Chapter 370: Hans Pharma's Market Prospects

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August 5th.

Las Vegas is basking in the sun today, with excitement and energy flowing through the city. For the past few days, planes have been landing and taking off at a relentless pace, ferrying a flood of officials, businessmen, and celebrities to the city. By yesterday, around four to five thousand people had settled into the hotels.

Last night saw a grand party at the Caesars Palace Hotel—a prelude to the much-anticipated opening of Hardy's new casino ventures. Hardy, ever the gracious host, personally greeted each guest. His impressive memory, sharpened by his rebirth, allowed him to remember names and faces of thousands.

Today marks the grand opening.

The Caesars Palace and Venetian Hotels are inaugurating their venues with a massive event between the two hotels. The scene is bustling with over 100,000 attendees drawn by star-studded concerts and open-air performances. People have come from all corners, some even flying in specifically for the occasion.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place in the evening.

On stage, Marilyn Monroe opens with a performance, followed by Ava Gardner. The audience of hundreds of thousands dances to the music in a euphoric celebration.

At 8:08 PM, the air is filled with the sound of eighteen salutes.

Hardy, alongside the Governor of Nevada, the Mayor of Las Vegas, Mr. Janini, President of Bank of America, and numerous shareholders, cuts the ribbon. Applause erupts, and the entire process, though brief, is filled with excitement as the crowd eagerly anticipates the festivities.

With the ribbon cut, the lights of the Caesars Palace and Venetian Hotels blaze, and fireworks light up the night sky. The casino doors open, and the real celebration begins.

Hardy and his shareholders take a tour around the casino, observing the enthusiastic gamblers. The success of the business seems assured. They retreat to a VIP area to discuss various topics, including business, stock markets, and current affairs, particularly the ongoing war on the peninsula.

Many of the attendees are partners of the Hardy Group or members of major consortia, all keenly following the war due to its implications for their business interests.

One company boss expresses a desire for the conflict to drag on longer to maximize material consumption and profits. Another suggests that the war won't last long, predicting a swift retreat of the opponents due to superior U.S. military power. There's also speculation about the Soviet Union's potential involvement and dismissive comments about the newly established country in the East.

Hardy, as a special envoy for Japan and a U.S. military logistics supplier, is asked for his opinion. He advises against underestimating any opponent and cautions that MacArthur's ambition to expand could lead to greater conflict.

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Following the opening festivities, Henry updates Hardy on a significant development: Dr. Claire Hans of Hans Biopharmaceuticals has announced the creation of a specific drug for tuberculosis. Hardy had previously set up Hans Biopharmaceuticals as part of a strategic move. A South African company acquired shares in the firm, and the Hardy Group now holds around 99% of the tradable shares through various accounts.

The plan is to inflate the stock price and attract investment, allowing Hardy to profit from the scam. The process involves legal financial investments and is designed to benefit Hardy significantly, though it will lead to substantial losses for the investors.

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The Global Times reports extensively on Hans Biopharmaceuticals' new drug, detailing its potential impact. The drug, codenamed H-257, promises a cure rate of over 98% with no side effects, according to Dr. Hans. The report highlights the market potential, estimating a value of up to $3 billion if the drug is approved.

This news spurs a surge in the company's stock price, which reaches new highs. Despite this, no shares are being sold, and the stock continues to climb. ABC TV further boosts the company's profile with interviews and reports.

Dr. Hans elaborates on the drug's progress, stating that preclinical trials are complete and the next step is clinical trials in Africa. Although the FDA approval in the U.S. is pending, Hans Biopharmaceuticals is focusing on the African trials.

As the stock price rises, Hardy remains patient, knowing that the value is still not at its peak. His strategic manipulation of the market will continue to yield profits, while those investing in the inflated stock will face inevitable losses.

The carefully orchestrated scheme is poised to reap substantial rewards, reflecting Hardy's expertise in leveraging both market dynamics and investor psychology.