NBA: The Dynasty Crusher (Basketball)

When the U.S. stock market closed, it was already six in the evening in Hongcheng. Just in time for dinner, Cheng Ge and his family sat solemnly around the dining table.

"Dad," asked the Li family's eldest son, looking pale, "tomorrow's opening will definitely nosedive. What should we do?"

Cheng Ge hesitated, then said grimly, "Let's wait and observe. If the U.S. market continues its free fall, it'll confirm that the bear market has officially begun. The U.S. stock market has quadrupled in just two years. If it crashes now, the downturn won't be mild—it'll be brutal. We need to prepare for the worst."

He paused, then continued, "Sell all non-core assets immediately. With Hongcheng's economy still holding strong, we have to stockpile cash while we can."

"The Guo family... They won't be able to hold out against Storm, right?" asked the second son cautiously.

Cheng Ge shook his head. "We can't worry about them anymore. We need to protect ourselves."

"What a shame... If we had just swallowed up Xinhongji earlier…"

"Storm got it cheap!" the two sons said simultaneously, frustration in their voices.

"Be careful with what you say," Cheng Ge warned sharply. "These capitalists are bloodsuckers. Financial capital is the greediest of all. Storm's next target could be us. Business from now on won't be easy."

That single sentence struck everyone at the table like a bolt of lightning. The room fell silent, the chill in the air almost physical.

---

The sharp plunge in the U.S. stock market immediately triggered ripple effects worldwide.

On the 19th, global markets opened with heavy losses. Hong Kong City and China's A-shares both saw significant gap-down openings.

"Is this Zhao's handiwork again?" In Beijing, General Manager Zhu massaged his temples as he read the latest report. The pressure was immense.

He waved the staff away and muttered to himself, "Isn't this how those two always make their money? Financial demons… It's a good thing they're on our side. The Zhao family really hit the jackpot with a son and daughter-in-law like them…"

But then, he frowned.

Now that Zhao had completely pulled out from the U.S. stock market with a pile of cash, what would become of their plan for Hong Kong City?

He had been furious when Zhao Dong suggested a replacement plan—but Zhao's projections about Hong Kong City's future had chilled him to the bone. That's why, in the end, he gave the green light.

If the plan succeeded, and Zhao Dong along with Lindsay took the reins in Hong Kong City, they'd not only be a formidable shield—they'd be a sword.

---

9:00 AM, Hong Kong City, 19th

The Hang Seng Index opened 300 points down and continued to plunge. Among the hardest hit was New Hongji, which led the nosedive. Sell orders were flying in like hail.

At the same time, Guo's mother had already mortgaged nearly all the family's assets—though not from New Hongji itself, but from other holdings.

The Guo family's net worth stood around HKD 300 billion, with New Hongji alone valued at HKD 100 billion. But that hundred billion was the beating heart of their empire.

The banks showed no mercy. Guo's mother mortgaged HKD 130 billion in assets—yet was granted only HKD 40 billion in loans. The mortgage ratio? A measly 30%.

And now, with the U.S. market's crash and Hong Kong's steep open, the Guo family found themselves paralyzed. They had the cash—but they didn't dare to deploy it.

---

"Start buying. Drive up the stock price—buy as much as we can."

At Storm's Hong Kong branch, Lindsay gave the order while staring at New Hongji's plummeting chart.

She had received word from HSBC that the Guo family had secured their loan by leveraging massive non-core assets.

But Lindsay didn't care. Even if they had ten times that amount, it wouldn't be enough.

---

Inside the president's office at New Hongji headquarters, Guo's mother and her eldest son watched their stock price rebound against the market. But instead of relief, they felt dread.

In a sea of red, New Hongji was green. That alone told them something was very wrong.

"Mom, this has to be Storm," the eldest son said, eyes locked on the numbers. "They're buying us out. We've got to fight for the shares!"

New Hongji's market cap was HKD 100 billion. Guo's mother held 40% of the shares, and her three sons collectively held 11%. That gave them 51%—a controlling interest.

By the numbers, they had nothing to fear. Even if Storm bought up the entire float, they'd only hold 47%. That wasn't enough to touch the board.

But it wasn't that simple.

Because if Storm locked down enough shares in the secondary market, and the Guo family dared not move theirs, then Storm could manipulate the market at will. Lindsay could set the price with a whisper—she could tank it in a heartbeat.

The moment the Guo family flinched and sold any of their stake, Storm would devour the released shares and steal controlling interest.

There was only one way out.

They had to enter the market now. They had to hold the price line.

And they had to do it without sacrificing a single percentage of equity.

