Ch. 781..790
Life at the Top Chapter 781
“Do you know how difficult opening a bank is? I[‘m pretty sure Paulson thought that I was just kidding,” Jasper shifted backward seamlessly and spoke, “Aren’t we a little too close right now?”
“Are we? I feel the urge to pounce over and devour you now, though.”
Instead of moving back, Celine leaned closer to Jasper. Her eyes shone with the wildness of a big cat.
It was not until she forced Jasper to lean against the armrest with nowhere to go that she snickered evilly. “You’ve said something like this before, but do you know what Paulson said about you? He said he actually saw you opening your own bank the moment you suggested such a thing.
“You’re willing to go so far for me and yet you claim that you don’t want to provide for me? All you think about is how you’re going to take care of my needs, yet you say I’m too close to you. All men do is lie.”
His ear were filled with Celine’s soft voice and his nose was filled with nothing but Celine’s subtle fragrance. All could see was a sheet of white that Celine displayed without care in the world.
“Are you really not afraid of playing with fire?”
PlayvolumeAd3Celine laughed aloud at Jasper’s words and sat back down. She stretched her fair and soft calf to knock it against Jasper’s thigh. While executing this rather intimate and amorous act, Celine replied, “Playing with fire’s what I’m good at. Besides, that conflicted and shy expression of yours just now was absolutely adorable.”
Not in the mood to reply to her playful words, Jasper asked, “How many resources can you mobilize in the United States? This is very important, as I need to know before I can carry out the rest of my plans.”
Celine crossed her legs, then reached out to press down on the hem of her skirt so as to not expose her undergarments. Despite this, her eyes were on Jasper the entire time. She huffed lightly upon seeing the man staring solemnly at her. Then she spoke, “Tell me your plan first, then I’ll work with you and mobilize my resources.”
…
The following day, half the citizens of the United States noticed Sena, the name of a Somerland business, appear on their televisions, radios, and newspapers.
Investors were not unfamiliar with the company.
All financial news portals had more or less covered Somerland’s Sena listing, and every stock expert in the country was giving their opinions on it.
The reality remained that professionals were the same within and outside the country.
Thanks to Celine, a television station had reported another piece of news.
“A banquet was held by Sena’s Business Team from Somerland, alongside investors led by Colossal Investments in DoubleTree Hotel’s banquet hall in Wall Street this year.
“According to a reliable source, the owner of Sena was the mysterious retail investor from the international crude oil futures incident last year. Under his lead, Sena now owns Somerland’s biggest internal portal, as well as a new game, United Legends, that had just hit the market.
“This game has broken the world record for the number of people online on the first day of public beta testing. With a final player base of 2 million online players, the game is undoubtedly the world’s biggest internet game.
“Currently, United Legends has already begun operation and charging fees. According to our reporter in Somerland, combined with the evaluation report Sena had sent to the Nasdaq, United Legends currently has 170 paid players who contribute to Sena’s profit of millions of Somer Dollars.
“Without a doubt, while internet industries around the world continue to think about ways to mitigate their losses, Somerland’s Sena has already begun to save their country’s struggling Internet industry by expanding their business and stepping foot into the gaming industry.
“To some degree, Sena is the only purely Internet company in the world who has resolved monumental issue of turning a profit.”
“As a result, we’ve invited our special commentary export, Mr. David Smith, to tell us how different Sena is…”
Following the news was an unclear picture of Jasper’s side profile.
The picture had been taken from afar, so all they could tell was Jasper’s age range and physique.
Life at the Top Chapter 782
That was enough.
A man in his twenties, from Somerland.
These two important pieces of news had attracted investors from the United States who have been looking for this mysterious retail investor all along.
Either news was enough to pique overwhelming interest from everyone.
The Internet in the states was much better developed than it was in Somerland, so it had only been a few moments after the news and rumors about Jasper already began to spread online.
Countless investors were discussing Jasper’s identity.
While even more of them instinctively went to about Sena going public.
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Then they realized that the entire market followed closely and had a bullish outlook on Sena.
Not since the popping of the dot-com bubble has all the media spoke about the same internet company at the same time.
Let alone one that had not even gone public yet.
This had raised the attention of most United States investors and they began to search and learn more about Sena, as well as find out when the company would go public.
So as the date when Sena would go public crept closer, it only began to trend more.
Countless investors were preparing their funds to use this chance and make a lot of money.
Just then, Jasper turned off the television.
He knew that news about himself was something Celine’s contacts and Colossal Investments had cooperated to release.
Jasper did not mind too much, for Celine had told him that she would bring up the hype in such a way. This was a capitalist request.
Just as Jasper turned off the television, he suddenly received a call from Celine.
“Turn on the television, Intercontinental Channel Three,” Celine’s tone was proud.
