After resting for half a month, it was time to get back to work.
The settlement and return of funds for Cersei Capital's sub-funds 6 through 10 had been completed under the supervision of Anthony Johnston.
By the end of last year, after closing all positions and clearing all fees, Cersei Capital had a total of $8.63 billion available for settlement.
According to the initially agreed commission ratio, out of the total $8.63 billion, Simon's principal income was $2.25 billion, and his commission income was $1.96 billion. Including the initial $500 million principal, Simon's final take was $4.71 billion.
The Johnston family had invested $100 million and ultimately received a total of $550 million in principal and earnings.
The share belonging to other investors amounted to $3.37 billion, minus $970 million of principal, netting an income of $2.4 billion. Although this return rate could not compare with Simon's, a 250% return still far exceeded most hedge funds on the market. No other funds of a similar size could match this return rate.
Thus, after settlement, a new $1 billion fund raised by Cersei Capital for Australian investors was immediately fully subscribed.
Recently, the Japanese stock market had slid from above 40,000 points to below 38,000, yet the Japanese government still staunchly denied any serious bubble in their stock market, claiming it was a normal correction after market overheating. Probably to support this argument, most assets held by Cersei Capital's sub-funds 1 through 5 had not yet been sold.
The five original sub-funds remained as empty shells in the short term, and this time fundraising was done under the name of sub-fund 6.
Unlike last year, because Simon planned to operate Cersei Capital on a long-term and formal basis, the newly raised sub-fund 6, mainly for hedge operations, set a fixed commission ratio of 20%. As a courtesy to loyal customers, Australian investors still did not have to pay a management fee.
Additionally, Simon and the Johnston family together invested $1.5 billion, which deviated from the original plan by an additional $500 million from the Johnston family.
In North America, the fundraising target remained at the planned $1 billion. Just like in Australia, James LeBroult merely announced the opportunity, and the subsequent fundraising meeting saw the total subscription amount double to over $2 billion.
Having a hedge fund that is too large and too visible is not necessarily a good thing.
Thus, after several discussions, the fundraising amount in North America was still locked at $1 billion. James carefully selected some investors who could potentially benefit the Cersei Capital and the entire Westeros system. Of course, this portion of the investment would start incurring a 2% management fee.
Although sub-fund 6, used for hedge operations, could not expand its scale, Simon had James announce that Cersei Capital would soon undertake additional fundraising for private equity and leveraged buyouts among other investment types.
Simon's rapid rise to become North America's wealthiest individual in just three years had become a golden signboard. Therefore, although the upcoming fund was not for hedge operations, the capital keenly interested in subscribing was still endless.
After ending his vacation in Australia, Simon embarked on his return to North America early on the 16th, accompanied by Janet, David Johnston, and Leslie Whittaker.
Leslie Whittaker was scheduled to return to Cambridge University to resume classes on the 22nd. Before that, she planned to personally visit the Daenerys Studio City to see the office building she was responsible for designing. David Johnston, currently a Ph.D. student, did not have a standard academic schedule and was merely accompanying his girlfriend.
After more than ten hours of flight, the Boeing 767 arrived in Los Angeles, dropped off David and Leslie, and then picked up Amy Pascal and Nancy Brill before heading straight to New York.
Due to time zone differences, they arrived in New York on the afternoon of January 16th, Tuesday.
The launch date for Baivista was set for January 18th, Thursday.
Although they arrived two days early, the schedule here was packed.
After just a few hours of rest in the Fifth Avenue apartment, Simon and Janet rushed to attend a meticulously prepared investor cocktail party at the LeBrould residence, where they also met with several prospective industry managers.
Since they were beginning formal operations, Janet alone definitely couldn't handle everything.
Moreover, having agreed last year that Cersei Capital's headquarters would be in Manhattan, and planning to get married and have a baby soon, Janet had no intention of working full-time. Deep down, she was inclined to make others work for her, planning only to work two or three days a week, not necessarily in Manhattan, leaving the rest to professional managers.
After a year of operations, Janet had already selected a team responsible for managing sub-fund 6, even granting partner status to six members and generously allocating 30% of the sub-fund's equity to them.
The finance industry, unlike manufacturing, relies almost entirely on top talent. Without sufficient incentives, it's easy for talent to be poached by other firms.
Thus, Simon also approved of Janet's equity distribution plan.
Allocating sub-fund equity rather than shares of the parent company was also a result of their discussions.
As the team expanded, sub-fund 6 would undoubtedly welcome other partners in the future, and further develop additional sub-funds. However, no matter how the equity was diluted, it would not affect Simon's control over Cersei Capital.
In fact, even for sub-fund 6, the parent company Cersei Capital employed a structure that separated voting rights from earnings rights, ensuring absolute control over this sub-fund.
The hedge fund's operational team was ready, but launching other types of investments required forming new teams.
Simon had little personal connection in Manhattan, but James LeBroult, having worked many years as a finance lawyer, had extensive contacts and had recently identified many suitable targets for Simon.
The evening cocktail party was lively.
Simon, accompanied by Janet, had just arrived when they immediately became the center of attention.
Not only was "Batman: The Opening Battle" still a box office hit, but the news of Simon's consecutive ten KO wins at a Melbourne fighting ring, accompanied by many photos and videos, had also sparked a media frenzy in North America.
Compared to the less tangible immense wealth, the visceral impact of formidable physical strength was much more direct.
While the public enthusiastically discussed this, some top professional boxers half-jokingly challenged Simon to a match.