Lindsay had the power to make Xinhongji Real Estate—the Guo family's core asset—hit rock bottom. And once that happened, the Guo family would be finished.

Xinhongji was their pillar. The Guo family's entire empire was built around real estate. And real estate was inseparable from bank loans. The stock didn't even need to crash completely. As long as it lost half its value, the banks would come knocking, demanding repayments.

And this wasn't about the $40 billion HKD they just borrowed—this was about the $200 billion HKD tied up across various real estate projects.

If they couldn't repay, Xinhongji's capital chain would snap like a twig.

They were backed into a corner.

Even if it meant selling off every non-core asset, they had to defend Xinhongji. Once it fell, the Guo name would vanish from Hong Kong's business world.

Madam Guo looked like she had aged ten years overnight. Her voice was hoarse as she nodded slowly.

"Enter the market. Your father built this company from scratch. We must protect it."

---

10:05 AM, Hong Kong Stock Exchange

"Madam, we've triggered the 30% tender offer," a staff member reported.

"Raise the placard," Lindsay said calmly.

"Yes, ma'am." Gao Ziang nodded respectfully.

---

10:10 AM

The exchange officially received the tender offer from Storm Capital. With it came a chilling announcement—the largest hostile takeover in Hong Kong stock market history had just begun.

At the New Hongji headquarters, Guo's mother and her eldest son were frozen in shock.

"It's over…" the eldest son muttered.

This public tender confirmed it—Storm Capital already held 30% of New Hongji's shares. The chips in the secondary market were now mostly in Lindsay's hands. From this point forward, she would set the price.

"Buy. Go all in." Madam Guo's voice was determined.

The Guo family pushed tens of billions into the market, scrambling to gather every last loose share.

They still held 51% ownership. Storm had 30%. That left only 19% in circulation—and of that, maybe 10% was truly available after excluding institutional and strategic holdings.

This wasn't just a money fight anymore.

Now it was a battle of tactics.

Storm couldn't unleash its full financial strength. There just wasn't enough liquidity. The real war would be waged in execution—who could manipulate price with the limited chips they held?

---

Inside Storm Capital

Lindsay issued her next order:

"Suppress the stock to below 20 HKD within three days. No dumping chips."

The current price? 50 HKD.

With their 30% stake and elite traders—some of the best on Wall Street—it wasn't an impossible task. The Guo family still held 51%, but as long as they didn't move those shares, Storm could dominate price action. And if her trader failed, she would fire him without hesitation.

---

4:00 PM – Market Close

At New Hongji headquarters, Madam Guo and her eldest son stared blankly at the final price.

50 HKD in the morning…

35 HKD by closing bell.

Tens of billions evaporated. No additional shares gained. The Guo family was bleeding, and Storm hadn't even used brute force.

"Mom… this can't go on. All the chips are in their hands. If this drop continues, the banks will be breathing down our necks," the eldest son said anxiously.

"You want to use the equity?" Madam Guo asked wearily. "You think we can beat them that way? They're professionals. Their war chest is ten times ours."

Boss Guo hung his head.

He knew she was right.

If they deployed their controlling shares, Storm's financial firepower would fully ignite. Every share they sold would be devoured—and once they dropped below 50%, control would be lost.

"So what do we do now? Just wait to die?" he growled in frustration.

Madam Guo took a deep breath, regaining a shred of her usual composure.

"Aren't you close to Gao Ziang? Call him. Ask what Lindsay wants. Maybe this isn't about our company. Storm is a Wall Street powerhouse—our little empire probably means nothing to her. Maybe this is personal. But if we're going to die, we should at least know why."

"…Alright. I'll call him now." Boss Guo nodded and pulled out his phone.

---

[Call Connected]

"Mr. Guo?" Gao Ziang's calm voice came through.

"Mr. Gao, I beg you. Please let us go. Give our family a way out. I—Guo Bingxiang—will be forever grateful."

"Boss Guo," Gao Ziang chuckled, "there's no friendship in business. You know I'm just an employee. I can't make that decision."

"Boss Gao, please," Guo Bingxiang's voice trembled with desperation. "Help me. I swear, you'll be rewarded in the future. Just help us find out what Mrs. Lindsay really wants."

"I can't," Gao Ziang declined immediately. "She's the queen of Storm. I'm terrified just being in the same room with her. You want me to test her?"

"Boss Gao, I'm begging you. The Guo family... we just want to die with a clear mind. There's no way a powerhouse like Storm would be interested in our small real estate company. Why us?" Guo Bingxiang pleaded again.

