bookbashuk Page 36
Page 36
But in the end, a playful smile appeared on his lips, as if he had spotted some interesting game.
“Economics? Practical finance?” Hawke chuckled. “That’s something we should talk about. It’s cold outside, let’s go inside.” He casually gestured with his chin toward the apartment entrance, then turned and walked toward the luxurious door that required a password to enter.
Kobayashi Miu and Catherine were overjoyed and quickly followed.
Inside the private elevator that leads directly to the top floor, the small space is filled with the faint scent of cedar and leather emanating from Hawke, carrying an invisible sense of oppression.
The doors to the penthouse slid open silently, revealing an ultra-luxurious modernist style.
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the entire New York City skyline is dazzling at night.
Hawke casually tossed his coat onto the Italian leather sofa and unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt.
"What would you like to drink?" he asked, walking toward the bar.
“Uh… water is fine.” Catherine was still a little reserved.
"Me too, thank you, senior." Kobayashi Miu remained polite.
Hawke poured three glasses of ice water: "Is it okay to drink this ice water?"
The two of them were stunned for a moment, not understanding why it was ice water, but neither of them refused.
Seeing that neither of them refused, Hawke understood and gestured for them to sit wherever they pleased.
But even if they can't drink ice water, it doesn't matter, since the mountains are blocked by heavy snow, they can still take the dry route...
Miu Kobayashi and Catherine chose a two-seater sofa and sat down, beginning to hurl their carefully prepared and rather professional financial questions:
From parameter calibration of dynamic asset pricing models to stress testing of derivative strategies under extreme market conditions, and how to assess the true valuation and risk premium of companies like TCRI that are involved in cutting-edge biotechnology fields...
Hawke, holding a water glass, leaned against the bar, listening to their questions.
He would occasionally interject, his few words getting straight to the point, pinpointing the weaknesses in their logic or cognitive biases. His words were sharp yet gracious, even offering a touch of insightful guidance.
His insights are indeed profound, imbued with the practical experience and macro perspective of a top Wall Street predator.
Kobayashi Miu and Catherine were secretly surprised. Putting the mission aside, this guy was really something!
Their questions became more in-depth, and the discussion gradually became more heated.
However, at some point, the topic began to quietly deviate from the intended path.
Perhaps it was the aggressive glint in Hawke's deep eyes;
Perhaps it was the little bit of stubbornness and admiration that Catherine unintentionally revealed when she was refuted;
Or perhaps it's the undisguised pure admiration and excitement that shines in Miu Kobayashi's eyes when she encounters a brilliant theory...
The atmosphere warmed up without anyone noticing.
“So, senior…” Catherine licked her slightly dry lips, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Hawke, “in a complex and ever-changing environment, how do you accurately locate a target and… take it down in one fell swoop?”
She meant to allude to market opportunities or competitors, but once the words left her mouth, coupled with her slightly flushed cheeks and somewhat aggressive gaze, the meaning became ambiguous.
Hawke smiled to himself, put down his water glass, and walked step by step toward the sofa.
He looked down at the two girls sitting side by side, his gaze carrying a tangible warmth, sliding from Catherine's bright face to Kobayashi Miu's cool yet slightly nervous profile.
“Precise positioning?” Hawke’s voice was even lower, with a seductive magnetism. “First, you need enough patience and observation skills to distinguish what is the real target and what is… a smokescreen.”
He paused meaningfully.
"And then?" Miu Kobayashi couldn't help but ask, her voice slightly tense.
"And then?" Hawke met her gaze.
“It requires strong analytical skills to assess the ‘value’ and ‘risk’ of the target. But most importantly…” He put his other arm around Catherine’s shoulder, pulling her closer to him.
Catherine let out a short, sharp breath.
"...The courage to act and the willingness to bear the consequences. This applies to the financial markets, and it applies to life..." Hawke's gaze shifted ambiguously between the two.
66. Biologically speaking, they were indeed very close to their target.
Kobayashi Miu's heart pounded, her agent instincts screaming for alertness.
Catherine, however, was already flushed and her eyes were glazed over by his close presence and words.
Hawke looked at the struggle, hesitation, and a flicker of excitement in their eyes, and his smile deepened.
“For example…” He lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against Catherine’s earlobe, but his gaze remained fixed on her, “How do you assess…increasing marginal utility in a relationship?”
The next second, before the two could answer, Hawke sealed Catherine's slightly parted lips with a kiss.
At the same time, he tightened his grip on Catherine's arm, pulling her closer to him.
My rational defenses crumbled at that moment.
