CH25

Seok-won couldn't hide his surprise at the completely unexpected offer.

"Are you suggesting I apply to the business school?"

Professor Frank nodded with a smile on his face.

"That's right. Of course, just applying doesn't guarantee acceptance, but I believe you have a good chance."

Harvard Business School (HBS), which pioneered the two-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, is one of the most prestigious business schools globally, not just in the United States. Naturally, the competition to get in is fierce, with acceptance rates often in the single digits.

Given its prestige, graduates from HBS are highly sought after by Fortune 500 companies and Wall Street firms, often offered lucrative salaries and signing bonuses.

From the fact that Professor Frank was talking about a Ph.D. rather than just an MBA, Seok-won quickly realized this wasn't just a casual suggestion made out of fondness for a promising student.

"I have to admit, this is all very sudden, and I'm a bit taken aback."

Professor Frank let out a hearty laugh at Seok-won's honest reaction.

"I'm sure you are. I've been in academia for a long time, and this is the first time I've made such an offer to a student."

Hearing this, Seok-won felt even more curious and cautiously asked, "I'm not saying my grades are bad, but they're not exactly exceptional either. May I ask why you're making this offer to me?"

Professor Frank took a sip of his coffee before setting the mug down and answering.

"At first, it was purely out of interest."

"...."

"Your answers stood out because they weren't the typical responses learned from textbooks or lectures. You offered a unique perspective."

As Professor Frank spoke, he noticed Seok-won quietly listening and continued.

"Your approach to focusing on the underlying issues of accumulated fears and investor psychology, rather than just the visible factors like portfolio insurance and program trading, was refreshing."

The professor's expression grew serious. As Seok-won met the intelligent gaze of Professor Frank, he was once again reminded that this man was indeed one of the foremost scholars of his time.

"When I carefully read through your answers, I realized it wasn't just your unique perspective that was impressive; your arguments were well-founded and logically sound."

"Thank you for your kind words."

"I'm not just saying this to flatter you. As a fellow scholar, I genuinely wanted to have a deeper conversation about your ideas."

Then, as if a thought struck him, Professor Frank tilted his head and asked, "Is your thesis topic Black Monday by any chance?"

"No, it's not."

"Really? That makes it even more surprising. The evidence and logic you presented were so thorough that I assumed you were preparing this as your thesis."

Considering the amount of research and synthesis he had done, it wasn't unreasonable for Professor Frank to have that misconception.

'One of the books I read was authored by Professor Frank himself,' Seok-won thought, recalling the book that had left a deep impression on him.

The book explored the recurring patterns of stock market crashes and their connections to investor psychology. Although it didn't win Professor Frank his second Nobel Prize in Economics, it did earn him a spot as a top contender.

Given that he had discovered a student echoing his own theories, it was no wonder Professor Frank was intrigued.

"Black Monday is a significant event in economic history, and it's still a topic of much debate today, so I've always been interested in it," Seok-won said, trying to downplay his own involvement and keep things light.

Professor Frank nodded in understanding. "I see. But even so, for someone to come up with such thoughts simply out of interest is truly remarkable."

The professor leaned forward slightly, speaking in a more intimate tone.

"In fact, I've been preparing a research paper on Black Monday for the past two years."

Seok-won immediately recognized the paper Professor Frank was referring to—it was the same one he had read in a book years later. It wasn't surprising that Professor Frank had been preparing this paper since earlier.

"While pursuing your Ph.D. at the business school, I'd like you to assist me with the research and writing of this paper."

"My assistance, sir?"

Seeing Seok-won widen his eyes in surprise, Professor Frank chuckled softly.

"Yes. Of course, your name would also be on the paper."

Professor Frank spoke so casually, but it was a significant opportunity for any academic. Contributing to a paper that would be highly regarded in the academic world was an incredible chance.

But Seok-won, who aspired to become a giant in global finance like George Soros or the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett, wasn't particularly drawn to academia.

