Page 149 of 12 Years
‘3.75,’ Philip said.
Max and his analyst kept moving their gaze from Philip to me, like they were watching a tennis match.
‘Four billion,’ I said, ‘if we shake hands now.’
‘Subject to proper due diligence?’ Neeraj said.
‘Of course,’ I said.
Philip extended his hand. ‘I think we have a deal,’ he said.
‘We certainly do,’ I said and shook his hand.
‘Superb, I’ll send a draft conditional term sheet,’ Max said, unable to contain his excitement as he mentally calculated his investment-banking commission. ‘The due-diligence team will work from your office. When can we start?’ he said.
‘As soon as possible,’ I said.
‘How many people will be conducting the due diligence? We’ll need to make seating arrangements and access cards for the team,’ Mudit said.
‘It’ll be a mix of people from Goldman Sachs, Blackwater, CloudX and our auditors from EY. Around eight of us, I think.’
‘Eight people?’ I said, a little surprised.
‘Yes,’ Max said. ‘It’s a multi-billion-dollar deal, Mr Khurana. The team will go through everything with a fine-toothed comb.’
‘And how long will they take?’
‘A couple of weeks. Maybe a month.’
‘A month?’
‘Let’s try to wrap up the due diligence as soon as possible, Max,’ Philip said, rubbing his hands.
‘Max, just let me know when the team’s expected to start, and I’ll get everything ready,’ Mudit said.
‘Sure. I’ll email the details across to you. Along with the term sheet,’ Max said. ‘We’re closing at a price of four billion. Correct?’
‘Yes. Four it is. Four big ones,’ Philip said as we all shook hands and concluded the meeting.
‘What are you doing?’ Mudit said when I picked up his call.
‘Reading on my Kindle,’ I said.
‘The most boring rich guy in Dubai. Where’s Tania?’
‘She’s gone to pick up Paulina at the airport.’
‘Ah. I stand corrected. Someone’s life is going to become quite interesting.’
‘I don’t even know what’s happening there. Anyway, what’s up? It’s midnight. Everything okay?’
‘Yes, everything is okay. Well, sort of.’
‘Sort of?’
‘Yeah. I mean, something amusing happened.’
‘Amusing?’
