CH66

Oh Hyun-joo was a gifted prodigy from a young age. She entered Korea University as the top student in the Economics department, graduated at the top of her class, and later landed a job at Golden Gate, which was said to be harder to get into than passing through the eye of a needle.

Getting a job was just the beginning. She worked late every day, the workload was overwhelming. There were times she couldn't go home for a whole week when things got really busy.

In a place where even robust men found it tough to endure, she stood out, steadily climbing the promotion ladder. She believed she would eventually rise to an even higher position.

However, being offered the branch manager position at this point was beyond her wildest imagination.

Chase said to the surprised Hyun-joo, "There are two reasons. Firstly, it is because we believe your capabilities are sufficient to take on the role of the branch manager."

Golden Gate is where financial geniuses from all over the world gather. No matter how much of a genius she was, there were always others more outstanding here. Moreover, out of all the Asian branch managers at Golden Gate, there were only two Asians, and not a single woman. The youngest among them was in their mid-40s.

The financial industry is surprisingly conservative and authoritarian, so such bold appointments are extremely rare.

"If there is another reason… is it because of OTK Company?"

Chase nodded.

"That's correct. OTK Company is currently the largest client of our Asian branch, and it is one of the most important clients throughout Golden Gate."

Among Golden Gate's clients are companies with market capitalizations of over $100 billion. However, having a market capitalization of $100 billion does not mean they have $100 billion in cash assets. In terms of cash assets alone, there are few clients that can be compared with OTK Company.

The rapid establishment of the Korean branch, which had been a long-planned process, was largely due to OTK Company. And Hyun-joo played a crucial role in connecting both OTK Company and Golden Gate.

This not only meant that she had a strong backing.

"However, it was Jessica (You), the team leader, who attracted the customer OTK Company to Golden Gate and helped them grow. With that level of skill, she should be more than capable of leading the Korean branch in the future," Chase Southwell stated firmly.

"You must know from experience. Golden Gate doesn't offer the position of branch manager to someone without skills," he added.

As this was her first time undertaking such a role, there would likely be some trial and error. Still, Chase believed Hyunjoo would handle it well.

However, this was all conditional on her accepting the offer.

"What will you do?" he inquired.

"I…," Hyunjoo hesitated.

As a branch manager, she could receive a salary in the millions of dollars, as well as additional incentives based on performance. But money was not a consideration. Thanks to inheriting a 3 percent stake in her younger brother's company, her assets exceeded one trillion won.

Despite not being able to spend that money immediately, her hefty salary over the years had stacked up in her account. (During her time here, the company provided her with an apartment and a car, so she didn't have much need to spend money.)

What she needed to consider were the responsibilities and obligations involved.

"Can I really do this?" she wondered.

She would be the first female branch manager. She was well aware of how thick the glass ceiling was in this world. Succeeding would be expected, but failing would likely lead to comments like 'That's why women shouldn't do this.'

"If it were Jinhoo, how would he have handled it?"

Opportunities come to everyone, but seizing them requires courage. Jinhoo had shown that several times. With a firm decision made, Hyunjoo nodded.

"I will accept it," she declared.

Chase smiled satisfactorily.

"I'll entrust the Korean branch to you."

***

No matter how big things happen in the world, daily life continues.

In less than a month, tens of trillions were added to my assets, but not much changed. I didn't move houses, change cars, or switch the clothes I wore. It was just the numbers in my account that had increased.

Come to think of it, everyone lives diligently to increase those numbers.

I drove to school. The road was clear, so I arrived earlier than expected.

Passing through the main gate, I saw several broadcasting station vehicles parked at the entrance.

"What's going on?"

I parked and walked up. Near the Business School building, cameramen and reporters with microphones were covering something.

Did something happen at school?

As I thought about it, Minyoung and Kyeongil were talking to the reporters.

"What's going on?"

As I approached and asked, Kyeongil shouted, "Here he is! This is Kang Jinhoo!"

"Huh?"

Before I could finish, the reporters quickly approached us, pushing microphones with the broadcasting station logos.

"Are you Kang Jinhoo?"

"Please say a few words!"

"What do you think about this incident?"

"Have you heard anything about Brexit?"

Sweat trickled down my forehead. At that moment, only one thought crossed my mind.

Am I caught?

Am I exposed as the CEO of OTK Company?

How on earth…

Who leaked this information?

Only a handful of people know my identity. Taekgyu, Hyunjoo, Ellie, Senior Sangyeop, Chase Southwell, and a few CEOs of the companies we've invested in.

Could it be that one of them leaked my identity to the press?

The camera lens pointed at my face.

I knew a day like this would come eventually. But I never expected it to be today.

What would happen if it's revealed that the CEO of OTK Company, shaking the world financial markets, is just a university student?

Even if I don't know, it would be reported as breaking news worldwide.

And many things will surely change starting from tomorrow.

It might become difficult to attend school as comfortably as now. Maybe I won't be able to walk around outside without bodyguards.

"I…,"

Words didn't come out easily.

What should I even say? Should I introduce myself as the CEO of OTK Company right away?

Kyeongil, who was watching from the side, spoke up.

"Just speak comfortably. You're close with Senior Sangyeop, right?"

"Um?"

The journalists asked me more questions.

"What kind of senior was President Park Sangyeop?"

"I heard you were involved in club activities together. Is there any memorable episode?"

