A Wall Street Genius’s Final Investment Playbook

Tap, tap.

Rupert slowly tapped the desk with his fingertips.

A relaxed smile, completely different from before, appeared on his face.

Like someone who had just solved a complicated puzzle.

“Gerrard still has potential.”

Originally, Rupert’s ideal successor was someone like a puppet he could easily control.

But Gerrard was currently completely out of control.

So, until just a moment ago, Rupert had been wondering whether to exclude him from the line of succession...

“It was an interloper who got in the way.”

At first, he had thought it was all due to Judy’s incompetence, but that wasn’t the case. The real problem was Raymond.

“That guy snatched the strings of control from Judy’s hands. In other words, all I have to do is take those strings back.”

Rupert spoke with the conviction of someone who believed everything had been resolved.

However, the expressions on Harold and Patricia’s faces weren’t so positive.

That was because, whenever Rupert became this confident, things tended to get more complicated.

“Still, we can’t overlook Judy’s incompetence.”

Harold cautiously broached the topic, but Rupert firmly shook his head.

“A father with social status, and a mother who has been a housewife all her life. Whose words do you think Gerrard would rather listen to? Sons naturally tend to follow their fathers more.”

Rupert’s confidence was already unshakable.

Then Patricia stepped in.

“But isn’t there another possibility? Like Judy joining hands with Raymond and working together for Gerrard...”

At Patricia’s words, Rupert burst into laughter.

“Those two? Joining hands?”

Patricia couldn’t answer.

Everyone present knew how hostile Judy and Raymond’s relationship was.

“No matter how much it’s for their son, there’s no way those two would cooperate. In fact, it’s more likely that Raymond intervened to make things harder for Judy.”

Rupert no longer hesitated.

This was something that could be verified directly.

He had the butler bring Judy, and she confirmed his suspicions.

“Yes, that’s right. Raymond encouraged Gerrard to ‘pave his own way’ and facilitated his cooperation with Ha Si-heon.”

“Why didn’t you say this sooner?”

“I was trying to resolve it on my own... I’m sorry.”

Rupert stared at Judy for a moment, then nodded.

“From now on, don’t try to solve problems like this on your own. Forcing yourself to handle things beyond your ability only creates bigger problems.”

Judy flinched at the phrase “lack of ability,” but Rupert didn’t notice her reaction.

He was already absorbed in a new plan.

“In the end, we need to take Gerrard back from Raymond’s grasp... and the key is Ha Si-heon.”

Rupert’s gaze sharpened.

Gerrard had only been able to become interim CEO because he had the powerful weapon that was Ha Si-heon.

The algorithm Ha Si-heon possessed held enough influence to sway voting results.

“If we just eliminate that weapon, Gerrard will return to our hands.”

The answer was clear.

Take that weapon away from Gerrard.

In other words, they had to make sure Ha Si-heon no longer supported him.

Rupert then gave Harold and Patricia their orders.

“Ha Si-heon is a hedge fund manager. Those types move based on deals, so he must’ve made some sort of arrangement with Raymond. Approach him and find out what kind of deal it was.”

***

After Judy and Raymond arrived.

Judy was quickly led away by the butler to somewhere else.

‘That must be Rupert’s doing.’

Just what we wanted.

We had already given Judy a task anyway.

Besides, we needed an “informant” who could report Rupert’s intentions in real time.

‘Well, she’ll handle it well enough.’

Anyway.

While Judy carried out her role, we had our own tasks.

When Raymond appeared at the hunting grounds, I turned my head and looked at him.

“You’re here.”

Raymond’s role today was simple.

To act as if we were close.

More precisely, he was instructed to treat me like “Old Man Kissinger would treat a grandson.”

After all, no one spoils like grandfathers do.

However...

Seeing his stiff expression, it was clear he wasn’t much of an actor.

Raymond let out a small sigh and forced a wide smile as he opened his mouth.

“Haha, you! That riding suit really suits you.”

He exaggerated his smile and patted me on the shoulder...

It couldn’t have looked more awkward.

Maybe I had asked too much.

After all, it's not easy to project the kind of trust someone like Grandpa Kissinger would show.

Moreover, Raymond wasn’t particularly fond of me.

We were just cooperating because our interests aligned, not because we liked each other.

Even so, he was trying his best in his own way.

“How about becoming Gerrard’s ‘buddy’ today?”

“Buddy?”

“It’s a kind of partner system. Even if someone can ride, they may not be familiar with the terrain, so we assign buddies to guests. You and Gerrard work well together, don’t you?”

“Yes, we work pretty well together.”

“I thought so! Didn’t I say it?”

Raymond boasted as if he were the one who brought Gerrard and me together.

Of course, every word was scripted by me.

“Because that gives me more freedom of movement.”

Today, I had to persuade Harold and Patricia, who were the core of the collateral line.

But that wasn’t an easy task either.

—They’re very loyal. They’ll never do anything to upset Rupert. But Rupert sees you as a dangerous figure who’s seduced the naive Gerrard.

In a situation where Rupert considers me a thorn in his side, his loyal followers would never willingly talk to me.

So, I decided to change the game a little.

The method was simple.

‘Add Raymond to the board.’

If Raymond is positioned as the mastermind behind everything?

A new narrative is born.

The truly dangerous one is Raymond, and Ha Si-heon is just a pawn being used by him.

If that’s the case, then Rupert’s next move becomes clear.

‘He’ll try to test me or win me over.’

He’ll either send loyal followers to assess the situation or try to recruit me.

