Seo Jeongjun, the CEO, returned to Korea just 20 days after leaving for Denmark.
It had been a business trip to Denmark with more than 20 people, including Dr. Kim Jangwoo and the dedicated AI team.
Upon his return, CEO Seo came to see me first.
Just by looking at his face, I could tell the trip had achieved its intended goal.
"It seems things went well. I can't help but notice you're smiling, CEO Seo."
"We signed a contract giving Centurion an 8% share in the new drug's development."
"They wouldn't just hand over 8%. What are we supposed to provide in return?"
"We agreed to offer assistance through artificial intelligence. We'll share all research results and jointly conduct both preclinical and clinical trials. The idea is that simultaneous research in Denmark and Korea will speed up the new drug's development."
Honestly, it wasn't a great deal.
Of course, I knew the new drug in development would become a miracle diet pill.
But nobody else knew that, and to use all of Centurion's technology and personnel for just an 8% share—that felt almost like robbery.
Still, it wasn't entirely bad.
What especially appealed to me was that we would share all research results.
"If all the results are being shared, does that mean we'll be getting access to Novo Nordisk's findings as well?"
"To run virtual trials through AI, we need accurate information. Novo Nordisk will share all of their research results with us in real time."
"That's not an easy decision to make. Aren't pharmaceutical companies as sensitive about data as IT firms?"
"It's a sign of their trust in us. Novo's board also wanted to thank you, saying the FDA approval moved along faster thanks to you."
Trust built on FDA approval alone?
That couldn't be the only reason. It was clear Novo Nordisk had their own agenda for making such an offer.
"Were there any other detailed conditions?"
"Not particularly. We spent a long time over tea, but the only pointed question was about Centurion's equity structure."
"Interested in Centurion's shares? Interesting."
"Once mass sales of insulin start, won't the stock price soar? That's likely what caught their eye."
Centurion was already listed on the KOSDAQ.
I held more than 50% of the shares, and CEO Seo Jeongjun controlled most of the rest, so very few shares were available on the market.
Could that be why?
Centurion's stock price was rapidly climbing a bullish curve.
Once insulin sales began, the rise would surely become even steeper.
Was that the reason Novo Nordisk took an interest in Centurion?
There had to be some hidden agenda, and in the worst-case scenario, they might be planning a merger or acquisition to make Centurion their Asian hub.
"First, accept the terms and proceed with the joint research."
"We decided to start the joint research immediately, from today."
"The IIT will support us with doctoral-level researchers, so it should be a great help."
"Thank you. We will repay that with good results."
Seo Jeongjun left with a smile, and I watched his back as I called David.
[Boss! I was just about to contact you. The shale gas development is progressing well. Communication with the Texas governor is smooth, and we should be able to break ground next month.]
"You've worked hard. Looks like you'll have some free time now."
[Seems I have another mission. Where should I go this time? Somewhere with direct flights from Texas would be best.]
"I need you to visit Denmark for a bit. Novo Nordisk offered Centurion some very favorable terms."
[If the terms are too good, it's time to be suspicious. I'll fly to Denmark immediately. I've already built connections with some Novo Nordisk executives.]
Once I sent David, gathering information was just a matter of time.
David could find out not only what the Novo Nordisk board was thinking but also how many forks and knives were in their homes.
"There's plenty of time, so take it slow."
[Is there any reason to waste time? I'll contact you within this week.]
Beep-beep—.
After finishing the call with David, I fell into a moment of contemplation.
I, too, had considered stealing Novo Nordisk's new drug.
After all, Novo Nordisk couldn't be any different from me.
If Novo Nordisk truly was targeting Centurion,
I could take the new drug away from them without any guilt.
In fact, I was just hoping Novo Nordisk was indeed plotting something bad.
***
These days, I was using two offices.
One was at the Taewoo Group headquarters, and the other was in the Finance Tower.
After inviting all these foreign firms to set up shop, I couldn't exactly pretend not to notice them, could I?
"Chairman, preparations for the roundtable are complete. Most of the companies that have moved in have confirmed their attendance."
"When you say 'most,' I take it some won't be coming?"
"Most of the Japanese financial firms, along with several European ones, have notified us they won't be attending."
Attendance at the roundtable was voluntary.
But those who skipped today's meeting would surely regret it—
this roundtable was the first step in launching a new project.
If you mess up the first step, you're bound to fall behind in the end.
"Let's begin the roundtable!"
A large conference room in Finance Tower.
More than 20 executives from financial institutions had filled the seats.
