A Wall Street Genius's Final Investment Playbook-Chapter 134

In the end, after negotiations with Ha Si-heon completely broke down, Holmes returned to the hotel and shot a sharp glare at attorney Blackwell.

“Is this the extent of your abilities? A so-called giant in the legal world, and this is all you can do?”

Blackwell’s face hardened like a stone statue at Holmes’s scathing remark.

His pride was deeply wounded, yet he could not refute it.

‘I never imagined he wouldn’t even leave room for negotiation.’

This outcome completely overturned Blackwell’s expectations.

Of course, he hadn’t expected Ha Si-heon to easily comply with their demands either…

But at the very least, he thought they would sit at the negotiating table and try to find a compromise.

Ha Si-heon seemed like a reasonable enough person.

And yet—

—Thank you for your concern, but I will proceed with the lawsuit.

The only word that came out of Ha Si-heon’s mouth was “lawsuit.”

No matter how much Blackwell pressured, persuaded, or tried to entice him, it was useless.

The unwavering look on Ha Si-heon’s face lingered in Blackwell’s mind like a persistent afterimage.

‘This… isn’t a rational decision.’

Ha Si-heon’s choice defied common sense.

Most people avoid lawsuits at all costs.

Even if they see a chance of winning, they tend to take a step back.

Moreover, this lawsuit was by no means favorable to Ha Si-heon.

He would be up against Blackwell, a legal titan, with a staggering $4.9 billion in damages at stake, along with numerous unfavorable circumstances surrounding him.

Considering all these risks, it seemed inevitable that he would back down… and yet—

“If he really puts Kissinger on the witness stand, how will you respond?”

Holmes snapped, anxiously biting his nails.

If Kissinger broke free from his NDA and testified?

It would be a fatal blow.

All because of the revelations that surfaced during the recent board meeting.

Tampered test data, fraudulent proficiency exams, deliberately omitted lab inspection areas…

All these truths would become part of the court record.

Like an indelible stain.

“Is there any way to block or nullify Kissinger’s testimony based on an NDA violation?”

“Impossible.”

The lawyer’s answer was firm.

“The testimony itself will be valid—if Kissinger is prepared to face the consequences.”

The lawyer chose his words carefully.

Kissinger’s appearance as a witness would trigger numerous complications, but that was a problem for later.

For now, the immediate issue needed to be resolved.

“If Kissinger testifies, we’re left with only two choices. We either sue him or we don’t.”

“Suing is absolutely not an option!”

Holmes cut in with a vehement voice.

“Have you forgotten? The ultimate goal of this lawsuit is securing investment funds!”

If they sued Kissinger, every investor connected to him would undoubtedly turn their backs.

Not only would the frozen $4.9 billion in pending investments remain locked, but there was a risk of losing it permanently.

Moreover, Theranos would be branded as “the company that sued Kissinger.”

That stigma would drive away every other influential figure as well.

The lawyer nodded before continuing coolly.

“Then we must abandon the lawsuit. But if we remain silent despite Kissinger’s damning testimony, it will appear as though Theranos is tacitly admitting to his claims.”

That was the problem.

If they ignored Kissinger’s accusations out of fear of a lawsuit, it would be the same as acknowledging the truth of his statements.

It would be as if Theranos itself admitted to rampant fraud and deception.

In that scenario, securing investments would also be impossible.

Only two choices remained.

But no matter which one they picked, it would be disastrous for Theranos.

“So, find another way! Isn’t that what top legal experts are supposed to do?”

The lawyer let out a deep sigh that filled the hotel suite.

Then, he spoke with a heavy tone.

“Ms. Holmes, there is no way out of this trap. Once you step in, there is no escape—it’s a perfect snare.”

A trap where every path led to defeat.

No matter how hard he searched, there was no loophole to exploit.

Blackwell furrowed his brow as he turned the situation over in his mind.

If Ha Si-heon had deliberately designed this trap from the very beginning…

‘No, that’s impossible.’

He shook his head.

No one could construct such an intricate trap intentionally.

Especially not someone as young as Ha Si-heon—this had to be a mere coincidence, a stroke of luck.

And yet…

The information from Ha Si-heon’s background check replayed in Blackwell’s mind.

