The meals were still delivered on time, but the flowers were gone.
Callie held several meetings in succession, discussing the layoff list with Shamar’s overseas managers. The company charter was also being revised, adding an extra layer of protection against the takeover.
They thought the anti-takeover would proceed smoothly, but the next day, Shamar’s stock hit the limit down again. Callie quickly sensed something was wrong during her recent studies. “Check if the foreign company has already sold off their shares.”
Her colleague soon confirmed it was indeed the foreign company.
After calmly considering the situation, Callie guessed that Nelson had no idea she had Jaquan’s one billion dollars in aid. If he missed this calculation… it would actually give her an advantage.
Playing short? Not an option.
She immediately informed Shamar’s trader, “Keep an eye on the stock market. Buy as many shares as the foreign company sells.”
The trader hesitated at such a direct confrontation. “Are you sure?”
She had no other choice.
Over the next few days, the foreign company and Shamar engaged in a buying and selling battle. The stock market stabilized, reassuring most shareholders. By the end of the week, the foreign company’s fifty billion dollars were exhausted. They had shorted all of Shamar’s circulating shares. Despite being heavily in debt, Shamar had won.
Shamar’s team watched the precise numbers and breathed a sigh of relief. Someone patted the table, and the entire office erupted in cheers.
Callie looked at the fluctuating data on her computer screen and felt a sense of relief. The thorn in her heart was finally removed.
Fortunately, they didn’t know about Jaquan’s one billion dollars. They managed to bring them down…
Shamar handed over a stack of reports, looking worried. “If the stock continues to fall when the market opens next week, we’ll be facing bankruptcy.”
Callie looked up. “They have no remaining funds, and the stock market has stabilized. How could it fall?”
Shamar still felt uneasy but nodded. “I hope so.”
Callie noticed his recent mood and felt a bit complicated. She joked, “If everything goes well next week, Mr. Oconnor should treat everyone to dinner, right?”
Someone in the office immediately agreed, “I second that!!”
Shamar smiled too. “Of course.”
The following week, the stock market was calm. The economists’ predictions failed, and the foreign company made no further moves, facing much skepticism.
Shamar relaxed and started letting them choose a restaurant. Callie smiled. “I won’t join you guys. I’m going to see Jaquan to thank him in person.”
Jaquan also received the news and reached out to her. “Don’t celebrate too early. Stay cautious.”
Callie didn’t take it seriously and was about to argue when Shamar’s call suddenly interrupted. She said, “I’ll take the company’s call first.”
As soon as she pressed the answer button, Shamar’s tense voice came through. “It’s over… The stock suddenly plummeted… We collapsed.”
The real crisis had just arrived; his voice trembled.
Callie stopped abruptly, eyes wide open. “What did you say?”
Behind her stood the towering Oconnor Group building, but it seemed like it could collapse at any moment.
This was the fantasy of capitalism.
Callie frantically ran back to the office, meeting Shamar’s eyes filled with despair. “We… really collapsed.”
It felt like a giant stone had crashed down; Callie even felt dizzy. This situation caught her completely off guard.