Chapter 301: Donation

Over the past year, a significant portion of the rapidly flourishing hedge fund sector has been following Cersei Capital's continued bullish stance on the Japanese stock market. Once it was confirmed that Simon Westeros had exited the scene in advance, everyone following suit and fleeing would definitely spell disaster.

After a brief moment of panic, James Robinson gradually calmed down.

Someone in the meeting room also noticed a very important issue in Noah Scott's narrative: "Noah, what's the deal with Cersei Capital's Sub-Funds No. 1 to 5?"

Upon hearing this question, a fleeting smile crossed Noah Scott's lips, which then turned bitter as he said, "That's the key issue I hadn't been able to figure out until that article in the 'Daily News.'"

Nelson Scott added, "The one titled 'When Westeros Comes, So Does the Stock Market Crash'?"

"Exactly," Noah Scott nodded and continued, "Everyone has to admit, that guy indeed has such an impact. Westeros's one-week stay in New York at the beginning of October was definitely not a coincidence. Similarly, regarding the Japanese stock market, Westeros is a calamity. His trip to Melbourne nearly crashed the Japanese stock market. So, who do you think would most want Westeros to leave, and who has the strength to silently take over Cersei Capital's Sub-Funds No. 1 to 5?"

"The Japanese government!"

Noah Scott's expression grew even more bitter as he put down his pen and sat back at the conference table, saying, "Yes, the Japanese government. We can now be fairly certain that what we've been following these past few months wasn't Westeros, but the Japanese government."

The room fell into a brief silence.

After a moment, someone said, "But isn't the Japanese stock market still on the rise?"

Everyone glanced at the speaker.

The Japanese stock market continued to rise for over three months after Westeros exited because most people were misled by Cersei Capital to remain bullish. If the news gets out now, it wouldn't be impossible for the Japanese stock market to crash next week.

James Robinson took a few sips of water and finally said, "Noah, how long would we need to completely exit the Japanese market?"

Carefully, Noah Scott said, "To avoid drawing attention, at least two weeks."

Nelson Scott reminded, "Cersei Capital is still in front."

"That's my biggest worry," Noah Scott looked at his father and said, "If I could notice this, others might gradually come to realize it too. Some may have even exited the market before us."

"Forget about others," James Robinson calmed down and said, "Noah, let's hear your plan."

Noah Scott explained, "By the close of last Friday, the Nikkei 225 index was at 39,367 points. The news of Westeros exiting early might have already been leaked, and the Bank of Japan plans to raise interest rates next month. So, no matter what, 40,000 points will be a turning point for the Japanese stock market. The conservative strategy is to use the next two weeks to completely withdraw our funds and secure our gains. The more aggressive approach would be to close our long positions while establishing short positions, which is very risky. But since the current market in Japan is still predominantly bullish, we could easily build a large number of short positions. Once the index turns, and everyone rushes to short, it will not be so easy to establish short positions anymore."

"From long to short," James Robinson chose the second option without hesitation, then added with a sharp look, "Then, find an opportunity to spread the news that Westeros has already exited."

...

Simon was unaware of Noah Scott and others' discussion. However, the exposure of Cersei Capital's Sub-Funds No. 6 to 10 shorting North American markets after the 'mini-crash' was somewhat intentional by Simon and Janet.

Neither Simon's side nor the Japanese government would ever voluntarily disclose the details of that early July transaction.

After all, there's no wall in the world that doesn't let some wind through. If too many people were too badly burnt, Simon would eventually suffer. Now, some powerful and keenly aware financial forces have discovered the truth and exited early. Even if the news leaks later, the less powerful and slower to react small fish can only blame their misfortune.

As an offshore private hedge fund, Cersei Capital has no obligation to disclose its operations to the public, and its transactions with the Japanese do not violate any regulations.

You can't blame anyone if you followed the wrong lead and lost heavily.

Simon spent the weekend in San Francisco, discussing a donation with Stanford University.

