Chapter 52-53

Chapter 52: The Catfish

All present nodded in agreement with the sole owner's decision, understanding Bruce's dislike for doubts and preference for suggestions and actions.

"Do you really understand?" Bruce was not satisfied with their response, including Fowler, who was no longer human, and Samson, who was utterly loyal. The key to managing subordinates was knowing when to tighten and when to let go, and it was clear that it was time to shake things up a bit.

"In my view, there are only two types of people in the world: winners and losers. Want to know the difference?" Bruce raised his finger and wagged it. "The former always maintain a thirst for victory; the latter are content with mediocrity, complacency, and small comforts. They are numb to setbacks, satisfied with not regressing, but often by the time these poor souls realize it, they've degenerated into mere pigs, ready for the slaughter."

"Gentlemen," Bruce stood up, hands on the table, looking down at everyone. "At Solar Corona Company, your positions are never secure, not now, not ever. This isn't about creating a sense of crisis; it's about the quality necessary to stand at the top of the food chain."

"If you don't eat others, they will eat you!" His tone was calm, his expression indifferent, revealing neat, white teeth. As charming as ever, yet his words were filled with a chilling, murderous aura, as if he could turn bloodthirsty at any moment.

Seeing everyone, including Fowler, showing signs of nervousness, unease, or flushed faces due to excitement, Bruce sat down satisfied, feet propped on the conference table, smiling.

"Good, now I see you truly understand my point. Just remember what I've said, maximize your value, and together with Solar Corona Company, we will embrace a bright future," he concluded unequivocally.

Today was a small meet-and-greet for the executives to familiarize themselves with each other, so the others made only brief statements. But after the meeting, the executives didn't leave; instead, they moved to one side of the conference table.

They had been informed beforehand that today would also involve an interview process, hosted by Bruce himself. They would select one or two individuals from the interviewees to appoint as Senior Vice Presidents at Solar Corona Company, responsible for strategy, corporate affairs, and market development, clearly a very significant position.

Among the many interviewees were individuals with rich work experience and impressive resumes. Some were sought out by Bruce through various channels, while others, drawn by Solar Corona Company's potential, came of their own accord. Frankly, as a newly established company, Solar Corona Company couldn't easily compare with the old giants. The reason so many top talents were eager to join was mainly due to Bruce's own words:

"Whoever can realize their value will earn multiples more than before!"

This promise, though lacking specific figures, still had immense allure. The key lay in the credibility his fortune brought.

According to preliminary estimates from Pfizer, Vilda's net profit in the first quarter was about $1.3 to $1.8 billion, and this was without a global launch. With around 13 years left on its patent, even the most conservative estimates put the profits during the patent period above $60 billion, and that's accounting for various adverse factors. Otherwise, surpassing $100 billion was very likely, and that's pure profit!

This meant that in the next decade, Bruce could pocket about $4 to $8 billion from Vilda's profits, almost achieving the goals he and Fowler had initially planned, thanks in part to the shrewd lawyer who secured this massive fund.

Therefore, it wasn't surprising that these former executives of major corporations were here for the interview, enticed by the promise of hefty profits. Many of their resumes could even make the current company executives look pale by comparison. This was part of Bruce's intention—to maintain the loyalty of the veterans while always keeping them on their toes, and naturally dividing camps between the old and new executives, a simple tactic of power and strategy.

After several rounds of interviews, Fowler and others began to wonder. Among these interviewees, many had served in renowned companies, but even more came from Wall Street.

"Are these Wall Street guys suitable?" Fowler asked during a break in the interviews.

"I've said, Solar Corona Company's growth will far exceed your imagination. Those in charge of strategic development must be vigorous and aggressive. Who's more suitable than these Wall Street guys?" Bruce asked with a smile.

For him, the usual rules didn't apply. With its demonic lineage, Solar Corona Company's growth would be radically different from other corporations.

