Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 129

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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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129. I’ll keep an eye on the situation and let you know when the time comes.

Yeouido Daeheung Securities Headquarters.
During morning rush hour, Seok-won walked through the revolving doors into the spacious lobby, dressed in a navy suit with a luxury tie, a document folder in one hand.
With his bangs trimmed short and his hair styled naturally with wax to reveal his forehead, Seok-won embodied the very image of a smart, confident man.
Especially with his towering height exceeding six feet, model-like limbs, and a physique honed by consistent exercise, he carried off any outfit with effortless grace.
Add to that a face handsome enough to rival any actor and the spectacular backing of being the chairman’s son, and Seok-won’s popularity among the female employees reached astronomical heights.
As a result, more than a year had passed since he started working at the company, yet there were always one or two female employees lingering in the lobby hoping to catch a glimpse of him arriving.
The moment the elevator doors closed behind Seok-won, sighs erupted from various corners of the lobby.

“It looks like he changed his hairstyle today, doesn’t it?”
“Right? His hair seemed a bit shorter than usual.”
“He usually wears it up like that, but I’d love to see him wear it down sometimes.”
“He apparently doesn’t like it because he looks too young that way.”
“Ah, that’s true. He’s already the youngest among the executive ranks.”

While the female employees were gushing about why their department head hadn’t debuted in entertainment, wishing he’d take photos for an interview in the company newsletter so they could tape them on their walls and admire them daily, one female employee let out a quiet sigh.

“Sigh…”
“What’s wrong, unnie?”

A female employee from the trading floor wearing a short bob and a name tag reading “Jo Hae-na” turned to look at her junior colleague with a gloomy expression.

“Because of the department head, my standards have gotten way too high. It’s a real problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know I said I was going on a blind date last weekend.”
“Oh, right! How did it go?”

The other female employees nearby turned to look at her with curious expressions.

“The guy I was supposed to meet apparently works at Hyunwoo Construction.”
“Hyunwoo Construction? He must make good money.”

A colleague standing nearby interjected with keen interest at the junior’s comment.
It was an era when major construction companies were thriving, securing massive overseas construction projects back-to-back and climbing into the top ranks of market capitalization.
As a result, if someone said they worked at a construction company—especially a top-tier one—they were considered prime marriage material.

“Well, that’s the thing….”

As Jo Hae-na let out another deep sigh, her junior colleague glanced at her cautiously and asked.

“What is it? Wasn’t he good?”
“No, it’s not that. His personality is straightforward and masculine, and he was stationed at the Saudi Arabia branch for three years before returning home. He even got promoted this year. He’s apparently saved enough money that once we marry, we could get an apartment in Seoul as our newlywed home.”
“Then isn’t that fine?”
“I suppose so. Those are pretty good conditions, really.”

When her colleague of the same cohort spoke with an expression asking what the problem was, the junior employee beside her nodded in agreement.

“That’s true, but when I compare him to the Department Head, he just looks so lacking in every way.”
“Ah….”

The junior employee released a sympathetic sigh.
No matter how decent a man was, compared to Seok-won, he inevitably seemed insufficient in every aspect.
And just look at that radiant face.
Having set her standards so high with Seok-won’s appearance, it was only natural that every other man in the world now looked like squid or cuttlefish to her.

“Comparing him to the Department Head is just too cruel, don’t you think?”
“The bar is set way too high.”
“That’s right. You shouldn’t do that, unnie.”

The Female Employees gathered around and each offered their two cents, but none of it reached Jo Hae-na’s ears.

“Ugh. Where can you find a man like the Department Head?”
“Wake up. Why would a man like that ever date you?”

When her colleague of the same cohort offered sharp advice with an incredulous expression, the junior employee beside her chimed in as well.

“Unnie… the Department Head is, how do I put it, like a unicorn—a fantasy that exists only in dreams.”
“That’s right, Hae-na. First, try understanding your own position.”

Then Jo Hae-na rolled her eyes and spoke.

“Tch. Can’t I even dream?”
“No. You can’t.”
“Unnie, that’s what we call a pipe dream.”
“Come on, everyone. Let’s stop this and get back to work. It’s time!”

The Female Employees who had been laughing cheerfully scattered hastily at someone’s shout.

* * *

Upon arriving at the Office, Seok-won removed his jacket, hung it on the coat rack, and took a seat at his desk.
Na Seong-mi, who had arrived earlier, had apparently organized everything—today’s newspapers and documents requiring review were arranged neatly, and the computer was already powered on so I could begin work immediately.

“The executive meeting scheduled for this afternoon has been cancelled.”

Na Seong-mi, dressed in a two-piece suit and holding a diary, followed him in and spoke.

“Is that so?”
“Yes. The CEO said something else came up suddenly.”
“Any other changes?”
“None.”

Na Seong-mi replied with a slight smile on her face.

“Shall I prepare your morning coffee?”
“That would be nice.”
“I’ll have it ready shortly.”

After Na Seong-mi left, I picked up the newspaper on my desk and unfolded it.
The front page covered topics of little interest, so I skimmed through it and turned to the business section, where an article immediately caught my eye.

[Boseong Communications Q1 Results Disappointing Concerns
Boseong Communications, whose stock price has surged significantly on recent expectations of a return to profitability, is reportedly facing production delays for new products due to quality issues, raising investor concerns.
With expectations for full-scale operations at overseas manufacturing plants, resolution of failed projects, and the launch of high-value-added new products, Boseong Communications’ stock price has risen sharply from the high 9,000 won range to 17,600 won in just one month.
However, as predictions emerge that a return to profitability will be more difficult than expected, the stock price appears poised for negative impact.
In the midst of this….]

