Chapter 75

The number of weekly magazines had reached a significant level, accompanied by powerful advertising revenue. The increased printing costs posed no issue, as there were always willing subscribers.

As the London market took off, William White's wealth surged, and Forber understood that silver trading was a high-stakes game; quick profit was paramount.

Compared to their initial investment, their income had multiplied a hundredfold, which was quite remarkable. This venture seemed more like a lottery than traditional investment.

"Who's responsible for the shipments?" Old Hunter's face bore a worried expression.

"Boss, we can't pinpoint it. They're selling accounts quite discreetly."

For the Hunt family, this level of shipment disrupted their strategy. Failure to manage this sell-off promptly would lead to erratic silver prices.

Mao Zi was preparing to stabilize Afghanistan, and while the U.S. might not directly participate, it would surely wave the flag, causing tension in neighboring regions. As the primary hedge, gold prices were set to soar, and precious metals, including silver, would follow suit.

In this critical moment, with substantial selling happening, Old Hunter's frustration was palpable. They believed the other party wasn't tied to U.S. interests, mainly because their initial target was the United States, and they meticulously controlled the pace.

The situation had significantly changed. The operations in London now appeared more ruthless. As long as they didn't crash, others seemed willing to ship recklessly.

For dealers, this continuous bleeding was unsustainable. Moreover, building warehouses was relatively inexpensive, adding to their concerns.

The Hunt family found themselves borrowing extensively, causing mounting worries. Many futures guarantee companies detected the risks, making this game too perilous without increased margins.

Futures leverage had reached alarming levels, and it was clear that changing the trading mode was imperative.

The Fed had raised interest rates again, severely impacting banks. They weren't eager to lend and were even withdrawing funds, affecting even those with good credit records.

Banks had become a significant issue, aggressively lending, leading to numerous small and medium-sized enterprises closing down. The economic crisis was escalating, and people were becoming disillusioned, hoping for an early end to the crisis.

In current discussions, the economy was the sole topic. People were eagerly awaiting a turnaround.

Carter bore the blame, but he wasn't solely responsible for the withdrawal from the Bretton system. Unfortunately, people cared more about immediate interests than such matters.

William White's actions had drawn attention from various forces, particularly those outside the financial sector. Bank of America and Citibank, as primary settlement banks, couldn't be ignorant of the situation. While the exact figures were unclear, the general trend was evident.

This young man, barely in his twenties, had once again caught the eye of many. His assets had likely reached nine figures, and at his current pace, reaching the billion-dollar mark didn't seem too far-fetched.

In America, different folks played different roles, and billionaires were at the pinnacle. They were few in number and not easily provoked.

As a philanthropic figure, William White had long been on the radar of various forces, and now it appeared they had long-term plans.

Combined with the recent intimidation incident, it was clear that William White wasn't what he seemed. His extensive security detail reinforced this notion.

From various scattered pieces of information, it was evident that William White placed great emphasis on his image and made every effort to enhance it.

He was an incredibly cautious individual, with bodyguards almost constantly at his side. Approaching him at school was near impossible.

Dealing with such a formidable figure required restraint; otherwise, it would be best to avoid confrontation.

The Hunt family? Well, it seemed they were in trouble, and their aggressive acquisition attempts had led them into a significant pitfall. White Petroleum was a risky venture, and it appeared someone was poised to take advantage.

Few were interested in the Hunt family's chaotic dealings; it was a colossal mess. These industry veterans weren't novices, and the Hunt family's attempts to involve the government were reminiscent of past soybean futures, but this time, it had grown into a major crisis.

William White couldn't conceal his actions indefinitely, and at this point, he seemed content. Rumors suggested silver would rise to $50, but maximizing profits from shipping now was challenging.

Normal futures trading had evolved into a remarkable state, and William White didn't hold many cards. If he returned to the negotiating table, these paper contracts could become binding agreements, potentially benefiting the U.S. greatly.

While others in London had requested increased margins, it was nothing as absurd as what was happening in the U.S. Given the current circumstances, selling the contracts he held remained a challenging endeavor.

William White didn't mind disrupting the market; the banks couldn't resist, and they were, after all, accomplices of the Hunt family. He didn't mind facing the consequences alongside them.

The last trailer for "The Devil's House" had been released, and its promotion had reached unprecedented heights. Post-production had concluded due to early snowfall in Toronto, and the next step was the review process. Review authorities were dissatisfied; this seemed like putting the cart before the horse. If it didn't pass review, releasing it as an R-rated film seemed the only option.

However, they had little say in the matter. The film's promotion didn't mention its rating. Anyone challenging this would likely face severe backlash.

The film, grossing $250 million worldwide, had turned these critics into symbols of envy and resentment. The Hollywood giant's "evil dog" was how they were now known.