I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 463

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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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Chapter 463
Adam Neumann was renowned for his eloquence.
It would be no exaggeration to say that iWork itself was built on the strength of Adam Neumann’s words.
In other words, Adam Neumann was a man of nothing but talk.
[I suppose I’ll have to smile through this.]
I extended my hand first to Adam Neumann.
“I’m Jeon Sung-guk. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“To think I’d meet someone so famous here… Would it be alright if I took a photo with you?”
[Sigh… A textbook con artist.]
Adam Neumann would use that photograph with me to show off to others. That was something I couldn’t allow.
“I apologize, but I don’t take photos in private settings.”
“No worries at all. I was out of line for asking on our first meeting.”
Adam Neumann quickly adopted a respectful demeanor.
But he would keep probing. Looking for my weakness.
Son Jung-hoon, unaware of anything, explained Adam’s iWork venture to me.
“Jeon, as I mentioned briefly earlier, in cities like New York or Los Angeles—really, anywhere in the world—there are plenty of people, but housing and rent are expensive in many places. People who struggle to afford their own office space gather together, share office facilities, and build communities to exchange information. Isn’t it absolutely brilliant?”
Son Jung-hoon’s eyes were gleaming.
[Please, Mr. Son, come to your senses.]
But at this point, it would be difficult to pull away no matter what I said.
I acted as interested as I could manage.
“May I call you Adam?”
“Of course. I’ll call you Sung-guk casually.”
I lowered my guard slightly. And quickly added:
“I have great respect for Mr. Son Jung-hoon. What I mean is, I trust what he says. So when such a person introduces a young entrepreneur, I find myself wanting to get closer to you, Adam.”
Adam Neumann’s slightly stiffened face began to relax.
It was a form of ego massage.
From now on, Adam Neumann would lower his guard, thinking that I trusted him as much as I trusted Son Jung-hoon.
“Sung-guk, when we meet next time, we’ll be the kind of people who can take a photo together, right?”
“Of course.”
Of course, that was a lie.
I would never take a photo with Adam Neumann.
Son Jung-hoon smiled continuously as he listened to our conversation.
“Seeing two young entrepreneurs moving not just America, but now the entire world… I’m getting excited myself.”
Adam Neumann waved his hand dismissively.
“I’m nothing compared to Sung-guk.”
Even feigning humility.
I looked at Adam Neumann with feigned interest.
“Adam, would you explain your business directly? I’d like to hear it from you personally.”
“Of course, Sung-guk.”
Adam Neumann unbuttoned his shirt cuffs and rolled up his sleeves.
[Quite the showmanship.]
Then I cleared my throat slightly and began discussing iWork’s achievements and vision.
“iWork has truly become a new place for young people like me who have nothing, Sung-guk. There was a time when I couldn’t even afford a small one-room apartment rental in New York.”
[Hmm… I can sense a hint of playing the sympathy card.]
“It was iWork that lifted me up. Sung-guk, listen to me. New York is already overpopulated. Young people come to New York chasing their dreams. But reality is harsh. You have to do anything just to pay rent. In such circumstances, my grand plans end up locked away in a desk drawer in a cramped room. But iWork provides young people with dreams an opportunity to pursue their businesses at affordable rental costs. iWork transcends mere space—it presents possibility. That’s vision!”
I applauded as if impressed.
Either way, smooth talking is also a con artist’s specialty.
“Adam, that’s a truly fascinating story. And I have complete faith in Representative Son Jung-hoon’s judgment. There’s no business he’s touched that has failed.”
Except iWork.
“Sung-guk, Representative Son Jung-hoon told me that the two of you would get along incredibly well. Actually, we’re preparing to launch iWork’s Korean branch. Seoul, like other major cities, is famous for its expensive rental costs.”
“It’s not comparable to New York, London, or Paris. But it’s certainly true that Korean youth are struggling to find a space where they can dream.”
“That’s why I pestered Representative Son Jung-hoon to come with me to do preliminary research on office locations for our Seoul opening and explore investment options. Of course, I also wanted to see you while I’m in Korea.”
[Ah, so he’s asking me to invest in this?]
