Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 117

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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117. I may not know much about other things, but my eyes are sharp.

Amar Cuff couldn’t hide his momentary bewilderment at the unexpected question.

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

Then Seok-won gazed at him and spoke calmly.

“I heard you participated in Philip Davidson’s presidential campaign during the last election, so I thought you had a strong interest in politics. Was my assumption wrong?”
“Hmm.”

Amar Cuff couldn’t deny it—he had indeed harbored political ambitions since back then.

“Having lived a turbulent life and experienced all manner of social injustices and discrimination firsthand, it’s hardly strange to want to change these things through politics, is it?”
“….”
“I believe the social activism you’re engaged in now stems from that same conviction. Isn’t that so?”

Amar Cuff’s rigid expression finally cracked, and he let out a hollow laugh.

“My word. It seems you know me better than I know myself.”

He straightened in his seat and answered candidly.

“You’re right. I do have aspirations in politics.”

It was something he wouldn’t normally confess, but their steady correspondence over time had built a foundation of trust, and he regarded Seok-won as someone whose values aligned with his own—someone he could rely on.

“Honestly, I believe you’d excel at politics, sir.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Haha. Truth be told, I’ve had many doubts about this, so I’m grateful you’d say such things, even if they’re mere pleasantries.”

Seok-won probed carefully, gauging the atmosphere.

“Your wife opposes you entering politics seriously, doesn’t she?”
“How did you know that?”

Amar Cuff asked in surprise, his voice catching.

“Given your sister-in-law’s character—how much she values family—I didn’t think she’d be pleased about you entering politics.”

Seok-won shrugged his shoulders and added as if to show understanding.

“If you become a politician, you’ll inevitably spend far more time away from home than with your family.”
“You’re right. That’s why I’ve been wrestling with this decision.”

Amar Cuff muttered in a bitter tone.
Having lived a difficult life himself, his affection for family ran deep, which only made his dilemma more agonizing.

“If I may be so bold, I’d like to offer you some advice.”

When Amar Cuff nodded and looked at him, Seok-won spoke immediately.

“If you can’t let this go cleanly and know you’ll keep it buried in your heart, then do it boldly instead. Regretting something you didn’t do is far worse than regretting something you tried.”
“Hmm….”

Amar Cuff’s heart was deeply stirred by these words.
But seeing him still hesitate, Seok-won pushed him once more.

“Your sister-in-law will surely support and encourage whatever you do.”
“…Do you really think so?”
“Go home today and open your heart to her. Share everything you’ve been holding inside and talk honestly. She’ll understand and be your strength.”

After a moment of contemplation, Amar Cuff’s rigid expression softened as he replied.

“All right. I’ll do that.”

He looked relieved, as if he’d finally found an answer to a problem he’d been putting off for so long.

“I can’t keep wrestling with this alone forever. That’s what marriage is—sharing both the good and the bad together.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
“Thank you. I’m still afraid of how my wife will react, but…having carried this burden in silence for so long, it feels like a weight has finally lifted.”

Seok-won took a sip of his coffee and looked at Amar Cuff, who seemed visibly relieved.

“If you do decide to run, it would be for the Illinois State Senate election next year.”

Amar Cuff’s eyes widened as he stared at me.

“Did you just peer into my heart without me saying a word?”

I couldn’t fathom how he’d deduced so much when I hadn’t even spoken about it.
Unlike the startled Amar Cuff, I answered matter-of-factly.

“Senator Donald recently announced his retirement, leaving his seat vacant.”
“…!”
“The South Side district, which is Senator Donald’s constituency, is a relatively Democratic stronghold, and you’ve built considerable recognition through your Public Interest Foundation activities. There’s no better place to take your first step into politics.”

Amar Cuff nodded, his expression shifting to one of genuine admiration at my flawless deduction.

“You’re right. I’ve been considering running in this election.”

Seok-won leaned forward and spoke.

“If you make your decision, I’ll support you from behind. Don’t worry about campaign funds—just take the challenge.”
“You’ll provide campaign contributions?”
“Yes.”

Hearing this, Amar Cuff furrowed his brow and grew serious.
While he could accept donations to the Public Interest Foundation, the offer of campaign support made him suspicious—surely there was some ulterior motive behind this.
After a moment of silence, Amar Cuff, sitting across from Seok-won, stared at him intently before speaking in a slightly strained voice.

“Is there something you want from me?”
“Does it seem that way?”
“Even setting aside the donations, offering campaign support makes such suspicion inevitable.”

He continued, his eyes narrowing as if trying to see through my true intentions.

“There’s a saying that there’s no such thing as kindness without a price.”
“That’s true.”
“….”
“But there are exceptions.”

Amar Cuff’s frown deepened as he regarded me.

“When two people’s hearts are in harmony, can’t they help each other beyond mere self-interest?”

Amar Cuff remained silent, his rigid expression unchanged as he listened intently.

“I thought we were close, but it seems you don’t see it that way. Besides, I’m not even conducting business in Chicago in the first place.”

The disappointed tone in his voice stirred a twinge of remorse in Amar Cuff’s heart.
He wondered if he had hurt the other man’s feelings by suspecting his purely good intentions.

“Moreover, I haven’t even secured a nomination for state senator yet, let alone been elected. Don’t you think it’s too premature to be discussing compensation now?”

Now that I heard it, there was nothing wrong with what Seok-won said.
He was getting ahead of himself, talking about compensation when he hadn’t even confirmed his entry into politics, much less secured election.
Honestly, he still needed to broach the subject of entering politics with his wife this very evening.

