The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 93

93. Billionaire (4)

After Sarah and Sean Luke stepped down, Neil Hamilton stubbed out his cigar, his expression that of a man who had seen through the world.

“I want to open the door to the future. Do you think that’s possible with just JP Services?”

Hyun-woo Jung carefully chose his words, removing as much potential for conflict as possible before questioning him in return.

“Do you think it’s impossible?”

Neil Hamilton neither confirmed nor denied the question.

“Younger people don’t think as deeply as we do. Tell me your thoughts.”

Unlike his meeting with Justin Balmer, there was no time limit.

Hyun-woo Jung slowly began to describe the future he envisioned.

“The future I want to bring to Wall Street is…”

He explained the future of JP Services, the inequality of information access, and even the concept of online stock trading.

Neil Hamilton listened intently until Hyun-woo finished, then a slight smile touched his lips.

“Who else have you won over with this story?”

Hyun-woo met his gaze directly and replied.

“If it were a completely unrealistic story, no one would have been convinced.”

Neil Hamilton took out another cigar, but instead of lighting it, he held it and spoke.

“So, you’re saying there are others who believe in a vision similar to your… bold claims.”

Hyun-woo knew that Hamilton wasn’t intentionally trying to provoke him.

‘At this point, this probably sounds more like a fantasy than the idea of humans going to Mars.’

He lowered his voice slightly.

“Mr. Hamilton, you don’t believe what I’m saying.”

Neil Hamilton received his statement without any change in his expression.

“The things you’ve described… someday they might be possible. But not now.”

He was a veteran who had fought in World War II. When he was Hyun-woo’s age, things like lunar exploration, computers, nuclear weapons, and jet planes were still unimaginable.

He had witnessed incredible technological advancements throughout his life, but he still found it difficult to believe everything Hyun-woo was saying.

‘Stock trading is done through brokers at the counter.’

He couldn’t imagine a world where stocks were traded from home; it seemed like the securities companies themselves might become obsolete.

“I would like to ask you a question now.”

“What do you want to ask?”

“Mr. Hamilton, how much time do you think it will take for the things I’ve described to become reality?”

Hyun-woo already knew the answer, or at least, he had a strong sense of it.

‘I’ve already experienced this world once.’

Neil Hamilton tapped the table with his cigar and answered.

“Hmm, it will take at least 50 years, no matter how quickly things progress. By then, you’ll be as old as I am.”

Hyun-woo smiled faintly at his answer.

“If it takes that long, Mr. Hamilton won’t be around to see the completion of the system I’ve described.”

Neil Hamilton pointed to the sky with his cigar.

“As you said, I’ll be up there by then.”

He felt that death was not far off.

‘Death is nothing. It’s just meeting the comrades I parted with on Omaha Beach again.’

Hyun-woo cleared his throat slightly.

“Mr. Hamilton, if you take good care of your health, you will be able to see the new world of Wall Street with your own eyes.”

Neil Hamilton snorted at his words.

“Take good care of my health? At this point, isn’t that more of a curse than flattery? Unless I become a zombie or a vampire, how can I possibly witness such things?”

“The system I mentioned will be completed within 15 years.”

Neil Hamilton raised his voice after hearing the 15-year timeframe.

“Your system will be completed in 15 years?”

If such a system were completed within 15 years as Hyun-woo claimed, JP Morgan had to acquire Victoria Corporation at any cost.

“Fifteen years is enough. I’m willing to bet on it.”

Hyun-woo thought that the system might be completed even faster.

‘Even if history unfolds as it did before, an online stock trading program will emerge within 15 years. If I, who have already experienced the future, create that program myself… I might be able to shorten the time considerably.’

Even with the challenges of the 1980s, he believed he could create a beta version of the online stock trading program in the early 1990s.

Neil Hamilton was somewhat doubtful, given Hyun-woo’s unwavering confidence.

“Fifteen years? With the current technology?”

Hyun-woo gestured a square box with both hands and answered.

“Mr. Hamilton, IT technology is developing rapidly, even as we speak. Do you remember what computers were like 15 years ago?”

Fifteen years ago…

Mr. Hamilton furrowed his brow.

“If it was 15 years ago, it was before that Intel company came along.”

Intel was founded in 1968, but the world’s first commercial microprocessor they developed was released in 1971.

Before that, microprocessors didn’t exist, and neither did personal computers (PCs).

“Perhaps at that time, only huge mainframes were called computers.”

Neil Hamilton vividly remembered the mainframe computers that took up entire rooms and emitted a constant humming noise.

“Hmm.”

As he pondered, Hyun-woo asked in a clear voice.

“How many years do you think it took for those huge mainframes to become small enough to fit in homes?”

Neil Hamilton had witnessed computers shrink from room-sized behemoths to machines that could sit on a desk.

‘Is 15 years like an eternity in the IT industry?’

He knew someone who reminded him of Hyun-woo.

“Do you know Andrew Carnegie?”

Hyun-woo shrugged and asked back.

“Is there anyone in America who doesn’t know the steel king Carnegie?”

