Chapter 831: 284, finalize New York Central Railroad Company_3

“What do you mean, Donnie?” Harold Vanderbilt asked Donnie.

Donnie said, “I just discussed this with Walker. Venus Bank is planning to join forces with the Astor Family to create a luxury hotel brand based on the current Ritz Hotel, and we have already decided to pilot this in four cities: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. If you are interested, you can invest with a certain amount of funds or with the Vanderbilt Hotel in New York.”

“We are in the era of youth. If the brand succeeds, it will be a century-old brand. By then, you will have relieved yourself of the tedious work and will be able to receive annual dividends, ensuring a luxurious life for you and your descendants.”

Donnie’s invitation to the Vanderbilt Family to join the partnership with Walker was not an impromptu idea, but one that had been in the works for some time.

Although Vanderbilt I was considered new money in the eyes of the old American financial groups, after several generations of development, the Vanderbilt Family has truly become a part of the upper echelons of American society.

Building a luxury brand is not just about having money.

The most important thing for a luxury brand is to have a story!

And the protagonists of that story must be members of the elite, as only they can support the heritage of a luxury brand!

The Astor Family and the Vanderbilt Family are the main characters of this story!

Indeed, after hearing Donnie’s proposal, Harold Vanderbilt displayed an interested expression, but still asked, “At the New York Central Railroad Company, no matter what, we are the company’s largest shareholder, but even in such a case, I’ve been put in a difficult position by those two families.

If you and Walker wanted to take actions against us within the new hotel, wouldn’t that be even easier to achieve?”

Indeed, it’s the desire to gain benefits while worrying about the potential conspiracies behind them!

Donnie said with a light chuckle, “I do have an idea about that.”

Harold Vanderbilt asked eagerly, “What idea?”

Donnie said, “I know the Vanderbilt Family owns many estates across the United States, including New York. We can make a deal where you sell these estates to Venus Bank over several years. The money from selling the estates can be used to set up a trust fund managed by Venus Bank, which will also provide you with a part of the dividends each year.

At the same time, if the hotel needs to expand in the future, your concern is likely the dilution of your share in the hotel. We can document that the fund for such expansion will come from the trust fund. Should the trust fund’s capital be insufficient, we can establish a loan mechanism. You can obtain the funds in advance through a credit agreement between the trust fund and Venus Bank, and then repay Venus Bank with future dividends.”

This way, we can maximize the interests of the Vanderbilt Family!”

Upon hearing this, Harold Vanderbilt couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “Donnie, I finally understand how you’ve managed to grow so quickly in such a short time.

Every plan you’ve proposed includes benefits for your own industries.

I imagine Venus Bank, having just been established, must not have many customers, right?

The Vanderbilt Family may not be what it used to be, but our reputation endures. With the living endorsement of the Vanderbilt Family, business at Venus Bank should also pick up soon, shouldn’t it?”

Donnie smiled easily, showing no embarrassment at Harold Vanderbilt exposing his intentions.

“Venus Bank indeed benefits from this, but it’s undeniable that the true beneficiaries of this plan are unquestionably the Vanderbilt Family. I acknowledge the intelligence of the Vanderbilts, but they haven’t made better arrangements for the Vanderbilt Family’s future. A fully established trust fund is an important emblem for a family’s legacy!”

Harold Vanderbilt didn’t comment on Donnie’s words, but had already begun seriously considering Donnie’s proposal. After pondering for a moment, he said, “I need to discuss this matter with others!”

Donnie laughed, “Harold, there’s something I haven’t told you yet. Before I came to see you, I had already bought all the New York Central Railroad Company’s stocks from the hands of other members of the Vanderbilt Family!”

Harold Vanderbilt’s expression changed drastically, and for the first time in front of Donnie, he showed anger, “Those fools!”

Donnie chuckled, “Harold, today I came here first as your friend, and secondly as the acquirer. In fact, you should already understand that with the New York Central Railroad Company shares I now hold, I could easily gain control of the company by simply siding with either Morgan or Rockefeller.

But I still chose to come here today. As a friend, I hope that you and your descendants can forever enjoy the wealth accumulated by your fathers and forefathers!”

Donnie’s news was the final straw that broke Harold Vanderbilt’s resolve.

After some contemplation, Harold Vanderbilt finally agreed to Donnie’s acquisition proposal.

However, there was still disagreement over the specific purchase price. Donnie wanted to acquire the shares at the current stock price of the New York Central Railroad Company, while Harold Vanderbilt believed that price to be inappropriate, demanding that Donnie pay a premium!

On this matter, the two negotiated for three days, and in the end, they agreed that Donnie would acquire all of Harold Vanderbilt’s shares in the New York Central Railroad Company at a 10% premium!

Once that deal was set, the Rockefeller Family finally learned of it!