The Versatile Master Artist

”12 votes in favor of the proposal, 1 vote against, so we can...”

Sir Brown saw the result he wanted.

Except for the female heir of the Ilyena family, all the shareholders aligned with his will.

This was a good start to erase the imprint of the Ilyena family.

He could imagine Miss Ilina’s embarrassed look when this share resolution was made public.

Just as the chairman was about to announce the first resolution as passed.

”Mr. Brown, please hold on.” Anna finally spoke up.

”Miss Ilina, I understand you have a different opinion now, but the shareholder percentage in support of the resolution has already exceeded two-thirds, I’m afraid...”

Sir Brown replied politely, a cold sneer in his heart.

Young lady,

it’s no use being unhappy now, the tide is behind me.

”No, I mean you counted the votes wrong.”

Anna shook her head with a smile.

”I think your proposal is very good. When the drama reaches its climax, indeed, it requires a painter to vividly capture the expressions of every lead on stage. So that when reflecting on past events, the audience can repeatedly appreciate the virtues and vices of every character.”

Miss Ilina leisurely raised her hand.

”So it should be 13 votes in favor, 0 votes against.”

”Hum, whether it’s the ’Philadelphia Declaration’ or the mob’s revelry of killing Socrates, it’s hard to tell now.”

Eliot beside her snorted viciously, angrily supporting the lady: ”If every shard agreeing to execute Socrates were etched with the name of the instigator, such people who commit sins like iron casting would be long spat upon by history.”

The elders opposite fell silent again.

Only the sound of the early spring wind with chill came through the window.

”Alright, in the adult world, everyone stubbornly insists they are right. This is not a debate club, verbal disputes have no meaning. Let’s speak for ourselves with the shares we hold.”

Sir Brown forcefully knocked on the table, easing the awkward atmosphere within the room.

”Well then, time is precious, let’s go straight to the point. You each have an agreement on Krug Brothers Bank acquiring magazine shares in front of you. You’ve presumably looked over them carefully, the Austrian National Government has already approved the bank’s acquisition proposal. It’s now time for everyone to express whether they wish to accept a new major shareholder joining us.”

”170 million Euros, for 35.4% of the shares. Although many of you will see your share percentage reduced as a result, this capital injection also means the brand valuation of ’Oil Painting’ magazine reaches a full 500 million Euros.”

Austrian company law stipulates that such behavior of selling shares to outsiders requires majority shareholder consent.

Sir Brown swung his arm, openly displaying his determination to see this acquisition through: ”I don’t need to remind everyone what a generous offer this is.”

Five hundred million Euros.

Everyone’s breathing became heavier.

Everyone knew if ’Oil Painting’ magazine were put on the monetary scale, its valuation would definitely be more than a conservative 100 million Euros.

But this was a direct increase fivefold.

To be seated here, the shareholders are at least millionaires, yet five hundred million Euros is still a number enough to quicken their heartbeat.

”Before everyone votes, I want to say something.”

At this moment, Miss Ilina suddenly supported herself on the table, pushing the wheelchair backward.

In the astonished looks of everyone, she had her secretary Eliot push her to the opposite side of the long table.

”Sir Brown, you are a leading authority in the field of Egypt studies, although my aunt had some ideological differences with you back then, she always greatly admired your academic contributions.”

Anna actually reached out a hand and shook it with the bewildered Sir Brown.

”Professor Yingji, I read your paper in ’Asian Art’ in high school on the comparative analysis of Pissarro and Seurat’s color science. You deserve the Rockefeller Foundation’s sponsorship bonus...”

”Mr. Hlefe...”

Miss Ilina seemed to completely ignore the cold atmosphere around these people.

She actually just awkwardly started greeting them one by one.