10x Cashback: Your Wealth Is Mine-Chapter 115: The Sentinel

Negotiating a deal is like playing chess. You have to calculate each and every move, know what move you’ll play three times into the future, know what your opponent is trying to do and try to outsmart him all at the same time.

Or at least, that’s what I keep telling myself as my car finally pulls up in front of my destination.

Before I continue, let me tell you my… actual thoughts on negotiating a deal.

Negotiating a deal is like weaving a story. You have to lie your ass off and tell the person on the other side of the table what they want to hear. You have to make them see value in you. Enough value to give up something of their own.

That’s what all negotiations come down to. Who can spin the most interesting stories or web of lies to add value to themself?

So, where were we?

Oh, yeah. The Sentinel. One of New York’s most influential media companies.

The name carried weight, shaping opinions and influencing trends not just in the city but nationwide. Not because it’s the biggest company or has the loudest voice but because of two things.

First, it was old. And the kind of old that translated to respect. And second, it had an impressive list of employees. People who were influential in their fields.

Besides, if it was the most expensive, I wouldn’t be able to afford it. Not without selling off a significant portion of Imperium Holdings. Which was something I’d have to do later on. That and go public. Maybe. Well, we’ll see.

Anyways, just as Jeff Bezos owned and elevated the Washington Post, that’s exactly what I’m going to do here.

There’s no Bezos or Washington Post in this universe anyways. Guess I’ll be the billionaire who’d make that move. Especially when I become the richest person on this earth.

I know what you’re thinking. Why go this far just for this Jasmine and Jenny debacle? Here’s the thing. This idea wasn’t born overnight. I’m not here just to get a media vehicle for the Apex Investments war. Nope. I’m here for me.

Media, especially in a place like New York, is a powerful weapon. Why else do you think dictators usually control their country’s media?

If Imperium Holdings could control even a piece of that influence, it would give us the leverage to shape narratives. Not just for Apex Investments but for any future battles that required the court of public opinion.

"Mr. Voss, we’ve arrived." My driver said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Thank you." I said with a smile, stepping out of the car.

I glanced up at the building. I had a big battle in front of me. The Sentinel is a legacy institution and its owners had protected it fiercely for decades. Today, I’ll see if I can change that.

In minutes, I found myself seated at a conference table with my opponents seated across the table.

Sitting at the place of prominence was Eleanor Reed, the company’s matriarch and majority shareholder, flanked by her advisors. She was in her seventies and she looked her age.

Sitting beside her was James Reed, her grandson and COO of The Sentinel. He was young, ambitious and judging by the look on his face, wary of my intentions.

"Mr. Voss," Eleanor began, "I understand you’ve expressed interest in acquiring a stake in our company. However, I must be frank. We are not actively looking to sell."

"I understand, Mrs. Reed." I replied with a small easygoing smile. "And I respect your dedication to The Sentinel. It’s a remarkable institution with an unparalleled legacy."

First, flattery never hurts. Second, everybody knows everything in this world is for sale for the right price. Time to put that saying to the test.

"But I also believe that with the right resources and strategic vision, The Sentinel can reach even greater heights. I’m not here to dismantle your legacy, Mrs. Reed." I paused. "I’m here to preserve and amplify it."

"Preserve it? Or control it?" James said, the skepticism practically pouring off him. Dude wasn’t even making an attempt to hide it.

"A fair question." I said, nodding like I had the answers to the meaning of life. Remember what I said about spinning words to create value for yourself? Yeah. I’m about to do that.

"Control isn’t my goal. Influence, maybe, but influence that aligns with the values The Sentinel has always stood for. Integrity, impact and innovation."

"That’s why I’m not proposing a hostile takeover. I don’t want that. Instead, I’m offering a partnership. One where your family retains a significant stake while benefiting from the resources we can provide."

"And what would this partnership look like, Mr. Voss?" Eleanor asked with the patience of a woman who had been hearing those words for a long time.

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"Simple." I said, leaning forward. "Imperium Holdings acquires a 60% majority stake in The Sentinel and your family retains 40%, along with significant representation on the board."

"Together, we’ll modernize the company’s infrastructure, expand its digital presence and make sure it has everything it needs to remain competitive as the media landscape keeps evolving."

"Modernize? Expand?" James exchanged a glance with his grandmother. "That sounds like code for laying off staff and gutting the newsroom."

"Of course not." I shook my head with a frown. "I’m proposing the opposite. The Sentinel’s strength lies in its credibility and its people. Cutting corners would undermine that."

"My plan involves investing in your team, upgrading technology and launching new initiatives to engage younger audiences while staying true to your core mission."

"And why The Sentinel, Mr. Voss? Out of all the media companies you could pursue, why us?" Eleanor asked, her expression curious.

Now, here’s where I pull the biggest flattery this company has ever seen.

"Because The Sentinel is New York." I said and could feel the surprise of everybody in the room. They clearly hadn’t been expecting my words. "This company is a cornerstone of this city’s identity and that’s an undeniable fact. I fell in love with New York, Mrs. Reed. That meant I fell in love with The Sentinel."