Chapter 8: The Breaking Point
Titan Vale Corporate Headquarters | Executive Floor
Titan Vale Corporation's stock had begun to dip.
At first, it was subtle—a percentage point here, a fraction there. Nothing alarming. But Freya knew better. Astralis wasn't just testing the waters. They were waging financial war.
And Nevaris was letting them.
Freya stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of Nevaris' office, arms crossed, her sharp gaze locked onto the cascading market data on the digital wall display. Red numbers flashed as Titan Vale's stock tumbled—5.2%, then 6.3%, then 7.1%. The financial media had already latched onto the narrative.
"Titan Vale Facing Liquidity Crisis? Insiders Speak Out!"
"Is the Trillionaire Empire Cracking?"
"Short Sellers Bet Big Against Nevaris Vale—Will They Win?"
Freya exhaled through her nose. Astralis was spreading rumors, leaking fabricated "insider" reports claiming Titan Vale was over-leveraged, hinting at financial instability. It was a well-orchestrated attempt to spook investors and trigger a downward spiral.
And yet—
Nevaris was lounging on the couch, an iced coffee in one hand, scrolling through his phone like none of this concerned him. His golden eyes flicked across the screen, absorbing numbers that would send most executives into a meltdown.
Freya narrowed her eyes. "Let me guess. You're enjoying this?"
Nevaris grinned without looking up. "Of course. It's fun watching them dig their own grave."
She tilted her head. "Our stock is down nearly 7% in two hours."
"Yes, and?"
She crossed her arms. "You're not even slightly concerned?"
Nevaris finally set his coffee down and stretched. "Freya, Freya, Freya. Have a little faith."
Her eyes flickered back to the market display. "Astralis has gone all-in on their short position. They're betting that Titan Vale will crash below critical levels, forcing a panic sell-off."
Nevaris chuckled. "Cute. But do you know what they don't realize?"
Freya arched an eyebrow.
Nevaris flipped his laptop around, revealing a complex financial model.
"Titan Vale isn't over-leveraged. We're the single most liquid corporation on the planet."
Freya scanned the figures.
A slow, knowing smile crept onto her lips. "And Astralis is overextended."
"Bingo." Nevaris swiveled in his chair. "They're playing a high-risk game. When you short a stock, you borrow shares and sell them, hoping to buy them back at a lower price. But if the price rises instead, you have to buy back at a loss."
Freya nodded. "And if they've leveraged themselves too much…"
"They'll get margin-called," Nevaris finished.
Freya exhaled. "How long until you pull the trigger?"
Nevaris checked his watch. "Oh, about… now."
He pressed a key.
Across the financial markets, the shift began.
Freya watched as Titan Vale's stock suddenly stabilized. The downward pressure halted. Then, a minute later—an upward tick. Another. Then another.
And then—
Astralis' stock plummeted.
Freya smirked. "You baited them."
Nevaris leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Of course I did. They thought we were panicking. They shorted us at peak leverage, thinking we'd scramble."
"But instead, you waited until they were overcommitted."
Nevaris' golden eyes gleamed. "And then I crushed them."
Freya glanced at the financial news updates rolling in.
"Astralis Holdings Faces Liquidity Crunch as Short Positions Backfire!"
"Astralis' Stock Plunges—Sources Report Margin Calls Imminent!"
Margin calls were brutal. When brokers issued them, investors had two choices: inject more cash to cover losses or liquidate assets at any price.
Astralis didn't have the cash.
"Nevaris," Freya said, watching the chaos unfold, "you just triggered a corporate meltdown."
Nevaris tapped his chin. "I give them, oh, an hour before their CEO starts making desperate calls."
Freya checked her phone. A notification appeared.
Incoming call: Graham Foster (CEO, Astralis Holdings).
She looked up. "Less than that."
Nevaris smirked. "Put him through."
Freya answered, placing the call on speaker.
"Nevaris." Graham Foster's voice was tight with barely restrained frustration. "We need to talk."
Nevaris picked up his coffee and took a slow sip. "Do we?"
"You've made your point. This is reckless. We should negotiate."
Nevaris feigned surprise. "Oh? Now you want to negotiate? But you seemed so confident a few hours ago."
Foster gritted his teeth. "There's still room for a deal."
Nevaris chuckled. "No, Graham. There was room for a deal. That window closed when you tried to play market games with me."
"You think you've won, but we still have options."
Nevaris' golden eyes flickered crimson for just a second.
"No, you don't."
Silence.
Freya could practically hear Foster's blood pressure rising.
Nevaris leaned forward. "Here's what's going to happen. You're going to sell Astralis to me. And you're going to do it before your shareholders throw you out a window."
Foster's voice was icy. "You're insane—"
"Am I?" Nevaris checked his monitor. "Because according to this, you have about forty-five minutes before the margin calls peak and you're completely bankrupt."
Foster breathed heavily.
Nevaris smiled. "Tick-tock, Graham."
More silence.
Then, finally—
"…Fine."
Nevaris grinned. "Good boy. Have your legal team draft the paperwork. I'll have my people 'review' it."
The call cut off.
Freya stared at Nevaris. "You really enjoy this, don't you?"
Nevaris took another sip of coffee, his golden eyes shimmering.
"Oh, Freya."
He set the cup down.
"Of course I do."