The Tyrant Billionaire

"Understood. I know what to do," Andy replied with a knowing smile.

Hans sat in a bar, a glass of liquor in front of him, his expression tired and dejected. Research had stagnated, and his funds were depleted. He had already delayed employee salaries for more than two months.

Everything he could mortgage, including the laboratory equipment, had already been used to secure loans.

A few days ago, he had a huge fight with his wife. Unable to cover household expenses, even utilities had gone unpaid. With three children to support, they were facing the risk of dropping out of school. Desperate, he had suggested selling their home to buy a little more time.

His wife had exploded in anger, and they had a heated argument.

Hans now dreaded going to the office, where employees demanded their overdue paychecks. He also avoided going home, fearful of seeing the disappointment in his wife and children's eyes.

Research had come to a complete standstill, as he had no money left to purchase materials.

He felt utterly trapped with no idea how to move forward.

Perhaps bankruptcy would be the inevitable end. He envisioned losing his career, his wife leaving with the kids, and himself becoming a homeless wanderer, scavenging for food in garbage bins or living in a shelter.

Hans lifted the glass and downed the liquor, the burning sensation providing a bitter sense of release. He wanted to get drunk, to stop thinking and forget everything.

At that moment,

A middle-aged man in his forties sat down beside Hans. Looking up, Hans saw the man smiling and giving him a polite nod. "Dr. Hans, would you be interested in a conversation?" the man asked.

"About what?" Hans replied hesitantly.

"About Hans Biopharmaceuticals, about saving it, and about saving yourself and your family," the man said with a smile.

When a person is dying of thirst, even a glass of poisoned water becomes tempting.

Hans Biopharmaceuticals had already mortgaged everything of value to the bank and still owed over a million. Now, someone willing to take over felt like a ray of divine light breaking through a sky heavy with storm clouds.

The two men found a private room to discuss the acquisition. The visitor introduced himself as Baker, from South Africa. South Africa was once a British colony, becoming a dominion in 1910 and part of the Commonwealth.

Its status was similar to Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, with the current political and economic power largely in the hands of white elites.

"I went to the bank to investigate Hans Pharmaceuticals. All your assets are mortgaged, and you owe the bank $1.26 million, correct?" Baker stated.

"Yes," Hans responded helplessly.

"Your antipyretic drug has been pulled from the shelves, you owe a considerable amount in back wages, and you can't even afford the utilities. All your experiments have come to a halt, right?" Baker continued, piling on the blows.

Hans nodded, his face grim.

It was clear that Baker had done his homework.

"Mr. Baker, what are you trying to say? You didn't come here just to remind me of all this, did you?" Hans retorted irritably.

Baker chuckled.

"I'm willing to offer $500,000 to acquire Hans Biopharmaceuticals, debts included," Baker declared.

Hans was stunned.

If Baker knew about all the debts and the mortgaged assets, why was he still interested in buying?

"Are you really willing to acquire it?" Hans asked, disbelief in his voice.

"Of course, but I have a few conditions," Baker replied.

Hans knew it couldn't be that simple. "What are your conditions?"

"First, I want all your shares," Baker stated.

"Of course, no problem."

For Hans, his shares were now practically worthless.

"Second, the $500,000 won't be given to you all at once. You'll get $100,000 upfront as a relocation fee, and the rest will be given only if you cooperate with us," Baker continued.

Hans wasn't foolish; he immediately sensed something fishy.

"What exactly do you want me to do?" Hans asked.

Baker smiled, looking directly into Hans's eyes. "Do you think anyone would spend hundreds of thousands to acquire a company with no value?"

Hans shook his head, his throat tight.

"Neither would we," Baker said.

"What I'm about to tell you is highly confidential. If you leak it, your life and your family's safety will be in danger. Do you want to hear it?" Baker's voice turned cold.

Hans shivered, swallowing hard.

After a few seconds of contemplation, Hans nodded.

"Alright, since you've made your decision, I'll tell you. It's simple: we plan to use your pharmaceutical company for financial manipulation, inflating the stock price for profit," Baker revealed.

Hans had already guessed as much, and Baker's words confirmed his suspicion.

"What do you need me to do?" Hans asked.

"Play along with us. You're the owner of Hans Pharmaceuticals and the chief researcher. As long as we work well together, we can inflate the stock price, and you'll get the remaining $400,000—maybe even more if things go smoothly," Baker explained, a devilish smile on his face.

It was a smile that seemed to tempt people into damnation.

Hans understood. The so-called acquisition and the promise of $500,000 were merely bait to pull him into their scheme. He would be the public face of their financial scam.

Should he accept or decline?

Hans had to make a decision, one that could change his life forever.

If he refused, Hans Biopharmaceuticals would be seized by the bank within a month. He would be buried under a mountain of debt, which would crush him. He'd be bankrupt, and his wife and children would be left homeless, struggling even for a meal.

If he agreed, he'd get the money to resolve his current crisis, but if the scam were exposed, he might end up in prison.

Hans knew that if he didn't accept such a deal within a month, he would end up jumping from a tall building out of desperation.

Only by accepting the deal would he be safe, while other people investing in this pitfall would replace him and take the fall.

He took a long gulp of liquor and looked at Baker.

"I agree!" he said.

For the sake of his three children, he had no choice. Even if it meant plunging into an abyss, he had to take the leap.