Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 280

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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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If that were the case, you should have found me on time. Otherwise, do your job properly.

A black Mercedes sedan glided smoothly to a halt in front of the Donghae Group Headquarters in Yeongdeungpo.
Han Ji-sung emerged from the passenger seat and quickly opened the rear door, stepping aside as Seok-won revealed himself, his long legs extending from the vehicle, dressed in a navy tailored suit with a handkerchief accent.
Seok-won stood quietly for a moment, gazing up at the towering headquarters building—constructed with the crude geometry of an elongated box—before lowering his gaze with an expressionless face.

“Shall we go in?”

Seok-won stepped forward with confident strides.
The fierce battle for shares, which had burned hot from the Securities Supervisory Authority corruption scandal, the Boseong Communications stock price manipulation, and the recently exposed Donghae Mutual Credit Union illegal lending case, had begun to cool and settle into a temporary lull.
Yet with the extraordinary general meeting demanded by Donghae Group scheduled for the following week, a palpable tension still hung between the two groups.
Though he was walking into enemy territory, Seok-won entered the lobby—elegantly appointed with polished artificial marble—with absolute composure, showing not a trace of intimidation.
Accompanied by his secretary Han Ji-sung, Seok-won headed straight for the information desk near the entrance.
One of the two female secretaries standing in their light-colored uniforms smiled and spoke to him courteously.

“How may I help you?”
“I’m here to meet with Chairman Woo Yong-gap.”
“Pardon?”

At Seok-won’s matter-of-fact statement, the female secretary blinked in surprise, caught off guard.

“If you tell him that Park Seok-won from Daehung Venture Capital has arrived, he’ll know.”

The female secretary remained visibly flustered, her expression uncertain.

“So… you’re here to meet the chairman.”

Seok-won gave a small nod, and the female secretary, uncertain how to respond, fell back on standard protocol.

“I’m sorry, but unless you have a prior appointment, I’m afraid you cannot meet with the chairman.”

Just then, someone came rushing over and bowed respectfully from beside her.

“My apologies! I intended to come down and wait for you, but we were delayed.”

Seok-won studied the man who was apologizing urgently, then spoke as if remembering something.

“Your face looked familiar, and I realized I’d seen you once before with Woo Ho-geun.”
“Ah, yes. I’m Oh Sang-hyun, a department head serving as Executive Director Woo’s secretary.”

Oh Sang-hyun, who hadn’t expected him to remember that brief encounter, answered with an awkward expression.

“I heard he’s in the Detention Center. How is he holding up?”

Seok-won asked, raising one corner of his mouth slightly.
Someone of Woo Ho-geun’s standing would normally undergo investigation without detention, backed by expensive former prosecutors-turned-lawyers.
But once his involvement in not only the Boseong Communications stock manipulation but also the illegal loan scandal at Donghae Mutual Credit Union came to light, he was detained at the Detention Center on suspicion of evidence destruction and was undergoing investigation under custody.
Of course, the Prosecution’s meticulous stance stemmed from the opposition party’s intense scrutiny of the case, coupled with explicit orders from the Blue House and the Ruling Party to conduct thorough investigations to maintain control of the political narrative.
Though Oh Sang-hyun knew full well that Woo Ho-geun, who had never known hardship and lived a comfortable life, would find detention unbearable, he could only offer an embarrassed expression in response to the question.

“Still, he’s a friend, so I should make time to visit him soon. Summer’s coming, and it’ll be tough to endure the Detention Center without air conditioning, but it’s a rare experience—tell him to hang in there.”

Seok-won spoke with a mischievous smile.

“…Yes, I will.”

Oh Sang-hyun, answering reluctantly, was already growing anxious.

‘If he actually visits, that crazy bastard will throw a fit. Surely he won’t really come, will he?’

Up close, Seok-won seemed like someone whose actions were impossible to predict.
Handsome features and overwhelming charisma.
With such an intense presence that he drew attention simply by standing still, it was no wonder Woo Ho-geun burned with inferiority alone.
Oh Sang-hyun straightened his expression and stepped forward to lead the way.

“The Chairman is waiting, so please follow me.”

