Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 231

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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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231. Even if you refuse to hand it over, there are ways to forcibly obtain it.

Two days later.
Seok-won, who had flown to California on a private jet with Landon Shore, met Steve Nolan, the founder of Apple, in the Pixar Conference Room located in Emeryville.
Facing the man directly—dressed in his trademark black turtleneck, Levi’s jeans, and New Balance sneakers, his hair cropped short—Seok-won maintained his composure, though he felt an unmistakable thrill stirring within him.
Steve Nolan was a legend incarnate, a visionary who had left an indelible mark on the IT industry and human progress itself, only to have his life cut short by an incurable illness—a fate befitting the exceptional geniuses of his caliber.
Observing Nolan seated beside the Counsel Lawyer with an expression of undisguised irritation, Seok-won recalled a brief anecdote about the man’s approach to fashion.

‘That iconic outfit wasn’t some deliberate affectation. Rather, his notoriously fastidious nature meant that once he found clothes that felt comfortable and pleased him, he wore them like a uniform. That’s how it all came about.’

The story went that he had ordered hundreds of identical turtlenecks and jeans at once, stacked them in his wardrobe, and simply rotated through them daily—no further explanation needed.
A billionaire wearing a uniform that cost barely one hundred sixty dollars in total—he was as unique a figure as his genius was undeniable.

‘Only someone of Steve Nolan’s stature could pull off something like this and receive praise for it. If an ordinary person did the same, they’d be called insane on the spot.’

Seok-won recalled a comment that once Andy Warhol—two of whose paintings hung in his own room—became famous enough, people would applaud even if he defecated in the street. Steve Nolan embodied that observation perfectly.
Dismissing his wandering thoughts, Seok-won observed Nolan sitting with his legs crossed and spoke first in fluent English.

“I asked to meet with you because there’s something I wanted to ask before acquiring your shares.”
“What is it?”

Nolan asked curtly, his tone blunt and characteristic of his nature.
Though this was their first face-to-face meeting, Seok-won was aware of Nolan’s famously abrasive style and responded without taking offense.

“After selling your shares, are you planning to leave Apple?”

Nolan’s eyes narrowed sharply as he fixed his gaze directly upon him.

“Why are you asking that?”

Seok-won met that piercing stare without flinching, his composure unshaken.

“Because Apple’s identity is Steve Nolan himself.”

Observing the slight tremor that flickered across Nolan’s pupils despite his expressionless face, Seok-won continued.

“So as an investor, it’s only natural that I take an interest in your future plans.”

Steve Nolan possessed a naturally fierce pride, and now that I had struck precisely at his weak point, it was clear he was inwardly satisfied despite showing no outward sign.
True to form, Nolan’s eyes softened compared to before, and he answered my question readily.

“As long as Apple doesn’t push me out first, I’ll continue working.”

At that, Seok-won smiled broadly and spoke.

“The board of directors surely knows better than anyone that you, Mr. Nolan, are the most essential person to revive Apple in its time of crisis. There’s no way they’d let you go.”
“Ha. I wish those fools could think as clearly as you do, Director Park.”

Observing how Nolan harbored deep distrust and resentment toward the Apple board that had once cast him aside, I nodded inwardly and spoke.

“Since you’ll be staying at Apple, I can proceed with acquiring the shares with peace of mind.”

Then, as if I had forgotten something, I added.

“Ah. Before that, there’s one condition—or rather, a proposal I’d like to make.”
“What is it now?”

Nolan replied with a hint of irritation in his expression.

“I’d like to delegate all voting rights of the shares I’m acquiring to you, Mr. Nolan. What do you think?”
“…?”

Nolan’s expression shifted to one of complete surprise at this unexpected proposal.
Then, his eyes narrowing with suspicion, he asked back.

“Did you just say you want to entrust the voting rights to me?”
“That’s correct.”

At that, Nolan’s expression turned openly skeptical as he questioned.

“What’s your intention behind such a proposal?”

Leaning back against the chair, I spoke with an air of composure.

“As you well know, I’m an investor. Naturally, I’m making this deal because I expect substantial returns.”

Nolan listened quietly, his eyes narrowed as he gauged my intentions.

“For that to happen, Apple must overcome its crisis and achieve a successful revival. As I mentioned before, I believe the key to making that happen lies with Steve Nolan.”
“….”
“That’s why I want to entrust all voting rights to him and give him the power to pull Apple out of the quagmire as quickly as possible, even as it wanders lost and directionless.”

Steve Nolan’s mind raced as he carefully considered what he’d just heard.
While his doubts weren’t entirely resolved, it was undeniably true that if Apple revived and its stock price rose, it would benefit Seok-won as well.
More than anything, Steve Nolan had always wanted to lead Apple proactively rather than merely serve as a counsel and supporting player as he did now. If he were to receive and exercise voting rights, it would be nothing but a plus—never a minus.
After concluding there was nothing to lose no matter how he analyzed it, Nolan nodded immediately.

“Very well. Let’s proceed that way if that’s what you wish.”

As Seok-won’s satisfied expression broke into a knowing glance, Landon Shore, who sat beside him, promptly placed the stock purchase and transfer agreement—already verified by both parties’ lawyers—along with a fountain pen before them.
Seok-won picked up the fountain pen first and signed the contract, then looked up just as Nolan across from him finished his signature.
Landon Shore then verified that both signatures were properly affixed before speaking.

“With this, our chairman has completed the full acquisition of 1.5 million Apple shares held by Steve Nolan at $15 per share, for a total of $22.5 million.”

Seok-won rose to his feet and extended one hand as he spoke.

“Now that we’ve formed this connection, I hope we can maintain a good relationship going forward.”

