The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 193

193. The Swelling World (2)

Robert shook his head at Jung Hyun-woo’s proposal.

“I’ll pass this time.”

The proposal Jung Hyun-woo made to him was an equity investment in Victoria Fund.

“Robert is the major shareholder of Victoria Corporation, so even if you don’t invest directly, it’s still an indirect investment… Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

Robert waved his right hand and said to Jung Hyun-woo.

“I’m really okay. And I recently bought a new house, so I don’t have the extra funds.”

His statement about buying a new house was true.

Robert had recently purchased a newly built house, somewhere between a mansion and a regular house, with six rooms and six bathrooms on the outskirts of Boston.

“A new house, your family must be thrilled.”

Robert found Jung Hyun-woo, who seemed envious, quite strange.

‘Could it be that he doesn’t know how to spend money?’

Jung Hyun-woo had amassed astronomical wealth but still lived in the same house he had since middle school.

The same went for Sera. After moving out of her rented room, she didn’t get her own place but lived with Jung Hyun-woo.

‘They’re a completely weird couple.’

Robert shrugged and responded.

“The kids are just waiting for next summer to use the pool.”

Jung Hyun-woo widened his eyes and raised his voice.

“You have a pool at your house?”

Unlike LA or Miami, not many houses in the Boston area had pools.

“There’s a small pool in the back. But Charlie, don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not the kind of pool where you can have pool parties.”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded as if he understood.

“You mean a small pool for the kids.”

He finished his conversation with Robert and headed to Sera.

Knock. Knock.

As he knocked on the door, he heard Sera’s voice from inside.

“You can come in.”

Jung Hyun-woo confirmed her response and opened the door to enter.

“Sera, Robert said he’s going to pass this time.”

Sera had already foreseen that he would pass.

“Robert has a family, after all.”

Jung Hyun-woo sat down in front of her and asked.

“You mean because Robert has a family, he has to manage his assets defensively?”

“Bingo.”

Sera and Jung Hyun-woo weren’t married yet, so they could take on more adventurous investments.

But Robert couldn’t.

“What about Mr. Fear?”

“He said he’d get back to me again today.”

Sera tilted her head and asked.

“Didn’t he already agree?”

“Mr. Arnaud seems to have caught him once.”

“Hmm, if JP Morgan is trying to hold onto him, Mr. Fear must be quite the talent.”

Jung Hyun-woo didn’t think JP Morgan was holding onto him because of his abilities.

“More likely, it’s because there would be a big hole if John left right away, wouldn’t it?”

“A big hole means he’s a talented person.”

“Does it?”

“If he weren’t talented, they could just promote anyone to fill the gap.”

Jung Hyun-woo thought.

‘Come to think of it, we also have people who, if they quit the company right now, couldn’t be replaced.’

Aside from Robert and Sera, John River in the game development department, Mac Coyle in the AS [After-Sales] department, and Ann, the CFO [Chief Financial Officer], were essential to Victoria Corporation.

Sera raised her voice slightly.

“So, what’s Mr. Fear going to do?”

If John Fear returned to JP Morgan, Victoria Fund would have to find someone new.

“He’ll probably join us.”

“You sound confident?”

“John told me about the plan he came up with himself. That means he has ambition.”

John Fear would join Victoria Fund to achieve his ambition.

Jung Hyun-woo came to that conclusion.

“Charlie, what if John Fear can’t join us?”

“Then we’ll have to find someone else.”

“You’re not giving up.”

Jung Hyun-woo waved his right hand and said.

“If I were going to give up for this reason, I wouldn’t have started in the first place.”

“I guess so…”

Sera knew very well what Jung Hyun-woo’s drive was like.

‘Charlie always gets things done somehow.’

She asked him.

“So, who’s the next candidate?”

Jung Hyun-woo crossed his arms and replied.

“I’m thinking of getting a recommendation from John Fear.”

“Getting a recommendation from Mr. Fear?”

“I need to get something in return for him changing his mind.”

Sera smiled and asked.

“Oh, Charlie, you’re starting to have a villainous vibe?”

“A villain?”

While the two were talking, Jung Hyun-woo’s secretary, Luna, knocked on the door and peeked inside.

“Mr. Jung, Mr. Fear is on the phone.”

Jung Hyun-woo shrugged and got up from his seat.

“A real villain called.”

Sera watched him leave and muttered to herself.

“Speak of the devil and he shall appear.”

– Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

This was the Western equivalent of the saying, “Speak of the tiger and it will come.”

* * *

A small pub at the edge of Wall Street.

Henri Arnaud sat with John Fear at a secluded table.

“I don’t know how long it’s been since I had a drink with you.”

John Fear answered his question.

“It’s been three years.”

“Has it been that long?”

“You haven’t touched alcohol since you became the head of the fund business.”

Henri Arnaud gave a bitter smile.

“I used to drink at home sometimes.”

