The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 167

167. The 10 Billion Dollar Club (4)

When Jung Hyun-woo, Sarah, and Robert arrived at the Boston headquarters, the New York Stock Exchange was about to close.

“Charlie, that’s amazing!”

It was Ian from Development Team 2 who exclaimed.

Jung Hyun-woo tilted his head, puzzled by his excitement.

“Is the PAS issue resolved?”

PAS was the name of the module program that combined the bank data of City Service and City Bank.

“No. I’m talking about our company’s stock price.”

Jung Hyun-woo remained indifferent.

“Are you saying the development team was checking the stock price with JP Services?”

Ian scratched his head and replied.

“Well, that’s… all the employees in the department asked me to.”

Prior to the IPO [Initial Public Offering, the first sale of stock by a private company to the public], Sarah had distributed 1% of her Victoria Corporation shares to the company’s employees.

The reason she, not Jung Hyun-woo, distributed 1% of Victoria Corporation’s shares was that he had put 10% of his holdings on the market for this IPO.

Sarah didn’t want Jung Hyun-woo’s stake to decrease further, so she distributed her shares to the employees.

“So, how much is it?”

The owner of the sharp voice was Sarah.

Ian’s face brightened again at Sarah’s question.

“It’s $14.9!”

$14.9.

This meant the stock price had soared 49% in a single day.

‘Converted to market capitalization, that’s $29.8 billion.’

Jung Hyun-woo frowned, even though his wealth had increased significantly in a single day.

He couldn’t help but be wary of Victoria Corporation’s rapid rise.

‘If it goes up again tomorrow, it’ll be a bubble.’

Stocks with bubbles were likely to become targets for hedge funds or short sellers.

‘That’s not good.’

He had made money through short selling before the Atira Shock, so he knew well which stocks short selling forces targeted.

‘They target companies that are inflated far beyond their actual value.’

If a bubble formed in a short period, they would never miss it. Short selling might start as early as tomorrow.

‘It might be better to get hit early.’

If short selling started, tomorrow would be better.

Robert came out from behind Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah and said.

“It’s gone up more than I thought.”

Sarah responded to his words.

“Is it because it’s the first day? It seems like funds in the market are flocking to Victoria Corporation.”

“That seems to be the case.”

Victoria Corporation’s stock price rising meant Robert’s assets were also rising.

However, Robert couldn’t smile brightly because Jung Hyun-woo and Sarah were indifferent.

He clicked his tongue inwardly, looking at Jung Hyun-woo, who was frowning, and Sarah, who was expressionless.

‘Tsk, they’re both old souls.’

He thought that Sarah was no less formidable than Jung Hyun-woo, even though she was overshadowed by him.

“Alright, alright, everyone, let’s work!”

Robert raised his voice, and the employees who had stood up returned to their seats.

Jung Hyun-woo’s secretary, Anne, approached Jung Hyun-woo and whispered.

“Charlie, wouldn’t it be better to say a few words rather than just going in?”

She was asking him to consider the morale of the employees.

At her words, Jung Hyun-woo stopped in front of the president’s office. Then, he turned around and raised his voice.

“Everyone! Please pay attention for a moment.”

The Victoria Corporation employees looked up again.

Jung Hyun-woo confirmed that the employees’ gazes were focused on him and then cleared his throat.

“Ahem. Ahem.”

He cleared his throat and then started talking again.

“Victoria Corporation has listed its name on NASDAQ [National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, an American stock exchange] today. This is all thanks to your efforts. Originally, you should receive more compensation. However, I am insufficient and have not been able to reward you more.”

Jung Hyun-woo paused slightly and then continued.

“I cannot promise any immediate rewards right now. However, I will definitely reward your hard work at the end of this year. That’s all.”

He finished his short speech and entered the president’s office.

The employees applauded even after he entered the president’s office.

Sarah watched the scene and sighed briefly inwardly.

‘Hoo… typical Charlie.’

She thought that Jung Hyun-woo would pay a large bonus.

* * *

Beep. Beep.

Jung Hyun-woo reached out and picked up the receiver.

“This is Charlie.”

“Mr. Jung, it’s rising again today!”

The owner of the excited voice was John Peer.

“What about short selling?”

“There are many who want to short sell, but there won’t be much volume to use for short selling.”

NASDAQ could not be short sold without borrowing shares. Therefore, there was bound to be a limit to the short selling volume.

“That’s a relief.”

“Mr. Jung, do you believe the current stock price?”

Victoria Corporation had risen for four consecutive days and was hitting an unprecedented stock price of $21.

Based on $21, Victoria Corporation’s market capitalization was $42 billion, and Jung Hyun-woo’s stake was worth up to $18.9 billion. Adding his existing assets, his wealth was close to $25 billion.

“I checked short selling because I thought it was a bubble.”

