Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 177

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

177. It seems there are preconditions before we sign the contract.

At the direct question, I showed no sign of confusion. I leisurely lifted my wine glass, took a sip, and set it back down.
Then, meeting Thompson’s gaze as he looked at me with serious eyes, I spoke calmly.

“The purpose of acquiring Gucci? Well, naturally it’s because it makes money.”
“….”

Hearing my words, Thompson couldn’t hide his disappointment, thinking inwardly that I was no different from Investcorp, the Bahrain investment company that had previously owned Gucci before selling it off.

“As I mentioned earlier, seeing how Gucci has transformed under your leadership and judging that the brand’s reputation, which has fallen to rock bottom due to various unfortunate incidents, could be revived—that’s what led me to make this investment.”
“So once the value rises like it did for Investcorp, you’ll sell it off again at a higher price.”

Thompson’s voice turned sharp as he responded.
Landon quietly frowned beside him at what was clearly a rude attitude.
However, on the way to the Restaurant, I had instructed him beforehand not to intervene even if the other party came at me somewhat aggressively and to simply observe—so he didn’t step in, though he couldn’t hide his discomfort.
Bindman also quietly sipped his wine while listening to our conversation.

“Of course, that’s possible.”
“As I thought….”

At my words with a shrug, Thompson’s expression fell into disappointment.
He even regretted having harbored any hope for a moment.

“But if Gucci succeeds in its revival as I hope and regains its former prestige, wouldn’t it become a golden goose that lays golden eggs, generating substantial wealth even if I leave it as is? Why would I need to sell it?”

At those words, Thompson’s eyebrows twitched.
I looked at Thompson and Bindman sitting across from me in turn before continuing.

“My belief is that as globalization progresses and economic development occurs in various countries, consumption of luxury goods will naturally increase.”

My tone as I spoke was utterly serious.

“It’s human nature that when people gain wealth and leisure, they naturally develop the desire to flaunt better and more impressive possessions to others.”

Thompson and Bindman nodded slightly in agreement.

“Take China as a simple example. With 1.4 billion people experiencing rapid economic growth, if just 1% become millionaires with the means to consume luxury goods, that’s still a staggering 14 million people.”

As I spoke, I murmured to myself inwardly.

‘Before my regression, I’d heard that China’s ultra-wealthy elite numbered over 40 million—more than Korea’s entire population.’

China was a place where the ultra-wealthy with sufficient means to consume luxury goods outnumbered the total population of most nations, yet simultaneously the so-called migrant workers—the poorest of the poor—numbered over 100 million, creating a wealth gap of staggering proportions.

“If luxury demand surges not just in China but across other nations, wouldn’t that present a golden opportunity for luxury brands like Gucci that are showing signs of growth plateau?”

Thompson and Bindman, caught off guard by this unexpected insight, found themselves leaning in intently to listen.

“Higher heels, shorter skirts, deeper necklines. This is the design philosophy you pursue, Thompson.”

Thompson’s expression flickered with surprise—he hadn’t expected me to know such details.

“I understand there’s considerable criticism about it being too provocative, but I believe that sensuality and provocation—these primal instincts hidden within human nature—are the crucial elements needed to break free from the tedious traditions of the past and reintroduce Gucci to the masses in a fresh light.”

Thompson was genuinely astonished by my precise understanding of his design philosophy, and simultaneously, he felt a growing affinity.
Though his first fashion show had been successful, it had drawn far more criticism and harsh reviews than praise, which made him all the more drawn to my perspective.

“I’m not just saying this to sound good—I genuinely believe both of you are exactly the people Gucci needs for this transformation. That’s why I’m promising better treatment and substantial investment.”

Unlike Investcorp, which had regarded him with uncertain eyes due to his brief career and youth, Thompson felt a surge of pride at my acknowledgment of his abilities.
At the same time, the wariness he’d initially harbored melted away entirely.
Bindman, too, had harbored some discomfort about how rapidly the acquisition had proceeded, but now his thoughts about me had shifted decidedly positive.
I possessed a clear vision, and above all, I truly believed in him.
That was what had moved Bindman most deeply.

“Do you truly believe that I… that Gucci can achieve a revival?”

Thompson asked, his tone noticeably softer than before.

“I don’t invest in ventures without potential. And I’ve never failed a single bet to date.”

I answered with confidence.

“Your investment success rate has been 100% so far, boss.”

Landon Shore, who was sitting beside me, added with a smile.
His expression, brimming with unmistakable confidence, left a profound impression on the other two men.

“To elaborate further, if I had intended to sell Gucci, I would have acquired the shares and management rights through the Eldorado Fund rather than through Frey, the holding company established in the Cayman Islands.”

Once I confirmed once more that I had no intention of reselling the shares, much of the wariness and suspicion faded from the two men’s faces.
At that moment, two waiters arrived carrying plates in both hands and set one down in front of each member of our party.

“Red Prawn.”

The waiter introduced the dish while generously drizzling a vibrant green olive sauce over the top.

“The gambero rosso looks absolutely appetizing.”
“If you top it with the caviar that comes alongside, you’ll experience an even deeper, more complex flavor.”

Bindman chuckled softly as he spoke.

“Hearing about it makes me even more eager to taste it.”