Seasoned veterans with rich experience? He certainly wouldn't lack them. But he also needed bloodthirsty adventurers and fighters. Besides the rigorously trained, machine-like military professionals, the most suitable were these guys from Wall Street.

What makes the name Wall Street so magical?

A popular saying in America goes, "If you can't sing or play basketball but want to live like a star, Wall Street is your only choice."

Indeed, 30-something millionaires are common on Wall Street. Fresh college graduates without any experience can earn a salary of $100,000 a year at major firms like Morgan Stanley. Even at slightly lesser firms, the average salary hovers around $65,000. For business school graduates, the baseline salary is $85,000 (with an additional end-of-year bonus of around $115,000). A vice manager with five or six years of experience generally earns between $500,000 and $700,000 a year.

But please note, salary isn't the main part of Wall Street folks' income. Bonuses are where the money is. Top analysts getting a year-end bonus of $9 million is not a myth—personal bonuses can even go as high as $20 million.

Chapter 52: The Catfish

Profit and effort always coexist. To make a name on Wall Street, one must adhere to an unwritten rule: blend life and work seamlessly, yet never show signs of weariness. Work hard during office hours and spend holidays entertaining clients.

From playing golf to throwing parties, even wedding anniversaries are spent fostering relationships with clients. These people, dressed impeccably and articulate in speech, are on alert 24/7, sleeping no more than four hours a day, often having no friends other than colleagues and clients.

Living like Spartan warriors under immense pressure, they have no real vacations, no comfort, no leisure. They are never distracted, eyes only for work. It's rare to see anyone over 50 on Wall Street. The reasons are multifaceted. Firstly, those who do well retire around 40. Moreover, the work is so draining that most burn out by 40, unable to continue.

While a degree from a prestigious university in finance or management helps on Wall Street, it's a place that recognizes money over people, a world where only success matters.

Looking at the internal composition of Wall Street, less than 30% come from a mathematics background. Those with backgrounds in engineering, mechanics, chemical, energy, biochemistry, and other fields often perform exceptionally when they switch to finance. Hence, Wall Street adheres to the creed of "never ask the origins of a hero," favoring versatile talents.

The Wall Street elites interviewing today each had diverse backgrounds. While Christophe and Isaiah asked more professional questions, Bruce was different.

"Mr. Driff, why choose to come to Solar Corona Company, a name with no renown and no products launched yet?"

"You're not entirely correct, sir. You are Solar Corona Company's star product and calling card. My responsibility will be, while leveraging this asset, to market other products to the world," replied David Driff, a 43-year-old man, formerly a vice president at Merrill Lynch, with a background in biopharmaceuticals. "Of course, the most important reason is—your promise to double my income."

"You're quite frank, Mr. Driff." Bruce wasn't angered by his somewhat presumptuous words but showed a thoughtful expression.

"On Wall Street, no one's shy. Our only goal is to make money. Create value for the company and earn for ourselves." David Driff spoke these words with a relaxed tone, as if casually chatting with an old friend.

"Aren't you worried about the fulfillment of the promise?" Bruce asked.

"After demonstrating my value, you'll find every dollar well spent, sir," David Driff spoke with conviction.

"One last question, I need someone who can maintain vigor and fulfill my demands at all costs, even if it means compromising principles. Can you do that?" Bruce eyed the man, impeccably dressed, hair combed to perfection.

"At the peak of my work, I spent an entire year from Monday to Friday trading stocks at the company, flying to Las Vegas on Friday nights, gambling for 48 hours straight, then taking the red-eye back to New York on Sundays, heading straight to the office for another intense week. Because the stock exchanges are closed on weekends, casinos were the only place offering similar thrills. I couldn't even date my girlfriend or have a meal with my parents like a normal person on weekends."

David Driff didn't answer directly but shared his past work experience. "After working on Wall Street for so long, I've become accustomed to the pressure and thrill of work, finding it hard to adapt to a comfortable life. Maybe I'll consider resting when my body can't take it anymore."

