Chapter 233: Advantage, Details, Bait

Mr. Lynch had a big appetite. When the business department of Sabin City TV proposed paying him three thousand Sol per women’s football match broadcast, plus a thirty-thousand-Sol championship sponsorship, Lynch refused.

The TV station thought three thousand Sol per game was already generous for a non-professional women’s football match without an official league system—one barely recognized by the public.

Why wouldn’t Lynch take the deal? The sales staff and supervisors grumbled that three thousand Sol could hire a group of girls to run around the field wearing almost nothing.

The supervisor simply shook his head and reminded the staff, “Lynch has a better relationship with the women’s rights advocates than we do. Do you understand?”

Seeing the staff still confused, the supervisor explained further, partly as a warning not to act recklessly.

“Lynch has good relations with many influential figures. President Tracy even personally attended the women’s football games because Lynch organized it all.”

“If someone else did this, those women would probably be protesting already. Understand?”

Though many see women’s football as some kind of lowbrow adult sport, as long as women’s rights groups support it, no one can call it inappropriate.

But this doesn’t mean anyone can do it. If others try without their support, even if those women wear more clothes than Lynch’s players, the women’s rights groups would label it as objectifying women and gender discrimination.

Society runs in ways hard to grasp, but it has its own hidden rules. Ignoring them only leads to trouble.

Fortunately, this matter was handed to the Federation, which offered a higher price: five thousand to twenty thousand Sol per game depending on ratings.

Though the salespeople thought this strange—that paying Lynch directly might have worked—they had to follow the rules. These invisible, unwritten rules strongly shape how society functions.

The TV station believed the Federation could persuade Lynch, but in reality, they had to convince the women’s rights advocates, who were hard to sway and wanted to profit as well.

After shifting the Federation’s focus to Ms. Tracy, Lynch returned his attention to the company split.

He had informed the board, but recent events delayed it. Now, with social order restoring, previously stalled matters resumed.

On the last Monday of December, the shareholders of Interstellar Trading Company held another board meeting. Investors from Kurland City attended in person, as this meeting concerned everyone’s interests.

Lynch, looking mature, sat at the chairman’s seat naturally, his presence perfectly fitting the role.

He flipped through documents silently, the room quiet under his focus. When he finally looked up, tension eased and heavy breaths became audible.

To many, this was remarkable—Lynch always smiled, appearing approachable. But when serious and stern, his powerful aura surfaced.

“How did you all consider the last meeting’s agenda?” He crossed his legs and addressed the attendees.

The plan was to split Interstellar Trade into three companies: an asset management holding company, and two independent companies for the trade and auction markets.

Since their business directions diverged, splitting was common for healthy, specialized management.

Like putting nails in a nail box and hammers in a hammer box.

“In principle, no objections,” the Kurland investors said clearly. They held just five percent of the shares and cared more about the political value than the company’s growth.

The shell company represented by Asel also raised no objections. Others followed suit.

Lynch still held overwhelming shares, so he didn’t need their approval to proceed. The meeting simply formalized control.

No one stays the biggest shareholder forever—shares change hands for many reasons. Rules set when powerful protect them later when power fades.

Every meeting’s reasons, process, results, and votes are recorded clearly. Newcomers can understand the company’s history, culture, and rules by reviewing these records.

Strong acquirers don’t blindly change company culture at first; they respect established rules until they fully control it, then consider modifications.

This buffer allows some to achieve their goals.

Everyone’s consent was expected. Lynch instructed the secretary to send the new materials and began detailing the split.

“I’ve been in talks with Mayor Landon. He supports building a centralized second-hand goods market.”

“So the first company split off will be Interstellar Trade Market Management Company—temporary name. Suggestions are welcome.”

“We plan to build this project in every city across the state, acquiring at least two thousand acres of land and constructing buildings.”

“Our current funds and assets lag behind company growth. After the split, shareholders will have priority subscription rights proportionate to their shares. But I must warn, this subsidiary will soon seek financing, so risk assessment is crucial.”

Lynch paused, flipping through concept sketches drawn by art students.

Beautiful buildings, bustling crowds, unique trade centers in various cities.

Data charts listed alongside made it easy to see the value, profits, and trends.

He still owned a large parcel of unused suburban land, which could be converted to assets for the subsidiary’s initial financing, gaining him more influence.

If others wanted to do the same, he had no objection—he wasn’t partial, even to himself.

Everyone listened intently. Lynch kept explaining details, summarizing two main points.

First, shareholders either pay to secure priority shares in the new companies at lower prices and better terms or watch those companies grow quickly, enjoying huge dividends while they only watch helplessly.

Second, after the split, Lynch planned to list Interstellar Trade Asset Management Company (the renamed original) on three major exchanges.

With strong channels, policy favors, and visible profits, letting the company remain private and accumulate money made no sense—listing to raise funds was the correct move.

Funds seeking to avoid financial risk would flood in without hesitation. Even a small portion would make everyone wealthy.

Some initially objected but fell silent once Lynch mentioned the IPO plan.

At the end of the meeting, Lynch stated firmly, “The formation of the new company will not accept any equity swaps—only cash and land. This time, no negotiations.”