A few minutes later, Arthur smoothly parked his sleek Aether GT in a designated spot outside a towering skyscraper,the home of Panterra National Bank (PNB), its name proudly displayed in shiny silver on the glass exterior.
As he stepped out, he took a moment to take in the impressive building before heading into the busy lobby.
The lobby felt like a stage for the finance world, with professionals in suits bustling around purposefully, their conversations merging into a soft murmur.
Digital tickers displayed stock prices, currency exchange rates, and up-to-the-minute market news.
As Arthur scanned the space, his gaze landed on a striking woman who effortlessly commanded attention.
She was tall and poised, wearing a well-fitted navy suit, and she moved with quiet confidence.
Her dark, wavy hair framed her porcelain skin and bright blue eyes, which glimmered behind sleek glasses, giving her an aura of sharp intellect.
As she approached, the sound of her high heels echoed softly, and she greeted him with a warm yet professional smile.
"Good morning, sir. I'm Clara Reynolds. How can I assist you today?"
Arthur returned her smile. "Arthur Osborn. I'd like to talk about stock trading. PNB does offer brokerage services, right?"
"Absolutely, Mr. Voss," she replied with a spark of interest in her eyes. "Please, follow me."
She guided him toward a private elevator, and the doors slid shut behind them.
As they rose, Arthur reflected on PNB's high status, being among the top five financial institutions worldwide with a reach in every major market.
When the elevator reached the 45th floor, they stepped into a dynamic trading environment filled with massive screens showing live charts, news feeds, and asset prices, while traders shouted orders into their headsets.
Some were smiling at their wins, while others frowned at unexpected losses.
The air was thick with ambition and the scent of coffee.
Turning to Clara, Arthur spoke in a measured tone. "I want to short-sell. I have a budget of ₡5 million, and I'll require a private suite along with three of your best traders."
Clara's polished composure briefly faltered. "Short-selling? That's quite a daring approach."
"It's all about balancing risk and reward, Miss Reynolds," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "And I can assure you, I pay handsomely."
She paused just a moment. Short-selling involved betting against a stock's performance,it could lead to significant gains if the price dropped, but could also be a costly mistake if the price rose.
Nonetheless, his confidence piqued her curiosity. "Alright, let's first verify your funds, then we can discuss leverage."
While Clara checked his account, Arthur took in the trading floor around him.
"You seem knowledgeable about the markets, Mr. Osborn. Do you trade actively?"
"I know enough to understand the landscape," he replied. "But how does PNB handle leverage?"
Clara explained, "Leverage lets you manage larger trades with borrowed capital. For qualified clients, we offer up to 10x leverage. So, your ₡5 million could potentially allow for ₡50 million in trading capital."
Arthur's expression sharpened. "And with short-selling?"
"You would borrow shares through our prime brokerage services, sell them now, and buy them back later at a lower price. Your profit is the difference, but keep in mind that if the stock price increases, your losses can theoretically be limitless."
"Sounds perfect." Arthur smiled slightly. Clara then led him into a private conference room furnished with a mahogany table, leather chairs, and a wall of monitors showcasing global markets.
"Before we move forward," she said, sliding a document across the table, "you'll need to sign our brokerage agreement. This covers confidentiality, liability clauses, and our commission structure."
Arthur glanced over the contract. "A 10% commission on profits? That seems high."
"For leveraged short positions, we usually charge a 0.25% execution fee plus a 1% performance fee on net profits," Clara explained smoothly. "However, I can make an exception and reduce it a bit."
Arthur studied her closely and replied with a frown, "Let's make it 0.5% total. In return, I'll ensure your traders receive a very generous bonus."
Clara's lips twitched in surprise; she wasn't accustomed to clients negotiating at this level. "1% total. That's my final offer."
After a moment's thought, Arthur extended his hand. "Deal."
A few minutes later, Clara guided him into a soundproof room filled with screens.
Inside, three traders were waiting, led by Simon Carter,a keen-eyed thirty-year-old known for his bold strategies and quick decision-making.
"Mr. Arthur," Simon said, extending his hand in greeting. "Clara mentioned you're betting against Aurora Tech? That's a bit out of the ordinary. Their AI division has been performing well."
"That's precisely why I think it's set to fall," Arthur replied. "Let's go all in,₡5 million in margin and leverage it tenfold."
Simon's eyes widened. "That translates to an exposure of ₡50 million…"
Arthur nodded. "I need you to borrow 2.5 million shares of Aurora Tech at ₡20 each from your lending desk. Sell them quietly into the market. No obvious dumps, no triggers. We need to act with precision."
Simon's team exchanged uncertain glances but ultimately gave their approval.
"And one more thing," Arthur said, his expression serious. "What happens in this room stays here. No leaks or rumors. Understood?"
"Don't worry, Mr. Arthur. We're professionals," Simon said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Good." Arthur pulled out a simple contract. "Sign this confidentiality agreement,it's straightforward and not up for negotiation."
Simon and his team traded glances, skimmed the document quickly, and signed. It was concise with no obscure clauses.
Arthur had no need for deceit; he preferred to maintain control.
"Excellent." He nodded once they finished. "Now execute."
The team sprang into action, utilizing PNB's prime brokerage network to borrow the 2.5 million shares of Aurora Tech for the short sale.
"Position established," Simon announced a few minutes later. "We've sold 2.5 million shares at ₡20 each. Average price locked in. Total exposure: ₡50 million. Margin usage: 100%."
Arthur let out a soft sigh. "Perfect. Keep this low-profile. We don't want any panic selling."
Then, chaos erupted.
A trader gasped. "Boss! Just in,Aurora has revealed a groundbreaking AI model! Analysts say it's five years ahead of everyone else!"
Another trader rushed to turn up the television as financial networks buzzed with the news.
Simon's eyes widened with alarm. "Quick, check the price!"
The screen lit up with escalating numbers:
₡20 → ₡22.15 → ₡24.80 → ₡27.90
"It's skyrocketing!" a trader shouted.
Simon turned to Arthur, panic creeping in. "We're about to breach the maintenance margin! If this keeps up, the system will force a buyback,your collateral's almost gone!"
Arthur simply smiled, his gaze fixed on the rising numbers.
"Let it run."
Simon was taken aback. "Sir, if it rises another point, we'll face liquidation!"
Arthur leaned back in his chair, seemingly unfazed. "Stay calm. Markets don't move in straight lines. Every peak eventually pulls back."
He took a sip of water, his demeanor steady and relaxed.
"Just as I expected."
However, inside, his heart raced with a mix of excitement and tension. Every upward move felt like a threat, and it was that exhilarating pressure that fueled his passion.