Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 175

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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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175. I’m curious to see what the young version of a man destined to become a titan of the fashion world looks like.

Florence, Italy.
This ancient city, once ruled by the illustrious Medici Family, had earned its reputation throughout the Mediterranean as a center of trade and finance since the medieval Renaissance era.
As a place where gold flowed abundantly, it was equally renowned for its architecture and art—and even now, the beautiful and ancient structures erected during that golden age remained scattered throughout the city.
Thanks to this legacy, the entire city had been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing countless tourists to Florence each year.
Among the landmarks that visitors to Florence frequented, one of the most prominent was the Gucci Headquarters located in the Casellina district.
Within the Design Center—arguably the most vital space in the headquarters building, where the breath of founder Guccio Gucci lingered in every corner.
A strikingly tall young man with closely cropped hair and an alluring beard traced along his jawline stood with his shirtsleeves rolled up, holding fabric samples of various colors against a mannequin.
It was Jacob Thompson, the newly appointed Creative Director brought in to revive the ailing Gucci.
Placing such a young designer—with a relatively short career and only thirty-three years old—in a position responsible for everything at the luxury brand Gucci, from collections to fragrances, sunglasses, brand advertisements, and store displays, was nothing short of a bold gamble.

“Hmm.”

Dissatisfied with something, Jacob Thompson stood before the mannequin, stroking his chin with his hand while squinting slightly.

“I think the sapphire blue silk works well.”

Just then, someone spoke up from behind him.
When Jacob Thompson turned around, an elegant older gentleman stood there in a perfectly tailored striped suit with a handkerchief tucked into his breast pocket.
It was Alexander Bindman, the CEO of Gucci who had dramatically appointed the young Jacob Thompson as Creative Director and brought him from the United States.
As his direct superior and the patron who had entrusted him with this important responsibility, Jacob Thompson quickly greeted him with a warm smile.

“I thought you were in Bahrain. When did you arrive?”
“Just landed. I came on the private jet.”
“You must be exhausted from the long flight, yet you came to the office instead of heading home.”
“I came because there’s something I need to tell you.”

The serious tone made Thompson sense that something had happened in Bahrain.
He gestured toward a table nearby and suggested they move there.

“Let’s sit down first.”

Once Bindman was seated, Thompson took the chair across from him and looked at him inquiringly.

“What is it?”

Bindman paused for a moment before finally speaking.

“Investcorp has sold off its stake and management rights in Gucci to another investment firm.”
“…!”

Thompson’s expression shifted in surprise at this sudden revelation.

“…You mean the company’s ownership has changed hands?”

Bindman, meeting his gaze, nodded heavily.

“That’s right.”
“But how could this happen so suddenly….”
“I was completely in the dark about the sale negotiations myself until I heard about it in Bahrain.”

Bindman confessed the situation with a troubled expression.
Thompson, having regained his composure, tried to make sense of it all.

“So that’s why you were suddenly summoned to Bahrain.”
“Well, I’m supposedly the CEO, so they had to notify me at some point. Though by then, the contracts were already signed and sealed.”

Bindman’s face was etched with bitterness.
It was only natural—being treated as a figurehead CEO was hardly pleasant.

“Still, it’s rather harsh to only inform you of the sale now.”
“They never thought much of me from the start.”

Thompson’s eyes narrowed in displeasure.

“This is truly disappointing.”

Bindman swallowed a sigh and leaned back, his gaze drifting toward the mannequin and designs Thompson had been working on moments before.

“There’s nothing to be done about it. Your collections this year have been well-received and the brand is showing signs of revival, but until last year we were on the brink of bankruptcy.”
“….”
“When an acquirer suddenly appeared willing to pay handsomely for the brand, they must have been desperate to unload this troublesome company.”
“Regardless, they should have consulted with us before signing any contracts.”
“They were probably afraid we’d oppose the sale.”
“Ugh….”

Thompson pressed his head and let out a groan of distress.
Had he known that a sale negotiation was underway, both Thompson and Bindman would have opposed it vehemently.

‘Of course, knowing that, they would have hidden it.’

If the contract was already finalized as Bindman claimed, it was far too late to reverse course.
Thompson exhaled softly and turned to Bindman across from him with a question.

“So who acquired Gucci?”
“It’s going to fall under an investment company called Frey.”

Thompson tilted his head upon hearing this.

“It sounds like a name I’ve never heard before.”
“I only learned about them this time too, so that makes sense.”

Bindman, sitting with one leg crossed, continued speaking with his interlaced fingers resting on his knee.

“After pulling some strings and investigating, it turns out to be a sort of shell company established in the Cayman Islands by an American family office called the Eldorado Fund.”

At the mention of a shell company, Thompson’s brow furrowed.

“Isn’t this the same as Investcorp inflating brand value and selling it at an inflated price?”
“Perhaps, but one thing is certain—even if their intention is to boost the valuation and sell it off, they have the will to revive Gucci.”
“How can you be so certain of that?”
“I met with their representative in Bahrain and discussed it. They said they would invest five hundred million dollars over five years for a brand renewal.”