“But you never drank at or near the company.”

Henri Arnaud visited the pub with John Fear to say his final farewell.

“John, thank you for your hard work.”

John Fear shook his head.

“No, I wasn’t working for free either.”

The salary he had received from JP Morgan over the past 15 years was considerable.

“Do you think you can work well with Charlie Jung?”

John Fear opened a beer bottle and replied.

“It would be a problem if I couldn’t get along with him.”

“If it becomes a problem, come back.”

“Will you take me back?”

“You’re welcome anytime.”

“I’m planning to try not to go back if possible.”

Henri Arnaud chuckled.

“Yes, it’s best not to come back. What position did Charlie Jung offer you?”

“CEO of Victoria Fund.”

Henri Arnaud groaned softly at John Fear’s answer.

“Hmm, not bad.”

He knew that Victoria Corporation and Jung Hyun-woo had considerable financial resources.

‘He could move at least several billion dollars.’

John Fear asked.

“How soon should I hand over the work?”

“First, we need to decide on your replacement.”

“You’re stalling for time.”

Henri Arnaud waved his right hand and said.

“I’m not stalling for time. It’s just that finding your replacement isn’t easy.”

It was difficult to decide in just a day or two.

“Just use Sean.”

Sean was the trader right below John River.

“Sean is too reckless.”

“Are you saying he’s unreliable?”

“He’s not the type to be a strategist.”

Henri Arnaud wanted someone who could assist him.

“You want someone who’s quick-witted.”

“That’s right.”

“Then how about Schneider?”

“Isn’t that guy too cold?”

“Too cold?”

John Fear already knew that Henri Arnaud was a picky person. So he didn’t frown even when he rejected him again.

“If Schneider becomes your replacement, I’d even hesitate to call him.”

“What about Ron?”

“Ron?”

“Ron Harper.”

Henri Arnaud shook his head.

“I don’t remember who that is.”

“He’s in charge of the European part.”

Henri Arnaud raised his voice as if he remembered.

“You mean that guy in London?”

“He’s from Harvard and has a quick mind.”

“Hmm, that guy is…”

Was he trying to find another weakness?

John Fear sighed briefly inside.

‘This is Mr. Arnaud.’

Lack of decisiveness was Henri Arnaud’s biggest weakness.

“Don’t you trust him?”

Henri Arnaud nodded greatly.

“That’s right, I haven’t worked with him before.”

John Fear said calmly.

“Still, please find a replacement within three days. I don’t have much time.”

Henri Arnaud raised his eyebrows at his words.

“Is Charlie Jung urging you?”

“Rather than urging, I actually don’t have much time.”

“Hmm, I don’t know what that means.”

“The world is changing rapidly.”

Henri Arnaud bit his lower lip at John Fear’s words.

“As you said, the world is changing too fast.”

As soon as the oil shock caused by the Middle East war ended, Japan’s economic invasion began, leading to the Plaza Accord [an agreement signed in 1985 by the G5 nations to depreciate the U.S. dollar relative to the Japanese yen and German Deutsche Mark].

As the head of an investment bank, these events were difficult to deal with one by one.

“The speed of change will accelerate further.”

“Are you saying the world will change even faster than it is now?”

“That’s the feeling I get.”

John Fear didn’t know the future like Jung Hyun-woo. But he felt that the world would change faster than it had been so far.

“A feeling. That’s troublesome.”

John Fear took a sip of beer and said.

“Wouldn’t it be okay not to be troubled? Isn’t there opportunity in crisis?”

“Opportunity in crisis?”

“Mr. Arnaud will do well.”

Henri Arnaud shook his head.

“No, I’m not that great. I might get kicked out in a few months.”

“That’s impossible. Edmund doesn’t have many options.”

As of 1985, the CEO of JP Morgan was Edmund Norman.

“I’m not a yes-man.”

Edmund Norman and Henri Arnaud weren’t enemies, but they weren’t exactly friends either.

“I’ll give you a gift.”

Henri Arnaud smiled brightly.

“A gift instead of a farewell?”

John Fear chuckled and replied.

“Charlie said that the bubble will get even bigger in the future.”

Henri Arnaud knew what bubble he was talking about.

“You mean Japan and Germany.”

“Charlie seems to be connected to the upper echelons.”

Henri Arnaud didn’t deny John Fear’s words. In fact, Jung Hyun-woo’s judgment was more accurate than that of experienced fund managers or traders.

“The young man has wide connections.”

“MIT seemed to have high expectations for Charlie.”

Henri Arnaud looked up at the ceiling.

“I wish Yale had high expectations for me too.”

Yale University was his alma mater.

“Doesn’t Yale have too many talented people?”

“That’s true.”

Henri Arnaud shifted his gaze back to John Fear.

“So, how much is your salary?”

It was a half-joking question.

“They’re giving me twice as much as I make now.”

