$108.3 billion...

A concrete figure approaching nearly $110 billion—far exceeding the previously rumored estimate of $100 billion circulating around Wall Street.

Some gasped. Others sat stunned, mouths agape.

Someone might have scoffed that $100 billion or $108.3 billion didn’t make much difference—but if they could actually grasp what $8.3 billion felt like in reality, they’d deserve a slap across the face.

“E-Excuse me, but would it be alright to ask... how you managed to achieve such tremendous profits?”

“Well, naturally... isn’t it thanks to the dedication of Alpha Fund’s outstanding managers and analysts? Of course, it was only possible because of the countless investors who provided us with reliable capital.”

With that final comment, Alpha Fund’s CEO offered a faint, knowing smile.

A subtle nod to the massive leverage they’d employed.

It was no secret that Alpha Fund had borrowed at least $10 billion in additional capital. But factoring in their profits and his wording... they’d likely borrowed an amount nearly equal to—or possibly greater than—their $100 billion earnings.

The reporters, making that mental calculation, raised their cameras frantically and fired off questions with the desperate fervor of a little mermaid using her voice for the last time.

“I’m from The Wall Street Journal! Could you share what kind of position you took in East Asia?”

“Haha, well, as everyone here probably knows... it was the profitable side. We always position ourselves where the money is. Always. It’s very simple.”

Though Alpha Fund’s detailed portfolio was, of course, still classified, the revelation of specific numbers and general positioning alone left the world in shock.

To say they had “stood on the side of profit” sounded easy—but if it were really that easy, there wouldn’t be a need for so many investors in the first place.

And yet they’d “always” profited amid that utter chaos?

“Can we ask how much leverage was used? It must’ve made a lot of investors nervous—how did you persuade them?”

“Our leverage ratios... varied depending on the position, so it’s hard to give a definite answer. Typically, we used between 10x and 15x. For certain high-risk positions, we used ‘lower’ leverage—around 3x to 5x. Hmm... looking back now, I do regret not trusting my directors a little more. Phew. Life, after all, is a series of regrets.”

CEO Erin Collins sighed dramatically.

Chuckles broke out across the room.

Like an audience watching a black comedy, people’s lips curled upward as they inwardly muttered, “Huh... seriously?”

Of course, how else could you react? The CEO of a fund that had earned $100 billion was now saying he regretted not taking even bigger risks.

Combined with his earlier statements, it all made sense—Alpha Fund had earned such staggering profits because they hadn’t missed a single opportunity amid the chaos, maximizing leverage to rake in cash from every position.

Had this financial crisis taken place in the U.S. rather than East Asia, they might’ve literally been deified as capitalism’s gods—or devils.

Erin Collins, watching the journalists’ reactions with satisfaction, opened his mouth again.

“This remarkable performance... I believe it’s thanks to Alpha Fund’s unique internal structure, which many of you may already be familiar with. But for those who aren’t—our fund grants near-unlimited discretionary power to anyone deemed qualified, informed, and experienced. Haha, as a result, the CEO—me—has very little to do.”

He continued the interview lightheartedly, adding with a grin:

“Oh, and of course, we had incredible luck too. We were very, very lucky. If I were to say it was all skill, that’d be a lie. Even in simulations, it’s rare to see this many directors execute every move without a single mistake. In the real market? Even rarer.”

—Click.

At that moment, someone’s eyes lit up as they posed a question.

“Isn’t Alpha Fund known for some extremely famous fund managers? Like Yoo Ha-yeon, the youngest female director who stunned Wall Street recently...? Could you share any figures about her? And do those results follow the 2/20 split as well?”

Erin Collins nodded slightly with a smile, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“We have no intention of infringing on our employees’ earnings. I’m just one of many fund managers myself. So I’m not in a position to disclose all directors’ performance stats, but if we go by what’s already been reported in the media... yes, that’s mostly accurate.”

To date, only two Alpha Fund managers had been officially named in the press: Charles Gray and Yoo Ha-yeon.

Rumors had long circulated that both had brought in over $1 billion—and now, he confirmed them.

