Decision

The lights were bright, the cameras rolling, and the audience eagerly waiting for the next big revelation. Pierce Morgan sat at the head of a panel on his show, Pierce Tonight. Beside him was Neil deGrasse Tyson, the renowned astrophysicist and popular science communicator. They were joined by several high-profile financial experts, including Meredith Ann Whitney, the outspoken financial analyst known for her no-nonsense approach.

"Tonight's show is going to be unlike any other," Pierce said, his voice brimming with anticipation. "We're talking about the man who woke up one day to find out he inherited trillions."

Neil gave a knowing look and nodded. "That's right, Pierce. We're talking about Alexander Blackwell. A man who's managed to fly completely under the radar, yet somehow controls one of the most powerful empires in the world. I did a little digging myself, and let me tell you, what I found… well, it's nothing short of shocking."

Pierce raised an eyebrow. "Shocking, Neil? I thought we were all shocked when we first heard his name."

Neil leaned in, his voice dropping slightly as if sharing a secret. "Pierce, you were shocked, and I was too. But what I discovered about this guy… it's not just about his wealth. It's about the mystery that surrounds him. You see, we know his name, we know he's 31 years old, and we know he inherited a company worth $2.6 trillion. But after that, things get a little murky."

The financial experts nodded in agreement. Pierce gave a small smile. "That's right. Now, that company, Blackwell Investments, is now worth $3.1 trillion. It's ranked 10th in the world by total assets—just behind some of the biggest names in finance like BlackRock, Vanguard, and major banks."

"But here's the kicker," Neil interjected, "it's not just that Blackwell Investments is huge. It's that it's a private company—a company where Alexander controls almost everything. And by everything, I mean he owns a staggering 96% of the shares." Neil paused for effect. "The other 4%? That's his mother and uncle. Let's not forget about them, though."

The room chuckled at Neil's sarcasm, and Pierce couldn't help but laugh. "Right. Let's not forget that 4%. But, Neil, tell me, what else do we know about this guy?"

Neil shrugged. "Well, here's the thing. There's not much. He schooled somewhere in Europe, apparently. High school, no college. No scandals, no public appearances. But somehow, people in the financial world know his name. They talk about him like he's some kind of financial genius—this invisible man who suddenly appears, out of nowhere, with a legacy that's beyond anyone's imagination."

The show's graphics team displayed pictures of Cassius Blackwell, Alexander's late father, shaking hands with prominent business figures at major events. The financial panelists leaned in, inspecting the images closely.

"Look closely," Neil said. "See that guy in the back? Hard to spot, right? Well, that's Alexander Blackwell. He's been shadowing his father for years, learning the ropes from the tycoon himself. And for all intents and purposes, he's remained completely invisible to the public."

Pierce tilted his head, intrigued. "But there's more, isn't there?"

Neil nodded, his voice becoming more serious. "Yes. For years, Alexander has kept his movements incredibly quiet. The only thing that people know for sure is that when he took over Blackwell Investments, he dismantled the company's New York office, fired half the staff—fifteen thousand employees—and turned the rest into stay-at-home workers. The company has become… secretive."

Meredith Ann Whitney spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "Yes, Neil, that's right. We in the financial industry know of him, but mostly by reputation. The truth is, we've hardly seen him in action. However, I do know this: ever since he took over, Blackwell Investments has been hoarding cash. The dividends have been accumulated in cash reserves, likely amounting to hundreds of billions by now. And when a financial company does that—especially one of this size—it's a sign that something's brewing."

The room went quiet. Neil looked at her, his curiosity piqued. "So you think something big is coming?"

Meredith's gaze hardened. "I don't think it, I know it. Alexander Blackwell isn't just sitting on his wealth. He's preparing for something. The question is, what?"

Neil then turned to the screen, where a simple experiment was being set up. "Speaking of wealth, let's break down exactly what $3.1 trillion looks like. For perspective, let's use a grain of rice as an example. If one grain of rice is worth $100,000…" He paused as the camera zoomed in on the grains, each meticulously placed on the screen. The experts gasped as the numbers were revealed: how much Alexander had, how much it would take to reach a billion, a trillion. And then… $3 trillion.

The camera shifted to a chart showing how Alexander's wealth dwarfs even the likes of Elon Musk, the second-richest man in the world.

The room fell silent, the enormity of the numbers sinking in. Meredith spoke first, her voice filled with disbelief. "This is obscene. I mean, yes, he earned it. But the question remains: is this the future of capitalism? Is it even morally right?"

Pierce's eyes widened as he glanced down at his phone. "Wait a second," he said, raising his hand. "It seems the courtroom has reached a decision. Let's go live to Fox News." The screen switched to an image of a Fox News reporter standing outside a courthouse.

"There he is," the reporter said. "That's Alexander Blackwell, the man at the center of this unprecedented legal battle. And there he is, surrounded by his security team, making his way into a convoy of cars."

The cameras followed as Alexander, wearing a dark suit and exuding power, walked past the press. The security detail was tighter this time, as reporters tried to close in, but were swiftly repelled by his team.

The reporter continued, "And here we have Elisabeth Usher, Alexander's mother, stepping out of the courthouse. It's been rumored she holds 4% of the company shares, but she's rarely seen in public."

The cameras zoomed in on the elderly woman with green eyes, her dignified appearance commanding attention. But before the press could reach her, two cars swiftly sped away.

"Now, here's something interesting," the reporter said. "Out comes Stephanie Riverplate, Alexander's sister, surrounded by her legal team."

The press swarmed as Stephanie stepped into view, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos around her. She paused, allowing reporters to ask their questions.

A reporter shouted, "Stephanie! How do you feel about the court's ruling today?"

She turned to face the cameras, her voice clear and unwavering. "I'm here to inform you all that..."

The cameras flashed, and the buzz in the air was palpable.