“You’re right. My thinking was shortsighted.”

Amar Cuff apologized with a contrite expression.

“Not at all. It’s perfectly understandable.”

Seok-won enveloped him with a gentle smile.

“It’s right to act carefully rather than accept everything offered without question. In fact, I’m relieved that you’ll be able to pursue politics with conviction without being consumed by all the schemes and machinations that run rampant in the political arena.”
“I appreciate you seeing it that way.”

Amar Cuff relaxed his tense expression and felt grateful for Seok-won’s consideration.

“You know I run a small investment fund on Wall Street and make investments, right?”
“I’ve heard about it.”

Amar Cuff nodded.

“Think of it as me betting on the future of the politician Amar Cuff, much like I would bet on a growth stock with significant potential.”

As I said this, I thought to myself.

‘Not just any growth stock, but a sure-fire jackpot that will own the White House in a few years.’

In stock market terms, it was a ten-bagger—a holding that would deliver astronomical returns.

“Investment, I see.”

Amar Cuff, returning to his original cheerful demeanor, pulled his lips up into a wide smile.

“If I’ve gone to all this trouble to help, I’d better work even harder to ensure this investment doesn’t fail.”
“Haha. I may not know much else, but my eye for investments is sharp. My track record stands at a perfect hundred percent, so I’m confident this bet will hit the jackpot.”
“For my sake, I really hope it does.”

Though their reasons for laughing differed, both men’s resolve had solidified.
Then Amar Cuff spoke with genuine gravity.

“You’ve been an enormous help to me. If I succeed greatly in politics, I’ll never forget the debt I owe you and will repay it by any means necessary.”
“Don’t forget those words.”
“If you don’t believe me, I’ll even write it down on paper.”
“That won’t be necessary. Trust and faith between us are far more reliable guarantees than any scrap of paper.”
“You’re right.”

Watching Amar Cuff laugh heartily, Seok-won reflected to himself.

‘Why would I put something like that in writing, even as a joke? If it leaked somehow, it could be exposed as evidence of taking bribes and granting favors. That would be catastrophic.’

If such a scandal derailed his rapid ascent through state representative, federal senator, and eventually to the presidency of the United States, it would be like ruining a perfectly cooked meal at the last moment.

‘As the first Black presidential candidate, he’ll already have plenty of people watching closely, ready to pounce on any flaw. I need to be even more careful.’

I would bide my time and collect my investment returns once he entered the White House.
With the President of the world’s most powerful nation as my backer, that alone would be an incredible asset.
With those thoughts, I gazed at Amar Cuff—still just an amateur political aspirant—with satisfaction.

* * *

After parting ways with Amar Cuff, I checked out of the Hotel and headed to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, where my private jet awaited.
As the black limousine pulled into the vast parking lot, I spotted the familiar business jet with its sleek fuselage painted pristine white.
Once the limousine came to a stop beside it, the burly Black bodyguard in the passenger seat stepped out first, surveyed the surroundings, and opened the thick rear door for me.
I stepped out onto the tarmac in my cashmere coat, my long legs carrying me gracefully as I glanced up at the overcast sky.

“Looks like snow again.”

When I opened my mouth, white breath escaped into the frigid air that stung even the tip of my nose.
Dark clouds hung heavy overhead, threatening to unleash a blizzard at any moment.
Leaving the Bodyguard to retrieve luggage from the trunk, I moved forward first, stepped onto the lowered stairs, and boarded the business jet.
The Stewardess, dressed in a fitted uniform and standing beside the entrance, greeted me with a radiant smile.

“Welcome aboard.”
“Please take good care of us all the way to Seoul.”

I smiled back and replied.
The interior of the business jet, warmed by the heater, was pleasantly comfortable compared to the cold outside.
After handing my coat to the Stewardess, I settled into the spacious seat and relaxed into a comfortable position.
Just then, my phone rang, and I answered the call.

[It’s Landon Shore. Have you already departed from Chicago?]
“Not yet.”

I replied while watching the Bodyguard transfer luggage through the round window.

“We’ll be taking off shortly.”
[I see. I’m calling because there’s something urgent I need to report.]
“Go ahead.”

As I leaned back against the plush seat and asked, Landon Shore immediately explained the matter.

[Mexican workers are demanding the government abandon its planned new economic policy and have announced a nationwide general strike.]

My eyes gleamed as I held the phone to my ear.

“So it’s come to that.”

In exchange for receiving a massive bailout worth forty billion dollars, the Mexican government was required by the United States and the International Monetary Fund to undergo economic restructuring for recovery.
Consequently, the Mexican government had formulated austerity measures called the new economic policy, which included strict monetary controls, public spending cuts, privatization of state enterprises, and increases in prices and taxes.

‘With the economy already struggling, implementing such harsh policies was bound to provoke fierce resistance.’

As expected, workers who learned of the government’s plans through the media mounted strong opposition and resorted to strikes as a show of force.

[As soon as the news broke, the peso—which had been rebounding—collapsed again, plummeting below 6.5 pesos per dollar.]
“What about the bonds?”
[The bonds have also crashed back to junk-grade levels.]

Seok-won nodded slightly and adjusted the phone in his grip before speaking.

“As I mentioned before, this should be the real bottom. So once we cross 7 pesos per dollar, begin liquidating all our Mexico positions rapidly from that point onward.”
[Understood.]

Having already anticipated this outcome and mapped out the scenario in advance, there was no hesitation in Landon Shore’s response.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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