But at that moment, a familiar name came from Adam Neumann’s lips.
“And… what was the name of Samjeon’s successor again… Tae… Tae-guk. I understand you’re close with him.”
To do business in South Korea, it’s still more advantageous to have Samjeon backing than just me.
There are many types of con artists.
But con artists like Ashley Holmes and Adam Neumann operated on a different scale altogether.
And what they did best was finding connections that worked in their favor.
[Adam, you’ve done your homework on my relationship with Jeon Tae-guk.]
Of course, my connection with Jeon Tae-guk was common knowledge just from looking at his FaceNote profile. Half of Jeon Tae-guk’s FaceNote posts were about me anyway.
“You’re referring to Executive Director Jeon Tae-guk of Samjeon Group, correct?”
“Ah, yes! I’m still weak when it comes to the names and titles of companies with such solid systems.”
“iWork will soon become a company that can’t be ignored, so it’s good to adopt such systems quickly.”
No matter how small a company was, if its CEO didn’t understand or ignored systems, the company’s future was predictable.
iWork was a prime example.
Investments received through ad-hoc methods. And an owner’s scale that operated through ad-hoc methods.
Representative Son Jung-hoon had been quietly listening to our conversation, and now he raised his glass.
“For the next week, Adam and I will be staying at this Samjeon Hotel, Sung-guk. Let’s drop the business talk for today and catch up on everything we’ve missed.”
“Sounds good, Representative.”
I raised my glass too, and Adam Neumann did the same.
A week, huh….
Could I change Representative Son Jung-hoon’s mind during that time?
* * *
Beep beep beep beep.
The sound of the entrance code being entered echoed, and Jeon Tae-guk came straight into the apartment in his suit.
“Sung-guk, what’s the occasion for you wanting to see me first?”
“Hyung… there’s something quite interesting I wanted to tell you about.”
“Something interesting?”
“Hyung, do you happen to know about iWork?”
“Of course! It’s the place that’s been wildly popular in New York lately. Some kind of shared office space. Mi-jin got a private office there, claiming she needed to study. She brought a Samjeon laptop and all the latest gadgets, spent a few days just surfing the internet, and now she barely goes anymore. I overheard Secretary Yang reporting that to Father.”
Then Jeon Tae-guk clapped his palms together sharply.
“Oh, that’s right! Turns out Mi-jin’s real reason for going there was to meet men. It’s where all the young startup companies in New York gather, and the community is well-formed, so they throw parties frequently. But knowing Mi-jin’s personality, it’s predictable. She went a few times, it didn’t work out, so she stopped going.”
Jeon Tae-guk shook his head.
“The CEO of iWork is Adam Neumann, a young entrepreneur.”
“Oh, I know. Why mention him?”
“Adam Neumann came to Seoul. It looks like he’s planning to open iWork in Korea too.”
“Seoul rent prices are pocket change, aren’t they?”
[Jeon Tae-guk, that only applies to you. Do you know the sorrow of paying monthly rent for a tiny one-room apartment?!]
Suddenly memories of crawling around in diapers flashed through my mind, and I barely held back tears.
“Brother, Adam seems eager to meet you.”
“Really?”
“Should I arrange a meeting?”
“Sure. I’ve been curious about iWork anyway.”
Jeon Tae-guk answered without hesitation.
* * *
The meeting place with Adam Neumann was a rooftop restaurant near Gyeongridang-gil, which was becoming trendy in Seoul these days.
It was a place that served alcohol and cuisine with a view of Seoul’s tightly packed multi-family houses.
As I climbed the stairs of the old building, I spotted Adam Neumann, who had arrived early. Son Jung-hoon had excused himself, saying young people should meet among themselves.
Son Jung-hoon’s departure was probably due to Adam Neumann’s request.
I quickly greeted Adam Neumann.
“Adam, it’s nice to see you so often.”
“This is only the second time I’m seeing Sung-guk, but you already feel like a friend I’ve known for ten years.”
Adam Neumann joked around. Then his gaze quickly shifted to Seoul’s old neighborhoods.
