Kobayashi Miu had chosen an ensemble that seemed conservative but was actually full of subtle intention: a fitted, black, high-necked cashmere sweater. The stark black made her already fair skin appear like cold jade, subtly tracing the curves of her slender yet shapely upper body. Her lower half was a dark gray wool pencil skirt, its perfectly tailored length just past the knee, wrapping around her pert hips and long, straight legs. Her movements, as she walked, contained a silent allure. Her entire presence exuded a chilly, restrained, yet incredibly perceptive beauty, like a collector's edition book with a seemingly austere cover that nonetheless invited deep exploration.
Standing beside her, Catherine Miller took an entirely different approach, opting for vibrant energy mixed with bold sexiness. She wore a cropped, bright, silver metallic puffer jacket. Its puffy silhouette contrasted sharply with her slim waist. The open zipper revealed a tight, low-cut black knit top underneath, the neckline strategically exposing a small, tantalizing patch of skin. For her lower body, she had on thick black leggings that perfectly hugged her firm, rounded backside and the powerful lines of her long legs, finished with a pair of lace-up platform ankle boots that added a hint of street-style cool.
His brow lifted slightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He swiftly scanned their alluring figures—curves they still worked to display despite the cold winter wind—and their meticulously made-up faces.
"What a coincidence? Something you need?"
"Senior Hawk, we're so sorry to bother you." Catherine spoke first, wearing a just-right smile that held a mixture of admiration and slight embarrassment. "We... we ran into some difficulties with economics and finance that we just couldn't figure out. We know you're a genuine expert in this—you explain things even better than the professors. We had no choice but to take the liberty of coming all the way here... to beg you for some guidance, for the sake of our grades... Please, help us out."
Kobayashi Miu added her piece at the opportune moment, her tone sincere: "Yes, Hawk-san. We have some confusion about the application of marginal utility theory in actual portfolio construction, which you mentioned in class previously, as well as the practical execution of risk hedging amidst recent market volatility. Do you think... you might be able to spare a few minutes to advise us?"
She tilted her head up slightly, her eyes shining with the light of genuine inquiry.
Hawk's gaze lingered on both their faces for a moment, an intensity that caused a slight tremor of nervousness in both Miu and Catherine.
But finally, a playful curve formed on his lips, as if he'd spotted an interesting game.
"Economics? Practical finance?" Hawk chuckled lightly. "Those do require a proper discussion. It's cold out here, come inside and talk." He casually lifted his chin toward the apartment entrance and turned to walk toward the luxurious, code-access-controlled door.
A surge of delight went through Miu and Catherine. They quickly followed him.
Inside the private elevator that went straight to the penthouse floor, the small space was filled with the faint, mixed scent of cedar and leather from Hawk, carrying an almost palpable pressure.
The penthouse door silently slid open, revealing an interior of extreme, modern luxury. Beyond the immense floor-to-ceiling windows stretched the brilliant nightscape of all of New York.
Hawk tossed his coat carelessly onto an Italian leather sofa and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt.
"What would you like to drink?" He headed toward the bar.
"Uh... just water is fine," Catherine said, still a little reserved.
"The same for me, thank you," Kobayashi Miu maintained her polite composure.
Hawk poured three glasses of ice water: "Is ice water okay to drink?"
Both girls were momentarily stunned, not immediately understanding why it was ice water, but neither refused.
Seeing that neither declined, Hawk understood, motioning for them to take a seat wherever they liked.
Though, even if they couldn't drink ice water, it wouldn't matter—the mountains are sealed by heavy snow, so one could still be generous...
Kobayashi Miu and Catherine chose a two-seater sofa and began to raise the quite sophisticated financial questions they had meticulously prepared: everything from parameter calibration of the dynamic asset pricing model, to stress testing of derivative strategies in extreme market conditions, to how to assess the true valuation and risk premium of a cutting-edge biotech company like TCRI...
Hawk stood holding his glass, leaning against the bar, listening to their questions.
He occasionally interjected, his few words going straight to the core, accurately pointing out the weak links in their logic or their cognitive biases. His language was sharp yet never lacked courtesy, and even carried a touch of instructive guidance. His insights were genuinely profound, infused with the tactical acumen and macro perspective of a top-tier financial predator.
Miu and Catherine were secretly astonished. Putting aside their mission, this guy was truly brilliant.
Their questions gradually became deeper, and the discussion grew more animated.
However, at some point, the conversation began to subtly drift from its intended track.
Perhaps it was the aggressive glint flickering in Hawk's deep eyes;
Perhaps it was that slight, unyielding stubbornness mixed with a touch of admiration that Catherine unconsciously revealed when her point was refuted;
Or perhaps it was the undisguised spark of pure appreciation and excitement that flashed in Miu's eyes when confronted with a brilliant theory...
The atmosphere warmed, almost without notice.
"So, Senior..." Catherine licked her slightly dry lips, her eyes shining brightly as she looked at Hawk. "In a complex and volatile environment, how do you precisely locate a target and... take it down in one go?"
Her intention was to use this as a metaphor for market opportunity or a competitor, but as the words left her mouth, coupled with her now slightly flushed cheeks and faintly aggressive gaze, the meaning became decidedly ambiguous.
Hawk looked down and smiled, placing his water glass down. He walked step-by-step toward the sofa.
He looked down at the two girls sitting side-by-side. His gaze felt like it carried a physical warmth, sliding from Catherine's bright face to Miu's side profile, which was cool yet held a hint of tension.
"Precise location?" Hawk's voice dropped lower, carrying an alluring, magnetic quality. "First, you need enough patience and observational skill to distinguish what is a true target, and what is merely... a smokescreen."
He paused, the implication clear.
"And then?" Miu couldn't help but press him, her voice slightly tight.
"And then?" Hawk met her gaze.
"You need strong analytical capabilities to assess the target's 'value' and 'risk.' But the most important thing is..." He draped his other arm over Catherine's shoulder, drawing her closer to him.
Catherine gave a short, sharp gasp.
"...the courage to act and the nerve to face the consequences. It's true in the financial markets, and life... is much the same." Hawk's gaze flowed ambiguously between the two of them.
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