“Twice as much?”

“Even if I get twice as much, it’ll still be less than what Mr. Arnaud makes.”

Henri Arnaud’s salary this year was $2 million.

Although the salaries of Wall Street financiers are large, this was exceptional.

“John, don’t be too successful.”

John Fear put both hands on the table and said.

“Is that a curse?”

“A curse? It’s advice.”

“That’s scary advice.”

“Actually, it’s advice for me.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Henri Arnaud lowered his voice and asked.

“If you’re too successful, won’t I look incompetent?”

John Fear chuckled at his question.

“Mr. Arnaud will do well.”

Henri Arnaud raised his beer bottle.

“Let’s toast. I won’t be able to do this at the next company.”

Jung Hyun-woo would need two more years to drink with John Fear.

“You’re targeting our company’s young CEO.”

“Hmm, so you’re not toasting?”

John Fear held out his beer bottle and raised his voice slightly.

“Of course not. Cheers!”

Clink.

The two men’s beer bottles met with a short sound.

The next day.

Henri Arnaud appointed Ron Harper, a Harvard graduate, as John Fear’s replacement.

* * *

John Fear’s abilities were beyond what Jung Hyun-woo had expected. He completed the establishment of Victoria Fund in just one month, and at the same time, he acquired real estate companies in New York, LA, Seattle, and Miami.

“It’s much more profitable to buy companies than to go around looking for individual real estate agents.”

Jung Hyun-woo agreed with his opinion.

“Time is more important than money right now.”

After the Plaza Accord, the world economy was swelling.

Currencies other than the yen and the mark had also increased in value by more than 10% compared to the dollar.

“I’m planning to go on a business trip to Japan next week.”

“Is it because of recruiting that friend you mentioned before?”

John Fear wrote something in his notebook and replied.

“Recruiting that friend is part of it, but I’m also scheduled to have a meeting with Nomura Construction.”

“Are you thinking of investing in Nomura Construction?”

“If we’re going to invest in Japanese real estate, it’s much better to invest directly.”

John Fear wanted to directly purchase Japanese real estate, rather than buying real estate funds or construction company stocks.

“Will that be okay?”

“I think we need to buy it as soon as possible before the value of the dollar drops.”

Jung Hyun-woo thought he was lightning fast.

‘I thought Robert was quick at handling things, but John is even more so.’

The image of him stopping Jung Hyun-woo’s investment in Japan in the past was nowhere to be seen.

“I understand. I’ll put $2 billion into the fund for now.”

Jung Hyun-woo had withdrawn $500 million each from Bank of America and JP Morgan for this investment.

John Fear asked him.

“What should the investment ratio be?”

It was a question asking how much money to invest in which area.

“Hmm, shouldn’t we go with a 5:5 ratio for real estate and finance?”

“I understand. Then I’ll take the investment ratio to half and half.”

John Fear carefully wrote down Jung Hyun-woo’s instructions in his notebook.

Jung Hyun-woo thought as he watched him.

‘Since there’s no smartphone, he has no choice but to write it down in a notebook now.’

After the Japanese investment, the next was the US IT industry.

“The remaining $1 billion will be invested next month.”

Victoria Fund was scheduled to start with $3 billion in assets.

John Fear moved his pen and asked.

“Will you also invest in Japan with a half-and-half ratio?”

Jung Hyun-woo retorted to his question.

“Don’t we need money to invest in the United States too?”

“We’ll need to invest about 200 to 300 million dollars.”

“Let’s use all $1 billion.”

John Fear stopped his pen and looked up.

“You mean use all $1 billion?”

“If good properties come out in New York and LA real estate, it wouldn’t be bad for us to buy them and then resell them.”

He meant that we should take the prime properties.

“I understand what you mean.”

John Fear’s pen began to move again.

“Let’s invest in the automobile, chemical, and medical fields in Germany.”

Jung Hyun-woo was planning to invest about $100 million in Germany for the diversity of Victoria Fund.

“The mark is rising, is that okay?”

“The yen is also rising, so it’s the same.”

“Then I’ll invest in Volkswagen first.”

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

“Mercedes-Benz or BMW would also be good.”

John Fear looked up again and asked him.

“Charlie, you don’t drive a German car yourself, but you’re investing money in German cars?”

Jung Hyun-woo shrugged and replied.

“My taste is different from the taste of consumers around the world.”

“I see.”

John Fear thought as he moved his pen.

‘Come to think of it, does Charlie even spend money?’

He couldn’t find a single luxury item in Jung Hyun-woo’s attire. Not only that, but he also didn’t often stay in expensive restaurants or hotels.

‘He might be thinking of money as something to be collected rather than spent.’

Among the rich people he had met, there were those who were extremely reluctant to spend.

John Fear didn’t think Jung Hyun-woo was one of those cases. However, he thought that Jung Hyun-woo’s view of money was different from that of ordinary people.