Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 221

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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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221. Would you grant me a few days to consider?

The Blonde Female Singer stood before the microphone in a backless dress, her voice weaving through a sweet pop melody accompanied by piano, when the Waiter arrived with the amuse-bouche course.
On pristine porcelain, tomato velouté, shrimp, and green bean tart were plated with the precision of fine art.
Seok-won sampled the accompanying olive-studded kouglof, nodding his head with a satisfied smile.

“Your kitchen staff demonstrates exceptional skill.”

Across the table, the broad-shouldered Dantic broke into a beaming grin.

“It’s the pride of our Michelin two-star establishment.”

The Waiter then presented the first wine, displaying the label before pouring white wine into both glasses.

“Let us toast to this meeting.”
“Indeed.”

Seok-won lifted his glass and gently clinked it against Dantic’s extended flute, then held the wine briefly in his mouth, savoring its taste and aroma before swallowing.
It was an excellent wine—subtle sweetness and a clean finish.
Dantic set down his glass and inquired.

“Are you finding your stay at the Hotel comfortable?”
“The facilities are excellent, and the staff is remarkably attentive. I’m quite satisfied.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”

As Seok-won answered while sampling the tomato velouté with his spoon, Dantic began his meal as well.

“Whether you’re aware or not, this Hotel holds official landmark status in New York City and is designated as a national historic building—a place of considerable heritage.”
“The famous Plaza Accord was negotiated right here, making it a venue woven into American history. It’s also served as the backdrop for masterpieces like The Great Gatsby and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Observing that Seok-won possessed detailed knowledge of the Plaza Hotel’s prestige and history, Dantic’s expression warmed with genuine appreciation.

“A film called Home Alone 2, which was a major hit several years ago, was also filmed here. I wonder if you’re familiar with it.”
“I’ve seen that film. You made a cameo appearance in it, didn’t you?”
“Ha ha ha! So you knew.”

True to his attention-seeking nature, Dantic burst into hearty laughter.
He seemed genuinely delighted that someone recognized his accomplishment—the kind of person who probably regaled everyone he met with this same story.

“You performed so naturally that you could easily become an actor.”
“People around me do mention that I have a talent for it, but it’s just a hobby I enjoy occasionally. My real business is in commerce, after all.”
“Of course, that makes sense.”

Just then, the Waiter cleared away the empty plates and brought mashed potatoes and caviar.
Once the Waiter set down the dish and departed, Dantic took a sip of wine as if to cleanse his palate, then posed a somewhat abrupt question.

“What do you think of the Plaza Hotel here?”

The question caught me off guard, but I maintained my composure and answered calmly.

“As I mentioned before, I believe it’s the finest hotel in Manhattan—indeed, in all of New York—possessing both history and prestige. Of course, given its prime location on Fifth Avenue south of Central Park, its value as real estate is exceptionally high as well.”

At the light jest I added at the end, Dantic smiled and raised his wine glass.

“Just as one would expect from a heavyweight investor recognized on Wall Street, you certainly understand the Plaza Hotel’s true worth. Owning such a building in the heart of Manhattan, the very heart of global finance, is like obtaining a trophy that proves one’s success.”

As a landmark symbolizing an entire city, it rarely came on the market, so its scarcity value was undeniable, regardless of its astronomical price.

“Now that I think about it, you once said that when you acquired the Plaza Hotel, you purchased not just a building but a masterpiece like the Mona Lisa hanging in the Louvre Museum.”

Dantic looked at me with an expression of genuine surprise.

“That was quite some time ago. I’m amazed you remember that.”
“It was such an impressive statement that it stuck with me.”

I replied lightly, as if it were nothing remarkable.
In truth, I’d seen it in the materials about Dantic that Landon Shore had sent me yesterday afternoon, but there was no need to reveal that.

“I held my wedding with my wife in the Grand Ballroom here, so I have many cherished memories tied to this hotel. It’s the very place where Truman Capote held the legendary Black and White Ball masquerade in 1966.”

Dantic spoke with pride, puffing out his chest.
Knowing that this natural philanderer would soon divorce his second wife and marry a former Vogue model from Slovenia—a woman twenty-four years his junior—for the third time, I said nothing and quietly continued eating while listening to his story.

‘Come to think of it, his first wife was a model, and his second was an actress. Dantic’s romantic history is truly as remarkable as his life itself.’

As they conversed, the next course arrived without fanfare.
Two waiters cleared the empty plates and set down foie gras truffle macaroni before them both.
The distinctive aroma of truffle wafted through the air, whetting the appetite, but instead of reaching for his fork, Dantic subtly observed Seok-won’s expression.

“The reason I suggested we meet like this today is partly to establish a connection with President Park, but I also have a business proposal to discuss with you.”

Seok-won, who had been waiting for when the main topic would be broached, regarded his counterpart with a composed expression.

“Let’s hear it then.”

Dantic leaned forward slightly and posed the question with deliberate care.

“Would you have any interest in purchasing this hotel?”
“…!”

Seok-won’s eyebrows twitched in surprise at a proposal he hadn’t anticipated, and he asked for clarification.

“Are you asking if I’d consider acquiring the Plaza Hotel right now?”

Dantic nodded his head and actively encouraged the acquisition.

