The world has gone mad. When the facade of prosperity shatters, the entire globe plunges into chaos. Capital tied to the financial industry is ruthlessly cleansed. The economists who championed the bull market are now receiving death threats. The financial crisis is like a storm, sweeping across the globe.
At Oceanic Securities, the atmosphere is tense.
Bang! The secretary at the door flinches. This is the umpteenth time today that the sound of things being smashed has echoed from within the office. Things only begin to calm down when Secretary Meissen arrives.
Inside the office, Edward Vanderbilt's face is ashen. "Why wasn't I informed earlier that King Investments had pulled out before the bull market crashed? That crucial intel could have saved us!"
The financial crisis has hit the financial system first and hardest, and his securities company bears the brunt of the impact. The colossal losses have left Edward seething with rage. If everyone had suffered losses, he might have felt some solace. But amidst the sea of red plummeting lines, the singular profitable line from King Investments feels like a mockery of his incompetence.
"Information delays are unavoidable. The securities office isn't going to proactively leak information, and our inquiry cycle is every two weeks. King Investments cashed out in just ten days," Secretary Meissen explains, bowing slightly.
Edward's expression softens slightly as he lights a cigar, the smoke curling around him. "I know that. But the subprime crisis has plummeted trust levels, and our securities company is now seen as no better than fraudsters. What can I do?"
The real issue is the financial trust crisis, making the downfall of Oceanic Securities almost inevitable. This is far more disheartening than watching all the losses, while King Investments walks away with a billion.
"We could focus on PR to stabilize the situation," Secretary Meissen suggests.
"Don't be ridiculous. Right now, economists are viewed as liars, and credit cards are seen as the root of people's financial woes. What kind of PR would work?" Edward retorts.
"Maybe a celebrity endorsement? Or the mayor?" Secretary Meissen proposes.
Edward almost laughs at the absurdity, but it is a bitter laugh born from frustration with the situation.
"We could use some funds to provide real benefits to the public, improving Oceanic Securities' reputation before others can," Secretary Meissen suggests earnestly.
"Like what?" Edward's interest piques as he sits up straighter.
"Perhaps we could temporarily reduce interest rates or offer some interest benefits to new account holders," Secretary Meissen elaborates.
"But do you know how many account holders we have? If we offer too many benefits, even a year's profit from the entire Oceanic Group wouldn't cover it," Edward says, pushing up his glasses as he seriously considers the plan's feasibility.
"We don't need to use the bank's interest. Just offering a fraction of a percent in interest benefits would suffice," Secretary Meissen explains.
"That would ruin Oceanic Securities' financial report for the year," Edward muses.
"Our priority now is to survive this financial winter," Secretary Meissen reminds him.
Edward falls into deep thought, the room filled with smoke for a long time. "The plan is feasible, but Oceanic Securities' cash flow..."
"Empire Investments recently launched a stock collateral loan service," Secretary Meissen recalls. "However, their president Garland Blackwood mentioned that only businesses deemed excellent could qualify."
"Garland Blackwood of Empire Investments?" Edward recalls the name and asks, "That young guy who likes to play fire in the market?"
"Empire Investments had a significant influx of funds recently. It's said that 51% of Empire Investments' shares were sold to a mysterious buyer," Secretary Meissen explains.
Edward seems to understand something and laughs. "Looks like that rebellious kid finally found himself a master."
In the Bright District, at Empire Investments.
In the office, Garland Blackwood looks at the young man sipping iced American coffee across from him. After several moments of hesitation, he finally asks, "You didn't secretly transfer all the funds from Oceanic Group's account, did you?"
The sudden influx of such a vast amount of money is overwhelming—enough to buy several Empire Investments by valuation.
"Aha, that's a good one! Wait, you were not joking?" Sebastian Vanderbilt chuckles, his expression calm. No one knows exactly how much he has profited from the bull market. Even he had been so excited by the number that he'd lost sleep for two days.
Seeing Garland's shocked expression, Sebastian's eyes hold a hint of amusement. The future head of an invisible conglomerate, known for managing the most cash flow on the uptown, is still surprised by money?
Garland isn't truly that shocked; he is expressing his astonishment appropriately. "Alright, I'm just curious. With the financial sector about to enter its winter phase, why are you still diving in headfirst?"
To Garland, the current financial market seems beyond saving, even with the combined efforts of the entire peninsula. The only potential saviors are on Wall Street, but those greedy leeches had no intention of intervening. Sebastian's actions seem akin to throwing money into a pit.
"The most depressed phase is the best time to enter!" Sebastian draws a curve with his finger. "Miss this opportunity, and something you can buy for a hundred dollars now might cost ten thousand in the future."
"But what if the market collapses completely?" Garland voices his concerns.
"The financial market won't collapse. The importance of currency circulation globally can't be overstated, especially the unique role of the US dollar," Sebastian explains confidently. "The States government won't allow the established order to be disrupted."
Garland looks at him, his gaze unwavering. "Fine, you're the boss now. I'll follow your lead," Garland shrugs and smiles.
"Congratulations, Mr. Blackwood, on making the best investment of your life," Sebastian says with a bright smile as he stands up to leave. "It's getting late; I should head back."
"Not staying for a drink?" Garland asks, slightly disappointed. "I just got a good bottle of wine from a friend."
"Next time," Sebastian smiles. "For now, I need to head back to the studio to handle a small issue."