“I just turned it off. Is there some big news?” Jasper asked confusedly but immediately turned the television on again. As Celine requested, he shuffled to Intercontinental Channel Three.
The screen changed and Jasper took one look and could not move his eyes away.
Before his eyes was an interview with the stock god, Winston Benett. The content of the interview was precisely about Sena.
“I personally do think that there is a lot of potential for this internet company from Somerland. It’s a shame that its pre-IPO quota has already been sold out long ago. However, I’ve already had my team watch out for the latest news. Once it goes public, I’m planning to buy a few of Sena’s shares with the idea to keep them…”
If all previous advertisement was to tell the United States’ investors about Sena’s existence, then the interview with Winston Benett had directly ignited the investors’ enthusiasm
The internationally recognized title ‘stock god’ had already spread throughout the world. The man’s return on investments as well as his sharp decisions when it comes to the market has garnered worship from many investors.
With Winston Benett helping him out, Sena’s hype began to grow exponentially.
Life at the Top Chapter 783
“This is so cool!” Jasper exclaimed.
It took more than just money to invite someone of Winston Benett’s caliber.
As one of the world’s top ten richest men, it made no sense to pay Winston Benett to advertise for you.
That would be utterly ridiculous.
It took favors and status to move such people into helping you.
Jasper had not expected Celine to be so powerful to that extent, to the point where she could get Winston Benett to help out.
Celine chuckled, evidently pleased with Jasper’s shock and praise.
Playvolume00:00/00:00TruvidfullScreenHowever, she still explained. “Winston Benett is actually a really good friend with one of my elders. All I did was ask this elder to contact him. Winston Benett had taken a look at Sena’s evaluation and immediately agreed to help advertise it.”
“This was more than just a script for advertisement. He meant it when he said he planned to buy some of Sena’s shares.”
“So if you want to be shocked, be shocked about the fact that your Sena was what moved him.”
Jasper smiled as he heard Celine and replied, “With Winston Benett helping us out, I’m sure Sena’s share prices would be pushed to quite a high price when it goes public. We won’t have to worry too much about this, then.”
As the outside world got progressively more invested in Sena’s situation, the day when Sena would go public had officially arrived as well.
On this widely anticipated day, Jasper woke early in the morning and washed up carefully. He put on the tailored suit that Celine had bought for him at Waterhoof City and demanded he wore today. Then he strode out of the room.
In the hotel lobby, Jack and the rest were waiting for him.
Henry was there too. While the man had vanished more than he was present, he knew better than to be late on such an important day.
Everyone was donned in formal suits, even Henry wore an iron-pressed one.
The only difference between them was that Jack looked rather nervous, while Henry remained rowdy as he always was. The man was even quietly muttering to himself about what kind of airplane he would buy to fly back after today.
“Mr. Laine.” Jack led Sena’s senior executives over to greet Jasper when he saw him arrive.
Jasper nodded and smiled at Jack. “Nervous, Jack?”
Jack smiled wryly. “It’d be a lie if I said I wasn’t. After all, this is the first time anything like this has happened before. Sena’s share price when it goes public will determine the result of all our hard work.”
“Haha, that’s understandable. After all, there are only so many times a person gets to ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell.” Jasper patted his old partner’s shoulder with a wide smile.
“Relax. The entirety of Wall Street will cheer for us, and the entire Nasdaq Composite will welcome our arrival. We are New York’s owners today,” Jasper replied.
Jack was stunned for a moment. He could suddenly feel the drastic difference between his and Jasper’s vision and domineering aura. Looking up, all Jack would see was how Jasper seemed to carry a whole new world on his shoulders despite his rather slim figure.
Taking a deep breath, Jack calmed the excitement and nervousness within him and quickly followed Jasper’s footsteps.
Reporters have long been waiting by the hotel lobby’s entrance and they quickly rushed over to interview them when they saw Jasper and the rest walk out. Only to be held back by Colossal Investments’ bodyguards.
With no other option, the reporters could only try to stretch their microphones out and ask all sorts of questions. Each of them prayed that they would be lucky enough for Jasper to reply to their questions, then they would surely be rewarded by their superiors.
However, in face of these reporters, Jasper merely smiled politely but did not answer anyone’s questions. Then he walked toward the car stopped by the side.
Life at the Top Chapter 784
By the car stood Celine who greeted him with a mesmerizing smile.
“So handsome,” Celine praised as Jasper walked over.
Jasper smiled and replied, “A woman’s beauty lies in her features and her aura, but it takes more than a man’s appearance to look handsome.”
“Is that you showing off how successful you are now?” Celine asked Jasper.
It was a beautiful sight to behold.
Under everyone’s inquisitive gaze and cameras flashing, Jasper knew better than to flirt with Celine here. So he merely smiled and bent down to get in the car.
“Wuss,” Celine muttered and turned to get in as well.
The line of cars began to move and it broke past the crowd and made its way to Nasdaq Center.
