Chapter 164: Conventional Business Tactics

Hardy briefly considered more extreme methods, such as kidnapping Edward Noble to force him into a sale, but quickly dismissed the idea. For a legitimate business, adhering to conventional methods was essential. Resorting to underworld tactics could jeopardize his reputation and future business dealings. 

In the realm of legitimate business, ethical practices must prevail. Hardy knew that any hint of unethical behavior could lead to widespread rejection from the business community. 

Hardy instructed Andy and Henry to proceed with their respective roles. Andy would negotiate with Noble, while Henry would ensure their safety and gather intelligence on Noble's situation. They were to use traditional, lawful methods to achieve their goals.

The next day, Andy and Henry flew to Springfield on an HD Airlines charter. Springfield, Illinois, known for its scenic beauty and historical significance as the hometown of Abraham Lincoln, was where they would meet Noble.

Upon arrival, Andy and Henry settled into a hotel, and Henry began setting up their operation. He procured two cars and a truck, disguising the truck as a phone repair vehicle. They drove to Noble's manor on the city's outskirts and began working on the phone lines, installing devices to monitor conversations while creating interference on non-useful lines. 

Mrs. Noble, frustrated by the phone issues, called for repair. Henry's team, posing as technicians, arrived promptly and installed the monitoring devices, ensuring they were well-hidden. They conducted their work meticulously, leaving Mrs. Noble satisfied with the service.

Once the monitoring setup was complete, Henry and his team moved to a rented house near the phone lines to securely monitor the conversations.

At Noble's candy company, Henry's team repeated the process, installing monitoring devices on the phones there as well. These devices were small, powered by the phone line, and allowed them to listen in on relevant business discussions without being detected.

With everything in place, Andy contacted Noble to schedule a meeting. Noble, recognizing the seriousness of the offer, agreed to discuss the sale of ABC Broadcasting Company.

At the meeting, Noble greeted Andy warmly. "Hello Mr. Noble, I'm Andy, Mr. Jon Hardy's economic adviser. I'm here to discuss acquiring ABC TV on behalf of Mr. Hardy."

Noble, familiar with Hardy's reputation due to the success of "Playboy" magazine, was receptive. "Jon Hardy, owner of 'Playboy'?" he inquired.

"Yes, that's correct," Andy confirmed.

Noble invited Andy to sit, and the discussion began. Andy offered $10 million for ABC. Noble immediately rejected the offer, citing a higher bid of $14 million he had received previously.

Andy, aware that Noble's rejection was part of standard negotiation tactics, calmly explained, "Four years ago, you purchased Lan.com for $8 million. Given the obsolescence of the equipment and the decline in ratings, we believe $10 million is a fair offer considering the value of the network's agreement with other TV stations."

Noble, a shrewd businessman, was not easily swayed. He insisted that ABC's value was more significant than Andy's offer and was confident that the network's future potential justified a higher price.

Andy proposed formal negotiations, and Noble agreed, setting a date three days later to accommodate his economic lawyer's schedule.

After Andy's departure, Noble called potential buyers, including Alderman of Pegasus Rubber Tire Company and Leonard Gordonson of Paramount Pictures, informing them of the competitive situation. He hoped to drive up the price by creating a bidding war. Noble's aim was to sell ABC for no less than $12 million, ideally $13 million, due to its potential value despite its current state.

Unbeknownst to Noble, Henry's team was able to intercept and relay this information to Andy. 

Recognizing the potential for a bidding war, Andy briefed Hardy on the situation. Hardy, understanding the implications, instructed Andy to coordinate with Henry for further actions.

The following afternoon, Richard and Matthew arrived in Springfield with their respective teams. Richard brought a sniper team for security, while Matthew led a combat team. Hardy's strategy was to employ conventional business methods while ensuring they were well-prepared for any situation.

With everything in place, Hardy was ready to navigate the negotiations and secure the best possible outcome for the acquisition of ABC Broadcasting Company.