America's No. 1 financial conglomerate

Chapter 676 You did it on purpose

quit?

How could I possibly quit?

In Wall Street's capital logic, this is tantamount to giving up a guaranteed profitable feast.

Becoming an underwriter for a tech giant like Google involves more than just a simple business partnership; it represents significant returns and brand value enhancement that can reshape the industry landscape.

Even if Google's IP release price is ultimately set at $385, corresponding to an astronomical market value of over $5000 billion, it's nothing to Wall Street, which is used to the ups and downs of capital.

The internet bubble is still growing, and the fervor for capital investment shows no signs of abating.

Google's performance speaks for itself, and even if it's not worth $5000 billion now, it still has a certain valuation premium.

But what about three months later?

What about six months from now?

Therefore, the Google stock they underwrote is essentially a scarce and high-quality asset, so there is no need to worry about market absorption; it is not difficult to sell.

What truly angered these underwriters wasn't the difficulty of selling the stock, but rather the fact that Google's offering price, far exceeding industry norms, could trigger a crisis of trust among their clients. Such a high offering price inevitably raised questions among their long-term institutional clients.

Is the pricing reasonable? Is there an over-packaged bubble? Is there some shady dealing between Wall Street and Google?

If Google's stock price goes up, that's fine. But if it falls below its IPO price or trades sideways, those customers who didn't have any questions will start to question it.

As Ernst had predicted, when Hamilton officially initiated the underwriting rights auction process and clearly explained all the cooperation terms and details, none of the dozens of Wall Street institutions participating in the bidding chose to get up and leave.

Even though many people still wore expressions of dissatisfaction and indignation on their faces, their actions betrayed their true attitude.

The final underwriting fee, while not reaching Ernst's expected 0.3%, was still locked at 0.35%, far below the industry average underwriting price.

Ultimately, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, and Deutsche Bank, three of the world's top investment banks, successfully joined forces to become the joint underwriters for Google's historic IP.

After the negotiations concluded, Hamilton, with a smile, stopped the three men who were getting up and said, "If you don't have any urgent business to attend tonight at 8 p.m., you might as well stay and participate in the Google News product launch."

News product launch?

They know about press conferences and product launches, but isn't this combination a bit unusual?

"There's no other way. The bell-ringing is imminent, and time is a bit tight, so we have to combine the two into one," Hamilton explained.

"However, I can guarantee that there will be a surprise that will definitely satisfy everyone." After saying that, he looked at the other Wall Street giants who were about to leave but stopped because of his words. "If you have time, you can come together." Paulson subconsciously glanced at the luxury watch on his wrist. The hour hand had already passed the six o'clock mark, and there were less than two hours left before the press conference that Hamilton had mentioned.

For these financial tycoons who are constantly working under high intensity, two hours is enough to handle a lot of things, but the word "surprise" undoubtedly aroused their curiosity.

Since there's a surprise in store, why not stay and take a look?

"In that case, we'll have to trouble you, President Hamilton. Please prepare a lounge for us."

"Everything is prepared for you all. Please feel free to grab a quick bite in the lounge over there while we wait for the press conference to begin." Hamilton smiled and nodded, then gestured for them to proceed.

On their way to the lounge, Hamilton and Paulson walked side by side, chatting amiably in a very harmonious atmosphere.

Who would have thought that just a few months ago, Goldman Sachs and Google founder Ernst were locked in a bitter feud, their relationship completely shattered?

On the other side, Ivan, his underwear exposed to the cool breeze, was being helped into Ernst's Central Park mansion in a disheveled state, looking utterly depressed and confused.

I've already finished showering and was all set to show up tonight, but the other person isn't in a hurry at all.

Shouldn't you be rushing to finish this? Why are you watching TV instead?

Could it be that he ruined his health and became just a pretty but useless showpiece, unable to continue?

The moment the idea popped into her head, she immediately rejected it. Whether it was just for show or not, she'd already tried it herself.

She had already experienced it firsthand; she could never be so easily defeated.

Moreover, the facts are right there in front of us.

Has my charm diminished?

They say you don't cherish what you have until you get it. But we haven't even gotten it yet, so it shouldn't be like that, right?

As for his own charm, Ivan is still confident.

After thinking it over and over, he still couldn't find a reasonable explanation. A strange sense of grievance welled up in Big Ivan's heart, and he couldn't help but pout, his face full of disappointment and unhappiness.

However, Ernst ignored her, instead having an enigmatic smile in his eyes.

Because he was facing the television, Ivan could see the scene on the screen clearly.

When the live broadcast of the Google News product launch appeared on CBS, she enjoyed it while secretly humming to herself.

I thought it was some kind of TV show. Even though it's Google's press conference, it can't compete with my own charisma.

But the next second, when the TV camera switched and a familiar figure appeared on the screen, Ivan froze instantly, feeling a tingling sensation throughout her body as if she had been struck by lightning. The person frozen on the screen was her father, who was always unreliable; he was staring intently at the camera, as if he were watching her live through the TV screen.

"You...you...did it on purpose," Big Ivan said shyly, then his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Upon hearing this, Ernst's lips curled into a mischievous smile. He didn't offer much explanation, but instead responded to her question with his actions.

In fact, he did it on purpose.

When he learned that Ivan's father would also be attending the Google News product launch and that he would have the opportunity to spend the evening with Ivan, he sent a text message to Mel Kalmazin of CBS with a special request.

Although Mel Kalmazin didn't know why his new boss would give such a strange order to give the New York real estate developer a five-second close-up of his face, he had to do this little thing since his boss had spoken.

Thus, a stark contrast emerged within the room: Ivan's shyness, trembling, and attempt to escape, versus Ernst's wicked grin, excitement, and dominance.