Chapter 3

I slowly stood up, putting on an air of dejection.

"Well then, everyone, farewell forever." My voice carried deep exhaustion.

"Wait, Mr. Leo." Carter suddenly called out, his face bearing the condescension of a victor. "Where are you staying now? Should I arrange somewhere for you? After all, you are my... teacher."

"No need." I walked toward the door without looking back. "I'll take care of myself."

Leaving the conference room, I could hear the undisguised whispers from behind me.

"Poor old fool, completely lost it."

"3.8 billion for a pile of scrap metal—must have been too shocked."

"Solar company? Ha! In this eternal night, what a cosmic joke."

I walked to the elevator and pressed the down button. The doors slowly opened, and I stepped inside.

Just then, Carter's smug voice came from behind:

"Mr. Leo, holding onto that pile of non-functional scrap metal, be careful not to freeze to death in the slums! Hahaha!"

The others joined in the laughter.

【Carter this ungrateful bastard is so disgusting】

【But he's about to cry soon】

【Leo's preparing his big move, right?】

The elevator doors were about to close—I knew the moment had come.

I suddenly turned around, putting on a look of rage, and shouted loudly at the group still at the conference room door:

"You idiots! The Ark Bunker is about to be acquired by the Pentagon! You've driven away the only funding pool that could handle this project! Just wait to regret it!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the elevator doors slammed shut.

【Holy shit! Leo's move is too ruthless!】

【Fake news fishing, brilliant!】

【Carter definitely took the bait, look how his expression changed】

Through the descending elevator's glass, I saw Carter's expression instantly freeze. He rushed to the elevator doors, but it was too late.

【Hahaha, Carter really believed it!】

【He must think he missed a huge opportunity now】

【Pentagon acquisition? That news is too explosive】

【Wait to see him frantically increase positions】

I smiled coldly in the elevator.

That statement seemed like an angry slip of the tongue, but was actually carefully crafted poison bait. Pentagon acquiring the Ark Bunker? Of course it's false. But for a greedy speculator like Carter, this kind of "insider information" is more tempting than anything.

The elevator reached the first floor. I walked out of the Starvein Capital building, immediately hit by bone-chilling wind and swirling snow.

But my mood was unprecedentedly relaxed.

【Leo walked away so coolly】

【Those idiots behind him don't know they've been played】

【Good show in three days】

I walked a few steps in the wind and snow, then suddenly stopped, pulling out my phone to pretend to take a call while actually observing the building's situation.

Through the first-floor lobby's glass wall, I could see the elevator rapidly ascending. Carter and the others must be rushing back to the conference room to discuss the news I just "leaked."

【Holy shit, Carter really panicked!】

【He's definitely trying to verify the news】

【But greed will make him lose his mind】

【Wait to see him mortgage everything and go all-in】

A few minutes later, my phone actually rang.

It was Carter calling.

I waited several rings before answering, my voice carrying exhaustion and anger:

"What?"

"Mr. Leo, what you just said... what did you mean?" Carter's voice sounded urgent.

"What words? I didn't say anything." I pretended not to want to discuss it.

"About the Pentagon acquiring the Ark Bunker!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I just want to find somewhere to stay warm—stop bothering me." I made as if to hang up.

"Wait! Mr. Leo, if what you said is true, this could be a huge opportunity! We could cooperate..."

"Cooperate?" I laughed coldly. "Carter, when you threw me out just now, you weren't thinking about cooperation. Besides, even if the Pentagon really wants to acquire it, so what? I don't even have money to buy a cup of hot coffee now."

"No no no, Mr. Leo, you misunderstand. I can provide funding—we can invest in Ark Bunker options together!"

【Carter took the bait this fast?】

【Greed makes people lose their minds】

【Leo's psychological warfare is too beautiful】

"Why should I trust you?" My tone remained cold. "Besides, I need time to handle the Helios Solar stock I'm holding."

"Don't worry, I'll help you handle the solar company! I can advance you some funds first to get settled. Just tell me the specific timing of the Pentagon acquisition!"

I deliberately stayed silent for over ten seconds, as if hesitating.

【Leo's acting is perfect】

【Making Carter beg to be hooked】

【This is the art of psychological control】

"I need time to think." I finally said. "Besides, this level of information can't be casually shared."

"I understand, I understand! Mr. Leo, how about this—I'll arrange a presidential suite for you to rest properly. When you've thought it through, we'll discuss details."

Presidential suite? This guy really is anxious.

"Forget it, Carter. There's no trust left between us." I acted as if cutting ties completely.

"No! Mr. Leo, I admit my methods earlier were excessive, but that was for the company's overall interests. The situation is different now—if the Pentagon really wants to acquire the Ark Bunker, we're sitting on a gold mine!"

【Carter's completely blinded by greed】

【His head is full of get-rich-quick fantasies now】

【No idea he's jumping into a pit】

I pretended to be slightly moved by his sincerity:

"You're really willing to arrange accommodation for me?"

"Of course! Presidential suite at the Waldorf Hotel—I'll arrange it immediately!"

"Alright then, I'll go rest first. As for other matters... let me catch my breath first."

Hanging up, I smiled with satisfaction in the wind and snow.

【Leo's combo is too ruthless】

【First show weakness to trade assets, then release false news to fish】

【Carter is completely under his control now】

【In three days when the sun comes out, Carter's finished】

Half an hour later, a Rolls-Royce stopped in front of me. The driver respectfully opened the door:

"Mr. Campbell, Mr. Carter has arranged the presidential suite at the Waldorf Hotel for you."

I climbed into the warm cabin, watching the increasingly distant Starvein Capital building through the window.

In that building, Carter was going crazy over the "insider information" I left behind. He would use every means to verify this news, then be driven by greed to invest even more funds.

And in three days, when the endless night ends and sunlight returns, the Ark Bunker will collapse due to massive temperature differences, and his heavily invested options will instantly become worthless.

Meanwhile, my Helios Solar Company will see explosive stock growth from securing the Defense Department's hundred-billion-dollar order.

By then, who's the hunter and who's the prey will be crystal clear.

Now, the game truly begins.