Watching her eldest son grovel, Mother Guo's heart sank. She felt a twinge of regret—regret that her three sons had become enemies, tearing the Guo family apart from within. She wasn't even sure if the second and third sons had betrayed the eldest this time, but right now, it didn't matter.

Eventually, Gao Ziang sighed. "I'll try asking Mrs. Lindsay, but I can't promise anything."

After ending the call, he went straight to Lindsay's office.

---

Inside Storm Headquarters

"The Guo family may surrender," Gao Ziang reported.

Lindsay looked up, her eyes cold and calculating. "If they lose Xinhongji, their capital chain collapses. Bankruptcy is inevitable. So what do they want?"

"They just want to understand why. To die with clarity."

Lindsay paused, then smiled.

"Tell them there's no 'why.' But... I'll give them a way out. Surrender all their shares. In return, I'll give them a generous payout—enough to retire, start over, or become rich men. It's that or total ruin."

"Yes, Madam. I'll contact them immediately."

---

Back at Guo Residence

"What?! Hand over the shares?" Guo Bingxiang almost slammed the phone in disbelief after hearing from Gao Ziang.

"They're serious," Gao Ziang said flatly. "Talk it over quickly. When the banks start calling for repayments, it'll be too late."

Click.

"Mom..." he turned to Mother Guo, bewildered.

She didn't respond right away. Instead, she calmly picked up the phone and dialed Brother Cheng.

"Mr. Li... please, help our family just this once."

One minute later, she hung up—disappointed.

"Mom, what now?" Guo Bingxiang asked anxiously.

"Quiet," she said sternly, and dialed again.

"Sister-in-law, I'm truly sorry," Brother Ji said. "Storm is too strong. Since yesterday, hundreds of billions have flowed into Hong Kong. We have to protect ourselves."

She hung up. No surprise this time.

Then she called Brother Tong.

"Sister-in-law, it's not just your family," he said grimly. "Storm is pulling out of the U.S. market and flooding into Hong Kong. Their next targets may include all four of us. I'm preparing defensive funds myself. I'm sorry."

When she hung up this time, her face was ice cold.

She leaned back in her chair, eyes closed in deep thought. Guo Bingxiang sat silently on the opposite couch, not daring to interrupt.

Fifteen minutes later, she straightened up.

"Boss, contact Storm," she said. "Do as Mrs. Lindsay demands."

"Mom... are you really giving up?" he asked in disbelief.

"What other choice do we have? Can you save Xinhongji?" she said wearily.

"I..."

He lowered his head in defeat.

"And tell them—our family owns shares in the other three real estate firms too. They can have those."

"What?!"

Guo Bingxiang was stunned.

The four real estate families had cross-held 5% stakes in each other. If Storm acquired the Guo family's 5% holdings in the other three giants, with its financial firepower, it could target all of them next. Today it was the Guo family. Tomorrow, it could be any of them.

"If they're ruthless, we'll be merciless. Don't blame us for dragging them into this," Mother Guo said coldly.

---

Meanwhile: In the United States

Night fell in Hong Kong.

But in the U.S., the 19th had just begun.

Before the market opened, a wave of optimistic headlines flooded the news cycle—Wall Street's last-ditch effort to bait buyers.

Lindsay, now calmly sipping tea in her Manhattan penthouse, read every headline with a smirk.

"They're trying to escape," she murmured.

Without hesitation, she began writing a market analysis article titled:

"When the Good News Dries Up, the Bad News Begins: The Deep Winter of U.S. Stocks Has Arrived."

The article hit financial forums and news aggregators like wildfire.

"Damn her! She's vicious!"

"She's burning the bridge after crossing it! What a snake!"

Over a dozen Wall Street titans cursed behind closed doors. But they knew—she was right. And she moved faster than any of them.

Within hours, meetings were held. Their decision was unanimous: call the Fed. They needed help to delay the crash.

"Tom, did you read Lindsay's article?"

"Yeah. If we don't run now, it's over."

"Quick—we've got smaller funds. We can still pivot. Let the big boys take the fall."

"Thank you, Lindsay."

"Hell yeah."

Among smaller funds and private equity firms, her name became legend.

---

9:00 AM – Wall Street

Markets opened red.

Following the previous day's plunge, it looked like a bloodbath. And then—it turned crimson.

"Mrs. Lindsay Was Right! The Bear Market Is Here!" – The New York Times

"From Bull to Bear: Lindsay's Foresight Helps Storm Escape the Crash" – Wall Street Journal

Financial media across the globe echoed the same message.

Storm's reputation soared.

Funds from around the world began pouring in.

And Lindsay's name?

Now etched into the halls of global finance history.

(End of Chapter)

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