Jasper’s hotel was only five minutes on foot away from Nasdaq Center, but Colossal Investments had already arranged cars for the occasion.
After all, this group of people was going to ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell. How could they simply just walk over?
It took a couple of minutes and the line of cars arrived.
“There’ll be a ceremony later and Nasdaq’s president, Franklin, will come out in a show of how much they value a Somerland enterprise. It’s more political than business, so don’t think too much about it. It’s just formality,” Celine whispered to Jasper.
Jasper nodded in understanding.
Just then, the car doors were opened and Jasper walked out of the car.
Nasdaq had given Sena a welcome of the highest regard, with a red carpet rolled a long distance from its entrance and western bodyguards standing on both sides of the carpet. The electronic display by the entrance was filled with words of welcome.
Alighting the car, Jasper looked up at the large screen above Nasdaq Exchange and realized that there was a red Somerland flag as well as Somerish words of welcome.
Jack saw it as well.
Engulfed in an aura of western capitalism, a red flag with five stars appeared on the electronic display of the Nasdaq Exchange on Wall Street. It was a memorable sight to behold.
“The times are changing,” Jasper exclaimed.
Jasper smiled. “And it’ll only change more in the future.”
The two shared a smile and stepped on the red carpet, entering the Exchange Center under the flashing lights of reporters.
The Exchange Center was in a frenzy.
While every new company going public on Nasdaq’s market would ring its opening bell, they were all treated differently. Sena’s was of a much higher caliber, for the host of the ceremony was Nasdaq’s president, a seventy-year-old man called Franklin.
“Welcome to the United States, to Wall Street, and to Nasdaq, young man from the ancient Somerland.” Franklin’s words were flowery and he smiled as he shook Jasper’s hand.
Jasper smiled softly and replied courteously, “Thank you for the kind welcome, President Franklin. I’m sure I’ll achieve what I want here.”
Franklin clapped Jasper’s shoulder affectionately and spoke, “Miracles happen all the time here. I’m sure you’ll achieve what you want.”
“There has been a lot of news about you these days. I would’ve bought some of Sena’s shares as well if not for my job not allowing me to participate in share trading,” Franklin joked.
Life at the Top Chapter 785
This proves that Sena is indeed a very outstanding company, then. They say great minds think alike,” Jasper teased.
Jasper’s western humor had Franklin laughing aloud, and his impression of Jasper improved all the more.
“Paulson and I are great friends. We’ve spoken in private about you before and now that I’ve met you, I believe that old friend of mine is biased,” Franklin spoke with a smile.
This seemingly normal sentence held quite a few important details and Jasper replied, “Thank you.”
While others may understand that Jasper was merely thanking Franklin for the praise, he was actually thanking him for the information.
Franklin nodded and spoke to Jasper for a little longer before he slowly left.
After Franklin left, Jasper looked at the time and realized that it was currently eight-thirty in New York and there was only one more hour before the market opened at nine-thirty.
The large Exchange Center was packed with staff and reporters, for there was only one more hour until Sena would ring Nasdaq’s Opening Bell.
Jack was answering the reporter’s questions while Jasper was about to look for Henry, only for Celine to get to himself first.
“Come on, Paulson wants to meet us.”
Jasper followed Celine to the second floor of the Exchange Center. It was a huge office with floor-to-ceiling windows that clearly showed the frenzy within the exchange center.
Paulson and William were sitting right by the floor-to-ceiling windows when Jasper and Celine arrived.
“You’re here. Come here,” Paulson spoke with a smile.
Jasper and Celine walked over and stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Looking down at the Exchange Center below, Jasper was about to speak when Celine leaned over to him.
“Stay away from that b*stard.”
William’s face paled in anger at Celine’s words.
Paulson smiled as if he did not hear anything and turned to Jasper. “One more hour before our promise shows its results, Laine. Are you confident?”
Jasper replied, “Confidence is something I’ve never lacked.”
“Too much confidence leads to arrogance,” William piped in with a scoff, “I’m afraid you don’t even know how much 120 US Dollars per share means, do you?”
“Did we ask you?” Celine looked at William coldly.
Celine’s scornful gaze fueled William’s fury but he forced himself to calm down and scoffed. “I’ll let you be proud of yourselves for now. But if your IPO cannot reach 120 US Dollars later, I’d like to see if you’re going to keep acting so proud.”
“I hope that you’ll keep your end of the promise, Mr. Paulson,” Jasper ignored William and spoke to Paulson.
Sighing, Paulson replied, “While I do not wish to see such a scene, Laine, I cannot find it in myself to have faith in you. Sena is indeed a very outstanding company, and I would surely believe you if you proposed an IPO of 80 US Dollars. But 120 US Dollars is just too difficult to accomplish.”
