America 1919

Fortunately, he had been forewarned of these matters, and his position at General Electric was even higher than Luke Jackson's at Westinghouse, granting him more influence!

Owen Young had left.

Upon learning of this news, Luke Jackson immediately understood that Owen Young must have met with Donnie and discussed matters unknown to him; otherwise, Owen would not have left Atlantic City so quickly.

This analysis made Luke Jackson's sense of urgency grow even stronger.

Since the death of George Westinghouse, the development of Westinghouse Electric Corporation had been stagnant. In reality, compared to General Electric, Westinghouse was more desperate to invest in Atlantic City Broadcast.

However, the current president of Westinghouse, Westinghouse II, was a very proud man who held nothing but contempt for Donnie, the bumpkin from Atlantic City.

So, while the president of General Electric had come, Westinghouse had only sent a general manager.

Luke Jackson, too, was influenced by Westinghouse II and likewise held some disdain for Donnie.

But now, with their positions reversed, Luke Jackson had no choice but to seek out Donnie.

So tonight, Luke Jackson once again appeared at Block Tavern and, as he wished, met Donnie.

"Donnie, I apologize for my previous behavior and hope you can forgive me. I also hope you will listen to our company's latest contract offer with Atlantic City Broadcast!"

"Why can't you people just let me rest for a few days? Mr. Jackson, don't you realize that what you're doing is highly unethical?"

said Donnie, holding a glass of liquor and embracing Miss America runner-up Jonkel Jones with an air of resignation.

"So, Donnie, you've already spoken with Owen?"

Luke Jackson inquired.

Donnie nodded without evasion, "Yes, he was even ruder than you, actually coming straight to the beach to find me. Luke, can you imagine the scene of me negotiating with Owen Young in just a pair of swim trunks?"

Upon hearing Donnie's account, Jonkel Jones could not help but laugh out loud.

"I don't care if you negotiate in swim trunks or in the nude. Right now, I just want to know what will happen between us..." Luke Jackson said with a sheepish chuckle, "Donnie, I've discussed with the company, and we're willing to offer 1.5 million US dollars to buy a 30% stake in Atlantic City Broadcast and agree to let Atlantic City Broadcast use all of our broadcasting-related patents for free!

This is the final offer we at Westinghouse can make, and I hope you'll consider it seriously.

I assume you wouldn't want another new radio station to compete for business with Atlantic City Broadcast, right?"

That's exactly what I was getting at. Luke Jackson, even though he was pleading to work with Donnie, still carried a hint of threat during the negotiation!

Donnie raised his eyebrows slightly and then looked at Luke Jackson with a light chuckle, "Mr. Jackson, thank you very much for frequenting Block Tavern these past few days. Even if our business doesn't come to fruition, I believe it shouldn't prevent us from becoming friends. So, have a great night out tonight!"

Having said that, Donnie, with Jonkel Jones, got ready to leave the place.

"Wait a minute!" How could Luke Jackson possibly fail to hear the refusal in Donnie's words: "Donnie, are you rejecting our partnership with Westinghouse Electric Corporation?"

The smile had vanished from Donnie's face as he looked straight at Luke Jackson and said, "So, Luke Jackson, are you threatening me now?"

"Uh..." Sensing the sharpness in Donnie's gaze, Luke Jackson's expression stalled, then he replied, "Of course not, I just hope you can state your conditions, Donnie. After all, we are negotiating, and we have already stated our conditions. Naturally, we hope that you will also state your conditions, so that we can better seek common ground while reserving differences, right!"

"Oh, I see!" Donnie smiled again and retook his seat: "I thought you were threatening me just now, Mr. Jackson!"

"Definitely not, I was just a little hasty in my speech!" Luke Jackson wiped the sweat from his face with a handkerchief.

Donnie did not waste any more words with Luke Jackson either, and straightaway stated his own conditions, which were the same as those he had discussed with Owen Young, a stock-for-stock exchange.

Although Westinghouse Electric Corporation may not have had the same reputation as General Electric, and even in later years, their name was forgotten by many, it wasn't that Westinghouse had declined but that they had changed their name.

Westinghouse Electric!

So whether it was General Electric or Westinghouse Electric, for Donnie, investing in either company would be profitable.

However, because Westinghouse Electric didn't have Morgan's backing, during the negotiations with Luke Jackson, Donnie raised the valuation of Atlantic City Broadcast to 15 million US dollars.

For this valuation, Luke Jackson naturally could not accept it.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

But now it wasn't up to Luke Jackson to accept or reject anymore.

"This valuation is definitely not going to change, and I don't mind telling you that General Electric has already agreed to this valuation. Moreover, Owen Young has gone back to General Electric to discuss this matter with their board of directors.

So, Mr. Jackson, if your company truly wants to partner with us, then you don't have much time left!"

Donnie firmly rejected Luke Jackson's idea of reducing the valuation.

Faced with Donnie's firmness, Luke Jackson now had no other choice. Since both parties had laid out their conditions, and Donnie, who had the power to decide for his side, had clearly indicated no changes would be made,

it left Luke Jackson with no option but to take these terms back to the Westinghouse Company board to inform them. What decision the company would make was now out of his hands.

"Alright, I will take your conditions back to the company, but given the current situation, I very much hope, Donnie, that you can grant us a bit more time!"

Donnie shook his head: "There's no way to change the timeline, as I will soon have other matters to attend to. If your company cannot give us a definite response in three days, then I can only choose to partner with General Electric!"

Luke Jackson's face showed bitterness - he had not expected such a turn of events. He had arrived on good terms, but now, on departure, found himself the one being pressed into a corner!