The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 122

122. Wrapping Up 1984 (3)

There were often cases where a company itself was famous, even if its owner or manager wasn’t.

Coca-Cola and McDonald’s were examples of this.

The CEOs of these two companies were rarely known unless you were particularly interested in that field.

On the other hand, there were also people who were as famous as, or even more famous than, their companies.

Steve Jobs of Apple and Bill Gates of Microsoft were prime examples.

When it came to Victoria Corporation and Jung Hyun-woo, it was undoubtedly the former.

“Isn’t Victoria Corporation the largest company in Boston?”

“So, the genius boy from MIT is right here.”

Jung Hyun-woo instantly became the center of attention at the fundraising event.

“Could I take a picture with you?”

The person standing next to him was none other than Douglas, a candidate for the House of Representatives.

“Of course.”

In Sarah’s words, Jung Hyun-woo made his debut in American high society with quite an impact.

On the way home.

Sarah twirled her finger and said.

“I thought I would be the star today, but Charlie stole the show.”

Jung Hyun-woo sighed deeply and responded to her.

“Whew… somehow, we got through this event.”

“Is it tough?”

“I’m a little uncomfortable when people’s attention is focused on me.”

Jung Hyun-woo wasn’t the type to enjoy public attention.

‘It was the same in my past life.’

He was the type to immerse himself in his work rather than lead people.

“Hmm, you wouldn’t be able to do politics.”

“I have no intention of doing politics in the first place.”

“The CEO of a giant corporation is no different from a politician.”

Jung Hyun-woo waved his hand dismissively at Sarah’s remark.

“I’ll retire before Victoria Corporation becomes a giant corporation.”

“Giving the future to Wall Street?”

“By the time Victoria Corporation becomes a giant corporation, Wall Street will have changed.”

Sarah waved her hand to hail a taxi.

Since today’s gathering was a party with alcohol, Sarah used a taxi instead of driving.

The time the two spent in the taxi was only about 10 minutes. Since it was a ride within Boston, there was no reason for it to take long.

“We’re here.”

As Jung Hyun-woo finished paying, Sarah held the end of her dress and twirled around.

“How is it?”

Jung Hyun-woo tilted his head.

“What?”

“Don’t I look like a princess?”

Jung Hyun-woo had no choice but to play along with her.

‘I was able to attend today’s fundraising event thanks to her.’

He extended his right hand and bent one knee.

“Princess, shall we go inside?”

Sarah lightly took his right hand.

“Prince, let’s do that.”

As they opened the door and stepped inside, they felt a chill.

“I think we need to turn on the heating now.”

“It’s only October, though?”

“It feels like it’s getting colder earlier this year.”

“Charlie, I’m going to change my clothes.”

Sarah headed to the room Choi Kyung-min used to use to change out of her dress.

It was uncomfortable for her to climb the stairs to the second floor in a long dress.

Soon, she reappeared in lighter clothing.

“Aren’t you going to change, Charlie?”

Jung Hyun-woo sat on the sofa and let out a long sigh.

“Whew… let me catch my breath.”

“It must have been really tough.”

“I had to deal with so many people.”

Jung Hyun-woo had to deal with various people, from Boston’s old-timers to Republican supporters of 30 years, an elderly couple who were fans of President Reagan, and the CEO of a taxi company who was a VIP member of JP Services.

“How was Congressman Douglas?”

“Isn’t he not a congressman yet?”

“According to the polls, he’s likely to win, though?”

“No matter how likely he is, he’s just a candidate now. If he becomes a member of the House of Representatives, will it help our company?”

Sarah put the dress she had taken off to one side and answered.

“It would help to some extent.”

“That means it won’t be of great help.”

“That’s how politicians usually are.”

They weren’t of much help usually, but they would be helpful when something happened.

“Sarah, don’t you think today’s donation is too small?”

The donation he gave to Congressman Douglas today was $100,000.

“Isn’t $100,000 big enough?”

“Is it a large enough amount?”

