The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 132

132. Heading to NASDAQ (5)

The contract signing with Bank of America proceeded smoothly.

Both companies verified the contents of the contract and then signed it in turn.

Swish, swish.

As soon as the signatures of both companies were complete, flashes burst and camera shutters clicked incessantly from all directions.

Snap. Snap snap snap. Snap snap snap snap.

“Congratulations!”

“Congratulations!”

Energetic applause and congratulatory messages erupted like shouts.

The contract signing with Bank of America had a completely different atmosphere from that with JP Morgan.

‘This side has such a lively atmosphere. Is it because Westerners are generally more energetic?’

In truth, Jung Hyun-woo’s preference leaned towards JP Morgan, not Bank of America. JP Morgan’s signing felt more in line with the traditional, formal style he was accustomed to.

Of course, he wasn’t going to complain just because it didn’t perfectly align with his personal taste.

Regardless of his preferences, both he and Victoria Corporation were poised to gain astronomical profits and benefits from today’s contract.

“Thank you! Thank you!”

Jung Hyun-woo expressed his gratitude to the cheering crowd in a loud voice and shook hands with Chairman Carlo Giannini.

“Mr. Giannini, thank you.”

Chairman Carlo Giannini greeted him with a beaming smile.

“Mr. Jung, congratulations. No, it’s an honor to be associated with you.”

He took a deep breath when he first saw Jung Hyun-woo.

‘Hoo… He looks sharp, but he’s definitely young.’

To European Americans, people from Northeast Asia like Jung Hyun-woo often appear younger than their actual age. Moreover, Jung Hyun-woo was considered young even in Korea, so Chairman Carlo Giannini couldn’t help but perceive him as even younger.

‘Even thinking about it again, he’s not exactly the ideal match for Lira.’

Chairman Carlo Giannini shook hands with Jung Hyun-woo and raised his voice to address everyone.

“Today, at this place, Bank of America has gained a genius who will change the world.”

He emphasized that today’s contract was about more than just acquiring 10% of Victoria Corporation’s shares.

Bank of America employees and executives raised their hands in response to his proclamation.

“Let’s change the world!”

“Let’s change the world!”

It might have seemed a bit theatrical, but Jung Hyun-woo could feel the energy and sense of freedom in their shouts.

‘This is a shout born from genuine desire.’

As mentioned earlier, San Francisco was a city known for its emphasis on freedom and human rights.

However, the shouts of the people here were different from those of people living under oppressive regimes.

They sincerely wanted to change the world.

Jung Hyun-woo leaned in and whispered to Sarah.

“The people here are very passionate.”

Sarah nodded, looking surprised.

“I know. I was also taken aback.”

She wondered if her sister Laura’s passionate words and actions were also influenced by the culture of the West.

After the contract signing, a banquet followed. The scale of the banquet was enormous.

In a vast hall capable of accommodating hundreds of dancers, more than thirty bands took turns playing dance music and lyrical songs for the guests.

Jung Hyun-woo clicked his tongue as he surveyed the scene.

‘Tsk, I guess I can’t wrap this up quickly and head back to the hotel.’

A woman in a blue suit approached him with a slight frown.

“Charlie, aren’t you tired?”

The one who approached him with concern was Lira Marine.

Jung Hyun-woo bowed slightly to her.

“I’m fine.”

Lira Marine was the woman who had helped him achieve significant success. Without her, Victoria Corporation might not have been able to break free from JP Morgan’s control.

‘Of course, even if I had grown more slowly under JP Morgan, I would have eventually reached this position.’

Lira Marine’s voice was soft.

“Thanks to the positive reception of American Service, my position within the company has improved.”

Her words were sincere. She had become the head of the Eastern region headquarters thanks to the success of American Service, and she was scheduled to be transferred to the San Francisco headquarters next year.

“Our company is always working hard to satisfy our customers.”

Jung Hyun-woo’s words sounded a bit rehearsed.

“When is the next version coming out?”

“It will probably be next summer.”

As of 1984, JP Service and American Service weren’t updated frequently.

