Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 217

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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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217. I’ll win, so don’t worry.

Manhattan 89th Street, New York.
The Guggenheim Museum, renowned for its distinctive spiral architecture that expanded upward in ever-widening rings, remained crowded with people long after closing time.
The reason was simple—the NRDC’s year-end charity gala was being held here tonight.
As luxury vehicles carrying attendees arrived one by one, the limousine carrying Seok-won and Debra was pulling into the venue.
Debra, a thin shawl draped across her shoulders, swallowed hard as the brightly illuminated Guggenheim Museum came into view through the car window.

“Nervous?”
“No.”

Debra answered with an deliberately composed expression.
Her heart was pounding wildly inside, but she refused to show weakness.
Seok-won deliberately ignored her fingers trembling slightly as they gripped the small Gucci clutch resting on her lap, and spoke gently.

“Whether they’re celebrities or Wall Street titans, they’re no different from ordinary people. There’s no reason to feel intimidated. Just act naturally.”

Debra, who had agreed to call each other by name since leaving the hotel, replied with a slightly sulky tone.

“That might be possible for you, but it’s not easy for me.”
“If you show signs of discomfort, they’ll only dismiss you further. Act confidently. Where’s that courage you showed this morning when you blocked my path?”
“I’d prefer if you forgot about that incident.”

Debra glared at him, her eyes narrowing.
Back then, she had been so desperate for the interview that she’d charged at him recklessly—something she could hardly defend if the police had been called.
As Debra muttered to herself that she must have been crazy, Seok-won smiled slightly and spoke.

“Your expression is much better than before.”
“What was it like a moment ago?”
“Well, like a cow being led to slaughter.”
“That’s harsh.”

Debra wrinkled her nose and grumbled.
But as she conversed with Seok-won, she could feel her tension easing considerably.
Just then, as the limousine came to a smooth stop at the venue, Bockus, seated in the front passenger seat, stepped out first, surveyed the surroundings, and opened the rear car door.
Seok-won, dressed in a perfectly tailored tuxedo, stepped out first, extending his long legs, then offered his hand toward Debra inside.
As Debra took Seok-won’s hand and exited the limousine, a staff member holding a clipboard approached and politely asked a question.

“May I see your invitation?”
“Of course.”

I withdrew the invitation from my inner jacket pocket and handed it over.
The staff member who examined it immediately broke into a warm smile.

“Mr. Park Seok-won, welcome to today’s event.”

He then raised one arm and gestured toward the interior.

“Please follow me, and I’ll show you the way.”

Linking arms with Debra, I followed the staff member up the carpeted staircase and into the entrance of the venue.
Paparazzi and reporters stationed behind the barriers on either side erupted with camera flashes as we passed.
A bearded man who had been diligently pressing the shutter with his tripod set up looked up and asked a colleague beside him.

“That couple who just went inside—they were both incredibly attractive. Do you know who they are?”
“No idea. I’ve never seen them before. By their appearance, they don’t look like actors or models.”
“Is that so?”

Since this was an event attended by celebrities and prominent figures from various fields, everyone indiscriminately snapped photographs whenever guests arrived.
Yet despite the throng of people, no one would have suspected that the tall, handsome man—more striking than most actors—was actually Wall Street’s hottest investment mogul in recent times.
At that moment, the bearded man narrowed his brows slightly and tilted his head with a thoughtful hum.

“But that woman who came in with him—haven’t I seen her face somewhere before?”
“Maybe she appeared as a supporting actress in some drama or film.”
“No, that’s not it. She looked so familiar, like someone I know…”

The memory hovered just beyond his grasp, but as another guest arrived, the bearded man eventually abandoned his search and refocused on his camera shutter.

Meanwhile, Debra entered the expansive Central Lobby where today’s event was being held, escorted by my arm.
Soft classical music drifted through the Central Lobby, where one could gaze upward at all the levels of the cylindrical exhibition hall—the iconic symbol of the Guggenheim Museum.
A small stage was set up at the front, and guests in tuxedos and glittering gowns sat at round tables, smiling and conversing with those around them.
We were guided by the staff member to table 36.
Rodney, the CIO of Quantum Fund who was already seated, recognized me and greeted me warmly.

“Mr. Park. It’s been quite a while.”

