A Wall Street Genius's Final Investment Playbook-Chapter 42

Amidst all the unfolding drama, there was one person who was extremely tense.

That person was Rachel.

This is too dangerous…

Her heart sank at Ha Si-heon’s bold moves, but at the same time, she felt pity, knowing why he was so desperate.

Ha Si-heon had promised David $4 million by April.

Meanwhile, the "Russian Roulette" funds he needed to raise as quickly as possible amounted to a staggering $60 million.

To make matters worse, his partner David had been given at most two years to live.

Conventional means wouldn’t suffice to gather such an enormous sum in time.

Hence, this risky gamble.

Rachel bit her lip anxiously.

If it were just about money…

Rachel could have helped.

She had the means, and such an expenditure wouldn’t have been a significant burden for her.

However, Ha Si-heon had already rejected her offer.

A small donation might have been acceptable, but he had no interest in a substantial investment.

She could guess the reason.

—My only concern is solving the problem. Whether through virtuous acts or malicious ones, it doesn’t matter as long as the results are achieved.

He wanted to solve this ordeal with his own power.

He wanted to overcome the wall he couldn’t surmount in the past solely through his abilities.

To him, charity was meaningless.

“How about it?”

His mother’s smile was all too familiar.

It was the same expression Gerard often wore.

“$15 million. Can you manage it?”

Fifteen million dollars was an astronomical amount for most people.

Roughly 20.7 billion won in Korean currency.

His mother was clearly trying to burden him deliberately and gauge his reaction.

“May I have a moment to consider?”

“A moment?”

“There are aspects I need to review before making a decision. The scale of the funds and the conditions have changed.”

Ha Si-heon seemed briefly surprised but remained calm, requesting a timeout.

At least he’s not accepting it recklessly.

Rachel felt a sense of relief.

Ha Si-heon seemed to be avoiding a reckless gamble after all.

“Five minutes, then.”

“No, two minutes is enough.”

His mother tried to increase the pressure with time constraints, but Ha Si-heon calmly accepted.

He then fell into deep thought.

‘He shouldn’t agree to this…’

Even if Ha Si-heon could use his algorithm to consistently pick blue-chip stocks, managing such a massive amount of money would be extremely risky.

Stock prices could drop due to reasons entirely unrelated to the company itself.

Inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, employment rates—

Every time macroeconomic indicators were announced, even stable companies’ stock prices could waver.

His mother and Gerard were undoubtedly waiting to exploit such volatility.

Moreover, the larger the managed assets, the greater the potential losses.

Even a mere 10% drop would result in a loss of $1.5 million.

With Ha Si-heon shouldering 50% of the loss, he would be responsible for $750,000—a sum exceeding 1 billion won.

That was Gerard’s trap.

Provoking Ha Si-heon into incurring debt.

‘If I intervene, it’ll backfire, won’t it?’

It was clear that meddling would only make things worse.

Rachel had no choice but to watch.

However, Rachel wasn’t the only one feeling anxious.

There were those who welcomed the situation.

They were the other new recruits present in the room.

‘Finally, reality might be setting in for him.’

‘I knew this day would come.’

To them, Ha Si-heon was a thorn in their side.

Even though they had all started on equal footing, only Ha Si-heon had seen meteoric success.

Some might say it was due to his talent, but his meteoric rise, armed with what seemed like a cheat code, didn’t sit well with them.

They had been hoping, for a long time, that this so-called genius would someday lose his wings and plummet.

That his relentless pursuit with "that algorithm" would lead to his downfall.

That he would crash harder for having flown so high.

And now, the moment had come.

The person most pleased was Jim from the tech department.

‘That’s what you get for running your mouth.’

The irony of the situation was that Ha Si-heon had brought this upon himself.

He had taunted others, claiming it was a "true test of skill."

He probably hadn’t expected such a comeback.

He must’ve been terrified.

That’s why he asked for time.

To figure out a way out of this predicament.

But it was useless.

That eloquent tongue of his wouldn’t save him here.

Not in front of "real" aristocrats.

‘Let’s see you run your mouth now.’

Jim was already eager to hear what kind of excuses and desperate attempts Ha Si-heon would make.

But before his thoughts could go any further, Ha Si-heon opened his mouth.

“If these are the conditions, I’ll need 50% of the profits.”

The unexpected statement left Jim momentarily dumbfounded.

This wasn’t the “excuse” he had been anticipating.

It was a demand.

Right now, Ha Si-heon was demanding half of the profits.

“The current 20% commission rate was calculated based on the condition that there’s no loss compensation. If I’m to shoulder half of the losses, then the profit-sharing arrangement must also be adjusted for fairness.”

‘This lunatic!’

Jim was inwardly astonished. Yet, on another level, he understood the logic.

If the risks increase, demanding a corresponding return was only natural.

Sure, it’s logical, but…

Was he actually calculating all of this in this situation?

Instead of thinking of ways to escape, Ha Si-heon had been doing mental math.

This was a $15 million deal. One misstep could lead him into a debt spiral.

And yet…

Jim wasn’t the only one taken aback. The other recruits were equally appalled.

But Ha Si-heon, unfazed by the tense atmosphere, continued.

