Chapter. 98

**Upstairs,**

Peggy Morgenthau's delicate eyebrows furrowed, "What is he suggesting? Is he making a statement?"

"That's correct. There's a high likelihood that it's a demonstration." Beside her, Robert Morgenthau smiled gently, "This young man is quite interesting."

Upon hearing her grandfather's approving tone, Peggy Morgenthau pondered for a moment and then spoke softly, "Grandfather, does he believe you might be intimidated by the NRA, or can the NRA protect him?"

"Lapierre is a fool. I've heard that anyone who walks into his office can coerce him into approving a sum of money."

"This man went to Lapierre, but he approached the wrong person."

Peggy and her grandfather both hold life memberships with the NRA.

In the United States, among the true elites, few are not members of the NRA.

Peggy knew even more; her grandfather had served two terms as a director on the NRA Council.

Additionally, Peggy was privy to information about LaPierre.

The CEO of the NRA Association, at first glance, doesn't resemble a cunning and greedy executive in conventional understanding.

Lapierre is notoriously weak in character, lacks ambition, prefers to hide when things occur, and dares not make promises.

There's a joke within the NRA: Walk into Lapierre's office, apply enough pressure, and he'll approve a sum of money for you.

Lapierre's sole interest seems to be indulging in sweets, perhaps as a stress reliever.

After a four-year stint as NRA CEO, Lapierre told the Los Angeles Times that the job was so demanding he wished he could retire immediately and open an ice cream shop in his hometown.

This had been the case since Lapierre first joined the NRA.

Back then, the NRA sought a lobbyist for the donkey party, and Lapierre successfully applied.

Lapierre, always in disheveled suits with vacant eyes, steadily climbed the ranks: state lobbyist in 1978, federal lobbyist in 1980, and CEO in 1991.

A seemingly mild-mannered man rising to the CEO position, mainly due to the delicate balance of power within the NRA where no one obeys the other.

Lapierre, weak and unassertive, rose to power, becoming a result everyone favored.

However, Peggy didn't think he would dare to genuinely act against her grandfather.

Robert Morgenthau, on the other hand, held a different perspective.

Observing his granddaughter looking down on Lapierre, Robert shook his head, "Lapierre is weak, that's true. But that doesn't mean the NRA won't support that young man."

"But it's none of our business. Even if the NRA is on his side, it's none of our business."

Robert looked at Peggy, "We just need to focus on our own affairs, and that's enough."

Seeing her grandfather's composed expression, Peggy also relaxed, "Alright, I'll heed your advice."

Robert nodded, and then the Manhattan prosecutor smiled, extending half of his head and one hand, waving to Abel in the restaurant downstairs with a smile.

This is a reaction.

Downstairs, Abel looked up and saw Robert's gestures, and he smiled back.

Seeing him continuing to look up, Lapierre also glanced up.

But when Lapierre looked, Robert had vanished.

"What's wrong?" Lapierre asked curiously.

"Saw an old friend, greeted him. He responded." Abel said with a smile.

"Oh," Lapierre replied indifferently.

This is Upper Manhattan, so it can't be said that wealthy individuals are everywhere.

But if you toss a grenade and blow it up, there will be at least a few millionaires, if not multi-millionaires.

Here, it's nothing for the wealthy to encounter acquaintances.

Abel chatted a bit more with Lapierre, then agreed on the approximate time for the donation.

Separated from Lapierre, he left the restaurant and headed to the waiting Cadillac STS.

After entering the car, he contemplated the possible consequences of everything he had done today.

Lapierre is known for his weakness. Both Morgan and his grandson are well aware of it, and Abel also knows it.

However, his donation to the NRA is not for Lapierre.

Lapierre is in the NRA, merely a prominent figurehead.

The NRA's true power lies with the board of directors and the annually elected chairman.

So his donation is essentially for these individuals.

Lapierre knows this too, but this time the donation is made in Lapierre's office.

It's Lapierre's credit, and the fool will be pleased.

Robert Morgenthau also knew this, which is why he told Peggy that Lapierre is weak, but the NRA may not support Abel.

This is also Abel's intention.

The NRA holds significant influence over the House of Cards in Aramco, and Abel himself has a deep connection with the NRA.

He believes it would be too wasteful not to leverage this relationship.

Hence, he plans to further strengthen his ties with the NRA through donations.

This is to safeguard against any future actions from Robert or those behind him.

The NRA connection can make them think twice.

This is to convey that Abel Smith is not to be trifled with.

Only in this way can a high probability be established, preventing those individuals from going to extremes.

But Abel also knows that his most potent weapon is his expertise in the financial field.

In the world of finance, everything can be negotiated with green paper.

Without the green paper that smells like ink, he would be left with no choice but to return to Tarrant to raise livestock in desperation.

Thinking like this,

He said to the driver Dexter, "Go to the office."

In the passenger seat, Edward picked up the walkie-talkie, "Head back to Smith Capital."

The black Cadillac STS received the order and activated the turn signal.

At the front of the convoy, a black Cadillac SUV led the way for the Cadillac STS.