John Peer sighed inwardly at Jung Hyun-woo’s cold voice.

‘Hoo… is he really eighteen?’

Jung Hyun-woo was twenty years old in Korea because his birthday had not passed yet, but he was eighteen in the United States.

“So, Mr. Jung, you think the stock price will fall.”

“Of course, it will fall.”

It was impossible to explain the rise to $40 billion in a short period with anything other than the word ‘overheating.’

“Mr. Jung, but the major shareholders cannot sell.”

John Peer thought that Jung Hyun-woo would want to dispose of his shares now that the stock price had risen significantly.

However, Jung Hyun-woo’s answer was far from his expectations.

“I will not sell my shares. I plan to buy shares when the stock price falls.”

John Peer blinked.

“You’re buying shares?”

Jung Hyun-woo raised his voice and asked him back.

“Is there a law that says the CEO can’t buy company shares?”

“W, well, that’s not it…”

Most owners who succeeded in an IPO sold their shares to raise cash.

But Jung Hyun-woo was thinking the opposite.

‘Is it because of confidence in the business?’

John Peer felt that Victoria Corporation was preparing for something bigger.

‘The collaboration with Walmart might be real, not just a rumor.’

If they entered the distribution industry with Walmart behind them, Victoria Corporation’s market capitalization could surpass Morgan Stanley and approach City Bank.

“Mr. Peer, please contact me when the short selling volume increases.”

He meant not to contact him just because the stock price had risen.

“A, I understand.”

John Peer hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair.

“Ha… it’s harder than dealing with Mr. Arnault.”

Henri Arnault was the head of JP Morgan Investment Bank and his direct superior.

Knock. Knock.

A knock on the door.

John Peer tilted his head, and then a mid-bass voice was heard from outside the door.

“May I come in?”

The owner of the voice was Henri Arnault.

‘Why now!’

John Peer quickly straightened his posture and replied.

“Yes, please come in.”

Squeak.

Henri Arnault opened the door and entered.

“You could have called, but you came in person.”

John Peer thought that he might have stopped by.

However, Henri Arnault did not often come down to the floor where John Peer’s office was located.

“I came down like this because you didn’t answer the phone.”

“Ah… that’s because I was talking to Mr. Jung.”

Henri Arnault nodded at the answer that he couldn’t answer the phone because he was talking to Jung Hyun-woo.

“Hmm, if it’s Mr. Jung’s call, that might be the case. So, what was Mr. Jung’s reaction?”

He showed curiosity about Jung Hyun-woo’s reaction.

“It’s cold.”

Henri Arnault raised his eyebrows at John Peer’s answer that it was cold.

“No, is it cold even though Victoria Corporation is so successful?”

He thought Jung Hyun-woo’s expectations were too high.

‘Isn’t it a satisfactory result if it exceeds $40 billion? Surely he doesn’t want more than $50 billion?’

Even if Victoria Corporation succeeded in a new business, $50 billion was impossible.

“Mr. Jung didn’t seem to want Victoria Corporation’s stock price to rise.”

Henri Arnault narrowed his brows as if he couldn’t understand.

“The owner didn’t want the company’s stock price to rise? Does this happen?”

“I heard a little bit, and it seems like he was trying to buy back the shares he sold to investors.”

“Hmm, buy back the shares.”

“There’s money invested in Japan, isn’t there?”

Jung Hyun-woo’s investment in Japan was over $4 billion and heading towards $5 billion.

Henri Arnault narrowed his brows and dragged out his words.

“If you buy the shares released on the market with that money…”

It was possible to increase the shareholding rate and boost Victoria Corporation’s stock price.

“Was Mr. Jung aiming for a win-win effect?”

“That could have been the case.”

Henri Arnault thought.

‘Besides, if he has a hidden card, even more effects are possible.’

He couldn’t shake the suspicion that someone was behind Jung Hyun-woo.

‘He’s too experienced.’

Jung Hyun-woo’s management skills were better than those of a hedge fund.

‘It was the same in Japan.’

When everyone expected Japan’s bubble and collapse, Jung Hyun-woo made a large profit with bold investments.

Henri Arnault asked John Peer.

“Did Mr. Jung ask for anything?”

“Mr. Jung was concerned about the short selling side.”

“He doesn’t want the stock price to rise, but he’s concerned about short selling?”

“I thought he wanted the stock price to fall due to short selling.”

Henri Arnault stroked his chin.

“Isn’t the number of shares held by institutions too small to lower the stock price with short selling?”

“I gave a similar answer to that.”

“If Mr. Jung contacts you, let me know the details immediately.”

John Peer bowed his head and accepted his words.

“I understand.”

Henri Arnault left John Peer’s office and thought.

‘Charlie Jung, I thought he would be cheering because the stock price rose, but he’s really a complicated guy.’