Rather than feeling honored, the prospect of spending his days and nights buried in books, battling dark circles under his eyes, and losing sleep in the pursuit of academic research sounded more like a nightmare.

If you're not planning to dedicate your life to academia, then what good is a Ph.D.?

Professor Frank repeated his question, breaking into Seok-won's thoughts.

"What do you think?"

For a moment, Professor Frank's face overlapped with that of the witch offering Snow White a poisoned apple. Seok-won instinctively squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them again.

'No, I absolutely cannot nod in agreement.'

If there's one thing you should always be wary of, it's when a professor offers you something that sounds too good to be true.

Many have fallen into the academic abyss, lured in by a professor's friendly offer of tea, only to find themselves trapped in the "dungeon" of graduate school.

Gulping down his nervousness, Seok-won forced an apologetic expression onto his face.

"Thank you for such a wonderful offer, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline."

"What? Why would you say no?"

Professor Frank frowned slightly. It was understandable; he had extended a great opportunity, only to have it turned down.

Realizing that he still had one more semester before graduation and that it wouldn't be wise to get on the bad side of such a respected academic, Seok-won straightened his posture and offered an explanation.

"While I do find academic exploration in economics fascinating, I'd rather apply my ideas and what I've learned directly in the field."

"Are you planning to work on Wall Street after graduation?"

Professor Frank's expression showed a hint of disappointment.

"That's my initial plan, but my parents would like me to join the family business, so nothing is set in stone yet."

What was certain, however, was that pursuing a Ph.D. wasn't part of Seok-won's future.

Seeing the resolve in Seok-won's demeanor, Professor Frank sighed heavily, his disappointment palpable.

"That's such a shame, really a shame…"

Despite his reluctance to give up, Professor Frank made one last attempt to persuade Seok-won.

"With your broad perspective and unconventional insights, you could make significant contributions to academia. Are you sure you won't reconsider?"

But Seok-won knew that if he wavered now, it would only make things more difficult later. Without any hesitation, he firmly declined.

"I'm sorry, but I must respectfully decline."

Seeing the unwavering determination in Seok-won's eyes, Professor Frank finally relented, clicking his tongue in disappointment.

"It's unfortunate, but if that's your decision, there's nothing more I can say."

The professor sat silently for a moment, studying Seok-won before speaking again.

"In that case, would you be willing to help with the paper?"

"Sir? I'm only an undergraduate. I'm not sure how much help I could be."

Though surprised by the offer, Seok-won saw that Professor Frank wasn't put off, smiling gently.

"There's a saying that there's no age limit when it comes to learning. I've hit a stumbling block with the paper, but your exam answer provided me with a clue to move forward. I think you're more than qualified."

"But…"

Sensing Seok-won's hesitation, Professor Frank added quickly, "In return, I'll give you an A+ for the next semester, even if you don't attend class. How does that sound?"

Tempted by the offer of not having to attend class and still getting an A+, Seok-won found himself nodding almost involuntarily.

No matter how he looked at it, the offer was too tempting to refuse.

"I might not be much help, but I'll do my best."

"Hahaha!"

Professor Frank's eyes crinkled with laughter.

"That was a much quicker answer than before."

"I couldn't pass up such a great opportunity to assist a respected professor with his paper."

Professor Frank chuckled at Seok-won's playful response.

"It's not just because you don't have to attend class to get an A+?"

"Honestly, that's part of it too."

"Haha! You're a very interesting student."

It was rare for a student to joke around and respond so candidly in front of Professor Frank. Most were either too intimidated by his Nobel laureate status or too busy trying to impress him with how much they respected him.

Having seen enough of those types, Professor Frank found Seok-won to be a refreshing change.

"If you ever change your mind, let me know. My office door is always open."

Professor Frank's lingering regret was clear in his tone.

Not wanting to openly reject the offer again, Seok-won quietly nodded.

"Yes, sir."