“It was a difficult height to reach even before the dot-com bubble popped, let alone now. The market’s changed, Laine, and it’s still not too late if you want to change your mind now.”
Jasper smiled calmly and replied, “I used to follow regulations and traditions long ago, President Paulson, and there are indeed many things that are unthinkable, things that are impossible according to what I’ve learned from my experience.”
“But it’s unfortunate that the world is controlled by people who can change the impossible into something possible. I wouldn’t be standing here if I did everything according to convention as just a normal employee of some company in Somerland.”
Life at the Top Chapter 786
Paulson could hear the resolute determination in Jasper’s words and looked at him keenly, saying, “I hope you win the bet this time as you’re now responsible for more than yourself.”
40 minutes later, Jasper and Celine exited the office.
Halfway down the stairs, Celine asked Jasper, “Will it really be okay?”
Jasper turned to Celine and saw a worried expression on her face. With a smile, he replied, “I think it’s a bit too late to ask this question, isn’t it?”
Celine complained, “I just didn’t want to give you more pressure. We both know that 120 US dollars per share is a very high price.”
“What’s the point in surpassing it if it isn’t high?” Jasper asked.
Celine looked at Jasper suspiciously and asked, “Why does it seem like you still have a secret weapon up your sleeves? Tell me what it is, at least then I wouldn’t need to worry so much.”
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Jasper turned over his palms and smiled, “What secret weapon? We’ve already done the most we can the past few days. Whatever comes next isn’t up to us anymore. Plus, even if I had some secret weapon, there are only 20 minutes until Sena rings the Nasdaq opening bell. It’s too late now, isn’t it?”
Realizing that Jasper’s words made sense, Celine replied exasperatedly, “True. I’m just a little too nervous now, I guess.”
“Relax,” Jasper consoled.
Celine nodded and exhaled deeply before blinking at Jasper, asking, “So if you succeed, how are you planning to celebrate?”
Jasper shrugged and walked forward. “I haven’t thought of it yet. Celebration isn’t the main focus here. We can think about that after we pass this round.”
In the beginning, Sena going public had only been a way for Jasper to improve his cash flow. As the situation progressed, it now became something much more important.
This was something Jasper did not expect.
Retreating was not an option now, so the only thing he could do was walk forward and try to push Sena’s share price as high up as possible.
In all honesty, Jasper did not have the confidence of attaining absolute victory.
After all, the situation was susceptible to many changes. While Sena had also gone public in his past life, he could not compare the situation then to what was happening now. Basing it off his memory of his past life was out of the question.
He only had himself to rely on now.
As he exhaled, Jasper saw Jack smiling widely on the podium and ushering him over to ring the bell. Sorting out his emotions, Jasper strode over.
At the same time, on the second floor. Paulson was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows with his hands behind his back. William was nowhere to be seen and beside him now stood Franklin, Nasdaq’s president.
Franklin took a look at Jasper’s figure and spoke, “What an extraordinary Easterner.”
“And very crazy too,” Paulson added.
“I can’t help but think that you’ll be wrong this time, old friend.” Franklin laughed aloud.
“120 US dollars? Are you kidding me? No way,” Paulson shook his head and continued calmly, “Or these decades I’ve been working as Colossal Investment’s president would’ve been for naught.”
“The most dangerous thing to do in the financial market is work completely based on your experiences, old friend. Being old amounts to nothing in this industry and the only thing it represents is that you lack, more than the youths, the courage and aggressiveness the market needs,” Franklin spoke meaningfully.
Life at the Top Chapter 787
Time ticked by and it was now only three more minutes until the market opened and Sena went public. Jasper had been invited onto the temporarily built stage.
The stage was right under the largest main screen in Nasdaq Exchange Center, which was at the center of the room.
Under everyone’s attentive gaze, Jasper and Jack got on stage.
In the middle of the stage was a large bell.
Since Nasdaq Exchange’s founding, every business that went public would have its legal personality ring this bell.
It was a tradition as much as it was a symbol.
The electronic screen continued to display worlds of welcome like ‘Nasdaq welcomes Sena’ while hundreds of traders had already gotten into position. There were a few dozen reporters holding their cameras, waiting to take a picture of this historical moment.
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Jasper accepted a wooden hammer from a manager in the exchange center and was just about to invite Jack to ring the bell with him when he saw the other shake his head with a smile.
“You should ring the bell yourself, Mr. Laine,” Jack spoke.
Although he was stunned, Jasper saw the shine in Jack’s eyes and did not insist. “Alright then.”
Everyone looked up and focused on the electronic screen that covered the entire wall. It displayed both Nasdaq’s and Sena’s logo, as well as an analog clock.
The second hand of the clock ticked continuously until it was almost racing to 9:30 a.m.
“5…
“4…
“3…
“2…
“1…”
Hundreds of people counted down at the same time in the exchange Center.