For someone like him, though not devoid of humanity, moral and conscience's reproach had long ceased to sway him. Skirting the edges of legality and even crossing the line were not uncommon, as long as you were smart enough not to get caught.

"Your decision is very wise, and if you truly prove your worth, you may never have to worry about your health again," Bruce said meaningfully. "And money, congratulations."

In the end, the two who passed the interview were from Wall Street, the other being former senior investment manager at Morgan Stanley, Israel Horowitz. Born into nobility, though he studied music and economics, his transition to finance on Wall Street was seamless, quickly adapting and once managing over $700 million in the energy sector.

Bruce had a particular fondness for these Wall Street folks. Their survival-of-the-fittest mentality reminded him a bit of his demonic world. And for the likes of Christophe and Isaiah at the company, the arrival of these two would undoubtedly keep them on their toes, beneficial for maintaining vitality.

Pressure is a good thing, Bruce thought contentedly.

Chapter 53: Lotus in Clear Water

After briskly handling the company affairs that required his personal approval, Bruce left the rest to the elites and hurried to Skylight Clarkson Sq at 550 Washington Street to attend the Ralph Lauren Fall/Winter fashion show, a highlight of the Fashion Week and an event worth his presence.

The venerable Ralph Lauren himself took a moment to converse with Bruce, a clear show of respect. The 77-year-old man, still spry and very conversational, seemed to hit it off quite well with Bruce.

When Bruce arrived at his seat, he noticed a beautiful woman seated next to him. Normally, this wouldn't be surprising since most attendees of Fashion Week are female stars and fashionistas, with a significantly smaller male presence.

What was somewhat unexpected to Bruce was that she was an Asian woman. While Americans often confuse people from China, Korea, and Japan due to similar physical features, Bruce could tell the subtle yet distinct differences in their demeanor, instantly recognizing her as a Chinese celebrity.

Every year, numerous Chinese celebrities attend the New York Fashion Week. For these stars, watching the shows is secondary; their primary aim is to gain international exposure for brand endorsements back home. After all, acting or singing only forms a small part of their income; a larger portion comes from advertisements and endorsements.

Participating in the four major Fashion Weeks can increase their exposure, drawing them closer to the international scene and associating them with the symbol of fashion. This boosts their soft power in endorsements, leading to higher-profile and more lucrative deals, and even inflating their appearance fees.

However, behind the influx of stars, the treatment varies greatly. Very few Chinese celebrities are genuinely invited by the brand PRs or the designers themselves, often limited to big names like Fan Bingbing or Liu Yifei.

More often, celebrities' agencies pay for their attendance, or the stars themselves sponsor their visit to garner attention. Some lesser-known ones can only manage to roam outside the venue, euphemistically calling it "street shooting."

To be seated in the front row is even rarer, so by all accounts, this should be a well-known celebrity. However, Bruce didn't recognize her, which could only be attributed to his lack of interest in this field.

"Hello, I'm Bruce."

Luckily, recognition wasn't important for Bruce. He greeted her with a smile while subtly observing her.

The woman was dressed in a two-piece white outfit, a light coat over a jumpsuit adorned with sky-blue flowers, exuding freshness. With only a touch of makeup, her coppery brown hair was combed into a ponytail, slightly loosened at the crown, highlighting her rosy, lively skin. Her vigorous and distinct style caught Bruce's eye, accustomed as he was to Western celebrities.

"Hello, I'm Wong LiKun. It's nice to meet you." The Chinese actress greeted warmly.

Unlike Bruce, since she came to attend the New York Fashion Week, her agent had prepared her well, so she recognized the wildly popular American tycoon immediately.

"I'm a bit embarrassed. Such a beautiful lady, and I didn't recognize you. I must be quite out of the loop."

Though his words weren't exactly flattering, Bruce's candid demeanor made it hard to take offense.

"Thank you for your compliment, please don't say that."

