Someone had plotted against him, but William White remained unfazed. He had no fear of conventional business tactics. Following the settlement of his London futures, he faced no significant financial pressures.
The consortium's approach boiled down to applying pressure from banks and subsequently coercing asset transfers at lower prices, with possible collaboration from tax authorities.
Naturally, the stock market had its methods as well, such as acquisitions and short sales. William White wasn't overly concerned about these tactics; at most, he'd consider packaging assets for sale.
The influence of the consortium became abundantly clear in due course.
"Boss, there's an issue with White Petroleum's shareholding, and there's a notable shortage of circulating stocks in the market. Our investigation revealed they've been quietly accumulating shares."
"Si, does this spell trouble for the Hunt family?" inquired an elderly gentleman with white hair.
"Yes, boss, we have reason to believe that with more than half of their holdings, the Hunt family's acquisition efforts are in vain."
"Hmm, I see. But where did they source the funds? Did they use the funds from the software company or the film company?" Being part of Citigroup, they could easily access William White's financial records.
"No, both those accounts appear perfectly normal, except for a delay in overseas returns, and no unusual activity in the accounts."
It wasn't just Citigroup trying to unravel the situation; they had ample resources.
"Boss, there's a possibility," said the informant, hesitating briefly before continuing.
"Go on."
"The futures market."
"Si, are you suggesting that these funds belong to William White?"
"Yes, boss, though it's not easy to confirm right now, the person in charge of trading won't be able to keep it hidden for long."
"Is there any concrete evidence?"
"Considering the timing of these companies' establishment, it aligns with the period when William White assumed control of the family business. Furthermore, given his recent behavior, it's highly likely he's involved in this."
"Hmm, this young man is quite formidable. Keep a close watch, and if he's behind this, our plans could be jeopardized," the elderly gentleman looked troubled.
"Boss, it might be wise to exert pressure on other parties involved. Their financial situation is undoubtedly precarious."
"You must be joking! This young man is like a mad dog, a wild card. Do you intend to go up against a cowboy?"
Truthfully, William White's unorthodox methods were causing headaches for many. In a world where everyone sought wealth, who would willingly engage in such a fight?
William White was amassing security. This was no secret. Given the current circumstances, he was a rapid-response force. Texas toughness was not to be underestimated. Unless you concealed your intentions entirely, he would be relentless.
The elderly gentlemen were somewhat reserved, cautious about their approach. They had employed these tactics before World War II. In today's civilized society, violence and conflict had become obsolete.
Little did they realize that this caution betrayed a guilty conscience. Small dogs bare their fangs when they encounter strangers out of fear. Tibetan Mastiffs, on the other hand, need no such display and simply attack.
In this regard, human behavior mirrored that of animals - instinctual reactions requiring little explanation.
Furthermore, William White was a time-traveler. Such individuals typically lacked a sense of security. The consortium's machinations had long been exposed, and it would be naive to assume he was unaware of their schemes.
In recent years, the United States had plunged into chaos, arguably its weakest point post-World War II. Society had lost its way, with yuppies, punks, and hippies emerging as products of the era.
In this period, one could witness the wasted potential of the young and beautiful.
Did they understand the dangers of hallucinogens?
These individuals, devoid of life's purpose, sought liberation in various forms. If they played themselves into oblivion, they'd find relief.
This phenomenon epitomized anti-mainstream culture. It opposed mainstream societal values, whether they were religious or legal. Present-day youth rebelled against all norms, with many even supporting Maoism.
It's a mistake to assume that only the United States faced such issues. The United Kingdom, too, grappled with similar challenges. Only the Germanic nations and footbaths seemed exempt.
What's intriguing is that the Axis powers performed remarkably well, while other nations succumbed to various forms of decline.
Tian Chao had experienced its share of setbacks, wasting precious years. Fortunately, a silent consensus had formed among its people, allowing the nation to catch up.
The United States had succumbed to severe schizophrenia. One could observe this in their political figures.
To gain public approval, politicians needed to be good fathers, husbands, sons, and responsible pet owners. With these foundations in place, they had a chance of outshining their rivals.
This represented a fundamental requirement for politicians and public figures. The public believed that if you couldn't remain loyal to your family, you'd likely deceive the public too.
It must be acknowledged that these individuals lacked moral values. In a society where politicians were expected to lie, honesty was futile.
Among the few who climbed to higher echelons, none were truly virtuous.
The elderly and attractive officials were far from virtuous. Lacking enthusiasm, they could hardly succeed. Without the charisma of an MLM master, they'd be at most district councilors.
Could an unusually zealous individual remain loyal to their family?
Perhaps this one could.
In a way, the United States was a religious nation, with Protestantism wielding significant influence. It might be hard to accept, but many successful individuals had trod this path.
Monogamy?
Well, they practiced it for a time, but spouses were swapped out as they aged.
In the age of indulgence, one needed a strong constitution. Capitalists had little discipline, and government officials enjoyed too many privileges. A misstep could lead to their downfall.
The key to mitigating risks lay in being a cunning rabbit with multiple escape routes. Before 9/11, the United States had weak control over offshore accounts. As long as your capital didn't originate in the United States, they had no recourse.
William White's situation was not unique. Almost all wealthy families' support systems were offshore. In the event of domestic instability, they could live comfortably abroad with their funds.
Currently, William White only managed to get five hours of sleep each night. His comic book world demanded careful planning. Delays weren't an option. Who could predict when others would hatch their schemes? These matters needed prompt attention.
He was determined to carve out a niche in the footbath comic industry, even if it required approval from the CCA in the United States. Footbath comics didn't hold back. They graded their comics, tailoring them for different consumer groups.
It remained puzzling why comic books weren't graded. Concerns about the harmful influence of comics were prevalent, and more traditional parents hesitated to buy them for their children.
Comic books were being blamed for promoting homosexuality, a notion that seemed exaggerated. Could Batman and Robin not simply be close friends?
Weren't they like brothers in arms?