An unbelievable 80% accuracy rate. A reputation as a genius…

If all of this was the result of meticulous planning?

Then Ha Si-heon was, without a doubt, a genius.

A genius on a level Blackwell had never encountered before.

“So, are you saying we should just sit back and do nothing?”

Holmes’s sharp voice snapped the lawyer out of his thoughts.

He met Holmes’s gaze and spoke firmly.

“As I said, this trap cannot be broken. That leaves only one option—never stepping into it in the first place.”

The lawyer looked at Holmes with a warning expression.

“We must never let Kissinger take the stand. The moment he does, we lose, no matter what choice we make. Therefore, we must persuade him not to testify… but that is beyond my ability.”

A glimmer of understanding appeared in Holmes’s eyes.

She slowly, yet decisively, nodded.

"Understood. I’ll try to persuade him myself."

***

After finishing her conversation with the lawyer, Holmes walked toward the study in the suite.

Her fingers slid across the smartphone screen, searching for Kissinger’s number.

She had told Blackwell she would persuade him, but in truth, the likelihood of success was uncertain.

Since resigning from the board, Kissinger had thoroughly ignored all her attempts at contact.

‘If he doesn’t answer, I’ll have no choice but to visit him in person.’

With that resolve, she made the call—only to be met with an unexpected response.

[What is it?]

Kissinger’s voice came through the receiver.

He had answered.

That alone was shocking, but what happened next was even more surprising.

“I have something urgent to discuss. I believe I need to meet you in person—”

[Tomorrow at four, I’m free. Come to my estate.]

Kissinger had invited her to his estate.

‘Why all of a sudden…?’

Had something changed in his mindset?

Holding onto that question, Holmes spent a sleepless night before heading to Kissinger’s New York residence the next day.

“I heard you sued Ha Si-heon.”

Kissinger’s first words were as cold as ice.

His frigid demeanor, unlike anything she had seen before, momentarily threw Holmes off guard.

But she quickly regained her composure and explained.

“The damage caused by his false claims is immense. And the repercussions continue even now.”

"……"

“I acknowledge that I was inexperienced as a CEO. I was excessively obsessed with security and, at times, overly forceful. However, the ‘Wall Street Times’ article was exaggerated and malicious. Moreover, the testimony of the employee you spoke with was completely false. That employee’s area of responsibility was—”

Before she could continue, Kissinger cut her off.

“I already know everything, so there’s no need to say more.”

His eyes, locked onto hers, were frozen over.

His words hit like a biting winter wind.

“I conducted a separate investigation myself.”

Holmes’s mouth went dry, as if she had swallowed sand.

Kissinger’s sharp gaze…

That was the look of a man who knew everything.

Considering his vast network, it was entirely possible that he had uncovered truths far beyond a single employee’s allegations.

He knew.

Not just the exposé or the former employee’s claims—but the deeper, hidden truths.

Cold sweat trickled down her spine, but Holmes forced herself to ask.

“If that’s the case… If Ha Si-heon summons you as a witness in court, will you testify?”

"……"

Silence filled the room.

Kissinger gave no answer.

Holmes took a deep breath and spoke cautiously.

“Whatever testimony you provide, it falls under NDA confidentiality. If you speak on the matter, we will have no choice but to take legal action.”

Of course, they had no real intention of suing him.

But he needed to recognize the risk.

“Furthermore, if you reveal all the details… It will bring you considerable harm as well. There will be those eager to hold you accountable for negligence in oversight.”

This was her gambit.

Holmes believed this last statement would be the decisive blow.

If Kissinger exposed Theranos’s wrongdoings, it would be akin to striking his own foot with an axe.

No matter what crimes Theranos had committed, it had been Kissinger and the board members who had ultimately approved them.

Holmes’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“Newton is a medical device. If a major controversy erupts… You won’t escape severe criticism for endangering patients’ lives.”

For Kissinger, this was an accusation he absolutely had to avoid.

A tarnished reputation was nearly impossible to restore.

Especially considering Kissinger’s age—ninety-one this year.

Recently, he had become obsessively concerned with his legacy.

He would never do anything to stain his name.

Holmes had a solid grasp of why he had supported her all this time.

