Nikolas leaned back in his chair. A tablet rested on his hand, the screen containing the investment revenue from sterling holdings.
His eyes trailed through the contents of the screen. He had gone through them earlier, but with his latest distractions, he needed to review them again just to be sure of what he knew.
On the surface, it looked like a solid company with a respectable reputation, steady revenue streams, and an ambitious expansion plan. But when Nikolas took a closer look, the cracks were evident. The company had been struggling for a while, too long, in fact, for its recent financial reports to make sense.
For the past two years, Sterling Holdings has been operating at the edge of its financial capacity. Declining profit margins, increasing debts, and now, suddenly, an aggressive expansion plan that required significant funding. Nikolas had seen this pattern before.
A company, bleeding money, trying to patch the wound with investor capital.
And he wasn't about to let his money be a temporary bandage for a sinking ship.
The knock at the door sliced through his thoughts right in time.
"Come in," Nikolas called.
The door opened, and Frank Sterling walked in, exuding confidence. His navy suit was immaculate, tailored to perfection, and his facial expression was calm and composed as he extended his hand out for a handshake.
"Nikolas Darkos. Good to finally meet you in person."
Nikolas stood, shaking his hand with a firm grip. "Likewise. Please, have a seat."
Frank settled into the chair across from him, his expression unreadable. Nikolas not wasting time on small talk.
"I've gone through your investment proposal," Nikolas began, tapping his fingers against the folder on his desk. "And I have questions."
Frank's pursed lips stretched into a firm smile. "I expected nothing less. What's on your mind?" he asked as he leaned forward.
Nikolas straightened up, his fixed gaze studying the man carefully.
"Sterling Holdings is projecting substantial growth over the next three years. Yet, your financial records show a company that has been treading water for quite some time. Dating back four years to be exact, the Increased expenditures, inconsistent revenue, and a debt-to-equity ratio that doesn't exactly inspire confidence. So, tell me, why should I invest my money in a company that's barely staying afloat?"
Nikolas could remember vividly how, five years ago, the media was painted red, with Sterling Holding's CEO as the talk of the city. His wife-to-be had run off with a man during the wedding, leaving him standing at the altar alone. Nikolas can't seem to take his mind off the fact that that incident had been the beginning of his downfall.
Frank didn't flinch, though Nikolas didn't miss the slight shift in his posture but he covered it up well. "I won't deny that the past couple of years have been challenging. The market took unexpected turns, and we had to make difficult decisions to keep operations running smoothly. But we've adapted. We're expanding into new sectors, securing partnerships that will drive long-term profitability. The numbers may look unstable now, but that's the price of growth."
Nikolas raised a curious brow. "Or the price of desperation?" he asked.
Frank's jaw tightened, but only for a few seconds before he let out a chuckle. "You don't sugarcoat things, do you?"
"I have no time for it," Nikolas said coolly. His expression blank "I invest in results, not promises."
Frank nodded as though he shared an understanding with his straightforwardness. "That's fair. But I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe in Sterling Holdings' potential. We have an infrastructure that works, a team that's capable, and a strategy that will put us ahead of our competitors. What we need is the right investor to see the vision and come in at the ground level before we take off."
Nikolas studied him carefully. Frank was smooth, too smooth in fact. He knew exactly how to sell an idea and craft his words to sound convincing. But Nikolas had been in this game for too long to buy into polished pitches without proof.
He flipped through the proposal again, without hiding his disinterest as he pressed further. "Let's talk specifics. Your proposal mentions a planned expansion into international markets. That requires capital, manpower, and logistical execution. How exactly do you plan to finance that without stretching your resources too thin?"
Frank clasped his hands together, bringing his elbows on the desk. "We've already initiated negotiations with several overseas partners. By securing distribution channels and forming alliances before launching full-scale operations, we minimize risk and optimize returns. The capital we're seeking from investors like you isn't just to fund the expansion, but to accelerate it."
Nikolas nodded slowly as he let the words sink in. "And what about your current liabilities? Because from what I see here, your outstanding debts are increasing. If this expansion doesn't deliver immediate returns, how do you plan to keep your company from sinking further?"
Frank hesitated slightly as though he was trying to make the words work before continuing, "We've restructured our financial strategy. Diversified our revenue streams. The debt is being managed, and once our new operations are fully functional, we'll see a turnaround. It's not a matter of if", his gaze fixed on Nikolas, "but only a matter of when."
"Managed debt my foot," Nikolas thought silently.
Tapping his fingers against the desk, his gaze watching Frank closely. "That's a lot of confidence."
Frank met his gaze equally, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "That's business."
Nikolas's gaze fixed on Frank, and from the way he spoke with confidence for someone who needed his help, he knew Frank was holding something back. No businessman buried this deep in depth could be this self-assured without a backup plan. Either he had another investor lined up, or he was betting everything on a last-minute win.
Nikolas leaned back in his chair as though considering Franks' proposal: "If I were to invest, what exactly would I be getting in return? What makes Sterling Holdings worth the risk?"
Frank smiled slightly. "A stake in a company that's about to dominate its industry. And, of course, a significant return on your investment."
Nikolas smirked. "That's what they all say."
Frank let out a low chuckle. "And yet, the smart ones see the opportunity before everyone else does."
Nikolas exhaled through his nose, running a hand down his face. He wasn't convinced, not yet, not at all. But he had to admit, Frank wasn't easily shaken. That alone made him worth keeping an eye on.
"Like I said, I don't rush decisions," Nikolas finally said. I'll need time to go over everything, making sure the numbers tally before I give you an answer. I wouldn't want to put money on an already sinking ship. "
Frank nodded, his expression unreadable. "I look forward to it."
They stood, shaking hands once more. As Frank turned to leave, Nikolas's gaze fixed on his retreating figure, that nagging curiosity still lingering.
Sterling Holdings was struggling. That much was very clear. But Frank wasn't acting like a man on the verge of collapse.
This meant he was either hiding something or had another card up his sleeve.
Either way, Nikolas intended to wait it out until he found out what it was.