“Even a salary of $20,000 is considered high income.”

Jung Hyun-woo thought.

‘Based on South Korea in 2020, is that about 1 billion won [approximately $850,000 USD]?’

1 billion won was definitely not a small amount. But he was the CEO of Victoria Corporation, which was being watched by Forbes.

‘The assets listed in the article alone are $4.5 billion.’

For an asset holder with $4.5 billion, $100,000 was not a large sum.

“Still, it seems a bit small.”

“There will be more fundraising events in the future.”

There were only about two weeks left until the presidential election.

Jung Hyun-woo couldn’t help but raise his voice at the end of his sentence.

“There are more fundraising events in two weeks?”

“It’s the time to heat up.”

As Sarah said, fundraising events continued from that day on.

Jung Hyun-woo continuously participated in fundraising events in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.

And after a while, he was even able to attend a large-scale event attended by President Reagan.

Here, he met not only famous figures from the Republican Party but also Edmund Norman, the head of JP Morgan’s banking division, and John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard Funds.

“Mr. Norman is here, but Miss Marin isn’t visible.”

Sarah glared at him at his words.

“She’s a Democrat.”

“Pardon?”

“The Giannini family is Italian.”

Up until this point, Jung Hyun-woo didn’t know much about the genealogy of American immigrant families.

“Does it work like that?”

“It’s quite important in American politics.”

Jung Hyun-woo said with a pleased expression.

“Sarah is like a walking encyclopedia.”

“Walking encyclopedia?”

“It’s like you’re a scholar who knows everything.”

“Psh, what’s that.”

Jung Hyun-woo said in a soft voice.

“I’m really grateful to have Sarah.”

This one word was sincere.

“Charlie, it’s okay to donate a little more today.”

It was Sarah who had been instructing him to control his donations until now.

“You’re saying I should splurge today?”

“This event will probably be the last one.”

The presidential election was five days away.

Sarah thought this fundraising event would be the last.

‘President Reagan’s campaign will continue, but this will be the last one we attend.’

Jung Hyun-woo held up three fingers.

“Would $3 million be okay?”

Sarah narrowed her eyes and shook her head.

“That’s too much.”

“Is it too much?”

“Donations are not about doing it big at once, but about being consistent.”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded at Sarah’s coaching.

“I understand. Then I’ll go with $1 million this time.”

It was while he was writing his name and amount on the donation list.

“Hyun-woo, is that you?”

The person who spoke to him in Korean was none other than Jung Min-young, the managing director of Daewoon Construction.

“Uncle?”

“I told you to meet me in New York.”

The New York meeting was requested by Jung Hyun-woo. However, Jung Min-young had postponed the meeting several times, saying he didn’t have time.

“I never thought I’d meet you in a place like this, Uncle.”

“Daewoon Group barely made it in time, too.”

The amount donated by Jung Min-young in the name of Daewoon Group was also $1 million, the same as Jung Hyun-woo.

“Shall we talk for a bit?”

“I have company with me…”

“Are you saying it’s hard to talk for long?”

“Please tell me your hotel. I’ll go there.”

Today’s event was being held not in New York but in Delaware.

Delaware was one of the 13 states that participated in the American Revolutionary War and the first state to ratify the Constitution, so it had the nickname “the first state.”

“Okay.”

Jung Min-young wrote down the hotel address and handed it to Jung Hyun-woo.

“I’ll go ahead and wait.”

“I’ll take my partner back and go right away.”

“Partner?”

As Jung Hyun-woo hesitated, Sarah approached and greeted him.

“Hello? Are you Korean too?”

Looking at Jung Min-young’s black hair and black eyes, she thought he was Korean like Jung Hyun-woo.

Jung Hyun-woo quickly introduced Jung Min-young to Sarah.

“He’s my uncle.”

Sarah’s eyes widened at Jung Hyun-woo’s words.

“Charlie’s uncle?”

Jung Min-young nodded and replied to her.

