Chapter 3

I stepped out of the trading floor through the side door. The sun was shining brightly outside.

My phone buzzed. I glanced down. A notification from my securities account popped up: [Your order has been fully executed.

[Average execution price: 13.29 dollars. Total transaction amount: 3.06 billion dollars.]

3.06 billion dollars. I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

Seven years. From twenty-four to thirty-one. I'd poured my best years into this company. And all I got was, "He's here to learn. That's enough."

Fine. I'd paid my dues.

I flagged down a cab. "To the airport, please."

Less than five minutes into the ride, my phone rang. Richard's name flashed on the screen.

I stared at it for a couple of seconds, then sent the call to voicemail.

It rang again. I ignored it.

The third time, the screen showed a number I didn't recognize.

I hesitated, then picked up. "Hello, Mr. Brooks. This is the Market Oversight Division of the Securities Regulatory Commission. I'm calling about your major sell-off today.

"Mr. Brooks, your sale today accounted for 23% of the company's total shares.

"As per regulations, any shareholder holding more than 5% is required to give a fifteen-trading-day notice before selling."

I leaned back in the cab, keeping my voice calm. "My shares were restricted. Today is the first day they're allowed to be traded.

"According to Section 36 of the Securities Act, once restricted shares become tradable, there's no requirement to give advance notice."

There was a pause on the other end. "But dumping all your shares at once has caused a major shock to the market. Horizon Enterprises' stock price is currently—"

"Did it crash to the trading halt?"

"Yeah."

"That's how the market works. It's not my responsibility. Everything I did was above board. If you've got any concerns, talk to my lawyer." I gave them Joey's number.

"Mr. Brooks, we may need you to cooperate with our investigation."

"Sure, I'm happy to help whenever you need me. But not today. I'm heading to the airport."

I hung up. The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "Sir, are you in finance?"

"No, an employee."

"Fine."

My phone rang again. It was Joey. "Mr. Brooks, Horizon Enterprises has sent over a cease and desist letter.

"They're accusing you of manipulating the market, demanding you stop trading immediately and return all your profits."

I asked, "A cease and desist letter?"

"Yeah, the wording is pretty harsh. They're threatening to sue."

"Let them sue."

"That's exactly what I thought. Your trade was totally legit. You sold after the lock-up period, and it didn't break any rules.

"They even got the law wrong in their letter. They're trying to intimidate you."

"Anything else?"

"Yeah. Horizon Enterprises' stock hit the upper limit and then crashed to the lower limit all in one day, swings of over 20%.

"Word is spreading that the second-largest shareholder cashed out and ran, and now investor confidence is shot."

"Not my problem."

"Of course it's not your problem. But," Joey paused, "Richard must be really hurting right now."

"Okay."

"His holdings took a 1.3 billion dollar hit after today's close."

I didn't say anything.

"Mr. Brooks?"

"Yeah, I heard you."

"How are you feeling right now?"

"Honestly, I don't feel anything. I'm at the airport. Gotta go."

I paid the fare, grabbed my bag, and walked into the terminal.

There was a long line at the check-in counter. I'd gotten in line when my phone rang again. Leo's name flashed on the screen.

I hesitated, then answered.

"Michael! Are you out of your mind?" Leo's voice was frantic and shrill. "Do you even realize what you did today? The company's stock crashed. Mr. Grant was rushed to the hospital! You—"

"Leo."

"Huh?"

"Your bonus this year is 3 million dollars, right?"

He was at a loss for words.

"Out of that 3 million dollars, how much came from the projects I ran?"

There was silence on the other end.

"I've checked. At least 2 million, no less."

"Michael, I—"

"It's fine. Keep the money. You earned it. I want you to remember I deserved what I did today, too."

"But what about the company? What about all the employees?"

"It's not like I ever owned the company." I couldn't help but chuckle at myself for saying that. It never belonged to me, not once. Leo, I'm about to board. That's it."

"Where are you going?"

"No idea. I'll figure it out after I'm in the air."

I hung up and powered off my phone.

Check-in, security, and boarding—everything went off without a hitch.

*****

As the plane took off, I watched the city shrink below me.

From up here, the office building where Horizon Enterprises took up fifteen floors was nothing more than a tiny gray square.

I closed my eyes. Scenes from seven years ago played in my mind.

Richard clapped me on the shoulder, grinning wide. "Michael, I believe in you. Stick with me. When the company goes public, you'll be the hero who made it happen.

"Come on, invest your savings. I'll count it as founder's shares. One day, it could multiply a hundredfold, maybe even more."

I was twenty-four back then, two years out of college, and I'd saved up 107 thousand dollars. I put every last cent into it.

Then, over the next seven years, I helped turn a small company worth 30 million into one valued at more than 10 billion.

And all I got was, "He's here to learn. That's enough."

The plane leveled off.

I opened my eyes and stared at the tray table in front of me. It was empty. Nothing left.

No more proposals to fix, no more meetings to sit through, no more calls to pick up. I felt pretty good.