"We'd like to hear about K Company's establishment and its relation to you."

I finally understood the situation.

As K Company gained fame, some television stations came to interview people related to Senior Sangyeop.

I let out a sigh of relief inside.

Was it because of me or was it because of Senior Sangyeop?

I almost revealed myself as the CEO of OTK Company without even knowing. I was surprised to realize I almost got caught.

"Please share your thoughts about President Park Sangyeop."

"Is it possible to make a phone call here?"

I already had a bad reputation in the British media (of course, I didn't know if it was about me), so I didn't want to get involved with the press.

I looked at the camera and said, "I'm not that close to that senior. I don't even know his contact information."

The reporters were taken aback.

"Huh? But…"

"I have a class to attend, so I'll excuse myself."

Finishing my words, I quickly headed towards the Business Administration building.

Looking back, I saw some who wanted to appear on TV were going crazy interviewing each other.

The world is vast, and there are plenty of attention seekers.

Late at night.

Senior Sangyeop came to our house. We met at home because his face had become too well-known recently to meet outside.

He arrived in a green Mini Cooper.

After parking the car, Senior Sangyeop struggled to get out, as the narrow car body didn't seem to suit his stature. The car looked cute compared to his size.

"What kind of car is this?"

"Gihong's car. I borrowed it because journalists would hassle him during his commute, trying to avoid cameras."

"Then what does Gihong drive?"

"I gave him my car."

"… Mini Cooper for an S-Class. Is this the sharing economy?

We sat in the living room.

"How are you? Is life treating you well these days?"

"I'm dying. Reporters are camped outside my company, my phone keeps ringing non-stop. They somehow found my cell phone number and now I have to change it again."

"You must be thrilled."

Sangyeop senior sighed as if he was fed up.

"This is not a laughing matter. Reporters are swarming around my house so much that I had to leave it and sleep rough."

"Hahaha!"

Taekgyu burst into laughter uncontrollably. I chuckled a bit myself, but I didn't feel at ease.

I'm scared that the same situation might happen to me later on. I plan to hide as long as I can, but how long can I keep that up?

"Haven't you eaten?"

"No, it's late, so let's just order something."

Taekgyu said as he picked up his phone.

"Then, it has to be Chinese food, of course."

"… Just buy a Chinese franchise.

After a while, when the food arrived, we gathered around the table and had black bean noodles and sweet and sour pork while chatting.

"I thought I was going to die watching the voting process that day. Jinhoo, how did you manage to make a bet in such a situation?"

I chuckled and replied, "I don't really know either."

Sangyeop senior nodded.

"If it were me, I don't think I could have done it even if I was told to. Anyway, thanks to you, an unknown celebrity now owes you. Oh! When did you hear that Golden Gate is establishing a branch in Korea?"

"We also found out through the news."

"Does that mean your sister is coming to Korea too?"

Taek-gyu said, "A few days ago, I talked with my older sister, and it seems like that might happen."

Come to think of it, is Ellie coming to Korea too?

At the end of the meal, Sang-yeop senior said, "By the way, I don't know what to do with all this money. It's a whopping 48 trillion Korean won. How many big corporations have this much cash on hand?"

Regardless of whether it's CB or IB, everyone is salivating over this money. Banks have lined up for deposits. We have no intention of trading with anyone other than Golden Gate.

"Don't you have anything you want to invest in?" I asked.

Sang-yeop senior's eyes sparkled at my words. "Actually, there's something I'm considering."

Already after the end of Brexit, he seems to be looking for the next investment opportunity.

"What is it?"

"I think the cryptocurrency market is interesting these days."

Taek-gyu showed interest. "Bitcoin?"

With the largest exchange, Mountain Hill, going bankrupt due to hacking, Bitcoin, which had surpassed $1000, plummeted to below $500.

Back then, people were saying that cryptocurrencies were finished. However, they have recently begun to attract attention again, mainly due to Brexit. As global stock markets fluctuated and exchange rates wavered due to the UK's EU withdrawal, Bitcoin emerged as an alternative investment, drawing in investors.

On the day the Brexit results were announced, it surged by over 30%, reclaiming the $700 mark.

"As you know, cryptocurrencies themselves have no intrinsic value. There's no issuing authority, no payment guarantee. But some people believe it has value."

I nodded. "Value is a relative concept, after all."

For example, let's assume that a particular type of shellfish is used as currency in Region A, where it is hard to come by, but not in Region B.

A merchant living in Region B knows that by bringing the shellfish found in this area to Region A, they can exchange it for valuable goods like spices or decorations. So, the merchant collects the shellfish in Region B and makes a profit by selling it in Region A.

Soon, this fact spreads throughout Region B. Now, everyone in Region B is aware that the specific type of shellfish, rare but previously deemed worthless, holds great value in Region A.

People in Region B will start collecting the shellfish to take to Region A. Consequently, the shellfish, once considered trash, now receives great value even in Region B.

In essence, because the shellfish holds value in Region A, it gains the same value in Region B as well.

The same goes for cryptocurrency. Even if I personally believe that a particular cryptocurrency has no value, if someone is selling it for $600, I would buy it immediately because I know I can sell it for over $700 on an exchange.

"Cryptocurrency…"

When you think about it, all of this started because of that particular cryptocurrency.

At that moment, a hologram appeared before my eyes.