It was currently 9:30 a.m. in the United States, and Jasper knocked the wooden hammer against the bell, signifying the opening of the market.
Ring!
The deep and strong sound of the bell rang throughout the entire exchange center.
Under everyone’s cheers, the reporters’ cameras flashed maddeningly as they tried to commemorate this historical moment.
At this moment, shares for the first internet enterprise from Somerland had moved on from the bursting of the dot-com bubble and registered itself at Nasdaq Exchange Center.
Its ticker—SENA!
Jasper and the group got down from the stage after they rang the bell. They began to pay attention to the changes in share prices.
“It’s a little nerve-wracking.” A senior executive sucked in a deep breath and felt a little antsy.
Jack was rather relaxed as he smiled and said, “The share market in the United States has different rules compared to the markets back home. New shares here normally pay more attention to the pre-IPO on the first day of trading and the more shares bought pre-IPO make for a higher share price. It’ll take some time before the data is confirmed. Don’t worry.”
In the United States, most investors tended to buy shares of new businesses through pre-IPO.
Sena, for example, started with an issue price of 25 US dollars with 96 million US dollars worth of shares outstanding.
The more shares bought by investors through pre-IPO, the higher the price would increase.
The most important thing was that there was not a 10% rise limit when it came to buying shares through pre-IPO.
That meant if Sena was formidable enough, its prices could rise instantly to 200 US dollars.
How difficult would that be?
Impossibly hard.
The share market was no longer as crazy as it used to be before the burst of the dot-com bubble.
As the world’s economic development slowed, trade also decreased in large exchange centers like Nasdaq, the Dow Jones Index, and the Nikkei Index.
This proved that investors were getting less enthusiastic and there was also less hot money in the markets compared to before.
Many investors were starting to be more rational and no longer rushed to one sector maddeningly.
Beneath Jasper’s calm facade was immense pressure.
Within the bustling exchange center, Jasper watched the scene before him calmly.
Reporters were still thinking of ways to interview Sena’s senior executives, and traders had already begun receiving phone calls while starting a new day of work.
The room was filled with the scent of money and benefits.
All of which added to the pressure on Jasper’s shoulders.
An issue price of 25 US dollars had to grow at least five times to exceed 120 US dollars.
Not even Winston Benett would dare to make such a bet, let alone Jasper.
“What’s with the long face?” Celine interrupted Jasper’s deep thoughts.
Jasper turned to see Celine’s relaxed expression and laughed. “And here I am, worried about whether the share price will meet the requirements when you’re acting like it has nothing to do with you.”
“Oh, come on.” Celine pinched Jasper’s shoulder and beamed at him. “Don’t worry about it. So what if it doesn’t hit the target we set? The point of Sena going public was to help contribute to your cash flow. From the hype we’ve garnered over the past few days, I’m pretty sure we’ve already met the initial goal.
“As to whether we win the bet or not, what’s the big deal if we lose? I’ll just resign and wait for you to open a bank for me.”
Celine looked at Jasper warily. “You’re not thinking about going back on your word now, are you?”
“It’s too late now.” Jasper smiled, but the curve of his lips fell a second after as he spoke calmly, “Ever since I started working, I’ve only ever lost a small amount when it came to comparing capitals with Wall Street. Losing is a horrible feeling…
“And I don’t like losing!”
At the same time, Nasdaq Exchange Center had also begun trading. Most investors all over the United States were currently seated before their computers and were trading seriously.
In a middle-class family in Michigan, Craig was a lawyer and his wife had a senior managerial position in a local enterprise. The family became wealthy as a result of the couple’s stable and decent-paying jobs, as well as due to the profits that David had earned from the share market these years.
“That damned state telecom operator. I’m going to sue them!”
Flushed, David stared at the computer. He wanted to buy Sena’s shares but the stupid internet kept cutting off.
His roars attracted his wife’s attention.
“What’s wrong, David? Would you like a cup of coffee?”
His wife asked caringly at the door.
“It’s alright. It’s just this stupid telecom operator that’s hindering me from earning my damn money. I’m going to sue the hell out of them if I can’t buy Sena’s shares!”
David spoke agitatedly.
Then, the internet suddenly connected again and on his screen was the notification of a successful transaction. David laughed aloud excitedly. “I bought it! I bought it!
“Oh, oh my God! Are my eyes deceiving me? What’s this price?! How did it rise so quickly?!”
The same situation continued all over the United States.
People who sat before their computers and were ready to buy Sena’s shares realized at the same time that Sena’s prices were rising at a terrifying speed.
It was one price at the last second, only to rise by 20% the next.
With the skyrocketing demand and limited equity, the hype around Sena’s shares grew. Everyone wanted a portion for themselves.
Life at the Top Chapter 788
A majority of investors took a look at the price that had long surpassed their budget and hesitated.
Even so, the prices only rose during their hesitation.
