Before encountering the joint targeting by several giant corporations, Min Ziqiong had already signed preliminary contracts with these business partners.
At that time, Min Ziqiong believed that holding the epoch-making product "Mirage" (Shen Jing) left no room for failure.
However, she never expected to face consecutive setbacks, not only failing to secure loans from banks but also having all her financing channels blocked.
As a result, she was now completely unable to pay the amounts stipulated in the contracts!
These business partners had been extremely optimistic about the prospects of "Mirage" when signing the preliminary contracts. They hadn't demanded a deposit from Min Ziqiong, instead stipulating that a portion of "Mirage's" intellectual property would be transferred as liquidated damages if Min Ziqiong defaulted.
In other words, if Min Ziqiong breached the contract, these partners would each acquire a portion of "Mirage's" intellectual property rights!
Of course, when signing the preliminary contracts, these partners hadn't truly harbored any designs on "Mirage."
After all, they didn't believe that such an epoch-making product as "Mirage" would encounter any problems.
Conversely, as long as Min Ziqiong was willing, countless people would flock to invest.
The probability of Min Ziqiong defaulting was virtually zero.
But as events unfolded, no one could have predicted that Min Ziqiong would offend several multinational corporations consecutively, leading to her being comprehensively blacklisted!
The probability of Min Ziqiong defaulting had now soared from zero to nearly one hundred percent!
In just a few more hours, after midnight tonight, Min Ziqiong would officially be in default!
They would then be able to officially acquire a portion of "Mirage's" intellectual property rights!
"Ms. Min, your time is running out. We've come to remind you out of consideration for our past relationship. If it weren't for that, we could simply wait quietly for midnight to strike and then declare the breach of contract."
"You won't even have time to cry then!"
One of the partners said with a forced smile.
Seeing the expression on this partner's face, a flash of realization struck Min Ziqiong.
She understood: these business partners had also been bribed by those giant corporations!
They had deliberately chosen to come and pressure her hours in advance, precisely to put Min Ziqiong in an extremely difficult position!
If Min Ziqiong didn't pay, then a portion of "Mirage's" intellectual property would become these partners';
If Min Ziqiong didn't want to cede the intellectual property rights of "Mirage," she would have to find a way to pay.
But in the current situation, Min Ziqiong couldn't get a single cent and was utterly incapable of paying the contract amounts.
Unless...
She surrendered to those giant corporations and sold "Mirage"!
However, how could Min Ziqiong be willing to submit?
But if she didn't submit, those giant corporations could also acquire "Mirage's" intellectual property rights from the business partners after the default.
In other words, Min Ziqiong was trapped in a dead end!
No matter what, the intellectual property rights of "Mirage" could not be saved!
Unless a god of wealth descended from the heavens and conjured a pile of cash for Min Ziqiong on the spot!
But how could such a thing possibly happen?
Despite feeling despair in her heart, Min Ziqiong still put up a brave front, saying, "There are still seven and a half hours until midnight. How do you know I can't come up with the money?"
"Heh, Ms. Min, you're still stubborn! Everyone in Jianghai knows that not a single bank or company dares to lend you money right now!"
"Ms. Min is now a juicy cake, and everyone is watching from the sidelines, waiting for the time to come and get a slice. Why do you think anyone would help you?"
"Exactly. We advise Ms. Min to be sensible and obediently sign the contract to transfer 'Mirage' to those giant corporations! That way, we can receive the final payment, and Ms. Min can also make a fortune, achieve financial freedom, live a leisurely life, and become an object of envy. I really don't understand what you're persisting for..."
The business partners spoke one after another, inadvertently revealing their true intentions.
They had indeed been bought by the giant corporations and had come to pressure her!
Hearing this, Min Ziqiong sneered, and a hint of coldness appeared in her eyes.
"I chose to cooperate with you gentlemen because I valued your character and reputation. I never imagined that you would be willing to be lackeys for foreign capital! I misjudged you!"
"However, please convey this to those giant corporations: I, Min Ziqiong, will not sell 'Mirage' to them even if I have to sell everything I own! Before midnight tonight, I will definitely pay the contract amount! 'Mirage' will absolutely not fall into the hands of outsiders!"
"That is all I have to say. I have no intention of entertaining you. You gentlemen should hurry back and report back. Perhaps you will earn a few scraps of reward from your masters!"
With that, Min Ziqiong slammed the villa door shut.
The business partners, blocked outside, looked at Min Ziqiong and stamped their feet in anger.
"Min Ziqiong, who are you calling a dog?"
"A wise person knows when to adapt! We are wise, not dogs!"
"Min Ziqiong, just you wait! After midnight, you'll see! Even if you beg us, crawl and lick our toes, we will absolutely not let you off!"
Listening to their curses, Min Ziqiong turned and walked away without looking back.
The few partners exchanged glances and sighed in unison: "What should we do? This woman is incredibly stubborn and gives us no chance!"
"What else can we do? Wait until midnight! Anyway, she's at her wit's end and has no support, unable to borrow a cent. Once the time comes, we'll directly acquire a portion of 'Mirage's' intellectual property and resell it to those giant corporations. The profit will be much higher than cooperating with Min Ziqiong!"
"That's right. Then let's not leave. We'll camp outside her house! As soon as midnight strikes, we'll rush in and declare the breach of contract!"
The business partners decided to guard the villa entrance and wait until midnight!
Min Ziqiong, seeing from the window that the business partners had no intention of leaving, felt a surge of anxiety.
She subconsciously picked up her phone and opened her contacts.
First, she dialed the number of a girlfriend with whom she had a relatively good relationship: "Hello, Xixi, can you lend me some money? About thirty million! I'm in an emergency, and I'll repay you as soon as 'Mirage' is in production."
However, from the other end of the phone came her friend's refusal: "I'm sorry, Xiao Qiong. It's not that I don't want to lend it to you, but the money in the company is controlled by my father, and I can't possibly get thirty million! And my father said... said... that now that you're being targeted by giants, if we help you, our family will end up in the same situation as you..."
Before her friend could finish, Min Ziqiong interrupted: "Alright, Xixi, I understand. I won't bother you anymore. Goodbye."
Although she had long anticipated this outcome, looking at the phone, Min Ziqiong fell into a prolonged silence and sorrow.
If even her closest friend was like this, there was no point in asking anyone else.
Min Ziqiong flipped through her phonebook, unable to find anyone she could trust.
Finally, her gaze fell upon her father's number.
People always said that blood is thicker than water.
Perhaps her father, who had always had some affection for her, would be willing to help her at this moment?
With this thought, Min Ziqiong, feeling apprehensive, dialed her father's number.