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Upon hearing Lin Haoran's voice, Soros fell silent.

He lowered his head, stared at the coffee cup on the coffee table, and remained silent for a long time.

John Reed glanced at Lin Haoran, then at Soros, knowing that the two were somewhat awkward because of what had happened earlier.

So he broke the silence: "Lin, I've almost finished talking with Mr. Soros. Citibank is willing to give him a chance, with an initial capital of $200 million, independent operation, and a 20/80 split of profits after deducting operating costs."

The risk control team was dispatched by Citibank, all transactions required review, and the fund would be immediately liquidated if he incurred losses for two consecutive quarters. Mr. Soros agreed to all these conditions.

Lin Haoran was somewhat surprised.

He had assumed that Citigroup was simply handing over an existing fund to Soros to manage, but he never expected that they would directly provide $200 million to allow Soros to build a completely new fund from scratch.

Such courage far exceeded his expectations.

Moreover, the profits were directly split 20/80, with Soros taking 20% ​​and Citigroup taking 80%.

While Soros may not seem to have an advantage in terms of profit sharing, it's important to know that the initial $200 million was entirely funded by Citibank, and he will have full access to Citibank's vast resources going forward.

This offer was already exceptionally generous to Soros.

If the fund makes a net profit of $200 million a year later, Soros would receive $40 million. In that case, the other party's debt of over $100 million does not seem like an unattainable figure.

At this rate, it might be possible to pay it off in three or four years.

For someone who has gone bankrupt before, this is an incredible opportunity.

But on second thought, this is indeed John Reed's style: either don't do it at all, or do it properly.

Two hundred million dollars is not a large sum for Citigroup, but if Soros can really achieve results, Citigroup's footprint in the asset management field can expand significantly.

Moreover, given Soros's current debt of over $100 million, he needs this opportunity more than anyone else, and he is even less likely to take the risk easily.

With Citibank's risk control team watching him closely, he wouldn't have a chance to act recklessly.

Lin Haoran nodded and said, "That's good, Mr. Soros, congratulations."

Soros looked up, a complex emotion in his eyes, and said, "Mr. Lin, thank you. I know this opportunity is hard-won, and I will certainly not let you down."

Lin Haoran smiled and said, "Mr. Soros, no need to thank me. The opportunity is yours. I just opened a door for you. Whether you can find a way out depends on yourself."

I believe that with Citibank as a powerful platform to support you, coupled with your own talent and experience, your personal debt of over one hundred million US dollars is nothing; you'll be able to pay it off sooner or later.

Soros's eyes reddened slightly; during this period, he had deeply experienced the feeling of falling from heaven to the abyss.

Those who once surrounded him now avoid him like the plague. No one is willing to give him a chance, no one is willing to lend him a hand.

And now, the one extending a helping hand is actually the young man he had schemed against.

This contrast left him with mixed feelings.

At this moment, he was no longer the financial tycoon who wielded immense power on Wall Street, but a down-on-his-luck individual who had been crushed by life and then pulled back up by strangers.

All pride, arrogance, and overconfidence transformed into silent gratitude at this moment.

“Mr. Lin, I…” Soros opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that his throat was blocked by something and he could not make a sound.

Lin Haoran waved his hand and laughed, "Alright, no need for those formalities. From now on, we're all partners. Just do a good job."

John Reed chimed in with a laugh, “Mr. Soros, Mr. Lin is right. Citibank is giving you this opportunity because they believe in your abilities. You don’t need to thank anyone; you just need to prove yourself with your results.”

Soros took a deep breath, suppressed his surging emotions, and nodded solemnly.

He turned to Lin Haoran, extended his right hand, and said in a sincere and firm tone: "Mr. Lin, I was wrong about what happened in the past. From today onwards, I, Soros, owe you a favor, and I will spend my whole life repaying it."

Lin Haoran looked at Soros's outstretched hand and remained silent for a moment.

The air in the office seemed to freeze, with only the ticking of the wall clock echoing in the air.

John Reed watched the scene quietly, holding his coffee cup, without saying a word.

Then, Lin Haoran smiled.

He reached out, grasped Soros's hand, and shook it vigorously.

"Mr. Soros, let bygones be bygones. From today onwards, we are partners. Do a good job and don't let me down."

Their hands were clasped together for a long time.

At this moment, the two people who were once irreconcilable enemies officially shook hands and made peace.

It's not about compromise after a life-or-death struggle, but about the magnanimity of a true strongman and the submission of a down-and-out.

In the world of Wall Street, there are never permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

John Reed put down his coffee cup, clapped his hands, and laughed, "Alright, that's right. From now on, we're all in the same boat. Let's work together to make Citibank's asset management business thrive."

"Mr. Soros, now it all depends on your performance. If you do well, becoming a senior executive at Citigroup, or even an executive director like Mr. Lin and me, is not impossible."

Upon hearing this, Soros's eyes surprisingly held a hint of longing.

