Conversation 3: Masayoshi Son vs Adam Neumann Masayoshi Son: Adam, it’s been a long time. I want you to know that I still love and respect you despite everything. Adam Neumann: Hello, that’s great, but also you also owe me $970m from that $3bn WeWork tender offer you pulled out of the other month. See you in court. Masayoshi Son: I think you are a smart, aggressive guy and that the whole nightmare was partly my mistake for handing you $18bn. Adam Neumann: Stop being nice! Our once beautiful relationship is ruined thanks to your abuse of power. And where is my money! Masayoshi Son: I’ll never forget what we had. Adam Neumann: I won’t let you forget that the Moelis deal would have destroyed your WeWork net assets. And where is my money! Masayoshi Son: Before we met, WeWork was a $400m business valued at $4bn and now worth $20bn. I acted in good faith and gave you a seven-year $4bn+ support package to allow you to exploit your disruptive model. Where is my money!!’ Adam Neumann: The 18 months we were together were the most magical of my life. I remember the day we first went public together, 1 November 2017. It’s like it was yesterday. You looked deep into my eyes and told me that no matter what would come in the future we’d always be together. And then the next day you dumped me on the New York stock exchange! Masayoshi Son: Trade wars, macroeconomic strains, tougher IPO markets, employee costs, crazy valuations, competition and distraction from your friends. And where is my money? Adam Neumann: I don’t want to talk about our relationship anymore. It makes me too sad. But I must ask: Are you still in love with me? Masayoshi Son: Yes, yes, every day.