You buy a share. Money leaves your account. Where does it actually end up, and what do you own?
Sources
How secondary markets work: almost all share trading is between investors, with the issuing company receiving proceeds only at issuance
The distinction between equity and debt: shareholders as residual owners with a vote, bondholders as creditors ranking ahead of shareholders in a wind-up
Pooled funds as containers whose risk derives from their holdings, with ongoing costs deducted regardless of performance. Never a recommendation of any product or allocation