Andrew Carnegie was one of the wealthiest men in the United States, along with Rockefeller.

“Then you probably know how he made his fortune.”

Everyone knew that steel king Carnegie became rich through Carnegie Steel.

“I don’t think this is about his biography or business practices.”

Neil Hamilton nodded and said.

“It was our JP Morgan that helped him amass his wealth.”

JP Morgan, the founder of JP Morgan, was a man who controlled immense wealth, but he wasn’t as widely known as Andrew Carnegie or Rockefeller. In fact, he often didn’t make the top 10 list of richest people in American history.

But at one time, he held more wealth than both Andrew Carnegie and Rockefeller combined.

Hyun-woo had heard several stories about him when he studied American history with Sarah.

‘He was a man who tried to swallow the entire American economy.’

If it hadn’t been for his tragic end, he might have surpassed even the Rothschild family.

“There’s no one who doesn’t know the story of JP Morgan acquiring Carnegie Steel.”

Andrew Carnegie received a historic proposal while playing golf with JP Morgan: how much would he sell his company, Carnegie Steel, for?

Carnegie wrote the desired amount on a piece of paper, and JP Morgan acquired Carnegie Steel for that exact amount. In other words, Carnegie’s enormous wealth originated from JP Morgan’s coffers.

Neil Hamilton looked at Hyun-woo and asked.

“Don’t you want to become the next Carnegie Steel?”

Just like Carnegie Steel, JP Morgan would acquire Victoria Corporation.

Hyun-woo’s eyebrows shot up for a moment.

“Are you serious?”

Neil Hamilton nodded slowly.

“I’m serious.”

He didn’t believe everything Hyun-woo said, but even if only 30% of it came true, he thought there was ample reason to acquire Victoria Corporation.

‘If I can acquire Victoria Corporation in my current position, it would be a fitting end to my career.’

Neil Hamilton considered this his last major undertaking. He wanted to handle it without any personal gain.

He held out a blank piece of paper and said.

“Write the amount you want on this paper.”

Hyun-woo looked at the paper Neil Hamilton offered and raised his voice.

“If I write the amount on this paper, can I become like Carnegie?”

“If you do that, you’ll become a billionaire decades earlier than Carnegie did.”

Carnegie was already old when he received the historic offer from JP Morgan.

If Hyun-woo followed Carnegie’s example, he would become incredibly wealthy before he even turned twenty.

He was slightly taken aback by Neil Hamilton’s sudden offer.

‘Why did his attitude suddenly change so drastically?’

Perhaps JP Morgan’s top executives had instructed him to acquire Victoria Corporation at any cost.

‘If I write 10 billion dollars, will they really give me all 10 billion dollars?’

If Neil Hamilton, or rather JP Morgan, agreed to 10 billion dollars, Hyun-woo would possess wealth equivalent to the annual budget of South Korea.

‘A billionaire in his teens.’

If his sole goal was to make money, it would be best to write 10 billion dollars on the paper.

‘If I invest in the stocks I want with that money…’

He could achieve unimaginable wealth, surpassing even Carnegie or Rockefeller.

‘Should I take that path?’

A strong temptation stirred within him, but it didn’t last long.

‘Hoo… After confidently declaring that I would open the door to the future, I’m wavering because of money.’

Hyun-woo had shared his dreams and goals with many people.

‘I want to hold onto that vision.’

He cleared his throat and said.

“Mr. Hamilton, Carnegie accepted JP Morgan’s offer because he was already old.”

Neil Hamilton realized that Hyun-woo was rejecting his offer.

“You’re saying you’re not old enough to sell the company and retire like Carnegie.”

“As I said before, I want to bring the future to Wall Street.”

Neil Hamilton nodded slowly.

“I understand your intentions.”

Before taking the flight to Miami, he had been instructed by Arthur Morgan to successfully conclude negotiations with Victoria Corporation.

“Then shall we discuss the negotiation further?”

Hyun-woo could sense a hint of disappointment in his voice.

“I apologize for turning down your generous offer.”

Neil Hamilton lit a cigar and said.

“No need to apologize. It’s your right to refuse.”

Hyun-woo wanted to steer the conversation back from the Victoria acquisition to the JP Services negotiation.

“Mr. Hamilton, I’ll add one more concession to my previous offer.”

He had already offered JP Morgan 30% of the profits generated by Bank of America and four months of priority updates.

“I hope it’s not a trivial addition.”

Hyun-woo clasped his hands together and said.

“I will give JP Morgan 1% of the profits generated by JP Services and related technologies.”

“If it’s profit, are we talking about gross revenue? Or net profit after expenses?”

Hyun-woo raised his right hand, palm facing outward.

“Mr. Hamilton, 1% of gross revenue would be excessive. I’m referring to net profit after all expenses are deducted.”

In reality, the number 1% might seem insignificant at first glance.

But if you consider this 1% as a dividend, it’s by no means a small amount.

‘To receive 1% of net profit as a dividend, you would need to own at least 10% of the shares.’

Hyun-woo was essentially offering JP Morgan the equivalent of the dividend from 10% of Victoria Corporation’s shares.