‘Unless there’s a bug in the program, there’s no need to rush the update.’

Jung Hyun-woo suddenly thought of online game users who were constantly craving updates.

‘If updates were released only once a year like now, everyone would quit the game.’

Of course, games and stock trading programs were different. However, in the 21st century, it was rare for a securities company to use the same version for more than a year without a version update.

“I’m looking forward to this time too. Can you tell me what features will be added to the new version?”

She wanted a little hint.

She wanted only clues, not all the details.

“In the new version, we will provide raw material quotes.”

“Raw material quotes?”

Jung Hyun-woo raised his right hand and answered.

“Of course, we won’t be able to provide real-time raw material quotes like stock live broadcasts. However, we plan to update it so that you can check the previous day’s closing price or the closing price from a few hours ago.”

Quotes from a few hours ago or yesterday.

In 2020, people would complain that it was useless data and a useless function.

However, as of 1984, there was no program in the world that provided this function.

Moreover, not many people had even considered this concept.

Lira Marine’s eyes widened at Jung Hyun-woo’s answer.

“You can check raw material quotes at home with a computer? If such a function is added, customers will really love it.”

She thought.

‘In the future, the difference between securities companies with live broadcast services such as American Service and those without will be immeasurable.’

And it was expected that the difference would widen as computer specs increased and network systems developed.

“We are always working hard to provide the best service.”

“Charlie, but that sounds a bit stiff.”

Lira Marine wanted to bridge the gap between them. Of course, this wasn’t about romantic interest. She knew that Jung Hyun-woo wasn’t yet an adult.

“Is it stiff?”

“You sound like a salesperson.”

Jung Hyun-woo scratched his head in embarrassment.

“There are so many eyes watching, so I think I became like that without realizing it.”

Lira Marine smiled brightly.

“Ah! Come to think of it, I didn’t consider that.”

Bank of America executives, as well as prominent figures in San Francisco, were watching him, knowingly or unknowingly.

Because of them, Jung Hyun-woo felt that the banquet was an extension of the contract signing.

“Lira, won’t you introduce this young man to us too?”

With a cheerful voice, Lira Marine’s uncles approached.

Jung Hyun-woo knew that they were Chairman Carlo Giannini’s sons.

‘These are the real power players at Bank of America.’

Lira Marine’s uncles weren’t very tall, as is common for Italians.

However, the youngest, Luca Giannini, was a head taller than Jung Hyun-woo.

“What other introductions are needed? This is Charlie Jung, the CEO of Victoria Corporation.”

She thought that everything had already been introduced at the contract signing.

“Besides that.”

What the Giannini family wanted was more than just superficial information.

“Then what?”

“Hobbies, what kind of person he is. Or what your relationship with him is.”

Lira Marine blushed slightly, but she didn’t lower her head. That’s because Jung Hyun-woo was a nice boy, but she had never considered him romantically.

“I don’t know about such personal matters either. And I’ve never met Charlie outside of work.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

One of the mischievous uncles might have made a joke, but they refrained.

Lira Marine’s age was a concern for her family.

Of course, from a 2020 perspective, it was absurd to worry about someone still in their 20s. However, in a conservative American family in 1984, they couldn’t help but worry about her marital prospects.

Lira Marine’s uncles exchanged light conversation with Jung Hyun-woo and then stepped back.

Jung Hyun-woo felt like there was a subtle barrier between them and Lira.

“Charlie.”

The one who called him was Sarah.

“Sarah.”

Sarah had been cornered by prominent figures in San Francisco and bombarded with questions.

“Ms. Hilton, are you enjoying yourself?”

Sarah answered Lira Marine’s question with a troubled expression.

“The atmosphere is good, but there are too many people curious about me.”

To the prestigious families of the West, the Hilton family of the South was a subject of curiosity.

Moreover, she was beautiful, so several men had taken turns expressing their interest.

Sarah dealt with it by steering the conversation in different directions each time, but she was reaching her limit.

“How long do I have to stay?”

Lira Marine answered her question.

