Chapter 717 - 455: Bankruptcy

Chapter 717: Chapter 455: Bankruptcy

What?

Crown Territory is going bankrupt?

Hearing this, Feng Mountain’s previously relaxed expression instantly froze, his eyes filled with shock.

He froze, unsure how to react.

After a long moment, he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence.

"Is it that serious? You must have made a mistake."

Tessa unhurriedly opened the file in her hand.

She laid it flat on the table.

Her slender finger pointed to the densely packed columns of numbers as she began her methodical explanation.

"This is your financial report. Based on my detailed analysis and summary, Crown Territory’s situation is not looking good. Costs and expenses have been continuously rising, putting enormous pressure on your cash flow. At the same time, the Territory’s main sources of revenue are severely lacking, and the return on your initial project investments is nowhere in sight."

She then paused, her tone growing heavier.

"Also, you used land in the Crown Territory as collateral for a 20 million US Dollar loan from Wells Fargo Bank with a five-year term and a 4% fixed interest rate. In addition, you owe an installment payment of 11 million US Dollars to the Mercedes-Benz Group Ship Company, and the contract states this amount must be paid in full within the year."

Tessa continued, her voice steady yet carrying an undeniable seriousness.

Her eyes were locked on Feng Mountain, trying to make him understand the gravity of the situation.

"Based on Crown Territory’s current earnings, you will be unable to repay this loan in four years. More importantly, there are many unreasonable cash expenditures. These expenses weren’t shown on any official statements, just simply recorded."

"This is completely unreasonable. A Christmas Eve party with a simple log entry of over 3 million in cash expenses. How was this money allocated? Where did it go?"

"And this one—the purchase of a burial plot for 1 million US Dollars. What kind of plot costs that much? Was God buried there?"

"Then there’s the most recent cash outflow, showing a salary payment of 150,000 US Dollars. May I ask what this expense was for?"

At this, Tessa’s brows furrowed, her expression growing even more grim.

When she’d received the ledgers from Miss Jenny, she had seen that the records inside could only be described as an absolute mess.

It was arguably the messiest set of books she had ever seen in her entire career.

"If you continue to spend at this rate, it’s highly probable that you will not be able to make the second 11 million US Dollar payment for the ship to the Mercedes-Benz Group Ship Company by the contractual deadline."

"Once you fail to make that payment on time, the Mercedes-Benz Group Ship Company will have the right to sue you for breach of contract. At that point, not only will the Crown Territory face massive damages, but it could also trigger a chain reaction that will deepen this financial crisis."

Tessa finished in a rush and then watched Feng Mountain silently, awaiting his response.

The tension at the dining table was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

As Tessa spoke, Feng Mountain’s face grew darker and uglier, like a sky filling with storm clouds.

He sank back into his chair, his eyes glued to the dense rows of numbers on the report, and asked in a dry voice,

"So how much money do I have left?"

Tessa flipped the report to the final page, pointed to a number, and said in a calm but resigned tone,

"I’m sorry, but your current personal cash balance is 9.63 million US Dollars, against total expenditures of 39.87 million. I honestly can’t imagine how you spend so much money."

What!

’I spent almost 40 million.’

’How did I not even feel it?’

Feng Mountain couldn’t help but cry out in shock again, his head buzzing.

Whenever he was spending money,

he never thought the numbers were all that staggering.

But now, seeing the total expenses laid out, he finally understood the gravity of the problem.

Seeing her boss’s lost and helpless expression, Tessa sighed to herself.

She made a quiet comparison in her mind.

’Compared to Asians, who tend to be diligent and frugal...’

’...my boss’s spending habits are more like a carefree Black person’s.’

’He doesn’t seem to care how much wealth he actually has, only chasing the thrill of spending.’

It was precisely because of this unrestrained consumption that within six months, his expenses had completely outstripped his income.

"Right, I still have the *River Beach*! It generates income as long as it’s operating at sea," Feng Mountain said quickly, his eyes lighting up.

Tessa’s expression remained placid as she responded softly,

"I’ve reviewed your bank account statements and found that there have been no deposits from the *River Beach* since last December. To my knowledge, the ship is still operating at sea, but for some unknown reason, not one cent of income has been deposited."

’This...!’

Feng Mountain was suddenly speechless, his throat tight as if something were lodged in it. He couldn’t get a word out.

’I can’t believe she investigated the *River Beach* so thoroughly.’

’For a moment, I have no idea how to explain this.’

’Alvin is still carrying out my mission.’

’He’s fishing without restriction in the Bering Sea to replenish the Fire Seed’s Soul Power.’

’Besides, the catch is all of low commercial value. After deducting costs like fuel and maintenance, the money left over is just enough to pay the crew’s salaries. There’s no extra money to deposit.’

’But this whole business involves the secret of the Fire Seed. There’s no way I can tell Tessa about it.’

After a moment of thought, he could only say awkwardly, "The *River Beach* is dealing with some special circumstances right now, so it can’t submit its earnings for the time being."

Tessa nodded, her brow furrowing slightly.

She considered how to resolve the financial predicament the Crown Territory was now facing.

"If that’s the case, then I suggest we restructure the Crown Territory to minimize unnecessary costs. At the same time, we must strictly regulate all spending to eliminate waste and unreasonable consumption at every level."