HBWnovel Chapter 398: Jumping Back and Forth
Chapter 398: Jumping Back and Forth
[Chapter 398: Jumping Back and Forth]
In downtown Los Angeles, at the FBI field office.
A black SUV was blocked at the entrance. The guard informed Larry Fink and Robert Kapito that outside vehicles were not allowed inside and they had to walk to the office building.
Fink and Kapito exchanged angry glances. It was clear that when the FBI in Los Angeles confirmed this as a spy case, they were positioned squarely against BlackRock.
The two had no choice but to exit the vehicle.
Just at the entrance, a cameraman was filming while a female reporter in a Fox News vest rushed up, microphone extended towards Fink and Kapito, loudly asking, "What are your thoughts on the involvement of several BlackRock executives in the Russian spy case? Is this a widespread issue within BlackRock?"
Kapito turned his head and glared.
Fink shot a look at his bodyguard, who promptly moved to separate the reporter from them.
Not far away, a Fox News broadcast truck quickly transmitted live footage back to the TV center, and Channel 11 interrupted its news to air this information.
...
Meanwhile, Twitter held a press conference where Operations Director Caroline Jones, together with the legal team, announced details of the lawsuit against BlackRock.
Due to BlackRock spies leaking parts of the Manhattan AI Project to Russia, leading Twitter to abandon its optimal choices and adjust the plan, Twitter sought civil damages totaling $3.32 billion.
As soon as this news broke, BlackRock's stock price experienced a new wave of turmoil on the New York Stock Exchange, continuing its decline.
---
In Palm Beach, Florida.
There was a nearly 100,000-square-foot estate known as Mar-a-Lago, once the winter retreat of the President, bought by the Trump in 1985 to become a private club for his family.
Investment manager Weissel hurried into the study and said, "Sir, you should really check Twitter. The legal team has unveiled some terms of the civil lawsuit against BlackRock."
Since the last time Donald Trump had spoken with Brian on behalf of the Democratic Party, he had become an avid Twitter user.
For reasons he couldn't explain, he found this social media platform particularly appealing.
At that moment, Donald Trump opened Twitter, logged into his account, and immediately saw the related news. After browsing through it, he remarked, "$3.32 billion? Twitter really dares to ask for that."
Weissel replied, "The lawyers also published the related compensation details, which were calculated meticulously."
Donald Trump usually appeared somewhat comical, but with decades of business experience jumping back and forth among the three parties, his skills spoke for themselves.
His expression turned serious. "Even if this spying incident is settled, BlackRock will still lose a lot. A $3.32 billion compensation isn't realistic, but it won't be low either."
Weissel responded, "Investing in BlackRock now carries too much risk. I suggest we suspend negotiations with the BlackRock Group."
Donald Trump had initially thought to capitalize on the chaos, but given the current situation, he realized he could fall into a trap, so he immediately said, "You should inform BlackRock about this."
Weissel went to make the call.
On another sofa, group advisor Besant suddenly spoke up, saying, "The political landscape in California is undergoing dramatic changes, especially in Southern California. In 2001, the Democrats managed to unseat the Republicans and take the mayor's position in Los Angeles, but within less than three years, the Republicans regained control, and Southern California, which had turned blue, reversed back to red."
Donald Trump replied earnestly, "I've re
The man called Boyle complied, taking a seat in the restraint chair, and the guard secured him in place.
The lawyer stated, "I request to be alone with my client."
The guard turned and exited the meeting room, locking the iron door behind him.
Boyle felt uneasy, lowering his head to scratch his itchy nose. On one of his hands, a tattoo of an inverted pentagram was visible.
He was one of three journalists from who had been involved in wiretapping Twitter.
Boyle asked, "When can I be bailed out?"
The lawyer quietly said, "Your case is quite complicated; you might have to stay in for a while."
Boyle's expression soured.
"The organization will offer you cash compensation based on your sentence," the lawyer reminded him. "This amount is significantly higher than your salary."
Boyle's mood immediately lifted as he replied, "No problem, what's a few years in here? I consider it an extended vacation."
The lawyer glanced at the door, took out a note, and placed it on the table in front of him.
Boyle quickly recognized the message: "Keep your mouth shut."
The signature was a black goat head.
Boyle instantly understood the situation and, without a word, simply nodded.
"Wait for your court date," the lawyer said, standing up and exiting the meeting room.
---
In another building at the field office, Jennifer Huey stood in front of the surveillance room, listening to separate interrogations regarding Larry Fink and Robert Kapito.
Both had lawyers present and did not provide any useful information; all matters related to the spy case were claimed to be the actions of Eugene Kropov alone, with no connection to BlackRock.
This was all expected. Jennifer asked, "According to regulations, how many days are we allowed to hold them in Los Angeles?"
An associate replied, "Under the Anti-Spy Act, given their circumstances, we can hold them for a maximum of 72 hours, and any longer requires new justification."
Jennifer replied without hesitation, "Inform them that they are not to leave Los Angeles within 72 hours, as we will have more questions."
Another person responded, "Got it."
...
Fink and Kapito exited the interrogation room, exchanging a glance as they headed outside.
They had been notified that they could not leave Los Angeles temporarily.
Fink got into the car and said to Kapito, "I want to pay a visit to Hawke Osment."
*****
/Sayonara816.