The Wealthy Ant 3
“I’m truly sorry, but predicting stock prices is impossible now. The best we can do is watch the trends and pull out if we sense trouble.”
“Exactly. Company data for stock evaluation is useless now. Current prices are built solely on future optimism.”
“And the desires of small investors play a part too.”
The people summoned were hesitant, glancing at Jin Seo-yun for approval, but no clear answers emerged.
“I heard you were the best at Sunyang Securities, but I’m not impressed.”
Jin Seo-yun’s displeasure was evident, and the top talents from Sunyang Securities struggled to suppress their irritation.
Isn’t she the daughter of the owner?
“I’m sorry, but no one can clearly explain this situation. It’s an unprecedented phenomenon since the Korean stock market began.”
“So, no one knows how high it will go, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“What about Sunyang Electronics? We’ve invested 20 billion, so there should be some action by now, right?”
“Sunyang Electronics isn’t too concerned. It’s just one of many investments by the IT division. They’re more focused on partnerships than on profits from stock price increases.”
“Hmm…”
Jin Seo-yun sought a guiding light, but all she got was the vast, open sea, deepening her worries.
But doesn’t the open sea sometimes lead to El Dorado?
“Excuse me, ma’am. May I ask how much you’ve invested?”
“That’s not for you to know. Right now, I’m buying more as the price rises and selling when it dips.”
“Sticking to the basics. That’s good enough.”
The positive assessment from the securities managers eased her anxiety a bit.
“Please keep our meeting today a secret. If word gets out within the group, I’ll suspect your loose lips. I have the power to ensure you have no place here. Understand?”
The managers from Sunyang Securities zipped their lips.
No one doubted the power Jin Seo-yun, the chairman’s daughter, wielded.
She hadn’t gathered the managers for investment advice. She wanted reassurance, and she got it.
“Take those and give them to your wives. I didn’t know their tastes, so I prepared various brands. Take three or four each.”
She pointed to luxury bags worth millions of won in shopping bags.
She did say three or four. The managers stood up in unison and bowed. Such windfalls are always welcome.
As the autumn breeze began to turn into winter, my aunt quietly sought me out.
Her first words made me realize I was stepping into a quagmire I couldn’t escape.
“Do-jun, could you ask Mr. Oh to delay the interest payment a bit? The economy’s a mess, and department store sales have plummeted. Only the food section is barely holding on.”
“Is it that bad?”
Feigning ignorance, I asked, and she launched into her woes as if waiting for the cue.
“The hotel vacancy rate is over 70%. People still need to eat, so they come to the department store to shop. It’s hard to tell if it’s a department store or a market.”
Listening to her plausible lies, I was tempted to verify, but one slip of the tongue could ruin everything.
The stock price had already soared past 200,000 won. If my aunt sold all her shares now, she’d make a fortune, and the department store group would slip from my grasp.
I needed to bring up stocks naturally, very naturally.
“I’m sorry, Aunt.”
“Hmm? For what?”
“If only you hadn’t sold those shares at 40,000 won, we could have solved everything at once.”
“Hmm? Oh, that. Well, it’s fine. Stocks and I don’t mix anyway. Besides, I made four times the profit. I should be satisfied with that.”
Her awkward attempt to brush it off didn’t fool me, but I played along.
“They say it might go over 300,000 won. Isn’t that incredible?”
“What? 300,000 won?”
Her startled expression was telling.
The brief smile that flickered at the corner of her lips said it all. I hoped she had invested enough to shake the department store group.
“Yes. But they say it’s like a plane crash.”
“What do you mean? Tell me more.”
“Well, it’s like a party at someone else’s house. Why talk about it when we don’t have any stocks?”
“But… I’m just curious. I was a major shareholder once.”
She’s definitely still a major shareholder. Her sparkling eyes gave it away.
“They say it could reach around 300,000 won, according to Yeouido’s assessment. But it’s like a faulty plane just climbing higher. It’s precarious, and it could crash anytime.”
“So, it’s risky.”
“But if you time it right, you could make a fortune. That’s why people are holding on. High risk, high return. You know that, right?”
“Of course.”
“Aunt.”
I looked her straight in the eye.
“Yes?”
“Don’t even think about getting in now. You know, plane crash.”
I mimicked a crashing plane with my hand, and she burst into laughter.
“What do you take me for? Don’t be silly.”
“Then I’ll talk to Mr. Oh. Don’t worry too much. He’s not the type to ignore circumstances and just demand money.”
When I gave a positive response, her expression brightened considerably.
“Thank you, my dear nephew. I’ll make sure to repay this favor. You know that, right?”
“What’s there to repay? We’re family.”
I left with kind words.
We are family. And family always brings trouble.
