Noah Scott gauged Simon's expression and said, "Quantum Fund itself must also take responsibility. Soros demanded that we sell all the contracts, and no one knew where the information had come from. The result was another major drop in the S&P 500 index, and we had to forcibly close his positions. Now Soros insists it was our operational error, and he suspects Lehman Brothers and you of conspiring to manipulate the market. With the media adding fuel to the fire, this matter has become increasingly troublesome."
After listening to Noah Scott, Simon's last bit of hope vanished, but he retorted without hesitation, "Noah, this has nothing to do with me."
"I understand," Noah Scott replied earnestly. "However, Simon, the situation now is that everyone needs to resolve this matter quickly for you to get out of this recent turmoil, and the same goes for Lehman Brothers. You must feel it—the FBI, SEC, and CFTC are clearly hoping to pin something on you through this. $1.6 billion is a lot of money, and to issue fines, they definitely wouldn't mind doing whatever it takes."
Simon turned his head, staring absently at the somewhat blurred windowpane, and asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Noah Scott sensed the shift in Simon's mood and continued, "We've already made contact with Soros, and settling is the best option. However, Soros insists on a compensation of $50 million."
Simon fell silent again, drawing a diagonal line on the windowpane, then pointing to the other side of the slash, his interest seemingly waning as he withdrew his hand.
Seeing Simon's mind wander, Noah Scott observed the strange pattern he drew on the window, then said, "Simon, $50 million in compensation, with Lehman Brothers paying $40 million and you contributing $10 million. How about that? It would allow everyone to get rid of the trouble. $10 million isn't much for you now. But if you get involved in this case, the legal fees you'll end up paying might well exceed $10 million."
"Noah, I thought we might become friends," Simon said after a pause, turning to Noah Scott again. "It seems that won't be the case now. Westeros Corporation has done nothing wrong, so tell whoever sent or forced you to come here that I will prepare $10 million for legal defense. If $10 million isn't enough, then $100 million, or even $1 billion. Honestly, I don't really care about the money because making money is too easy for me. However, I'm not used to people trying to take what's mine. Do a little digging, and you'll find I'm quite vengeful. Last year, several bastards attacked me at night, and all five ended up with broken legs. Actually, it should have been six, but the woman by my side didn't want me to be too violent, so I spared the one behind the scenes. This time she definitely won't plead for anyone. So, you can let those people try if they want this money, come and take it."
Noah Scott's expression became increasingly embarrassed as Simon spoke, and after a moment, he said, "Simon, I don't understand what you're saying."
"Neither do I, perhaps the pressure lately is getting to me, starting to talk nonsense," Simon said, appearing somewhat puzzled as he shook his head, then made a gesture to show Noah out: "Noah, don't contact me again."
According to James Redfield's judgment, after media pressure, private wiretapping, and the inevitable undercover investigations, they still could not find any evidence of wrongdoing by Westeros Corporation. Rudy Giuliani might try to fabricate evidence to force others caught in a bind to accuse Simon.
Earlier this year, Wall Street insider trading tycoon Ivan Boesky was convicted after negotiating with Giuliani to accuse five other insider traders, thereby obtaining a lighter sentence. The Wall Street speculator, who had been involved in insider trading for over ten years, was ultimately sentenced to just three years in prison and a fine of $100 million. He managed to keep half of his fortune.
Ivan Boesky, whose character inspired Gordon Gekko played by Michael Douglas in the upcoming film "Wall Street" and whose infamous 'Greed-is-good' line was delivered during a speech at the University of California.
Now, Lehman Brothers might have become the ones caught, hence Noah Scott's recent visit.
Since the investigation could not possibly find any concrete evidence of Simon conspiring with Lehman Brothers to manipulate the market due to the non-existent nature of the accusations, if Simon had agreed to pay $10 million to settle the lawsuit with Lehman Brothers and Quantum Fund, he would immediately fall into a logical trap of 'why pay if you are not guilty,' making it hard for Westeros Corporation to emerge unscathed from this turmoil.
