Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 271

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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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271. That’s correct. It’s blackmail.

Stepping out of the elevator, I followed Eric Burnas down the plush, luxuriously appointed corridor of the hotel.
At the end of the hallway, Eric stopped before a meeting room and spoke.

“This is it.”

Seeing me nod slightly, Eric gave a light knock and opened the wooden door.
As I stepped inside, the first thing that caught my eye was the breathtaking vista of Victoria Harbor spreading out beyond the expansive window directly ahead.
The meeting room featured a modern yet minimalist interior, devoid of unnecessary decoration.
The man waiting there, seated at the long conference table with his back to the window, rose to his feet as I entered with my entourage.
The person I had arranged to meet today was Richard Lee, founder and president of Peregrine Securities, renowned as Hong Kong’s largest investment firm.
Richard Lee, a man in his late fifties from Hong Kong, possessed a dignified demeanor befitting a middle-aged gentleman. He held an American MBA and had worked at a Wall Street investment bank in his younger days, making him a seasoned securities professional.
Having founded the securities firm in 1988, he had achieved legendary status in Hong Kong’s securities district by monopolizing one-sixth of all stock issuance operations within just five years—an achievement born not merely from fortune, but from genuine acumen.
Yet Peregrine Securities, which had aggressively expanded through rapid investments, had overextended itself with excessive leverage in Southeast Asian bonds. It was destined to crumble like a sandcastle when the financial crisis swept across Asia next year, unable to withstand the devastation.

‘Perhaps it was inevitable—ignoring risk entirely and focusing solely on returns, concentrating on junk bond investments in Southeast Asian companies.’

If I hadn’t regressed and returned to the past, investment would be like rock-paper-scissors; no matter how certain one felt or how much profit it had generated thus far, things could go wrong at any moment.

‘Perhaps the success of Peregrine Securities, lauded and celebrated as legendary, was nothing more than a mirage born in times of prosperity.’

As I pondered these thoughts, Eric’s words pulled me back to reality.

“This is Park Seok-won, founder and representative of the Eldorado Fund.”
“I’m Park Seok-won.”

I extended my hand first, speaking in fluent English.
Richard Lee grasped my hand in return, and we exchanged a firm handshake while he regarded me with keen interest.

“I’m delighted to meet Wall Street’s hottest investor.”
“And I’m pleased to meet you, President Richard Lee, a legend of Hong Kong’s securities district.”

Though I recognized the pleasantries for what they were, Richard Lee’s face broke into a broad smile at my words.
How could he not be pleased? George Hamilton, the mighty Wall Street investor who had brought down the Bank of England, had praised me lavishly, and I—the rising star of Wall Street who had recently made headlines by accurately predicting the New York Stock Exchange’s plunge—was now complimenting him in return.
Richard Lee, his demeanor noticeably warmer, proceeded to introduce his companions.

“This here is Douglas, our company’s vice president.”

A sharp-featured Caucasian man extended his hand and spoke.

“Douglas Hurd. I’ve heard much about Chairman Park’s reputation.”
“Much of it is exaggerated, so I wouldn’t believe everything you hear.”

Seok-won joked lightly as he shook the man’s hand.
Given Hong Kong’s long history as a British colony, English was spoken casually in everyday life, so there was no need for an interpreter—communication flowed naturally between them.
After exchanging pleasantries in this comfortable atmosphere, both parties seated themselves across from each other at a long conference table.
A Female Server in a neat uniform, who had been waiting to the side, placed coffee and tea according to each person’s preference, then withdrew.
Richard Lee, the company president, took a sip of the fragrant pu-erh tea, set down his cup, glanced at Eric seated to Seok-won’s left, and spoke first.

“I’ve always been curious about who was backing the Jupiter Fund that Eric manages. I never imagined it was Eldorado.”
“We kept it quiet and operated discreetly on purpose.”

Richard Lee nodded as if he understood.

“Once the Eldorado Fund’s performance became known, there were naturally many watchful eyes. You probably created a shell company to hide your position.”

It wasn’t entirely accurate, but since concealing the position was indeed the intent, Seok-won saw no reason to deny it.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while and the atmosphere had warmed sufficiently, Richard Lee naturally transitioned to the main topic.

“But I’m curious what business brought you all the way to Hong Kong to see me. Are you planning to make a serious push into Hong Kong and the Asian region?”

A glimmer of anticipation crossed Richard Lee’s face.
Though Peregrine Securities was Hong Kong’s largest investment firm, partnering with the Eldorado Fund—which had delivered extraordinary returns in recent years and was attracting attention even on Wall Street—could be a catalyst for taking a step higher.
Especially since the company had shown signs of stagnation recently after its rapid growth, his expectations were all the greater.
Reading this sentiment, Seok-won replied calmly.

“I do have considerable interest in the Asian market, but that’s not why I came today.”
“I see.”

Richard Lee’s expression showed slight disappointment, but Seok-won let it pass without acknowledgment.
Then he spoke in a tone that was gentle yet businesslike.

“You’re currently conducting a hostile M&A against a department store in Korea in partnership with the Donghae Group, correct?”
“That’s correct.”

Richard Lee leaned back in his chair, then turned his head toward Douglas Hurd as if something had occurred to him.

“Now that I think about it, doesn’t Jupiter Fund hold a stake in Midopa Department Store?”
“We’re currently holding 5%.”

