The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 79

The Giant’s Counterattack (3)

This was Jung Hyun-woo’s first time negotiating for two days straight. However, the second day proceeded much more smoothly than the first. Bank of America accepted most of Victoria Corporation’s demands, adding only a few minor conditions.

“Shall we wrap it up here?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded at Lyla Marin’s question.

“It seems we’ve reached a consensus, so it would be good to conclude the negotiations at this point.”

Tony Allen interjected, asking,

“Then, shall we draft the initial agreement here?”

He insisted on documenting the agreed terms.

“Well…”

Unlike with Commodore, Jung Hyun-woo hesitated to sign a memorandum of understanding.

Lyla Marin seemed to understand the reason, saying in a soft voice,

“This entire deal could change depending on JP Morgan’s reaction or attitude, so you’re saying it’s difficult to commit to a memorandum of understanding.”

“I appreciate your understanding of our situation.”

However, Tony Allen seemed uneasy about ending it just like that and added,

“Even if a memorandum of understanding is difficult, couldn’t we at least keep minutes of the meeting?”

“Minutes of the meeting?”

“To prevent any discrepancies in what was said later on.”

Jung Hyun-woo thought he could concede that much.

“Alright. Then, please prepare minutes outlining the general content.”

The idea was that Tony Allen would draft them, and they would review and agree to them.

“Then, would you mind waiting a moment?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded, and Tony Allen began drafting the minutes. While he was doing so, Lyla Marin asked,

“I heard you attend MIT [Massachusetts Institute of Technology]?”

Bank of America already knew Jung Hyun-woo’s basic personal information.

“I was admitted, but I’m currently on leave.”

“Is it because of company work?”

“MIT isn’t a school you can attend while working.”

The competition at MIT was truly fierce. Even Linus Korhonen, who had been an honors student in Finland, was only in the lower ranks at MIT.

“Do you plan to return?”

“Not within the next two or three years.”

“So, you’re saying you’ll be focusing on the company for the time being.”

“Now is the time to establish a firm foundation.”

Sarah sensed that Lyla Marin’s gaze was unusual.

‘She seems quite interested in Charlie.’

However, she didn’t intervene between the two. She thought Lyla Marin’s curiosity was temporary.

“If you ever come to New York, please contact me.”

Lyla Marin handed Jung Hyun-woo her business card directly. Her card listed her title as the Queens branch manager and her contact information.

‘This is an era without smartphones, let alone cell phones, so it’s natural that business cards only have office phone numbers.’

He received Lyla Marin’s card and then handed her his own.

“Please contact me if you come to Boston.”

While the two were exchanging business cards, Tony Allen finished drafting the minutes.

“I’ve summarized the agreements we made today.”

Jung Hyun-woo reviewed the minutes he had prepared and raised his voice at the end.

“Do we need to sign this as well?”

“It would be good if you could sign it.”

It was a way of saying it wasn’t mandatory, but he would appreciate it if they did.

“Alright. I’ll sign it.”

Jung Hyun-woo signed his name at the bottom of the minutes. Soon after, Tony Allen signed the document.

Sarah looked at it and asked,

“Isn’t Miss Marin the person in charge?”

Tony Allen replied with an awkward expression.

“On paper, I am the person in charge of this meeting.”

Sarah nodded and received the minutes he had signed.

“So, Miss Marin is merely an advisor.”

According to the plan, all transactions were supposed to be concluded under Tony Allen’s leadership. However, he had lost control of the deal, creating a situation where Lyla Marin had to step in.

“Please keep what happened here as confidential as possible.”

Sarah nodded at Tony Allen’s request.

“We will.”

With the minutes completed, Lyla Marin extended her right hand.

“I hope to sign a formal contract next time.”

Jung Hyun-woo took her hand and replied,

“Collaboration with Bank of America is always welcome.”

Lyla Marin thought his hand was very soft.

‘He’s not a man who does rough work.’

Many developers had hands like that. She shook hands with Jung Hyun-woo and then shook hands with Sarah.

“Miss Hilton, I hope to meet you in a more comfortable setting next time.”

The two were of similar age, so they were subtly aware of each other. Sarah smiled and responded to her words.

“I would like that.”

As Lyla Marin released her hand, Tony Allen stepped back and bowed.

“I will return to New York and await your contact.”

Sarah turned her gaze and replied to his words.

“I will contact you after speaking with JP Morgan.”

The second negotiation with Bank of America ended without a perfect conclusion. After the two left, Sarah asked,

“How was it?”

“Would you say it ended well?”

“Is that all?”

“Um, is there something more?”

Sarah spun around and replied,

“Never mind.”

Jung Hyun-woo couldn’t help but tilt his head at her response.

‘Was there something I didn’t notice?’

Even if there was, he couldn’t afford to worry about it now.

* * *

A penthouse overlooking Central Park.

The old man sat in a wheelchair, looking out the window at the bare branches and snow-covered park. His chin was covered with sparse white hairs, like weeds growing on barren land.