The position of executive director of Citibank might not have been so important to him in the past, since he understood the principle of "better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond".

What's the point of being a high-level executive in a large corporation with many constraints? It's better to be a king in a fund company that you control completely.

For example, in the past, he was practically all-powerful at Quantum Fund, and his subordinates all obeyed him.

But now he is no longer the spirited head of the Quantum Fund he once was; he is a debt-ridden, credit-bankrupt failure.

He would be more than willing to be an executive director at Citibank, let alone have a decent job.

Today, being able to independently operate a fund company with an initial capital of up to 200 million US dollars is beyond his imagination.

What more could you want?

This bankruptcy was a huge blow to him, but it also made him see many things clearly: who his true friends were and who his fake friendships were; he saw the ruthlessness of Wall Street and his own limitations.

In the past, his ambitions were too great, completely disproportionate to his abilities. He always felt that he was invincible and could challenge any opponent, even the financial giants on Wall Street.

The results of it?
He lost miserably and had no chance to recover simply because he offended Lin Haoran.

“Mr. Reed, Mr. Lin, I won’t say any more nice words.” Soros stood up and bowed deeply to the two men. “I will prove everything with my actions. Please give me a year. After a year, I will show you both a satisfactory answer.”

Lin Haoran smiled and nodded, then stood up, patted Soros on the shoulder, and said, "I believe you. From now on, we're on the same side."

The gesture was natural, like a friendly greeting between old friends, without any hint of condescension.

But it was precisely this natural attitude that made Soros even more impressed, realizing that Lin Haoran truly regarded him as a partner, not a subservient subordinate.

This kind of equal treatment is more effective at winning people's loyalty than any other incentive.

Lin Haoran never considered personally controlling top talents in the financial field like Soros.

After all, bringing him to Hengsheng or Huanyu Investment Company, or letting him independently control an investment company, would not be the most ideal choice for Lin Haoran.

Soros was once called "the bad boy of Wall Street" by the media, meaning he was too wild and too difficult to control. If placed in an environment completely under his control, he might lose control again and repeat the mistakes of Mexico.

He might even implicate Lin Haoran by offending the regimes of certain countries.

But if he's placed within Citibank's system, with a risk control team watching him and a compliance department overseeing him, he won't have the opportunity to act recklessly even if he wanted to.

Moreover, Citigroup is large enough to withstand the fluctuations caused by his aggressive style, and it has the US government as a super backer. No matter how much Soros offends people outside, Citigroup can help him out.

Although Lin Haoran is incredibly wealthy, his roots are in Hong Kong, and he does not have a strong political background in the United States.

He can wield considerable influence in the financial markets, but he cannot provide Soros with political asylum like Citigroup does.

Therefore, handing Soros over to Citigroup is the best option.

In any case, Lin Haoran is also the largest shareholder of Citibank. Soros and others who create profits for Citibank are also creating profits for Lin Haoran.

Currently, Lin Haoran has effectively controlled 12.38% of the shares through secret increases in holdings via Huanyu Investment Company, direct personal holdings, and the shares he acquired from the previous sale of Haifeng Bank.

This shareholding ratio naturally made him the largest shareholder of Citigroup.

However, it is not appropriate to disclose the shares that Huanyu Investment Company has secretly acquired through the secondary market.

Otherwise, if news of a Chinese businessman secretly acquiring Citigroup shares got out, it would not only shake Wall Street but also raise concerns in the American political arena.

Therefore, Lin Haoran has maintained an extremely low profile in this matter, and even John Reed was unaware that he actually controlled more than 12 percent of Citigroup's shares.

This is one of the reasons why Lin Haoran was willing to push Soros to Citibank; a large portion of the money Citibank earns will eventually end up in his pocket.

This method of using someone else's strength against them is much safer and smarter than directly engaging in the fight yourself.

“Mr. Lin, Mr. John, I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll go back and make some preparations. After New Year’s Day, I will officially begin assembling the team.” Soros stood up and bid farewell to the two men again. “Thank you again for your trust.”

Although Soros had been down on his luck for six months, many of his former subordinates remained loyal.

Once these people know that Soros has made a comeback, they will definitely be willing to follow him.

Moreover, Citibank's platform is much larger than Quantum Fund, making it undeniably attractive to aspiring financial talents.

"Alright, go ahead." Lin Haoran nodded with a smile. "I look forward to you regaining your former glory as soon as possible and dominating Wall Street!"

John Reed also stood up, patted Soros on the shoulder, and said, "Mr. Soros, do a good job. Citibank's legal team will help you with the debt restructuring as soon as possible. Don't have too much of a mental burden. Focus on getting the fund in order. Citibank will take care of the rest."

Soros's eyes reddened again.

He nodded heavily, said nothing more, and turned to leave the office.

Lin Haoran watched Soros's retreating figure, his heart filled with emotion.

Six months ago, the other party was still a big shot on Wall Street, full of confidence and wanting to drag him down with him to make a fortune.

