Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 527

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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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527. How many carats is this, exactly?

Kim Hyung-gi, who had served as a driver for Chairman Park Tae-hong for many years, was carefully polishing a large Maybach sedan parked in front of the Park Family Residence, which was surrounded by tall walls, using a feather duster.
Though the car had been washed the day before and was clean, he meticulously attended to every detail, mindful that even a speck of dust might have settled on it—a testament to his conscientious nature.
Just then, a familiar Mercedes sedan glided smoothly forward and came to a stop in front of the Maybach.
Han Ji-sung, dressed in a crisp suit and stepping out from the front passenger seat, gave Kim Hyung-gi a slight nod of acknowledgment before quickly opening the rear door.
From within emerged Seok-won, extending long, slender legs as he revealed himself in a thin cashmere coat and white turtleneck.
Seeing this, Kim Hyung-gi hurried forward, bowed respectfully, and greeted him warmly.

“Welcome, Young Chairman.”

Since they had regarded each other as family from childhood, Seok-won spoke with a gentle smile.

“I hope you’ve been well.”

At his affectionate manner, Kim Hyung-gi answered with a bright smile.

“Yes, thanks to you, Young Chairman, I’ve been doing well. I’m always grateful for your thoughtfulness.”
“Please, think nothing of it. I’ll see you again soon.”
“Of course. Please, do go inside.”

Kim Hyung-gi watched the retreating figures of Han Ji-sung, his attendant secretary, and Seok-won as they entered the residence, a contented smile spreading across his face.

“Even after earning such vast wealth, he remains unchanged—forever consistent.”

Unlike other chaebol families, Chairman Park Tae-hong’s household radiated genuine humanity and treated their employees with kindness.
Among them all, Seok-won in particular had treated both him and the Gunsan Housekeeper with warmth and acceptance, as though they were true family members, throughout the years he had worked at the residence.
Knowing that such behavior sprang not from pretense but from genuine sincerity, Kim Hyung-gi could only bow his head in gratitude.
Meanwhile, Seok-won crossed the Garden, where all the autumn leaves had long since fallen and the trees now stood bare with only skeletal branches exposed, and opened the main entrance, speaking in a bright voice.

“I’m home.”

At that, Jo Deok-rye hurried forward to greet him with a delighted expression.

“You’re here?”
“Yes.”

Seok-won embraced Jo Deok-rye lightly before stepping back and asking.

“Has my brother arrived?”

As if hearing his voice, Park Jin-hyung, the Vice Chairman dressed in a knit sweater, appeared carrying his son, who had just turned one year old.

“You’re the last one here.”

The moment Seok-won caught sight of his nephew cradled in his brother’s arms, his eyes sparkled as he made eye contact.

“Jun-woo came too.”
“Samcho-on.”

My nephew, who had only just begun babbling, recognized me and let out a lisping sound, and honey dripped from my eyes in response.

“Our Jun-woo. You’ve grown so much since I last saw you.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Look at those chubby cheeks. So soft and squishy.”
“Huh-aeng.”

I touched his cheeks, soft as glutinous rice cakes, and played with him until my brother finally scolded me and I reluctantly pulled back.

“Don’t make the child cry for no reason. Go greet Father quickly.”
“Understood.”

As I moved toward the Living Room alongside my brother, who held my nephew in his arms, I found Chairman Park Tae-hong sitting solemnly on the sofa.

“I’ve arrived.”
“Welcome.”

My sister-in-law, Choi Bo-kyung, emerged from the inner room, spotted me, and clapped her hands together.

“Oh my! Young Master, welcome!”
“Hello, Sister-in-law.”
“You look wonderful every time I see you. You could easily be a model.”

Then Choi Bo-kyung playfully winked at me with one eye.

“By the way, you’ve already made your debut with a Gucci photoshoot, haven’t you?”
“Haha.”

Seok-won scratched his head bashfully, his laughter awkward and self-conscious.

“When I saw that, my heart was racing—I really thought you were debuting in the entertainment industry.”
“The designer just kept asking, so I agreed to do it.”
“Still, it looked almost professional. Though I suppose with such an excellent subject, the photographs turned out wonderfully.”
“Please, just forget about it…”

At Seok-won’s embarrassed demeanor, Choi Bo-kyung’s expression grew more mischievous, and she burst into delighted laughter.
As the family gathered together in the Living Room chatting, the servants wheeled in a specially prepared three-tiered cake on a tray.
After lighting the candles arranged according to her age, Jo Deok-rye blew them out, and Seok-won and the family members standing nearby all applauded together.

“Happy birthday!”

In the cheerful atmosphere, Jo Deok-rye herself smiled brightly with a delighted expression.

“Thank you all. I’m grateful you came despite being so busy.”
“Mother, of course we had to come for your birthday.”
“Seok-won is right.”

Watching her dignified sons, Jo Deok-rye’s face glowed with happiness.

“Ahem.”

