Chapter 825
At the morning meeting, Ivy’s proposal to take profits and secure their gains was flatly rejected by her colleagues.
The reason was simple: the market was red-hot. The movie was now making an unstoppable push into the international market. Not only had it quickly become the domestic box office champion, but its rank on the global charts was also constantly rising. It was praised online, beloved by the nation, and had even revived theaters that were on the brink of bankruptcy, helping them make a fortune.
“Ivy, you’re still too young, too timid, too conservative. Everyone knows that in the stock market, the bold feast while the timid starve. There’s clearly more room for growth. If we pull out now, losing a few tens of millions is one thing, but we’ll be a laughingstock in the industry,” an experienced trader in the department said, crossing his legs, his tone dripping with condescension.
They had all forgotten who had sniffed out this opportunity in the first place.
Ivy smiled faintly, not bothering to argue. “I am young, that’s true,” she replied calmly. “But some talents can’t be acquired just by eating more food for a few more years. Besides, my track record in the financial markets isn’t exactly that of a novice.”
Otherwise, Edmond wouldn’t have made an exception for her.
The meeting was divided. Only two colleagues sided with Ivy; the rest were all for pushing forward and going all in.
Before the meeting even ended, the stock market opened. As expected, the stock surged once again.
At the same time, the latest news about the film broke – its total box office had surpassed ten billion, a historic and monumental achievement in the nation’s film history.
“See, Ivy? Your judgment was wrong,” her colleagues jeered, all of them pumped up as they bought in heavily until the stock hit its daily limit and trading was halted.
Ivy advised again, “The next day or two is the best time to pull out. Otherwise, we’re going to suffer a huge loss.”
But it wasn’t just her colleagues who ignored her; even Manager Zoe paid no heed to her suggestion.
Ivy gave a helpless smile. She was just an intern, she thought. The company’s profits and losses had nothing to do with her. Why worry about it? She returned to her desk and focused on her own work.
During her lunch break, she opened WhatsApp and saw the “Stonks Only Go Up” group chatting about the same topic. She reminded everyone again to reduce their positions in the next two days.
Sophia, Jay, and the others had known Ivy for years and had complete faith in her market sense and acuity. That afternoon, just before the market closed, they all sold off their shares.
When it was time to leave work, Jamison came to pick her up.
Ivy got in the car, her eyes still glued to her phone as she chatted in the group. It was Friday, and everyone was showing off their weekly earnings, all insisting on treating her to dinner.
Ivy: Alright, then you guys can come here and treat me. I’m not going to come find you.
Sophia: I’ll be there next week. I’ll treat you.
Ivy: You’re coming again? Is it still about opening a shop?
Sophia: Yep, I finalized the location after the new year. It’s time to start renovations, so I need to go check on it.
Jay: @Sophia, are you really opening a shop there? What about your current one?
Sophia: The one here is a joint venture with my cousin. She’ll take full charge of it from now on.
Scales Murphy: @Sophia, who exactly is in Neo Haven that you’re so set on opening a shop there?
Sophia: Ivy’s there!
Jay: @Dale, confess. Have you two been secretly a thing for a while now?
Sophia: @Jay, don’t be ridiculous. It has nothing to do with him.
Jay: I was asking Dale. Why are you so quick to jump in? Are you his spokesperson now?
Sophia: [eye roll emoji]
Ivy stared at her phone, a smile playing on her lips. “Looks like there’s really something going on between Sophia and Dale Sullivan.”
Jamison was driving and couldn’t check the group chat. Hearing her, he smirked. “What, did they make it official?”
“Not yet, but Sophia’s confirmed she’s opening a shop here. She’s already picked a location and is about to start renovations.”
“That was fast. Looks like you were right.”
Ivy didn’t reply, but the smile on her face grew wider as she looked at her phone.
Dale Sullivan had just appeared in the chat.
Everyone immediately started teasing him.
Dale Sullivan replied openly: I wish. But I’m not good enough for Miss Sophia.
Sophia: Don’t be modest. With your income, it’s girls who wouldn’t dare to aim so high.
Jay: One of you comes from money, the other is incredibly capable. I’d say you’re a good match. There’s no issue of who’s not good enough for whom.
Sophia: That’s not true. Stop talking nonsense, really.
Ivy: Everyone calm down. When Sophia gets here, I’ll invite them both out for a meal, and we’ll get to the bottom of it.
Just as Ivy sent that message, a private chat from Sophia popped up.
Two voice messages.
Sophia: “Ivy, don’t mess around. It’s really not what you guys think. We just get along well, that’s all.”
Sophia: “Besides, I think he likes someone else. One of his high school classmates, I think.”
Ivy’s expression turned to one of surprise. She held down the voice record button. “No way. Then why is he being so flirty with you?”
Sophia: “I told you, we’re just friends.”
Ivy: “So your coming to open a shop has nothing to do with him?”
Sophia: “Of course not. I’m just tired of my family pressuring me to get married, so I wanted to get away. Plus, the coffee culture over there is great. I really like it.”