“Hmm.”

As I read the article with interest, Na Seong-mi entered carrying a tray and set down the coffee cup.

“Choi Ho-geun, the team leader, has come to see you. What should I do?”

I straightened my posture and responded as if the timing were perfect.

“He’s asking you to come in.”
“Yes.”

Not long after Na Seong-mi left, Choi Ho-geun, the team leader wearing a striped necktie, opened the door and entered.

“I was just about to call for you. How did you know to come?”
“Ha, whenever the department head arrives, don’t the female employees start making a fuss? I’ve already heard the rumor spreading throughout the company that you’ve changed your hairstyle today.”
“What kind of gossip is that….”

Recalling the female employees I’d seen in the lobby on my way in, I offered an awkward smile.

“You’re so popular with the female employees—I’m envious. At this rate, it looks like they might even form an official fan club.”
“Really now. I can’t exactly tell them not to gather in the lobby when I arrive… it’s exhausting.”

As I spoke with a troubled expression, Choi Ho-geun responded with a mischievous grin.

“The hardships of being popular—is that what you’re saying? I wish I could experience something like that, even for just one day.”

I let out a quiet laugh, then quickly turned serious and pointed to the newspaper article I’d been reading moments before.

“You came because of this, didn’t you?”

Choi Ho-geun’s smile faded as he nodded.

“Yes. Not only the newspaper article, but since yesterday, there have been unfavorable rumors about Boseong Communications circulating throughout the trading floor.”

Unlike before my regression, this was an era without securities broadcasts or internet stock discussion forums, so rumors were primarily created and spread through the trading floors of securities companies to individual investors.

“So that means the retail investor shakeout has begun.”
“Yes. It certainly appears that way.”

I leaned back in my chair and asked.

“How far do you think the stock price will fall?”
“I don’t think they’ll push it below the 10,000 won level at minimum.”
“What’s your reasoning for that forecast?”
“Even while shaking out retail investors, if they want to preserve the upward momentum without completely breaking it, they can’t let it fall below the previous low point.”
“So that’s the 10,000 won mark.”
“Yes.”

Seok-won stroked his chin thoughtfully, then pulled a car key with a BMW logo keyring from his pocket and placed it on the desk.

“There should be two travel suitcases in the trunk.”
“….”
“Use the cash inside to purchase Boseong Communications stock.”
“Understood.”

Seok-won asked as he watched Choi Ho-geun pick up the car key.

“How many nominee accounts do you have prepared for the transactions?”
“I’ve secured thirty-two.”
“They’re all clean accounts with no potential complications later, correct?”

Choi Ho-geun answered confidently under his gaze.

“I’ve prepared everything with clean accounts, so you needn’t worry about that aspect.”
“Good.”

Seok-won nodded slightly and spoke.

“Once we finish the ant-shaking and begin driving the stock price up in earnest, we’ll drop the bomb on their heads before they can sell and escape.”

Choi Ho-geun grinned, baring his teeth.

“Just thinking about those schemers falling into the trap they set and being left dumbfounded is already exhilarating.”

Seok-won chuckled briefly before composing his expression.

“Above all, you understand that security is paramount, yes?”
“Of course. Only Jung Deputy Manager and I will know about this operation within the team.”
“Well done. The fewer people who know about something like this, the better.”

Choi Ho-geun asked carefully as Seok-won nodded.

“What timing are you considering for the sale?”
“I’ll monitor the situation a bit longer and let you know when the moment arrives.”
“Yes. Understood.”

Since all decisions ultimately rested with Seok-won, Choi Ho-geun acquiesced without objection.

“For now, use today’s money to quietly accumulate shares without letting the other party catch on.”
“Understood. Once I’ve completed the operation, I’ll report back to you.”

Seok-won nodded from his seat, and Choi Ho-geun bowed briefly before stepping out.
Alone now, I pulled up the Boseong Communications stock chart on the computer at my desk.
Just as expected, the sudden bad news triggered a flood of sell orders, and the stock price cascaded downward like a waterfall.

“They’re thinking they’ll profit by shaking out the retail investors, but this time it won’t go their way.”

* * *

Meanwhile, Choi Ho-geun took the elevator straight down to the Underground Parking Lot after leaving the Department head’s office.
The spacious underground garage was about half-filled with vehicles belonging to employees and visitors.
After glancing around, I spotted Seok-won’s black BMW parked beside a concrete pillar.
Choi Ho-geun looked around to confirm no one else was present, then approached the parked BMW from behind.
He pulled out the car key Seok-won had given him from his inner pocket and opened the trunk.
Inside the neatly organized trunk sat two large 28-inch travel suitcases, placed side by side.
Choi Ho-geun swallowed hard, turned his head once more to check his surroundings, then unzipped one of the suitcases.
Bundles of ten-thousand-won notes bound with paper bands filled the suitcase so completely that there wasn’t a single gap, and Choi Ho-geun’s eyes widened as he drew in a sharp breath.

“Good heavens… How much is all of this?”

Choi Ho-geun’s hand trembled slightly as it swept across the crisp bills.
While trading stocks, I’d handled far larger sums, but those were merely numbers on a computer screen—this was the first time I’d ever seen such an enormous amount of money in physical form.

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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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