The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 267

267. Tokyo Blues (3)

An oval face, devoid of sharp angles, framed by striking blue eyes.

A vibrant red cheongsam [a traditional Chinese dress] billowed around her, complemented by a fan emblazoned with a flamboyant dragon design.

Sera’s concept for the evening was clear: a blonde, exotic beauty.

Her appearance was more dazzling than ever.

However, Jung Hyun-woo was frowning.

“Charlie, you’re out with a beauty, why the long face?” Aria teased, lightly poking his arm.

“The side slit is too high,” Jung Hyun-woo replied bluntly.

Aria glanced at Sera’s smooth legs, revealed by the cheongsam’s cut, and a playful smile touched her lips.

“Oh, you don’t want other men to see Sera’s legs?”

“It’s not that…”

Jung Hyun-woo struggled to articulate his feelings.

“You’ve become possessive.”

“Aria.”

“I’m jealous of Sera.”

“Are you openly teasing me now?”

“When else would I tease Charlie if not at times like this?”

Aria reached out her hand.

“Come on! We’re at a ball; we have to dance.”

Aria wasn’t as flamboyantly dressed as Sera, but she possessed a captivating beauty of her own.

In an instant, Jung Hyun-woo found himself drawn to her, and they were soon gliding onto the ballroom floor.

He began to move with her to the music.

“Charlie, you’re good!”

Hyun-woo held her hand a little tighter and leaned in slightly.

“I took private lessons.”

“Did you hire a private instructor just for tonight?”

“No. Sera…”

Aria playfully released his hand and twirled.

“Phew, it’s Sera again.”

She seemed genuinely, though playfully, jealous of Sera.

Jung Hyun-woo found it endearing.

‘Aria feels so different from when I first met her.’

When they first met, she seemed like a woman trapped in a life of endless boredom.

He gently pulled her hand, closing the distance between them.

“Aria should meet a good person, too.”

She was beautiful enough to attract someone wonderful.

“I won’t go unless it’s with Charlie,” she said, half-joking.

Jung Hyun-woo received her words with a slightly troubled expression.

“Someone might not let that slide if they heard you.”

“That someone, you mean Sera?”

“No. My sister.”

Aria burst into laughter.

“You’ve become much wittier. You were just a kid when I first met you.”

Jung Hyun-woo said as he matched her steps.

“Weren’t we the same height when we first met, Aria?”

There was a distinct difference between when he met Aria and when he met Sera.

He had been shorter than Sera when they first met, but that wasn’t the case with Aria.

“We were the same height, but your face was covered in baby fuzz.”

“Oh my, Aria remembers everything.”

Aria leaned slightly into his arms and asked softly.

“Charlie, are you doing okay these days?”

“If I’m not okay, who would be?”

“The government seems very interested in you.”

Jung Hyun-woo gently pushed her away slightly and responded.

“I was summoned by Chairman Yeon, as a matter of fact.”

“Charlie, you have a lot more difficult things to deal with now.”

“I’m not a child anymore.”

Aria smiled gently.

“I think it’s better that you’re not a child.”

Was it the perfume?

For a moment, Jung Hyun-woo’s face flushed slightly.

‘Aria is really cute, too.’

As Aria stepped back, the music faded, and the dancers exchanged polite greetings.

“That was the best.”

“Charlie wasn’t the best.”

“Did I mess up the steps?”

“You should have complimented the beautiful lady you were dancing with.”

Jung Hyun-woo couldn’t help but chuckle at her playful scolding.

“You are very beautiful. Lady.”

Aria’s expression turned serious as she said, “Your sister’s here.”

Jung Hyun-woo followed her gaze and turned his head. There stood Sera, elegantly fanning herself.

“Your face is red.”

Jung Hyun-woo could only scratch his head sheepishly.

“Sera, that’s…”

Sera reached out her hand, a determined glint in her eyes.

“Enough, I’m dancing this song with you.”

Jung Hyun-woo was led back to the middle of the ballroom.

Aria watched them, muttering under her breath.

“I wish I had met him first.”

She mused that their fates might have diverged based solely on the order of their initial encounters.

“That being said, Sera is starting to resemble her sister.”

She used to perceive a significant difference between them when they were younger, but as Sera approached her mid-20s, her beauty was reaching a level comparable to her sister Laura.

“It must be thanks to our mother’s beauty.”

Sera and Laura’s mother was a renowned beauty in Southern society.

* * *

Victoria Fund Tokyo Branch.

John Peer frowned deeply as he listened to Yu Tanaka’s explanation.

“So, you’re saying the Kajima Group has expressed its desire to take over the real estate we were trying to sell?”

“They weren’t even trying to lower the price, so I thought it was a very good deal.”

Yu Tanaka added that he had celebrated the successful deal a little too enthusiastically, resulting in him being out of contact.

John Peer stroked his chin, considering the excuse.

