The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 232

232. Runaway Train (3)

Jung Hyun-woo returned to the United States.

The plane was headed for New York, not Boston.

Instead of returning to Boston to rest, he wanted to wrap up his business in New York.

As soon as Jung Hyun-woo arrived, John Peer came down to the first-floor lobby to greet him.

“Welcome back.”

Jung Hyun-woo looked around the entrance of Victoria Fund headquarters and tilted his head, asking,

“It feels like something’s changed?”

“We did a little remodeling.”

“Did you change the lobby to your taste, John?”

“I hired a professional designer rather than going with my own taste.”

Jung Hyun-woo whistled inwardly at the answer that he had hired a professional designer.

‘Ha… To be able to afford an interior designer means the company’s finances have become quite comfortable.’

Victoria Fund’s return on investment this year was among the highest on Wall Street.

In fact, it was not a problem at all for Victoria Fund to spend this much.

What *was* a problem was the fact that John Peer himself came down to the lobby to greet him, even though the market was in full swing.

‘Hmm, is this an expression of confidence?’

If not, it could be seen as focusing on Japan, which could be said to be their main strength, and operating the New York Stock Exchange a little more loosely.

As the elevator doors closed, John Peer asked him,

“Charlie, did the meeting with the Kajima Group go well?”

Jung Hyun-woo raised his voice at the question.

“Didn’t I tell you the details of the negotiation?”

“I heard it over the phone, but you can only truly grasp the atmosphere and the actual situation on-site.”

“When I arrived in Tokyo, Chairman Kajima avoided the meeting.”

Ding.

The elevator doors opened with a bell sound.

“Chairman Kajima avoided the meeting?”

Jung Hyun-woo answered as he walked out.

“I guess he didn’t realize Japanese real estate would rise this much. Thanks to that, I lost the bet. I guess he was embarrassed.”

John Peer nodded and followed him.

“That’s what happened.”

As the two entered John Peer’s office, the staff headed to the conference room.

“The CEO never rests.”

“How many hours a week does he work?”

Luna, the secretary, answered the staff’s questions.

“Wouldn’t he work about 80 hours?”

“80 hours?”

“If you work 12 hours a day for a week, that’s 84 hours.”

“Does that mean he doesn’t have any days off?”

Luna answered as she walked ahead.

“According to Ms. Hilton, he tests games made by the game development department on Sundays.”

On his days off, he does the softest work.

The staff clicked their tongues at her answer.

“That’s amazing.”

“It’s a life I can’t even imagine.”

“To work without Sundays…”

Luna said, opening the conference room door.

“When I serve the CEO, I think to myself, ‘So that’s how much you have to do to succeed.'”

To her, Jung Hyun-woo was like an idol.

Around the time Luna and the staff entered the conference room, the conversation between Jung Hyun-woo and John Peer was heading towards Victoria Fund’s return on investment.

“Are you saying the return on investment this year has already exceeded 200%?”

John Peer nodded at Jung Hyun-woo’s question.

“It exceeded 200% a long time ago. Right now, to be honest, it’s racing towards Mars or Jupiter.”

Jung Hyun-woo asked again.

“Is that after excluding interest and expenses?”

“Interest and expenses are all excluded.”

Jung Hyun-woo let out a long sigh inwardly.

‘It’s so easy to make money that it’s anticlimactic.’

The hours he spent coding programs all night felt futile.

“Did that return come only from Japan?”

“We’re making profits in the United States as well, but in fact, most of it is from Japan.”

John Peer presented Jung Hyun-woo with exchange rate data.

“Look at this. The yen continues to rise.”

According to the data he presented, the yen had risen by 38% in one year.

“John, haven’t you thought that the rate of increase is excessive?”

John Peer shrugged.

“I *thought* I did around the 25% mark.”

The value of the yen rose so high that the sense of caution disappeared.

“If we calculate from the point we exchanged, the return is about 27%.”

“27% of $15 billion is a little over $4 billion.”

John Peer smiled.

“That’s right. We recorded a return of over 100% from exchange gains alone.”

On top of this, the rise in Japanese real estate had to be added.

This year, the rate of increase in Japanese real estate was close to 100%. Of course, since Jung Hyun-woo did not convert all assets into real estate in January, Victoria Fund’s real estate return was far short of 100%.

Nevertheless, Victoria Fund’s Japanese real estate return was remarkable.

“So, how does the calculation work out?”

John Peer took out a calculator and tapped on it, answering.

“We converted $15 billion into yen, and it became $19 billion due to exchange gains. And the return on this $19 billion is over 50%.”

50% of $19 billion was $9.5 billion.

‘If you add $9.5 billion to $19 billion, it becomes $28.5 billion.’

Jung Hyun-woo narrowed his brows at John Peer’s answer.

“Don’t tell me Victoria Fund’s assets are close to $30 billion?”

The $30 billion he mentioned was the assets including debt, not the net assets excluding debt.

John Peer raised his right index finger and answered his question.

“Bingo, Victoria Fund currently holds assets close to $30 billion.”