Then Chairman Park Tae-hong cleared his throat and spoke with a solemn air.

“Happy birthday.”

At that, Jo Deok-rye cast him a sidelong glance and said:

“Surely you’re not just offering words?”
“How could I?”

At Chairman Park Tae-hong’s gesture, the Gunsan Housekeeper quickly brought a large ribbon-wrapped box.

“It’s a hat I had specially commissioned from a famous designer in Britain.”
“Really?”

Jo Deok-rye unwrapped the box with an expression of eager anticipation.
It was a wide-brimmed plum-colored floppy hat, and with its delicate silk and jeweled floral embellishments adorning premium felt fabric, it possessed an elegantly feminine charm that made it a truly exquisite piece.
It was the perfect gift for Jo Deok-rye, who habitually enjoyed wearing hats.
Sure enough, the moment she laid eyes on the hat, her face broke into a radiant smile.
She promptly lifted the hat and placed it upon her head, her voice rising with delight.

“I was just thinking about buying a new hat—how did you know?”
“Ahem. After all the years we’ve spent together, it’s only natural. I know everything you like.”

Chairman Park Tae-hong answered with a self-satisfied expression.

“It looks absolutely wonderful on you, Mother!”
“Hehe. Does it really?”

Choi Bo-kyung, quick to read the room, offered her praise, and Jo Deok-rye, trying the hat this way and that, appeared thoroughly delighted with it.

“Mother, we’ve also prepared a gift for you.”

Park Jin-hyung, the eldest son, handed over a small wrapped box.

“You shouldn’t have gone to such trouble.”

Even as she said this, Jo Deok-rye unwrapped the package with a gentle, pleased smile on her face.
Inside the wrapping was a weighty rectangular wooden box, upon which was engraved the logo of Patek Philippe, the watch brand revered as the ultimate in timepieces.

“My goodness, how beautiful!”

As she opened the box’s lid, a Patek Philippe Nautilus emerged—its ocean-blue dial adorned with dozens of diamonds set in an octagonal bezel that encircled it completely.
Jo Deok-rye removed the watch to examine it, and upon noticing her own name engraved in gold script on the inner case, she gasped in surprise.

“Isn’t this my name?”
“We had it specially custom-made for you, Mother.”

With the engraving, it was truly a one-of-a-kind piece in the world.
Jo Deok-rye gazed at her eldest son with an expression of profound gratitude and spoke.

“My goodness. I’m truly grateful.”

She then fastened the watch around her wrist to see how it looked, and Choi Bo-kyung beside her let out an excited squeal, making a fuss over it.

“My goodness! Anyone can see it suits Mother perfectly.”
“Hehe. Really?”
“It truly looks wonderful on you!”

Jo Deok-rye laughed warmly, her face breaking into a radiant smile.
As the wife of a conglomerate chairman, she could easily afford a hat designed by a renowned British designer or even a Patek Philippe watch, no matter how expensive the brand.
Moreover, with a department store ranking among the top three in the domestic market as one of her family’s subsidiaries, acquiring such items was effortless.
But what truly mattered was that this was a one-of-a-kind gift in the world, specially commissioned by her husband and son just for her.
Deeply moved by this realization, Jo Deok-rye gazed at her eldest son and his wife with tender eyes and spoke.

“Thank you for the gift. I’ll treasure it.”

Then Chairman Park Tae-hong interjected with a slightly sullen expression.

“What about my gift?”

His eyes conveyed the question of whether he’d already become yesterday’s news now that she’d received one first, and Jo Deok-rye laughed soothingly.

“Actually, I have a gathering in a few days, and I’m planning to wear this there and show it off to the other ladies.”
“Well, if you really want to show it off…”
“If I tell them it’s a birthday gift from my husband, won’t they all be envious?”
“Who said anything? Ahem.”

Only then did Chairman Park Tae-hong’s expression soften.

“Now it’s my turn.”

As Seok-won gestured, Han Ji-sung, who had been standing to the side, brought forward an elegantly wrapped gift box and handed it over.
The box was slightly thinner and more elongated than the watch box his older brother had given earlier, drawing everyone’s attention.

“This is my gift.”
“What brings you to give such a thing?”

Jo Deok-rye spoke in her usual manner while accepting the gift box with an expectant expression on her face.
As she tore away the wrapping paper, a remarkably sturdy and elegant box emerged.
From the appearance of the box, which clearly seemed to contain jewelry like a necklace or earrings, Jo Deok-rye’s eyes sparkled as she lifted the lid open.

“Ah….”

The moment Jo Deok-rye let out an exclamation of wonder, the clouds parted as if on cue, and sunlight streamed through the expansive glass doors of the living room, casting the diamond necklace inside the box in a dazzling, brilliant radiance.
Everyone’s eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of the yellow-hued diamond necklace, nearly the size of a newborn’s fist.

“My goodness!”

