Chapter 495: A Crushing Defeat in the Short-Term Showdown (3)

Chapter 495: Chapter 495: A Crushing Defeat in the Short-Term Showdown (3)

Preston Patterson was the executive with the sharpest eye, second only to Hugo Xavier. Since the stock market club’s founding, countless activities had been completed under his leadership! Now, this monster of a talent was actually competing against a brand-new member. Regardless of whether they were busy, everyone had tacitly decided to return and see for themselves who this person was—this person who could provoke Preston Patterson into action! Especially since the competition would decide who stayed and who had to leave!

The moment Seraphina Sterling arrived, all eyes were on her! The intensity of their gazes was fit for a VIP on an inspection tour, but to Seraphina Sterling, it felt more like people gawking at a rare species in a zoo. And right now, she was the stock market club’s rare species! Their eyes were like X-rays, constantly scanning her, as if they wanted to study her completely!

Preston Patterson had been sitting there from the start, his lips pressed into a thin line and his face grim. He exuded such an oppressive aura that no one dared to approach and greet him. Even Shelby Fenton, who was usually chattering and showing off, only dared to sit beside him, not making a sound! Having been in the club for so long, she had gained a deep understanding of the stock market; through club activities, she had already invested a hundred million! Seeing the market open today and the subsequent fluctuations in stock prices, Shelby knew that Preston Patterson had lost—and lost spectacularly!

Just yesterday at market close, Preston Patterson’s victory had seemed secure. But in a single day, the tables had completely turned. Such a reversal would be hard for anyone to swallow. What’s more, the competition would decide who stayed and who had to leave! Preston Patterson himself had played a key role in establishing the stock market club; how could he possibly be resigned to leaving just like that!

"Wow, what a turnout! How come I don’t usually see everyone this eager for club activities?" Hugo Xavier said as he walked in with his laptop, taken aback by the dense crowd. This luxurious conference room had a large capacity, big enough for a small lecture, but now there were hardly any empty seats left. It was completely packed! Anyone who didn’t know better might think there was a lecture here today!

Many of the attendees were from Hugo Xavier’s year. Hearing his question, they couldn’t help but lament inwardly. ’Aren’t we seniors? Aren’t seniors usually excused from club activities? Besides, we have to find jobs, write our theses, or go back to our family’s companies to work! Who has the free time to come to campus for club meetings!’

Hugo Xavier didn’t press the issue. He immediately opened his laptop and connected it to the projector. "The three stocks marked in red were chosen by Seraphina Sterling, and this is their two-week price change chart. The three stocks in green were chosen by Director Patterson, and likewise, here is their chart!"

Everyone but the seniors already knew which three stocks each of them had picked; Hugo Xavier was re-explaining for their benefit. "The price charts make it obvious. For the first fourteen days, Director Patterson held a dominant and ever-widening lead. Even I thought his victory was a sure thing. But who would have thought that his entire advantage would be wiped out when the market opened today! The result is clear: Seraphina Sterling turned the tables at the last moment for the win! This means Seraphina Sterling will be staying in the stock market club!" Hugo Xavier spoke slowly and deliberately, but the crowd was already stunned by the stock trends on the big screen.

The analysis displayed on-screen was so clear that even the club’s novices could understand it. Preston Patterson’s eye for stocks was undeniably sharp—the three stocks he’d chosen were superb. Given a short-term competition, many of them would likely have picked those exact same stocks!