The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 189

189. Victoria Fund (3)

The earnings surprise from Victoria Corporation didn’t stem from network service revenue, including JP Services.

Reporters couldn’t help but widen their eyes at Sarah’s announcement.

“They made so much profit from investments?”

“Unbelievable.”

“Weren’t the returns on Wall Street terrible this year?”

“Interest rates are falling, and most returns weren’t good because of the Plaza Accord [an agreement between the US, Japan, West Germany, France, and the UK to depreciate the US dollar].”

Sarah announced that Victoria Corporation had made significant profits through substantial investments and share buybacks. She raised her voice, adding:

“Victoria Corporation’s investments are not a one-time event. We will continue to invest, and I believe this will greatly contribute to increasing the company’s value.”

This was Victoria Corporation’s investment declaration.

Even at this point, reporters remained skeptical. However, Sarah’s next announcement surprised them again.

“Victoria Corporation has decided to establish the Victoria Fund for this purpose.”

The establishment of the Victoria Fund.

Sarah’s declaration came as a shock to the reporters.

“Victoria Corporation is establishing a fund?”

“Does this mean they’re entering Wall Street?”

“If they create a fund, the office will be located on Wall Street, right?”

The reporters’ hands flew across their notepads.

Soon, Sarah continued her announcement.

“Victoria Corporation’s Victoria Fund is not an investment fund for the general public. It will invest solely using Victoria Corporation’s own capital.”

It would be a fund that invests with Victoria Corporation’s money.

At this remark, the reporters’ tension eased slightly.

“So, it’s not a full-scale entry into Wall Street.”

“I guess not.”

“It would be quite a story if Victoria Corporation made a full-scale entry into Wall Street.”

“Don’t you think so?”

“Everyone must have thought so.”

Sarah elaborated on the relationship between Victoria Corporation and the Victoria Fund before moving on to the next topic: Dell Computer. She explained how well Dell Computer had performed, adding that its future value was high.

The reporters couldn’t help but nod at her explanation. Dell Computer was indeed causing a sensation in the computer sales market.

“I didn’t know that Dell Computer was an affiliate of Victoria Corporation.”

“They must be doing better because they have Victoria Corporation as their backer.”

“The large-scale newspaper advertisements must also be thanks to Victoria Corporation.”

Victoria Corporation was also conducting active offline advertising for Dell Computer, centered around G Shop.

Jeong Hyun-woo had offered Michael Dell the opportunity to take Dell Computer orders at G Shop, but he politely declined.

Michael Dell believed that he could grow the company significantly without Victoria Corporation’s direct assistance.

Sarah announced the performance of G Shop and the game division after Dell Computer.

Thanks to Nintendo’s NES [Nintendo Entertainment System], this division was also performing well.

However, the reporters showed a lukewarm response because the sales amount was smaller compared to the business divisions mentioned earlier.

“Should we consider the game business as a side business now?”

“The sales figures are just different.”

“It would have been a significant amount of sales in the past, but now it’s over tens of millions per month.”

Sarah finished today’s earnings announcement after talking about Victoria Corporation’s fourth-quarter outlook and 1986 outlook.

“Now, I will take questions.”

At her words, the reporters raised their hands all at once.

“I have a question!”

“Question!”

“Wall Street Journal!”

Sarah reached out and pointed to a reporter wearing glasses.

“Please ask the first question.”

The reporter wearing glasses identified himself as a New York Times reporter.

“Victoria Corporation is said to be creating the Victoria Fund, so where do you plan to locate the headquarters?”

Sarah answered his question without hesitation.

“The headquarters of the Victoria Fund will be in Boston.”

“Boston?”

“Yes.”

It is not entering Wall Street. Sarah clarified the identity of the Victoria Fund.

“I will take the second question.”

As soon as she finished speaking, dozens of reporters raised their hands again.

She turned her gaze to the left and pointed to a short reporter.

“Mr. Blue Shirt, please ask your question.”

The reporter wearing a blue shirt identified himself as an Economist reporter.

“Is Victoria Corporation planning to contract with a fourth bank following Citibank?”

He was asking if there were any plans to expand securities live services, including JP Services.

“Victoria Corporation is doing its best to create a modular system. If the modular system is completed, we will be able to conduct business with multiple companies at once, not just a fourth company.”

Her voice was clear and confident.

Employees at Victoria Corporation’s New York branch evaluated Sarah’s announcement today as very successful.

‘The fact that reporters are being so active means that today’s announcement was good.’

‘I’m looking forward to tomorrow morning’s newspaper.’

Their predictions were correct.

The next day.

Each media outlet reported extensively on Victoria Corporation’s earnings announcement.

And Victoria Corporation’s stock price soared to $14.5, with its sights set on regaining a market capitalization of $30 billion.

“Victoria Corporation’s stock price is regaining strength.”

The person who flicked the newspaper with his fingertip was Paulo Giannini, COO of Bank of America. His authority had grown even greater after suppressing Carney Paul’s rebellion.

“Charlie is an excellent manager.”