“Precisely. As I mentioned before, the opportunity to become the owner of a landmark that symbolizes New York is hardly commonplace.”
“…That’s not wrong, but the proposal is so sudden that I’m rather taken aback.”
“Of course it is, but if the Plaza Hotel were put on the market as a property for sale, the competition among those seeking to acquire it would be extraordinarily fierce. This is an opportunity to obtain the most prestigious and historically significant hotel in New York without such conflict—I’d urge you to give it serious consideration.”

It was a common sales tactic designed to exploit anxiety by suggesting that missing this opportunity would result in loss, but Seok-won was not so naive as to fall for such manipulation.
Of course, considering the prestige and real estate value of the Plaza Hotel, there would certainly be potential buyers interested when it was listed on the market.

‘Yet the fact that he’s making such a proposal suggests there’s another reason he wants to avoid a public sale.’

Otherwise, a natural-born businessman like Dantic would never engage in a losing proposition.
What immediately came to mind was the fact that Dantic had been driven into severe financial straits—having invested a staggering 1.2 billion dollars to construct the Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, followed by filing for bankruptcy on three major casinos and hotels in rapid succession over the following years.

‘Even after liquidating several key business operations, Dantic Company’s debt exceeds 550 million dollars that must be repaid by next year. He must be desperate for cash.’

Having rapidly organized his thoughts, Seok-won maintained an air of composure while observing Dantic, who was clearly anxious beneath the surface, waiting for his response. He reached for his wine glass with unhurried deliberation.

“As you say, if the Plaza Hotel were to be listed, there would certainly be many interested parties. Wouldn’t it be more advantageous for you to proceed that way?”

When I demonstrated that I wasn’t the sort to be easily swayed by such flattery, a flicker of disappointment crossed Dantic’s eyes.
It was a subtle shift that would have gone unnoticed without careful observation.

‘So he was planning to prey on a fool.’

It was clear his scheme was to treat me as some upstart who’d gotten lucky with a windfall, sweet-talk me gently, and sell the Plaza Hotel at an inflated price.
Seok-won let out an internal snort and fixed Dantic with a cool, measured gaze.

‘Building goodwill for the future is wise, but I can’t afford to appear like an easy mark.’

While cultivating connections had merit, I couldn’t risk being perceived as someone to be taken advantage of.
Should our relationship sour into enmity, I had the means to utterly destroy Dantic if necessary—reducing him to complete destitution, ensuring he could never recover or rebuild.
With the power I wielded, crushing a mere real estate magnate with excessive wealth would be trivially easy if I chose to act.
If I did that, Dantic would never be cast on television as a successful entrepreneur, would never gain national prominence, and would never run as a presidential candidate or ascend to the White House.
My only concern was what unforeseen butterfly effect might result from such an action.

‘Some other unpredictable eccentric, even more chaotic than Dantic, might end up as the master of the White House instead.’

If that happened, the outcome would be catastrophic.
Lost in such thoughts, I continued sipping wine without speaking, when Dantic glanced at me sidelong and smacked his lips.

“The truth is, I’m already in negotiations with another buyer. But the amount they’re offering is far too low, so I’ve been searching for other options. I thought you might be willing to pay fair value, so I decided to ask if you were interested in purchasing it.”

Now Dantic was finally showing his true hand, yet my eyes remained cold and unmoved.

‘He’s not looking for fair value—he’s looking for someone to overcharge.’

But I kept my expression neutral and gave a brief nod.

“I see.”

Dantic studied my reaction and then poured out his grievances as though deeply wronged.

“If my financial situation weren’t so dire, I would never sell this hotel—I treasure it that much. But knowing I’m in a tight spot, they’re trying to snatch it up at a pittance! How could I not be furious?”
“How much are they offering?”

When I feigned interest, Dantic’s eyes lit up and he answered eagerly.

“Four hundred million dollars.”

Seven years ago, Dantic Company acquired the Plaza Hotel for exactly four hundred million dollars.
Even accounting for inflation over that period, the complete interior renovation of the aging hotel had cost an additional hundred million dollars or so—a transaction that amounted to selling at a loss, plain and simple.

“That’s certainly a sum that would give Mr. Dantic reason to feel aggrieved.”
“Exactly. It’s nothing short of highway robbery!”

After voicing his grievances, Dantic sent a subtle glance my way and pressed the matter once more.

“This is an opportunity that won’t come again. Are you truly certain you have no interest in acquiring the hotel?”
“Hmm….”

I deliberately stroked my chin with my hand, feigning deep contemplation and drawing out the moment.
The longer my hesitation stretched, the more visible anxiety bloomed across Dantic’s features.
After prolonging the silence to what felt like the right moment, I finally spoke.

“This is entirely unexpected, and the sum is far from trivial. I’m afraid I cannot make a decision on the spot.”

Dantic’s expression fell upon hearing my words.

“However, I’m not entirely without interest, so I would appreciate a few days to consider the matter.”

Dantic’s face suddenly brightened with hope, and he immediately asked:

“How much time would you need?”
“Three days would suffice.”
“Excellent! I can certainly wait that long.”

Dantic’s expression grew radiant, as though the deal had already been struck.

“Now then, let’s set aside this tedious business talk and enjoy our meal.”
“Of course.”

As Dantic gestured from his seat, the Waiter, who had been keeping his distance to avoid interrupting our conversation, stepped forward and spoke.

“Shall I bring the next course?”
“Yes. And the wine glasses are empty—bring a fresh bottle.”
“Very good, sir.”

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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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