Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 241

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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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241. The underlying assets are a bit unusual, aren’t they?

I was reviewing European news that had just come out on the Bloomberg terminal installed on one side of my desk when Na Seong-mi knocked and entered the office.

“President, Han Ji-sung, the associate you mentioned, has arrived.”
“Send him in.”
“Yes.”

After Na Seong-mi gave a brief reply and left, a lean man who appeared to be in his late twenties walked in shortly after.
The man approached my desk and bowed at a precise ninety-degree angle in greeting.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Han Ji-sung.”

Recognizing the necessity of having an executive secretary who could accompany me and handle matters both domestically and abroad, I had asked Manager Gil to send someone suitable after careful consideration.
He had recommended three candidates with their résumés, and Han Ji-sung, who had just arrived today, was the one I had selected.
I looked Han Ji-sung over—his attire was understated and his demeanor quiet—and rose from my seat, extending one hand.

“I’m Park Seok-won.”
“I look forward to working with you.”

Han Ji-sung quickly grasped my hand with both of his and shook it respectfully.

“Let’s talk on the sofa.”
“Yes.”

I walked around the desk and sat first in the center seat.
Only after seeing this did Han Ji-sung take a seat on the empty sofa to the right.
Though a small gesture, the fact that he didn’t sit first but waited for me to do so earned my silent approval.

“What would you like to drink?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“Don’t be modest. Just say whatever you’re comfortable with.”
“Then… I’ll have coffee.”

I turned my head toward Na Seong-mi, who was standing by the door.

“Secretary, bring me two cups of coffee.”
“Yes, sir.”

Once Na Seong-mi closed the door and left, I straightened up and studied Han Ji-sung, who sat with his spine perfectly rigid, before asking my question.

“According to your resume, you served in the military as a KATUSA with the U.S. Eighth Army. Is that correct?”
“Yes. I served at Camp Casey in Dongducheon.”

KATUSA referred to Korean soldiers dispatched to serve with the U.S. Forces Korea for duties such as interpretation.

“Then you must be quite fluent in English.”
“I’m proficient enough to communicate without difficulty.”

His answer was modest, but his resume listed a TOEIC score above 950 and noted that he was fluent not only in English but also in Chinese.

“You made deputy manager in just three years—that’s quite rapid advancement.”
“I’ve been fortunate to have my superiors’ support.”
“I heard you worked in the sales department at Daeheung Textiles before this.”
“That’s correct.”

I crossed one leg over the other and continued.

“Here, you’ll need to serve as my executive secretary, accompanying me at all times. Do you think you can handle that?”
“While it’s unfamiliar work, if you entrust it to me, I’ll do my absolute best to assist you.”

His unhesitating response earned my silent approval.
His sincere yet straightforward demeanor made him seem like someone I could genuinely trust.

“You’ll need to come in whenever work demands it—weekends, holidays, it doesn’t matter. You might be abroad for extended periods, so you’ll essentially have no personal life. Are you prepared for that?”
“Fortunately, I’m still unmarried with no family obligations, and I’m not in a relationship, so I can dedicate myself entirely to the work. Besides, assisting you while meeting various people and gaining diverse experiences would be an invaluable opportunity to broaden my horizons.”
“That’s rather sad—no girlfriend at all?”

Han Ji-sung responded with an awkward smile, scratching his head with one hand.
Just then, Na Seong-mi entered with a tray, set two warm cups of coffee before us, and left again.
Having determined we’d conversed sufficiently, I asked the most crucial question with a serious expression.

“As I work going forward, there may be times when others ask me about you. How will you handle that?”
“I may not know much about secretarial duties, but since I’ll be serving my superior from the closest position, I believe the most important thing to uphold is absolute confidentiality.”
“So you won’t be quick to loosen your tongue?”
“That’s correct.”

Seok-won picked up the teacup before him, his gaze steady and composed as he regarded the man across from him.

“Even if Manager Gil or my father asked you about me, you could maintain that discretion?”
“Though I feel indebted to Manager Gil for recommending this position, I believe keeping silent is essential to fulfilling my duties faithfully.”

Whether he would truly act that way remained to be seen, but for now, I could give him a passing grade.
Seok-won set down his coffee cup and gave a slight nod of approval.

“Very well. Then start your duties today. Once you leave, my secretary will show you around.”
“Thank you.”

Han Ji-sung rose from his seat, bowed respectfully, and then left the office.
Remaining on the sofa until the door closed completely, Seok-won then reached for the keyphone receiver on the side table and pressed a button.
After hearing the dial tone and waiting a moment, Chief Secretary Gil Seong-ho answered the call.

“Hello?”
“I hope I’m not catching you at a busy time.”
“Ha ha ha. Even if I’m occupied, I always take a call from the second young master. What can I do for you?”

Seok-won glanced at the spot where Han Ji-sung had been sitting just moments before, still holding the receiver.
The coffee cup had been neatly emptied and placed squarely on its saucer—a detail that suggested his attention to order was meticulous.

“The Han deputy manager you recommended came by today.”
“Ah, I see. How did it go?”
“I’ll need to observe him more, but my first impression wasn’t bad.”
“He’s sharp and capable. What’s particularly valuable is that he’s reserved—not the type to speak carelessly—which makes him ideal for a personal secretary.”

