The boardroom buzzed with quiet anticipation as the senior partners settled into their seats. Alex sat at the far end of the polished mahogany table, outwardly composed but internally focused.
Across the room, Jack Connor, the silent partner whose reputation loomed large over the firm, stood at the head of the table. His mere presence added weight to the proceedings, and as he began to speak, the room fell silent.
"Thank you all for making time today," Jack began, his tone calm but commanding. "I'm here to introduce Alex Han, a new recruit with extraordinary potential. But I'm not just asking for your time—I'm asking for your trust. My proposal: Alex becomes a partner."
The room erupted in murmurs, and Edward Collins, one of the senior partners, leaned forward with a frown. "Jack, partnership isn't something we hand out lightly. What exactly are you asking us to trust?"
Jack nodded, as if expecting the question. "Fair. But trust me when I say Alex's idea could change the game—not just for this firm, but for the world of finance."
He gestured for Alex to stand.
Alex rose smoothly, meeting the skeptical gazes of the senior partners. His calm confidence radiated across the room as he began his pitch.
It feels strange being back here, in this exact spot, but with the roles reversed. The thought settled in Alex's mind as he looked across the room. I remember sitting at a desk as a junior analyst, admiring these people from a distance. I never imagined I'd be pitching to them like this someday—or in this timeline.
"My platform will initially appear as a market forecasting tool—something intuitive and accessible for the everyday user," Alex started, his voice steady. "It will allow users to predict trends and monitor moves made by Wall Street experts in real-time.
For new investors, it'll simplify the process, letting them either emulate expert traders or follow the app's tailored suggestions. Over time, those suggestions will become smarter, better informed, and increasingly effective, thanks to the platform's learning algorithms. And these investors will rely on our app more than the expert traders."
This feels easier than it should, Alex thought as Edward, the skeptic, raised his hand. Not because it's simple, but because I've had the advantage of seeing how this unfolds. It's like navigating a road I've already traveled—one I didn't expect to walk again.
Edward frowned, a shadow of doubt clouding his features. "Hold on a moment. This app of yours encourages copying expert traders and making investment decisions based on algorithmic suggestions. Have you considered the possibility of herd mentality? If too many people follow the same advice, the market could become dangerously lopsided, leading to collapses or bubbles."
The room murmured in agreement, the senior partners nodding as Edward pressed on. "What happens when your app moves billions in one direction and causes a crash? What safeguards do you have in place to prevent that?"
Alex remained calm, anticipating this concern. It's surreal to hear the same questions as before, but I'm better prepared now.
"You raise a valid point," he acknowledged, his tone measured. "And it's something I've accounted for. While the app allows users to follow trends, it also emphasizes diversification and long-term strategies. The algorithms are designed not to encourage bandwagon behavior but to balance portfolios based on risk tolerance and market stability."
He paused, scanning the room to gauge their reactions. "Additionally, the platform will incorporate a dynamic balancing mechanism—real-time monitoring of market liquidity and volatility to adjust recommendations accordingly."
"The app isn't just about making investments easy; it's about making them smart. Herd mentality is a risk, but with the safeguards in place, we're guiding users toward sustainable growth, not reckless speculation." Alex, continues.
They're listening. That's a good sign. Alex noted the subtle shifts in their expressions as Edward narrowed his eyes but nodded slowly, seemingly placated.
The partners exchanged intrigued glances, but Alex wasn't finished. "As the platform evolves, we'll add a seamless interface enabling users to directly make investments and payments through the app. From there, the possibilities expand: users will be able to pay for anything via the app, making it a central hub for personal finance."
Jack leaned back, letting Alex take the lead.
It's still nerve-wracking, though. Even knowing how things turn out, this moment feels monumental. There's no safety net. I have to get this right.
"But here's the game-changer," Alex continued, his voice steady yet commanding.
"We will introduce a new form of currency: a decentralized digital asset based on blockchain technology. This currency, which I've named ByteMark, will outgrow traditional global currencies. ByteMark will not only be secure and accessible but will set a new standard in finance—a currency designed to become the benchmark for the world economy."
A silence filled the room as the weight of Alex's vision took hold.
Edward, the skeptic, finally broke it. "This… ByteMark. You're saying it will replace the dollar, the euro, the yen?"
"Not replace," Alex clarified.
"Surpass. ByteMark isn't tied to any government or institution—it belongs to the people. It's the natural evolution of currency in a world where trust in traditional systems is dwindling. With the firm's influence, we won't just launch this currency—we'll lead the charge in reshaping the financial landscape."
Gregory, another senior partner, leaned forward, visibly intrigued. "And you expect us to market this platform? To back something this… revolutionary?"
Jack interjected smoothly, his voice like silk. "It's not just revolutionary—it's inevitable. With ByteMark as the foundation and this platform as the gateway, we're not betting on the future of finance. We're building it."
Jack leaned forward, his voice cutting through the lingering tension. "And that's why Alex is the right man for this venture. He's not just selling a product; he's anticipating challenges and building solutions before they arise. That's the kind of foresight this firm needs to back."
Foresight, yes, Alex thought, a quiet sense of gratitude washing over him. But also opportunity. This is my chance to set things right—not just for them, but for me.
The senior partners lingered in their seats as Alex and Jack exited the boardroom, murmurs of approval and intrigue filling the air behind them. The heavy oak doors closed with a soft thud, cutting off the conversation inside. Alex released a slow breath, tension uncoiling in his chest as he allowed himself a moment of relief.
Before they could take another step down the corridor, Lawrence and Vance, two of the more reserved partners, approached with easy smiles.
"Alex!" Lawrence called, clapping him on the shoulder. "That was extraordinary. Joe was right—you're a brilliant talent!"
Vance nodded, his tone warm but measured. "He'll be proud of you when he learns about this. You've got something special, kid. Keep it up, and you'll leave a mark bigger than any of us ever expected."
Alex offered a grateful smile, his mind briefly flashing to Prof. Taylor. If only he knew the layers beneath all this praise. "Thank you," he said sincerely, shaking both their hands. "It means a lot coming from you."
As the two men walked away, Jack finally turned to Alex, his expression softening into a mix of pride and amusement.
"That went well, huh?" Jack said with a grin, starting down the hall.
Alex exhaled, a half-smile forming. "Better than I expected."
Jack chuckled, clapping a hand on Alex's shoulder. "Don't get too comfortable. This was just the first act. From here on, it's all you."