CH19

Leaving Park Jong-in's annex, I walked through the garden, lost in thought.

'A guaranteed successful venture.'

Park Jong-in's words weren't wrong.

Everything I saw in my past life was proof of that.

So, I had come to a simple conclusion.

If success is guaranteed, no help is needed.

Instead, I thought it would be enough to give my full support.

It made perfect sense, but.

"..."

Why do I feel uneasy?

This feeling of having missed something important.

The answer was simple.

'If I know it's going to be 100% successful… can't I at least get a piece of the action?'

To put it bluntly.

Zero percent chance of failure.

If you buy, it will definitely go up.

And I'm just going to ignore that?

'Why?'

However, there were some cautious parts.

Drawing attention!

Yes, if I greedily pursue money and attract unwanted attention… If talk of management comes up… Ah, that would be incredibly tiresome.

'Hmm.'

My head was complicated, but at times like this, you have to think simply!

First, handle the task at hand step by step.

Right now, securing the painting in the US is the priority.

'I'll think about how to use the money afterward.'

Having reached a conclusion, I walked briskly.

That night.

"Young master, I've just returned from Gwangju."

The driver handed me a large box.

"I've gathered at least three years' worth of meaningful data."

I had asked in the morning, and he returned the same day.

He must have been really busy.

"Driver, could I ask you for one more favor?"

"Just say the word."

"Could you come to the US with me?"

"When do you mean?"

"Tomorrow."

"…What?"

"The flight is tomorrow morning. It's a tight schedule, isn't it?"

If he had a family, this wouldn't be possible.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the driver was still single.

"It's a special assignment, so of course, you'll be paid. I'm not familiar with these things, but… Would a month's salary as a bonus be okay?"

"No, no. It's my job to serve you, young master. There's no need for that."

"Come on, you won't be able to go home for several days. It's only fair to compensate you."

"Just the thought is enough..."

You can't feed yourself on thoughts alone.

We all do this to make a living!

Did he understand my intentions?

The driver bowed his head deeply.

"Thank you, driver."

I returned the bow in gratitude.

With that, preparations were almost complete.

All that was left was to wait for tomorrow.

I quietly looked out the window, shrouded in darkness.

***

Meanwhile, in Park Yong-hak's study.

"You're liquidating shares?"

"Yes."

Park Jong-in replied calmly to Chairman Park's question.

"You have no other way to secure funds?"

"..."

"If you sell now, you'll incur significant losses. Why push through despite that?"

"It's a necessary investment."

"Necessary? Many companies have collapsed from making necessary investments."

"I'm confident it will succeed."

"…Ha!"

Chairman Park adjusted his glasses, surprised.

"What's gotten into you? Showing confidence all of a sudden."

"Electronics is my field. I'm proud to say I've worked harder than any other executive."

"You believe in your sweat?"

"..."

"That's naive."

"We've been training semiconductor experts faster than other companies. We've been preparing for this day."

"Is that so? And you want to invest even by selling shares?"

"You can't expect great achievements without taking risks."

Park Yong-hak stared straight at his son, Park Jong-in.

The cautious and meticulous third son.

His relentless efforts were commendable, but his cautiousness made him slow to make decisions.

Yet here he was.

As if mocking all previous evaluations.

"...!"

He seemed like a different person.

A fundamental nature doesn't change easily, but for now, it was a pleasantly surprising change.

Yes, that much couldn't be denied.

Perhaps that's why.

Chairman Park removed his glasses and spoke.

"Hold off on liquidating the shares."

"What?"

"Wait and see. A source of funds might come up."

"No. Even without your help…"

"Who said I'd help you with my money?"

"...?"

There's someone claiming to bring in the money, so let's see.

Park Yong-hak swallowed the words that lingered in his mouth.

"Selling shares at a loss is a big deal. If you've prepared for five years, you can wait two weeks."

"I understand."

"Go now."

Bowing deeply.

A son determined to invest in semiconductors even by selling shares.

A grandson determined to fly to the US to handle things on his own.

They say the one who laughs last laughs best.

Looking at the moonlight streaming through the window, Park Yong-hak raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

***

The next morning.

"Please fasten your seatbelt."

Including my past life, this was my first time on a plane.

I could fit in economy class just fine, but I booked business class for the driver.

For some reason, we got upgraded to first class.

"It's a kind of custom. Business people often show small courtesies to each other."

What kind of business person is an 11-year-old…?

"Young master, thanks to you, I'm enjoying such luxury."

Indeed, the seats looked comfortable.

Spacious seats with partitions for privacy.

'I can read as much as I want.'

Come to think of it, I hadn't been reading much lately.

I just couldn't focus.

A side effect of business.

I was about to read when.

"Young master, I have something to show you."

The driver took out an envelope from his pocket.

"Professor Jo Soo-deok sent some photos through the embassy."

The embassy isn't a post office.

"It's a custom."

Another custom.

"Here you go."

"Well, I'll see it in a few hours anyway. Why the rush?"