Among the managers he had seen, Jung Hyun-woo had the most unique history and mindset.

Succeed by being different from others.

This was not just a story applied to corporate management.

There was also a story that the difference from others starts with being different.

* * *

Sarah and Jung Hyun-woo sat facing each other in a restaurant with a nice atmosphere after a long time.

“Wow, it feels like a date.”

Sarah sighed briefly at his words.

“If it’s a date, it’s a date. What do you mean it feels like a date? And that voice. It’s too weak, isn’t it?”

Jung Hyun-woo shrugged his shoulders and replied.

“In the end, I’m just having dinner with you, noona [term of endearment for an older sister or female friend in Korean culture].”

“Hoo, do you know how difficult it is to have dinner with a blonde beauty?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded instead of refuting her question.

“I know that it would be very, very difficult if it wasn’t you, noona.”

Sarah tilted her head and asked.

“Really?”

Her gaze was full of suspicion.

Jung Hyun-woo replied in his unique calm voice.

“The beauty in front of me is young, beautiful, intelligent, and has an excellent family. Besides, she’s a billionaire who would make millionaires cry. A clumsy man wouldn’t even be able to talk to her, right?”

Sarah pouted and said.

“Phew, what is that? In the end, you’re just teasing me.”

Jung Hyun-woo accepted her words in a soft voice.

“It sounds like teasing, but I’m just telling the truth.”

Sarah asked back as if to retort.

“How about Charlie?”

“This guy only has a lot of money. He’s a bookworm locked up in the lab.”

“Are you saying he has no charm?”

“Would Sarah like him?”

Sarah answered his question firmly.

“I like him. I like him so much.”

Jung Hyun-woo was speechless at her words. After a while, he joked.

“I wish it was a lie.”

Then Sarah said firmly.

“It’s not a lie.”

“……”

Just as the atmosphere was about to become awkward, today’s main dish came out.

“It’s tenderloin steak.”

Jung Hyun-woo had a look on his face as if a thousand troops had appeared.

“It smells very good.”

“We added a special sauce.”

As the server put down the plate and turned around, Sarah sighed deeply.

“Hoo… I’m sorry. I asked you to come here when you’re busy.”

Jung Hyun-woo shook his head at her apology.

“It’s okay. I need to get some protein sometimes.”

The reason Sarah brought him to a fancy restaurant was because she was invited by her friend who owned the restaurant.

“I couldn’t refuse because my friend asked me so earnestly.”

Jung Hyun-woo took a bite of the steak and accepted her words.

“It’s thanks to the restaurant becoming famous enough to be used for marketing.”

He wanted to accept the fame willingly.

“I could have cut it off on my own, but I wanted to come to this kind of restaurant with Charlie at least once.”

The two were eating almost the same fast food every day.

Sarah was worried about that.

Instead of saying it was okay, Jung Hyun-woo said as if throwing a joke.

“I’ve been lacking nutrition lately.”

Sarah didn’t laugh at his words and lowered her head.

“It’s all my fault.”

While she was on a business trip, Jung Hyun-woo had solved all his meals with delivery.

In 1985, the only types of delivery food were pizza and hamburgers. In other words, when she was away, Jung Hyun-woo only ate pizza and hamburgers.

Jung Hyun-woo quickly turned his gaze when she lowered her head.

‘Oh dear… jokes don’t work today.’

He smiled awkwardly and said.

“Hahaha, I thought it was an ordinary restaurant, but it’s quite good.”

Sarah raised her head and accepted his words.

“Still, it’s a restaurant run by a friend who was famous as a gourmet since she was a student.”

“They grilled the tenderloin steak properly.”

Tenderloin steak was one of the ordinary main dishes.

Making ordinary menus well.

This was the difference between an excellent chef and one who was not.

“Sarah.”

“Huh?”

“Have you heard of the 10 Billion Dollar Club?”

Sarah tilted her head and asked back.

“The 10 Billion Dollar Club? I’ve never heard of it.”

Jung Hyun-woo smiled and replied.

“I once read an article in a magazine about the 10 Billion Dollar Club.”

“What was it about?”

“The rich who have more than 10 billion dollars create a club that only they can join and move the world. We need to know their existence.”

Sarah snorted at his answer.

“What is it? It’s a conspiracy theory like the Freemasons.”

“Is it really a conspiracy theory?”

Sarah raised her eyebrows and asked.

“Are you really saying that the 10 Billion Dollar Club exists?”

Jung Hyun-woo moved his knife and replied.

“There’s no clubhouse, but I’ve been to a place where those people actually gather.”

Sarah’s eyes widened at the words that he had been to a meeting without her knowing.

“You really went?”

Jung Hyun-woo replied in a soft voice.

“That meeting was on Air Force One.”

People who have achieved wealth worthy of being invited to the White House.

They were the members of the 10 Billion Dollar Club.