Hurd replied in a low voice.
Richard Lee narrowed his eyes and glanced at Seok-won across from him, recalling how he had proposed a block deal, only to have his counterpart keep raising the price to test the waters before ultimately turning around and siding with Daheung Group instead.
For a moment, he wondered if Seok-won was planning to hand over his Midopa Department Store stake, but he quickly shook his head internally.

‘A deal of that scale is far too small for someone of his caliber to fly out to Hong Kong on a private jet personally.’

While the Midopa Department Store stock price had surged due to the M&A, even with generous premiums, the transaction wouldn’t exceed 100 million dollars.
Yet it made no sense for Seok-won, who commanded hundreds of billions of dollars in capital, to personally handle such a modest deal.

‘Eric could easily handle something of that magnitude.’

Moreover, there was no reason for him to insist on meeting with Richard Lee himself.
Realizing there was something else at play, Richard Lee straightened his posture and studied Seok-won carefully.

“I had no idea the Eldorado Fund took such keen interest in Korea. I must say, I’m genuinely impressed that you’re aware of even such minor dealings.”

Seok-won replied in a casual tone.

“It’s the country where I was born and where I live, so I can’t help but take an interest.”
“Ah, I see. I knew you were Korean by name, but I had assumed you were a Korean-American. I didn’t realize you were born and raised in Korea.”

Richard Lee’s expression grew even more intrigued.
Thanks to George Hamilton, the Eldorado Fund had inadvertently become known on Wall Street, and through an interview with Debra, Seok-won’s name and face had been made public, but many personal details remained undisclosed.

‘Many people likely harbored the preconception that they couldn’t imagine the fund owner who shook Wall Street being a native Korean.’

At this point in time, Korea’s standing in the international financial markets was still negligible, so it was an unavoidable bias.
Following OECD membership and financial market liberalization policies, finance companies were actively expanding into Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong, but that was the extent of it.

‘And even those efforts suffered direct hits when the Asian financial crisis erupted, ending in catastrophic failure.’

The massive losses incurred by finance companies had contributed significantly to South Korea’s subsequent IMF crisis.
Seok-won looked directly at Richard Lee before him and spoke.

“And the chairman of Daheung Group, to which Midopa Department Store belongs, is also my father, Park Tae-hong.”

Richard Lee and Hurd exchanged startled glances at this unexpected revelation.

“I tried to stay out of it as much as possible, but family matters have a way of pulling you in.”
“I’m sorry? Wait, please give me a moment.”

Richard Lee turned to Hurd, his composure visibly shaken, and silently questioned whether he’d known about this fact.
Hurd immediately shook his head in denial.
Had he known, he certainly would have reported it immediately.
Yet Richard Lee’s eyes narrowed with reproach—they’d proceeded without uncovering such critical information beforehand.
Though Hurd felt as though struck by lightning from a clear sky, his obvious mistake kept him from raising his head.

‘How could we have handled this so poorly!’

Curses rose to Richard Lee’s throat, but he couldn’t reprimand Hurd in front of Seok-won, and besides, that wasn’t the priority now.
He swallowed his irritation and composed himself.
True to his reputation as someone who’d built Peregrine Securities from nothing, he quickly regained his composure and addressed Seok-won with measured courtesy.

“I wasn’t aware of your connection to Daheung Group.”
“Of course not. There’s little public information about my personal background. If you’d known and proceeded anyway, you’d simply be overestimating yourselves.”

Richard Lee’s brow furrowed at those final words.

“That seems rather excessive.”
“I exercised considerable restraint. If it came across that way, I regret it.”

Seok-won’s voice dropped to a measured, deliberate tone as he continued his provocation.
Richard Lee’s face flushed with indignation, and Hurd’s expression hardened into stone.
Even Eric, who’d arranged this meeting, seemed surprised by Seok-won’s aggressive approach—though his eyes gleamed with intrigue rather than concern as he observed the exchange.
The warm atmosphere from the beginning had evaporated, replaced by a heavy silence in the conference room. Seok-won, his expression cold, continued speaking to his increasingly uncomfortable counterparts.

“Let’s dispense with pleasantries and speak plainly. I’m offering you a chance to withdraw gracefully without facing consequences. Transfer all the bonds Peregrine Securities extended to Donghae Group to us, and withdraw completely from this matter.”

It was less a proposal than an outright threat.

“What did you just say!”

Richard Lee’s voice rose, his tone incredulous.

“Are you threatening us?!”

Vice President Hurd, standing beside him, also erupted indignantly.
But Seok-won, leaning back in his chair with arms crossed, didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

“That’s correct. It is a threat.”
“Heh.”

President Richard Lee let out a hollow laugh before abruptly shifting his expression into a glare directed at Seok-won.

“I don’t see any point in continuing this conversation, so I’ll be taking my leave.”

With that, President Richard Lee rose to his feet, his entire body radiating displeasure.

“If you leave now, you’ll come to deeply regret it.”

At Seok-won’s words, President Richard Lee snorted derisively.
How many pressures and crises had he overcome while building his company all these years?
Something of this magnitude posed no real threat whatsoever.
As President Richard Lee lifted his chin in a gesture of defiance, Seok-won spoke with unhurried composure.

“I’ve learned that Peregrine Securities holds quite substantial positions in copper futures.”
“…!”
“Given that copper prices have been declining recently and you’re taking some losses, I wonder what would happen if I were to dump a massive volume of futures contracts.”

In an instant, all color drained from President Richard Lee’s face.

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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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