"Hold off for now. Keep an eye on the market; nobody leaves this room until we see results. Everything you need is right here,even a bathroom," Arthur said, his tone both pointed and composed.
His sharp gaze swept across the room like a knife. "And don't fret about the commission. After this, you'll each receive ₡10,000."
Simon and the other traders exchanged wide-eyed glances, their exhaustion immediately replaced by a surge of excitement.
They nodded enthusiastically. "Don't worry, Mr. Arthur! We're ready to go!" Simon affirmed with a serious nod.
"Good." Arthur redirected his focus to the illuminated monitor, where Aurora Tech's stock price shimmered at ₡26.3 per share.
Days blended together in a whirlwind. Arthur, Simon, and the rest of the team took up residence in that trading suite,sleeping on sofas, subsisting on takeout, and working amid the steady hum of market screens.
Clara was a constant source of support, bringing blankets, food, and coffee, her calm presence vital to keeping the atmosphere lively.
Even though he received numerous calls from family, Arthur kept his responses short. "I'm fine. Just busy."
Outside, the financial markets were ablaze with activity. Aurora Technology's stock soared day after day, reaching an astonishing ₡97.9 per share.
The trading floor outside their suite erupted in chaos,cheers, gasps, disbelief.
"Mr. Arthur! The stock price has hit ninety-eight!" Simon exclaimed.
"I know," Arthur replied without a hint of surprise. "Let it rise."
The next morning began with the market roaring to life. Aurora surged past the ₡100 mark.
Arthur's knuckles tightened around the desk edge as his eyes remained fixed on the chart. Sweat trickled down his temple, yet his breathing remained steady.
"Mr. Arthur, please drink some water," Clara said softly, handing him a bottle.
He accepted it with a single nod. "Thank you, Clara."
Suddenly, a trader behind them shouted, his voice tense with panic. "Boss! Urgent news, Aurora's CEO has been implicated! The breakthrough claims were fabricated! An insider has leaked evidence, and the authorities are raiding their headquarters for tax fraud!"
"What?" Simon gasped. "That can't be true!"
Arthur's expression remained unchanged, though a glimmer of cold awareness lingered in his eyes.
Clara felt her heart race. She had witnessed many clients trade, but none had handled a market crisis with such composure.
"Look!" another trader shouted. "The stock's plummeting!"
The screens erupted in red:
₡100 → ₡98 → ₡88 → ₡70
In just moments, the chart resembled a steep drop.
Trading halts were initiated twice within the hour as panic surged through the market. When trading resumed, Aurora continued to plummet—₡50, ₡30, ₡15.
In less than an hour, the stock crashed to ₡10 per share.
"Sir, we're witnessing history!" Simon exclaimed, his voice shaking.
Arthur's eyes remained fixed on the numbers. "When it reaches ₡4 per share, start buying."
Simon blinked in disbelief. "₡4? Are you certain?"
"Just wait," Arthur replied, his voice firm.
The traders held their breath as the screen fluctuated in red:
₱10.3 → ₡8.2 → ₡7.7 → ₡6.2 → ₡5.1 → ₡4.6
"Begin purchasing now!" Arthur instructed.
As if responding to his command, the price displayed ₡4.0 per share.
The room fell silent for a brief moment before erupting into action. Simon and his team sprang into gear, executing a flurry of buy orders, securing 2.5 million shares at ₡4 each,completely reversing their position.
The once-serene trading suite crackled with electricity. Fingers raced across keyboards; the screens glowed green as orders filled.
Moments later, there was a sudden hush.
Arthur leaned back, watching as the final price settled at ₡3.9.
An hour slipped by. The traders, drained but ecstatic, exchanged incredulous looks.
"Unbelievable!" one of them muttered. "We just struck it rich."
"I never imagined short-selling could feel like this," another added, his voice trembling with excitement. "It's chaotic… but mesmerizing."
Simon stood, a blend of awe and relief on his face. "Mr. Arthur… you were right. Absolutely right."
Arthur finally let out a long breath, feeling the tension leave his body and a sense of calm satisfaction settle in.
Clara walked over, her tone soft and reassuring. "Congratulations, Mr. Arthur. That was amazing."
Arthur responded with a slight smile. "Thank you." He turned to Simon, curiosity in his eyes. "How much did we make?"
Simon inhaled deeply, his fingers slightly shaky as he checked the figures. "Sir, after closing the position, accounting for performance fees and returning the borrowed shares, your net profit is about ₡37.5 million."
Arthur's eyes widened in surprise, his heart racing before finding its steady rhythm. In just a few days, ₡5 million had transformed into ₡37.5 million. He clenched his fist under the table.
That sum could alleviate all his family's financial worries.
"Well done," he said quietly. "You all deserve this."
"No need to mention it, sir," Simon replied with a grin. "This is what we do."
"As promised, you'll each get ₡10,000," Arthur began, then paused. "No, make it ₡20,000. You've earned it."
The room buzzed with disbelief and gratitude. Three sleepless days had led to this incredible reward.
"And Clara," Arthur added, looking her way, "thank you for all your support. I'll ensure you receive ₡15,000 for your efforts."
Clara blinked, taken aback, then smiled. "I'll have to express my gratitude to Mr. Arthur for his generosity."
Arthur nodded in acknowledgment. "Simon, please return the borrowed shares through the correct clearing process. Make sure all settlements go through the PNB settlement desk before any withdrawals. I want everything in order."
"Understood, Mr. Arthur," Simon said, already typing away.
Arthur then turned back to Clara. "I need two bank cards set up in my name. Have them ready before I leave."
"On it, Mr. Arthur," she replied, already on her way out. Leaning back in his chair, Arthur's gaze fell to the stock ticker.
Aurora Tech had hit a low of ₡3.2 per share before trading was halted again. He could have held out longer for even greater profit, but he knew better than to let greed take control.
"Everything's all set," Simon announced. A faint alert chimed from Arthur's phone. He checked it and saw the notification: ₡37,500,000 had been deposited into his account.
He stared at the figure, exhaling slowly, a wave of satisfaction washing over him.
A moment later, Clara returned, holding out two gleaming gold cards. "Here you are, Mr. Arthur."
He accepted them with a nod. "Perfect." He tucked them into his inner jacket pocket and stood up, buttoning his coat. "Alright, everyone. Get some rest. I'll see you soon."
"Goodbye, Mr. Arthur!" they all said in unison, admiration evident in their voices.
As he made his way out, Clara lingered by the door, watching him with a slight smirk. "What an intriguing man," she murmured.
Simon approached her cautiously. "President, do you know him?" Clara turned her eyes to him, a playful glint in her blue gaze.
"What do you think?" With that, she walked away.
If only Arthur was still here, he would have been shocked that,Clara Reynolds wasn't just a broker; she was the President of Panterra National Bank's Neo-Luminara Branch.
Outside, the city sparkled with nighttime illumination as Arthur stepped into his car, the engine purring like a content predator.
The car smoothly glided down the open road, leaving silver-blue streaks in its wake. His reflection in the glass was one of composed determination.
Behind him, the markets were in turmoil, with news channels shouting sensational headlines:
"Aurora Tech Crashes Amid Fraud Scandal!"
"Investors Lose Billions in Market Dive!"
"Unknown Trader Strikes it Rich Overnight!"
Arthur smirked slightly. The Aether GT moved through the neon glow like a ghost, disappearing into the city's vibrant night.