America: My Time

Chapter 1358: The Evil of the Human Heart
Chapter 1348 The Evil of the Human Heart

With a thousand words in their hearts but unable to speak, they were repeatedly tested and used as pawns. The Nakayama sisters and Yasuko Sawaguchi endured unimaginable pressure. The worst off was Norika Fujiwara, who was almost marginalized and had to bear the worst burdens. She was practically used as a disposable pawn to test John's last line of defense, and the things she did were the most dangerous.

Did they feel regret or resentment? Of course they did, but they were powerless to resist. Before the conglomerates, they were nothing but ants. The more pressure they faced, the more regretful they felt. They shouldn't have listened to those people's schemes, shouldn't have made such a foolish decision. Unfortunately, there was no turning back once the arrow was released. The moment they took that step, everything was set in stone, and they could never go back to the way things were.

Today, these women were forced to attend this wedding, and their feelings were incredibly complicated. Unlike Mao Daichi, who was confident and not worried about being affected, since she had no romantic relationship with John, she was not "invited" out to scheme against him, but rather had other plans. In contrast, the Nakayama sisters and Yasuko Sawaguchi were completely different; they were well aware of how awkward and dangerous their current situation was!
With Naoko speaking, the group felt much more at ease. Soon they noticed that Naoko's children were not with them, nor with John, but with Old Martin. This meant that they had all gained the Bayard family's approval, and that they were beginning to step into the limelight and start building relationships there.

Although it may seem like nothing on the surface, since they are all family, those who truly understand know how rare this opportunity is. They had received recognition before, but that was only on behalf of the family. This time, however, it was on behalf of the American high society. This wedding can be described as a gathering of the American high society.

Not only their children, but all of John's children attended the wedding; no one was left out. This was John's attitude, but not everyone could accept it. Many people still had opinions about John's actions, but no matter how much they objected, it was useless; they couldn't change John's decision!

"So, what are those guys from Japan up to? Choosing this occasion to make these arrangements, are they trying to provoke the Bayard family?" Old Martin found a suitable moment to ask John, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. If it was a provocation, he wouldn't back down!
"It's not really a provocation, just a small test. They want to talk to me, but they don't have the chance. There are many things that can't be discussed over the phone. As for getting them to come in person to see me, that would mean bowing down to me, which they are unwilling to accept. So they're making this small test. It's nothing serious. If they really wanted to cause trouble, they wouldn't be doing this. You don't need to worry about it."

John paused at this point, then continued, "Actually, this is good. We can take this opportunity to see who our friends are and who our enemies are. So many people want to cooperate with me, I need to know who my friends are."

"You're always willing to do crazy things. What can't be discussed calmly? Even if you're in control, there's no need to take things this far. You're going against the entire upper class. While your personal issues may displease everyone, it's not a huge deal. But your constant exclusion of others is not a good thing; it will breed resentment!"

"So what? No matter how many ideas they have, they can only compromise with me. There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests. Faced with interests, they can only bow their heads. Those guys are all eyeing the assets in my hands. They have to give me something in return. It's impossible to get benefits from me without giving anything in return. I will not sacrifice my own interests. Those guys from the donkey have to give me an explanation, and the Adams family too. They can't just leave without giving anything in return. My patience has its limits. The Asian financial crisis won't last forever. If they haven't given me anything by the time everything is over, then don't blame me for retaliating!"

John knew that old Martin and the donkey were still communicating, and even that some members of the Adams family had come, but that wasn't a reason for him to compromise. This time, he wouldn't compromise again; this time, he would make them pay the price. Even the president of the White House had to compromise; what else could these guys say?

"I will communicate with them, but it's best to be forgiving. There's no need to put yourself on the opposite side. No matter how strong you are, you can't go on like this forever. There are always low points in life!"

“I know, but I have faith in the conglomerate I built from scratch, and I’m not unprepared. Even if there are huge losses in the US, it’s nothing to me. My assets are all over the world now. If they really fight me to the death, I’ll be the one who falls. I shouldn’t have any thoughts I shouldn’t have. If you want something, you have to pay a high price. Even Morgan and Rockefeller have to compromise with me. What right do those guys have to be my enemy!”

John's words, though unpleasant to hear, were the truth. John no longer needed to compromise with anyone; he was now at the top. The rules applied to the weak, not to the strong like him. When John disregarded the rules, all the old men felt terrified.

"John, I don't know what your plans are, but this time you've gone a bit too far. With so many assets being acquired, can you really manage it all and withstand the consequences?"

"You mean General Motors? They've all come to you?" John instantly understood what Old Martin was referring to. Right now, the only thing that could get Old Martin to talk about was General Motors, since it had a significant impact!