Mingling in the crowd, James LeBroult soon brought Simon and Janet to a bespectacled man in his thirties.
"Simon, Janet, this is Lawrence Fink. Lawrence, meet Simon and Janet."
Lawrence Fink, current head of Blackstone Financial Management, a subsidiary of Blackstone Group, controlled approximately $3 billion, primarily managing mainstream stock and bond investments.
After the premiere of "Batman: The Opening Battle," Simon and Jennifer's friend Lisa Collins mentioned her boyfriend Frank Walken worked under Lawrence Fink. Simon quickly took notice of his boss and had James gather information on Lawrence.
At present, Lawrence Fink was just a subsidiary leader under Blackstone Group.
However, Simon knew that in more than a decade, Lawrence would break away from Blackstone to create
BlackRock Group (also known as BlackRock), which would surpass its predecessor.
At its peak, BlackRock managed assets well over $6 trillion, becoming the largest asset management company globally. Whether it was top tech firms like Apple, Amazon, Google, or traditional industrial giants like General Electric and Walmart, BlackRock was among the top five shareholders in these companies.
Owning shares in enterprises essentially meant having a corresponding say in their affairs.
The massive $6 trillion in total assets and significant shareholder status in numerous corporate giants highlighted the immense potential influence of BlackRock.
According to James's research, Simon was very satisfied with Lawrence Fink's track record. Notably, as Fink's disagreements with Blackstone's founder and CEO Steve Schwarzman over corporate management and fund operation grew, Fink was considering leaving Blackstone, and Simon planned to poach Fink's entire team.
James's data showed that Lawrence Fink was a very risk-averse investor with a cautious personality. Coupled with Simon's knowledge from memories, compared to maintaining absolute control over sub-fund 6, Simon was willing to grant more autonomy to Fink.
As for funding, this was not an issue for Simon.
Given the capital market's reverence for Simon's reputation, he could easily raise more than double the capital currently managed by Fink to entrust to him.
After brief introductions, the group quickly touched on the topic of the recent federal takeover of Columbia Savings and Credit Bank.
Both parties clearly understood this was essentially an interview.
Simon participated in the discussion for a while, listening to Janet and Lawrence enthusiastically discuss the prospect of vulture investing in the still-collapsing North American bond market. Unable to keep up, he deliberately stepped aside, leaving the vetting to Janet.
After several years together, Simon increasingly recognized Janet's talent in assessing people, a trait she purportedly inherited from Raymond Johnston.
Following James's introductions and mingling with other guests, Simon was soon surprised by an unexpected figure.
Or rather, two people.
Linda Carter, wearing a low-cut black gown, was arm-in-arm with a middle-aged man, presumably her husband.
Before James could introduce them, the man enthusiastically extended his hand to Simon, saying, "Hello, Mr. Westeros, I am Robert Altman."
This Robert Altman was obviously not the Robert Altman of Hollywood fame.
Simon was used to the phenomenon of common names among Westerners and didn't find it odd, smiling as he shook the man's hand.
Linda Carter looked a bit uneasy seeing Simon. After he greeted her husband, she still reached out and said, "Hello, Mr. Westeros."
The woman clearly pretended not to know him, and Simon didn't expose her, greeting her in return, "Hello, Mrs. Altman."
Linda Carter knew Simon was doing it on purpose, a hint of annoyance flickering in her eyes as she explained, "Mr. Westeros, I didn't take my husband's last name."
"Oh, I apologize," Simon replied.
"Simon, I heard that Daenerys Entertainment is preparing a live-action movie for 'Wonder Woman.' Perhaps Linda could have a cameo. You know, she is the most popular Wonder Woman," Robert Altman then said with a smile.
Simon glanced at the woman and said, "Of course, if there's an opportunity."
After a brief chat, Robert Altman began to describe his work; he was also a lawyer, mainly assisting in tax avoidance for foreign capital returning to invest in the U.S.
Simon listened as Robert explained his keen interest in him.
Cersei Capital had amassed a substantial amount of money overseas, and Simon was clearly a potential major client.
After a while, Robert left his business card and, having unsuccessfully invited Simon to lunch the next day, tactfully walked away.
Once they were gone, James shook his head slightly at Simon, saying, "Simon, it's best not to get too involved with Altman. His tax avoidance methods border on the edge, to put it plainly, they're somewhat like money laundering. Rumor has it the IRS is already watching him."
Simon nodded, "I have no such intentions."
Having amassed such a vast fortune in just a few years, Simon knew many were watching him. Any slip-up, and a slew of opponents would pounce. Simon was confident he could accumulate wealth through entirely legitimate means and had no intention of resorting to shady shortcuts.
After making another round through the crowd, Janet came back and told Simon, "It's settled, but Fink doesn't plan to bring his team with him. He hopes we can fund the purchase of Blackstone Group's shares, so he can continue his operations."
"What about Blackstone Group?"
"Fink wants autonomy and also hopes to share more shares with other partners, while Steve Schwarzman insists on maintaining absolute control over the subsidiaries. The differences between them are growing. If Fink leads his team to leave, it will leave Blackstone with a mess. Comparatively, selling the asset management division to us would allow Blackstone to still gain some income. They likely won't refuse."
Simon nodded, then asked, "Did you discuss the offer with Fink?"
Janet replied, "Blackstone currently holds 50% of Blackstone Financial Management's shares. Based on Fink's team's performance over the past year, the price could be kept within $100 million. Taking over this company, I believe there won't be many investors redeeming their existing funds, and Fink's team is very stable. So, this investment is very worthwhile."
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