Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 239

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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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239. Since we’ve already started, make sure to bring Daeheung Group to their knees and take control of the company.

The large Mercedes sedan carrying Seok-won passed through the security gate and descended directly into the Underground Parking Lot on the first basement level.
The spacious underground parking lot, brightly illuminated, stood nearly empty with only a few vehicles scattered about.
As the Mercedes came to a smooth stop, a woman in her late twenties wearing a two-piece suit, who had been waiting, approached with a slight bow of her head.
She was Kim Ye-rin, the personal secretary attending to Jo Deok-rye.
When she opened the car door for him, Seok-won stepped out, stretching his long legs, and spoke first.

“Where is Mother?”
“She’s waiting on the seventh floor. The elevator is this way, so please follow me.”

Seok-won gave a small nod and followed Kim Ye-rin as she led the way.
The two of them passed through a glass door that opened with a security card and entered a corridor lined with natural marble, stepping directly into an elevator that had just arrived.
Kim Ye-rin held her security card up to the panel on one side and pressed the button for the seventh floor.
Seeing that both the entrance and even the elevator required a key card, it was clear that this place paid considerable attention to security.
Upon arriving at the seventh floor moments later and stepping out, a spacious rectangular foyer came into view along with an iron front door.
Though there were two units per floor, a wall had been installed between them, and since each line used a different elevator, the structure essentially allowed each resident to use the corridor exclusively.

“Please come in.”

Kim Ye-rin gestured toward the front door she had opened wide.
As I stepped inside, the first things that caught my eye were the high coffered ceiling fitted with expensive crystal chandeliers and the expansive, open living room.
Beyond the large living room window directly ahead stretched a cityscape that extended sideways, and in the distance, the snow-covered slopes of Umyeon Mountain came into view.

“You’re here?”

Jo Deok-rye, holding a Gucci handbag that Seok-won had gifted her not long ago and conversing with a woman who appeared to be in her early thirties, smiled brightly with widened eyes.

“Why did you come here?”

As I approached closer, I asked with evident bewilderment.

“What do you think of this place?”
“It seems to be a building constructed with considerable luxury and care. I noticed landscaping work being done when I arrived. It must be a newly built development, right?”

Then the woman who had been with Jo Deok-rye interjected with a gentle smile and a warm demeanor.

“Yes, sir. As you can see, the building construction is complete and we’re in the final stages. Once the completion inspection comes down next month, move-ins will begin immediately.”
“Director Lee. Since our child is here, would you mind explaining once more?”
“Of course, ma’am.”

The woman called Director Lee pointed toward the view visible through the living room windows and began to speak.

“This location is truly exceptional. The Seocho Neighborhood Park behind us wraps around the property like a private garden, and Umyeon Mountain is visible from the front—it’s a prime location among prime locations. According to feng shui principles, this is said to be a place where wealth flourishes, which is why the construction company paid a premium to acquire this land.”
“It’s always better to live somewhere reputable.”
“Absolutely, ma’am. The foundation of where you live is truly important.”

Director Lee moved across the living room from the window, her words flowing without pause.

“Facing south, it receives excellent natural light. And as you saw on the way in, there’s only one entrance to the villa complex, which ensures excellent privacy for residents. Moreover, the elevators won’t operate without a fingerprint or security card, making it difficult for outsiders to enter. Simply place your fingerprint against the scanner, and it automatically takes you directly to your floor without needing to press any buttons—quite convenient.”
“Security is handled by a separate firm, correct?”
“Yes. A-One, the nation’s largest private security company—you know them, I’m sure. We have a contract with them, and in case of emergency, they’re guaranteed to arrive within five minutes.”
“Hmm. Yes. They’re certainly trustworthy.”
“As for the interior specifications, the supplied area is 146 pyeong with six bedrooms including the master suite and three bathrooms. Parking is four spaces per household, so you’ll have plenty of room. All the bedrooms are generously sized, but the master suite in particular includes two separate bedrooms, a powder room, a bathroom, and a dressing room, so couples will find it perfectly comfortable. Of course, if used alone, the spacious layout will be equally pleasant.”