Now, however, she has become a pawn in his game.

The cruelty of the financial market and the unpredictability of life were vividly demonstrated at this moment!

The office door closed gently, leaving only Lin Haoran and John Reed.

John Reed leaned back on the sofa, looking at Lin Haoran with admiration and respect in his eyes: "Lin, your move was truly brilliant. Soros is a powerful tool if used well, but a hidden danger if used poorly."

Previously, no one wanted to use him because they knew he was too ambitious and difficult to manage, fearing he would cause a huge mess and implicate them.

But what you said also makes a lot of sense. Putting him in Citibank's system, with a risk control team watching him, he wouldn't have the opportunity to act recklessly. Besides, given his current situation, he cherishes this opportunity more than anyone else and would absolutely not act recklessly.

Lin Haoran laughed and said, "John, Soros' talent is beyond doubt. He just lacks someone who can control him. Citibank has that ability and the magnanimity."

Rather than letting him end up on the streets, being used as a pawn by those small fund companies, or being recruited by other financial giants sooner or later, it would be better to let Citibank take him in. This would be a good thing for Citibank, for me, and for him!

Moreover, he is currently in debt of over 100 million US dollars. Even if he wants to pay off this debt, it will not be an easy task. Before he can pay it off, he will be inseparable from Citibank. Even after he pays it off, he will have to start all over again. In this way, he will be even more inseparable from Citibank.

A capable and ambitious person who is also heavily in debt is actually the easiest to control, because he has no way out; this is his only chance, and he can only keep pushing forward!

John Reed laughed upon hearing this and said, "Lin, you really see through people's hearts. If Soros knew what you were saying, he wouldn't know whether to thank you or be afraid of you."

Lin Haoran waved his hand and laughed, "John, I'm just telling the truth. Soros is a smart man, and a smart man won't fall twice in the same place."

He knew what he needed, and he knew what Citibank could give him; that was enough.

"By the way, Lin, you must have come here for something, right?" Soros asked.

"Yes, I do have something to discuss with you," Lin Haoran said, briefly explaining his plans to establish a property management company.

John Reed laughed after hearing this, "Such a small matter? You could have just made a phone call, why did you have to come all the way here?"

Lin Haoran laughed and said, "Tomorrow is New Year's Day, so I came over to wish you a Happy New Year in advance."

John Reed replied with a smile, "Happy New Year, Lin!"

1982 was a very fruitful year for John Reed.

In that year, he not only became an ally of powerful shareholders like Lin Haoran, but also drove away the only competitor in the Citigroup system. Now he is the group's only successor, and at the same time, he has made a fortune with Foresight Capital, becoming a major contributor to the Citigroup.

Therefore, he was very grateful to Lin Haoran, because he knew that all of this was brought to him by Lin Haoran. Otherwise, relying solely on his original self, he might still be fighting openly and covertly with Chad Miller, and he didn't know how much energy and time he would have wasted.

More importantly, without Lin Haoran's judgment, he would never have been able to make so much money in the past few years.

On Wall Street, results are everything. Without impressive performance, even if someone is Walter Riston's handpicked successor, it will be difficult to gain the respect of the people.

But now, everything is different.

At Citigroup, those directors who were once skeptical of him now treat him with great respect.

Those executives who used to gossip about him behind his back no longer dare to say anything.

In fact, the entire Wall Street now knows about Foresight Capital's performance this year. At the time, Wall Street predicted that the US stock market would surge due to President Reagan's new policies, but instead it fell for more than half a year, and almost all financial giants suffered significant losses.

John Reed's Foresight Capital, on the other hand, went against the grain and made a fortune this time, becoming famous overnight!
All of this was brought to him by Lin Haoran.

"Lin, to be honest, this year is the most important year of my career. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to secure this position so quickly. Richard Miller, that old fox, I fought with him for years but never gained any advantage. You helped me get rid of him."

Lin Haoran waved his hand and laughed, "John, we are the best allies. Your business is my business, isn't it?"
Richard Miller's mind isn't on Citibank's development; he's only interested in consolidating his own power. Keeping someone like that around is a disaster. I'm one of Citibank's major shareholders, and getting rid of him is a good thing for Citibank, for you, and for me.”

John Reed laughed and said, "You're quite the smooth talker. Don't worry, as long as I'm here at Citibank, we'll always be the closest allies. Citibank's decisions will take your interests into account!"

John Reed's words were definitely a very serious promise.

On Wall Street, such words are not easily uttered, because it would mean that he was tying Lin Haoran's interests to those of Citigroup.

Lin Haoran supported the other party for the same reason: to make Citibank his ally in the United States.

It's worth noting that in another world, after Walter Riston, the current chairman of Citigroup, stepped down, John Reid officially took over in 1984 and remained in office until 2000.

The deep ties with John Reed signify that Lin Haoran had a powerful ally in the United States during Reed's tenure. (End of Chapter)