“I’m Jung Min-young, Hyun-woo’s uncle.”

He said his name in the Korean style, not the American style.

Sarah found the name a bit awkward, but she was polite at the story that he was Jung Hyun-woo’s uncle.

“I’m Sarah Hilton.”

Sarah Hilton.

As soon as Jung Min-young heard the name Hilton, he thought she was Jung Hyun-woo’s background.

‘Thanks to her, Hyun-woo was able to get ahead. By the way… she’s an amazing beauty.’

He couldn’t understand why a beauty like Sarah had become Jung Hyun-woo’s background.

“I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Did Charlie tell you about me?”

“Ah, well…”

Jung Hyun-woo hadn’t really talked about Sarah. He quickly whispered to Sarah.

“Sarah, it’s just a formality.”

“Like a greeting?”

“Yes.”

Sarah couldn’t help but give an awkward smile.

“It’s an honor to meet Charlie’s uncle.”

Jung Min-young scratched his head awkwardly.

“It’s an honor for me to meet Miss Hilton.”

Jung Hyun-woo grabbed Sarah’s wrist and said.

“Uncle, we have something to talk about separately.”

“I understand.”

Jung Hyun-woo said goodbye to Jung Min-young and moved to the back of the banquet hall with Sarah.

“Charlie’s uncle is here, did you make an appointment in advance?”

Jung Hyun-woo sighed briefly and replied.

“We met by chance.”

“By chance?”

“It seems like he wanted to get in line with President Reagan’s camp, just like us.”

Sarah nodded as if she understood.

“They’re quite late, too. Getting in line now.”

“It seems like it took time to prepare the dollars.”

“Dollars?”

“It seems like they converted Korean money into dollars.”

Daewoon Group didn’t have many exports to the United States, so it wasn’t easy for the US branch to prepare the money.

“Are you two on good terms?”

Sarah was asking if he was on Jung Hyun-woo’s side.

“I’d say he’s on my side, as far as uncles go.”

Several years ago.

Sarah had been worried that Jung Hyun-woo’s family might be after his life.

“That’s a relief.”

“I asked to meet in New York, but we ended up meeting in Delaware like this.”

“Then do you have to go meet your uncle?”

“After taking Sarah to her accommodation.”

Sarah walked with a click-clack sound.

“I can go back alone.”

“I can’t do that.”

“What can’t you do? I’m older than Charlie, and…”

Jung Hyun-woo grabbed her wrist and said.

“Sarah, I’m going to escort you to the end today.”

Sarah looked up at him.

“Hmm. Not a prince, but like a handsome bodyguard.”

The two went out the back door and got into the taxi that was waiting.

“Where shall I take you?”

“The Hilton Hotel.”

The accommodation for this Delaware trip was the Delaware Hilton Hotel, which was directly operated by the Hilton Group.

* * *

“Did you take Miss Hilton back safely?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded and replied.

“Yes, I took her to her room.”

The hotel where Jung Min-young was staying was the InterContinental Delaware.

“What’s your relationship?”

Jung Hyun-woo shrugged at his question.

“Would you say we are business partners?”

“Business partners?”

“We started a business together.”

Jung Min-young thought that Jung Hyun-woo was able to start a business in the United States because of her.

‘With the heiress of the Hilton family as his background, even an Asian boy would have no difficulty in starting a business.’

He also believed that Sarah had provided the money needed for the business.

“She was a great beauty.”

“My sister is even more beautiful.”

“Sister?”

“She’s a professor at Stanford.”

Jung Min-young thought that Jung Hyun-woo had formed deep ties with Sarah’s family.

“It seems like you have a good relationship with the Hilton family.”

“Because they are Sarah’s family.”

Jung Hyun-woo, whom he met in the United States, felt completely different from the one in Korea.

He spoke to Americans without hesitation, and even though he had black eyes and black hair, he didn’t feel out of place at all.

“Shall we talk about work now?”

He had met with Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Mun-young before coming to the United States.

Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Min-young said at that meeting that Jung Hyun-woo was no ordinary boy and might have a big background.

‘Hyun-woo’s background is probably the Hilton family.’

At today’s banquet, Jung Min-young was strongly impressed by Sarah.

“I met Senior Secretary Heo in Hawaii.”

“I heard about it.”

Jung Min-young had connected Jung Hyun-woo with Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Mun-young.

“Please tell Senior Secretary Heo that the preparations are almost complete, so please set a date.”

Jung Min-young put his hands together and asked.

“What does it mean to set a date?”

“Uncle, just tell him that.”

Jung Min-young couldn’t help but sigh at Jung Hyun-woo’s answer.

“Hoo… that means it’s a secret you can’t tell me.”

“It’s a promise with Senior Secretary Heo.”

“A promise with your father-in-law. I understand. I won’t ask any more. But you didn’t call me to the United States just to talk about this, did you?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded and replied.

“Of course.”

“Tell me the main point.”

Jung Min-young still couldn’t believe that Jung Hyun-woo was richer than his father, Chairman Jung Woo-sun.

‘Isn’t Hyun-woo just a figurehead put forward by the Hilton family?’

He couldn’t shake the same suspicion as Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Mun-young.

“Recently, the movements of those around His Excellency have been unusual.”

“Are you talking about the Chief of Staff or the Director of the National Intelligence Service?”

“I’m not talking about them, but His Excellency’s family.”

Jung Min-young let out a short groan.

“Hmm.”

Preventing the corruption or misdeeds of the President’s family in advance was one of the duties of the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs.

‘If something like the Jang Young-ja incident [a major financial scandal in South Korea] happens again, this regime is over.’

Jung Hyun-woo said with emphasis.

“If we’re not careful, things could get out of hand.”

Jung Min-young took a breath and responded to his words.

“Hyun-woo. Let me ask you just one thing.”

“What are you curious about?”

“How do you know about the affairs of the Blue House [the South Korean equivalent of the White House]?”

Jung Hyun-woo replied in a calm voice.

“I’ve just heard the news through various channels.”

“Are you saying there are other channels that connect with that side besides me?”

“That’s right.”

“What exactly did that channel say?”

Jung Min-young’s voice was slightly sharp.

“I heard that His Excellency’s aides are collecting more than just slush funds.”

“More than slush funds?”

“For example, overseas real estate.”

Acquiring overseas real estate in exchange for domestic interests.

This was definitely something that the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs had to stop.

“Hmm… are you telling me to inform my father-in-law?”

“I thought it would be good for Uncle to score points with this.”

Jung Hyun-woo had him convey this fact to Jung Min-young even though he could have informed him directly.

‘Because my score is high enough.’

Jung Min-young slowly nodded, knowing Jung Hyun-woo’s intentions.

“I know what you’re saying.”

He was planning to visit Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Heo Mun-young as soon as he returned to Korea.

‘Because it’s not a small matter.’

Jung Hyun-woo raised his right index finger and said.

“I have one more thing to discuss.”

Jung Min-young slightly narrowed his brows at his words.

“What is it?”

“I think it would be good to team up with Chief Hong.”

“With the Chief of Staff?”

“He hasn’t joined hands with Big Uncle yet.”

Jung Min-young unfolded his narrowed brows.

“Well, if we can make Chief Hong on our side, there’s nothing better than that.”

Although he wasn’t a behind-the-scenes power player, Chief of Staff Hong Won-ik could be said to be one of Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s closest aides.

“I’ll lend you my strength.”

“You?”

“I have a connection with Chief Hong.”

Jung Min-young thought that it would be great if he could do that.

“I’m just getting help from you.”

Jung Hyun-woo said in a dry voice.

“Just keep the promise you made with me.”

Jung Min-young responded to his words in a bright voice.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep my promise no matter what.”

He thought that even if he gave up everything Jung Hyun-woo asked for if he became the chairman of Daewoon Group, it would still be a great deal.