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"Interesting...very interesting!"
He clapped his hands, genuine admiration in his eyes—his failed idea was discarded, and he moved on to another:
“Many people can see the opportunities, but few, especially young people, can soberly see the risks in this bubble era and have the courage to reject readily available ‘shortcuts’ in order to avoid those risks. Victor, your calmness and foresight have exceeded my expectations.”
He raised his glass to Victor: "A toast to your judgment. To be honest, I agree with some of your concerns. The market is indeed full of uncertainty."
Financial instability is no secret on Wall Street—by the time the general public finds out, it's too late.
Viktor breathed a slight sigh of relief and raised his glass in response.
He felt that he had just passed an important test.
As lunch drew to a close, the atmosphere became even more congenial.
Martin Channing wiped his mouth, becoming more casual and even adopting a slightly personal tone.
“Victor, besides business, I have a personal matter I’d like to discuss.”
He paused, observing Victor's reaction. "It's about my daughter, Caroline. She went back yesterday and made it clear to me that she really admires you. She thinks you're mature, steady, and thoughtful, completely different from the spoiled brats around her who only know how to party and squander money."
Viktor's heart skipped a beat. Here it comes.
He remained silent, waiting for what would follow.
Martin leaned forward, his voice lowered but carrying undeniable weight, "Through today's conversation, I also believe you are an exceptionally outstanding young man. Your pragmatism, vision, and composure are rare in this era."
Therefore, as a father, I want to express my support—if Caroline is willing, and you both wish to pursue a further relationship, I would be happy to see it happen.
Victor's mind raced.
Only then did he fully understand the true purpose of this lunch.
Martin Channing truly admired his business acumen, but it was equally true that he acted as a go-between for his daughter, even personally vetting and advocating for her.
This financial tycoon was not only evaluating a potential business partner, but also choosing a possible future spouse for his daughter.
This is no longer just a "strategic marriage" as Blair described; it also involves a father's concern for his daughter (and perhaps considerations for the family's future), as well as Martin Channing's own recognition of Victor Lee.
But this approval might not be too deliberate; it's as if someone is forcing Martin to make a choice!
Furthermore, why didn't Martin choose to marry a wealthier man and move up the social ladder, instead of having his daughter conform to his own path?
This means potentially offending both a financial tycoon and his daughter, as well as losing a powerful ally of immeasurable value.
He had no feelings for Caroline and was extremely disgusted by the naked tying of emotions and interests together.
He felt as if he were standing at the center of an intricate chess game in New York, having just placed a piece, only to have his opponent respond with an even more powerful move.
How should he proceed?
Viktor took a deep breath and met Martin Channing's all-seeing yet unfathomable eyes, knowing that the real verbal battle and psychological warfare had only just begun.
He needs time, he needs to weigh the options, and he needs an answer that is neither a direct rejection nor a rejection that gives him room to think and maneuver.
But Martin wouldn't push it too hard; he wouldn't lose face: "Today's lunch was very enjoyable, and I hope we can have other connections in the future."
·······
In early spring in New York, a hint of chill still lingered in the air, but the sunlight had become generous, casting bright patches of light on the carpet through the hotel room's glass windows.
Viktor stood by the window, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the windowpane, his mind completely elsewhere than on the bustling traffic outside.
Martin's vague, probing, and suggestive words brushed against his thoughts like feathers, but left little trace.
He shook his head, deciding not to waste any more energy trying to figure it out.
There are always too many people in this world who like to complicate simple things; he prefers to focus on things that bring practical benefits.
A knock on the door broke his thoughts.
Standing outside the door was Caroline Channing, dressed in a well-tailored spring outfit, her smile as bright and infectious as the sunlight piercing through the chill outside the window.
Viktor couldn't understand where this young woman got her room number from.
—If you knew that, why didn't you come over last night?
"It seems someone needs a local guide?"
She winked playfully.
When a beautiful woman took the initiative to invite him out, Viktor attributed it to his own charm—and smiled.
The previous slight confusion was insignificant compared to the matter at hand. The woman in front of him was a graduate of Wharton Business School, an intellectual, and perhaps she could be of some use.
"That's exactly what I was thinking. I wonder if I would be honored?"
The following time seemed to be fast-forwarded.
Caroline exudes a vibrancy and taste that matches her captivating appearance.
As they wandered through the streets, galleries, and boutiques of New York, Victor witnessed the sugar-coated bullets of the capitalist world, and then, due to his lack of understanding, his ignorance, and his rough-around-the-edges nature—you can't expect a manual laborer to comprehend these fancy words, after all, they are not necessities and serve no purpose.