"Yes, Detroit is very dissatisfied with this matter. Even with the pressure from the conglomerates, it's useless. Nobody wants to see such a corporate relocation; the impact on Detroit would be too great, and the consequences too severe!" "So what? What does it have to do with me? What kind of pressure they face is their own business. I don't believe these guys didn't know all this beforehand, yet they did nothing. Only now do they want to talk to me, and even try to use you to relay their message. Don't you think they're too arrogant and self-important? What I'm building is Oregon. As for the situation in Detroit, it has nothing to do with me. I already know their methods. Even if problems arise, it won't be me who bears the responsibility, but rather Morgan and Rockefeller. What do I have to worry about!"

With Morgan and Rockefeller on his side, John wasn't afraid of the donkey, nor was he afraid of problems at General Motors. Even if things escalated, it wouldn't affect him, so why should he care? As long as he could complete this transformation, Oregon would be completely under his control, and the hearts and minds of the people would be in his grasp. At that time, the entire state of Oregon would enter a new era and usher in a transformation.

John isn't just relocating General Motors; Nissan is also building a factory in Oregon, along with a steel mill. All of this construction is necessary, but the steel mill here is primarily for processing American scrap steel—this is John's layout for the waste management company. While it can't completely meet the steel needs of auto manufacturing, it can solve a large portion; the rest can be sourced from Mexico!

John has now built a complete industrial chain, so he naturally doesn't need to worry about being controlled by others. John hasn't forgotten the targeting he faced when he first entered the automotive industry; now it's time for those guys to pay the price. Without General Motors as a major customer, those guys will naturally be desperate! Now let's see what they want to do, what those venomous snakes hiding in the shadows will do. John has already laid the groundwork; everything depends on the enemy's actions.

"Alright, you can decide for yourself. Just don't treat everyone like fools. Your schemes may not be able to hide from everyone, and your plans are not without flaws. Be steady, don't be too hasty, and don't take too big a step, or you will be affected."

Old Martin thought John was taking a big step, but John saw everything under control. He believed in destruction before construction, and for General Motors, even major problems were acceptable. He had an agreement with Morgan and Rockefeller that he wouldn't suffer any losses; if anything went wrong, they would bear the consequences. With such a promise in hand, what was there to hesitate about? If he didn't act decisively and resolve everything now, when would he? If he dragged it out, perhaps there would be no chance left!
In John's eyes, short-term losses are acceptable, and General Motors also needs to go beyond the United States and expand globally. Otherwise, it will be trapped in the United States and rely on American workers to grow and thrive. That would be a huge joke. It would be a good thing if these workers didn't drag you down!
“I never intended to hide anything; everything is out in the open. This is an exchange of interests. I traded high-quality assets to them; those old guys are taking advantage of me. If they refuse, I'm even happier. All my plans are public; they can see everything clearly. Whether they accept or not is their own choice!”

John didn't care about Old Martin's words. In fact, many people in the United States were saying the same thing. Many people felt that there was something wrong with John's deal, but they couldn't explain why. There were many people behind it, even those old guys were pushing it all, but John just turned a blind eye to it all.

Trying to influence me with such means is impossible. If those old guys think there's a problem with the deal, they can just refuse. I don't necessarily have to do this deal with them.

"Alright, you can decide your own business matters. I won't interfere, and the Bayard family won't interfere either. It's just that you gave the family a bit too few shares, after all, you are also a member of the family!" Old Martin quickly changed the subject again, expressing the feelings and dissatisfaction of some people in the family. In particular, these guys were even more furious after they learned that John had given shares to his younger brother and sister. They believed that John had no concept of contributing to the family!

"Heh, it's not impossible for them to get more shares, but they have to come up with funds or equivalent assets. It's impossible for them to take advantage of me for nothing. I don't want to deal with these greedy guys. I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said!" John said with a faint smile, a hint of aloofness in his eyes. Even though the person in front of him was his grandfather, John was unwilling to communicate with him when his own interests were in conflict.

Over the past decade or so, John has witnessed the greed within the family and the ravings of those incompetent members. They are all talk and no action; when it comes to actually doing something, they are incapable of doing anything right. They are single-mindedly trying to take advantage of him. It can only be said that these guys are overthinking things; he doesn't owe them anything!
Old Martin also sensed John's change. Although he knew that speaking up would displease John, he did it anyway. Perhaps this was the mindset of a former head of a family. In his heart, the family's interests outweighed those of his grandson, John. Naturally, his actions also made John resentful.

Everything has its limits. Old Martin's probing this time has crossed John's line. If it weren't for the fact that this is a wedding, John wouldn't want to say anything more to Old Martin and might even leave directly. His territory is in Oregon, not here, so he has no obligation or responsibility to do anything for them.

“John, no matter how many faults your family has, they are still your roots, and they have protected you as you grew up…”

Before old Martin could finish speaking, John shook his head and said, "The family is the family, and I am me. I have repaid everything the family has given me, even dozens of times over. I don't think I owe the family anything. But if they continue to be so greedy, perhaps parting ways is the best option! I will not give them any more benefits, nor will I continue to provide them with benefits. They have no right to make me do this!"

(End of this chapter)