The directive to let the rookie win… means Brent should lose.
In other words, it implies, 'Become an incompetent fool who can't even beat a rookie.'
"Why, can't you do it?"
"…"
Watching Brent biting his lip in frustration, Rhino clicked his tongue internally.
'I thought he was the type to just follow orders, but…'
It seems he's actually thinking for himself.
If he went into the meeting like this, there was a high chance he'd forget the instructions and act on his own judgment.
It would be better to kindly explain the plan to him.
"This was Pierce's rigged game from the start. Winning is impossible for us."
The rules of this game are simple.
Each participant prepares ten investment ideas.
Every time a client chooses one, they score one point, with a maximum of ten points.
The one with the higher score wins.
But since the clients giving points are Pierce's people, fairness is out of the question.
"We've tried everything we could, but it all ended in failure."
"That… is true."
Rhino hadn't been sitting idle, either.
He had confronted Pierce and even arranged some privileges for the rookie.
But none of it worked.
Canceling the game was impossible.
Changing the referee was impossible.
Recruiting the rookie was impossible.
"So there's only one solution left."
Rhino revealed the answer with a meaningful smile.
"We change the playing field."
Brent's confusion deepened.
This was more of a riddle than an answer.
"Hoo…"
Rhino let out a deep sigh, anticipating a long explanation.
"The moment Pierce declares your defeat, I will personally push these items on this list. Three of them are bound to go through."
If three items from the list succeed, that would mean three points.
However, Brent's expression remained somber.
"Isn't that… after the game is over?"
Rhino's words implied he would take action only after Pierce declared defeat.
What's the point of scoring after the game ends?
Rhino raised his voice at Brent's timid complaint.
"You fool! This is a live deal!"
A live deal.
It means a real transaction.
"As soon as a real deal goes through, it becomes a real transaction on our side and a mere simulation on theirs!"
"…!"
No matter whom Pierce's referee chose, it would just be meaningless finger-pointing.
A client who doesn't open their wallet isn't a real client.
On the other hand, Brent's list would lead to real deals.
"Even if the rookie wins the game, it's a hollow victory in a simulated contest. Let that go, and you secure the real victory in actual business."
"Th-thank you!"
Brent expressed his gratitude with heartfelt emotion.
Even if the rookie wins, no one will look down on Brent. After all, he's secured the most important results. People will say, 'His real-world skills are superior, but he was overshadowed by Pierce's biased judgment.'
However, Rhino, receiving Brent's thanks, felt a bit uneasy. It wasn't just for Brent's reputation that he was going to this trouble.
"This time, the rookie must win without fail."
His reluctant expression turned into a pleased smile. It was, indeed, a clever strategy.
"What happens if Pierce scores zero when he markets using your list, but I score three points when I step in?"
"We'll be able to prove that Pierce bribed the referee for the contest!"
"You fool! Who cares about that?"
"Huh?"
"Isn't Pierce, that fool, throwing away profitable deals just to get caught up in some petty contest?"
They could prove that Pierce, blinded by office politics, had sacrificed legitimate deals.
Brent's list contained deals with the potential to generate around $300 million in fees.
The moment Pierce declares the rookie's victory, he would have neglected real business, costing Goldman a $300 million loss due to his obsession with a meaningless game.
Goldman may be lenient on employee indolence and ethical lapses, but they're unforgiving when it comes to financial losses. This would mean disciplinary action for Pierce.
Of course, it likely wouldn't be severe. Probably just minor business trips for a month.
But a month would be enough.
"If this succeeds, live deals will pour in. Complete your assigned tasks properly, and you'll be included."
"Th-thank you!"
Rhino had been holding off on healthcare M&A deals. It wasn't just that he didn't want to give Pierce the results, but he'd also been trying to keep the rapid rise in demand in this field hidden. Now, there was no need to keep it under wraps. With things as they were, he planned to team up with the long-standing second place in the M&A group and push forward with all the healthcare M&A deals that had been on hold. While Pierce's performance stagnates for a month, he'll sprint to reverse the standings. It was a perfect plan!
But then, Brent spoiled the mood.
"What if… what if a real deal comes from the rookie's list, too?"
Rhino's face twisted in frustration.
"Are you seriously suggesting that the rookie could close a multi-million dollar deal?"
Most deals fall through, even when chosen by clients.
There's always some snag, whether it's price negotiation, timing, or other specifics. That's why MDs prepare the list in the first place, creating it only after initial client negotiations. Right now, for the mock game, they were just letting subordinates handle it.
"The rookie has been here less than a month." He's not only incompetent but also hasn't spoken with any clients, so he has no understanding of their needs. His chances of closing a real deal are zero.
Still…
"It's best not to be overconfident."
Would Pierce really just sit back and let it happen?