Nolan stood as well and grasped his hand, shaking it firmly as he replied.

“I would hope for nothing less.”

Though Nolan remained sharp-edged to the very end, Seok-won noticed that the light in his eyes had softened considerably from their first meeting, and he allowed himself an inward smile.

* * *

Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.
Like Pyeongchang-dong, this affluent neighborhood where many conglomerate families resided featured grand estates lined along spacious alleyways, each surrounded by towering walls.
On a dark winter evening when the sun set early, a luxury Mercedes sedan glided smoothly to a halt before a residence whose tall pine trees were visible above its walls.
The Attendant Secretary, who had exited from the passenger seat, opened the rear door and spoke carefully.

“Chairman. We’ve arrived at your residence.”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap, who had been resting against the plush leather seat, opened his eyes slowly as if awakening from a light sleep.

“Mm. Yes.”

As I stepped out of the car, a cold wind swept across my body with a sharp whistle.

“The temperature seems to have dropped even more than yesterday.”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap, draped in an expensive coat, muttered while adjusting his collar.
As he took a step forward, the Attendant Secretary hurried ahead and pressed the intercom installed on the large gate pillar.

[Who is it?]
“The Chairman has arrived.”
Beep— click.

The lock disengaged with an audible sound, and the gate swung open.
Chairman Woo Yong-gap crossed the well-maintained lawn of the Garden and strode purposefully toward the main house with its red brick walls and black roof.

“Welcome home.”

Hwang Su-hyun, the Chairman’s wife, greeted him at the entrance wearing a long home dress.
Upon seeing his eldest son, Woo Ho-geun, standing beside his wife, he asked with an impassive expression.

“What brings you here?”
“I have something to discuss with you, Father. I’ve been waiting.”
“…Wait for me in the Study Room.”

After removing his shoes and ascending into the living room, Chairman Woo Yong-gap left only those words before brushing past Woo Ho-geun and entering the master bedroom.
As the bedroom door shut with a thud, Hwang Su-hyun, despite her advanced age and meticulous self-care that left her forehead nearly free of wrinkles, furrowed her brow and complained.

“That man—you could search with your eyes wide open and never find a shred of warmth in him.”
“That’s just how he’s always been.”
“Even so, how can he be so cold even to his own son?”

Unlike Hwang Su-hyun, who voiced her disappointment, Woo Ho-geun maintained an unbothered expression.

After changing into comfortable clothes and entering the Study Room, Chairman Woo Yong-gap glanced briefly at Woo Ho-geun, who was already seated on the sofa, before taking the seat of honor in the center.

“The preparations for launching the new spaghetti sauce are proceeding without any issues, I trust?”

Woo Ho-geun immediately opened his mouth to respond.

“Yes. We’ve already completed the commercial shoot and plan to launch a major advertising campaign through television and radio to coincide with next month’s release date.”
“Insufficient inventory creates problems on the sales floor, and excess stock gathering dust in warehouses is equally troublesome. Conduct thorough market research and carefully calibrate the initial order quantity to ensure a seamless supply chain.”
“Everything has been prepared without issue, so please have no concerns.”

Woo Yong-gap regarded his son with a skeptical gaze as he rattled off his answers without hesitation.

“Don’t just sit at your desk flapping your mouth—go to the Manufacturing Plant yourself and inspect the operations. Do you have any idea how much capital we’ve invested in this pasta sauce launch? If you bungle this like last time with some reckless stunt, don’t expect any mercy, blood relation or otherwise!”

Woo Ho-geun swallowed his resentment at his father’s blatant distrust over a single mistake.
The memory of being exiled abroad to reflect only intensified his frustration, but confronting Woo Yong-gap now would serve no purpose, so he forced himself to suppress his anger.

“…I will keep that in mind.”

Woo Yong-gap clicked his tongue disapprovingly and asked.

“So what is this matter you wanted to discuss?”

Woo Ho-geun then picked up the thin folder he’d set beside him and placed it before his father.
At his father’s questioning look, Woo Ho-geun spoke with utmost seriousness.

“An idea I’ve been developing since Hong Kong.”

Woo Yong-gap narrowed his brow, studied his son briefly, then reached for the folder on the table and opened it.
The moment he saw the title at the top—”Midopa Department Store Acquisition Plan”—his face contorted and he jerked his head up.

“Acquire Midopa Department Store? What kind of nonsense is this!”

His reaction was entirely justified—Midopa Department Store, alongside textiles, was a cornerstone subsidiary that undergirded the entire Daheung Group.
Under normal circumstances, Woo Ho-geun would have shrunk his shoulders and avoided eye contact at his father’s outburst, but having anticipated this response, he instead held his head high and met his gaze unflinchingly.

“Why do you think it’s unreasonable?”

Woo Yong-gap, his brow still furrowed, bellowed.

“Would you sell off a cornerstone subsidiary that supports the entire group to someone else!”
“Of course not.”
“Then why bring this garbage to me!”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap slammed the folder down onto the table as if hurling it.
He had every right to be furious—bringing a proposal for something that could never happen, presenting it with such confidence.
Yet Woo Ho-geun showed not the slightest wavering, his expression radiating absolute conviction as he faced Chairman Woo Yong-gap.

“Even if Daheung Group refuses to hand it over, I have a way to acquire Midopa Department Store.”
“Ha! You’re insane.”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap snorted derisively, his demeanor turning menacing as if daring him to explain.

“How so?”
“If we accumulate Midopa Department Store shares on the open market and secure a larger stake than Daheung Group, they’ll have no choice but to surrender management rights, whether they like it or not.”
“…!”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s eyes widened as he stared at Woo Ho-geun.

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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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