“Ms. Hilton, if you don’t feel well, you can leave now.”

“What about Charlie?”

Sarah had no intention of leaving alone. She was thinking of extracting Jung Hyun-woo from the crowded banquet hall.

“If Mr. Jung also leaves, the atmosphere will calm down a bit.”

Sarah asked again.

“Will an hour be enough?”

Lira Marine couldn’t give her a definite answer. No matter what anyone said, Jung Hyun-woo was the star of the day.

‘It would be problematic if Mr. Jung left.’

The early departure of the protagonist could dampen the spirit of the banquet.

It was at that moment of hesitation.

“Lira.”

The voice belonged to Paulo Giannini.

“Uncle.”

He was slightly different in stature and presence from her uncles who had appeared earlier.

Paulo Giannini.

He was San Francisco’s leading philanthropist, head of Bank of America’s banking division, and also served as head of the credit transaction business.

For context, the credit transaction business he oversaw encompassed credit card companies, not mortgages like home equity loans. And the most prominent card company currently owned by Bank of America was Visa Card, the world’s number one.

In other words, he was the president of Visa Card, an independent corporation, and the head of Bank of America’s banking division.

To put it in JP Morgan terms, it was like holding the positions of Edmund Norman, the second in command, and Henri Arnault, the third in command, simultaneously.

So, Bank of America employees often referred to him as the “little chairman.”

“Introduce the two of them to me too.”

Lira straightened her posture and introduced Jung Hyun-woo to him.

“I’ll introduce you. This is Charlie Jung, the CEO of Victoria Corporation and a brilliant developer from MIT [Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a prestigious university known for its science and technology programs].”

It was already widely known that Jung Hyun-woo was from MIT.

However, she emphasized that fact once more to highlight his accomplishments.

“I’m Mr. Jung.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Paulo Giannini.”

Lira Marine quickly turned her attention to Sarah.

“And this is Ms. Hilton. The daughter of the Hilton family that my uncle knows.”

Paulo Giannini shook hands with Jung Hyun-woo and then greeted Sarah politely.

“It’s a pleasure to meet a lady from the South here.”

Sarah responded to his polite greeting with a bright smile.

“I’ve heard a lot about Mr. Giannini from my father. That he’s a cool person…”

“Oh! Does your father know me too?”

“There’s no way he wouldn’t know you. You’re the head of Visa Card.”

Paulo Giannini burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, it seems your father is a loyal user of our card.”

He had a kind face, but that wasn’t all there was to him.

Paulo Giannini was the man who had surpassed his brothers and secured the position of his father’s successor.

At times, he was more calculating and systematic than anyone else.

“If our eldest son hadn’t married yet, I would have cautiously recommended him to Ms. Hilton. But unfortunately, the fellow got married last year. Hahahaha!”

He tried to lighten the mood with an American joke. At the same time, he was assessing Jung Hyun-woo’s character.

‘This friend is an excellent engineer, but he’s not particularly sociable.’

Sarah, not Jung Hyun-woo, was the one who stepped up to engage with Paulo Giannini.

He took note of that.

‘Is this lady compensating for his lack of social skills and background?’

Paulo Giannini viewed the two representatives of Victoria Corporation as being in a three-legged race.

‘But a three-legged race can’t last forever. The moment the relationship between the two falters will be the moment Victoria Corporation stumbles.’

The fact that the two were young men and women also factored into his assessment.

It wasn’t easy for young men and women to progress together, even if they were married.

If they were in an ambiguous relationship…

Someday, their feet would become entangled, and they would fall.

‘Lira will handle it when that happens.’

He intended to entrust all matters related to Victoria Corporation to Lira Marine.

Two hours later.

Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah were finally able to leave the banquet hall. As they emerged, a limousine that had been waiting pulled up.

This limousine had been arranged by the San Francisco branch of Victoria Corporation.

The two sank into the comfortable limousine seats.

“Hoo…”

“Are you tired?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded in response to Sarah’s question.

“I’m exhausted.”