After months of effort, Ygritte Corporation's series of World Wide Web basic patents based on 'WWW' technology have been registered in major countries like Europe, America, and Asia. The test versions of foundational application software like graphical interface browsers and webpage design software are nearly complete. With the help of Westeros-owned technology companies like SUN, Cisco, and America Online, hardware devices like servers and routers based on 'WWW' technology are also ready.

What's missing now is a platform to test the technologies developed by Ygritte Corporation.

As one of Silicon Valley's main talent breeding grounds, Stanford University is undoubtedly the best target. Therefore, Simon plans to donate $10 million to Stanford University in the name of Simon & Janet Westeros Foundation, mainly for upgrading Stanford University's internal campus network.

In this era, a one-time donation of $10 million is certainly not a small sum.

However, this money will essentially go to high-tech companies held by Westeros for equipment and software purchases, ultimately benefiting themselves. The donation from Simon & Janet Westeros Foundation can help Westeros obtain corresponding tax reductions, and the huge donation can enhance Simon's public image.

As a generous donor, Simon would easily be able to push a few students into Stanford University in the future.

All in all, spending this money is a win-win.

After the donation ceremony on Monday morning, Simon didn't rush to leave San Francisco. He attended a luncheon at Stanford University and in the afternoon, he went to Ygritte Corporation's headquarters on Sherman Street, along with executives from SUN, Cisco, and a few other companies.

As a rising star in the industry, everyone could see the immense commercial potential hidden in the 'WWW' technology that could connect the entire North America and even the world. SUN had previously proposed to fully acquire Ygritte Corporation, and Steve Case from America Online showed obvious eagerness.

Of course, Simon wouldn't hand over Ygritte Corporation to any of them. However, his investments in SUN, Cisco, America Online, and others meant a complete industry chain around the internet, naturally promoting collaboration among the companies.

The meeting to operate a 'WWW' network in California's West Coast first, due to the massive investment and difficulty in agreeing on profit distribution, didn't result in much concrete. However, everyone left with clear ambition.

In the evening, they all left Ygritte Corporation's meeting room for the lobby, traditionally stopping to contemplate the 'You know nothing' motto on the wall.

Since he had to return to Los Angeles overnight, they didn't dine together.

Taking off from San Jose Airport in a Gulfstream IV, Jennifer sat next to Simon and said, "I always feel like you look at the motto on Ygritte Corporation's lobby wall in a very

 strange way."

Simon looked up from a dossier on MCA, smiling, "Do you think I look at you in a very strange way too?"

Jennifer rolled her eyes at Simon without much force and glanced at the documents in his hand, which she had personally collected, then said, "So, your next target is Universal?"

MCA, officially known as the Music Corporation of America, has always been the formal name of Universal Studios' parent company.

Cersei Capital's overseas funds were accumulating, and if not spent soon, they would just depreciate.

Simon had long set his sights on MCA, Universal's parent company.

Before the mini-crash in October, MCA's share price had been between $45 and $50, with a total share capital of close to 100 million shares, making the market value roughly the share price followed by 'billion'. Last year, Sony had made an exploratory offer for MCA, but MCA's chairman Lew Wasserman had asked for $8 billion based on its share price, which made Sony back off and turn to Columbia Pictures instead.

After the 'mini-crash' on October 13, MCA's share price had fallen to $41.5 by last Friday. Simon knew that after the recent mini-crash, North America's economic situation would slump for about a year, only recovering after a victorious Gulf War.

During this period, MCA's share price would continue to fall, eventually reaching the $30 to $40 range. Then, Simon would be able to acquire MCA at a price similar to the $6.6 billion Panasonic had offered in his memory.

Beyond Universal Studios, MCA also owned MCA Records, Universal Studios theme parks, and a valuable set of cable TV assets. Successfully acquiring this company would directly compensate for Daenerys Entertainment's shortcomings in records, television, and theme parks.

Faced with his assistant's question, Simon nodded, "Yes, but I haven't decided whether to transfer Cersei Capital's funds back to the country. You know, that's a lot of taxes."

Simon had no intention of hiding overseas assets, at least not too much.

Thus, Cersei Capital would definitely register for taxes with the IRS on time. However, according to U.S. tax law, as long as the money stayed overseas, the registered taxes could be indefinitely deferred.

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