At night.

After attending three foreign affairs events in a row and attending a business dinner, Salim was finally able to put down his pretense of socializing and go back to rest.

"Hey, I'm Salim." As soon as I took a shower, the phone rang like a bell, as if it was urging life. Salim hurriedly ran over, picked up the phone, and said.

"Hello, Mr. Salim, I'm Middleton." The person on the other end of the phone immediately explained his identity, and then said with a little regret, "I'm very sorry to bother you so late." There are some things we need to talk about, please come over, I'll be waiting for you in the office. ”

Sou.

Knowing that the person who called him was Middleton, Salim's languid expression immediately disappeared without a trace and became extremely serious.

"Okay. Sir DeMilton, I'll be in ...... half an hour," Salim replied.

"Well, I'll wait for you!"

After saying that, the other party hung up the phone.

Call.

Putting down the phone, Salim fell into silence, secretly thinking to himself that Demilton was the British finance minister, and something must have happened to meet him in such a hurry. If you think about the recent events in London, it seems that they have nothing to do with him.

Salim drove alone to Middleton's office.

On the road.

He deliberately controlled the speed of the car, trying to give himself some time to think about what Middleton's interview was about. In foreign affairs, what he fears most is this situation. In a meeting where the other party's intentions are not clear. He often falls into a very passive predicament, because he does not have time to think about the response plan in advance. In a hurry, there may be accidents. Salim hates this feeling!

……

Salim was almost pinching the point in time. Rush to the UK Treasury building.

The building was pitch black, with only a few floors lit up, including DeMilton's third-floor office.

"Knock Knock Knock ......"

Arriving at the door of Demilton's office, Salim knocked softly, perhaps in the dead of night.

Click.

After a few seconds, the door opened.

"Salim. Please come in and sit. It was De Milton who opened the door, and he was very enthusiastic in inviting Salim into his office.

"Sir de Milton. You ......"

In the middle of speaking, Salim suddenly noticed that there was a person sitting in the office besides Demilton. And when he saw the man clearly, the suspicion in Salim's mind suddenly disappeared, and he understood Demilton's intention to interview him in a hurry. But the mood has become a little solemn.

Middleton didn't seem to notice the change in Salim, and pointed to the man who was seated, and said, "Salim, Peter, you should know, I won't introduce you too much." ”

Then.

Peter also stood up. Nodding with a smile, Salim was greeted.

"Hello, Mr. Peter."

Salim smiled slightly. Said. I wonder how I don't know Peter, even if I haven't been in contact with him, and he has been paying attention to Peter's recent remarks about the Kuwait Investment Authority. I thought the British government would be silent all along, but tonight I saw Peter here. Salim realized that the British government might be stepping in.

Really.

Sir Middleton's next words confirmed his suspicions.

"Salim. I've been following the dispute between the Kuwait Investment Authority and the British BP oil company, and I thought you could negotiate it privately. But things turned out more than we expected...... Well, we would like the Kuwait Investment Authority to take the initiative to reduce the stake to a relatively reasonable ratio. "Sir Middleton got straight to the point and showed the attitude of the British government.

"This ......"

Salim was taken aback, he didn't expect Middleton to be so tough and so straightforward.

Soon.

Salim calmed down and calmly defended: "Sir Middleton, the investment of the Kuwait Investment Authority is a normal investment behavior in pursuit of commercial returns, without any political purpose, and does not pose any threat to you. Moreover, the Kuwait Investment Authority's holding of shares in BP Petroleum is a ...... conducive to energy cooperation between the two countries."

Sir Middleton raised his hand, interrupted Salim's defense, and said solemnly: "Salim, I am just informing you of the decision of the British government, and you don't need to tell me so much useless. Either accept it or wait for the UK government to launch an antitrust investigation. ”

At this time.

There can only be one word to describe Sir Middleton, and that is tough!

Yes.

It's tough.

Sir Middleton felt that this was the only way to bring the Kuwaitis to their senses, and it was a dream to take control of BP Oil.

"Salim, you only have two choices. First, reduce the equity to a reasonable range; Second, wait for the British government's antitrust investigation. Sir Middleton repeated again.

Feeling the piercing gaze from Sir Middleton, Salim suddenly felt a great deal of pressure, and it was difficult for him to think calmly.

Middleton's toughness made Salim lose his mind for a while. He didn't expect that Demilton, who had just opened the door for him and greeted him with a smile, would become so fast. Salim even had a delusion...... If he dared to disobey the decision of the British, he would be thrown out.

……

Salim froze, unresponsive for a long time, like a soulless walking corpse.

Inside the office, there was a terrible silence.

Sir Middleton did not press any further, and waited with peace of mind. And the whole time Peter sat quietly and did not say a word.

"Tick" "Tick" ......

In the quiet office, only the sound of a pendulum can be heard clearly.

More than half an hour passed in the blink of an eye, and Salim still didn't respond.

"Hoo ......"

Sir Middleton took out a cigar, lit it, and inhaled it with great enjoyment. His eyes occasionally glanced at Salim's body, but he didn't urge again.

He was confident. Kuwaitis will not be even more afraid to go against the decision of the British government!