“So, what do you want to say?”

Behind the old man stood Neil Hamilton, the head of JP Morgan Investment Bank, and Sean Luke, the head of JP Morgan’s technology division.

“BOA (Bank of America) has made a move.”

The old man’s gaze remained fixed on Central Park.

“Giannini made a move?”

“It’s not certain whether Chairman Giannini himself moved. But it is true that they have attacked us.”

The old man showed no particular reaction to the report of the attack.

“An attack. They must have seen a gap and exploited it.”

He didn’t get angry at the opponent’s attack or ignite with fighting spirit. He merely rebuked the two people behind him.

“Chairman.”

The old man whom Neil Hamilton called Chairman.

He was Arthur Morgan, the heir of the Morgan family and the chairman of the JP Morgan Group.

Arthur Morgan slightly raised his right hand.

“If you had defended well against Giannini’s attack, you wouldn’t have come to me. So, you must have been deeply stabbed.”

Neil Hamilton’s voice suddenly rose.

“Chairman, we haven’t suffered any major damage yet.”

The old man’s wrinkled face was like the bark of an old tree.

“Hmph, you haven’t suffered any damage yet? Then, you’re saying you’re about to be stabbed.”

He seemed to think little of Neil Hamilton’s abilities.

“……”

Neil Hamilton’s mouth felt dry at his harsh assessment.

‘Mr. Morgan is still the same.’

He recalled the first time he met Arthur Morgan 30 years ago.

The assessment then was as dry and harsh as it was now.

“Neil, you’re always clumsy. How can you inherit the name of JP Morgan like that?”

Neil Hamilton bowed 90 degrees at Arthur Morgan’s rebuke.

“I apologize.”

Sean Luke, the head of JP Morgan’s technology division, was newly surprised by Neil Hamilton’s humble posture.

‘The great Neil Hamilton is at a loss. Who on earth is this person….’

At JP Morgan Investment Bank, Neil Hamilton was like a god. But in front of Arthur Morgan, the chairman of the JP Morgan Group, he was like a butler.

“Neil, if you continue like this, you’ll be pushed aside by Edmund.”

Edmund Norman.

He was the head of JP Morgan’s general banking and insurance division. Currently, he was Neil Hamilton’s strong rival, the head of the investment bank.

“Chairman.”

Arthur Morgan waved his parched right hand.

“So, how much do you need?”

He didn’t ask what the matter was. He merely asked how much money Neil Hamilton wanted to use.

Neil Hamilton replied with his head bowed.

“More than 1 billion dollars.”

Arthur Morgan sighed briefly.

“Hmph, you disturbed my reading with such a small amount?”

A small book lay on his lap. He must have put it down because of Neil Hamilton’s visit.

Sean Luke couldn’t help but click his tongue inwardly at the sight.

‘Only that much? 1 billion dollars is equivalent to the budget of a small country in Africa or Asia. How can he treat such money like pocket change?’

He could acknowledge that the Morgan family was great. But the Morgan family’s wealth wasn’t on par with the Rothschilds, who were called the tycoons of the century, or the Rockefellers or Carnegies, who were considered the richest men in America. In his opinion, Arthur Morgan’s attitude was problematic.

However, Neil Hamilton apologized once again to Arthur Morgan’s rebuke.

“I apologize.”

Arthur Morgan lowered his right hand and said,

“Neil, how long will you remain a child? Won’t you become an adult for me, or rather, for JP Morgan?”

Neil Hamilton didn’t dare to straighten his back.

“How can I see the world as the Chairman does? I am only doing my best.”

Just doing his best.

Sean Luke’s eyes widened involuntarily at Neil Hamilton’s words.

‘That’s what I said to him.’

He had also replied to Neil Hamilton that he was only doing his best. But each time, Neil Hamilton had rebuked his attitude.

Arthur Morgan raised his emaciated finger and pointed to the air.

“Neil, that’s always been your problem. I value results themselves, not words like best or effort. You know that, don’t you?”

He doesn’t believe what people say. He only looks at the results and judges.

This was like Arthur Morgan’s motto.

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Neil, come to me next time with results.”

Arthur Morgan didn’t turn his head no matter what he said. His gaze was fixed on Central Park from beginning to end.

“I will return with results that the Chairman can be satisfied with.”

As he backed away, two servants appeared and closed the door.

Thud.

Neil Hamilton couldn’t straighten his back for a while even after they closed the door.

The sight looked bizarre to Sean Luke.

‘Was Mr. Hamilton just this kind of person?’

He slightly raised his voice.

“Mr. Hamilton?”

Neil Hamilton finally straightened his back. But he didn’t say much.

“Sean, let’s talk outside.”

He didn’t want to talk in front of Arthur Morgan’s room.

‘Is Arthur Morgan that frightening?’

Sean Luke readily nodded.

“I understand.”