“We also need to agree on the timing of withdrawals. The most dangerous variable in investments is liquidity. If an exit point is set for one month later, but funds are withdrawn mid-term, it could lead to significant losses. Therefore, I propose a settlement cycle of three months.”

The metaphorical sound of calculators clicking was relentless.

‘What on earth was going on inside that man’s head?’

While everyone stared at Ha Si-heon as if he were an anomaly, only Gerard remained composed.

“No redemptions for three months, even if there are losses?”

“That’s not what I’m suggesting. Redemption requests will be processed based on the specified date. It’s just that the actual payouts will occur every three months.”

“Three months, you say… But do you have the capacity to cover losses? Your capital is only $1 million, right?”

Gerard showed no signs of being rattled by Ha Si-heon’s demeanor.

He countered with equal precision, matching Ha Si-heon’s calculations.

“Three months from now, the situation will be different.”

“Right now, repayment is impossible, yet you’re making bold claims. That’s a risk in itself and should be factored into the terms.”

Gerard pressed on, exploiting Ha Si-heon’s lack of sufficient backing to demand changes to the conditions.

It was a rational response, but in this situation, the extreme pragmatism of the two men made them seem almost monstrous.

“That’s not acceptable. My method is based on an algorithm with an 80% success rate. The likelihood of losses is lower compared to other investments, so the repayment risk is also below average. Considering that…”

“That 80%—it's just your word, isn’t it? Can you really trust the numbers after only two trial runs? The evidence is insufficient.”

The negotiation over profit-sharing ratios dragged on. Both sides were entrenched in their positions, making a compromise seem unlikely.

Then, a third voice entered the conversation.

“I’ll pay.”

It was Gonzalez, who had attended as one of Ha Si-heon’s acquaintances.

“If Sean can’t fulfill his promise, I’ll cover the losses on his behalf.”

And who the hell is this guy now?

Most of the recruits didn’t know who Gonzalez was.

But now, he was suddenly guaranteeing a massive loss, which sounded like a boastful bluff.

Amid the skepticism, even Ha Si-heon couldn’t conceal his surprise.

Though he already knew about Gonzalez’s background, he couldn’t understand why Gonzalez was going this far.

As if to explain, Gonzalez continued.

“It’s not a gift, but a loan. Think of it as a form of credit. You’ll have up to 10 years to repay it, with a maximum limit of $100 million. There’s no interest, but in return, I won’t take a commission on my investment share.”

Essentially, it was an interest-free loan with a ten-year term.

And the maximum limit was $100 million—about 130 billion won in Korean currency.

‘This is absurd…’

What’s going on here?

Some of the recruits began looking around nervously, wondering if they were part of some elaborate prank.

But then their eyes fell on the opulent mansion’s walls, adorned with genuine Van Gogh paintings.

Even just the frame’s craftsmanship confirmed their authenticity.

That was enough to remind them this was no play.

This was reality.

What would the owner of such a Van Gogh gain from secretly filming a prank on an ordinary recruit?

This place belonged to the top 1%.

A home where astronomical sums of money could be casually discussed over dinner.

While the recruits would never dream of touching such sums in their lifetime, the people here could part with such amounts on a whim.

As the recruits adjusted to this new reality, Gerard calmly asked a question.

“May I ask why you’re doing this?”

Even Gerard’s question was out of the ordinary.

It skipped over the obvious: “Do you really have $100 million?”

He simply assumed Gonzalez’s capacity to pay was beyond doubt.

Instead, his question focused on Gonzalez’s intent behind such generosity.

Gonzalez shrugged and replied.

“It’s money I’ll get back anyway. Whether I receive it now or ten years later doesn’t make much of a difference to me. On the other hand, fun events like this don’t happen often. Letting it fizzle out over something trivial would be a shame.”

It was a decision born purely out of curiosity.

One surreal event after another.

Gonzalez then took something out of his pocket: a checkbook.

“Oh, and put my investment down as $5 million. Does anyone have a pen?”

Ha Si-heon silently handed over a pen.

<5,000,000>

Gonzalez filled in the amount field and handed the check to Ha Si-heon.

But he didn’t stop there.

He wrote out another check.

<100,000,000>

A check bearing a ludicrously large figure.

Gonzalez extended it toward Gerard.

“If you’re uneasy, feel free to hold onto this. Think of it as insurance.”

Gulp.

Someone in the room audibly swallowed.

The tension between Gonzalez and Gerard was palpable.

What would happen if Gerard accepted the check?

He’d appear miserly, as though he couldn’t resist securing the $100 million upfront—far too petty compared to Gonzalez’s bold attitude.

And if he declined?

It would contradict the rational image he had projected earlier, meticulously calculating Ha Si-heon’s repayment capacity during negotiations. It would seem as if he was simply posturing to match Gonzalez’s audacity.

So, what would Gerard choose?

“As expected, your industry is full of bold individuals. I won’t need insurance. A verbal guarantee will do.”

The answer remained ambiguous.

Before things could escalate further, Gerard’s mother, Judy, intervened to settle the situation.

Soon, the butler arrived carrying Judy’s checkbook.

