Rebirth of England

In a conference room at the Sinclair Group headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, the members of the board of directors gathered again to elect the chairman of Sinclair Group according to David Smith's proposal.

As Ivanta said, during the previous break, David Smith had already made a lot of efforts for the afternoon board meeting. During the morning board meeting, he proposed to elect a new chairman. But when he was opposed by shareholders including Vanguard Group and IC Capital, he already understood that some exchange of interests was needed before he could truly gain the support of the other party.

He did indeed do this, so now, with a calm smile on David Smith's face, the situation is under his control.

Not just him, almost all other board members completed a lot of contacts during that break...

"Gentlemen and ladies, everyone has now arrived at the agreed time. Mr. Amber Sheehan, the representative of DS Capital, has also come online remotely. Let's start the afternoon board meeting..."

It was still chaired by Ms. Debbie Hogan, the chief legal officer of Sinclair Group. Seeing that everyone had no objections, she continued:

"According to the proposal of the acting chairman, Mr. David Smith, we are going to conduct an election of chairman. So, who should start first?"

After her words fell, David Smith said directly:

"I recommend that I serve as the chairman of Sinclair Group. I think the current company needs a convincing person to lead Sinclair Group to continue and gain the recognition of investors. I am I have been serving as CEO in the group since before Sinclair Group went public. I believe everyone knows what kind of person I am. Therefore, I think that if there is one person who can make Sinclair Group become the largest in the United States or even the world, Radio and Television Group, that can only be me!"

In the United States, there is no Chinese habit of "humility". David Smith directly nominated himself to serve as chairman.

After he finished speaking, Debbie Hogan continued to ask according to the process:

"Mr. David Smith becomes the first candidate for chairman. Are there any other candidates participating?"

After she asked this question, almost everyone in the conference room looked at John Smith, the member of the Sinclair family who had previously challenged his eldest brother.

Sure enough, John Smith did not disappoint everyone.

Compared with the despair at the last moment of the morning, John Smith seems to have regained his strength at this time, but I don't know whether his current state is really something to rely on, or is it a bluff?

"I hope to become the chairman of Sinclair Group. Although in terms of qualifications, as my dear eldest brother, David Smith said, he has richer experience, but the current situation of Sinclair Group, everyone should have it. As we know, although the scale has been expanding, it has also accumulated high debts and been under heavy pressure, but there has been no corresponding improvement in revenue. I believe everyone understands that the company has reached the point where it needs to It's time for change. The traditional TV business is constantly sluggish. We need to increase profitability in emerging businesses, such as the currently booming Internet industry... The so-called experience often means the limitations of old ideas!"

"You fart, put away your bastard thoughts..."

Just when David Smith couldn't help spitting out the fragrance, Debbie Hogan coughed twice and interrupted the upcoming verbal battle between the two. She said:

"Now that there are two candidates for chairman, are there any candidates who have not been nominated?"

After waiting for two minutes, Debbie Hogan said:

"Then the purpose of today's board of directors meeting is to elect the chairman. The candidates are David Smith and John Smith. Now please write the name of the candidate you want to vote for, as well as your own name, on the envelope sent to Your piece of paper. As for Mr. Amber Sheehan, who participated in the board meeting via remote telephone, you need to be the first to name the candidate you want to vote for after I get these ballots back, if there are no questions. , then we will start voting now.”

Next, Debbie Hogan distributed the prepared white paper and pens to the 10 board members present, while Amber Sheehan, representing DS Capital, will write down the votes after everyone has taken them back. , first said on the phone who he voted for...

For a moment, the conference room fell into an unspeakable silence. Some people were writing on paper with pens, while others were watching everyone's movements or expressions from left to right.

Finally, after a few minutes, everyone’s folded “ballots” were received into the hands of Ms. Debbie Hogan.

"Now that I have obtained ten 'ballots', the board members present have completed their selections. So, Mr. Amber Sheehan, please announce who you will vote for? Mr. David Smith, Or Mr. John Smith?"

"It is an honor to participate in the meeting that determines the future of Sinclair Group. On behalf of DS Capital, I will vote for..."

On the phone, Amber Sheehan said the name after a brief pause:

"Mr. John Smith."

The moment his vote was announced, John Smith had an uncontrollable smile on his face, while David Smith frowned slightly, then relaxed and looked at the others.

"Congratulations to Mr. John Smith, who received one vote. Now, I will read out your votes..."

Debbie Hogan picked up a "ballot", unfolded it, and said:

"Vote for David Smith, by David Smith."

Well, that's no surprise at all, just like the next ballot.

“Vote for John Smith, from John Smith.”

Go ahead, pick up the "ballot", unfold it, and read it.

"Vote for David Smith, from Duncan Smith."

"Vote for John Smith, from Barbara Smith."

…

When Debbie Hogan read the votes of all members of the Sinclair family, it could be said that their preferences remained the same as they had been in the morning.

In the votes at this time, John Smith leads David Smith 4:3. The leading vote came from the original vote cast by Amber Sheehan on behalf of DS Capital.

"Vote for David Smith, via Collis Bowman."

It was tied again, 4:4, with David Smith receiving one vote from a BNY Mellon representative.

"Vote for John Smith, via Julie Berry."

The young black female representative of Fidelity Investments is still on the side of John Smith...

"Vote for David Smith, via Joyce Wren."

But this time, Vanguard Group chose David Smith...

It looks like they got enough commitment from David Smith to satisfy them.

The history is strikingly similar. Among the 10 public votes now, John Smith and David Smith have reached a tie.

5:5!

Now only Ivanta's vote is left, and it is still the vote that determines the outcome of both parties.