Seok-won’s expression shifted to one of surprise.

“This is the first time I’ve heard you praise someone so highly, Manager Gil.”
“That’s because he’s such an exceptional talent. If the second young master hadn’t requested a personal secretary, I would have brought him into the headquarters secretarial office.”
“It seems I’ve inadvertently intercepted him in the middle.”

Seok-won spoke with a laugh, and Chief Secretary Gil Seong-ho responded with equal ease.

[So you’re saying I owe you a favor now.]
“When the opportunity comes, I’ll make sure to repay it.”
[Ha, I was just joking. In any case, I’m glad Han seems to be to your liking.]
“How could I not be satisfied with someone you recommended? Anyway, since I’ve received so much help from you, I should at least buy you a meal.”
[Just give me a call whenever.]
“Of course. You must be busy, so I’ll hang up now.”
[Yes. Take care.]

After setting down the receiver, Seok-won rose from the sofa when he saw Na Seong-mi knock and enter to clear away the teacup.

* * *

Nihonbashi, Chuo Ward, Tokyo, Japan.
Two large sedans pulled up in succession and came to a stop in front of the austere Nomura Securities Headquarters building.
As the car door opened, a Caucasian man in his late thirties wearing a gray coat stepped out from the back seat—it was John Porter, the Japan branch director of the Eldorado Fund.
Standing in place, Director Porter looked up at the building for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders and muttered.

“I always feel this way, but the buildings in Tokyo have absolutely no character. Nothing but dry, tediously bland designs.”

Just then, Rider, who had been with Porter since their Lehman Brothers days and shared a close relationship with him, stepped out of the trailing car and approached, asking a question.

“What are you looking at so intently?”
“It’s nothing.”

Director Porter turned his gaze away and moved his steps toward the building entrance.
As he entered the lobby, elegantly appointed with artificial marble, two men in crisp business suits approached upon seeing Director Porter’s group.

“Are you the people from the Eldorado Fund?”

Director Porter surveyed the man and responded in fluent Japanese.

“That’s right.”

Then the man who appeared to be of higher rank quickly pulled a business card from his inner pocket, extended it with both hands, and greeted them.

“I’m Okamura, a section chief in the Derivatives Products Division at Nomura Securities.”

As Director Porter examined the business card he had received, the name Okamura Hideo was written there along with his title.
At his nod, Rider, who had been standing behind, stepped forward instead and handed over his own business card, asking a question.

“I believe you have a meeting scheduled with Executive Director Usami today.”
“The Executive Director is waiting in the Conference Room on the 15th floor. I’ll show you the way, so please follow me.”

With those words, Manager Okamura led the way, and John Porter followed along with his entourage.
They took the elevator up and were guided to the VIP Conference Room.
Befitting a space where VIPs conducted meetings, the conference room floor was covered with thick carpeting, and the walls were adorned with expensive frames displaying classical paintings and calligraphy that showcased Japanese artistic sensibilities.
In one corner sat a large Chinese ceramic piece that appeared ancient at first glance, and upon seeing it, John Porter felt less admiration than a sense of witnessing a relic from Japan’s bubble era when the nation had swept across the globe.
As his party entered the conference room, Executive Director Usami, dressed in a premium tailored suit and flanked by subordinates on either side, rose to his feet upon seeing John Porter.

“Usami. It’s been a while.”

John Porter, who had known Usami since his days at Lehman Brothers’ Japan branch, extended his hand first with a warm smile.

“Welcome. We last saw each other at the New Year’s event held at the Imperial Hotel, didn’t we?”
“Indeed. The weather has warmed considerably now, so if you have time, let’s head out to the course together sometime.”
“Ha ha. That sounds wonderful.”

Executive Director Usami shook hands with him while chuckling lightly, then gestured with one hand toward a neat-looking man wearing silver-rimmed glasses standing beside him.

“This is Nakamura, the Head of our Derivatives Division.”
“I’m Nakamura Shoichi.”

Head of Division Nakamura, having been introduced, presented a business card he had already prepared.
John Porter retrieved his own card and handed it to Nakamura while offering a light greeting.

“I’m John Porter. As you know, I hold the position of Japan Branch Director for the Eldorado Fund. I look forward to working with you.”
“The pleasure is mine.”

After exchanging business cards and greetings, both parties took their seats across from each other at a luxurious solid wood table.
Two female secretaries in two-piece uniforms brought trays and set down fragrant coffee and light refreshments before departing, and Executive Director Usami, seated across from John Porter, spoke first.

“I heard you wished to enter into a credit default swap agreement with us.”

John Porter responded by nodding his head with a composed smile playing at his lips.

“That’s correct.”

Executive Director Usami tapped the file folder in front of him with his fingertip and spoke.

“However, after reviewing the proposal you sent, I noticed the underlying assets are rather unusual.”
“If it were a standard CDS transaction, we wouldn’t have bothered sending such an elaborate proposal.”
“That’s true enough.”

Usami let out a soft chuckle and adjusted his posture.

“Then, just to confirm, would you mind telling me once more what underlying assets you’ve proposed?”

John Porter then picked up the coffee cup in front of him, took a sip, set it down, and answered.

“The stock exchange indices of three Asian nations—Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia.”

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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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