“Go back to the hotel and rest immediately.”

She meant that he shouldn’t worry about calls from Victoria Corporation or any pending work.

“Is Sarah okay?”

Sarah had met and spoken with even more people than Jung Hyun-woo. She had also acted as Jung Hyun-woo’s shield at times, standing by his side and deflecting unwanted attention and sharp remarks.

“This is my job.”

She couldn’t develop programs like Jung Hyun-woo or travel across the United States to pioneer business like Robert.

However, she could serve as Jung Hyun-woo’s shield or meticulously manage Victoria Corporation’s finances.

“Sarah.”

“Get some sleep until we get to the hotel.”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded.

“Thank you.”

He closed his eyes and thought.

‘Has the die been cast with this?’

Now that they had signed equity acquisition agreements with Bank of America following JP Morgan, Wall Street would be in an uproar tomorrow.

* * *

Howard Robinson had been promoted to General Manager of Morgan Stanley in the United States this fall.

However, his expression was grim.

“Victoria Corporation signed a $1 billion contract with Bank of America?”

“To be precise, it’s not Victoria Corporation, but CEO Jung Hyun-woo who sold 10% of his shares to Bank of America for $1 billion.”

The one who answered him was Herrell Kahn.

Herrell Kahn was focusing on developing Morgan Service instead of his fund manager duties.

Howard Robinson frowned.

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

The important thing wasn’t who sold the shares. Victoria Corporation was now valued at $10 billion. That was the crucial point.

“How is Morgan Service development progressing?”

He needed a weapon to compete with JP Service from Victoria Corporation and American Service from Bank of America.

“That’s… I haven’t even set a beta service schedule yet.”

Herrell Kahn was an excellent fund manager, but he wasn’t a skilled developer.

“Still in the testing phase?”

“I’m sorry.”

Howard Robinson clasped his hands together.

“The higher-ups will be calling us in the morning.”

The only reason Morgan Stanley’s senior executives were calling them was to inquire about the progress of Morgan Service’s development.

“I don’t think we can lie.”

Herrell Kahn was a sincere man who avoided pretense and falsehoods.

“I’m not suggesting we lie. Shouldn’t we have something to offer that provides a glimmer of hope?”

He believed that even if they couldn’t claim the service would be launching soon, they should be able to report some degree of progress.

“Well, the developers are working diligently, but errors are being discovered in various areas…”

Howard Robinson wasn’t interested in the technical details. His concern was whether they could complete Morgan Service.

“Do you need more money?”

Herrell Kahn lowered his head.

“I need more time than money.”

“Time?”

“According to Sean’s account, it took JP Morgan a considerable amount of time to complete JP Service.”

The Sean he mentioned was Sean Luke, who had been ousted from JP Morgan. Sean Luke was currently working with Herrell Kahn to create Morgan Service, but he wasn’t making significant headway.

“Herrell! Do you think the higher-ups will accept such excuses!”

Howard Robinson continued to shout.

“If Victoria Corporation even lists on NASDAQ [National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, a major stock exchange in the US], we’re both finished!”

He had heard rumors that Victoria Corporation was preparing to list on NASDAQ.

‘We haven’t even launched the beta service, but if they succeed in going public, the game will essentially be over.’

Morgan Stanley had been closely trailing JP Morgan in the investment sector.

However, their momentum had been slowing down recently.

Morgan Stanley’s top management attributed the reason to stock live broadcast services, including JP Service.

Therefore, they were pressuring Howard Robinson to launch Morgan Service as quickly as possible.

Howard Robinson lowered his voice and said.

“Herrell.”

“Yes, Mr. Robinson.”

“Don’t be too scrupulous about the means and methods.”

He believed that they should complete Morgan Service, regardless of the approach they had to take.

“I understand.”

Herrell Kahn left his office and sighed deeply.

“Hoo… ‘Don’t be too scrupulous about the means and methods?’ No matter what methods I use, it will be difficult to close the gap with Victoria Corporation.”

In fact, rather than closing the gap, the difference between the two companies was widening.