Chapter 21 - THE REAL TARGET
With Richard's testimony, Evelyn discovered Gregory's real plan.
He wasn't trying to destroy Sterling-Apex.
He wanted to force it into dependence.
Northbridge was purchasing the infrastructure surrounding Sterling-Apex's ports.
Then Gregory intended to control the final connection.
If Evelyn refused to sell him access, he could disrupt the company's supply chain.
If she accepted, he would eventually control the terms.
It was a trap.
Arthur looked at the model on the conference table.
“So we can't fight him by buying everything.”
“No.”
“And we can't let him control the corridor.”
“No.”
“What do we do?”
Evelyn looked at the map.
Then she saw something nobody else had noticed.
A smaller rail company sat between two of Northbridge's properties.
It was privately owned.
And it was struggling.
“How much?”
Arthur checked.
“Forty-two million.”
“Buy it.”
He stared at her.
“It's not profitable.”
“Not today.”
She pointed at the map.
“But it gives us a route that doesn't depend on Gregory.”
The board protested.
They called the purchase unnecessary.
Too expensive.
Too risky.
Evelyn approved it anyway.
For once, she wasn't buying a company because of its current value.
May you like
She was buying independence.
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