The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 270

Tokyo Blues (6)

The person with the bright face was Yu Tanaka.

“The story is going in the direction we wanted.”

President Mori stroked his chin upon hearing those words.

“That Charlie Jung followed Tanaka’s instructions so obediently?”

Yu Tanaka knew he should answer yes to make himself look good. However, he felt pressured by President Mori’s sharp gaze.

In the end, he couldn’t lie and told him the conversation he’d had with Jung Hyun-woo exactly as it happened.

“You mean he’s going to cross-reference our proposal with the data from the Tokyo branch?”

Yu Tanaka nodded vigorously.

“That’s right.”

Howard Robinson, who was standing next to President Mori, burst into a hearty laugh.

“Mr. Mori, this deal seems like it can be easily concluded, like taking candy from a baby.”

He was confident that he could make a large profit from this deal.

However, President Mori didn’t share that sentiment.

“If we present the wrong asking price, Charlie Jung will notice.”

Howard Robinson’s smile vanished, and he asked,

“Mr. Mori, with Mr. Tanaka on our side, how would he know the exact market price?”

President Mori answered his question.

“We haven’t won over *all* the employees of the Japan branch of Victoria Fund, have we?”

Yu Tanaka raised his right hand.

“There’s no need to worry about that. Among those working at the Tokyo branch, there’s no one who sincerely supports the Americans. Besides, all reports go through me.”

President Mori still didn’t seem at ease.

“Even if that’s the case with Charlie Jung, isn’t Mr. Peer a man who has been with the Tokyo branch from the beginning?”

“That’s not quite accurate. He entrusted me with not only the Tokyo branch but also the entire Japan branch. Most of the employees currently working probably haven’t even had a proper conversation with Mr. Peer.”

It was as if the Tokyo branch of Victoria Fund was entirely in his hands.

“Hmm, are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Yu Tanaka fantasized about handing over Victoria Fund’s real estate to the Kajima Group and leaving this industry for good.

‘If I succeed in this deal, I’ll earn enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life.’

He didn’t need as much money as Jung Hyun-woo or John Peer. He just wanted to enjoy alcohol and women without financial worries.

“Mr. Mori, don’t worry too much.”

Howard Robinson was also optimistic about this deal, though for a slightly different reason than Yu Tanaka.

‘Charlie Jung is an agile investor. He’s already made enough profit, so he won’t bother checking the real estate market thoroughly to reduce losses.’

He predicted that Jung Hyun-woo and Victoria Fund had made enormous profits, so they wouldn’t scrutinize the real estate market prices.

President Mori sighed briefly and said,

“Hmm… Alright. If things unfold according to the scenario we want, how much should we lower the asking price?”

Howard Robinson became the center of attention for President Mori and Yu Tanaka.

Howard Robinson lowered his voice and suggested an asking price.

“How about lowering it by about 10% of the market price?”

10% of the market price.

“The total value of the real estate currently owned by Victoria Fund is about $100 billion, so that should be fine.”

The real estate market price in downtown Tokyo had risen by more than 100% in a year, so even while the initial discussions of withdrawal were ongoing, the market price had risen by more than 10%.

Yu Tanaka was set to receive 1% of the total transaction amount as a commission, so at this rate, he could pocket $1 billion.

“If it’s a bulk sale, that’s $10 billion.”

However, this sale was not a bulk sale but a sale of about 10% of the owned real estate.

In other words, the commission he could receive from this deal was 1%, or $100 million.

‘Should I ask for 2% since I’m receiving from both sides?’

He could receive 1% of the profit from Victoria Fund as a performance bonus.

Considering the effort Jung Hyun-woo put in to earn his first $100 million, the amount he would receive from this deal was a truly large sum.

Howard Robinson said with a regretful expression,

“I’d like to receive it all at once, but unfortunately, it seems difficult this time.”

Yu Tanaka asked him,

“By the way, what is the investment ratio between the two companies?”

It was a question about the investment ratio between Morgan Stanley and Kajima Group.

President Mori answered his question coldly.

“That’s not something you need to know.”

Howard Robinson also slightly raised his voice this time.

“Mr. Tanaka, trying to know too much can have a negative impact on your life.”

Yu Tanaka realized that his question had been inappropriate.

“I don’t necessarily *want* to know. I was just curious.”

Towards the end of the conversation, President Mori took out a bankbook from his pocket.

“It’s a Swiss nominee account [an account held in a false name to protect the true owner’s identity].”

“A Swiss bank?”

“Your commission is not the contracted amount.”

Yu Tanaka nodded.

“I know.”

“Each time the contract is concluded, a 1% commission will be deposited.”

“How do I access the money? Password? Signature? Seal?”

President Mori replied,

“It’s a number. There’s a memo inside.”

“Can the number be changed?”

“Go to the Swiss headquarters and change it. However, handle it carefully. It’s a nominee account, so if you don’t remember the number you changed, you’ll never be able to access the money again.”