Following Bindman’s suggestion, I topped the beautifully prepared red prawn with caviar, took a spoonful, and savored the exquisite taste.

“This is truly a flavor I’ll remember and crave again later.”

And it paired perfectly with the wine—a harmonious pairing.
Shortly after came smoked amberjack and pasta, a staple that no Italian restaurant’s tasting menu could omit, and other dishes befitting a Michelin three-star establishment’s reputation. The four of us savored each course leisurely while engaging in profound conversation.
Unlike the initial tension that had lingered, after hearing my unwavering resolve regarding Gucci, the atmosphere throughout the meal remained warm and cordial.

* * *

After finishing dinner and parting ways with me, Bindman settled into the back seat of his Mercedes-Benz luxury sedan and departed the restaurant.
Thompson, of course, was seated beside him.
Dressed in a three-piece suit complete with a vest, Bindman rested one arm on the center armrest and turned to look at Thompson sitting beside him.

“Now that you’ve met him in person as you wanted, what’s your impression?”
“I was somewhat surprised—he’s much younger than I anticipated.”

Bindman nodded, recalling my face in his mind from moments before.

“I share that sentiment.”

Wall Street had many young geniuses, but few had built such a solid foundation at that age.

“And he knows Gucci well and has a clear vision for it. I got the sense he wasn’t just trying to inflate the asking price and sell.”
“Exactly. I was so startled by how he saw through your design philosophy that I almost gasped in admiration.”
“Honestly, I was suspicious whether he’d somehow read my mind.”

Thompson said it lightly, as if joking.
Neither of them could have imagined it, but years later, after Jacob Thompson left Gucci and launched his own brand to tremendous success, Seok-won had read an exclusive interview in Vogue—a famous fashion magazine—spanning over ten pages where Jacob Thompson discussed his life journey and design philosophy, and Seok-won had simply recounted it verbatim.
So it was only natural that Jacob Thompson thought Seok-won seemed to know everything as if he could see into his very soul.

“Have you made a decision about your future?”

Bindman asked with a serious expression.
Thompson, who had been silent for a moment, slowly opened his mouth and answered carefully.

“I’m not completely certain yet, but it seems worth believing in at least once.”
“So you’re accepting the proposal.”
“Yes. What will you do, Bindman?”

Bindman chuckled and spoke.

“If you’re staying, what can I do? Since I’ve already started this, I should see it through to the end.”

Thompson then broke into a wide smile, showing his white teeth.

“If you left, I’d be at a loss about what to do alone. I’m glad it worked out this way.”
“I feel the same way.”

Despite the significant age gap between them—enough to call one the other’s senior—they were comrades who shared the same thoughts and goals.
It was only natural to be pleased that these two could continue together.

“By the way, before we redraw the contract, I have one preliminary condition.”
“What is it?”

Thompson then pulled one corner of his mouth upward, flashing a mischievous smile.

* * *

The next day.
I was sitting on the sofa in the living room of the Hotel Penthouse downtown, holding a coffee cup in one hand and reading the newspaper, when Landon Shore walked in with audible footsteps.

“Boss. Bindman just called.”

I set the newspaper down on the table and turned my head.

“What did he say?”
“He said he’s accepting our proposal.”
“Excellent.”

I spoke with a satisfied expression.
If worst came to worst, I could have brought in talented personnel to fill the gap, but having those two capable individuals—the proven cards who had brilliantly revived Gucci before my regression—continue to lead the brand was undoubtedly the best option.

“Since they’re both proven professionals, we can trust them and leave it in their hands.”

Landon Shore approached and sat on the empty left sofa, still speaking with a skeptical tone.

“Honestly, I still don’t understand if they’re worth you going this far to keep them, boss.”
“In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang three times to recruit him as his strategist. These are the talents who will revive Gucci and turn it into a company worth tens or hundreds of billions of dollars—this is well worth it.”

In fact, in the luxury brand rankings released about a decade later, Gucci ranked fifth after Chanel, with a brand value assessed at 6.42 billion dollars—over 7.5 trillion won in Korean currency.
Since the acquisition of management rights and equity cost 800 million dollars, if things went as planned, it would generate a return on investment of a full eight times.

‘This is quite a solid investment.’

And when I considered the dividends that would come in steadily every year, the profit margin grew even larger.

‘Come to think of it, much later, Gucci also held its first fashion show at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul.’

During that time, Korea’s status had risen significantly, but it was also proof that Gucci’s product sales and revenue were unquestionably massive in the global market, enough to warrant a solo fashion show.

‘Perhaps because of my acquisition, the Gyeongbokgung Palace fashion show might happen even sooner than before my regression.’

As I was lost in thought, Landon Shore cautiously broached the subject, gauging my reaction.

“However, there’s a precondition before the contract.”
“What is it?”

Seok-won asked casually.
Since Ray was essential to Gucci’s revival, I was prepared to grant nearly any request he made.
If he asked for a raise, I’d triple it. I was also ready to ensure his vacation time and bonuses were properly secured.

“Well… this is quite difficult to explain.”
“What kind of request did he make?”

Landon Shore hesitated, then opened his mouth with an uncertain expression.

“He wants to make the boss the model for the men’s line of the F/W collection we’re about to unveil.”
“…!”

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