This unimaginable rise led to the investors feeling immensely regretful.
They all thought the same thing, ‘The difference between the two values would’ve been more if I hadn’t hesitated just now.
‘God damn it!’
The investors’ madness was reflected in Sena’s share prices.
Transaction information from all over the United States arrived at Nasdaq Exchange Center’s 16 servers within milliseconds through fiber channels.
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These cutting-edge servers then responded and did the calculations as quickly as possible.
The result was then outputted in the form of a k-line for Sena’s share prices, which was then displayed on the exchange center’s electronic display and all the investors’ computers.
Those from the financial industry in the United States who had their eyes on the share market were in an uproar.
“Sena officially went public at 9:30 this morning. It has only been five minutes and there has been a total transaction of 300 million US dollars backstage. Its share price has risen from 25 US dollars to 50 US dollars in only 5 minutes and 28 seconds!
“There’s no doubt that this share has broken the record for time taken to double in price in the history of the United States. No, in the history of mankind.
“Have investors from the United States gone mad? Why are they so obsessed with this internet company from Somerland?
“Is the United States not the center of the world’s internet industry?”
The host of The First Fortune, the most authoritative financial radio channel with the most listeners in the United States, shouted.
His show was broadcasted to at least 35 million listeners in the United States.
“This Somerland share with the ticker Sena seems to have inherited something from this mysterious and ancient country from the east. This stock and this country have shaken the entirety of the United States in the shortest time.
“The investors’ enthusiasm now reminds me of the last quarter of 1993. That was one hell of a capitalist party all over the world and the global economy had risen to new heights. Everyone became more wealthy and everyone was buying shares. Almost every share had an increase in market price.
“Oh my God, look at Sena’s share prices! Why am I so excited about Sena’s share prices? Our share market has been despondent for far too long and it needs such strength to boost our confidence in the market!”
Everyone at the Nasdaq Exchange Center, both the busy or the free, was looking up at the large screen that showed Sena’s share prices.
A frightening big red trendline skyrocketed on the market, one so exaggerated that normal investors might not even be able to see such a thing in ten years if not for the current situation.
The electronic display took up the entire wall, and that big trendline seemed to be piercing through the top of the screen and was aiming for the sky.
There was no oscillation and no pullback. It did not waiver nor did it shake.
There was only an increase, an endless increase that no one understood!
The most terrifying part of it all was that Sena’s terrifying trade and its upward trend had also managed to raise Nasdaq Exchange Center’s internet sector as well.
There was a 7.6% increase in the internet sector.
One share could affect its sector, and the sector’s increase could affect the entire market’s index.
Nasdaq Composite had an increase of 1.54%!
Akin to a key, Sena had unlocked the festering enthusiasm within the investors.
Hundreds of billions of US dollars flooded into the market and it sparked the entire Nasdaq Exchange Center to life, moving the entire market upward.
Everyone’s heart surged at the sight and their blood boiled with excitement. It was as if everyone was holding in such excitement that they wanted to shout out in joy but could not.
This was a feast of wealth!
“Buy! Buy them all! Buy as many as you can!”
Todd shouted raspily at his assistant in the VIP room.
“Damn it, I should’ve done this earlier. I was stupid to actually consider seeling that ten million US dollars worth of shares I had bought through pre-IPO. Did I go mad?”
The assistant smiled wryly at Todd and spoke, “We’ve already bought them, sir. But the price now is just too outrageous and we don’t even have a chance to enter the market.
“All it takes is one second and the price we’re buying at immediately gets pushed down by someone who’s buying it at a higher price.”
“Then buy it back at an even higher price!” Todd’s eyes shone with excitement.
“I don’t care if you believe me or not, but Sena is a share with unlimited potential. While I don’t know how long this share will continue to profit but for the short-term, I want as many shares under 100 US dollars bought and resold for profits.”
No one knew what Todd was thinking when his eyes shifted and he turned to tell his assistant, “I want to see Laine and talk to him. You buy me my stocks and if I don’t see five million US dollars worth of stocks when I come back, then you can resign and get lost!”
With that, Todd turned and left the VIP room without another glance at his sorrowful assistant.
…
“The price has risen to 76 US dollars!” Jack turned to Jasper excitedly.
No matter how excited Jack and the other senior executives were, Jasper remained calm in the face of such value.
In truth, he had already anticipated any price under 100 US dollars.
If Sena could not even go up to 100 US dollars, then it would have been a waste of all his hard work.
The true obstacle was after the 100 US dollars mark. That was when they would test the durability of the United States’ investors.
Still, from how the situation looked, it was hopeful.
Just then, Todd arrived to look for him.
“Laine, you really are my… How do you say it in Somerish? God of Wealth, correct?” Todd laughed aloud as he spoke to Jasper.
