Man, the Gulfstream G650 was super plush, but the tension in that cabin was so thick you could cut it with a knife! The three senior execs Jack had called in sat rigidly across the table. Only David Karras, the construction chief, looked relaxed—he was happily sketching logistics, clearly pumped to get back to work.
The other two were the real challenge.
First, the CFO, Elias Thorne. This pale, nervous guy in his late fifties was all about rules and spreadsheets, and he looked terrified about losing everything. Second, there was Sarah Chen, the Head of Investor Relations. Barely forty, she was dealing with all the global panic, and her eyes showed how strained she was. She was exhausted and super suspicious of the heir who'd reappeared, looking like a killer after a major bender.
"Look, let's just skip the small talk," Jack said, his voice surprisingly calm. He leaned forward, totally owning the room. "The company's basically dead. We're $400 billion in the hole, the Fed's losing its patience, and the creditors are literally out for blood! We're not here to talk about the past. We're here to figure out how to survive the next six months."
Thorne practically choked on his indignation. "Mr. Stark, I have to object! That $400 million you just wired? Twenty-two separate transfers? It's completely nuts! It'll look sneaky, and JPMorgan is going to come down on us hard for a margin call—"
"They're going to see a desperate company fighting for revenue," Jack cut in, sharp as a tack. "And they'll see a finished asset bringing in cash in seventy-five days. David, tell Mr. Thorne what Project Chimera will deliver."
Karras looked up, a slow, predatory grin spreading across his face. "Chimera's a steal. We finish the fit-out, we finish the landscaping, and we sell the whole complex in Seoul for a 60% gross profit. The cash flow starts hitting our accounts in seventy-five days. We're talking $240 million in pure profit! That's $640 million cash! It buys us two whole months of staff salaries and proves to the Fed that we're alive."
Thorne just deflated. A 60% ROI in ten weeks was unheard of, but the Stark Group's maniacal speed made it just believable enough to shut him up.
Jack looked directly at Sarah Chen. "Ms. Chen, your job is to tell the creditors the truth, but with a clever twist. The company has new, focused management. We're in a liquidity acceleration phase. We're activating high-yield assets to guarantee cash flow by the start of the next quarter. That $400 million wasn't a reckless withdrawal; it was a smart investment in solvency. Make our story one of ruthless efficiency."
Sarah's suspicion finally softened into grudging respect. "Wow. You've just given me a weapon! A number to fight back with. Seventy-five days is a great story."
"You have seventy-five days for Chimera to deliver," Jack confirmed. "But we need more! We need to fund our next, bigger strike, Project Atlas, and that requires a billion dollars. Chimera's profit just isn't enough."
He turned back to Thorne, the heat cranked up instantly.
"Mr. Thorne, you need to execute a purchase order for $50 million of North American Retail REIT—NAR REIT—shares. Right now."
Thorne gasped. "No way, Mr. Stark! We can't do that! That's just pure stock gambling! It breaks all our agreements with CitiCorp, and the retail market is a nightmare right now! We are not a hedge fund!"
"It's not speculation, Elias," Jack insisted, that super-cold look back in his eyes. "It's a guaranteed 400% return in twenty-eight days! We sell when the big institutional investors are forced to buy back in to balance their year-end books. It's a lock! That profit nets us $200 million—our exact funding for Project Atlas."
"Fifty million dollars is a huge, visible purchase!" Thorne pleaded, his hands shaking. "The banks will think we're playing games with their collateral!"
"The banks will see us gambling on our own economy," Jack countered, his logic seamless. "It's a strategic bet on US recovery, a patriotic move. The Fed will give us cover, and your compliance department will be too slow to stop the transfer. Execute the purchase, Mr. Thorne. Now."
Thorne stared at Jack, realizing he wasn't dealing with the foolish Andy anymore. This was a direct, prophetic order. He fumbled with his secure terminal, his hands trembling as he initiated the process.
The minutes dragged by—it was a digital high-wire act. Jack watched the clock, knowing that $50 million was a huge risk, but the certainty the System gave him was oddly calming.
— Transaction Confirmation: NAR REIT Purchase Complete. Target Liquidation Date: Day 28. Projected Return: 400% —
Thorne slumped back, completely defeated. "It's done, Mr. Stark. We are exposed."
"No," Jack said, looking out at the rising sun. "We are finally invested. Now, Ms. Chen, I need a statement. Project Chimera shows our return to speed. The NAR REIT purchase shows our confidence in the American economy. Make it sound like a total masterstroke."
Sarah Chen, the tension dissolving from her face, actually smiled. "A masterstroke. I got it."
Jack let out a silent breath. He had secured the bridge funding, but the NAR REIT trade was a major signal flare. Now, the three older Stark siblings, sitting pretty on their millions, would know their foolish little brother was back, and he was playing for the throne. The family war had officially begun!