The initial capital of Victoria Fund, invested by Jung Hyun-woo, Victoria Corporation, and Sarah, was just over $3 billion.

‘Ten times the initial investment?’

Even if you subtract the $15 billion borrowed from Japanese banks, there is still approximately $15 billion or more left.

‘If we take the initial investment as $3 billion… Doesn’t that mean Victoria Corporation’s return this year is close to 500%?’

500% in one year.

It was a return that even hedge funds could not easily achieve.

‘Crazy.’

Jung Hyun-woo took a deep breath.

John Peer, unlike him, was constantly smiling.

“All of this is thanks to Charlie’s excellent choices.”

Jung Hyun-woo did not smile. Instead, he said coldly.

“It’s too big.”

“Are you talking about Victoria Fund’s profits?”

“Yes.”

John Peer asked him.

“Charlie, you’re not going to pull funds out of Japan, are you?”

He thought now was the time to maintain the investment.

Jung Hyun-woo answered his question calmly.

“I won’t pull them out yet.”

“Not yet, then…”

“I think I told you before? That I wouldn’t take it for too long.”

John Peer seemed to be soaked in the astronomical returns shown in Japan.

‘He was more cautious than me at first.’

When he was at JP Morgan, John Peer had emphasized to him that he should always be wary of investing in Japan.

John Peer paused and took Jung Hyun-woo’s words.

“I, I see.”

Jung Hyun-woo’s voice was still cold.

“John, we were just very lucky this time. These kinds of returns won’t continue forever.”

John Peer also knew that a 500% return per year would not continue.

But he thought the future of the Japanese economy and the yen was bright.

“Charlie, but won’t it continue for a while?”

Jung Hyun-woo put both hands on the table and answered.

“First of all, the yen has risen too much. Hedge funds won’t stand still.”

He was wary of hedge fund attacks.

“Didn’t Charlie say the yen would rise further?”

“It will rise further. But not this year.”

John Peer erased the smile from his face and asked.

“Um, so Charlie wants to convert the yen back into dollars?”

“I won’t do that.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

Depending on Jung Hyun-woo’s decision, Victoria Fund’s investment direction was determined.

Jung Hyun-woo strained his neck and said.

“I will invest the remaining funds in Japanese bank stocks and construction stocks after investing in real estate.”

His voice was calm, but the choice was an even bolder investment than now.

John Peer was shocked by Jung Hyun-woo’s choice.

“Investing in bank stocks means…”

“This year will end here, but next year the yen will rise further. And the Japanese real estate market will heat up even more. I want to aim for that.”

Jung Hyun-woo said that the yen and Japanese real estate were overheated and wanted to pour oil on the fire.

John Peer shook his head from side to side with a long sigh after hearing his words.

“Ha… Charlie is a very difficult person to understand.”

Jung Hyun-woo asked, changing his expression.

“You say I’m a difficult person to understand?”

“When Charlie lowered his voice, I felt like he was trying to reduce investment in Japan.”

“But the actual content was not?”

“It’s not just not. If you invest in construction and bank stocks instead of real estate, which is a tangible asset, aren’t you investing even more aggressively than this year?”

Jung Hyun-woo put his hands together on the table and answered.

“Because I thought the yen and the Japanese economy were not a bubble but a runaway train.”

John Peer’s eyebrows rose.

“A runaway train?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded and answered.

“A runaway train with broken brakes can only collide with the train in front or derail from the tracks.”

The Japanese economy will suffer a major shock someday. But until then, it will run madly.

That’s what he was saying.

“Charlie is thinking of jumping off before the train crashes.”

“Isn’t it better than dying together?”

John Peer asked.

“When do you think that point will be, Charlie?”

“I’ll have to get out before 1990.”

“Then it’s 1989.”

“Maybe I’ll get out before that.”

John Peer thought.

‘That means he’s going to invest for about three more years.’

He concluded that three years would be more than enough to make a profit.

“What are you going to do in three years? Are you going to dissolve the fund?”

Dissolving the fund meant dividing the money held by the fund according to the shares.

Of course, the capital gains tax generated in this process could not be avoided.

“Dissolve the fund? I have to find the next investment target.”

John Peer seemed shocked by his answer.

“Find the next target?”

“Does the world collapse when Japan collapses?”

John Peer opened his mouth wide at his question.

“Th, that is…”

Jung Hyun-woo was saying amazing things very casually.

“After Japan, emerging developing countries will rise. It’s likely to be East Asia or Southeast Asia.”

He turned his gaze to the world map and added an explanation. But none of his explanations reached John Peer’s ears. He was focusing on Jung Hyun-woo as a person rather than the investment.

‘How much more money is he trying to make?’

At the current rate of return, he could become the richest man in America within two or three years.

‘The richest in America is the richest in the world.’

After becoming the world’s number one, it was normal to retire naturally.

But Jung Hyun-woo didn’t seem to have any intention of retiring at all.

‘Is it because he’s young?’

Even in two or three years, Jung Hyun-woo would only be in his early to mid-20s.