The two walked down the long corridor and arrived at the elevator. Here, Sean Luke raised his voice once more.

“Mr. Hamilton, isn’t it alright now?”

Neil Hamilton frowned at his question.

“It’s not alright yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hmph, how would you know the Chairman?”

Sean Luke frowned.

‘I don’t know Arthur Morgan? He’s just inherited the blood of the Morgan family, isn’t he?’

To him, Arthur Morgan was an insignificant man.

‘If I had inherited the blood of JP Morgan instead of him, JP Morgan would have dominated the world, not just Wall Street.’

Sean Luke thought his talent was several times greater than Arthur Morgan’s.

Ding.

As the elevator arrived, Neil Hamilton said,

“Go in first.”

Sean Luke nodded and entered the elevator.

“I understand.”

Neil Hamilton followed him into the elevator. Then, he loosened his tie slightly and sighed.

“Hoo……. I feel like I’ve finally been liberated.”

Liberated?

Sean Luke couldn’t understand the meaning of these words.

“Are there listening devices installed around the mansion?”

“Hmph, listening devices? It’s not something like that.”

“Then what are you so afraid of?”

Neil Hamilton frowned and replied.

“The Chairman can read people’s minds.”

“Excuse me?”

Sean Luke’s eyes widened.

‘Telepathy? Is Mr. Hamilton a superstitious person? Or has he been victimized by Arthur Morgan before?’

As suspicion settled in his eyes, Neil Hamilton said coldly.

“It seems you don’t believe my words.”

Sean Luke didn’t deny his words.

“To be honest, yes.”

Neil Hamilton turned his gaze to the ceiling of the elevator and said,

“Sean, Mr. Morgan reads people’s thoughts by looking at their position, situation, and expressions and gestures.”

“Are you saying he’s quick-witted?”

“I thought like you at first. But it wasn’t like that. It was as if he could see through my heart, reading all my thoughts.”

Neil Hamilton seemed to be reminiscing about the past.

“He knew everything about what I liked and what kind of schemes I was plotting.”

Sean Luke couldn’t believe all his words.

“Was that really the case?”

“It really was. He blocked both my front and back and then said with a cold smile, ‘Foolish Neil, did you think I wouldn’t know your crude machinations?’”

Sean Luke could tell that Neil Hamilton had rebelled against Arthur Morgan in the past.

‘Hmm, it seems Mr. Hamilton has become obedient to him after failing in his rebellion.’

Neil Hamilton continued to speak.

“The best thing is not to face the Chairman. If you face him, that’s the end of it.”

The best thing is not to face him.

Sean Luke sneered inwardly at Neil Hamilton’s words.

‘Hmph, I thought he was a great man, but he’s just a wounded war veteran.’

Ding.

As the elevator doors opened, the first-floor lobby came into view.

Neil Hamilton took his hand off his tie and said,

“What time did you say your flight was?”

Sean Luke checked his watch and replied.

“11 o’clock.”

“Chicago, was it?”

“Yes.”

“Make sure to finish it properly.”

Was it because he had escaped from Arthur Morgan’s curse?

Neil Hamilton had returned to his usual self. However, Sean Luke didn’t forget the 모습 [Korean word for “appearance” or “figure”] he had shown in front of Arthur Morgan.

‘Someday, I will take not only your position but also Mr. Morgan’s position.’

Today’s meeting made his ambition swell even more.

* * *

“You should at least call to say you arrived safely.”

The one raising his voice to Jung Hyun-woo was Chief Hong Won-ik.

“I couldn’t call because I had a schedule on my first day.”

“You had a schedule from the first day of your arrival?”

“I had an important meeting.”

Chief Hong Won-ik frowned.

“A research interview?”

“Something similar.”

“Call as soon as you arrive next time.”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded.

“I understand. Next time, I will contact the secretary’s office as soon as I arrive.”

“The Chairman talks about you a lot.”

What was making Chief Hong Won-ik 힘들게 [Korean word meaning “difficult” or “challenging”] was Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s constant urging. He kept asking Hong Won-ik if Jung Hyun-woo had arrived safely in the United States.

“Please speak well of me, Chief.”

Jung Hyun-woo was about to end the call at that point. But at that very moment, Chief Hong Won-ik asked him.

“Hyun-woo, can you come this summer?”

The American summer vacation was much longer than the winter vacation. Most American students studying abroad returned to Korea during the summer to spend time there.

“I’m not sure.”

“Try to make some time, even if it’s difficult.”

“Is there something happening in the summer?”

“We need to finalize the acquisition of Daeun Electronics’ shares.”

The acquisition of Daeun Electronics’ shares hadn’t been completely finalized.

‘So, it wasn’t all over with the documents last time.’

He nodded and said,

“I understand. I will try to make some time for a few days.”

Daeun Electronics wasn’t an important company to others. But to him, it was more important than any other company. Daeun Electronics could be said to be a precious bridgehead towards the throne of the Daeun Group.