoughts perfectly, "Uncle-in-law, consider this. Should I sell and split the money with you, or run the company and earn more?"

Her uncle-in-law was genuinely touched and quickly nodded, "That’s a good idea. If both families pool resources, we can raise the two million, but it’ll be tough, and future working capital will be an issue. And we don’t know if your uncle will agree."

As they spoke, Sarah’s uncle, Tom Johnson, called, also wanting to meet her. Sarah invited him over. Though her uncle hesitated seeing Christopher there, hearing Sarah’s suggestion, he saw merit in it too. Raising two million as a single family was challenging, but pooling resources from both Johnson and Grandy families made it doable.

"Alright then, how about this—one and a half million. I’m essentially only keeping half of the company money, and the rest is yours, Uncle and Uncle-in-law. Is that okay?"

Sarah’s final offer left her uncle, Tom Johnson, and uncle-in-law, Christopher Johnson, without argument. Such a good deal was clear to them, and they gladly accepted.

"Uncle, Uncle-in-law, my parents reached this point, and I’m deeply saddened. Without them, I know you aren’t as close as before. But you still have me—I’m your connection, and I hope we can remain close relatives instead of letting money come between us."

Sarah’s words deeply moved Tom and Christopher again. They looked at her, feeling somewhat ashamed, and in unison reassured her, "Charlotte, don’t worry. We’re always your family."

"Also, Uncle, Uncle-in-law, I know you’re concerned about me and Uncle being together and worry that he’d take my money. But don’t worry, Uncle has plenty of money, much more than I do. He doesn’t care about my money. I’m happy with him, so no need to worry."

After parting ways with her uncles, Sarah felt a sense of relief. Even though her parents left everything to her, she wanted to keep family ties and distributed the inheritance. While it might have gone against her mother’s wishes, she felt her father would be happy.

James supported Sarah’s decision, understanding that while money is important, so is family. He didn’t want Sarah estranging her family over money. Having no parents, these relatives were all the more important to her.

Some people don’t value family ties, but family meant a lot to James. Lacking familial relationships himself, he longed for them, hoping for family to care for him or someone he could help. His own parents had no siblings, and his grandparents passed away early. Even if he wanted relatives, he had nowhere to turn.

Back home, Little Grace dragged Sarah into the bedroom and whispered, "Charlotte, you’re so generous."

Lying down on the bed, Sarah replied, "With my parents gone, they’re still my family. Giving them something feels right, and besides, Uncle has plenty of money, so I don’t have to worry about not having any."

"Your uncle has money? Then why live in such a small place?" Little Grace smirked, not believing Sarah.

Sarah pouted, "What do you know? The smaller the house, the cozier it is. Do you think a big house is better? When you sleep in separate rooms, you can’t hear each other. Where’s the fun in that?"

Little Grace paused, "That does make sense."

"Besides, Uncle isn’t the flashy type. Unlike those rich folks who show off with fancy cars and mansions, or wear big gold chains, afraid others won’t know they’re rich. I can’t stand people like that. A man like Uncle, no matter how rich, doesn’t flaunt it—that’s true sophistication and depth."