Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 212

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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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212. Without a boss’s unwavering nerve, I doubt I could maintain such composure.

December 22, 1995, New York, USA.
A Gulfstream IV business jet painted in crystal white and nautical blue two-tone livery descended gracefully onto the runway at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, guided by the control tower.
The private aircraft taxied slowly along the asphalt apron before arriving at a spacious parking lot, where it cut its engines and came to a complete stop.
As the stairs descended, Seok-won emerged in a camel cashmere coat, accompanied by his bodyguard Bockus.

“Welcome, boss.”

Landon Shore, who had been waiting to greet him, descended the stairs with a bright smile as Seok-won stepped down.

“How does the market look?”

As I asked while shaking his hand lightly, Landon’s cheerful expression stiffened slightly.

“Not good at all.”
“Your expression tells me the stock market is continuing its rebound today as well.”
“Yes. Contrary to expectations that the Federal Reserve would freeze rates due to the shutdown, the Federal Open Market Committee cut rates by 0.25%, causing the market to bottom out and continue rising, particularly in technology stocks.”
“With technology stocks requiring substantial investment, there’s no catalyst quite like a rate cut.”

Unlike Seok-won’s composed demeanor, Landon’s face was etched with concern as he carefully gauged the situation before speaking hesitantly.

“The S&P 500 has risen over 12 points in just two days—the upward momentum is extraordinary. If we liquidate our position now, our losses won’t be catastrophic. Wouldn’t it be prudent to exit here?”
“You think the short bet has failed.”

I studied him intently as I posed the question.
Struck by the pointed inquiry, Landon hesitated briefly before carefully choosing his words to avoid offending me.

“Who could have predicted that an unexpected variable like a rate cut would completely reverse market sentiment from anxiety to optimism in a single day? And with the Christmas holidays beginning tomorrow, we’ll have only a handful of trading days left—that’s another source of concern for us.”

Landon continued speaking as I listened quietly, my smile never wavering.

“If the White House and the Republican Party reach a compromise and end the shutdown in the meantime, we won’t be able to respond properly. Even from a risk management perspective, cutting losses before that happens would be far more prudent.”

The federal government had now been shut down for a week.
Despite having weathered the previous shutdown period, the power struggle between the White House and the Republican Party showed no signs of ending, and public discontent was mounting with criticism pouring down on both sides.
With Christmas and year-end holidays looming, continuing this brinkmanship felt increasingly burdensome.

“Not only does the stock market close, but the White House and Congress also enter recess. One misstep, and we’ll end the year in a shutdown state. Facing the new year in such a condition carries significant political risk for both sides.”
“Precisely my point.”

Landon Shore, gauging his reaction, infused his voice with greater conviction.

“If we capitalize on this atmosphere and convince both Speaker Sabitz and President Davidson—men unwilling to bend—to negotiate as though neither can win, there’s a substantial chance of achieving a dramatic resolution.”
“And that would align perfectly with Christmas’s message of reconciliation and forgiveness, providing sound justification.”
“Exactly. For politicians, justification is everything.”

If circumstances unfolded as Landon Shore described, both the White House and the Republican Party could certainly end the burdensome shutdown without losing face.
Politically, it represented an excellent opportunity to resolve the situation, but for Seok-won and the Eldorado Fund, it was the worst-case scenario.
Under normal circumstances, they could monitor developments and respond immediately, but precisely because it was year-end, their hands would remain tied until the subsequent holidays concluded.

‘If a dramatic resolution truly occurs during the holidays, the index will surge sharply upward the moment the market opens in the new year. No wonder I’m concerned.’

Landon Shore pressed forward with earnest persuasion, his expression grave.

“Look at how the index rebounded immediately following the Federal Reserve’s rate cut, despite the shutdown remaining unresolved. That alone demonstrates the market’s current strength. Add a budget agreement to that, and the accumulated pressure will cause it to surge dramatically.”

Seok-won nodded in agreement.

“Once the pressure compressing the spring releases, it bounces higher—that’s certain.”
“Then losses will balloon beyond recovery before we can act. Taking precautions beforehand would be wise.”

After hearing everything, Seok-won unexpectedly wore a faint smile.

“Andrew shares this view?”
“I do.”

Seok-won, understanding the situation clearly, spoke with ease.

“I understand your concerns well. The index’s current rebound, rapidly recovering the days of decline, reflects such expectations heavily.”

Despite facing a situation where one misstep could trigger a margin call or short squeeze, Seok-won’s demeanor was remarkably composed—so much so that Landon Shore couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

“…That would be the case.”
“But what if, contrary to expectations, the budget agreement fails to materialize?”

As though he’d never considered such a possibility, Landon Shore’s eyes widened.

“What?”

Seok-won spoke meaningfully as he observed Landon Shore’s unconcealed bewilderment.

“Everything we’ve discussed so far is predicated on the shutdown ending. But if the federal government closure continues past year-end and into the new year, the entire situation changes completely, doesn’t it?”
“That can’t be.”

Landon Shore shook his head, his expression uncertain.

