Chapter 61

Chapter 61

The sputtering fireworks filled the sky as the Russian bond sales event ended in success at the Moscow Federal Hall. 1.2 billion dollars worth of bonds had been sold before Jonathan’s arrival, but now the amount had more than doubled, reaching three billion. Jonathan was the major “contributing” factor, as he had purchased one billion under the name of the New York firm while his presence itself impacted other investors.

Jonathan was in his private jet, holding a big satellite telephone next to his ear.

Then, Jonathan asked the flight attendants to give him space and lowered his voice.

A billion dollars were thrown away just to fuel the fire in the stock market. It was actually cheaper than I expected. Those who claimed that Russia wouldn’t go bankrupt were willing to purchase bonds, and others joined them while thinking they were missing out on an ‘opportunity.’ A massive amount of money from speculators all over the world was flowing through Russia. Our plan on deliberately starting an artificial boom in Russian Government bonds was working perfectly.

I changed the subject.

Jonathan had complained no one would waste one hundred million dollars for all this, but it sounded more realistic than a hedge fund guaranteeing seed money. However, we had offered the Russian official seed money, and ensured that we would secure capital. Jonathan asked him to invest as much as he can, and we would give him dividends annually.

Russia’s former president attempted to bring capitalism into a socialist system, but the current government tried to dismantle the current system before embracing capitalism. As a result, he had many political enemies in Russia, and they would start attacking him fiercely when Russia went bankrupt, as it had happened in the past.

Jonathan said he was enjoying himself, and he must really have been pleased since he called me. It had to have been a fantastic experience for him to meet the world leaders in person at the bonds sales event.

I explained that the A, B, and C funds would be managed by our elite managers, and the last fund I mentioned would be aggressively invested based on my investment proposal.

No one knew Kim Cheong-Soo as he himself didn’t know his potential during this period.

***

Kim Cheong-Soo felt weird.

The founder of Onider Associates was one of his role models. He had demonstrated outstanding performance at Bank of America and had expanded his firm, increasing the number of employees from forty to thirteen hundred, in just two years. He had won many awards that year as well.

Now, that same role model had announced that he would sell his company and only manage his own portfolio, which meant his retirement. Kim Cheong-Soo didn’t give it much thought when he first heard the news, as several other role models of his had followed the same path. When the funds grew too large, one needed to shrink them. The method was simple: selling the company and forming a personal fund with one’s accumulated profits. In other words, an honorary retirement.

Kim Cheong-Soo smiled with embarrassment as he entered the former Onider Associates, which was now renamed Jonathan Investments. He used to think Jonathan was only a lucky guy. However, his thoughts changed after reading his book. He had been shocked after receiving a recruiting email, as Jonathan’s name had serious substance.

Russia will go bankrupt as he predicts. Then how much richer will he become?, Kim Cheong-Soo thought.

Kim Cheong-Soo felt as if he was living in the same era as a historical figure that was going to be mentioned for centuries, and the file attached to the email made him think that. The investment proposal was a masterpiece written by a genius.

“Hello, I’m Brian Kim,” he said politely.

“You have an appointment with the CEO. There's a reception room in the secretary’s office on the top floor. He’ll be back soon, so would you like to wait there?” the secretary asked.

“Yes, thank you,” Kim Cheong-Soo replied.

He tried to calm down while waiting for Jonathan, as he had to remain cool. He didn’t know how Jonathan had found him and what he saw in him, but this was obviously an interview. The portfolio was for twenty-two billion dollars based on the predicted Russian moratorium announcement in late July. Kim Cheong-Soo reviewed the documents he had brought and practiced answering random questions.

Then, he heard someone coming in, and he followed the secretary who guided him into the CEO's office. The same face he had seen in Jonathan’s book and the media was smiling at him.

“I’m sorry to make you wait so long. I came running as soon as I arrived from Russia. I hope you understand,” Jonathan said.

Kim Cheong-Soo knew about the event in Moscow yesterday, as it was a big deal.

“The news coverage of the event should be available now. Have you checked?” Jonathan asked.

Kim Cheong-Soo realized that he had made a mistake.

“Do you know what I’m asking?” Jonathan questioned.

Kim Cheong-Soo replied, “You’re talking about the Silverman Sox’s bonds sale event at the Federal Center in Moscow. I apologize for not doing so. I was so focused on preparing for this meeting,”

The first interview question was to confirm his qualifications as a manager, but Kim Cheong-Soo couldn't provide an answer. It was a blunder. Jonathan showed him an article on a monitor so Kim Cheong-Soo could see it too. It was about the event that ended in great success where the three billion dollars worth of government bonds were sold in a day. Kim Cheong-Soo’s brain whirred and thought about how much this money would affect the proposal’s estimations.

This amount would have a trivial effect, and this will…?Kim Cheong-Soo thought.

He soon looked at Jonathan with admiring eyes.

“Did you buy Russian government bonds by chance?” he asked.

The guy who predicted that Russia would go bankrupt bought their bonds? If that was the case…

“I just purchased a billion dollars worth of bonds. Will I profit or lose?” Jonathan asked.

Kim Cheong-Soo felt a shudder in his spine, and the thrill quickly spread throughout his body.

He is raising the stakes!

The Caucasian guy in front of him was incredibly bold at making a decision.

“Congratulations, Jonathan! You will succeed as you have done in Asia,” Kim Cheong-Soo said.

However, Jonathan's next words were so shocking that he couldn't help but doubt his ears..

“Excuse me? Could you please say that again?” Kim Cheong-Soo widened his eyes.

“It’s your turn now. I want to give you a chance. I want you to manage what I got from the Asian Financial Crisis,” Jonathan responded.