Noah Scott studied Simon's expression and said, "Regarding the Quantum Fund matter, Soros himself bears some responsibility too. He demanded we sell all the contracts; no one knows exactly where the information leaked from. The result was the S&P 500 plummeted again, and we had to force-liquidate his positions. Now Soros is insisting it was our operational error and questioning whether Lehman Brothers conspired with you to manipulate the market. Combined with the media fanning the flames, this matter is becoming increasingly troublesome."
After Noah Scott finished speaking, the last shred of hope in Simon's heart vanished, but he retorted without hesitation, "Noah, this has nothing to do with me."
"I understand," Noah Scott said sincerely. "But, Simon, the current situation is that everyone must resolve this matter quickly for you to extricate yourself from the recent turmoil, and for Lehman Brothers as well. You must have sensed it—the FBI, SEC, and CFTC are clearly hoping to catch you through this incident. $1.6 billion is a very large sum. To issue a fine, they absolutely wouldn't mind doing anything."
Simon turned his head, gazing absently at the blurred glass window, and asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Sensing the shift in Simon's mood, Noah Scott continued, "We've been in contact with Soros. A settlement is the best option. However, Soros is adamantly demanding $50 million in compensation." [TL/N: I'll fucking kill this mentally retard sub-human.]
Simon fell silent again. He raised his hand and drew a diagonal line on the glass window, then pointed to the other side of the slash before withdrawing his hand listlessly.
Seeing Simon's distraction and the strange pattern he drew on the window, Noah Scott pressed on, "Simon, for the $50 million compensation, Lehman Brothers will pay $40 million, and you contribute $10 million. How about it? This way, everyone can avoid trouble. $10 million is nothing to you now. But if you get entangled in this case, the legal fees you'll spend might easily exceed $10 million."
"Noah, I originally thought we might become friends," Simon said after another moment of silence, turning to Noah Scott. "It seems that opportunity is gone now. Westeros Corporation has done nothing wrong. So, tell the person who sent or forced you to come here: I'll set aside $10 million to handle lawsuits. If $10 million isn't enough, then $100 million, or even $1 billion. Honestly, I don't really care about this money because making money is just too easy for me. However, I'm not accustomed to people trying to take what's mine. Do a little digging, and you'll find I'm actually quite vindictive. Last year, some bastards attacked me at night; I broke one leg on each of all five of them. Well, actually, it should have been six, but the woman beside me didn't want me to be too violent, so I let the one behind it go. This time, she definitely won't plead for anyone. So, you can tell those people to try. If they want this money, come and take it."
Noah Scott's expression grew increasingly awkward as Simon spoke. After a moment, he said, "Simon, I don't understand what you're saying." [TL/N: Although you are mentally retarded, i know that you fucking understand what the fuck did you just say earlier.]
"I'm not too sure either. Maybe the recent pressure is getting to me, and I'm starting to talk nonsense," Simon shook his head, seeming confused, then made a gesture of dismissal. "Noah, don't contact me again."
Based on James Rebould's assessment, after applying media pressure, private wiretaps, and inevitable covert investigations failed to find any evidence of wrongdoing by Westeros Corporation, Rudy Giuliani might actively create evidence, pressuring other compromised targets to testify against Simon.
Ivan Boesky, the Wall Street insider trading tycoon convicted earlier this year, had agreed during negotiations with Giuliani to testify against five other insider traders in exchange for leniency. That Wall Street speculator, who had engaged in insider trading for over a decade, ultimately received only a three-year prison sentence and a $100 million fine. He kept half of his fortune.
Ivan Boesky was the real-life inspiration for Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas in the upcoming film Wall Street. The film's classic "Greed is good" line was actually a sentiment Boesky expressed in a speech at the University of California.
Now.
Lehman Brothers had likely become one of those compromised targets, hence Noah Scott's visit.
Since the alleged conspiracy never happened, investigators couldn't find any concrete evidence of Simon colluding with Lehman Brothers to manipulate the market.
However, if Simon had agreed just now to contribute $10 million to settle the lawsuit between Lehman Brothers and Quantum Fund, he would immediately fall into a 'if you didn't do it, why would you help pay?' logical trap, and Westeros Corporation would find it very difficult to emerge unscathed from this turmoil.