Gerard, too, retrieved his own from his jacket.

<10,000,000>

<5,000,000>

The absurd figures and words were clearly printed before everyone’s eyes.

The checks were neatly stacked in Ha Si-heon’s hands, their total reaching an astonishing $20 million.

Approximately 27.6 billion won in Korean currency.

Although nominally an investment, it wasn’t meant to generate real profits.

No one here was genuinely aiming for financial gain.

Judy and Gerard were testing Ha Si-heon.

Gonzalez was acting purely out of amusement.

And for such trivial purposes, astronomical amounts of money were being tossed around.

“This is insane…”

“Ridiculous…”

The recruits, who had been silently observing the entire ordeal, held their breath.

It felt like watching a high-stakes poker game played exclusively by the top 1%.

They were already itching to talk.

“I can’t wait…”

“Until tomorrow…”

This was bombshell news.

The moment anyone mentioned it, the entire department would be in an uproar.

For the first time, they couldn’t wait for work.

***

The Next Day

The entire Goldman headquarters was abuzz.

In the hallways, the company café, even in the elevators, there was only one topic of conversation.

“Hey, did you hear about this?”

“Oh, you mean that new recruit? Got himself into trouble again?”

At the center of it all was Ha Si-heon.

The shocking events that had unfolded during the holiday spread rapidly, thanks to the recruits who had witnessed them.

“$20 million in total? And he agreed to cover half the losses? How’s he gonna handle that?”

“Gonzalez Said He’d Pay It Off”

“Gonzalez said he’d pay it off for him.”

“Who the hell is that guy anyway?”

As the story passed from person to person, rumors grew more elaborate.

“Were the two of them close from the start?”

“I haven’t really seen them hanging out much…”

“But still, he’s covering his debt, isn’t he? Gonzalez was part of that company-wide bet before, right? Wasn’t he helping out back then too?”

“And what does Gonzalez get out of this?”

“No idea. But isn’t Gonzalez that guy? The one who bought that $10 million property last year just to mess with an MD he didn’t like…”

“Oh, yeah! That was crazy. The guy’s nuts.”

It turned out Gonzalez had already been at the center of several controversies over the past year.

But for someone infamous for his eccentric and unpredictable behavior to suddenly become Ha Si-heon’s sponsor? That was a hot topic inside Goldman.

Speculation ran wild about whether there was some deeper agenda behind their alliance.

At the same time, curiosity about Rachel’s identity grew.

“People were already talking about how that MD went out of their way to give her special treatment…”

“An MD bowing down to her? She’s no ordinary person. And there are three Van Gogh paintings in her house?”

“Not just any paintings either—well-known ones. That’s not something money alone can buy…”

The prevailing theory was that Rachel came from a family of immense wealth and power.

With such speculation swirling, the way Ha Si-heon had conducted himself in front of such influential people came under scrutiny.

“Apparently, he told Rachel’s brother, ‘Hunting in a reserved area is like taking a gun to a zoo.’”

“No way. That’s gotta be exaggerated.”

“They double-checked, and that’s exactly what he said.”

“Insane… If Gerard had a gun, he’d have shot him on the spot.”

“Did he really have to act that cocky?”

“He must have confidence.”

“In what? That algorithm?”

Ha Si-heon’s unusual confidence stemmed from his algorithm, boasting an 80% accuracy rate.

“But can he really rely on that? What if it doesn’t work?”

“It does work.”

“Still, isn’t he the one who said it’s still in the testing phase? There’s no guarantee it’s perfect…”

Everyone in Goldman had witnessed the algorithm’s success firsthand.

They’d seen the miracles unfold in real-time during a teaser presentation.

So, the 80% algorithm was the real deal. It had to be.

Ever since that day, everyone had believed it without question.

But now, that belief was beginning to waver.

“There’s always a chance, right? Errors can happen.”

“And it hasn’t been tested in a real-world scenario yet. If an unforeseen variable crops up…”

“$20 million is on the line. Even a slight mistake could lead to $2-3 million in debt.”

Would the algorithm hold up in a real-world scenario?

Doubt was spreading.

There was simply too much at stake to trust it blindly.

Twenty million dollars.

Even with faith in the algorithm, could its principles work on such a massive scale?

The stakes were too high.

Even those not directly involved felt the weight of the risk.

“Well… it is accurate. We’ve seen it ourselves.”

“Then would you invest your own money in it?”

“That’s… uh…”

Ha Si-heon could sense the shifting mood around him.

The tide has turned.

Securing $20 million had reignited everyone’s interest in him, and the trust in his algorithm was now under scrutiny.

What mattered most on Wall Street?

Liquidity.

If the tide had shifted, the key was to find new opportunities within the new flow.

Even if the current plan seemed to be progressing well, clinging to it while ignoring the shift would only lead to disaster. frёewebnoѵēl.com

This was a fundamental law.

But every crisis also harbored opportunity.

In other words, a new flow always brought new chances.

Ha Si-heon leaned on his hand, deep in thought.

Then, he turned and walked away.

This could work out better than expected.

A new opportunity had revealed itself—one that could multiply his gains several times over.

Why hold back something this good?