Black Label [EN]: Chapter 225

225. Am I a Nouveau Riche? (2)

“I watched the interview. Thank you so much for your help.”

“What help?”

Chairman Ardo responded in a nonchalant tone, as if it were nothing. Then, smiling, he added, “I told the employee you sent, but the product is truly excellent.”

Chairman Ardo glanced at the watch on his wrist.

It was Wall Flower’s first customized product, loaded with luxurious options.

“I didn’t say a single word considering my friendship with you. I’m sorry to say this, but I only spoke based on much more objective criteria and thoughts.”

“I feel much more at ease hearing you say that.”

“It’s the truth. I’m almost willing to buy the license no matter the cost. You can name the price you want, or pick a few brands. After consulting with the finance team…”

Chairman Ardo chuckled as he continued, adding, “Just kidding.”

A license is like a goose that lays golden eggs.

He knew better than anyone that he would never sell it unless a knife was at his throat.

The plane took off and soon reached an altitude of 7,000 meters, and the two began to chat lightly while reviewing the documents they each needed to examine.

“By the way, about those Swiss watch tycoons, it’s best to prepare yourself mentally before meeting them.”

“In what way?”

“They all have their noses in the air. I guarantee you won’t be able to have a normal conversation with them.”

Chairman Ardo swirled his glass of under rock [a type of cocktail].

The ice cubes inside collided, making a pleasant sound.

“They’ll probably see you as just a *nouveau riche* [new money].”

“A *nouveau riche*?”

“They are businessmen.”

Chairman Ardo said briefly, tilting his chin slightly, and added again. “The only criterion they’ll use to evaluate you is how much liquid assets you have.”

“I suppose so.”

“It’s the truth. They enjoy gathering together and flaunting their wealth. You probably know from your sources, but their reputation isn’t very good.”

It was a fact he had heard before.

The Swiss watch groups are mostly affiliated with several brands, and the camaraderie among the heads of the brands belonging to the same group is excessively strong.

“I’ll keep that in mind and handle myself well.”

Jaeseung replied briefly, gave a bitter smile, and downed three or four glasses of expensive liquor in a row.

As the hot liquid flowed down his esophagus, his racing heart seemed to calm down gradually.

*They see me as just a nouveau riche…?*

He was confident that he could change everyone’s attitude in less than five minutes of conversation.

Yes, five minutes is enough.

It was the time needed to make them realize what situation they were in and how sharply honed the weapon in his hand was.

* * *

After arriving in Switzerland, he headed straight to the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois [Hotel Three Kings], where the auction event was being held.

It was well-equipped enough for a top auction house to hold an event.

On the other hand, other than the strong sense of luxury, it wasn’t a particularly distinctive place.

“Let’s meet in the lobby after checking in.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After a brief farewell to Chairman Ardo, he headed to the VVIP floor on the top floor.

After unpacking all his luggage in the room, he changed into the custom-tailored suit he had brought.

But, what should he say? Even after changing his clothes, he couldn’t leave the room for a long time and had to check his attire.

For example, he tried changing accessories such as ties and cufflinks, and even changed his shirts and the tailor itself.

Why?

It was because he didn’t want to feel intimidated in front of the arrogant people who controlled the watch industry, knew their position all too well, and considered using that position as a joy in life.

“Hoo….”

After finishing all the preparations, he slicked back his hair, put on his Wall Flower watch, and went outside.

As he headed to the lobby floor, Chairman Ardo and several security personnel guarding him came into view.

Soon, Jaeseung approached him and quietly opened his mouth.

“Did you wait long?”

“No, we just arrived.”

Chairman Ardo replied briefly, pointed his chin in the direction of the banquet hall, and added. “It would be good to watch the auction first.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Heh heh, it’s just a money game.”

As Ardo and Jaeseung stood side by side in front of the banquet hall, several sturdy guards standing at the door approached and began to go through the procedures related to admission.

Of course, the procedure felt quite simplified since the targets were Chairman Ardo and his party.

Soon, they entered the banquet hall under the guidance of an auction staff member.

“Wow.”

The banquet hall was dimly lit.

Several long pin spotlights illuminated the stage, and a large screen installed at the back provided a relatively detailed view of the products being auctioned.

Well-dressed gentlemen in tuxedos or tailored suits, young businessmen radiating wealth, and women who clearly enjoyed luxury filled the room.

Countless people were focused on watching the auction in progress.