‘The Kajima Group is a partner, so it’s not a bad deal, as Mr. Tanaka says. But something doesn’t feel right.’

He sighed briefly and asked, “Are they really not lowering the price?”

Yu Tanaka nodded emphatically.

“They said they would buy it at last month’s listed price.”

“At last month’s listed price?”

“I thought that much of a discount was necessary.”

The price from a month ago.

It wasn’t a particularly significant discount.

‘Considering our past cooperation, it’s possible, but…’

John Peer wanted to confirm one more crucial detail.

“How will the payment be made?”

“Of course, in a lump sum.”

No installment payments.

‘If all the conditions are the same, it would be better to hand it over to the Kajima Group.’

John Peer felt a sliver of his suspicion dissipate.

“Okay. Let’s hand over the real estate to be sold in January to the Kajima Group.”

Even with his approval, Yu Tanaka didn’t immediately leave.

“Is there anything else you want to say?” John Peer inquired.

Yu Tanaka hesitated for a moment, then replied, “The Kajima Group has expressed its desire to buy all the real estate you are selling, if there is more.”

They wanted to acquire all the real estate that Victoria Fund was divesting as part of its withdrawal.

John Peer didn’t answer immediately, his brow furrowed in thought.

‘Hmm, they want me to hand everything over to the Kajima Group.’

After a brief moment of contemplation, he said, “I think I need to talk to Charlie.”

Yu Tanaka’s voice rose slightly, betraying his impatience.

“The Kajima Group owns a bank, so payment is guaranteed. Mr. Peer, wouldn’t it be easier to sell all our real estate to them?”

John Peer frowned, his suspicion deepening.

“Mr. Tanaka, I didn’t say we would sell all our real estate.”

Yu Tanaka paused, momentarily taken aback, and then asked, “But didn’t the CEO talk about withdrawing?”

Since John Peer was the CEO of Victoria Fund, the CEO he referred to was the CEO of Victoria Corporation, Jung Hyun-woo.

“That’s just a long-term plan.”

Yu Tanaka lowered his voice, his demeanor shifting slightly.

“I see.”

“It seems the Kajima Group is pressing you.”

John Peer suspected that Yu Tanaka had received considerable ‘hospitality’ from the Kajima Group.

‘Maybe it’s more than just hospitality.’

There was a distinct possibility that gifts or bribes, far exceeding mere hospitality, had been exchanged.

‘He wasn’t like that when he was at JP Morgan.’

As the economic bubble inflated, Yu Tanaka’s actions and words had undergone a significant transformation.

John Peer felt a pang of disappointment.

‘It would have been nice if he had remained consistent.’

Yu Tanaka waved his hands dismissively.

“There was no pressure from the Kajima Group. I just thought it would be good for everyone.”

John Peer decided not to press the issue further.

“I understand. Go back and get some rest.”

“Thank you.”

After Yu Tanaka had left, John Peer picked up the phone. The person he was calling was Jung Hyun-woo.

Beep. Beep.

After a few rings, a familiar voice answered.

“This is Charlie.”

John Peer raised his voice slightly.

“Charlie, I’m sorry to call you so late at night.”

Considering the time difference between Boston and Tokyo, it was a rather inconvenient hour.

“It’s okay. I just got home.”

This implied that he wouldn’t have been able to answer if he had called any earlier.

“It seems you had a late night at work for the first time in a while.”

“No. I went to a ball.”

“If it’s a ball in Boston… Was it a university event?”

Boston was renowned for its numerous universities, each hosting various events.

“It wasn’t in Boston; it was a ball in Manhattan.”

“Manhattan?”

John Peer’s voice rose in surprise, as the timing and distance seemed improbable.

‘He attended a ball in New York and already came back?’

Jung Hyun-woo anticipated his confusion and answered calmly, “I came back on a private jet.”

John Peer nodded in understanding.

“Ah, you went to New York on a private jet.”

If he had utilized a private jet, returning at this hour was indeed feasible.

‘Charlie is certainly spending money now.’

John Peer assumed that the previous conversation had influenced his spending habits. However, the private jet Jung Hyun-woo had used belonged to Aria, not him.

“Judging by the fact that you called at this hour, is there something going on in Tokyo?” Jung Hyun-woo asked, wanting to get straight to the point.

‘Even if he flew in on a private jet, he must be tired.’

John Peer lowered his voice and replied, “Charlie, the Kajima Group is making moves.”

Jung Hyun-woo couldn’t help but frown.

“The Kajima Group?”

“They have expressed their desire to buy the real estate we put out.”

Jung Hyun-woo didn’t initially perceive the Kajima Group’s offer as inherently negative.

‘The Kajima Group is our partner, after all. The problem is the price.’

He raised his voice slightly.

“John, is the Kajima Group asking for a discount?”

John Peer shook his head.

