10x Cashback: Your Wealth Is Mine

The poor call it a crime but the rich call it seizing opportunities. I guess I can officially say I'm now part of the rich.

The love of money is said to be the root of all evil but have you ever met a man on the path of vengeance? Trust me when I say there's nothing he can't do.

Anyways, I think it can be said that I'm a man who loves money and is on the path of vengeance. While I'm proud to say that there are lines I don't cross, there are some crimes I'll gladly commit to increase my wealth and have my revenge.

And one of those crimes is market manipulation.

There I was, sitting at the head of the room, watching the trading floor as my team worked with frenetic energy.

The screens lining the walls of the private office kept moving as it displayed a dizzying collection of charts, numbers, and headlines, all revolving around the freefall of Harrington & Co.'s stock.

This was the moment we had been waiting for, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through me like a drug.

I leaned back in my chair, a giant smile on my lips. The independent investor group I had assembled was a collection of ruthless minds, each of them experts in the fine art of market manipulation. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

Okay, yes, some of them were from Clarisse and most of them were from WireFrame but it didn't matter. They were mine now and under my guidance, they were executing my plan to perfection.

"Premium buyout offers have been sent to the top 15 shareholders." One of my analysts announced. "We're pushing the narrative that cashing out now is their best option."

"Good." I replied, my eyes fixed on the plummeting stock graph. "Make sure they understand the urgency. The meltdown footage has already taken care of half the work for us."

Yup. Just as you'd expect, the footage of Charles Harrington's restaurant meltdown had gone viral overnight.

The media vultures had descended with the kind of eagerness that even I hadn't anticipated, dissecting every second of the incident and speculating on what it meant for Harrington & Co.'s future.

Headlines like "Harrington's Downfall: A Meltdown for the Ages" dominated the news cycle, and his investors were running this way and that.

By midday, the stock price had dropped another 18%, bringing it dangerously close to penny-stock territory.

"Mr. Voss!" Another analyst called out. "We've secured agreements from three major shareholders to sell their stakes. Combined, it's about 12% of the company."

"Excellent." I said, my grin widening. "Begin the transfers immediately. Use the shell companies. Keep the paper trail clean."

In preparation for this, Clarisse and I had cooked up an army of shell companies. And with Clarisse's network of lawyers and accountants, we had made sure that not even the most diligent investigator could connect the dots back to us.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was nearly time for my meeting with Clarisse. I stood, smoothing my jacket, and addressed the room. "Keep me updated on the buyouts."

It didn't take me too long to get to Clarisse Newton's home office. The woman in question was sitting behind her desk, her eyes fixed on her computer screen in front of her. She didn't even look up as I entered.

"You're late." She said flatly.

"I was tying up loose ends." I replied, taking a seat across from her. "Things are progressing smoothly."

"Good." She said, finally meeting my eyes. "But smoothly is not enough. I want this done perfectly."

I leaned back in my chair with my most charming smile. "Perfection is what I do, Clarisse. You know that."

Her expression didn't change, but I caught the slightest twitch at the corner of her mouth.

"We've acquired 12% of the company through the shell companies." I reported. "The rest will follow. The meltdown footage was a gift. The board is on the verge of removing Charles, and once that happens, the stock will stabilize long enough for us to secure control."

She nodded, her fingers steepling. "And the media?"

"We've kept the narrative focused on Charles' incompetence and instability." I said. "No mention of our involvement. By the time anyone suspects, it'll be too late."

She studied me for a moment before speaking. "You've been efficient, Nicholas. I'll give you that."

"Efficient?" I smirked. "That's almost a compliment coming from you."

Her lips twitched again. "Don't get cocky." She warned. "This is far from over."

I tilted my head, allowing my smirk to soften into a genuine smile. "I wouldn't dream of it. But I have to say, your ruthlessness is inspiring. It's not often I meet someone who matches my... appetite for control."

Her eyes flicked to mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw something more than professional interest. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by her usual mask of detachment. It seemed like I'd taken one step forward and two backward with her.

"Nicholas," she said, her voice cool, "save the flattery. We have work to do."

I chuckled softly, raising my hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. But you can't blame me for being captivated. You're an impressive woman, Clarisse."

She ignored my words, turning her attention back to her screen. "Impressive or not, we're dealing with a desperate man. Don't underestimate Charles. Cornered animals are the most dangerous."

Of course, I knew that. Charles Harrington was on the brink of losing everything, and men like him didn't go down without a fight.

"Don't worry. I don't underestimate anyone." I assured her, my tone serious. "But Charles is already defeated. He just doesn't know it yet."

"Maybe." She said, her eyes still fixed on the screen. "But I've learned not to take chances. Neither should you."

It seems there would be nothing for me to gain here, so I stood, buttoning my jacket. "Understood. I'll keep you updated."

Clarisse really is a serious nut to crack.