If her judgment was correct, Kissinger would never take the witness stand.

She endured the silence, calculating her next move, until Kissinger finally spoke in a heavy voice.

“I will not get involved in Ha Si-heon’s lawsuit.”

As expected.

For Kissinger, reputation was everything.

Just as Holmes was about to let out a breath of relief, his next words froze her in place.

“But only on the condition that you quietly recall all Newton devices from the market.”

“…What?”

He was demanding that she cease Newton’s operations.

Holmes was at a loss for words, and Kissinger’s eyes narrowed.

“Is that not possible?”

“That is… nearly impossible. If we halt Newton now…”

Resignation from the board, frozen investment funds, and now the withdrawal of their flagship product?

It would be the death sentence for Theranos.

However, Kissinger’s expression showed no sign of wavering.

In that moment, Holmes made her decision.

“…Very well. I will discreetly pull the product from the market. But in return, I have one request.”

Locking eyes with Kissinger, she spoke with resolve.

“Come back to the board.”

"……"

Kissinger’s expression twisted momentarily, but Holmes remained unfazed and continued speaking.

“I deeply regret the mistakes of the past. This time, I will ensure absolute transparency in management. I will also completely reform my autocratic leadership style. But to achieve that, I still need your wisdom.”

She pleaded as sincerely as possible, but Kissinger’s frozen gaze showed no signs of thawing.

“Trust has already been broken.”

“Then please propose a solution. If we close our doors like this, Theranos will disappear into history. That is… something I absolutely cannot accept. If everything crumbles due to such misunderstandings… If you present a solution, I will do my best to quietly restore order.”

Holmes emphasized the word *quietly* deliberately.

That was precisely what Kissinger desperately desired.

However, for that to happen, Holmes’s cooperation was essential.

How would Kissinger respond?

“A solution… I will think about it and contact you again.”

And with that, the meeting came to an end.

***

‘It’s not perfect, but…’

The situation was more hopeful than expected.

In fact, it could be considered a better outcome than anticipated.

Upon returning to the hotel, Holmes immediately convened a strategy meeting with the lawyer.

“Kissinger will not take the stand. He wants this situation to be resolved as quietly as possible.”

And the only person who could offer that resolution was Holmes.

From now on, she just had to maintain continuous contact with Kissinger and handle the matter ‘quietly and discreetly’.

“During the trial, I plan to comply with Kissinger’s requests as much as possible. If necessary, I’m even considering taking the extreme measure of temporarily halting Newton’s operations for the duration of the lawsuit.”

Newton’s operation would only be suspended until the lawsuit was completely concluded.

Then, the moment the final verdict was announced and the witnesses' testimonies lost their legal effect, the system could be immediately reinstated.

“To make that happen, we need to wrap up the lawsuit as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

“There is room to utilize an expedited trial process.”

“Prepare thoroughly for that approach. And…”

Holmes’s gaze shifted to her younger brother, Theranos’s head of public relations.

“The key here is ‘quiet resolution’. The suspension of Newton’s operations must also avoid public attention. If even a minor disturbance arises, we don’t know how Kissinger will react.”

Kissinger already distrusted Holmes.

The only reason he was showing a willingness to cooperate was clear—

To protect his reputation, he wanted to resolve this issue as discreetly as possible.

Their strategy had to be built around this understanding.

And then, just as they were reviewing multiple possible approaches—

Knock knock!

Suddenly, the secretary opened the door and walked in.

‘I specifically told them not to interrupt during an important meeting…!’

However, she couldn’t get angry.

The secretary was holding a tablet with a grave expression.

“I apologize. You instructed me to report any news related to Ha Si-heon immediately…”

Ha Si-heon?

Holmes swiftly snatched the tablet from the secretary’s hands.

A news article was displayed on the screen.

<The Great White Shark’s Counterattack: Epicura’s Hero, the Orca, Sued for Defamation>

Rumors were shaking Wall Street that Ha Si-heon, the central figure of the Epicura incident, had been sued by Dex Slater for defamation.

In response, Ha Si-heon’s side strongly denied the allegations, stating, "There is absolutely no truth to this."

However, according to multiple financial industry insiders…

The color drained from Holmes’s face.