“They proposed to trade at last month’s listed price, so I don’t think they’re asking for a discount.”

Since they weren’t attempting to lower the price, it wouldn’t be a detrimental deal if it proceeded smoothly.

‘Even though the conditions aren’t unfavorable, the fact that he called at this hour suggests that something is bothering him.’

He relaxed his brow and asked, “Then what’s the problem?”

Jung Hyun-woo was urging him to reveal the underlying issue.

John Peer cleared his throat and replied, “I also think this deal is potentially positive. However, the Kajima Group has proposed that we conduct all future real estate transactions with them, including the next deal.”

A proposal for an exclusive arrangement.

Jung Hyun-woo immediately grasped the problem.

“The Kajima Group is asking us for exclusive negotiating rights.”

“If we hand over all the real estate to the Kajima Group, the transaction itself will be significantly easier.”

“The problem is the price, right?”

John Peer nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. We have 322 pieces of real estate in Japan, both large and small. If we proceed with contracts that deviate from the market price by only 10 or 20%…”

“We’ll incur hundreds of millions, no, billions of dollars in losses.”

Jung Hyun-woo fully understood his concerns.

‘John doesn’t trust Yu Tanaka.’

More precisely, John Peer suspected a corrupt agreement between the Japanese branch and the Kajima Group.

‘If Yu Tanaka is colluding with the Kajima Group, the losses may not be limited to billions of dollars.’

John Peer emphasized, “Charlie, I don’t think it’s wise to accept this deal.”

Jung Hyun-woo sighed briefly.

“Hoo… John, I don’t think we can make a decision on this matter so hastily.”

John Peer frowned upon hearing his hesitation.

“Don’t tell me you’re considering handing over all the real estate to the Kajima Group?”

Jung Hyun-woo clarified, “No. I haven’t decided that.”

“Then what do you mean you can’t decide easily?”

“I mean, let’s hear what they have to say first.”

John Peer’s voice rose in protest at the suggestion of hearing them out.

“Charlie!”

Jung Hyun-woo attempted to soothe him.

“John. Without the Kajima Group’s cooperation, it won’t be easy to sell the recently purchased buildings or the buildings under construction. We can’t ignore that point.”

In reality, Kajima Construction was currently remodeling hundreds of buildings they had acquired.

John Peer frowned, retorting, “The Kajima Group is also aware of that fact.”

He was implying that even if the other party had a vulnerability, they shouldn’t be exploited.

“Of course, that’s why they made such a proposal. That’s why I’m saying I’ll listen to their story.”

“Charlie, I’ll listen to the story for you this time.”

“No. I’ll go to Tokyo.”

John Peer frowned at the declaration that he would personally travel to Tokyo.

“Are you saying that Charlie will speak with the Kajima Group directly?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded.

“Shouldn’t we hear the enemy general’s perspective before engaging in war?”

John Peer sensed the gravity of the situation upon hearing the word ‘war’.

‘War, huh. Does that mean it won’t be easy to extricate ourselves from Japan?’

He lowered his voice and replied, “I understand. Then let me know your schedule.”

“I’ll let you know tomorrow.”

Jung Hyun-woo clicked his tongue briefly after ending the call.

“Tsk, another long trip.”

Sera, who was untying her hair, asked, “Who was that on the phone?”

“It’s John.”

“John in Tokyo?”

“The Kajima Group made a new proposal, he said.”

Sera turned to him, her curiosity piqued.

“Hmm, a new proposal?”

“They’re asking us to sell only to them when we sell our real estate.”

“That’s like an exclusive contract.”

Jung Hyun-woo shrugged.

“If the price is right, we might consider it.”

“The problem is that the price probably won’t be right, right?”

“Judging from Yu Tanaka’s recent actions, I think there’s a high possibility of that.”

Sera took off her black shoes and asked, “Does that mean… Charlie thinks Mr. Tanaka has been bought by the Kajima Group?”

“Wouldn’t that be the logical conclusion?”

“Then shouldn’t we cut him off first?”

Jung Hyun-woo replied calmly, “We can use him in reverse.”

“Use him in reverse?”

“The Kajima Group is underestimating us.”

Jung Hyun-woo had a good understanding of why the Kajima Group was undervaluing Victoria Fund.

‘Because most of the employees working at the Tokyo branch are Japanese.’

They likely believed that they could easily take over Victoria Fund because there was no American supervisor at the Tokyo branch.

“Will it work?” Sera asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

“Nothing significant will happen.”

“Because there’s the name Victoria?”

“Japanese people have always been weak to the strong and strong to the weak [a common saying about Japanese social dynamics].”

His assessment was that they wouldn’t risk everything against Victoria Corporation, the largest company in the United States.

“Charlie, aren’t you taking Japan too lightly? Those people also bombed Pearl Harbor.”

“They got atomic bombs in return.”

As of 1987, the atomic bombing was only 40 years ago.