Salim's mind was constantly thinking about coping strategies, but all the ways he came up with were incorrect. Don't dare to bring it up easily.

The British are already running out of patience.

If his proposed plan is not approved, it may attract the anger of the other party...... Bringing the Kuwait Investment Authority to an even more dangerous edge.

The Kuwait Investment Authority is more than just one investment in the UK.

……

"Ugh."

After some inner struggle, Salim sighed in his heart, and finally chose to compromise. "Sir Middleton, I am willing to negotiate a reduction in the Kuwait Investment Authority's shareholding."

"Hoo ......"

Seeing Salim relent, Peter was secretly relieved, even though he knew that he was under pressure from the British government. Kuwait will definitely bow its head. But without bowing his head, Peter was still not completely reassured.

"Haha. Salim. You've made a wise choice! After Salim compromised, Sir Middleton became less serious, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

At that time.

Sir Middleton interviewed Salim so late to "negotiate" at this time. I also don't want to make this public and affect the UK's ability to attract investment.

"Hmm."

Salim replied with a slight embarrassment.

Sir Middleton turned his gaze to the silent Peter, and said happily, "Peter, next, you and Salim will talk to Salim about the details of the reduction." ”

"Okay."

Peter said happily that he was so happy that he saw Salim take a break, and that the Kuwaitis ignored the shouts that he had slashed his throat. Now it's finally retribution. How could he not be happy?

In fact.

The so-called negotiations, before Salim came, Peter and Sir Middleton were almost discussed. The reason why Middleton did not convey all the "notice" situation to the Kuwaitis is to save some face for Salim, and he does not want to completely tear his face, after all, Kuwait is rich in oil resources, and Britain needs to get oil resources from there. So after forcing Salim to agree to reduce his stake. The detailed "notice" was handed over to Peter.

"Well, Mr. Salim. We sincerely welcome the Kuwait Investment Authority as a strategic investor, albeit with a more reasonable stake. ”

After a slight pause, Peter continued: "The Kuwait Investment Authority's shareholding has been reduced to 10%, which is an acceptable ceiling. As far as I know, the Kuwait Investment Authority held nearly 27 per cent of the shares a few days ago. I hope you will transfer all the excess equity! ”

"So little?"

Salem was shocked to hear that he was going to sell 17% of his shares in BP Oil. Then he said with an angry face, "Mr. Peter, this request is too much. "The Kuwait Investment Authority spent a lot of manpower and financial resources to buy these stocks, and the other party actually opened his mouth to cut off more than half, how could he not be angry. For Peter, Salim did not have the slightest scruples.

"Uh-huh...... Salim, 10% is a fairly reasonable range, you have to understand that more than 10% of the shares, the UK government automatically gets the right to review. Middleton snorted and reminded.

Forehead.

Salim was angry, but he didn't dare to show it. He could only endure Middleton's threat. He also realized that this condition might be exactly what Middleton meant. It was only through Peter's mouth.

"The more equity the Kuwait Investment Authority holds, the better the cooperation between BP and Kuwait Oil......"

Pity.

No matter how hard Salim tried to speak, Peter resolutely held on to the 10% ceiling.

"Hey, Mr. Salim, I think it's best for the Kuwait Investment Authority to have a 10% stake, and that's not necessarily a good thing for you. Of course, with the addition of the Kuwait Investment Authority in the future, it is believed that the cooperation between BP and Kuwait Petroleum will be deeper, more extensive and closer. Peter laughed. Retaining a 10 per cent stake in the Kuwait Investment Authority is also in the belief that this relationship will allow for a more advantageous acquisition of oil blocks from Kuwait.

If it weren't for Kuwait's rich oil resources, I am afraid that it would not be possible to even have a 10% stake. Of course, without oil resources, the Kuwait Investment Authority would not have existed.

"Whew. All right. ”

Salim reluctantly complied, his efforts were not rewarded in any way, just to kill time.

"Hmm. We will recover 3.5% of the shares reduced by the Kuwait Investment Authority at the market price, and you need to reduce the excess within six months. By the way, the Kuwait Investment Authority is not allowed to sell the reduced shares to any company affiliated with you. Peter said.

"It's impossible!"

Salim's anger finally exploded, and he yelled regardless of his image. Most of the shares bought by the Kuwait Investment Authority were bought at a premium, and now they are not only forcing the Kuwait Investment Authority to reduce their holdings, but also trying to recoup them at market value, which is not only cutting the flesh from the Kuwait Investment Authority, but also sucking blood.

And.

Reducing so many shares in half a year will definitely pull down the share price of BP Oil, and it will also cause huge losses.

The price at which you buy is higher than the market price, and the price at which you sell is lower than the price you are today. As soon as one enters and one exits, the Kuwait Investment Authority is afraid that it will suffer heavy losses and vomit blood.

"Uh."

Peter didn't expect Salim to react so violently at this time.

"Whew...... We can reduce our holdings of stocks. But half a year is too short, and we need longer to find a buyer in good faith. In addition, if BP Petroleum wants to recycle some of its shares, we will be happy to cooperate as long as the price is right. If the price is lower than we expected, we will find another buyer. ”

…… (To be continued) R466