Not to sound like a tin foil hat wearer, but I honestly don't see how this was just a coincidence.
The scenario you described could have happened but who knows if it actually did. Only someone who was accurately following the order book at that time could answer your question. I'm personally inclined to believe that it's just a coincidence. I see no real reason for a whale conspiring to make that happen.
If you want to get really out there, its a compelling clue that bitcoin might actually be the work of the devil, or possibly a devil worshiping whale(s) conspired to make that the ath.
Perhaps, it could be true that Satoshi is actually Satan. I mean half of their names are the same so it must be true. Next ATH will be $66,666, you heard it here first.
This is another interesting "coincidence" I hadn't realized - the names Satoshi and Satan both share the first 3 letters, hmmm.....wow.