Just as Rhino had done, might Pierce slip a prepared deal into the mix?
"There's a chance that Pierce will swap out the rookie's list."
According to the 'eyes' keeping tabs on the rookie, he'd been creating the list on his own so far.
For now.
"If they plan to change the content, they'll do it during the meeting. Prevent that from happening, no matter what."
This was a showdown between Rhino and Pierce. The rookie was irrelevant.
"Make sure it's the rookie's list we go with."
***
M&A Conference Room.
"Sir, you're here?"
The moment Brent stepped inside, Ha Si-heon greeted him warmly.
His face showed no trace of tension. While the entire Goldman firm was embroiled in this gamble, Ha Si-heon was curiously unshaken.
"Pathetic jerk."
Brent scowled deeply. He'd been too preoccupied with the fear of losing. But now that he had some breathing room, he could spare a moment to look at Ha Si-heon with disdain.
"You knew from the start, didn't you? That's why you even bet your salary."
It was clear that Ha Si-heon had been involved in Pierce's match-fixing from the beginning. And it didn't stop there. Without revealing the rigged nature of the game, he'd encouraged others to raise the stakes.
This was nothing short of fraud.
"What a fool. Didn't he think about the aftermath?"
The ones who lose their wages won't stay silent. No one would dare to claim that an MD rigged the game, so they'll all pay up. But behind his back, they'll whisper that Ha Si-heon is a con artist. His career would be over.
"What do you mean?"
Ha Si-heon tilted his head innocently, wearing a polite expression.
Brent raised his chin and spoke in a lecturing tone.
"There's a common misconception rookies make. They think Wall Street is a place where anything goes. But do you know what's just as important as results in this industry?"
"If you could enlighten me, I'll take it to heart."
"Credibility."
"Ugh!"
"No matter how desperately someone scrambles with a dirty reputation…"
Cough! Cough!
"I'm sorry, I haven't been well since yesterday…"
Ha Si-heon coughed but quickly composed himself, apologizing courteously.
Watching this, Brent found himself momentarily stunned. Right before he started coughing, Ha Si-heon's expression… he was definitely smirking.
Normally, Brent would've been furious, but he couldn't bring himself to react.
"I'll keep that in mind."
It was the quiet confidence in Ha Si-heon's gaze that held him back. Or rather, it wasn't just confidence. It was closer to condescension, the kind of gaze one would use when looking down on an ant from a lofty height.
'Could it be…'
A ridiculous thought crossed his mind, sending a chill down his spine.
What if he already knew everything?
Brent shook his head forcibly, trying to dismiss such an absurd notion.
'What bizarre nonsense am I thinking…?'
Just then, the door swung open with a loud bang, and Pierce entered the room with his VP.
"Let's begin. Both of you, confirm your materials with each other."
They'd received prior instructions to print four copies of each document.
This meant they were to be distributed to all participants.
Following the instructions precisely, Brent took his seat and picked up Ha Si-heon's teaser.
'There's no way I'll lose.'
The image of Ha Si-heon's earlier expression stirred unease, but Brent quelled it with cold reason.
Ha Si-heon's true opponent in this match wasn't him—it was Rhino. Whatever he presented in this teaser, whatever score he received from the client, it would only be an empty victory in a fake competition.
The true winner of this game was Brent.
Repeating this to himself a few times, he turned the title page. The table of contents came into view.
1. Industry Overview
2. Proposals
2-1. Foundation Medicine
2-2. Lundbeck/Takeda
2-3. Five Prime
"Ha!"
Brent let out a hollow laugh in relief. At that moment, he heard a man's voice.
"You should remove any identifiable information, including company names. This is an investment teaser, after all."
The one who pointed it out was Pierce's VP, Jeff. He was right.
Company names aren't included in teasers. There's a risk that clients who haven't committed to an investment could steal the contents of the proposal. Instead, placeholders like 'Company A' are used, and detailed information is only shared once the client signs a confidentiality agreement.
This is a fundamental rule.
Yet, Ha Si-heon had written out each company name.
'Of course,' Brent thought, smirking.
No matter how confident he appeared, he was still just an inexperienced rookie.
If he's making mistakes like this on something so basic…
"I apologize. I'll make the corrections."
However, Ha Si-heon showed no sign of being shaken, almost as if he had anticipated this reaction.
A sense of unease began to creep over Brent again, but he brushed it off.
'He's obviously just pretending to be fine,' he thought, forcing himself to ignore the unsettling feeling and returned his focus to the document.
But as he finished reading through the list…
Brent's thoughts stopped.
The color drained from his face.
'This can't be…'
Flipping through the pages hastily, Brent's pale face grew even whiter as he read further.
'How is this… possible?'
It was unthinkable.
Yet the words printed on the white paper confirmed that the impossible had indeed happened.
"What's wrong?"