‘Well, retiring in your 20s is too early.’

What would happen if the world’s richest man continued to succeed in investing?

John Peer thought he could become a wealthy man with a huge gap from second place.

‘But that process won’t be easy.’

Those who envied him and those who wanted to keep him in check would stand in his way.

‘It will be different from now on.’

Jewish capitalists, the US government, political figures – most of them will turn into enemies.

John Peer, talking to Jung Hyun-woo about investing in the 1990s, asked.

“Charlie, when can I retire?”

Jung Hyun-woo stopped explaining and tilted his head.

“Retire?”

Retirement was a distant word to him.

“Charlie, I’m going to spend time with my family when I’ve made enough money.”

Jung Hyun-woo knew that Americans valued family more than money.

“Well, John, aren’t you too young to retire?”

If John Peer retired in a few years, he would be a CEO retiring in his 40s.

“It’s earlier than others, but I think that’s okay too.”

Jung Hyun-woo said as if persuading him.

“Do you know how much 10% of Victoria Fund’s shares are worth?”

John Peer was the CEO of Victoria Fund. No one knew Victoria Fund’s assets and profits more accurately than him.

“If you only count this year, it would be about $1.5 billion.”

$1.5 billion.

Even after paying capital gains tax, it was enough money to live as a billionaire.

“Is that enough for John?”

“It’s not just enough for my family to live on, it’s overflowing. My grandchildren’s grandchildren will be able to live comfortably.”

Jung Hyun-woo found his answer surprising.

‘Wasn’t he joining hands with me because of money?’

He thought John Peer wanted huge profits.

“If you stay with me for 10 years, $1.5 billion could become $15 billion.”

$15 billion.

With this amount, he could be one of the richest people in America.

“I don’t want that much.”

Jung Hyun-woo sighed briefly.

“Hoo… Everyone has no greed.”

“Everyone?”

“Robert said something similar to John.”

John Peer knew that the Robert that Jung Hyun-woo mentioned was Robert Bernard, the CTO of Victoria Corporation.

“Mr. Bernard and I are not as young as Charlie. What about Miss Hilton?”

He thought Sarah might be similar to Jung Hyun-woo.

“Sarah recommended me to establish Victoria Fund. It seems that only she is dreaming the same dream as me.”

John Peer knew that Sarah was not dreaming the same dream as him.

‘Miss Hilton is just going along with him.’

He thought about why Sarah was going along with Jung Hyun-woo.

‘Is it because of the huge profits?’

That didn’t seem to be the case.

Sarah was already one of the richest people in America, though not as much as Jung Hyun-woo.

She was one of the top three female tycoons in the United States with just her Victoria Corporation shares.

John Peer didn’t think she was pushing Jung Hyun-woo to climb higher.

‘That’s what she showed in Tokyo.’

She always seemed to be assisting him from the side.

‘Assisting from the side.’

This was like a wife supporting a successful businessman.

‘Could it be that she loves him?’

Sarah loves Jung Hyun-woo.

It wasn’t an impossible story.

Jung Hyun-woo was Asian, but he wasn’t small, and he had a brilliant mind.

‘But the age doesn’t match.’

John Peer’s common sense.

No, in the social norms of the 1980s, women were drawn to older men they could lean on.

“John, you have a face that you can’t understand.”

At Jung Hyun-woo’s words, John Peer waved his right hand.

“That’s not true.”

“John, let’s go together.”

Jung Hyun-woo didn’t like changing people. He wanted to build Victoria Fund with John Peer.

“I’m not saying quit right now and quit.”

Jung Hyun-woo raised his voice slightly.

“You’re not thinking of submitting your resignation after the Japanese investment is over?”

“If it ends successfully, that’s what will happen.”

“Isn’t the next chapter a waste?”

“What if I say I’m looking forward to spending time with my family more than the next investment?”

John Peer’s thoughts seemed firm.

“Um, that’s a shame.”

Jung Hyun-woo was really sorry. John Peer knew that, so he turned the conversation slightly.

“Charlie, how about we talk about that part again in January 1990?”

Retirement or fund dissolution was not too late to talk about after succeeding in Japan.

Jung Hyun-woo nodded slowly and answered his question.

“Okay. Then let’s talk about it again then.”

He knew that the time of people like Robert and John Peer was not the same as his.

‘They are living a life 20 years faster than me.’

Nevertheless, he was worried about their early retirement.

‘Isn’t it too early to retire in your 50s?’

Jung Hyun-woo suddenly pictured his retirement point in his head.

‘Retirement.’

He couldn’t picture retiring at a certain age.

‘Ugh…’

The reason he groaned inwardly was because one person came to mind.

‘Surely I’m not living a life where I can’t retire even in my 90s like Buffett [Warren Buffett, a legendary investor]?’

Jung Hyun-woo respects Warren Buffett as an investor, but he didn’t want to invest for such a long time.

‘Okay. Let’s just do it until I’m in my 50s.’

10 years more than Robert or John Peer.

He decided to retire before 2020.