National Tide 1980.

Chapter 1303 Changes in Situation

Unsurprisingly, Shi Kaili and Qu Xiao successfully got the job at Yves Saint Laurent.

Shi Kaili was a foolhardy person. Just based on the information she heard from Tommy, she dragged Qu Xiao to the interview site of Yves Saint Laurent the next day to recommend herself and hope for good luck.

Unexpectedly, despite having no reliable recommenders and no agents present, they were allowed to go on stage for the interview as an exception due to their nationality of the Republic and their outstanding looks, and they even achieved good scores.

Without even going back to wait for any news, he was sent to Pierre, the general manager of Saint Laurent.

It was that easy. They received a salary of 40,000 francs each and became official models for Yves Saint Laurent's July fashion show and the Paris Fashion Week's autumn and winter fashion show in September.

I have to say, this job is really sweet and the pay is really high.

This was not only the highest price they had ever received for a performance together, it even broke Shi Kaili's personal record of 36,000 francs per performance.

The most important thing is that no one will take any commission from this signing, and the nature of the work is different.

Those are almost the most important performances of Saint Laurent every year.

Although they are not the main performers, in the fashion industry dominated by Europeans, they can participate in the performance sessions of leather jackets, sweaters, dresses and skirts. In this circle, their status is no less than that of other famous models of color.

She is almost on par with the most popular Japanese models among Asian faces.

If they can complete the work, they may have a fixed agent in the future and no longer need to rely on Pierre Cardin's deliberate care.

So these two girls were simply too happy. They had no idea what was going on and did not realize that they were still unintentionally receiving Ning Weimin's favor and help.

They also mistakenly believed that Yves Saint Laurent particularly favored Asian models and that they were lucky.

And we optimistically imagine that this may herald an aesthetic change in the European fashion industry.

Shi Kaili, in particular, wanted to drag Qu Xiao to a nightclub to have fun that day to celebrate.

Because Qu Xiao opposed it, she even made bold statements.

"Big sister, come with me. Don't worry about the money. Our situation will definitely get better and better in the future, and we will never lack jobs. The French are not stupid, why would they hire those little bow-legged Japanese? Let me tell you, our careers are already on the rise. We were chosen by Yves Saint Laurent this year, and maybe Chanel and Dior next year. Do you believe it? Okay, okay, go ahead, just practice your French, and maybe you can meet a romantic French handsome guy. It will also prevent you from being trapped in love and thinking about people you shouldn't think about when you grow old..."

These two simple girls are really too optimistic.

How could we understand that, in fact, all the gifts from fate have a hidden price behind them?

In your life, whatever gifts you receive, you need to pay the corresponding price.

There will always be a day when you will pay something in return. This is the balance of supply and demand in life.

But this cannot be blamed on them being too young, because as far as this truth is concerned, in fact, many people who have lived for most of their lives, even those who are successful and have high social status, only figured it out when they were faced with the possibility of disaster or death.

The price they pay for their confusion will inevitably be extremely painful, just like those who once trusted Bernard Arnault.

In fact, the day after Qu Xiao and Shi Kaili got the job, Alain Chevalier, the former president of MH, ran to Dior angrily to hold Bernard accountable.

The old man was furious. Although he was seventy years old, he still shouted at Bernard almost with a broken voice.

"It's ridiculous! How dare you do this! Didn't we agree to make peace? Why are you still buying LVMH shares in the open market? What on earth are you trying to do?"

However, Bernard Arnault's reaction was surprisingly calm. He showed no fear or shame at all.

Instead, he laughed, "Yeah, so what?"

"How about it?"

Seeing his indifferent behavior, Alain Chevalier became even more angry.

"You guy! You're pretty happy, aren't you! What you're doing is reckless. You're destroying the peace agreement we reached with great difficulty. Do you want the infighting in the company to continue? If you keep doing this, the company will really split, and even the stock price will collapse and fall heavily. No investor will believe in a company with internal chaos, and the shareholders will be unhappy. How am I going to clean up this mess then?"

However, Bernard Arnault kept smiling and repeated what he had just said.

"Yes, that's what you said. But I still say the same thing, so what?"

