Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 1099

"Why is that?"

Harvey asked.

James shot him a glance. "Because they know me inside out, and they consider me their biggest threat.

They don't know you, and frankly, they wouldn't consider you a threat anyway.

They already dismiss Mavarians outright, let alone the fact that you're operating in disguise."

"Didn't you say they were keeping tabs on me?"

Mira asked.

"They're targeting your talent, but they subconsciously assume you don't wield massive capital, meaning you pose no real danger.

They assume you're trading on behalf of someone else. As long as you stay out of Wall Street, you're not interfering with their game.

If they found out we were working together, they would immediately assume you were trading for me. Their combined wrath would still be directed at my head."

James summarized in frustration.

"So that's how the game is played here,"

Wesley mused.

"Exactly. Their informants infest every corner of Wall Street.

I was genuinely worried before that if we were spotted together, they might abandon their assault on Southeast Asia entirely just to focus their fire on me.

We really owe our safety to your masterful disguises.

Once this is all over, I'll definitely have to reward you properly, old man."

James looked over at Ellis, who was personally guarding the door.

Ellis remained completely unfazed by the international tycoon's favor, lazily replying, "I did it for my apprentice, not for you."

James blinked. "...I'm offering you a reward, and you're turning it down?"

"I don't accept unearned money."

Ellis's demeanor essentially screamed: *Trying to buy me off? Not a chance.*

"To use a Mavarian expression, you're one stubborn old mule."

It was an exasperated, helpless complaint.

Wesley lived up to his reputation as Aethelgard University's top trading prodigy, instantly seeing through the market mechanics. Hank, who wasn't a professional trader, only understood the absolute basics.

This volatile pushback was exactly why Mira had relentlessly stockpiled such an astronomical amount of capital, pulling in the others and securing James's alliance.

They were clashing with world-class financial titans on Wall Street. If their war chest was too shallow, they would be swallowed whole.

"Do you think our combined force with the Siamese government is enough to hold them off?"

Ethan, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up.

"Siam doesn't have deep cash reserves. They're relying entirely on policy shifts,"

Owen stated.

"If we end up needing more liquidity, we still have ways to secure a massive influx."

"Are you talking about bank loans?"

Ethan asked.

"Exactly.

You know we have more than enough commercial assets for collateral. Compared to losing our entire principal, paying a little interest is nothing."