The master suite I examined while listening was spacious enough to accommodate an entire 33-pyeong apartment within it.
Director Lee opened the sliding doors to reveal the dressing room, spreading her arms wide.

“The dressing room located between the two bedrooms can hold up to 500 garments, as you can see. Quite expansive, isn’t it?”

The dressing room, just as Director Lee described, appeared even larger than a typical apartment’s living room, finished entirely in expensive solid wood.
Built-in closets and hanging racks lined all four walls, while a large island storage unit with a glass top sat in the center, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a high-end boutique.
As we moved from the master suite to the kitchen, Director Lee’s explanations continued unabated.

“All the built-in appliances are premium German brands. Look at the size of this dining table—more than adequate for a large family to dine together. And next to it is the utility room and laundry room, with a separate maid’s quarters on the left for household staff.”

Indeed, someone living in a home of this caliber would naturally employ domestic help, making it an essential feature.

“Nine air conditioning units will be installed, with the option to add more if desired. The basement features a large 250-pyeong fitness center and sauna facilities, and each household has ten telephone lines and the latest fiber-optic internet cables installed—young people especially appreciate that.”
“Internet, you say. I’ve heard young people these days can’t live without it. You’re the same way, aren’t you?”
“I need it for work as well.”

Seok-won and Jo Deok-rye explored the home with genuine interest, unfatigued by the lengthy explanations.

“The exterior is finished with elegant stone, giving it a sturdy and refined appearance. And as you’ll see inside, every single material used is an imported premium grade.”

After touring the entire house, Jo Deok-rye returned to the living room and asked Seok-won, observing him carefully.

“What do you think of it?”
“It seems quite nice.”

The Seocho Kaiser Castle 2nd that he had visited was a premier villa well-known even before my regression as a residence for conglomerate families and celebrities, so it couldn’t possibly be anything less than impressive.

‘The Kaiser Castle 5th that will be built later—Chairman Kwak Dong-hun of Saseong Group purchased one and kept it, which became quite the topic of conversation at the time.’

With facilities of this caliber, it made perfect sense that Chairman Kwak Dong-hun would maintain it as a secondary residence.

“But why are you looking at this house?”
“Why? Because I’m going to buy it.”

Seok-won stared at Jo Deok-rye with a puzzled expression.
Jo Deok-rye then laughed and patted his back affectionately.

“Your father says it’s time for you to move out of the second floor.”
“You mean I should become independent?”
“That’s right.”
“I was hoping to live with you and Father a bit longer until I get married. I’m disappointed about this.”
“Oh my. Is that so?”

Jo Deok-rye’s eyes brightened for a moment, but she quickly suppressed her feelings.

“Well, no. You really should go out and live on your own now.”

Having cast off her reluctance, Jo Deok-rye looked at Seok-won and asked again.

“I quite like this house. If you approve, I’ll sign the contract right away.”
“Just a moment. How much is the asking price here?”

Director Lee, who had been quietly observing, promptly answered.

“1.8 billion won.”

A premier villa in Gangnam, Seoul for 1.8 billion won seemed incredibly cheap at first glance.
However, considering this was an era when a 34-pyeong apartment in Daechi-dong’s Eunma Apartments traded for 200 million won and a 35-pyeong apartment in Apgujeong’s Hyundai Apartments went for around 230 million won, it was still a price ordinary people couldn’t even dream of affording.

‘Looking at this, it seems house price inflation over the next thirty years or so was absolutely astronomical.’

I could begin to understand why Korean people were so uniquely obsessed with real estate.
Seok-won stood in the living room, sweeping his gaze across the interior before nodding in approval.

“I like it. It seems perfect for living alone.”
“Then let’s go with this one.”

Jo Deok-rye gestured to Director Lee as she spoke.