Yu Tanaka clenched his fist slightly.

“You’re thorough.”

It was clear that he had done this more than once or twice.

“Construction is a place where subcontracting is common.”

Unlike the securities industry, kickbacks were not uncommon in the construction industry.

‘There was even a time when it was said that the Yakuza [Japanese organized crime syndicate] had a tight grip on it.’

Yu Tanaka thought that President Mori was intelligent but fundamentally different from himself.

“Well, is everything finished?”

When Howard Robinson asked in a bright voice, President Mori nodded.

“It seems like we’ve roughly agreed.”

Howard Robinson raised his voice towards Yu Tanaka.

“Mr. Tanaka, are you going to hang out?”

The place they were referring to was the entertainment district of Shinjuku [a major commercial and entertainment area in Tokyo].

“I’m abstaining from alcohol until the deal is over.”

Yu Tanaka knew what was important.

Howard Robinson gave him a thumbs up and said,

“Good thinking.”

He was worried that Yu Tanaka might cause an incident at a club or a high-end bar.

‘It’s a deal worth $200 million, so he’ll take care of himself.’

Howard Robinson could return to the New York headquarters if he successfully completed this investment.

‘I don’t feel like seeing Kyle’s face, but sometimes I miss the air in New York.’

He was a typical New Yorker.

* * *

John Peer looked at the data on the table and let out a long sigh.

“Hoo… He wasn’t like this when I first saw him. He was a young man with a diligent and solid image.”

Jung Hyun-woo didn’t deny it.

“That’s probably because of the duality of the Japanese.”

“The duality of the Japanese?”

“They often hide their true selves and become model students when necessary. But that’s only when it’s necessary. They can’t hide their true selves forever.”

A fabricated lie cannot be maintained for long.

Sooner or later, the original appearance will inevitably be revealed.

Jung Hyun-woo was implying this.

“Are you saying that the appearance he’s showing now is his original appearance?”

“I think he might be an ambitious person.”

John Peer groaned.

“Hmm, an ambitious person.”

“It’s possible he wants more than the incentives we set.”

John Peer had no choice but to nod slowly.

“I think that could be the case if he believes that the profits made by the Japanese branch are solely due to his efforts.”

The incentive he promised Yu Tanaka was 1% of the profit, which was definitely less than the 1% of the transaction amount promised by the Kajima Group.

“How’s the data?”

John Peer answered Jung Hyun-woo’s question.

“There’s only about a 1% error depending on the item for sale.”

It meant that the market price sent by the Kajima Group and the market price reported by Yu Tanaka were nearly identical.

“They could have added a little bit of a discrepancy…”

Jung Hyun-woo thought it was too blatant.

“Maybe we’re wrong.”

Perhaps both the Kajima Group and Yu Tanaka had sent the accurate market price.

Jung Hyun-woo slightly raised his voice.

“Do you really think so?”

John Peer crossed his legs and replied,

“There’s no 100% certainty in the world, except for death.”

Jung Hyun-woo took out a piece of paper from a small bag he had placed next to him.

“Take a look at this.”

John Peer confirmed that the paper was filled with the market prices of the items for sale.

“This is…”

“This is the current market price of the items we are trying to sell this time. We cross-verified with five real estate agencies, so it can be considered somewhat objective.”

The market price shown in the table was clearly different from the market price reported by the Kajima Group and Yu Tanaka.

There was a difference in market price of up to 15% and a minimum of 7%.

“How did you investigate this?”

Jung Hyun-woo answered John Peer’s question.

“I went through a friend.”

“A friend?”

“I have several friends in Japan.”

John Peer didn’t ask any further when he didn’t elaborate. At that moment, Jung Hyun-woo took out a memo pad and wrote something on it. Then he held it out.

– There might be a wiretap.

John Peer opened his eyes wide after reading the note.

‘If there’s a wiretap here, isn’t this entire conversation pointless?’

He frowned.

“Should I assume it’s the CIA? [Central Intelligence Agency, a US intelligence agency].”

“If it’s the CIA, it’s almost certain.”

John Peer didn’t think it was the CIA.

‘If the person who provided the information was the CIA, Charlie wouldn’t have sent this note.’

He tore up the memo and said,

“What are you going to do with Tanaka?”

“I’m not going to fire him right now.”

“Do you trust him?”

“We can’t do the actual work ourselves.”

John Peer didn’t agree.

‘It’s true that Tanaka is competent, but his ability isn’t irreplaceable.’

Another employee at the Tokyo branch could have done his job instead.

However, Jung Hyun-woo seemed to want to keep Yu Tanaka in his position.

‘Hmm, I wonder why.’

He decided to leave this deal to Jung Hyun-woo’s judgment.

“Charlie.”

“John, do you have any questions?”

“Is it right to keep going with the Kajima Group?”

John Peer wanted to ask a fundamental question.