Exiting the apartment building, Noah Scott looked at the reporters still braving the snow and quickly got into his car parked nearby. The reporters, seeing it wasn't Simon or someone from his inner circle, didn't swarm over.
Perhaps cleared by the cold wind, his thoughts became sharper. Sitting in his car, Noah Scott suddenly realized why the expressions of those people in Simon's living room had been so peculiar when he arrived.
Those people had likely understood the purpose of his visit even before he arrived. He had completely played the fool.
Understanding this, a wave of intense embarrassment washed over Noah Scott.
Sitting in the car for a while, Noah Scott finally started the engine and soon returned to his parents' apartment on Second Avenue. American Express's headquarters was in New York, and Nelson Scott, as one of its Vice Presidents, naturally lived in Manhattan.
Entering the house, Noah Scott found three other middle-aged men in the living room: American Express CEO James Robinson, his father Nelson Scott, and another somewhat balding middle-aged man who was lounging on the sofa, legs crossed, puffing on a cigar.
His mother absolutely forbade his father and himself from smoking at home and would throw a fit if she found out. Looking at the man blowing cigar smoke, Noah Scott could only frown slightly. He walked over, took a miniature recorder from his suit pocket, and respectfully pushed it towards the man. "Mr. Giuliani, he refused."
Rudy Giuliani picked up the recorder leisurely and pressed play. Simon and Noah's conversation emanated from the device.
However, upon hearing Simon's words, the tough middle-aged prosecutor's expression visibly darkened.
The Scott father and son simply sat quietly nearby. James Robinson, looking at the star politician opposite who had grown somewhat presumptuous due to his recent 'successes,' felt disgusted but maintained a polite facade. "In that case, Rudy, I'm afraid we can't be of help. If you insist, Lehman Brothers will pay a fine for the previous trades. Or, after you leave office, whether you start a law firm or a consulting company, American Express would be happy to become your client."
Rudy Giuliani didn't look at James Robinson. Gripping the recorder, his expression shifted for a moment before he stood up. Still clutching the recorder tightly, he glanced at the other three, his gaze finally settling on James Robinson. "James, don't let it happen again."
The three men hurriedly stood up. As Giuliani reached the door, Robinson called after him, "Rudy, in that case, can we settle the case with Quantum Fund?"
Rudy Giuliani took the coat handed to him by Noah Scott, nodded slightly, but then added, "Tell that kid I'll be watching him. He'd better not let me catch him."
With that, Rudy Giuliani left.
The three men in the living room breathed a sigh of relief after Giuliani's departure. Although they had taken some precautions, the September trade by American Express could have caused trouble, albeit not major. It was best to let it pass quietly now.
Closing the door, Noah Scott went to open a window, then looked at the two elders who had sat down again. His tone held a hint of sarcasm. "Has he ever considered that he might be the one getting watched? By a billionaire who once broke five legs."
Nelson Scott turned and scolded his son, "Noah, this matter has nothing to do with us. You'd better not get involved."
Noah Scott replied with some resentment, "I couldn't get involved even if I wanted to. You heard it; Simon Westeros has cut ties with me."
"Alright, although losing this client is regrettable, it can't be helped," James Robinson said now. "Noah, you can take over Will Green's position next. Don't disappoint me."
Will Green was the Senior Vice President responsible for the Quantum Fund account who had made the major blunder.
The dispute between Lehman Brothers and Quantum Fund was always destined for an out-of-court settlement. However, although they had prepared in advance, Rudy Giuliani had discovered American Express's September trade following Westeros Corporation and used it to pressure Noah Scott into implicating Simon Westeros.
Unexpectedly, they saw through it immediately.
James Robinson and the Scotts were actually relieved. If Simon Westeros had agreed, even if Giuliani's main target was Westeros Corporation, Lehman Brothers' reputation would have certainly suffered.
Now.
With the last tactic failed, Giuliani overlooked American Express's September trade and tacitly allowed Lehman Brothers to settle with Quantum Fund. They had weathered the storm. Whether Simon Westeros and Rudy Giuliani would clash again was no longer their concern.