The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 5

The Blood of a Conglomerate

Do you know Paris Hilton?

A heiress of the Hilton family, she was the object of envy and fascination among Americans.

However, it was later revealed that her actual inheritance was closer to 20 billion won [approximately $15 million USD].

Some might say:

“How can you use the word ‘only’ for the huge sum of 20 billion won?”

But considering the astronomical scale of the Hilton family’s wealth, 20 billion won was a relatively small portion.

“The reason she didn’t inherit more than that is because her grandfather was the fourth son of Conrad Hilton, the founder of the Hilton Group.”

What if her grandfather wasn’t the fourth son, but the first?

Even if he wasn’t the first son, what if he was the second son who inherited the family business?

If that were the case, Paris Hilton’s inheritance would have been significantly larger.

“You said Sarah is in a similar situation.”

Sarah Hilton.

She wasn’t a direct descendant in the main line of the Hilton family either.

Her grandfather was a brother of Conrad Hilton, the founder of the Hilton Hotel Group.

In other words, Sarah Hilton was not a direct descendant of Conrad Hilton.

“Even so, she’s much wealthier than ordinary people.”

She could attend college without needing a part-time job if she wanted to.

But she refused.

“The rich one is my grandfather, not me.”

Sarah wanted to earn enough for her living expenses herself.

“You could say she has a strong sense of independence. Compared to her, the conglomerates in our country…”

They were used to enjoying luxury and didn’t want to experience hardship. Of course, their parents also doted on them.

‘But is that all there is to it?’

The knowledge he had about conglomerates was mostly fragmented.

It came from movies, dramas, and novels, as well as rumors he’d heard from colleagues and superiors while working at the company.

“Tsk, I wish I could become a conglomerate to know what it’s like.”

Jung Hyun-woo clicked his tongue and typed on the keyboard.

Tak. Tak. Tak.

The game he was developing was a side-scrolling shooting game.

In the 21st century, it was a genre that had become so overdone it was practically ancient.

But in 1981, side-scrolling shooting games were still considered cutting-edge.

Tuk.

He lightly tapped the keyboard and stopped.

“I want to pour in interesting elements, but that would be too much.”

Numerous masterpieces had been released before the Atari shock [the video game industry crash of 1983].

He didn’t want to directly copy their innovative elements.

“It’ll be enough to just take the advantages of the current games.”

The Great Bubble Era [the Japanese asset price bubble of the late 1980s].

He figured that providing just the right amount of fun would be enough to succeed.

***

Sarah Hilton looked at the boy, Jung Hyun-woo, with curious eyes.

‘I heard he was a troublemaker, but he’s not that bad.’

He consistently achieved excellent grades in every subject she tutored him in.

And that wasn’t all.

Jung Hyun-woo had no difficulty conversing with her. He offered diverse opinions on American history, economics, and various prominent figures.

‘College student level? Maybe even beyond that.’

Today, Jung Hyun-woo was solving problems quickly.

After a while, he stopped writing.

“There are quite a few problems in the textbook that aren’t usually covered.”

Sarah smiled and said,

“They’re typical SAT questions.”

“SAT?”

“They’re not particularly difficult.”

Basic SAT problems.

‘I want to try solving more difficult problems, but it might be too much too soon, right?’

He was confident, having survived the intense entrance exam competition in Korea.

“I’d like to try solving more difficult problems next time.”

Sarah said while grading the test paper,

“Step by step.”

“You mean if you’re too greedy, you’ll stumble?”

“Exactly.”

Jung Hyun-woo was fun to teach.

‘The pay is good; it’s not a bad job.’

Besides, Jung Hyun-woo’s house was close to her apartment. This was very important to her.

‘I don’t want to waste time commuting.’

The Boston University she was attending wasn’t an Ivy League school, but it was still challenging to graduate from.

“Sarah.”

“Yes?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor?”

It was rare for Jung Hyun-woo to ask for favors.

‘What’s up with him today?’

“What is it?”

Jung Hyun-woo turned his gaze to the computer and answered,

“I have a program I made. Would you like to take a look?”

Sarah was surprised by his words.

“You made a program?”

“It’s still in the early stages.”

1981.

High school students who could handle computer programs were rare, even in the United States.

“What kind of program is it?”

“It’s nothing special.”