Following him into the Elevator, Seok-won was soon guided to the Executive Conference Room located on the top floor.
Plush carpet covered the floor, and in the luxuriously appointed Executive Conference Room, Chairman Woo Yong-gap sat in the center with Chief Secretary Jeon Hae-cheol and five other key executives already seated.
Reflecting the recent turmoil at Donghae Group, Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s face was rigid with a cigarette between his lips, and his gaze toward Seok-won entering the conference room was filled with hostility.
His stare was so intense it felt piercing, yet Seok-won showed no sign of agitation, meeting Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s gaze with a composed and confident expression instead.

“It’s been a while, Chairman.”

Seok-won’s greeting, accompanied by a slight bow, was nothing short of assured.
Compared to his own son, who had caused one disaster after another and was now in the Detention Center, the flawless and perfect Seok-won made Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s heart ache inwardly.

I never thought I’d find myself envying Park Tae-hong.

Yet Chairman Woo Yong-gap made no effort to conceal his displeasure, opening his mouth with a visibly disgruntled expression at the very fact of sitting across from me.

“I hear you have something to discuss regarding the extraordinary general meeting scheduled for next week.”
“That’s correct.”

Seok-won, seated alongside his attendant Han Ji-sung across from him, answered with unhurried composure.

“Are you here to say you’re surrendering management rights of Midopa Department Store?”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap deliberately provoked with a light tone.
He’d expected at least a flicker of reaction—a twitch of the eyebrow—but contrary to his hopes, Seok-won showed not the slightest sign of agitation.

“Even if this comes down to a proxy battle, we still hold substantial shareholdings. That would be impossible.”

His expression was serene, utterly devoid of any visible effort to suppress anger.
Unlike Woo Ho-geun, who was hot-blooded and easily provoked, Seok-won—despite being of similar age—displayed the demeanor of a seasoned operator, and Chairman Woo Yong-gap found himself making yet another unfavorable comparison with his own inadequate son.
The envy toward Chairman Park Tae-hong only made Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s tone more curt.

“Then what exactly are you here to discuss?”

Seok-won then leisurely swept his gaze across Chairman Woo Yong-gap and the key executives of Donghae Group.

“I understand Donghae Group’s situation has become difficult due to the recent succession of incidents. With the atmosphere already poor, if we dredge up the hostile M&A issue again, there’s nothing to gain. How about we call a truce here and reconcile with each other?”

Chief Secretary Jeon Hae-cheol and the other Donghae Group executives, faced with a situation where M&A success had become increasingly unlikely, were inwardly pleased that the other side was proposing compromise first.
But Chairman Woo Yong-gap, leaning back in his chair, responded with an indifferent expression.

“It’s true there have been troublesome matters recently, but once the extraordinary general meeting next week concludes, I’ll be able to secure management rights of Midopa Department Store. I don’t see why I should do that.”

Though his demeanor suggested disinterest, Seok-won easily discerned that he was merely posturing to negotiate better terms.

If he truly intended to see this through to the end, he’d be no less foolish than Woo Ho-geun.

Dismissing the thought, Seok-won spoke to Chairman Woo Yong-gap.

“Even if we go to the extraordinary general meeting, it will only create unnecessary commotion. You won’t achieve your objective.”
“Hmph. You’re unaware that we’ve significantly increased our shareholdings through a public tender offer? And on top of that, we’ve been continuously acquiring additional shares in the market until recently.”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap let out a derisive snort and continued speaking.

“I’m not sure how you managed it, but I heard you acquired the shares that Chairman Cheon from Myeongdong was holding. He’s no pushover, yet you convinced him—I’ll admit your negotiating prowess is exceptional.”

Then he tilted his chin up arrogantly.

“But even if you pool all the shares you’ve gathered together, it’s barely over 35%. Let me share a secret—the shares we’ve acquired are considerably more than that.”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap spoke with unmistakable confidence, as if his swagger had solid backing.
The fact that he had nearly pinpointed the exact shareholding percentage Daheung Group had secured suggested he was no ordinary opponent.
But Seok-won hadn’t come to negotiate empty-handed without any preparation.

“You’ve certainly accumulated quite a substantial shareholding over this time. Thanks to that, Midopa Department Store even briefly ranked within the top 20 by market capitalization.”

His tone carried a subtle mockery of how recklessly Donghae Group had been purchasing Midopa Department Store shares at absurd prices, and Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s eyebrows twitched.
Chief Secretary Jeon Hae-cheol, standing beside him, also stepped forward with a stern expression.