Taking in the blonde hair of the man who had yet to become as distant and cynical as he would become in the future, Jasper smiled. “Indeed, you seem to understand Somerish quite well.”
Todd was in a great mood and turned to Jasper, saying, “Laine, would you be interested in the shares of one of my companies? Of course, instead of cash, I’d like to exchange it with Sena’s shares.”
Jasper frowned slightly and asked, “What company?”
Todd seemed rather embarrassed as he spoke, “This company’s shares are actually something I bought from a friend some time ago. It’s an investment I made because I was friends with that governor friend of mine. I should’ve known that there would be nothing good coming from all these damned politicians. All they do is think of ways to scam my money.”
Jasper felt rather conflicted to hear Todd insult politicians.
He wondered how this man would feel when he thought back to this sentence the day he became the United States’ largest good-for-nothing scammer.
“But trust me, that company has a lot of potential. They may seem small now but they’re looking for investors everywhere.”
“Since we’re friends, Todd, how about you tell me directly what company this is?”
Life at the Top Chapter 789
Jasper did not have much hope when he asked.
After all, Todd was merely enjoying his grandparents’ wealth and was focused on real estate.
His main assets were also real estate enterprises that he had inherited.
Jasper had never heard of Todd holding shares in any particularly large companies.
However, Todd’s following words immediately piqued Jasper’s interest.
“The company goes by the name Google. I’m sure you’ve never heard of it considering how weak and poor they are. They don’t even have an office but they’re working in the internet industry. They’re doing search engines, the kind of service that allows you to search websites and information online.”
Seeing how Todd was stumbling over himself as he spoke, Jasper was certain that he had no understanding of how huge this company he had invested in would turn out to be in the future.
Playvolume00:00/00:00TruvidfullScreen
“So, are you interested?” Todd asked Jasper, his eyes shining.
As far as Todd was concerned, he had only bought the company’s shares to gain favors from a friend. He never expected to earn any money from this at all.
He only paid money to make a friend.
However, Todd realized that perhaps he could persuade Jasper to free him of these shares since Jasper also did business in the internet industry.
It would be an easy profit if he could exchange Google’s shares with Sena’s.
“Indeed, I’ve never heard of them before,” Jasper frowned and shook his head slightly. “I do know about search engines, though. But there haven’t been many similar businesses in the market, so profiting would be extremely difficult. Why would you invest in such a company?”
Todd replied, evidently upset, “I didn’t have a choice. Businessmen like us will always have to deal with those damned politicians.
“But Laine, I’ve always thought that your mind and vision have been the most outstanding of all the people I’ve met. Maybe Google is a company with a lot of potential for development? Even Yahoo has a dedicated department for search engines, and its market price is comparable to large internet companies like Weresoft. You should know about those, right?”
‘Of course, I do.
‘I also know that Yahoo is going to make a severe loss in the future and end up going bankrupt until the point that it’s worth nothing anymore.
‘Google, on the other hand, will take over Yahoo’s place in the United States as the main internet company and secure over 70% of search engine business within the country.
‘If not for Somerland keeping Beido, Google would’ve easily become the top search engine all over the world.’
“You’re asking me to pick up after you, Todd,” Jasper spoke with a subtle smile.
With his thoughts exposed, Todd laughed to smooth out the awkwardness before speaking, “I’m just saying that it might be a chance. Of course, it’s fine if you’re not interested in it at all.”
“Oh, no, I’m interested.”
Jasper reignited Todd’s hope just as he was about to give up.
“Really?” Todd asked in surprise.
Jasper clapped Todd’s shoulder and spoke, “I told you we’re friends, didn’t I, Todd? That alone is enough for me to be willing to help you with this problem. How do you plan on exchanging the shares?”
Todd shook Jasper’s hand while feeling moved and spoke, “That’s great, Laine! We’ll be best friends from now on!
“I currently have 27% of Google’s shares and I plan to exchange all of them for Sena’s shares,” Todd spoke greedily.
‘I can’t believe I thought you only became worse when you grew older when in truth, you’ve been so evil ever since the beginning.’
Jasper scoffed internally but put on a conflicted expression. “You know, Todd, Sena is really important to me. I can give you the outstanding shares but I cannot give you my percentage.”
“That’s fine,” Todd waved him off and agreed readily.
He was not interested in being a shareholder of an internet company that was based all the way in Somerland. All he wanted now was cash, money!
Outstanding shares were even better as he could resell them.
“Alright, then. I’ll exchange 27% of my shares for 12 million worth of Sena’s shares. How’s that?” Todd asked.
‘This *sshole is eviler than I thought!’
Jasper smiled meaningfully and replied, “I don’t have that many outstanding shares on hand, Todd. And it’ll decrease my percentage of shares if I exchange them. Not to mention that 12 million US dollars is a big deal. I’m sure your 27% of Google shares didn’t cost more than three million US dollars.”