Soon, Chairman Ardo lightly placed his hand on Jaeseung’s shoulder and said, “They’re sitting in the front.”

Starting with the round tables placed in the front row close to the stage, several watch tycoons, whose faces were easily recognizable from magazines, were sitting.

They were smiling and engaged in conversations, leisurely savoring wine.

Jaeseung and Chairman Ardo were also assigned seats not far from the stage. After taking their seats, they focused on watching the auction without much conversation.

One thing he felt was that the ‘price range’ itself was beyond imagination.

“These are watches made using expensive jewels won at Sotheby’s as subsidiary materials. Considering that the lowest trim product itself costs hundreds of millions of won from the beginning, it’s not unreasonable for premium products, prepared over a short period of several years or even more than ten years, to be auctioned off at this price.”

He was nodding, but he couldn’t quite agree.

From the beginning, the fact that one watch was worth more than ten apartments was not a situation that could be understood with common sense.

The surprising fact was that such watches were being sold as soon as they were put up for auction.

How long had it been?

It was around the time when he began to think that if he stayed here any longer, his already blurred sense of economics might be completely erased.

The auction of the ‘last product,’ which would decorate the finale of today’s auction event, began.

– This product is presented by the Richemont Group [a Swiss luxury goods holding company]. It consists of a total of 688 parts and is an innovative product that integrates technologies such as ‘Minute Repeater’, ‘Perpetual Calendar’, and ‘Tourbillon’ [complex watch mechanisms]. Only twelve pieces have been released worldwide, and one of them will be revealed through today’s auction.

For a moment, a quiet murmur arose in the hall.

At the same time as the close-up of the product was broadcast on the screen, the murmuring sound doubled.

“It’s definitely a good item.”

“It looks expensive.”

“It’ll be worth it.”

As soon as the auction started, the value of the exhibited watch began to change from moment to moment.

Every time someone raised their hand, its value increased by tens of millions of won [South Korean currency].

Everyone was holding their breath and watching the auction’s progress.

– 4 million dollars. If there is no one who bids more than this amount, the last product will be at this amount….

A certain Asian man sitting at the front table lightly raised his hand and raised the amount at once with a hand signal.

– Ah, 4.1 million dollars! If there is no one who bids more than this amount, the last product will be sold at this amount.

The auction quickly turned into a fight between an old gentleman and an Asian man.

4.15 million dollars, 4.2 million dollars, 4.25 million dollars, 4.3 million dollars.

While the price competition continued, the Asian man who suddenly joined the auction drove in a wedge.

– Ah! 4.5 million dollars!

The auction seemed to end with the victory of the young Asian man.

The old gentleman shook his head a few times as if he had lost his enthusiasm, and gave a bitter smile.

Soon, the host in a neat tuxedo continued in a very excited tone. – Sold for 4.5 million dollars. The successful bidder is VIP number 189, ‘Lee’.

Originally, many auctions do not reveal the successful bidder.

However, auctions, which can be said to be a gathering of people who enjoy luxury and are interested in flaunting consumption, necessarily disclose the successful bidder.

This is probably to fully utilize the fact that the pleasure of winning the bid is the driving force that makes them spend a lot of money at once.

Soon, Jaeseung got up from his seat and bowed to the guests in the hall.

On the other hand, Chairman Ardo, who was sitting right next to him, was frowning and just looking at Jaeseung.

As soon as Jaeseung sat down, Chairman Ardo asked in a low voice, whispering, “Lee, wait a minute. Was winning the watch also part of the plan?”

It’s an amount of 5 billion won [approximately $3.7 million USD]. Although it’s not a large amount for everyone in the hall, it was clear that it was not a light amount to spend willingly for a moment’s pleasure.

Jaeseung had won the watch for 5 billion won without saying a word, so he couldn’t help but be embarrassed.

Furthermore, the situation was already like spilled water. Since the successful bidder had been revealed, he couldn’t cancel the auction.

Soon, Jaeseung nodded and replied, “I think it would look great in the display case, don’t you think?”

“What?”

“I thought I had to show off this much wealth to get them to talk to me properly.”

At those words, Chairman Ardo unknowingly let out a hollow laugh, “Heh heh….”

It was a laugh that he unknowingly let out because he was aware of the hot gazes of the watch tycoons sitting at the front row table.

Soon, Jaeseung also exchanged eye contact with each and every one of them.

*Remember well, the person you’re peeking at right now is the person who’s going to take away a lot of the pie you’re sharing among yourselves right now.*

Anyway, he made a good impression.