That meant an enormous investment of one hundred million dollars annually.
Even Thompson, who had been displaying skepticism, showed a slightly surprised expression at those words.
One hundred million dollars was more than Gucci’s net profit for the entire previous year, so his reaction was understandable.

“And they said they want you and me to remain and continue leading Gucci as we have been. Oh, and they also offered to guarantee our positions for five years and double our salaries from what we’re earning now.”
“Are you saying they made such an offer?”

Thompson narrowed his brow in disbelief.

“Yes. They showed me a contract with those exact terms written in it and asked me to sign on the spot if the proposal appealed to me.”

Bindman nodded and spoke.
If he had presented a contract, it wouldn’t be a mere fabrication designed to reassure us.
Moreover, Bindman himself would have examined the contract meticulously, so it had to be legitimate documentation.
Then, a sudden thought struck Thompson, and he lifted his head sharply.

“You didn’t sign it, did you?”
“Of course not. I told them I would consult with you first and provide an answer afterward.”
“You did the right thing.”

Only then did Thompson’s expression relax.
Bindman leaned forward slightly and spoke with utmost seriousness.

“I’m certainly taken aback by the sudden sale, but considering the massive investment and various other aspects, it seems superior to our existing arrangement with Investcorp in many ways. What do you think?”
“Are you considering accepting their proposal, Bindman?”
“To be honest, I don’t think it’s a bad offer.”

Bindman displayed a positive attitude.
Thompson had to admit the same assessment, so he had no particular counterargument.

“What will you do?”

Thompson stroked his chin and deliberated at length before finally speaking.

“We’ve only just begun, and I can’t abandon this without seeing the results. If you stay, Bindman, I’ll remain as well.”
“That’s wise thinking.”

Bindman’s expression brightened—he had been privately worried about how to fill the void if Thompson departed.

“However, I have one condition.”
“Let’s hear it.”

Thompson met Bindman’s gaze and spoke with resolute determination.

“I want to meet directly with the true owner behind the shell company that acquired Gucci and discuss this before making my final decision.”

Bindman immediately grasped why Thompson was making such a request.

“You want to verify whether the new owner genuinely has the will to revive Gucci?”
“Yes.”

He nodded stubbornly and spoke with conviction.

“Isn’t it far more reliable to meet face-to-face and verify sincerity directly rather than merely hearing secondhand accounts?”
“You make a fair point.”

Jacob Thompson intended to meet the new owner and have a direct conversation to determine whether his words were merely polished rhetoric.
Or whether he genuinely possessed the vision to resurrect Gucci and restore its former glory.
I had no intention of squandering precious time during my peak creative years by falling for honeyed promises.

‘If it doesn’t feel right, I’ll simply leave Gucci and pursue another path.’

* * *

New York Plaza Hotel.
Late morning found Seok-won in comfortable athletic wear, running on a treadmill in the hotel’s elegantly appointed fitness center.
Beyond the expansive floor-to-ceiling window before the treadmill, New York’s gleaming skyscrapers and the verdant Central Park stretched out below.
Yet I was too absorbed in my workout to appreciate such a view—my entire body drenched in sweat from the exertion.
After pushing at full speed for some time, I pressed the button to slow the treadmill’s pace, then walked gradually while catching my ragged breath.
Once I stepped off completely, Bockus, who had been waiting, extended a towel.

“Thank you.”

I wiped the sweat from my face and picked up the tumbler I’d left on the bench, drinking the ion beverage inside.
After briefly refreshing myself, I handed the towel back to Bockus and moved toward the Pec Deck machine on the opposite side to work my chest muscles.
Since few people exercised at this hour, I could comfortably use all the equipment as if I’d rented the place half out.
Just as I settled into the seat with my back against the pad and was about to begin, Bockus approached and spoke.

“Boss. Landon Shore is calling.”

I relaxed my posture and accepted the phone from Bockus.

“It’s me.”
[I apologize for calling during your workout.]
“No, it’s fine. Is something the matter?”
[Regarding your previous instruction to retain both Alexander Bindman, the Gucci CEO, and Jacob Thompson, the Creative Director—]
“What about it?”

I narrowed my brows slightly as I asked.

[As you suggested, I presented very generous terms and asked him to stay, but he’s requested to meet with you directly before making a decision.]
“Me?”

Seok-won tilted his head to the side at the unexpected news.

[Yes. It seems he wants to hear directly from you about how you plan to operate the brand going forward.]
“I see.”
[Should I decline the request?]

Landon Shore asked cautiously, gauging his reaction.

“No. My schedule in the United States is nearly finished anyway, so I’ll stop by Italy on my way back to Korea.”
[You’re really going to meet with him?]

Seok-won smiled while holding the phone to his ear.

“They’re talented people who will bring in substantial profits for me in the future—I can’t afford to skip that. Besides, I was already thinking about when to meet these two, so this works out perfectly.”
[Understood. I’ll confirm the schedule and arrange the appointment.]
“Please do.”

After ending the call, Seok-won returned the phone to Bockus, who was standing beside him.

“Jacob Thompson… I’m curious to see what the younger version of this future giant who will leave his mark on the fashion world looks like.”

Seok-won murmured softly to himself, then resumed his workout, pressing his back firmly against the support and spreading his arms wide to grip the handles.

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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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