“If you haven’t come here to fight, please choose your words more carefully.”

The other Donghae Group executives couldn’t hide their discomfort at the blatant language directed at their chairman.
But Seok-won paid them no mind and countered without hesitation.

“It seems you’re mistaken about our shareholding.”
“What?”

Seok-won smiled as he addressed Chairman Woo Yong-gap, whose brow had furrowed.

“We’ve acquired the shares that Baekje Industrial was holding, bringing us over 44%.”
“!”

The conference room fell into shock at this thunderbolt revelation.
As if a bomb had detonated, everyone fell silent and stared at Seok-won.
While Chief Secretary Jeon Hae-cheol and the executives widened their eyes in undisguised agitation, Chairman Woo Yong-gap slammed his palm hard against the table in front of him.

“What nonsense are you spouting! Do you think I’d fall for such an absurd fabrication!”

His furious roar echoed loudly through the conference room.
He believed it was impossible because there was a separate confidential agreement with Baekje Industrial promising substantial gains if the M&A succeeded, and besides, it was a company run by his brother-in-law.
Watching Chairman Woo Yong-gap rage like a wildfire, Seok-won spoke calmly.

“They say there’s no family or friendship before money. Would I tell such an obvious lie that could be exposed with a single phone call?”

At my utterly composed demeanor, Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s pupils trembled noticeably.
Chief Secretary Jeon Hae-cheol’s face hardened as an ominous premonition washed over him.
Even as Chairman Woo Yong-gap tried to convince himself it couldn’t be true, he recalled that his brother-in-law, Chairman Hwang Jung-hyun, possessed an exceptionally greedy nature, and a chill ran down his spine.
Chairman Woo Yong-gap forced himself to maintain composure and turned his head to look at Chief Secretary Jeon Hae-cheol.

“Call your brother-in-law right now.”
“Yes, sir.”

Chief Secretary Jeon Hae-cheol retrieved the keyphone installed on the conference table, pressed the speakerphone button, and made the call.

Brrrring. Brrrring.

Everyone held their breath, their ears attuned to the ringing tone flowing from the speaker.
Though only a few seconds passed, it felt extraordinarily long to Chairman Woo Yong-gap.
As the ringing continued, Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s expression grew anxious and irritable.

“Why isn’t he picking up?”

Then the call connected, and the deep voice of Chairman Hwang Jung-hyun came through.

[Hello?]
“Brother-in-law, it’s me.”
[Ah. Yes. What brings this call, sir?]

In his voice, there was an unmistakable awkwardness that made Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s heart sink.
Chairman Woo Yong-gap pushed aside the ominous thought and spoke.

“I called because there’s something I need to confirm with you.”
[What is it?]

Glancing slightly upward at Seok-won sitting across from me with a leisurely expression, Chairman Woo Yong-gap felt his heart pounding as he asked.

“I heard you sold the Midopa shares I entrusted to you—surely that’s not true, right?”

Though I emphasized that the shares were entrusted rather than transferred, the answer that came back defied my expectations.

[I apologize, brother-in-law. I’ve sold all my Midopa shares.]
“…!”
[I’ve liquidated every last share.]

Chairman Woo Yong-gap, betrayed by the brother-in-law he’d trusted, fell silent for a moment before his expression hardened with bitter resentment, his fists clenching with white-knuckled fury.

“How could you do this to me!”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s voice rose, veins bulging in his neck.

[With the Mutual Credit Union and Securities under Prosecution investigation and Ho-geun arrested, the M&A is essentially dead. I poured every penny of our company’s cash reserves into this deal. I can’t afford to lose it all, so I had to find a way out.]

The shameless audacity made Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s teeth grind involuntarily.

“You sold shares I only entrusted to you without even asking permission!”
[Then you should have retrieved them when you had the chance. Or better yet, done your job properly.]
“You… you!”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s face flushed crimson with rage.

[In any case, that’s how it is. Don’t call me about this again.]

The line went dead with a sharp click.

“You bastard, Hwang Jung-hyun!”

Chairman Woo Yong-gap shot to his feet, his shout echoing uselessly as the speaker emitted only the hollow dial tone of a disconnected call.

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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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