"I guess he was in a hurry."

The envelope indeed contained photos.

The first three were of Dürer's drawing taken from various angles.

A woman holding a child.

'Yes, just like in the book.'

Grin.

This confirmed the existence of the drawing.

Now I had to focus on securing the painting.

As I was flipping through the photos with determination.

'Huh? What's this?'

There was a photo of an oil painting.

A full shot of the entire painting.

The lighting was dim, and the flash hadn't been used, making it hard to distinguish the form clearly.

But.

It was clear it wasn't an ordinary painting.

Jo Soo-deok must have felt the same.

The rest of the photos were close-ups, capturing more detail.

Renaissance style.

A portrait of a nobleman.

Judging by the incomplete background, it seemed unfinished.

I'm not an art major, but I consider myself knowledgeable about world-famous artworks.

I've read thick art history books like they were bedtime stories.

However.

'Hmm.'

This was my first time seeing this painting.

If it were unfinished, it would have left an impression.

The fact that it didn't means it likely wasn't a famous piece.

Moreover.

When Dürer's last work became known to the world, there was no mention of this painting.

If it were important, there would have been some reaction.

'It doesn't seem like a significant painting.'

Usually, I would have resigned to that conclusion.

But for some reason.

"..."

The photo kept catching my eye.

Maybe because the style felt familiar.

Indeed, the style was very recognizable.

To say this might be presumptuous.

'If I had to categorize it, I'd say it's like Leonardo da Vinci.'

Indeed, it was very similar to the Mona Lisa.

Not just the composition but also the use of the sfumato technique to create a sense of mystery.

Moreover.

Da Vinci was an artist who didn't leave many completed works.

He often fled after starting a commission.

Considering that… the unfinished background makes sense...

'Nonsense!'

Da Vinci?

Is that even possible?

If Dürer's last work sold for 20 billion won… da Vinci's Salvator Mundi fetched 500 billion won, becoming the most expensive painting in the world.

The Saudi royal family's bold bid played a part, but.

Da Vinci's status made such an investment worthwhile.

'But what?'

Am I suggesting this painting is da Vinci's?

I tried to stop daydreaming and return to reality.

Huh?

I noticed a note from Jo Soo-deok tucked between the photos.

<I'm sending these photos in advance because I can't shake off a certain feeling.>

This is from Professor Jo Soo-deok of Seoul National University's Fine Arts Department.

Although he's not an art historian, he has an undeniable eye for art.

<I tried not to get ahead of myself and thought rationally several times, but it wasn't easy. I wrote erased this note many times before finally sending it. The reason I'm writing this… keep thinking da Vinci's style.>

"...!"

My eyes widened.

Jo Soo-deok mentioned da Vinci's name in his note.

I've only seen the photos, but Jo Soo-deok has seen the painting in person.

If he thought of da Vinci, then?

Thump, thump.

My heart, which had been calm, began to race.

Calm down.

If this is really a da Vinci, why hasn't the world recognized it?

Trying to remain objective.

'If Salvator Mundi is worth 500 billion! This should fetch at least half that, shouldn't it? Even if it's unfinished, it's a da Vinci...!'

Damn.

My mind kept running wild.

This state continued for a while.

I couldn't concentrate on my book.

I thought of sleeping instead, but.

Thump, thump!

I remained excited the whole time.

***

After a 14-hour flight.

Boston Logan International Airport.

I hadn't slept a wink, but I felt wide awake.

The entry process was quick thanks to my clear credentials.

I hurried to the gate.

Maybe because of my anxious(?) heart.

I spotted Jo Soo-deok in the crowd instantly.

Whoosh!

I ran over, eyebrows flying, and Jo Soo-deok knelt to meet my eye level.

"You must be tired from the long journey..."

"I saw the photos!"

My urgency showed as I jumped straight to the point before greeting him.

Oops!

As I bowed my head belatedly.

"Did you read my note too?"

"Of course!"

Jo Soo-deok seemed eager to speak as he quickly responded.

"I thought you'd be interested."

"Do you really believe it's da Vinci?"

"I'm a painter, not an art historian. My opinion doesn't matter much. So..."

"...?"

"I contacted Oxford. They're the authority on art authentication. I also reached out to the British Academy, so we should get a cross-check soon."

"But if you contacted both, that means you're fairly confident, right?"

At my words, Jo Soo-deok spoke cautiously.

"It could be a skilled imitation of da Vinci's style. Once you reach a certain level, imitating someone is easy. But… it's impossible to replicate the aura of a masterpiece."

"What do you mean?"

"Out of all the paintings I've seen in my life… it's by far the most overwhelmingly powerful."

TL/n - 

You can read 

Chaebol (up to Chapter 45+)

I'm an Actor (up to Chapter 40+)

Perfect Hero (up to Chapter 40+)

Devil's Idol (up to Chapter 10+)

An Investor Who Sees The Future (up to Chapter 20+)

I was hoping you could support me on my Patreon at p@treon.com/inkbound 

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