17.With the company struggling for many years, Mr. Smith finally sold it to a competitor at a fire-sale price.
(A)Though the business was in trouble, Mr. Smith would not sell his company to another competitor.
(B)In spite of having made efforts to improve his business, Mr. Smith sold it to another company at a very low price.
(C)The competitor set a fire to burn down Mr. Smith’s company, but he worked hard and managed to save it.
(D)Mr. Smith worked so hard for the company; despite this, he was fired in the end due to slow economy.