Wong LiKun wasn't offended, understanding that for Bruce in the US, not recognizing her was acceptable. However, Bruce's deep gaze was quite overwhelming for her, who, despite being accustomed to handsome men in the showbiz industry, found Bruce's mysterious and complex aura irresistibly captivating.

Actually, Wong LiKun was thrilled. Being invited by a major brand like Ralph Lauren and sitting in the front row was a first for her. Though termed as just watching the show, the task wasn't light. Her agent had instructed her meticulously:

"Always maintain your composure, remember to smile; best to converse with the designer, shake hands, and take a photo; interact with your neighbors when seated in the front row for photo opportunities... In short, appear grand and natural, familiar with the American fashion scene, otherwise, it's a wasted invitation."

For Wong LiKun, not particularly fond of hype or networking, this was indeed challenging. Now, with someone who spoke her language and was not disagreeable, she didn't have to pretend familiarity.

She had noticed her agent gesturing wildly from a distance, urging her to show more enthusiasm. Not to mention the photographers who, since Bruce sat down, hadn't stopped clicking, almost invading their personal space. Without needing her assistant's help, she was sure news about her and Bruce would surface tomorrow, a testament to his popularity in the US.

Bruce, a gracious host, had Wong LiKun smiling from the get-go, masterfully controlling the conversation's atmosphere and pace, making time fly.

"I must say, it's been a pleasure talking to you, Ms. Wong. There's an ACCR fashion charity dinner tonight, would you be interested in attending?" Bruce inquired.

Wong LiKun was a bit taken aback by his straightforward American style, feeling slightly uncomfortable as they had just met and he seemed to have a girlfriend. But Bruce's demeanor was so candid that refusing without a good reason seemed petty.

She had heard about the charity dinner, an event swarming with celebrities and influential figures, the real big shots. Without Bruce's invitation, her chance of attending was slim. If her agent knew, she'd undoubtedly urge her to accept without hesitation.

Everyone knows Hollywood is the heart of the entertainment industry. Any Chinese star would do anything to get in, and here she was, hesitating at such an opportunity handed to her on a silver platter, leaving Wong LiKun somewhat dazed.

Her hesitation was somewhat unexpected to Bruce, but it wasn't a problem. If someone genuinely refused his invitation, it only meant their desire wasn't strong enough. He wasn't fond of rejections when pursuing something he wanted.

"Surely you won't turn down my sincere invitation, that would be heartbreaking. Or is there a problem, Ms. Wong? If it's due to my impudence, then I apologize."

Bruce gazed at the beautiful woman in front of him, his expression genuine yet slightly disappointed, evoking an involuntary twinge of guilt in the observer.

"Oh, no, no, thank you for the invitation, I should be available."

Perhaps influenced by Bruce's gaze, Wong LiKun's intended polite refusal retreated back down her throat.

"That's wonderful! Where are you staying? I'll come to pick you up."

Bruce's smile shone bright, as warmly inviting as the sun breaking through clouds after the rain, dissolving any lingering regret in Wong LiKun's heart.

Fashion dinners differ from shows; at shows, celebrities can dress casually, stylishly, and beautifully. Dinners are much more formal, with almost everyone attending in evening gowns. Wong LiKun clearly needed to change her attire.

As the show concluded, Ralph Lauren made his way to the front row to shake hands with the attending celebrities, specially pulling Bruce aside for a few words. Bruce took the opportunity to introduce Wong LiKun to him.

"Your design is absolutely fantastic, I loved it, and it's an honor to attend your show."

Wong LiKun, a bit excited in front of the man who built a fashion empire, seemed genuinely respectful.

"Wow, Bruce, this young lady is

like a fairy descended to earth. You have an excellent taste."

Given Ralph Lauren's status in the fashion world, he didn't need to be polite. Clearly, he admired Wong LiKun's natural beauty and charisma.

Perhaps partly for Bruce's sake, he even exchanged contact information with Wong LiKun, thrilling her once again.