Paulo Giannini had previously held a meeting with Jeong Hyun-woo but had failed to obtain his consent [presumably for a business deal].

“He’s also a stubborn young man.”

“Isn’t it thanks to that stubbornness that Victoria Corporation is where it is today?”

The woman raising her voice in front of Paulo Giannini was Lyra Marine.

“Thanks to that stubbornness, Victoria Corporation is where it is today. That’s not wrong.”

Bank of America had recorded losses of over $200 million due to Carney Paul’s short selling.

However, as Victoria Corporation’s stock price recovered, it saw profits of hundreds of millions of dollars, allowing it to fully make up for the losses on the books.

“Lyra, how long do you think we should hold Victoria Corporation’s shares?”

Paulo Giannini wanted to sell Victoria Corporation’s stock.

Of course, Lyra Marine opposed his idea.

“Victoria Corporation’s stock price hasn’t risen temporarily. It will continue to rise for the next few years.”

Paulo Giannini sighed at her answer.

“Lyra, if the stock price continues to rise for several years, Victoria Corporation’s market capitalization will surpass even our Bank of America.”

Lyra Marine considered his words.

“It wouldn’t be strange if that happened.”

Paulo Giannini shook his head after hearing her words.

“No, it won’t grow that much.”

He saw the growth limit of Victoria Corporation at a market capitalization of $40 billion.

Of course, Lyra did not agree with his idea. She thought that the growth potential of Victoria Corporation and Jeong Hyun-woo could not be easily calculated.

‘Someday, Victoria Corporation may become the company with the highest market capitalization on the New York Stock Exchange.’

It was not yet time to sell Victoria Corporation’s shares.

* * *

A traditional American wedding.

A church, people’s congratulations, and a simple reception that follows.

However, John Hilton and Jenny Olsen’s wedding was different from the simple wedding Jeong Hyun-woo had imagined in many ways.

First of all, the wedding venue was the Hilton Hotel banquet hall.

‘Was the fancy hotel wedding in our country influenced by America?’

Throughout his past life.

Jeong Hyun-woo had never been invited to a hotel wedding.

Was that why?

He couldn’t help but click his tongue at the splendid floral decorations lining the entrance.

‘Well, I didn’t have any rich friends back then.’

In the past, he had only attended about a dozen weddings held in wedding halls.

Sarah grabbed his sleeve and raised her voice.

“Charlie, it’s the guest book.”

Jeong Hyun-woo checked the guest book she pointed to and was startled.

‘A guest book. Was this also an American custom?’

He finished signing with Sarah and turned his gaze to the gift box next to him.

“There’s also a box?”

Instead of answering his question, Sarah asked one of her own.

“Did you bring a congratulatory gift?”

Jeong Hyun-woo tilted his head at her question.

“But is it okay to give money instead of a present?”

Jeong Hyun-woo thought that American wedding gifts were simple items with sincerity.

However, Sarah informed him that it was common to buy the items that the bride and groom wanted from their registry, or to put the equivalent amount of money in the gift box.

“It’s okay. John and Jenny have already bought all the necessary items.”

If she had time, she would have bought the necessary items for the two of them herself.

But she hadn’t had enough time to do that.

‘Just last week, I flew to New York and back.’

The COO and CEO of a large company are always short on time.

‘I can’t help it.’

Charlie and Sarah placed the envelope containing the congratulatory money in the gift box.

“Please come inside.”

The two entered the wedding hall with the guidance of the hotel staff.

The one who greeted them was Laura Hilton.

“Sarah! Charlie! You’re not late!”

Sarah sighed briefly.

“Hah… The first thing you say after seeing me in a long time is that I’m not late?”

Laura was wearing a deep-cut blue dress, which was excessively beautiful from Jeong Hyun-woo’s perspective.

‘The bride might be overshadowed.’

Today’s protagonist, Jenny Olsen, was not lacking in appearance, but she was not as glamorous as Laura.

“I thought you were going to be late again because you didn’t come until I was preparing for the ceremony.”

Sarah was supposed to arrive earlier than the guests and help with her brother’s wedding.

But she didn’t have time to do that.

“I came 20 minutes early.”

“It’s only 20 minutes. Sarah, do you know how early I came?”

“You have a lot of free time, sister.”

“I have a lot of free time?”

It was when the two sisters were raising their voices.

“Sarah, Laura, you have to greet the guests at the entrance.”

The protagonist of the heavy bass voice was the two beauties’ father, Andrew Hilton.

“Dad!”

Sarah ran to Andrew Hilton and hugged him.

Jeong Hyun-woo scratched his head at the sight.

‘Sarah has moments like that too.’

Laura crossed her arms as she watched the scene.

“Sarah is still a child.”

She turned her gaze to Jeong Hyun-woo and asked.

“Charlie, when are you going to marry Sarah?”

Jeong Hyun-woo was momentarily speechless at Laura’s question.

“Excuse me?”

Laura smiled when she saw Jeong Hyun-woo’s face turning red.

