I Inherited Trillions, Now What?

In the dimly lit office perched high above the island, Alexander Blackwell leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes scanning the leather-bound black book resting on his desk. The weight of his father's legacy seemed heavier than ever as he opened it to the page where "NVIDIA" was circled in bold ink—a name his father had deemed crucial to the future of technology.

Across the desk, Everlyn, his poised and highly competent personal assistant, adjusted her tablet. Her voice, calm yet charged with precision, filled the room as she began her report.

"Sir, after extensive research, I've identified an unconventional path to secure a stake in NVIDIA without directly inflating market prices or triggering regulatory scrutiny," she said, tapping on her screen. "Approximately five percent of NVIDIA's shares are held by its employees through stock options. However, these shares are tightly controlled. Employees require board approval to sell, which makes a direct acquisition unlikely."

Alexander leaned forward, his fingers steepled. "And the co-founders?"

"Apart from Jensen Huang, who controls 3.5 percent, the other two co-founders hold just 0.5 percent each," Everlyn replied. "The rest of the shares are dominated by major institutional investors—BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street—along with a network of family-controlled funds."

"The Big Three," Alexander murmured, his voice carrying a mix of respect and calculation.

"Yes, sir," Everlyn continued. "BlackRock holds 5.62 percent, Vanguard 8.30 percent, and State Street 3.71 percent. Together, they control a significant portion of NVIDIA's voting power, each representing the interests of dominant family networks: American, European, and Asian, respectively. Securing even a modest stake without their notice will be a challenge."

Alexander's eyes narrowed. "And the public float?"

"To acquire five percent through the open market, we would need approximately $55 billion at current prices," Everlyn explained. "However, given NVIDIA's trajectory, any significant buying activity would likely cause a price surge. Analysts estimate that achieving this stake could ultimately cost around $69 billion."

Alexander glanced at the financial breakdown displayed on Everlyn's tablet. "NVIDIA's market cap is hovering around $1.1 trillion. Some are calling it a bubble, questioning whether it can sustain its valuation."

Everlyn nodded. "Indeed, sir. If the valuation plateaus or declines, this could represent a significant risk. Our liquid reserves currently stand at $98 billion. Proceeding with this acquisition would severely impact our liquidity."

Alexander's gaze shifted back to the black book, his fingers tracing the bold circle around "NVIDIA." His father's belief in the company's potential echoed in his mind.

"NVIDIA isn't just a tech company; it's the backbone of AI innovation," Alexander said, his tone resolute. "From GPUs to AI training models, they're leading the next wave of technological advancement. The bubble you mentioned? It's not a bubble. It's an ecosystem waiting to expand further."

Everlyn listened intently as Alexander continued. "We'll proceed. Instruct our team to begin acquiring shares through the public float. Keep the stake just under 5 percent to avoid triggering the SEC's 13D filing requirement. Make sure it's done quietly. The last thing we need is to alert Vanguard, BlackRock, or State Street."

Everlyn tapped furiously on her tablet, taking down his instructions. "Understood, sir. I'll ensure our traders spread the purchases across multiple accounts and jurisdictions to minimize visibility. But even with these precautions, the market may still notice increased activity. Speculation could drive prices up."

"Then let's act quickly," Alexander replied. "Secure 4.99 percent as soon as possible. Once we have that, we'll reassess our strategy to increase our holdings without drawing attention. Perhaps we'll approach the employees directly, find creative ways to incentivize them to sell their options while navigating board restrictions."

Everlyn hesitated. "Sir, even with 4.99 percent, we'd be dwarfed by Vanguard and BlackRock. And if the Rockefellers, Lis, or European families catch wind of our moves, they'll retaliate."

Alexander's lips curved into a faint smirk. "That's precisely why we won't stop at 4.99 percent. Once we have our initial foothold, we'll employ alternative methods to influence the board. Strategic partnerships, perhaps, or leveraging our other assets to force their hand."

Everlyn's admiration for her employer deepened as she realized the scope of his ambition. "I'll initiate the process immediately. Anything else, sir?"

Alexander's gaze hardened. "Yes. Make sure this stays quiet. The last thing we need is the Rockefellers' involvement before we're ready."

Everlyn rose to her feet, determination in her stride. "Consider it done, Mr. Blackwell."

