Chapter 536: 0534 Breakfast and Working People
The direct victims of this economic recession are all from the lower and middle classes of society, along with a small number of upper-class individuals.
Among those affected in the upper class, the majority are people who have just barely crossed the threshold from the middle class into the upper echelons, who have only recently established some connections within upper society as new elites.
They are unstable, becoming the primary victims.
The true old-money upper-class financial conglomerates have not been affected, just like Mr. Pato and Mr. Wardrick, their situation remains unchanged, and they might even earn more than before due to the recession.
This sounds incredible; why do these top financial conglomerates still make money during an economic recession?
In fact, a little serious thinking makes it clear: top financial conglomerates use the economic recession as a reason to apply for tax reductions or exemptions from the government, while simultaneously saving on worker wages.
Previously, when they demanded voluntary pay cuts from workers, the Workers’ Union would step forward to help workers negotiate with capitalists, but now the workers don’t, nor do the Workers’ Union; everyone silently endures.
They can also legally close some factories and legally cut down on active workers, thus legally reducing more expenses.
The Federation’s law states that the number of workers a company must hire is governed by local laws, based on how much land the company owns, not below a certain minimum threshold.
A large enterprise, a large corporate group, its factories and warehouse district sometimes compel them to hire more workers to meet the legal requirements, bearing social responsibilities they are unwilling to.
But now, they have ways to dismiss these people because their days are also "hard".
But this doesn’t mean they actually have no money; they earn even more than before.
Mr. Wardrick can plan for his daughter’s interest in filmmaking and acquiring a production company, so when a swindler presents an interesting plan that everyone finds appealing, there’s no shortage of investors, including Lynch, whose involvement aims to see if there’s a chance to profit.
Vera is unaware of the situation behind the scenes, she doesn’t understand those overly complex matters, and they quickly refocus on dinner.
Lynch enjoyed the dinner thoroughly, and after eating, Lynch and Vera rested in the living room, while the young boy obediently returned to his room and did not come out.
In his room, there is a separate TV where he can watch television or read books, overall being a well-behaved and sensible child.
In the living room, Lynch is introducing two bodyguards to Vera, overlooking their rather ordinary names, when introducing them to Vera, Lynch used the title "Chief Financial Officer."
"Are you setting up a corporation?" Vera, after acquainting herself with the two, once they voluntarily left, questioned Lynch about her earlier doubt.
The title of Chief Financial Officer is not a simple designation; ’Financial Officer’ is straightforward, and larger companies looking for a touch of ’class’ would develop flamboyant titles like ’Partner,’ which were first proposed by these individuals; in the past, ’partners’ were merely called ’Senior Managers.’
Now, anyone interacting with clients is some sort of manager, to distinguish hierarchy and to incentivize senior managers to cooperate more willingly with capitalists in exploitation, thus they become partners, partners of the capitalists: classy enough!
But the title Chief holds a bit of difference, implying changes in the specifics of financial work, not confined to a single company’s office matters but involving multiple companies, multiple offices, multiple tiers.
It essentially means evolving from managing a single company’s financial department to holding primary management roles across numerous companies’ financial departments.
In the Federation, during company registration, the social services bureau does not impose name requirements; you can adopt a name like "Pan-Universe Federation Group Corporation," and it can be just an independent, sole proprietorship, without the registrant and shareholder having connections with other companies.
The Federation never has any naming requirements for a corporation, but among entrepreneurs, some group company names actually stand for more, like Star Dream Butterfly Conglomerate, the main company’s board controlling all branch and subsidiary stocks, exercising near-total dominion over subsidiaries, branches, and affiliate bodies.
Concerning these affiliate companies’ management, the ultimate indication lies in financial control, which leads to the Chief Financial Officer title’s inception.
Vera asked because she felt if she became the Chief Financial Officer, her scope of work would expand, making work interrelations tighter.
Lynch shook his head, "I haven’t considered it for now; earlier, I established Darkstone Capital Foundation, all related companies’ finances are managed in direct and indirect ways by Darkstone Capital."
"Originally, my duties were limited within the Federation, but as events unfold, we’ll have more international business contacts, so I must find a specialized person to assist me in handling more broadly diverse accounts."
"As I mentioned before..." Lynch naturally grasped Vera’s hand, "This is a very important position; for this issue, someone I trust completely is only you!"
"You’re quite eloquent, Lynch." Vera thoroughly basked in the compliment, feeling valued and needed; any person, regardless of gender, enjoys being appreciated by those they favor, being prioritized and required—fundamental survival desires.
Actually, this position, strictly speaking, isn’t as "crucial" as Lynch states; someone capable of entering the small chamber does ensure control, even capable of self-doubt to the extent of mistrust.
It sounds comical, yet there lies the reality—that Darkstone indeed manages Lynch’s companies by controlling others; plainly put, Company A’s shares lie with Company B and C, while B and C’s stocks lie with D, E, F, G.
Just such intertwined and cross-shared holdings aren’t enough; incorporating foreign ownership’s financial management deputization—Darkstone operates as the trustee serving mysterious companies, allowing them to control company finances (based on Federation law, offshore companies establishing affiliates in the Federation must employ accountants registered with Bail Federal).
If a problem arises, the aim to investigate through Lynch executes successfully, stakeholders may wish to explore Lynch’s Darkstone relations; eventually, they realize Darkstone Capital lacks ties with other Darkstone entities.
Even with holding some stakes, all investments are legitimate; Darkstone Capital primarily accepts weighty corporation commissions managing corporate finances, Lynch a mere senior employee—not the boss.
When pursuing real possessors of public company stock, they’ll find those entities offshore or bankrupt, forming a Black Hole.
This affords Lynch time to handle such risks, resolving issues prior to fully unraveling them, reverting everything back.
Should the problem remain unresolved and counterparts gather substantial, valid evidence, Lynch might have left the Federation.
Overall, Vera felt quite touched.
At night, the pair sat together watching TV for a while, eventually retiring individually to their rooms.
Late at night, Female Soldier One suddenly became alert, opening her eyes, gently extracting a handgun from beneath the pillow and, dressed in sleepwear, opened the door.
She heard peculiar sounds, uncertain if they matched her intuition; yet, emphasizing professional competency is essential for a bodyguard, hence acting on it became imperative.
Fingertips grazing over the gun’s safety, her prowess enabling insurance release and initial firing within point-three seconds, heading toward the sounds’ origin, she spotted her colleague, Female Soldier Two.
With a fleeting, flushed visage sitting upon the stairwell, both glances intersecting briefly across the dark, Female Soldier One comprehended the nature of those noises.
She grew slightly vexed, retreated to her quarters, those faint sounds persisting for a lengthy duration before gradually fading, testing her patience!
Vera awoke early, intending to prepare breakfast for Lynch; amidst earnest cooking, a chuckle involuntarily escaped, "Not even enough?"
In her startled exclamation, certain happenings unfolded.
All in all, breakfast bore distinct flavors, concluding with Lynch exiting Vera’s residence, heading via car to the station, intent on returning to Bupen.
Mr. Herbs and the international bankers have amassed ample funds, plus transported them clandestinely to Bupen, requested expressly by Lynch.
Naturally, the Federation was keenly aware, receiving the customs application and endorsing it.
To complete everything more cohesively, tomorrow, December 25th, the world at large shall know of this revelation.
Lynch extended early invitations to numerous reporters, summoning them to witness miracles.
Previously, Lynch lacked sufficient leverage to influence so many international journalists; however, now he effectively mobilizes these reporters into Bupen under United Development Company’s board member title, anticipating the explosive, globally-stunning news!