“Let’s draw up the contract right away.”
“Yes. You’ve made an excellent choice. Then if you’ll head to the office, we can prepare the contract documents….”

Jo Deok-rye followed Director Lee as she moved forward.
Seok-won took one final look around the villa that would soon be his new residence, then turned and followed the two women.

* * *

Seongbuk-dong, Seoul.
As Woo Ho-geun entered through the entrance in his black coat, the Housekeeper bowed her head respectfully.

“Welcome home, young master.”
“Where is Father?”

Woo Ho-geun’s face remained expressionless as he spoke curtly, not even acknowledging her greeting.

“He’s waiting in the Study Room.”

Woo Ho-geun then removed his coat and draped it over the living room sofa before heading straight to the Study Room.
Standing before the solid wood door, he knocked, and from within came the deep voice of Chairman Woo Yong-gap.

“Come in.”

In the elegantly appointed Study Room, Chairman Woo Yong-gap sat alone on the sofa.
Turning his head to regard his son, Chairman Woo Yong-gap indicated the empty seat with a glance.

“Sit down now that you’re here.”
“Yes.”

As Woo Ho-geun settled into the empty sofa on the right, a brief silence fell between the two men.
Soon, Chairman Woo Yong-gap, who had been sitting quietly, fixed his gaze upon his son and posed a question.

“Is the work proceeding smoothly?”

Woo Ho-geun then lifted his eyes to meet his father’s and opened his mouth to speak.

“Yes. I’ve concluded discussions with Douglas Hurd, the Vice President of Peregrine Securities in Hong Kong, and secured his promise to actively assist with the hostile acquisition.”
“Mere words and promises can be broken at any moment depending on circumstances.”

To Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s characteristically stern and suspicious remark, Woo Ho-geun responded with composure.

“In exchange for assisting with the M&A, we’ve agreed to pay 10% interest on the investment capital for five years. Beyond that, we’ve even guaranteed a call option allowing them to sell at a 30% premium or, should the stock price fall, transfer their shareholdings to us at 50% above the purchase price. There’s no reason for them to betray us.”

After hearing this explanation, Chairman Woo Yong-gap paused to consider, then nodded slightly.

“It does seem we’re giving away a bit much, but that’s the level of incentive needed to get those foreign bastards moving.”
“Conveniently, the Ministry of Finance and Economy has announced they’ll increase the foreign investment stock limit to 18%, which creates an even more favorable situation for us.”
“It seems even heaven itself is helping us swallow up the Daeheung Group.”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap, buried deep in the sofa, murmured softly.

“When will you begin moving in earnest?”
“We’re already accumulating Midopa Department Store shares gradually, and once Peregrine’s funds arrive and the investment limit opens in April, we plan to launch concentrated purchases.”

Since Chairman Woo Yong-gap had already heard the general outline through Chief Secretary Jeon Hae-cheol, his trusted aide, he examined his son’s expression without further comment.

“Are you confident you can pull this off?”
“Of course. Soon you’ll be able to possess not just Midopa Department Store, but the entire Daeheung Group.”

Woo Ho-geun, convinced that his plan was flawless, radiated confidence from every fiber of his being.
Chairman Woo Yong-gap nodded at this display, then picked up a thick envelope of documents he’d set beside him and placed it on the table.

“Take it with you.”

When Woo Ho-geun picked up the envelope and withdrew its contents, a bundle of bearer bonds worth 100 million won tumbled out.

“This is….”

It was slush funds that former President Noh Ki-hoon, who had been his in-law, had entrusted to Chairman Woo Yong-gap.

“Five billion won. The rest, the former Chief Secretary will scrape together from the cash reserves in the group.”
“Understood.”

Woo Ho-geun suppressed his excitement and tucked the bearer bonds back into his pocket.

“Since we’ve already started this, make sure you bring Chairman Park to his knees and seize the Daeheung Group.”
“Yes. I will do exactly that.”

Woo Ho-geun’s pupils gleamed sharply, drenched in avarice.

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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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