As she left the room, Alexander opened his laptop and began reviewing the broader implications of the acquisition. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but if there was one thing he thrived on, it was turning the impossible into reality.

Blackwell Investments stood as a monumental force in the corporate world. The third-largest company by market capitalization and tenth by assets globally, it held the unique distinction of being the only private company with a trillion dollars in both categories. Unlike its peers, Blackwell Investments defied traditional structures. The appointment of its enigmatic CEO, Alexander Blackwell, two years ago brought sweeping changes. Headquarters were dismantled, half the workforce was let go, and the remaining 15,000 employees—down from 35,000—were scattered across the globe, working from decentralized locations.

The company no longer engaged in day-to-day trading, having ceased such operations when it hit its first trillion-dollar valuation. Now, it focused solely on acquiring major corporations, always ensuring it never owned more than 50% of any company. Instead, Blackwell Investments strategically placed its people on boards to steer initiatives. This unorthodox approach made the firm and its owning family an enduring mystery.

John Smith, a senior trader for Blackwell Investments, epitomized the luxury that came with working for the company. Living in a sprawling Florida mansion, he earned $2 million annually and enjoyed a lifestyle most could only dream of. Having just returned from a lavish party, two women on his arms—both tipsy and giggling—he was reveling in the hedonistic delights of his free time.

As they stumbled into his home, John's phone emitted a sharp, unique ping—the alert he had set for official company communication. His heart skipped a beat. This wasn't the usual monthly check-in. "What the hell?" he muttered, disentangling himself from the women.

"Where are you going?" one of them slurred, pouting. The other added, "Come on, Johnny. Let's have some fun!"

"Not now," John said hastily, pulling his phone out and opening the email. The subject line read: URGENT: All Staff Directive. His eyes darted across the message:

"All staff are required to contact their team leaders immediately. We will be acquiring a major share soon."

Adrenaline surged through him. "Shit," he whispered. Without a second thought, he turned to the women. "You need to leave. Now."

"What?" one of them asked, incredulous. "Are you serious?"

"You heard me. Out. Both of you."

"Asshole!" the other snapped, grabbing her purse. "We didn't even get to the good part!"

"Yeah, screw you!" the first chimed in as they stumbled toward the door, hurling insults over their shoulders. "Hope your stupid job's worth it, jerk!"

John barely registered their words as he slammed the door shut. Breathing heavily, he opened the team communication app and joined a video call with his team: a group of four, including himself.

On his screen appeared their team leader, Vanessa, a sharp, no-nonsense woman in her mid-40s with a commanding presence. The other members joined shortly: Clara, a bright-eyed 25-year-old with an infectious smile, and Roger, a seasoned veteran of the industry pushing 60.

"Everyone here?" Vanessa asked, her voice crisp.

"Yeah," John said, still trying to calm himself. "What's this about?"

Roger chuckled, adjusting his glasses. "Good to see you too, John. Family's good, by the way, thanks for asking."

Clara laughed. "Same here. Though I was in the middle of dinner."

John sighed. "Alright, alright. Sorry for not making small talk. Let's just get to it."

Vanessa raised a hand to silence them. "Enough chit-chat. We've been allocated $19 million to start purchasing NVIDIA shares. The directive is clear: we're to buy shares discreetly through different accounts and offshore entities linked back to Blackwell Investments. We need to do this over two weeks, ensuring minimal market fluctuation."

"Why all the secrecy?" Clara asked.

"Standard Blackwell protocol," Vanessa replied. "We're not supposed to know what the other teams are doing or even who they are. This is the first major directive in two years, so it's a test of the decentralized system."

Roger stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So, we're back in action, huh? I'd better let my wife know I'll be busy."

"Do that," Vanessa said curtly. She turned to Clara. "And you—tell your boyfriend not to drop by unannounced or call you abruptly."

Clara blushed. "Will do."

Finally, Vanessa's eyes landed on John. "And you—no whoring around."

John raised his hands in mock surrender. "Message received."

Vanessa folded her arms. "Good. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin purchases in three-hour intervals. Remember, this isn't just about acquiring shares; it's about proving the system works. Let's not screw it up."

The team nodded in unison. John leaned back in his chair, the weight of responsibility settling on him. For the first time in years, Blackwell Investments was roaring back to life, and he was ready to rise to the challenge.