Even Choi Bo-kyung, an entertainer accustomed to adorning herself with jewelry at various events, covered her mouth with one hand and could not tear her gaze from the necklace.
Chairman Park Tae-hong and his elder brother, Vice Chairman Park Jin-hyung, could not hide their astonishment at the size of the diamond they were seeing for the first time.

“Good heavens….”

Jo Deok-rye stood momentarily entranced, her mouth agape as she gazed at the diamond necklace radiating an ethereal brilliance, before regaining her composure and lifting her head to ask.

“What on earth is this?”

As the other family members stared with astonished expressions, Seok-won answered without any particular concern.

“It’s a birthday gift for Mother.”
“Last time you shocked everyone by buying your father a private jet, and now it’s a diamond necklace?”

Jo Deok-rye spoke as if at a loss for words.
Had it been an ordinary diamond necklace, Jo Deok-rye would have owned several herself and found nothing particularly remarkable about it.
But the gift Seok-won had brought was different from the very start—in its sheer scale.
Jo Deok-rye gazed at the diamond radiating its commanding presence from within the box and asked.

“How many carats is this, exactly?”
“Originally it was 107 carats, but some was lost during the cutting process, so it became 100 carats.”

At the mention of 100 carats, Jo Deok-rye drew in a sharp breath of surprise, while Choi Bo-kyung beside her grew visibly excited, her eyes sparkling.

“My word! 100 carats? No wonder it’s so large. I’ve never seen a diamond this big before!”

Her reaction was far more animated than that of Jo Deok-rye, who had actually received the gift, but it was understandable.
Jo Deok-rye, befitting a chaebol matriarch, had been exposed to many precious and rare gemstones and owned several herself, yet this was her first encounter with such a flawlessly pure teardrop-shaped diamond, emanating that subtle, mysterious yellow hue.
Honestly, at this level, it would be believable if it were part of a royal jewel collection housed in a foreign palace.

“It’s a diamond mined from the Mir Mine in the Sakha Republic in eastern Siberia, one of the world’s largest diamond mines. Apparently, it earned the nickname ‘Yellow Sun’ because of its color.”

“Yellow Sun….”

Jo Deok-rye carefully caressed the necklace, murmuring to herself.

“It truly shines like the sun floating in a clear sky, just as its name suggests.”

Seok-won continued, watching her reaction.

“When Russia declared a moratorium, I acquired bonds at a steep discount, and among them were corporate bonds issued by the State-owned Diamond Mining Company. Instead of cash, I received uncut diamonds in settlement of those matured bonds, and this is one of the stones I obtained back then.”

Seeing his family members listening intently with perked ears, Seok-won chuckled inwardly before continuing.

“The moment I saw it, I thought it would suit Mother perfectly, so I asked Jacob Thompson to design it as a necklace.”
“Jacob Thompson—isn’t he Gucci’s chief designer?”

Choi Bo-kyung, naturally well-versed in the fashion world, responded immediately.

“That’s right. Gucci is currently preparing to launch a new jewelry line, and Mother’s necklace is the first piece in that collection.”
“Is that so?”

The fact that the renowned designer Jacob Thompson had personally designed it and that it was the first accessory created by the luxury brand Gucci made Jo Deok-rye even more delighted.

“Mother, you must be absolutely thrilled.”

Choi Bo-kyung spoke with unmistakable envy in her expression.

“With a diamond this large, the price must be considerable.”
“Since an identical one cannot be made, it’s one of a kind in the world, and we’ve never put it up for auction. It’s difficult to state an exact figure, but according to Jacob Thompson, if it were to be sold, it would easily exceed thirty million dollars.”
“Thirty million!”

At the staggering price, not only Choi Bo-kyung but everyone else failed to hide their astonishment.

“A necklace worth hundreds of millions of dollars—how do you even wear something like that?”

Even Jo Deok-rye looked slightly burdened, but Seok-won spoke as though it were nothing.

“No matter how large or expensive a necklace is, it could never outshine Mother’s beauty.”
“You’re impossible. That’s not what I meant.”

At her second son’s audacious charm, Jo Deok-rye waved her hand dismissively, though her expression betrayed a hint of pleasure.

“Gemstones shine brightest when worn, so don’t keep them locked away in a safe. Wear this necklace around your neck often.”

Seok-won paused mid-sentence, then continued as if remembering something.

“Ah, and I had a matching pair of earrings made from the fragments that fell during the cutting. Take a look at these.”

He took a small velvet box from Han Ji-sung and showed it to her.
Inside the palm-sized box lay a pair of earrings—two-carat diamonds cut into the same teardrop shape as the necklace.

“Oh my! These are beautiful too.”

While Choi Bo-kyung clapped her hands in admiration, Jo Deok-rye’s face lit up with a radiant smile.

“They’re truly exquisite.”
“I’m so glad you like them.”
“Hehe. What woman wouldn’t be delighted to receive diamonds?”

Jo Deok-rye beamed at her family members.
This moment—gathered with family, exchanging gifts—was the happiest time for Jo Deok-rye.

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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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