Todd’s face flushed red like never before.
“Fine, then. Eight million.” Todd lowered his price with a conflicted look.
Indeed, he had only used 2.4 million to buy 27% of Google’s shares.
To get rid of such a problem and even earn almost ten million from it spoke volumes of how vile Todd was.
“Five million worth of shares, according to their current price.” Jasper stood his ground.
How much would Google’s market price be in the future?
In the year 2020 before Jasper reincarnated, Google had a market price of one trillion US dollars.
By then, this 27% of shares would give him 270 billion US dollars.
That was money Jasper could not ever come up with even if he sold everything he had.
Such was an investment.
No matter how much money Jasper put in, Jasper would still be making a profit.
Still, any money saved was money saved and the most important thing about this negotiation was to get rid of Todd’s doubt about Google.
Todd could not be too resentful about Jasper’s behavior once Google started growing. After all, he was the one who proposed the trade.
Todd thought about it when he heard the suggestion. His intelligent and calculative mind quickly decided that it was a feasible transaction.
Sena’s share prices were still rising. Since Jasper had agreed to trade at the current share price, this five million would also grow into something much more.
“Deal!” Todd laughed aloud.
“Alright, then. We’ll each send someone to sign the contract later. Could you please help me contact the person in charge of this company, Mr. Todd? I want to meet them.” Jasper was internally elated but his expression did not betray his emotions.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got this covered, Laine. You really are a generous and kind friend,” Todd told Jasper with heartfelt emotions.
Years later, Todd would think of today and be in utter agony, wishing to turn back in time and slap himself for his words.
Todd left happily, and Celine, who had not said anything the entire time, poked Jasper’s waist.
“Hey, it’s obvious that the blonde fellow is trying to scam you. Why would you take the bait so happily?” Celine spoke distastefully.
She had never heard of this Google company and it could potentially be a scam. Yet Jasper was buying its shares at such a great cost?
“I’ll just take it as making a friend,” Jasper spoke with a wide grin.
“He thinks you’re an idiot!” Celine harrumphed, slightly pissed.
She had no idea how this foolish man had made so much money.
The worst part of this was that Celine found no qualms with her taking advantage of Jasper, but she would feel pissed when someone else took advantage of him.
“Sena’s share prices aren’t rising as quickly anymore!”
Jasper was just about to speak when a voice sounded from somewhere and caught his attention.
Life at the Top Chapter 790
Jasper looked up and saw that the rise in Sena’s shares had stabilized on the screen.
Everyone seemed regretful at the sight but they understood that this was only normal.
After all, no matter how great a share was, there was always a limit. If the shares continued to increase at such a rate, its effects afterward would be horrifying.
It had been three hours since Sena went public.
The United States share market did not believe in lunch breaks, so the business day was from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day.
It was currently 12:30 p.m.
Sena’s share prices had risen from its issued price of 25 to 88 US dollars!
Playvolume00:00/00:00TruvidfullScreenIn three hours, its price had more than tripled.
This was an incident that would enter Nasdaq’s books of history.
Everyone looked up at the exaggerating transaction volume. According to the data, it showed that Sena still had much more potential.
Everyone knew that Sena’s share price would not stop at 88 US dollars.
However, it would still take time for its potential to be shown and it was almost a miracle for the share to reach such heights in merely three hours.
However, Jasper looked at the line that was no longer skyrocketing and instead oscillating around 88 US dollars with a frown.
“Have someone pull out transactions for Sena’s shares over the past half an hour.” Jasper turned to Celine.
Celine was stunned but did not voice out her confusion. She opted to instruct someone to pull the data out first.
“Do you think there’s something wrong?” Celine asked Jasper after she gave the instructions.
Jasper was very pleased by this small detail, for any uncontrollable changes could happen in a one-minute delay. Jasper disliked people who only knew how to ask questions but never did their jobs.
“Something’s wrong with this pricing.” Jasper shook his head.
He had an indescribable feeling in his chest.
Sena’s transaction data had seemed normal this entire time, but under such normalcy, Jasper had acutely realized something unusual in the purchase and selling of the shares.
Without actual evidence, Jasper did not know how to explain this feeling to Celine in an in-depth manner.
Thank goodness that Celine was not digging deeper.
Soon later, a manager from the exchange center rushed over with a laptop.
Opening the laptop, the data that Jasper wanted immediately filled the screen.
Jasper read the data carefully and checked each one.
“Someone’s trying to control Sena’s share prices,” Jasper suddenly stated as he stared at the screen.
Celine was immediately on alert.
“Look at this. This account was crazily buying in all of Sena’s shares that they could get their hands on and then ten minutes ago, they sold the shares part by part.
“This isn’t a one-shot transaction. They keep buying, only to sell when the share prices arrive at a certain point. They’re preventing Sena from breaking through the limit.”