He even said provocatively, "Excuse me, but what you said just now is a bit exaggerated. Now there are actually quite a few shareholders who are willing to support me to become the chairman of the board, not to mention that I now have 40% of the shares. So, let me ask, since I already have the support of the vast majority of shareholders, how can the company split? Who else would oppose me? As for the future of the company and the stock price, I think you don't need to worry about it."

This was clear enough, and Alain Chevalier finally realized that something was wrong.

He froze on the spot, staring at the other person in amazement.

After a long while, he murmured, "But...we...didn't we agree on this...you promised me that you would quit as long as you got Dior cosmetics and perfume."

And at this time, Bernard Arnault finally showed his true colors.

His smile widened, revealing his snow-white teeth in his open mouth.

"I only promised you to consider it, but the plan has changed. I have changed my mind now. To be honest, I don't want to listen to other people's orders. In fact, I have never been prepared to listen to other people's orders. So, for my own sake, I will still fight this business war to the end."

Alain Chevalier was so angry that he was shaking. He spread out his hands and said tremblingly, "But why did you do this? You obviously got what you wanted!"

"Don't you understand? I have a big appetite. Don't think you can just use Dior's perfume and beauty business to get rid of me. That's not enough. It's far from enough as a trophy. Now that I have a complete advantage, what I want is the entire LVMH!"

Bernard Arnault's tone was simply sarcastic when he said this.

It was almost like putting the word "stupid" on Alain Chevalier's forehead.

"What? How dare you!"

Alan felt like the sky was falling. Only then did he truly understand the evil ambitions of the man in front of him.

This hateful guy not only treated LV as his prey, but also planned to retaliate against himself.

"Oh my God, I can't believe it. You are going to betray every partner and disappoint everyone who trusts you. Guinness had warned me to be careful of you, but I spoke well of you. I told them you were trustworthy, and I told them Bernard Arnault was a gentleman! He would stand firmly on our side! But now you treat me like this..."

However, Bernard Arnault was completely unmoved and instead scolded him rudely.

"Okay, just shut up."

Alan's self-esteem began to shatter and collapse.

"What? Shut up? How dare you talk to me like that!"

"What's the big deal? I promised you before just to confuse you. You are stupid and believed me wrongly. Excuse me, but an old guy like you is useless. Your mind is full of outdated ideas. You are too soft-hearted and can't do what you should do. In fact, both you and Henri Lacamier are burdens to this company. It has always been you who have hindered the development of LVMH. Old fools like you should have left long ago. I have always disliked you."

Bernard Arnault smiled smugly, but his words became more and more unpleasant.

"Do you know what I'm going to do next? My next step is to ask the board of directors to fire all of you, so instead of nagging me here, you might as well go back and enjoy your last few days. Believe me, that office will not belong to you soon. Even if you flatter me now, I will not change my mind. Only if you all get out, it will be good for everyone..." "No way! LVMH is my territory." Alain Chevalier was about to vomit blood.

"It used to be yours, but you gave me the shares and gave me the voting authorization. You signed the agreement, didn't you? It cannot be transferred, and you cannot withdraw midway. I am the one who makes the full decision. So, don't make trouble for yourself. If you listen to my arrangements and leave the company, you will still get dividends. Although I can't guarantee that you will be satisfied."

"You bastard! You're a thief, you son of a bitch! Give me back my shares."

Alain Chevalier's impatience caused the old gentleman to utter a foul language for the first time.

But no matter how loud he shouted, it was useless, because carnivores were never afraid of herbivores.

"Haha, you old fool, what are you talking about in your sleep? Things have come to this point, and you still want me to spit out the meat I have bitten in my mouth. This is impossible! Do you know? Everything is doomed. I won! You all lost! From now on, everyone in France, and even in Europe, will know that LVMH is going to change its owner. This most valuable company in France is mine. From now on, LVMH will enter a new era in my hands. The brands under it will truly merge and embrace each other. In the future, I will not only have Dior, Louis Vuitton, but also Moët. I will create an unprecedented and most profitable business group..."

"You won't succeed, and you will regret it. I won't allow it, I'm going to find someone to deal with you!"

No one would be willing to be humiliated, Alain Chevalier gritted his teeth and said harshly.

However, by doing so, he only brought shame upon himself, because Bernard Arnault knew him well enough to see through his weak nature.