But Victor has money.
Caroline is also rich.
In a century-old shop filled with the rich aroma of leather, Caroline paused and picked up a finely crafted leather belt.
"Try this? It goes perfectly with your suit from yesterday."
Her tone was natural, with a hint of undeniable certainty.
Viktor readily accepted the good advice.
As he prepared to pay, Caroline gracefully handed over her credit card: "A small gift to celebrate your promising first investment in New York?"
She said it with a smile, her tone relaxed, as if she had only bought a cup of coffee.
Viktor was slightly taken aback.
He is not used to spending money on others, nor is he used to others spending money on him, especially from a woman he has only known for a short time.
A subtle feeling of being challenged washed over him, but he quickly transformed it into a gentlemanly demeanor.
"Then, please allow me to return the favor."
His gaze swept across the shop and landed on a uniquely designed women's hat. "This hat seems to have been waiting for your arrival."
Three thousand two hundred US dollars.
The price was exorbitant, but neither Victor nor Caroline seemed to care about the figure.
It's an unspoken understanding among social classes, more like an elegant social game, a silent confirmation of each other's taste and strength.
Victor noticed that when Caroline accepted the hat, her eyes shone with appreciation rather than surprise, as if it were all perfectly natural.
During the conversation, Victor mentioned his upcoming itinerary—to visit the Brooklyn Eagle to explore investment possibilities.
"The Brooklyn Eagle?"
Caroline raised an eyebrow. "I know the editor-in-chief there, Alice Moretti, a very interesting lady and a very ambitious journalist. Perhaps... you need an introducer? And you need a legitimate financial professional."
Her suggestion was direct and effective, not just empty pleasantries.
Victor immediately saw the value in it—a financial professional, not someone who knew a female journalist.
"This would be a huge help."
The meeting with Alice Moretti and her editor-in-chief husband went exceptionally smoothly because of Caroline's presence, as both Victor and Alice were seasoned veterans who wouldn't care about the deal itself once it was over.
She was not only the introducer, but also a skillful facilitator in the conversation. She could compliment the editor-in-chief's career with appropriate words, and also help Victor get to the core data of newspaper operation with sharp questions—circulation, advertising revenue, printing costs, and labor relations.
She even seemingly unintentionally mentioned several potential competitors who were also interested in the acquisition.
Viktor observed from the side, secretly surprised.
Jimmy did the same thing—Jimmy originally wanted to use other methods to lower expectations.
This girl with a sweet smile and a penchant for high-end consumption displayed an astute mind and shrewd skills at the negotiating table.
She was nothing like the wealthy girl he initially thought she was, merely a socialite.
The crucial moment for negotiations has arrived.
The editor-in-chief quoted a price that he considered quite reasonable.
Before Victor could speak, Caroline chuckled softly, her fingertip gracefully pointing to a number on the financial statement:
"Mr. Moretti, based on this cash flow and the expected industry decline rate, this valuation is more like wishful thinking than reality. We believe that, considering that Victor's investment will bring not only cash, but also his influence and resources in the sports field as a boxer, a more reasonable equity ratio is... 20 percent."
She paused for a moment, then quoted a price lower than Victor had expected.
The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly became tense.
The editor-in-chief looked rather grim.
Victor intervened at the opportune moment, his tone calm and firm, supplementing Caroline's argument and emphasizing the difference between long-term cooperation and short-term arbitrage.
He was secretly surprised that he and Caroline had formed such a tacit alliance.
Ultimately, an agreement was reached:
Victor invested one million US dollars, acquiring a 17% controlling stake.
A number that is acceptable to both parties and leaves room for the future.
Stepping out of the newspaper building, the cool evening breeze of New York couldn't dispel the satisfaction in Victor's heart.
He looked at Caroline beside him, the light outlining her captivating features.
“Caroline, I don’t know how to thank you. Your help far exceeded my expectations.”
Caroline turned around, her smile still bright, but now with a touch of businesswoman's decisiveness: "Then, let's proceed as 'expected.' My consultation fee is three thousand US dollars. Victor, you don't mind, do you?"
Viktor was taken aback, then burst into laughter.
He immediately wrote out a check and handed it over.
This straightforward, almost "openly advertised" approach did not offend him; instead, it gave him a strange sense of ease.
Everything is clear and straightforward, free from any ambiguity or unresolved favors or obligations.
Chapter 113 Trading and Chips
On the night of March 4th, the air in New York still carried the chill of late winter.