I Inherited Trillions, Now What?-Chapter 56: Shareholders Metting III

January 31st, 2024

It was a day like any other. The world continued to turn, seemingly unaffected by the turmoil brewing beneath its surface. The war between Russia and Ukraine raged on, leaving millions displaced and the global community in a state of uncertainty. In the Middle East, Israel’s conflict with Palestine intensified, with Hamas remaining a constant threat and Israel war crimes and efforts to uproot that threat. Across the globe, Hollywood celebrated the release of the much-anticipated sequel to The Wizard of Oz, Wicked, but the attention of the financial world was firmly on something far more critical.

The U.S. stock market had closed the previous day with little fanfare. The S&P 500 ended nearly flat, while the Nasdaq had dipped by 0.8%. In China, Evergrande Group, burdened with a staggering $300 billion in debt, had been issued a liquidation order—an event that sent ripples through global markets. But amid all this, something much bigger was unfolding in California: the fate of one of the largest and most influential tech companies in the world, NVIDIA.

NVIDIA’s annual shareholders meeting was set to decide the future direction of the company, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. At the heart of the battle was Blackwell Investments, a huge force in the financial world, pushing to gain a seat on NVIDIA’s board. The company’s CEO and founder, Jensen Huang, fiercely resisted this move, leading to an intense standoff.

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This news, though known to those on Wall Street, remained under the radar for most. However, for the insiders, this was the talk of the town, and the gravity of the situation was clear. Wall Street was incensed. Blackwell Investments had made its name not just by investing but by taking control—something Jensen Huang, an astute and successful CEO, could not allow to happen.

At a sleek office in Manhattan, two traders stood hunched over a stack of monitors, each flickering with stock charts and financial news. The younger trader, eager to prove himself, turned to his superior.

"You know, I’m thinking of buying a little bit of NVIDIA shares—just a small position—and then dumping them based on the results of the meeting, or maybe shorting them," he said, his voice steady but tinged with anticipation. "If Blackwell gets their way, it could cause a massive drop, and if Jensen holds his ground, we could see a nice uptick."

His superior, a seasoned trader with years of experience, nodded slowly, calculating the risk.

"Yeah, but do it modestly," he replied. "Use no more than $10 million. There’s a lot of uncertainty around this, and you don’t want to overexpose yourself."

The younger trader nodded, though there was a hint of frustration in his voice as he pressed on. "I don’t get it. Why is Jensen fighting so hard? He should’ve just accepted Blackwell’s request. It’s not like they would’ve done anything crazy—just a seat on the board. But now, with this shareholders’ meeting, if Blackwell gets what they want, it’ll undermine his entire position at the company. It’s not just about money anymore. It’s his control."

The senior trader chuckled softly. "You’re still new to this, aren’t you? You came into Wall Street just a year and a half ago, right? You haven’t seen what Blackwell Investments can do. They’re not like the others. Once they start buying a stock, they don’t stop. They don’t just invest; they take control. They first acquire enough shares to get a seat, and from there, they slowly push for more influence, until they have an unshakable grip on the company. Jensen knows this, which is why he’s resisting."

The younger trader’s eyes widened. "That’s insane. They can just take over like that?"

The senior trader shrugged. "They’ve done it before. Look at Johnson & Johnson. Blackwell’s investments in that company have made them practically the majority owners. Once they gain control, it’s nearly impossible to break free."

The younger trader was quiet for a moment, then asked, "So, who do you think will come out on top here?"

The senior trader paused, considering. "Jensen has been an excellent CEO. NVIDIA has posted massive growth under his leadership. His influence within the company—hell, even among the employees—is incredible. He’s built something remarkable. But..." He trailed off.

"But what?" the younger trader pressed.

"I’ve never seen Blackwell lose," the senior trader said, his voice heavy with experience. "Jensen should have the advantage. The company’s been profitable, and he has stability on his side. But in this game, stability doesn’t always win. Blackwell has a knack for getting what they want. They’re ruthless."

The younger trader frowned. "But if Jensen has that much influence, and the company’s doing well, shouldn’t he have the upper hand? These money guys, they don’t like uncertainty. They prefer stability. They’ll back him, right?"

The senior trader’s lips curled into a grim smile. "That’s what you’d think, but we have a saying in this industry: Never bet against Blackwell. They’ve proven time and again they know how to play the long game."

At that very moment, inside the sleek conference room at NVIDIA headquarters, the tension was palpable. The room could have been sliced open with a knife. Everlyn Hawthorne sat across from Jensen Huang, who wore a smug smile on his face, his gaze directed at her with a hint of provocation.

Paul stood by her side, his posture poised, his eyes scanning the room as if he were looking for an opening. The two lawyers had been asked to wait outside, leaving the decision-makers alone in the room.

In the center of the room, standing tall and calm, a man from T. Rowe Price stepped forward. His name was William Draper, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a no-nonsense demeanor. He cleared his throat and addressed the room.

"Hello, everyone," he said, his voice authoritative. "I am William Draper, and I’ve been asked to lead today’s meeting. Let’s get started."

The eyes in the room shifted to him, the gravity of the situation hanging thick in the air. The fate of NVIDIA was at stake, and with it, the fate of countless investors and the future of the company itself. Every word, every decision, could tip the scales in favor of either Jensen Huang or Blackwell Investments.