Behind the vehicle, another unassuming Toyota Sequoia trailed the Cadillac STS, covering the rear path of the sedan.

On the other side of the road, there was another black Cadillac STS and a Cadillac SUV, also following the convoy.

The difference is that they are farther away, about a hundred meters.

Unlike the three vehicles in the convoy, they were walking together.

After the unexpected incident in Fort Worth yesterday,

Due to the boss's request, the rock security increased the boss's security.

From the previous three vehicles and eight bodyguards whenever he went out,

It escalated to an exaggerated scale of five cars and fifteen bodyguards.

In terms of fear of death and caution, Abel felt that few billionaires in the United States could match him.

But he didn't consider it excessive; after all, no matter how wealthy he was,

It's useless if he doesn't have his life.

Live to enjoy, live to experience.

He insisted on this point from beginning to end.

More than ten minutes later, the convoy arrived at the Woolworth Building.

Abel arrived at Smith Capital.

On the way, he had already called David Mellon.

So, when he arrived, David was waiting on standby.

"The safe house has been activated. Five investors, all following the list you provided."

After seeing Abel, David expressed his excitement, saying, "During this period, it's been quite exhilarating. I almost forgot that we're primarily a financial investment enterprise!"

Abel, understanding David's enthusiasm, smiled. David owned 2% of the company's dry stock, which would yield dividends at the year-end. Despite the requirement for David Mellon to work in the company for over ten years before transferring the 2% dry stock, the prospect of dividends alone made him elated.

With anticipated company earnings reaching $4 billion this year, even with a quarter allocated to dividends, David's 2% share would still translate to $20 million. This was equivalent to all the earnings David had accumulated throughout his nearly ten-year tenure, making him understandably excited.

Abel shared their upcoming plans, stating, "This time, we're heading to London to explore opportunities."

Excitedly, David inquired, "Understood. Are we delving into futures, foreign exchange, the stock market, or marketable bonds?"

Abel suggested, "Let's convene in the safe house." He led the way to Smith Capital's command room, where five traders were gearing up.

Seated in the command room, Abel directed, "Split the funds of the No. 1 Fund into two parts." The No. 1 Fund, a private placement fund of $3 billion, had already been fully subscribed. The funds were in place under Smith Capital's escrow account, adhering to laws and regulations.

Abel, examining real-time financial data from the London market, issued orders, "Allocate $1 billion each, totaling $2.5 billion." He continued, "One part, $2.5 billion with 6-8 times leverage, will stay invested in the global crude oil market, following the previous strategy."

With Smith Capital already investing $1 billion in global crude oil futures, an additional $2.5 billion this time would bring the total investment to $3.5 billion. Despite the considerable risk due to high global oil prices, Abel proceeded, and David Mellon faithfully executed.

After confirming the order, Abel focused on the London market. His attention was drawn to the K line of London Gold, and he calmly stated, "All traders, each account with a position of $500 million, a margin of $250 million, 20 times leverage, initiate a multi-party transaction order to buy London gold."

As the traders prepared to enter the market with $50 billion in capital, Abel reassured, "Don't worry, just wait."

Amidst the anticipation, Abel reflected on the power of financial influence and his commitment to making an impact in the global financial market. As the clock approached 3 o'clock in the afternoon, he decided to make a call, saying, "Hello, David..."

London Gold stands out as the primary trading option globally, operating in T+0 mode, and trading 24/7. However, its opening hours vary across different countries.

Trading orders involving multiple nations essentially span the entire 24-hour cycle, with a rest period of two to three hours in the middle. Notably, the North American and European markets witness the most intense trading activity in the afternoon, particularly around 2000, boasting a daily trading volume nearing $12 trillion, half of which occurs during this peak period.

This market serves as a haven for speculators, comparable in scale to the international forex market, presenting a similar risk level. Yet, it's also a battleground where fortunes are made and lost daily.

Accessible with a mere $1,000 entry, leveraging 100 times, a one-point shift amounts to $100. A drop of around 7 points triggers position closure, disregarding percentages. With five traders wielding 20 times leverage on $500 million each, their combined capital reaches $50 billion, resulting in a potential profit or loss of approximately $33.33 million for every one-point movement.

While a typical manager might find such trading strategies daunting, David Mellon, having witnessed Abel's audacious maneuvers in the foreign exchange and London Gold markets, fearlessly leads the charge. Abel orchestrates the entry of $50 billion into London Gold, assuring the team, "Don't worry, just wait."

As Abel concludes his explanation, he revels in the exhilaration of wielding vast sums in the financial arena. Born with financial acumen, he vows to make a substantial impact in the global financial market. Glancing at the clock, signaling three o'clock, Abel makes a phone call, saying, "Hello, David..."

On the other end, David Mellon, caught up in the excitement, responds, "I'm here..." Abel, with a playful tone, corrects, "Forehead," clarifying that it's not the intended David. In the midst of this, Abel engages in conversation with another David, Jones, discussing Ales's company and leaving readers at the conclusion of this chapter.