In the spacious master bedroom of the luxury apartment, a hazy glow is reflected in the mirror of the crystal chandelier.
The expensive bedding was a mess, and the air was thick with the scent of lust.
Hawke, like a seasoned conductor, precisely orchestrated every note, leading this unexpected "trio" concerto to an out-of-control and exhilarating climax.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the city, Agent Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. watched as the two fixed signals on his communicator remained motionless in Hawke Lane's apartment for an extended period. Finally, he couldn't help but rub his temples and sigh into the air.
"Okay... at least... biologically speaking, they did get 'deeply close' to their target. It's just the mission report... how do you write that?!"
In the bedroom, Hawke looked at his two beautiful "classmates" who had fallen asleep from exhaustion, but there was no trace of sleepiness in his eyes.
A playful smile crept onto his lips.
"Although I don't know which agency's agent it is, this 'teaching practice' is really something else."
Hawke, who was smoking a cigarette afterward, suddenly heard his phone ring.
It was Emilia who called.
"Hey?"
"Hawk, there are two things I want to tell you today."
"explain."
"AIM has scheduled a time for you to meet in person."
Upon hearing this, Hawke raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on his lips: "Oh? You've figured it out so quickly? It seems this doctor's emotional control is stronger than I thought. I'm fine with it, let's meet tomorrow morning, I have class tomorrow afternoon."
Emilia nodded, and while arranging Hawke's schedule, she continued:
"There's another thing. This afternoon, someone from Midtown Financial Company approached me to buy our original TCRI building. We don't need the money, so why would we sell a building we just acquired? I refused without even thinking about it. But after I refused, they wouldn't give up, even offering twice the market price."
Emilia said, "I think there must be something wrong here, so I called you to check on things. I don't want to be killed without you even knowing who did it."
She sensed danger.
"Midtown Financial Company?"
Hawke frowned slightly.
He thought for a moment.
I quickly remembered that Midtown Financial Company was just a front for those Hand people.
It's equivalent to TCRI being to the Big Foot Gang.
Strange, why would Shouhe want to see him?
Just because I reported your drug factory?
But these guys are really that bold. Haven't they ever heard of Ryan?
They still dare to cause trouble? Aren't they afraid they won't be able to survive in New York?
Even if they're incredibly powerful, they're just a mere gangster. Do they really want to test the power of a chaebol?
Do you think you're Hydra?
“Emilia, don’t worry. This Midtown Financial Company is the Hand and the Association we’ve been discussing. I’ll have Eunfi with you; they won’t be able to cause any trouble.”
Hawke scoffed.
The five fingers of the Hand Society are all traitors to Kunlun. Don't be fooled by their centuries of life; they are nothing but long-dead wastes, constantly scrambling to escape Kunlun's pursuit like terrified rats in a ditch. They probably can't even beat Enfei.
"So they're the Hands? Wow, they really gave me a fright. No wonder they had such a strong aura about them. I thought they were from the military!" Emilia breathed a sigh of relief.
0 ······Requesting flowers···· ········
With Ryan backing him up, even the Italian Mafia is nothing but a fart.
She asked again, puzzled, "But why would a gang want to buy our building?"
Hawke was also thinking about this issue. The ownership of TCRI had already made headlines, so why would they still dare to cause trouble... things might not be so simple.
"Unless...they have a reason to do so."
Hawke's expression was strange.
He seemed to have guessed the reason.
...If that's the case, then it's like a windfall.
Emilia keenly noticed the change in Hawke's tone and asked, "Do you know something?"
.... ...... 0
“I have a guess, but I can’t confirm it. I’ll tell you later,” Hawke said. “Did they leave you their contact information?”
“No,” Emilia said. “However, they left an invitation, saying that Midtown Financial Company will be hosting a banquet tonight and they invited me to attend. Their CEO wants to talk to me personally.”
"I also asked my friends on Wall Street to help me check. This Midtown Financial Company is not well-known and its strength is so-so. It probably has assets of several billion US dollars, so it can be considered a small giant on Wall Street."
“Alright.” Hawke nodded and said, “Then I’ll go with you to the banquet tomorrow night and let the CEO of Midtown Financial Company talk to me.”
If what he guessed was true, even if he got the item, he wouldn't know how to use it; he could only use the five fingers of his hand.
He has three cards in his hand: treat others to a meal, behead them, and take them in as his dogs!
I hope you can form five fingers on your hand and not be ungrateful.
"OK."
The two women who appeared to be fast asleep were actually asleep; they hadn't gotten any information at all.
Only women who have experienced Hawke's baptism can clearly feel the powerful impact and unparalleled skill that brings an ultimate sensory experience.