Chapter 6004

Don Albert was taken aback by Charlie's unwavering stance on the matter. He understood that Charlie had always been generous towards him, yet as a man of his stature, he felt somewhat undeserving of such kindness. With that thought, he expressed to Charlie, “Master Wade, since meeting you, not only have you saved my life, but you have also supported me immensely. Heaven Springs gained its fame largely due to your influence. With this strong foundation, everything becomes much easier, and I’m already incredibly grateful. How can I think of using this money for my personal gain?” Charlie replied, a hint of displeasure in his tone, “Don Albert, there's no need for such formality with me. What I offer you is what I believe you rightfully deserve. If I thought you were undeserving, I wouldn’t grant it to you, no matter how much you asked.” Don Albert felt a bit awkward as he responded, “Master Wade, I see your point. It’s like a really generous boss wanting to give raises to his employees, but when you consider the little I contribute, receiving so much feels excessive, and I genuinely feel I don’t deserve it.” As he spoke, Don Albert recalled what Isaac Cameron had confided in him, and he added thoughtfully, “Mr. Cameron mentioned that you’ve helped me erase some of my less-than-stellar pasts, which has immensely benefited me. I haven’t yet had the chance to express my gratitude for that.” Charlie smiled and remarked, “Don Albert, have you ever heard of how some companies, after going public, have even their janitors becoming millionaires?” Don Albert shook his head vigorously, unable to believe it. “Is that really true? I’ve never heard of such things.” Charlie responded earnestly, “It’s not outrageous at all. A janitor is still an employee of the company. If he dedicates his efforts during the company’s early days without leaving, he becomes an integral part of the team, and before the company goes public, he can be allocated a share of stock options. That’s how some janitors end up with net worth exceeding a million after the company's IPO.” He continued, “Of course, I’m not comparing you to a janitor. You’ve been incredibly dedicated to me during this time. Now that an excellent opportunity has arisen to help you establish a successful career, I see no reason not to assist you.” Deeply touched, Don Albert felt tears stream down his face as he sighed, “I’m fortunate to have met Master Wade.” Charlie smiled, reassuring him, “No need for such formalities. My view remains unchanged: Seize the opportunity, act decisively, and strive to maximize your potential. This is what truly matters for you now.” After a moment's thought, Don Albert proposed, “Master Wade, maybe this money could be considered your investment in Heaven Springs, and I can offer you 51% of the company’s shares!” Charlie waved his hand in dismissal. “This $50 million is not an investment; it’s your initial capital. I’ve done the calculations. With $50 million as a starting point, you won’t just be able to build a complete team and a strong brand but also open several branches in major cities. Once you’re established and thriving, you can either raise additional funds yourself or allow the Wade family to invest in you.” “At that point, I’d use the funds to acquire shares in your company while also driving your growth. If you list Heaven Springs in the future like Haidilao Hotpot did, the Wade family would benefit from that as well. It’s a sound capital strategy,” he explained.

“If you’re willing to take this step, everything becomes possible. But if you hesitate, success will be out of reach.” Don Albert hesitated, discomfort flickering across his face. “Master Wade, I understand your perspective, but I fear I might not be capable enough. What if I mismanage everything and end up wasting your investment, embarrassing myself in front of you?” Charlie smiled reassuringly. “If Tawanna hadn’t come to Heaven Springs, I’d share your concern. But now that you have a solid foundation, as long as you handle it well, failure is not an option.” He continued, “Don Albert, if the listing goes well, you could potentially run a company valued in the tens of billions. What’s $50 million in that context? If you succeed, we’ll both reap the rewards, so let’s skip the formalities and get started!” Don Albert took a moment to contemplate Charlie’s words, then nodded earnestly. “Master Wade, if you have faith in me, I’ll do my utmost to make this a success!” “That’s the spirit!” Charlie replied with a satisfied smile. “Tawanna will frequently visit China for performances. As a representative of Aurous Hill, I’ll ensure that Aurous Hill is her first stop every time she arrives in China for a concert. I’ll personally invite her to support you at Heaven Springs as soon as she arrives here. If she happens to perform in other cities where you have branches, I’ll make sure she visits those too. So, you don’t need to worry about foot traffic for now; just focus on your work.” “Understood!” Don Albert responded eagerly. “I’ve learned a lot from you, Master Wade. You can count on me to meet your expectations!” Just as Charlie was about to reply, his phone rang unexpectedly. He glanced down to see that the caller was Steve Rothschild. After answering, he greeted, “Steve, what a pleasant surprise to hear from you so early!” Steve replied, “Mr. Wade, I’ve just arrived in Aurous Hill. I plan to stay here for quite a while!” Charlie chuckled, “Again? You’ve been visiting frequently lately. When did you arrive? Why didn’t you give me a heads up?” “Just landed!” Steve quickly replied. “I hopped off the plane just now. I needed to let you know that I brought a little brother with me this time.” Curiously, Charlie asked, “Where did you find this little brother? Is he another member of your Rothschild family?” “No, no!” Steve laughed. “The one who came with me is Matt Finkelstein, the one who discreetly helped Tawanna a few days ago. I’ve told him he’ll be following me everywhere from now on.” Charlie responded with a grin, “His involvement means that many people in the U.S. are going to lose sleep over this!” “Haha!” Steve laughed in agreement. “I’ve managed to gather plenty of information from him these past couple of days. Those people are truly unscrupulous. They ought to be kept locked up in your dog farm, Mr. Wade! Now I hold those secrets, and I can assure you they will be far more subdued when they see me in the future.” “You’re in luck! I’m actually at Heaven Springs right now. If you don’t have any pressing matters, bring him over,” Charlie suggested. “Sure!” Steve replied, excitement evident in his voice. “I actually called to see when you’d be free for a meal. I’d love to treat you!” Charlie responded, “Come to Heaven Springs. Let’s eat and talk.”