As I left the suite my aunt used as an office, a middle-aged man waiting at the door approached. He looked familiar…
“Excuse me… Mr. Jin, do you remember me?”
Ah, this man… Wasn’t he the one with Miracle when they lent money to my aunt? The finance director, perhaps?
“Are you Director Lim?”
“Yes, that’s right. You remember.”
He bowed his head slightly.
“Did you just meet with the president?”
“Yes.”
Seeing Director Lim’s anxious expression, I knew he had something to say to me.
“Director, could I trouble you for a cup of coffee? My aunt was so busy she just said her piece and sent me off.”
“Oh, sure. Shall we go to my office?”
He seemed pleased and quickly led the way.
As I sipped the coffee Director Lim offered, he watched me carefully before speaking.
“Did you discuss anything with the president that I shouldn’t know about?”
“No, Director Lim, you’re in charge of finance, so it’s fine. My aunt asked for a delay of a month or two on the interest and repayment to Miracle. She said the department store and hotel situations are dire due to the recession.”
“I see. Even that would be a relief…”
He let out a long sigh. His complexion was dark, showing how much financial pressure he was under.
“Is it that difficult?”
“Well…”
His ashen face and inability to continue spoke volumes about the massive amount tied up in stocks.
Should I take a gamble here?
“How much have you sunk into stocks? Judging by your expression, it must be a lot. Am I wrong?”
It must be at least a trillion won.
“How did you know? Did the president tell you?”
“Do I need to be told? If you can’t even pay interest on stocks used as collateral, it’s obvious. Isn’t the management control at risk?”
“You’re sharp.”
“Be honest with me. I’ll keep it confidential. I’m in a tough spot too. Caught between a rock and a hard place, I can’t ignore my aunt’s situation, but Mr. Oh is like an uncle to me… It’s tricky.”
I threw it out there with a troubled look, and Director Lim began to speak urgently.
“Mr. Jin, the only one who can stop this is the chairman. I know you’re favored by Chairman Jin. Please, talk to him. We’re on the brink of madness from anxiety.”
“Is it really over a trillion won?”
“We’ve invested 1.4 trillion so far. From when the stock was 50,000 won to 200,000 won… We’ve been buying continuously.”
I barely held back my laughter and feigned shock.
“What? 1.4 trillion?”
“Shh. Keep your voice down.”
I quickly asked the cautious Director Lim.
“From 50,000 to 200,000? Then if you sell now, you won’t lose money.”
“Of course. We’d make at least three times the investment.”
“Why is my aunt holding on when she doesn’t even understand stocks?”
“It’s because of the people from Sunyang Securities. They promised to tell her when to sell, but they keep encouraging her, saying it might go higher.”
What is this? Why is Sunyang Securities involved here?
Seeing my puzzled expression, Director Lim explained why the Sunyang Securities people were involved.
“So, the Sunyang Securities people are coaching my aunt?”
“Yes. They’re supposed to be veterans, but their aggressive approach is unsettling.”
I stumbled upon unexpected information. I hadn’t imagined my aunt would find someone to provide guidance and information.
If they tell her the right time to sell, my plan will fall apart, and my aunt will make a fortune. I’m getting anxious.
“I actually met with those people separately. I strongly advised them to tell the president that now is the time to sell.”
“And? Aren’t they listening?”
“I heard those guys are in a real bind. If the stock price keeps rising after they sell…”
“Aunt won’t just sit back and watch, will she?”
“Exactly. They’re terrified of that.”
She’s not the type to let things slide. If it gets bad, she might even retaliate with some serious personnel changes.
The real issue isn’t their lives. If they manage Aunt that carefully, she might end up with a fortune, and the game could be over.
The thought of all our hard work crumbling makes my lips dry with anxiety.
“Tell me who they are. I’ll meet with them myself.”
“Would you really do that?”
Executive Director Lim’s face brightened.
“I think I need to sort this out. If things go south, the losses could be enormous… I can’t just sit here, worried.”
“Imagine how I feel. And I’m sure President Jin feels the same. Did you see his face? He’s burning up with worry. Something’s bound to happen at this rate.”
I didn’t forget to give a final warning to the overly concerned Executive Director Lim.
“Whatever you do, don’t report this to the chairman or ask for help. Aunt might get through it unscathed because of family ties, but the department store and hotel executives will all have to resign. The chairman doesn’t forgive executives who fail to manage things properly.”
Executive Director Lim let out a sigh.
“I wouldn’t even dare think of it.”
Leaving the worried Executive Director Lim behind, I exited the hotel.
Those troublemakers at Sunyang Securities.
They’re incredibly lucky troublemakers.
They showed up at just the right time to turn their lives around, so their luck is off the charts.
This time, I’ve really got them.
I’ll buy out their entire lives and have them push Aunt to the edge.