“So this is Seoul’s old neighborhood I’ve only heard about. Sung-guk, imagine this—if this place develops in the future, wouldn’t really impressive buildings come up here?”
“Probably apartments. That’s the residential type South Koreans want most.”
“When new buildings come in, rent costs will rise, and young people without the means to pay will be pushed out again.”
“Probably….”
“Sung-guk, I really want to make their dreams come true.”
[Hearing such lofty idealism twice already is getting tiresome.]
Adam Neumann’s eyes glistened as he surveyed Seoul once more.
That’s when it happened.
Jeon Tae-guk came up a bit late and greeted us warmly.
“Sung-guk!”
I quickly introduced Jeon Tae-guk to Adam.
“Adam, this is Jeon Tae-guk….”
At that moment, an unexpected person entered right behind Jeon Tae-guk.
“Mi-jin….”
Why is Mi-jin showing up here?
Unlike usual, Jeon Tae-guk had let Mi-jin go ahead.
“Sung-guk, this is Mi-jin, my kindergarten classmate.”
“I know her well. Mi-jin, it’s been a while.”
As I exchanged greetings with Jeon Mi-jin, Adam Neumann leaned in and whispered beside me.
“Who is this woman?”
“She’s the younger sister of Executive Director Jeon Tae-guk. The daughter of Samjeon Group.”
“Ah….”
Adam Neumann’s face brightened immediately, and he quickly greeted Jeon Mi-jin.
“Hello. I’m Adam Neumann from iWork.”
“Adam, it’s nice to meet you. I have an office in New York at iWork.”
[Jeon Mi-jin, you should be honest. It’s not an office—it’s a playground. And you’ve only been there a few days anyway.]
Jeon Tae-guk also greeted Adam Neumann.
“I apologize for bringing my sister along so suddenly. She just arrived from the United States yesterday, and when I mentioned I was meeting Adam Neumann, she pestered me relentlessly to bring her.”
“It’s actually an honor for me to meet the son and daughter of such a global enterprise like this.”
Adam Neumann spoke with an elated expression.
Fraudsters always let their guard down once their target begins to trust them.
I took a step back.
Jeon Tae-guk did the same.
“Sung-guk, you ordered the most expensive champagne?”
“Adam Neumann ordered it. He’ll probably be paying for everything tonight.”
Jeon Mi-jin was too absorbed in conversation with Adam Neumann to notice.
Thanks to that, Jeon Tae-guk and I enjoyed our champagne in peace, gazing out over Seoul.
“Thank you, hyung.”
I said quietly.
In truth, when Jeon Tae-guk readily agreed to come tonight, I had asked him to bring Mi-jin along.
“Sung-guk, can I guess why you wanted me to bring Mi-jin here?”
“By all means.”
“You wanted us to demonstrate what kind of person Adam Neumann really is, didn’t you?”
“….”
I smiled ambiguously and sipped my champagne.
The moment I heard that Mi-jin had gotten an office at iWork to meet a man, I decided to use her.
Adam Neumann, blinded by ambition for success, would find it easier to target Mi-jin, a woman, than us men, and would likely approach her without hesitation.
Besides, Adam Neumann was presentable enough in appearance.
Mi-jin, starved for romance, would certainly show interest in Adam Neumann, and Samjeon would immediately investigate him thoroughly.
Samjeon would undoubtedly uncover Adam Neumann’s dangerousness and fraudulent nature, and I planned to pass this information on to Representative Son Jung-hoon.
I clinked my champagne glass against Jeon Tae-guk’s.
“Hyung, you’re becoming quite the businessman yourself.”
“Well, this much is nothing… And honestly, if Mi-jin gets tangled up with that fraudster bastard, I couldn’t ask for better. She has no eye for men—how could she possibly run a business? Father would throw her out immediately.”
Wait—did Jeon Tae-guk just call Adam Neumann a fraudster?
I looked at Jeon Tae-guk again.
“Hyung, does Adam Neumann seem like a fraudster to you?”
“Sung-guk, any man who stares at Jeon Mi-jin for more than three seconds is a con artist!”
[Well, that’s true enough….]
I drained my champagne in one long gulp.

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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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