Exiting the apartment building,
Noah Scott saw the reporters who still staked out even in such snowy weather and quickly got into his car parked nearby. The reporters, realizing that Noah Scott was neither Simon nor one of his associates, did not crowd around.
Perhaps because the cold wind had cleared his mind, Noah Scott sat in the car and suddenly realized why the looks in the living room had been so peculiar after he entered Simon's apartment.
Those people had probably understood his purpose even before he arrived, making him feel like a complete fool.
This realization brought a strong sense of embarrassment surging through Noah Scott.
Sitting in the car for a while, he eventually drove off to his parents' apartment on Second Avenue. As a vice president at American Express, which is headquartered in New York, his father Nelson Scott naturally lived in Manhattan.
Noah Scott walked into the living room where three middle-aged men were sitting, including James Robinson, the CEO of American Express, and his father Nelson Scott. There was also another somewhat balding middle-aged man, casually smoking a cigar with his legs crossed on the sofa.
His mother never allowed smoking in the house and would thunder at any signs of it. Seeing the man puffing away, Noah Scott merely frowned slightly, approached, and respectfully handed over a small tape recorder from his suit pocket to the man, saying, "Mr. Giuliani, he refused."
Rudy Giuliani methodically took the recorder and pressed play, listening to the recorded conversation between Simon and Noah.
However, when he heard Simon's words, the tough middle-aged prosecutor's expression turned sour.
The Scotts simply sat quietly by, while James Robinson, looking at the star politician who had perhaps become a bit too self-important from his recent 'victories,' felt disgust but remained polite, saying, "Since that's the case, Rudy, we're afraid we can't be of help anymore. If you insist, Lehman Brothers will pay a fine for the prior trading violations. Or, once you step down, whether it's starting a law firm or a consultancy, American Express would be pleased to be your client."
Rudy Giuliani, however, didn't look at James Robinson. Holding the recorder, his expression changed several times before he stood up, still gripping the device tightly. Glancing at the three men, his gaze finally rested on James Robinson, and he said coldly, "Jim, don't let this happen again."
James Robinson and the others hurriedly stood as Giuliani walked to the door. Robinson then asked, "Rudy, with that, can we settle this case with Quantum Fund?"
Giuliani, taking the coat Noah Scott offered him, nodded slightly, then added, "Tell that kid, I'll be watching him. Don't let me catch him slipping."
With that, Rudy Giuliani left.
The three men in the living room breathed a sigh of relief once Giuliani was gone. They had manipulated some things in advance, so American Express's September transaction, though troublesome, would not cause them too much difficulty now that it could be smoothly glossed over.
Closing the door, Noah Scott went to open a window, then looked back at his seated elders with a somewhat sarcastic tone, "Didn't he ever consider that he might be the one being watched? By a billionaire who has personally broken five legs."
Nelson Scott, hearing his son's words, turned to scold, "Noah, this has nothing to do with us. It's best if you stay out of it."
Noah Scott, with a touch of defiance, said, "I might want to get involved, but I can't. You all heard—Simon Westeros has cut ties with me."
"Well, it's a pity to lose such a client, but it can't be helped," James Robinson then said, "Noah, you can fill the vacancy left by Will Green. Don't disappoint me."
Will Green was the senior vice president responsible for the mishap with the Quantum Fund.
Lehman Brothers and Quantum Fund's dispute was always destined to settle out of court. However, even though they had prepared in advance, Rudy Giuliani had discovered American Express's transaction following Westeros Corporation in September and used it to try to involve Simon Westeros.
It had been instantly seen through.
James Robinson and the Scotts also breathed a sigh of relief; if Simon Westeros had agreed, even if Giuliani's primary target was Westeros Corporation, Lehman Brothers' reputation would definitely have been damaged.
Now, with the last move failing, Giuliani had glossed over American Express's September transaction and tacitly accepted Lehman Brothers' settlement with Quantum Fund. They had dodged a bullet. Whether Simon Westeros and Rudy Giuliani would clash again was no longer their concern.
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