October 29.
Raimon continued his complementary work, filled with effort and diligence… but it seemed that a few well-placed donations had led to Marvel's acquisition. In just a few hours, 93% of the company would be in Billy's hands, broken yet captivated by dark, honest eyes. His work would be rewarded with that percentage. First, they would negotiate closely with Ronald Perelman to acquire the remaining 7%, the last piece needed to consolidate full ownership. The first step would be to issue a notice for delisting from the stock market due to industrial management issues. Now, they had to quantify the debts, which extended beyond bonds, salaries, social security, and severance payments… essentially, he had just bought a bankrupt company drowning in failure.
Raimon emerged from the ordeal, his mind racing, almost tormented by the financial headaches he would soon face. But the operational bonus might just be enough to pay for the 1982 Star Wars promotional action figure collection—pristine condition, $12,000—and perhaps even some new luxury suits for Comic-Con… He needed another bookshelf.
-I've got something stuck in my head that I can't shake. – Raimon muttered to himself, but his words were overheard by Loco Lomas, the short-selling maniac and champion of speculative asset purchases, a gambler who played the global currency markets like a Wednesday afternoon at the casino.
-Talking to yourself? I think you need some sleep.– Lomas replied, filled with foreboding and the unmistakable feeling of a rest-deprived disaster.
-Just thinking out loud. I've got a lot on my mind… In the next few days, I think I'll be leaving these offices to focus on reorganizing a new company my boss just bought. Unfortunately, it's a problem I can't ignore. – Raimon said, itching to tell Lomas about the Marvel acquisition. It was almost a dream, a spectacular event he wanted to scream to the world. But first, he had to draft some memos, craft justifications for securing 100% of the shares, and deal with those stakeholders whose identities Billy dismissed as nothing more than dividend collectors—individuals unwilling to embrace the creative utopia Billy envisioned.
-So, I take it you enjoy making money. – Lomas quipped.
-We need to meet. I might need your help acquiring more AOL shares, maybe securing a 20% stake across different companies, and launching an aggressive sell-off to drive stock prices to historic lows. – Raimon whispered.
-Sure, man, nothing that can't be done here, where the wolves sing and feast like bold configurations. I can't wait to see where this madness leads. – Crazy Lomas laughed, already suspecting it was an aggressive buyout—full of under-the-table maneuvers designed to shake up ownership structures and transform companies in ways that always ended in something truly… legendary.
Carl Icahn cursed under his breath as the bond losses hit, but he had been outmaneuvered, overwhelmed by swift and strategic financial moves. Someone had snatched away what he had coveted through a combination of capital and shadowy dealings he had failed to foresee.
-It's true. The bond purchase happened when I least expected it—fast and seamless. They moved a month ahead. – Icahn muttered to Avi Arad, who quietly swore under his breath. Playing both sides had backfired spectacularly. And now, he could only marvel at how quickly Billy had taken control of the shares.
Uncertain of how to react—since this was supposed to be privileged information, or perhaps a setup—he wondered if Billy had been deceived into funneling all the acquisition details. But as it turned out, it was he who had been tricked. And where was Ronald in all of this?
-Why didn't Ronald push for a counteroffer? – Avi asked.
-More than 50% of capital debt weighed against the company's reserves. That brat made a deal with the lenders, promising repayment within a year using promissory notes while covering half of the debts immediately upon acquiring the shares. If they had pressured the bank, he would have used federal insolvency laws to force a liquidation sale. – Karl Icahn murmured, seething. He had dreamed of making a move just as bold, filled with rebellion and the crude thrill of brute financial power.
-Marvel could end up reduced to a privately held corporation, with a single majority shareholder controlling all decisions. The moment it went public, it became a joint-stock company, but now… it could revert to a limited liability entity. Billy would have absolute voting power to dismantle the board of directors. With more than 75% of the shares, he now wields the ultimate authority… Honestly, I think everything is up in the air now. – Avi replied.
-I guess the dream is over. The profit we hoped to gain from Marvel's acquisition is now finished.– Karl Icahn muttered before hanging up the phone. He took a long drink, sighing as he watched the deals he had pinned his hopes on vanish like smoke.
…
Raimon received the official notice. Payment had been processed instantly, and the securities would be settled within a month. The notifications arrived swiftly, detailing every aspect of the transaction.
…
Billy received the update—he had secured the bond purchases at a 35% premium, but it was worth every penny. Every cent would be reinvested into smaller sectors that would soon experience tremendous growth.
Stretching his arms, he turned his focus to the final details of the Bleach series. Chapter 119 was already printed and ready for proper processing. The goal was to wrap up the initial arcs—the Substitute Shinigami arc had stretched across 82 episodes. The Soul Society arc, spanning 112 chapters, wasn't even halfway done; at least 200 more chapters remained. He would use every tool at his disposal to expand the story, refining the battles and training sequences.
Because that was the essence of it all—a grueling, painstaking process that consumed hours upon hours. Each illustration had to be envisioned, revised, and improved tenfold.
...