Neil Hamilton was also making that calculation.

‘But unlike manufacturing companies, IT companies don’t typically invest based on dividends.’

He took a puff of his cigar and raised his voice.

“Hoo… May I make a counteroffer?”

Hyun-woo nodded.

“Tell me.”

He would consider any offer.

“Good, very good.”

Neil Hamilton nodded a couple of times and then presented his counteroffer.

“I want 10% of the total shares, not 1% of net profit.”

He wanted 10% ownership of the company.

Hyun-woo couldn’t help but narrow his brow.

“10% is too much.”

Neil Hamilton already anticipated that Hyun-woo wouldn’t agree to give away 10% of the company.

“I’m not simply asking for it.”

He meant that JP Morgan would purchase 10% of Victoria Corporation’s shares.

If Victoria Corporation’s market capitalization was valued at 10 billion dollars, 10% would be exactly 1 billion dollars.

‘But there’s no way JP Morgan would offer 1 billion dollars.’

He had asked Peter Lynch to evaluate Victoria Corporation’s value prior to today’s negotiations.

‘Peter valued Victoria Corporation at only 1.42 billion dollars.’

Even if JP Morgan generously valued Victoria Corporation, it would only be around 3 billion dollars.

‘10% would be 300 million dollars.’

As of 1984, 300 million dollars was a substantial sum.

But it didn’t meet Hyun-woo’s expectations.

“I know.”

He was about to firmly state that he wouldn’t hand over any shares.

“If you hand over the shares, we won’t ask for anything else.”

Hyun-woo paused at his words.

“You mean you won’t ask for anything else…”

Neil Hamilton shook the ashes from his cigar and said.

“I mean that I won’t ask for any of the profit sharing or priority updates that you proposed earlier.”

Hyun-woo realized the implications of this unconventional offer.

“You really want to be partners.”

In exchange for buying 10% of the shares, JP Morgan would relinquish all other demands and allow him to operate freely.

Neil Hamilton nodded.

“We can cooperate not only with JP Services but also with financial matters.”

Cooperation in financial matters.

This could mean access to unconventional loans or reduced interest rates on existing loans.

“I think that aspect requires further discussion.”

He felt it was a decision he couldn’t make alone.

‘Even if Robert is difficult, I need to consult with Sarah at the very least.’

But Neil Hamilton shook his head.

“Decide now.”

Hyun-woo sensed a deep sincerity in his voice.

‘This man is being genuine.’

He asked for clarification.

“Are you saying that you only want my opinion when you say ‘decide now’?”

Neil Hamilton shook the ashes from his cigar and raised his voice.

“If you want to open the door to the future, shouldn’t you be able to make such a decision yourself?”

It was a question laced with a challenge.

Hyun-woo narrowed his brow for a moment.

“I understand. Give me a moment to think.”

Neil Hamilton took off the watch he was wearing on his left wrist.

*Tak.*

He placed the watch on the table and raised his voice.

“Will three minutes be enough?”

The watch Neil Hamilton was wearing was a Hamilton, the same as his first name.

For context, Hamilton is a watch brand that originated in the United States and has been popular among Americans, often appearing in American movies.

“Three minutes is enough.”

Hyun-woo had to think and decide on his own.

‘If it were Sarah… if it were Robert… what would they think?’

He had often relied on their opinions while managing Victoria Corporation.

‘Sarah values cash flow, so she would be drawn to JP Morgan’s second offer.’

Sarah would likely agree to sell the shares.

‘Robert is the type who values the relationship between companies more than cash flow.’

There was nothing inherently negative for Robert in giving up shares to JP Morgan.

Besides, he didn’t even own shares in Victoria Corporation.

Ultimately, Hyun-woo was the only one who opposed the share deal.

‘I feel like I’m the only one playing the villain.’

A smile formed on his lips.

“I understand. I will sell 10% of Victoria Corporation’s shares to JP Morgan. But the price won’t be cheap.”

Neil Hamilton was satisfied with his answer, but his next words were almost sarcastic.

“It’ll be a price bordering on robbery, right?”

Hyun-woo didn’t deny the accusation of the price being akin to robbery.

“Mr. Hamilton, with this deal, JP Morgan isn’t just acquiring shares in Victoria Corporation, but sharing in the future of Wall Street.”

The future of Wall Street.

It was a welcome phrase for some, but it sounded like a pipe dream to a financier like Neil Hamilton.

“Tell me. How much do you want?”

Hyun-woo wrote the price on the paper that Neil Hamilton had given him earlier.

Then he folded it and held it out.

“I’ll sell it at this price.”

Neil Hamilton carefully unfolded the paper.

“You’re not joking, are you?”

Hyun-woo answered with a resolute expression.

“Of course not.”

Neil Hamilton nodded after hearing his answer.

“I understand. Let’s do it at this price.”

Hyun-woo couldn’t help but be surprised that he agreed to the price without any negotiation.

‘He’s accepting it as is?’

Was he trying to recreate Carnegie’s story exactly?

Neil Hamilton accepted Hyun-woo’s unreasonable demands without hesitation.