In other words, if I just sit still, they’ll come to me first.

That’s why I gave Raymond the role of “mastermind”...

“I’ve always believed in your abilities!”

As expected, it was awkward.

I repeatedly whispered tips like “use a warmer gaze” or “make the compliments sound more natural,”

But it was no use.

It seemed he simply wasn’t used to complimenting others.

In the end, I decided to leave him be.

‘Well, this isn’t too bad.’

I decided to make use of the awkwardness instead.

After all, if Raymond had to pretend to be close to me even though he didn’t like me much, it would make me seem all the more persuadable in Rupert’s eyes.

‘Will it really work...?’

Surprisingly, it did.

Not long after, someone came to find me.

“You must be Ha Si-heon? I’m Harold Marquis. I’m serving as the master of the foxhound for this hunt.”

A middle-aged man with graying hair.

He was one of the key collateral figures that Judy had told me I needed to persuade.

“I heard you’ve ridden a bit before, but when’s the last time you were on a horse?”

“It’s been a while.”

“Then today might be a bit much. It’s best to choose a gentle one in these cases… but rider and horse compatibility is also important. What do you say? Since we’ve got time, how about picking one with me?”

His intentions were clear.

He wanted to take me somewhere private for a discreet conversation.

But...

‘Why isn’t he doing anything?’

Raymond showed no reaction.

It was like he’d completely forgotten our script.

I was supposed to be Raymond’s pawn right now.

So why would he hand over such an important piece without resistance?

It didn’t make sense.

He should’ve shown some light resistance or wariness, but Raymond just nodded without a word.

There’s a Korean saying that even hands have to clap together to make a sound...

“May I go?”

I looked at Raymond and asked like a child asking for permission, and only then did he realize what was happening and step in belatedly.

“Is it really necessary to take Sean with you? Choosing a horse is something we all do when it’s our turn anyway…”

His timing was completely off.

So I wondered if it would still work...

“I only offered because I heard he’s Gerrard’s friend.”

“There’s no need to give me special treatment. I doubt you’re that fond of Gerrard.”

“You’re still as cynical as ever.”

When Raymond shot Harold a sharp look, Harold also bristled, seemingly offended.

Hm, I guess it worked out somehow.

What followed was a tense standoff between the two.

The atmosphere wasn’t bad at all.

Anyway.

In that situation, I quickly put on an awkward expression and stepped in to mediate.

“There’s no need to argue because of me. We can all look at the horses together later.”

I deliberately rejected Harold’s offer.

There were two main reasons.

One was to reinforce Raymond’s role as the mastermind behind me.

The more important reason was that with the fox hunt about to begin, I didn’t want to have a rushed conversation.

‘I’ll get another opportunity later anyway.’

Still, just in case, I decided to give a bit more of a signal.

“Thank you for your kindness. I’d like to speak with you more in detail later.”

When I made it clear that I was open to conversation, Harold nodded in return.

“Alright then, let’s talk again later.”

What followed were some rather interesting formalities.

“This event strengthens the traditions and unity of our family…”

First, Rupert, the head of the Marquis family, gave a long speech.

Then Harold, the master of the hunt, explained the rules.

“The hunt will follow a set path. A drag route imbued with fox scent has already been laid out…”

In fact, there were no actual foxes involved in the “fox hunt.”

Instead, a cloth soaked in fox scent was used to lay a route ahead of time, and the hounds would follow that trail while we followed the hounds.

‘They say it’s because of environmental laws…?’

I remembered the conversation I had with Gerrard during Thanksgiving.

Back then, I’d said something like, “Hunting is just a game where you bring a gun to a zoo,” and he had reacted quite strongly.

Now I could understand why.

He had been stung because what I said was true.

The “hunt” here was more of a ritual than an actual hunt.

Its significance lay more in re-enacting noble traditions.

And that tradition was rather lengthy.

“May God bless today’s journey.”

Next was the blessing prayer.

A clergyman appeared and sprinkled holy water on the hounds while offering a prayer.

“We’ve prepared the stirrup cup. Please drink.”

The stirrup cup, a traditional drink meant to wish the hunters luck and safety, was served.

It was a strong fruit wine, also part of the tradition.

After all those procedures ended, the master Harold stepped forward again.

“Now we’ll determine everyone’s flights.”

The participants were divided into three groups.

The first flight would take the lead with the hounds and jump over obstacles.

The second flight would follow at a more relaxed pace.

And the last group, the hilltoppers, would observe the hunt from afar.

It was up to Harold, the hunt master, to decide who went where.

“Sean... Let’s put him in the second flight. He may have some experience, but he’s unfamiliar with this environment.”

Rachel, Gerrard, and Raymond were all in the first flight, but I alone was placed in the second.

It made sense for Harold to do this.

It would make it easier for him to call me aside and have a private chat.

But—

“....”

Again?

Both Gerrard and Raymond simply nodded without any reaction and accepted the decision.

As if they had forgotten their roles again.

Why just accept it like that?

Honestly, my family really lacks acting talent...

“Ahem!”

Only after I let out a light cough did Gerrard react.

“Sean said he can handle jumping obstacles. If I’m his buddy and guide him well, I’m sure he can manage in the first group.”

And so, Gerrard protested like he didn’t want to be separated from me.

“My decisions are final.”

Of course, Gerrard’s objection was rejected, and everything proceeded according to the master’s decision, as per tradition.

‘I wonder if this level of acting is enough…’

I was a bit worried, but then Harold scanned the second flight members and pointed at someone.