Wall Street bigwigs!

Mary Shapiro picked up the top document and pointed her finger at the words "Form BD Registration Application" on the cover.

"Your law firm's report is perfect, but perfect documents will only be picked apart by the SEC's audit team."

After Black Monday, they now see everyone as a potential market manipulator.

Just then, Cole came in carrying two cups of coffee and placed them on the table between the two of them.

"Cole, could you please take Mr. Morris's assistant to the review office?" Mary said to Cole.

Cole, who was sparing with words, nodded and left.

Upon hearing this, Maurice could only nod and subconsciously picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip. Immediately, the inexplicable smile on Cole's face at the entrance of the lounge flashed into his mind.

"Damn bureaucracy," Maurice cursed inwardly.

Mary Shapiro understood as she watched the several changes in Maurice's expression in just one second.

However, she didn't say anything. After all, NASD is a semi-official organization, and many things there are no different from those in government departments; they treat people differently based on their status.

"Come on, let's go find Tom from Group Two."

Mary Shapiro stood up, paused, and said softly, "Tom is the head of Group Two; his signature carries more weight than any verification report."

"Mr. Green wants efficiency. We need to get the preliminary approval receipt for R&F Securities' NASD membership today."

Every day it's delayed, Ruifeng's trading channel with the stock exchange will open one day later.

The loss wasn't time or legal fees, but rather the real financial gains from the transaction.

After submitting her resignation, she is now the Chief Compliance Officer of two entities within R&F Financial. She quickly got things done while she still had her office at NASD.

Cole led Doug to the door of the audit team's office, beckoned to Doug, and pointed inside.

"Mary is right. I'll take you directly to the review meeting room. We can skip the front desk registration and initial document review process."

According to NASD's policy, having someone you know guide you will save you at least three days.

"Oh, right, I forgot to ask, what's your name?"

Doug's face turned ashen, but this was not a place for him to lose his temper, so he suppressed his anger and put on a dignified act, shaking Cole's hand and saying...

"Hello, I'm Mr. Morris's senior assistant, just call me Doug."

"Alright, Mr. Doug. Take your credentials and come inside with me."

If someone on the review team is being particular, you'll need to explain the compliance of the offshore structure from a legal perspective.

But remember, only answer questions, don't speak up.

Cole emphasized the last sentence, and Doug nodded in understanding.

He knew perfectly well that in Washington's regulatory circles, legal provisions were the foundation, but personal connections were the key to success.

He had come here with Maurice many times, but they hadn't even properly visited the temple.

Green's decision to let Mary Shapiro take the lead was indeed the wisest choice.

Meanwhile, Mary Shapiro led Maurice to Tom's office in Group Two and knocked on the door.

Mary Shapiro pushed open the door and led Maurice inside.

Tom's office had a similar layout to Mary Shapiro's office, with a row of metal cabinets and a simple desk.

A chubby man, about the same age as Mary, sat behind a desk, engrossed in the documents in his hands.

Tom looked up and saw Mary Shapiro, then got up from behind his desk and came out with a smile.

"Mary, I thought you'd be a little late. And who is this?"

Mary Shapiro introduced, "This is Mr. Morris, an attorney from the New York law firm Stanford."

This is Tom, a senior advisor at the Investor Protection Bureau; he has the final signing authority for new brokerage registrations.

Morris was startled. He had only heard Mary Shapiro say that she would take him to see Tom from Group Two, and he thought it was the head of the audit office. It turned out that the new brokerage firm was the father of the new institution.

Morris quickly reached out and shook Tom's chubby hands, his humility even greater than when meeting the president of the law firm.

Mary Shapiro smiled silently to herself. She knew exactly what Maurice was thinking, but Mary Shapiro could only say that he was overthinking it.

Morris couldn't bring Tom any benefit, and Tom didn't value money anyway.

"Have a seat, what would you like to drink?" Tom asked Mary Shapiro.

"I'm not drinking anymore. I already drank quite a bit in the office." Mary waved her hand and sat down on the sofa in the reception area.

Tom ignored Maurice sitting on the sofa next to Mary, chatting idly.

"I ran into Paul at a party last week, and my wife was still talking about your apple pie."

Mary raised an eyebrow and smiled: "I'll have Paul bring it for you next time."

Tom sighed upon hearing this: "Are you really leaving?"

Mary Shapiro nodded: "The resignation letter has been submitted, and the director and the chairman have signed it. I will officially leave in three days."

"Alright then, good luck. Come back anytime if you're not happy out there."

Seeing her resolute expression, Tom didn't dare to offer any further advice.

"So, what do you want from me today? Tell me, I've done everything I can for you."

Mary Shapiro took the documents from Morris and handed them to Tom.

"My next client needs your signature on some things."

Tom took the document and began to read it carefully. The room was so quiet you could hear someone breathing.

After a long while, Tom looked up at Mary Shapiro.

"The dual-entity structure of securities firms and fund companies, with its separate capital structure, poses a risk of conflict of interest..."

As a professional, Tom immediately spotted the core issues in the application materials.

Mary Shapiro smiled.

"The industry rules we revised together last year clearly state in Article 5 that as long as an independent risk control committee is established and funds are managed separately by the two entities, there will be no conflict of interest."

"I am the head of the risk control committee and chief compliance officer at R&F, and the chairman of the SEC is John Sr., formerly of the NASD enforcement division."

Mary Shapiro paused at this point.

Tom nodded upon hearing this and said nothing more.

Mary is absolutely right; her face can be used by both the NASD and the SEC as long as it doesn't involve matters of principle.

"Okay, leave the application materials with me."

Tom placed the file on the sofa armrest and pressed it down.

"I'll sign as long as you can smooth things over with the review team."

Morris, standing to the side, was completely dumbfounded. In Washington, no legal statute was as useful as connections.

Was the belief I've held onto for half my life wrong?

In particular, Tom didn't even finish reading the documents before saying he'd sign them once they passed the review team?!

"Okay, then I'll go find Alan Schwartz. Thank you, Tom," Mary said, getting up.

"You're too kind, Mary. We've worked together for five years, so I have to help you save face with your new employer."

After saying hello, Mary led Maurice toward the office of the third review group.

Mary Shapiro knocked on Allen's office door.

Allen Schwartz saw Mary emerge from behind her desk, smiling.

Good luck, Mary.

"Thank you for your blessing, Allen. There's something I need your help with before I leave."

Mary Shapiro pointedly handed a document to Allen Schwartz.

It is clear that Alan Schwartz also knew that Mary had submitted her resignation to the committee.