Jung Hyun-woo skillfully operated the computer. The slow processing speed and black and white screen were like museum pieces to him, having lived in the 21st century, but to Sarah, it represented the pinnacle of modern technology.

“This is the program?”

“You have to wait a little longer.”

After a short wait, the game he made started to run.

“The screen is coming on.”

“It’s a shooting game.”

Jung Hyun-woo showed Sarah the first stage of the game he had created.

The playtime was only about 3 minutes.

But 3 minutes was enough to impress Sarah.

“Amazing, did you make this all by yourself?”

“I made it in my spare time, when I wasn’t studying.”

Sarah had an incredulous expression.

‘He’s a genius!’

Even her college classmates couldn’t handle programs as proficiently as he did.

“But is the game over here?”

“No. There are five more stages to come.”

Jung Hyun-woo calmly continued with the game. Soon after the game was over, Sarah said confidently,

“I think we can sell it.”

Capitalist country, America.

Sarah’s instincts, honed by being born and raised in a wealthy family in this country, immediately recognized the potential for profit.

Jung Hyun-woo was slightly surprised inside at her words.

‘Did she see right through me?’

He had planned to show her the game and then ask if it was something that could be sold.

But there was no need for that now. He widened his eyes as if he didn’t know anything.

“Sell it?”

“We can’t just let such a great game sit around. Of course, we have to sell it to a game company.”

“I’m just a high school student.”

“Even high school students can make deals with companies as long as they have an agent.”

The blood of the Hilton family flowing through Sarah was guiding her toward the path of money.

Jung Hyun-woo asked again,

“Still, will any game company actually buy this?”

Sarah raised her right index finger.

“Of course, there are. Games are booming right now!”

The Great Bubble Era.

Games were selling as soon as they were made.

She had seen quite a few game commercials on TV.

“Can we get at least a hundred dollars?”

Sarah burst out laughing at Jung Hyun-woo’s question.

‘Pfft, he’s still a kid sometimes.’

She shook her right index finger from side to side and said,

“A hundred dollars? We can get at least ten thousand dollars.”

Considering the prices in 1981, ten thousand dollars was a significant amount of money.

‘Since houses near Boston cost about 30-40 thousand dollars, I can’t buy a house, but I can buy a decent car.’

The reason he knew the housing prices in Boston was thanks to the newspaper he read at the Boston Drug Addiction Treatment Center.

“But how do we make a deal with a game company?”

Sarah answered in a confident voice,

“Leave it to me.”

It wasn’t an answer that an ordinary college student could give.

“Sarah?”

“Why? Do you think I can’t do it?”

“Are you sure? You have schoolwork too.”

“What better way to understand management and finance than to negotiate with a company?”

“That’s true.”

Jung Hyun-woo was surprised by Sarah’s enthusiasm.

‘I heard Paris Hilton is also good with money. Sarah is from the Hilton family, so is she like her?’

He sighed briefly and said,

“Then Sarah, please sell this game for me.”

Sarah smiled.

“Okay! But how much commission are you going to give me?”

Conglomerates were, at their core, merchants.

A merchant wouldn’t engage in a transaction without getting something in return.

“Pardon?”

Sarah shook her right index finger again.

“Charlie doesn’t know the basics of business.”

Jung Hyun-woo scratched his head.

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. You can learn as you go. It’s standard to pay a fee when using an agent.”

Jung Hyun-woo looked at her and thought,

‘She’s not an easy person.’

It was a misjudgment to think of her as a refined young lady from a prestigious family. She was a shrewd businesswoman.

‘Is her potential as big as the heiress of the Hilton family?’

He wanted to test her abilities.

“How much do you want, Sarah?”

“You’re telling me to decide?”

“I don’t know much about this.”

Sarah gently folded her right hand and lightly flicked Jung Hyun-woo’s forehead.

Tak.

“Charlie, you can’t leave all the business dealings to others like that.”

“I trust Sarah.”

“You shouldn’t trust anyone except your parents.”

“Not even Sarah?”

“Of course not.”

She began to explain to Jung Hyun-woo what corporate transactions were and how to approach them.

Sarah’s capacity was much greater than he had anticipated.

‘I thought she would just suggest conditions that were favorable to her, but she’s even teaching me this much.’

She was advising him on the world of adults and sharing her knowledge of business practices.

This was an unexpected benefit for Jung Hyun-woo.

───────────

───────────