***

Seoul, Hannam-dong.

A black Mercedes drove slowly through a snow-covered alley, stopping in front of a large gate surrounding a high-walled mansion.

The chauffeur quickly got out to open the back door, allowing Chairman Park Tae-hong, dressed in a cashmere coat and scarf, to step out.

"It's gotten colder since the sun went down."

Breathing out white puffs of breath, Chairman Park walked toward the gate.

The chauffeur holding the umbrella over Chairman Park's head pressed the intercom button installed on the gate post.

Shortly, the voice of Ms. Gunsan came over the speaker.

[Who is it?]

"The Chairman has arrived."

The gate's lock clicked open immediately.

Stepping through the gate, Chairman Park crossed the brightly lit garden and entered the mansion.

Waiting for him at the entrance were his wife, Jo Deok-rye, a refined-looking middle-aged woman in a house dress, and Ms. Gunsan.

"You're home early today."

Jo Deok-rye took her husband's scarf and coat as she spoke.

"It was snowing heavily, so I canceled my trip to the Cheongju factory."

"You made the right decision. I heard on the radio that there have been many accidents on the icy roads."

Chairman Park nodded at his wife's words, then turned to the chauffeur standing behind him.

"Good work. You can go home now."

"Yes, sir. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

After bowing to Mrs. Jo, the chauffeur handed the briefcase to Ms. Gunsan and left the mansion.

"Have you eaten dinner?"

"I'm about to. On a cold day like this, I'm craving something warm like soup."

"I thought you might say that, so I made your favorite seolleongtang."

"That sounds perfect."

After 30 years of marriage, Mrs. Jo knew exactly what her husband liked without him having to say it.

Taking the briefcase from Ms. Gunsan, Mrs. Jo followed Chairman Park to the master bedroom, giving instructions as she walked.

"Please have dinner ready as soon as the Chairman comes out."

"Yes, ma'am."

Hearing Ms. Gunsan's reply, Mrs. Jo entered the master bedroom and placed the briefcase on one side before hanging up her husband's coat and scarf.

"What are these photos?"

As Chairman Park loosened his tie and changed into more comfortable clothes, he noticed the photos placed on the dressing table.

The photos showed young women in their early twenties, all of whom looked like they had been raised in wealthy families.

"Mrs. Son came by earlier today and left them for you to look at."

"Mrs. Son?"

Chairman Park frowned.

Mrs. Son was a well-known matchmaker who arranged marriages between children of wealthy families and high-ranking officials.

Park Tae-hong looked at his wife with a displeased expression as he picked up one of the photos from the dressing table.

"Is this for Seok-won?"

"Who else would it be for?"

Chairman Park squinted as he scanned the photos on the table.

"All three seem to be good-looking."

"Of course. They're not only pretty but also smart, and they come from prestigious families. This young woman with the bob cut is the second daughter of the Chief Justice, and the other is the eldest daughter of the ruling party's floor leader."

These were children from prominent, so-called "golden spoon" families.

"But Seok-won hasn't even graduated from college yet. Isn't it too early to talk about marriage?"

"It's not early at all. He's already completed his military service, so it's the perfect age. Besides, a man needs a family to find stability."

Chairman Park couldn't argue with that logic, so he didn't press the matter any further.

Instead, he lightly commented as he put the photos back on the dressing table, "Just don't rush him."

"Who's rushing? I'm just suggesting he meet these fine young women. Who knows? He might find his match among them."

After all, it was better for Seok-won to get married early than to end up involved in some scandal, as some other prominent figures' sons had.

Chairman Park turned his gaze away from the photos, casually dismissing the matter. "Do as you see fit."

The problem, however, was whether Seok-won would be interested.

'Well, if he doesn't like any of them, he'll let us know,' Chairman Park thought.

TL/n - 

The "Oracle of Omaha" is a nickname for Warren Buffett, one of the most successful and influential investors of all time. Buffett is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate holding company.