“I don’t think we can back down now.”

Can’t back down.

To be exact, it meant that it was too late to cut ties with the Kajima Group and choose Plan B.

“I hope it goes as Charlie wishes.”

The meeting with the Kajima Group was scheduled for the next day.

* * *

The place where Kajima Jiro, the chairman of the Kajima Group, and Jung Hyun-woo met was a luxury hotel convention center near Tokyo Tower.

In the vast convention room where hundreds of people could attend parties or seminars, there was only one table.

‘They’re wasting space.’

There were two chairs on each side of the table.

There were only four chairs in total.

“It’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while.”

Jung Hyun-woo and Chairman Kajima exchanged brief greetings. The two wanted to have a conversation between leaders without any attendants.

Not only Luna, the secretary who accompanied him to this place, but also Yu Tanaka, the branch manager of the Tokyo branch, and even John Peer, the CEO, were excluded from the negotiation table.

“Where is there a negotiation where the CEO doesn’t attend?”

When Yu Tanaka protested, John Peer answered calmly,

“Because Victoria Fund is Charlie’s company.”

“Charlie Jung’s company would be Victoria Corporation.”

“Don’t you know our company’s share structure?”

“I know that Charlie Jung’s stake in Victoria Fund is only 30%.”

John Peer said with a smile,

“90% is effectively Charlie’s stake.”

He was just a manager, and Victoria Fund was essentially Jung Hyun-woo’s company.

“90%?”

“It seems you haven’t accurately checked our fund’s shares.”

Yu Tanaka bit his lip.

‘Tsk, I only checked Charlie Jung’s direct stake, as John mentioned.’

He stood there with a resentful expression.

President Mori of Kajima Construction greeted them.

“Mr. Peer, it’s been a while.”

John Peer also raised his right hand and accepted his greeting.

“How do you do?”

The conversation flowed easily because the two were acquaintances.

“I don’t know why Mr. Jung changed his mind.”

What Jung Hyun-woo initially requested was to hear the Kajima Group’s proposal.

However, the day before, he changed his mind and expressed his intention to have a solo meeting with Chairman Kajima Jiro.

If Jung Hyun-woo was just a simple business owner, the Kajima Group would have likely declined, citing difficulties.

But Jung Hyun-woo was the world’s richest man and the owner of the world’s second-largest company.

In short, his request was not something that the Kajima Group could easily refuse. Thanks to that, a negotiation table like today’s was set up.

John Peer said,

“Charlie sometimes handles things based on intuition.”

It implied that he had a touch of artistic eccentricity.

President Mori sighed.

“Hoo… There are sometimes people like that among CEOs. Mr. Peer, it must be difficult for you.”

John Peer smiled at his consolation.

“I think of it as the price I’m paying for receiving a large salary.”

It meant that he could tolerate the owner’s whims as long as he was well-compensated.

Yu Tanaka, who was stuck between the two, was restless.

‘Nothing should jeopardize this deal.’

He was the person who least wanted this deal to fall through.

At the same time, at the negotiation table between Victoria Fund and Kajima Group, after the greetings were over, Chairman Kajima Jiro slightly raised his voice.

“Mr. Jung, do you have any specific concerns about this deal?”

Jung Hyun-woo nodded and replied,

“The headquarters has positively reviewed the Kajima Group’s proposal.”

Positive review.

In negotiations, this word could be interpreted in two ways.

One was a polite refusal.

And the other meant that there were additional requirements.

Chairman Kajima Jiro was sure it was the second.

‘There’s no reason for Victoria Fund not to negotiate with us.’

Kajima Construction was in charge of the construction of all Victoria Fund-owned buildings.

From Victoria Fund’s point of view, it was impractical to break the contract and find another construction company.

“Are you saying that there are insufficient aspects in our proposal?”

Jung Hyun-woo shook his head.

“There are no insufficient aspects. However…”

When he trailed off, Chairman Kajima Jiro slightly raised his voice.

“However?”

The two people’s words were quickly translated, so there was little delay in the conversation.

Jung Hyun-woo answered his question.

“Rather than insufficient aspects, I think there’s a problem.”

Chairman Kajima Jiro clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘Tsk, could it be that Tanaka betrayed me?’

He was the mastermind behind this deal, along with Morgan Stanley.

Naturally, he was worried about Yu Tanaka’s betrayal.

‘If he really betrayed me, I won’t let him get away with it.’

He was contemplating measures beyond economic ruin.

“Mr. Jung, what kind of problem is that?”

Jung Hyun-woo put his hands together and replied,

“It seems that there are people who are trying to embezzle money from our two companies.”

Chairman Kajima Jiro groaned at his answer.

“Hmm, people who are trying to embezzle money…”

His groan was, of course, an act.

‘It seems he doesn’t know the full extent of it yet. But even a suspicion is a burden.’

Chairman Kajima Jiro knew that Jung Hyun-woo was not an easy opponent.