Among them, Quantum Fund's George was the only actual CEO present.
"What's the big matter that called us together? When I heard about this roundtable, I flew in from Europe."
"I called this meeting to launch a project with the firms based here at the Financial Hub Tower."
"Is this a project personally led by Mr. Kim? In that case, count me in no matter what."
The conversation flowed as if it had been scripted.
But this was no performance, and of course, there was no script.
It was simply that George, the CEO, trusted me deeply, which led to these kinds of exchanges.
"First, let me explain the project. The situation in Russia is becoming unstable. Things are especially tense in Crimea."
"Are you expecting a war?"
"It might not escalate to war, but I expect Russia will recklessly try to take control of Crimea."
Murmurs filled the room.
Europe was the hottest region right now, and since Russia was part of Europe, their interest was naturally piqued.
"If Russia doesn't abandon its expansionist policy, Western countries including the U.S. are expected to impose sanctions on Russia."
"That would cause the ruble to plummet. Russian companies' stocks would become penny stocks."
"Several factors including the ruble and Russian corporate stocks will be affected. This project is too big for Taewoo Group to handle alone. So, what do you say—shall we team up?"
The first to respond to my proposal were the Wall Street financial firms.
They had known well how I had been making money ever since the SAVE investment company days and were aware that I had never experienced investment failure.
[We can't sit out a project that Taewoo Securities and Quantum Fund are leading.]
[It would have been great if you had shared information like this before we started the Europe-related work.]
[This is one advantage of moving into the Financial Hub Tower.]
Was this a financial hub cartel?
Moving into the Financial Hub Tower granted companies the opportunity to work with us.
All cartels ultimately band together for money, and as long as the information I provided generated profits, the companies in the Financial Hub Tower were strongly united.
"If we combine our forces, we can share the pie among ourselves. And we'll be better positioned to handle the crises ahead."
"A crisis is just an opportunity for the prepared. Quantum Fund will lead the charge in the project, so just follow along."
Wall Street agreed with George's words.
Then the European financial firms, swept up by the atmosphere, promised to join too.
But Berkshire Hathaway stayed a step back.
Jane, the head of Berkshire's Asia branch, stood up and declared she would not participate.
"We don't make profits through short selling or currency attacks. Contact us when there's an investment opportunity in undervalued companies."
"This project isn't about making gains simply through short selling. It also includes investments in stocks that are expected to rise because of the current situation."
"Then Berkshire will partially participate in the project, excluding short selling and currency investments."
Even Berkshire decided to take a partial role in the project.
That encouraged other hesitant financial firms to respond positively as well.
"That concludes today's roundtable. When the project officially starts, we will be in touch. And as you all know, please maintain strict confidentiality about everything discussed here today."
The roundtable ended.
All financial participants left the conference room, but George was the only one who stayed behind, waiting for me.
"Do you have something to say?"
"I don't understand why you called this meeting. Do you really think confidentiality will be maintained? They're just branch managers in Asia. Naturally, any investment requires head office approval, and as that happens, today's discussions will spread through Wall Street and European financial firms."
I had anticipated this kind of scenario.
The plea for confidentiality was just lip service.
For other investments, keeping things secret was crucial, but this project was a war, so it didn't really matter.
"Just because the information spreads doesn't mean Russia will give up its ambitions for Crimea."
"But won't that increase the number of competitors? Won't all sorts of opportunists come flooding in to dip their forks into the pie that Taewoo Securities and Quantum Fund could have monopolized?"
"Overheating is fine. This project is essentially bait. Just letting people know they can get good information by moving into the Financial Hub is enough."
George's expression twisted slightly.
He seemed displeased that I was treating a large-scale event like a war as nothing more than bait.
"So, you're saying you won't profit from the Crimean situation?"
"Of course, we will make money. The returns won't be as high as if we monopolized the profits, but 30% or more is enough."
"Hmm, 30% is not a small return, but if we monopolized it, we could see 300%. That's unfortunate."
From George's perspective, it was understandable to feel disappointed.
After all, until now, the Taewoo Group had been their sole partner, so he wouldn't welcome other financial firms getting involved.
"The next project will proceed quietly. We'll only work with Taewoo Securities, Quantum Fund, and a few financial firms showing solid moves amid the Crimean crisis."
"A sort of test, then. Of course, if you want to run a secret project with us, you have to pass the test. Now I understand what you're thinking."
George's expression brightened.
His mood shifted instantly when I mentioned the hidden project.