I smiled and shook Rodney’s hand.

“Delighted to meet you. I never expected to see you at a gathering like this.”
“Indeed. I heard you rarely make an appearance at these sorts of events, so this must be my lucky day.”

Rodney gestured toward the blonde-haired woman seated beside him, a middle-aged lady with an intelligent and refined beauty.

“This is my wife, Rose.”
“Rose Labelle.”

The middle-aged woman greeted us with an elegant smile, as graceful as an actress.

“I’m Park Seok-won. Your wife is truly beautiful.”
“Ha ha. I don’t say this just because she’s my wife, but in her younger days, she was so popular that people could barely work up the courage to approach her. The competition to win Rose’s heart was absolutely fierce.”
“So you emerged as the ultimate victor, Rodney.”
“I can confidently say that marrying Rose is the most rewarding bet I’ve ever made.”

Rose laughed, playfully nudging her husband beside her.
Watching the affectionate Rodney couple before me, I naturally drew Debra closer.

“This is Debra, who’s graciously agreed to be my partner for the evening.”
“Oh, hello. I’m Debra Hayes.”
“Pleased to meet you.”

Rodney tilted his head, studying Debra with curious eyes.

“Your face looks familiar. Haven’t we met somewhere before?”
“I work as a journalist for CNBC.”
“Ah! That explains why your face didn’t seem entirely unfamiliar.”

Rodney clapped his hands together as if he’d finally figured it out.

“When were you planning to introduce me?”
“Oh, I apologize for the oversight.”

Besides the Rodney couple, there was another pair at the table—an elderly, toad-like middle-aged man and a woman with an unassuming appearance and brown hair.
Rodney gestured toward them with a bright smile.

“This is John Miller, the CEO of P&P Partners.”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m John Miller.”

Miller was of modest height with a slightly stocky build.
He looked Seok-won up and down without reservation, then extended a thick hand.

“Park Seok-won.”
“So you’re the CEO of Eldorado Fund, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“Huh. Well, I must say, for an Oriental, you look much younger than I expected. Don’t tell me you’re actually over forty with a face like that?”

At his blunt remark, I frowned slightly, and Rodney immediately stepped in with a serious expression.

“Mr. Miller. That’s hardly appropriate, is it?”
“Ah, my apologies. I didn’t mean any offense, but if it came across the wrong way, I apologize.”

His tone was clearly insincere, and even Debra felt her irritation rising.

‘What’s wrong with this guy!’

But I responded with unflappable composure.

“On Wall Street, ability takes precedence over age, doesn’t it?”

Rodney, recalling the day he first met me, nodded in agreement.

“Well said. Considering what Eldorado Fund has accomplished over the past few years, it’s nothing short of dazzling—truly beyond admiration.”

He then turned to Miller and asked.

“Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Miller?”

Under everyone’s gaze, Miller reluctantly nodded with a reluctant expression.
Since it was a closed Family Office, Eldorado Fund’s exact returns were never disclosed to the public.
However, even from the occasional glimpses of success—the yen attack led by Quantum Fund, the Netscape IPO, and the recent currency option contracts against Japanese companies—one could infer the magnitude of their profits.
But Miller, apparently twisted by nature, muttered something under his breath as he took his seat.

“The staff underneath might just be exceptional.”

At this remark that reopened the tension that had barely settled, Rodney inwardly pressed his palm to his forehead.
Fortunately, I didn’t flare up in anger, but my voice carried a distinct chill, making it clear I had no intention of letting it slide.

“No matter how skilled the sailors are, if the captain is a fool, the ship will crash into a mountain.”
“What?”

I ignored the man’s reddening face and pulled Debra’s chair back slightly before taking the seat beside her.

‘Not backing down an inch against Miller.’

John Miller was famous on Wall Street for his authoritarian demeanor and prickly temperament.
Yet seeing him hold his ground without the slightest hint of intimidation, responding instead with composed dignity that deflated the man’s arrogance, Rodney felt a surge of genuine admiration and quiet satisfaction.
Just then, a passing Waiter set champagne glasses before Seok-won and Debra at their newly occupied seats, and Rodney, seizing the opportunity to lighten the atmosphere, spoke with deliberate brightness.