"Please do as you please. Actually, no one can stop me."

"Be careful, kid, you're going to lose badly."

Alain Chevalier found it difficult to even argue and could no longer utter any intimidating words.

On the other hand, the other side is in high spirits.

"No, no, I won't lose. Only those who bet on me will lose miserably. Do you want to provoke me? Then you'd better know how ruthless I am. If you want to deal with me, I will bite you to death first. People like you always want to be decent. Then I give you one last piece of advice. Be honest and don't cause any more trouble, then you can retire decently. Otherwise, I will make your end worse than Henri Lacamier!"

Looking at Bernard Arnault in front of him, his fangs were fully exposed and he was ruthless.

Alain Chevalier felt not only strange but also terrified.

He knew that the other party was not joking, and he knew that the other party would really do what he said.

So I don’t know whether this time it was out of fear or cowardice.

Even though the other party was almost pointing at his nose and humiliating him, he didn't dare to say anything.

He just turned around and left dejectedly with a cold face, full of indignation and the humiliation he had suffered today.

He never expected that coming here today would lead to such an outcome.

Not only did he fail to give an explanation to Henri Lacamier, who angrily scolded him for breaking the contract, but he was about to lose everything.

Simply saying "regret" would not accurately describe his feelings.

It should be said that I regret it to the point of death, I am heartbroken, and life has lost all interest.

However, he was still thinking in his mind that he had to inform Henri Lacamier of the news first.

It would be best for both parties to meet as soon as possible to jointly consider countermeasures.

However, fate messed with him in the most unexpected way.

When he was anxiously and eagerly trying to get into the car, the moment he bent down, he suffered a stroke because of his excessive excitement.

At that time, he felt that the sun seemed to have descended into his car, and above his head, there was a shining golden star in front of his eyes, and then he knew nothing.

He wasn't even able to go anywhere before he was sent to the hospital.

So it seems to be unfair, but after this incident, Bernard Arnault faced less resistance in taking control of LVMH, and it became easier for him to aspire for the throne he wanted.

LV was caught completely off guard. Henry Lacamier had not made any preparations at all, except for the anger that accumulated in his heart and had nowhere to vent.

When the board meeting was held the next day, the man wanted to question the chairman of the board in person, asking him whether he understood what a gentleman's commitment meant.

He was still thinking about publicly attacking MH's Alain Chevalier and making him lose face.

However, he heard several pieces of bad news and encountered changes in the situation that he could neither accept nor cope with.

Alan, whom he considered to be his old rival, was actually hospitalized, so he withdrew from the board of directors.

Bernard Arnault took this opportunity to seize the position of chairman of the board.

That’s not all. Bernard even took advantage of the issue and suggested that elderly people like Alan, who are over 70 years old, should withdraw from the board of directors and enjoy their retirement, which would be good for both their personal health and the development of the company.

All of a sudden, Henri Lacamier felt a great deal of pressure. He realized how powerful his new rival's methods were. His old rival acted much more ruthlessly and efficiently.

At this time, he was panicked, confused, and at a loss.

Of course, I couldn't help but think of Pierre Cardon's good advice.

He regretted as much as Alan for being too careless and stubborn, which led to this situation.

Is regret useful?

Henri Lacamier was surprised to learn that Bernard had acquired 40 percent of the shares through acquisition.

Moreover, this guy also gained the support of some shareholders, and the voting rights he could control and influence were as high as 53%. He lost all his confidence and courage to fight back.

If he wasn't smart enough, he would have known to throw away useless face at the critical moment and secretly called Pierre Cardon again.

If he didn't have a reliable friend, he would have unexpectedly learned a life-saving piece of good news from this phone call.

Pierre Cardin and Ning Weimin actually acted on their own. Even without his participation, they still spent a lot of money to acquire 3% of LVMH's shares at a high price recently.

This leaves him with some chance of survival by raising funds to buy stocks and gaining a veto power.

Otherwise, he wouldn't even have the possibility to stay on the board of directors and disgust the traitor.

Needless to say, when the time came and it was a matter of life and death, Henri Lacamier could no longer care about anything else.

Even if he had to sell everything he had and pay a huge price, he would buy one percent of the shares.

In order to protect his LV and defend his position and power on the board of directors.