“I’m sure you all know. Our youngest director, Miss Yoo. She... brought in $20 billion in profit. Hm. If we had to name our greatest stroke of luck—it would be that genius.”

For some reason, his voice was brimming with sincerity.

‘Yoo Ha-yeon.’

The moment that name was spoken, the press conference once again exploded in chatter. $20 billion. An amount unthinkable for an individual.

And the fact that the person behind it—referred to with “Miss”—was a young woman only elevated the feat to legendary status.

“Charles Gray, who was recently promoted to VP, also recorded around $15 billion in profits. In addition, numerous other MDs, directors, and VPs delivered stellar results according to their individual capabilities. Thanks to Alpha Fund’s flat hierarchy and structure that maximizes individual expertise, we were able to turn this crisis into opportunity.”

Though the Alpha Fund CEO continued his announcement, the media’s attention was now consumed by a single name—Yoo Ha-yeon—and the legendary $20 billion she’d earned.

They were beyond intrigued by this Cinderella—or rather, the new empress of Wall Street.

Sure, Charles Gray was interesting too... but it had already been widely reported that he’d started out as Yoo Ha-yeon’s subordinate, her associate. His success was viewed—rightly—as partly hers as well.

Which wasn’t entirely wrong.

.

.

.

[Wall Street in Shock! Alpha Fund Confirms $108.3 Billion Profit!]

[‘Hand of God’ Yoo Ha-yeon: 20-something Female Manager Rewrites Wall Street History!]

[Alpha Fund’s Secret Weapon: The Yoo Ha-yeon Shock!]

[A New Emperor—or Empress—Surpasses Soros? Investigating Yoo Ha-yeon]

[Alpha Fund CEO Erin Collins Announces Plan to Launch Investment Bank... A Massive Overhaul to Rebuild Alpha Fund from Its Roots]

As soon as the press conference ended, media outlets around the globe splashed the official report—and the name “Yoo Ha-yeon”—across headlines in massive font.

—Hoo.

I stood by the window, gazing down at the bustling skyline of New York. A forest of skyscrapers, teeming with people. A view I once observed with detachment—now, every bit of it had become the object of my desire.

“As expected.”

I smiled faintly, as if this were nothing of consequence.

‘Ahaha! Ahaahah! God, this is it. I wanna go home and cut out the headlines like a kid. Hoo... though honestly, I’m not even in my twenties, I’m a teenager. Should I ask them to update the ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) article to say “teenager”...?’

Hoo, hoo.

Get it together, get it together.

Having already let my emotions explode earlier, I narrowly avoided making a fool of myself in front of my subordinate.

“...How... How did you do it, Ha-yeon?”

I smiled at the man who had earned $15 billion—and was about to receive a $3 billion bonus under the 2/20 model.

“How else? You saw it all yourself, Charles.”

My cheerful voice echoed through the empty office where only the two of us stood.

“Eighteen. You’re... eighteen? Unless you were lying to me...”

Charles groaned. There was no way he didn’t know Alpha Fund’s founding year.

The story of a young woman from East Asia overwhelming the titans of Wall Street—it was the kind of narrative that sparked people’s imagination. Not just Charles, but anyone who had glimpsed even a fraction of me was experiencing that very thing right now.

How could someone that young possibly earn hundreds of billions...? Some would idolize me, while others would harbor deep skepticism.

Naturally, envy and jealousy would trail behind.

Doubts about my investment methods. Suspicions over Alpha Fund’s sources of capital. That would all come with the territory.

I was used to it. After all—I was simply too good.

Yes, ever since I was young, I’d had far too many jealous eyes on me. But all of that would be swept away by this rising tide.

Right now was just one phase of the journey. Even those who began with envy would eventually kneel in reverence. They always did.

Just like Charles was doing now.

***

“W-Wait a sec... Ha-yeon, then the $15 billion I earned...”

“Mm-hmm. Of course that’s yours. Congratulations! You’re the first person in the organization to receive a $3 billion bonus right after joining.”

“...!!!”

Not once did I think it was a waste.

After all, what’s yours is mine—and what’s mine is still mine.

Honestly, I’m just glad I don’t have to collect that $3 billion myself.