“Why are you so serious? I’m just kidding.”

The genius from Stanford had a knack for surprising people.

Jeong Hyun-woo couldn’t help but sigh deeply inside.

‘Hah… I was so surprised.’

Laura grabbed his sleeve and said.

“Charlie, you have to meet the bride and groom.”

Jeong Hyun-woo shook his head at her words.

“Ah, I’m going to go with Sarah.”

“With Sarah?”

“Yes.”

Laura smiled and said.

“Charlie, you’re already living under her thumb. I can tell how you’ll live when you get married.”

“Laura, you’re kidding, right?”

Laura shook her head and answered.

“I’m not kidding this time.”

If it wasn’t a joke, it was serious.

Laura said, looking at Jeong Hyun-woo, who was hesitating.

“No matter who Charlie marries other than Sarah, I think he’ll live under her thumb.”

“Ah…”

“See? You can’t deny it right away.”

Laura had hit Jeong Hyun-woo right on the spot.

Jeong Hyun-woo said in a deflated voice like a balloon.

“I think so.”

“Why is a man so lacking in spirit? When you were young, your voice was clear and sharp.”

After finishing speaking, Laura patted Jeong Hyun-woo on the back.

“Laura?”

It was when Jeong Hyun-woo raised his eyebrows.

Laura asked him in a soft voice.

“Why? Are you interested in your sister?”

Her soft voice carried a charm of magic.

Jeong Hyun-woo felt like he understood to some extent the hearts of the men who had fallen for Laura’s seduction.

‘The expression ‘deep’ seems to fit perfectly.’

It was when he was about to answer her question.

Sarah ran and blocked the two.

“Sister!”

Laura took a step back and waved her right hand.

“Ah, ah, a lovely sister is blocking her sister’s path.”

Sarah raised her eyebrows and raised her voice.

“Charlie is a guest of our family.”

Laura tilted her head to the side after hearing her words.

“Isn’t he family, not a guest?”

“What?”

When Sarah opened her eyes wide, Laura raised her right hand.

“Ah! He’s here.”

She ran past Jeong Hyun-woo and Sarah towards the entrance.

It seemed like a well-known guest had arrived.

“Hah…”

Sarah sighed deeply and led Jeong Hyun-woo.

“Let’s go meet my brother and Jenny.”

Jeong Hyun-woo nodded and moved with her to meet the bride and groom.

John Hilton smiled brightly as soon as he saw the two.

“Charlie, Sarah. Thank you for coming. Nice to see you.”

Sarah bowed slightly and said.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be here with you yesterday.”

John Hilton accepted his younger sister’s apology in a soft voice.

“Sarah is always busy.”

He turned his gaze to Jeong Hyun-woo and asked.

“Charlie, right?”

Jeong Hyun-woo nodded greatly and answered.

“Yes, Sarah is so busy that she works overtime every day.”

John Hilton sighed briefly at his answer.

“Charlie, no matter how busy you are, shouldn’t you refrain from working overtime every day?”

He was worried about his busy younger sister.

“Brother, Charlie. Why are you talking about that on a good day?”

Sarah turned her gaze to Jenny Olsen.

“Jenny, right?”

Jenny Olsen nodded and answered.

“Yes.”

She was still a calm and gentle woman.

“Jenny, congratulations on your wedding.”

Jeong Hyun-woo and Sarah formally congratulated John Hilton and Jenny Olsen.

“Sarah, you should get married soon too.”

Sarah scratched her head after hearing Jenny Olsen’s words.

“I’m busy with work.”

“Work is important, but love is just as important.”

Jenny Olsen’s gentle words struck a chord with the two workaholics.

“W, well, that’s true.”

A little later.

John Hilton and Jenny Olsen’s wedding began. The wedding was officiated by John Hilton’s teacher from his military academy days, who was now the Chief of Staff of the 19th Air Force stationed in Texas.

“It’s not crowded, but it’s fancy.”

Again, today’s wedding was very different from the simple wedding Jeong Hyun-woo had imagined.

“I know… My sister got married at home.”

The home Sarah mentioned referred to the Hilton family’s mansion. In other words, even if she got married at home, it was by no means a simple wedding.

“After the wedding, there’s a reception, right?”

Sarah shook her head and answered.

“No.”

“No?”

“After the wedding, it’s cocktail hour.”

Cocktail hour.

It meant a short party where people stood around tables without chairs and mingled.

‘Then when is the reception?’

Korean weddings usually have a reception at the wedding hall.

However, classic and fancy American weddings were different.

What took place at the wedding venue was only the cocktail hour.

The reception was usually held in a different location from evening to dawn the next day.

“Is the reception in the evening?”

Sarah nodded and answered.

“Probably.”

“That’s a relief.”

“There’s more after the reception.”

Jeong Hyun-woo raised his eyebrows and asked.

“The reception isn’t the end?”

“There’s an after-party.”

After party.

In Korean, it’s a ‘dwipuri’ [a gathering after an event].

In other words, today’s wedding was going all the way.