“Since Mr. Park and Debra have just joined us, let’s all raise a toast together.”
“Yes, of course.”

Rose Labelle, his wife, picked up on the cue with sharp instincts and reached for her glass.

“Tsk.”

Miller clicked his tongue in reluctant acknowledgment and clinked glasses with his wife.
After they all toasted and took a sip of champagne, the NRDC representative, who was hosting the event, took the stage and approached the microphone.

“Thank you all, ladies and gentlemen, for attending our NRDC year-end charity gala once again. This past year, we have….”

After concluding his brief remarks, the NRDC representative called out the names of several major donors and board members—a few middle-aged Hollywood actors and billionaires—and invited them to the stage.
Once those who took the microphone finished their brief remarks, the event transitioned into a casual reception where guests mingled freely over light refreshments and drinks.
As befitted a heavyweight investor on Wall Street, many attendees gravitated toward Rodney’s table, and each time they did, he introduced them to Seok-won.

“You’re the representative of Eldorado Fund?”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m….”
“I’d like to hear your thoughts on recent investment positions….”

Upon hearing that he was the head of Eldorado Fund—the hottest name on Wall Street alongside Long Term Capital Management—people first reacted with surprise, then eagerly thrust their business cards forward.
After fielding several rounds of introductions, Rodney seized a brief moment of respite to wet his throat with champagne and spoke.

“By the way, I’ve heard rumors that Eldorado Fund took a short position. With the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts causing the indices to rebound, you must be quite disappointed.”

It was a probing question, but Seok-won responded with casual indifference.

“The internet boom has certainly made the market volatile, causing sharp reactions to even minor positive news. But such rallies won’t last long.”
“So you’re saying the market will decline again?”

Rodney’s eyes gleamed as he asked the question.
Seok-won nodded without the slightest hesitation.

“Interest rate cuts might spark temporary enthusiasm, but the fundamental problem—the federal government shutdown—remains unresolved.”
“Ah, youth. Your thinking is too short-sighted.”

John Miller, who had been visibly irritated by the attention Seok-won was receiving, suddenly interjected into the conversation with a twisted expression.

“Both the White House and the Republican Party are locked in a standoff, but with a presidential election coming next year, they’ll obviously reach a compromise before the year ends. It’s as clear as day.”

Rodney’s brow furrowed at the sarcastic tone.

“Miller…”

Just as Rodney was about to say something, Seok-won beat him to it.

“Is that so?”

Holding a champagne glass in one hand, Seok-won tilted his chin provocatively toward Miller.

“Since we’re at a charity event, why don’t we make a wager?”

Miller’s eyebrows twitched as he glared at him.

“What kind of wager?”
“Whether the S&P 500 will drop more than 50 points within the next two weeks or not.”

Both Rodney and Miller’s expressions shifted to surprise.
A 50-point drop in the S&P 500 would represent a truly catastrophic crash.

“Ha! That’s absurd.”

Miller laughed mockingly.

“The market is this strong, and you’re talking about a 50-point plunge? Do you really think that’s possible?”
“That’s exactly what I predict will happen.”

With a confident smile, Seok-won brought the champagne flute to his lips and spoke.

“If the index doesn’t drop fifty points from its peak within two weeks, I’ll donate a million dollars to the Natural Resources Defense Council.”
“…!”

Everyone failed to hide their shock at Seok-won’s brazen provocation.
Debra’s eyes widened in astonishment at the mention of a million dollars, her gaze fixed on him.
Seeing the confidence blazing in Seok-won’s eyes—a silent dare to take him on—Miller bristled and responded.

“Fine! Let’s do it.”

As his opponent took the bait, he turned to Rodney and asked.

“Would you be willing to serve as a notary for our wager?”

Rodney’s expression went momentarily blank before his eyes sparkled with intrigue.

“It’s sudden, but regardless of who wins, the money goes to a good cause, so I’ll do it.”

Watching a million dollars suddenly become the stakes, Debra leaned in and whispered with concern.

“Isn’t this bet too reckless?”
“I’ll win, so don’t worry.”

Seok-won grasped her hand firmly beneath the table and replied.

‘What kind of confidence is this?’

Yet watching his playful smile, she felt an inexplicable certainty that everything would turn out well.

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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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