“Politicians are most sensitive to public opinion. Surely President Davidson and Speaker Sabitz wouldn’t resort to such extreme measures? Especially with a presidential election looming next year.”

Seok-won raised his index finger in response to the skepticism he’d anticipated, wagging it gently side to side.

“That’s precisely why they won’t back down. Because there’s an election, both sides will fight even harder to seize control of the political narrative and tilt the scales in their favor.”

Yet Landon Shore still objected, unconvinced.

“But even if they win the power struggle, they’ll lose public support and damage their chances at the ballot box.”
“Of course they will.”

Upon his candid admission, a puzzled expression crossed Landon Shore’s face.

“Do you know when the presidential election is scheduled for next year?”
“I’m not certain of the exact date, but isn’t it around November?”
“November 5th. So we have roughly a year left.”

Though Landon Shore wondered what relevance that held, he fell silent and listened attentively.

“A year is an eternity in politics. And in a country as vast as the United States, with its diverse populations, countless incidents will occur in that time. The media may be in an uproar now, but by the time the presidential election arrives, voters will have largely forgotten about the shutdown.”

Even the most significant issues fade from memory as time passes.
Besides, people are too busy with their daily survival.
If you stopped anyone on the street and asked what major event occurred last year, few could answer accurately.
Seok-won shrugged and continued.

“Moreover, both sides bear responsibility for the shutdown. Neither will risk weaponizing it against the other during the election.”
“Ah…”

Landon Shore exhaled softly in realization, his mouth slightly agape at a point he hadn’t considered.

“Conversely, if we win this power struggle and seize the initiative, we can steer the political situation favorably all the way through the presidential election. Neither the White House nor the Republican Party will concede easily.”

Seok-won affirmed this with his characteristic unwavering composure.
Landon Shore, recognizing the logic even as he couldn’t quite suppress a lingering anxiety, posed his question.

“But couldn’t they compromise and make concessions from a greater strategic perspective, considering the mounting damage and suffering the people will endure as the shutdown drags on like a rolling snowball?”
“Do you really believe that?”
“…Even I have to admit, it sounds like a beautiful ending straight out of a movie.”

Seok-won let out a derisive chuckle before speaking with absolute certainty.

“It won’t happen. Power is far too intoxicating.”

Landon Shore understood all too well how fiercely politicians clung to and craved power, so he nodded with a bitter expression.

“That’s why I have no intention of ending this game yet.”

Seok-won deepened the smile playing at his lips, his eyes gleaming with intensity.

“The real game begins in round two, so don’t get impatient. Wait with the same composure I’m showing.”

Despite wagering a staggering twenty billion dollars, Seok-won carried himself with such nonchalance—as though playing cards with friends—that Landon Shore conceded defeat with a rueful shake of his head.

“I’m afraid I don’t have the nerve to maintain such composure like you do, boss.”
“Haha.”

Seok-won burst into hearty laughter, patting his shoulder as he spoke lightly.

“Well, the Christmas holidays start tomorrow anyway. Why don’t you just forget about the markets and Washington entirely and take a trip with your family?”
“I wish I could, but I know myself—I’d spend the entire vacation restless and anxious, constantly checking in.”
“That does sound like you.”

Knowing Landon Shore’s temperament as he did, Seok-won could easily picture him calling the office repeatedly until his wife scolded him, so he simply smiled silently.

“In any case, I understand.”

Landon Shore exhaled softly, his face still clouded with concern as he spoke.

“It seems you’re determined to maintain your position, so we’ll need to prepare cash reserves for the margin call that’s coming soon.”
“Given the bullish sentiment, there’s a strong chance the index will break through its previous highs, so let’s prepare generously.”
“…Indeed.”

I answered in a half-resigned tone.
Only then did I realize we were still standing in the middle of the Parking Lot, where the biting river wind continued to blow relentlessly, and I lowered my head with a rueful expression.

“My apologies. I’ve had a helicopter standing by to take you to the Hotel, so let’s head there.”

Seok-won nodded and followed me as I hurried forward.
Moments later, the twin-engine Bell 212 helicopter carrying Seok-won and his party spun its rotor blades rapidly and slowly lifted into the sky.
Once the helicopter had gained sufficient altitude, it flew along the East River leading to New York Bay, heading toward Manhattan where the Plaza Hotel awaited.
Wearing headphones-style noise-canceling equipment, Seok-won turned his head and gazed down at the sprawling New York cityscape beyond the windscreen.
Snow had been falling continuously for the past several days, transforming the massive city into a pristine white landscape.
On the roads where snow removal had barely been completed, cars sat packed tightly together, moving with the sluggish pace of tortoises.
As snow-covered Central Park came into view between the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan, I recalled Jacob Thompson’s mention that New York Fashion Week would be held this year as well at Bryant Park in Manhattan, just as it had been last year.

‘Come to think of it, Kinsley said she’d be staying in New York for Christmas.’

Though the fashion show was still some time away, a popular model like Kinsley would certainly be attending New York Fashion Week.

‘Perhaps I should reach out to her.’

Thinking that new plans might emerge for Christmas, I felt a small smile play at the corners of my mouth.

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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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