Chapter 45. Trish O'Connor (2)

Sean continued speaking.

"To be honest, I'm currently raising investment. I've been looking around to secure the investment, and there's one investment firm that's showing interest."

"How much are they willing to invest?"

"They say they're willing to invest 100,000 dollars, but I'm not sure if it will go through. I plan to meet them and discuss it."

"What are the terms?"

"15 percent equity."

Is that why you came back to New York for a while?

Come to think of it, I remember seeing an article about the company he invested in, O'Connor Burger, which had a huge success after its IPO.

This is because the company he's currently working on is directly connected to O'Connor Burger. Although the app failed, the food truck did well, and the investors even added more money.

I didn't plan to invest in a hamburger shop, but this changes things. O'Connor Burger is worth investing in.

It might also allow us to bring it to Korea sooner than expected.

I quickly said,

"I'll invest."

"Excuse me?"

"I don't need to meet with the investors and make a fuss. I'll invest the 100,000 dollars myself."

Sean's eyes widened in surprise at my words.

"Really? What are the terms?"

"The same. 15 percent equity in the company."

He was delighted.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

Trish, surprised, asked,

"Why are you willing to invest?"

"I don't know about other things, but I fell in love with the taste of this hamburger. If someone who can make such a hamburger is running a business, I can trust it."

She said, looking incredulous,

"Can you really decide to invest so casually?"

If you know the future, you can.

I took out a check on the spot, wrote the amount, signed it, and handed it to Sean.

"I'll send you the contract via email later. Please sign and send it back when you receive it."

Sean, holding the 100,000 dollar check, was overjoyed.

"Oh! Thank you. I feel really lucky today."

To him, it might feel like a sudden stroke of luck?

Actually, I'm the lucky one. Who would have thought I'd meet the founder of O'Connor Burger in a bar I followed a stranger to?

We clinked our beer glasses together.

The atmosphere already feels like we've succeeded. Sean was filled with dreams of success, and I felt the same.

How much have we had to drink?

As the alcohol started to kick in, Trish said,

"Let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"I'll take you to a good place."

"What's a good place?"

"You'll see if you follow me."

We left the pub and walked through the night streets. The sea breeze was quite chilly. It felt much colder than in Korea.

She led me to the rooftop of a dilapidated building.

From there, we could see the Statue of Liberty and the Upper Bay in the distance.

She leaned against the railing, took out her camera, and took a photo.

"This is my favorite place. Isn't it amazing that if you follow this sea, you'll reach Europe?"

New York is practically the gateway from Europe to America. Ships and planes are probably still crossing the Atlantic and arriving here.

"Our ancestors set foot in America through this place. America is a land of opportunity. It was true in the past and remains true today."

Compared to the past, the door of opportunity has become narrower for success.

However, if you look for it, there are plenty of opportunities. It's just a matter of who can see them, who can't, who can seize them, and who can't.

I smiled, looking at the Statue of Liberty.

"I'm glad I came to America."

Trish extended her hand to me.

"I'll be watching how far Continu Capital will grow."

I shook her hand.

"Thank you."

* * *

Shark Management.

Founded ten years ago by Michael Preston, the eldest son of the Preston family, one of America's financial tycoons. Thanks to the family's support and Michael's skills, Shark Management rapidly grew and now stands shoulder to shoulder with the prestigious private equity funds on Wall Street.

Now, they have expanded their investment areas not only in the U.S. and Europe but also in Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan.

The problem is, while there is an abundance of investment funds, there is a lack of people to manage them.

'They're all just fools.'

In the financial market, one genius can easily do the work of ten thousand people. He needed capable people.

'And they need to be loyal.'

Successful investors often start their own companies. Michael didn't want his employees to leave after learning from him.

In this regard, David Lockhart was the perfect candidate.

He had excellent investment skills and a conservative personality. When others jumped ship from the sinking Victory Investments, he stayed and tried to salvage it.

As a result, he was branded a failure, but he remained loyal.

'Someone like him can be trusted and relied upon.'

When he heard about the bankruptcy of Victory Investments, Michael instinctively saw it as a good opportunity. However, instead of hiring him immediately, he used his connections to have articles written that highlighted David Lockhart's mistakes.

The company's failure was not his fault but due to incompetent management.

Michael spread this rumor to corner him.

Sure enough, he was branded a failure in the market and had nowhere to go. He had a sick daughter, and the medical bills piled up, leaving him in debt.

'Now, I'll offer him a lifeline when he's at his lowest.'

David would have no choice but to grab the hand I extend and be completely loyal to me.

"It's time."

Michael sent an email to David, inviting him for an interview, and as expected, David agreed to come immediately.

On the day of the interview.

Michael entered the office in a high-rise building in the heart of Wall Street and skimmed through the resumes of the applicants. Each resume was impressive, but the name he wanted was missing.

"Where is David Lockhart's resume?"

His secretary answered,

"He called yesterday to say he couldn't make it to the interview."

Michael Preston was taken aback.

"Why?"

"He said he found a new job."

"What?"

After dismissing the secretary, he shouted,

"Damn it!"

He had wasted time and risked losing a valuable talent.

There weren't many companies willing to hire a failed investor, and it wouldn't have been easy to meet his demands.

'Who could have hired him?'

Michael highly valued David Lockhart's investment skills. He had to bring him on board by any means necessary.

After a moment's thought, Michael picked up the phone.

* * *

David Lockhart went to the hospital to visit his daughter and pay the overdue medical bills. He then settled the accumulated utility bills and contacted his friends to repay the loans and express his gratitude.

After taking care of these matters over the weekend, he headed to the meeting place.

'Was this really the right decision?'

Thinking about the Asian man he met yesterday, he felt worried. Could he really trust and follow him? But at the same time, he was curious.

It felt like stepping into an unknown world.

'If I hadn't signed the contract yesterday, I would be interviewing at Shark Management right now.'

As he thought this, his phone rang with an unknown number.

"Hello."

[Is this David Lockhart?]

"Yes."

[Hello, this is Michael Preston.]

'Michael Preston... the CEO of Shark Management?'

David was surprised but remained calm.

"Hello."

[You were supposed to have an interview today, but you didn't show up, so I'm calling to check.]

"Ah! I sent an email yesterday saying I couldn't make it. Did you not see it?"

[I saw the email. Could you tell me why you couldn't make the interview?]

"I got a new job."

[Is it a larger company than Shark Management?]

David didn't understand why he was asking but answered,

"No, it's not."

After a moment, Michael's voice came through.

[I really want you to join our company. I don't know the terms of your current contract, but I'll offer you more. I'll also cover any breach of contract fees.]

"..."

It was an incredibly generous offer. For Michael Preston to make such a proposal directly!

Fortunately, he hadn't signed a contract with Continu Capital yet. Could he just return the 1 million dollars?

[I highly value your skills.]

"Really?"

[Yes. If you join Shark Management, I'll provide you with all the support you need to achieve your dreams.]

It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Shark Management was a renowned private equity fund on Wall Street, managing assets many times larger than Victory Investments. Moreover, it had the backing of the Preston Group.

It was incomparable to the investment company set up by the unknown Asian man a few days ago.

If he had to choose between the two, he would choose Shark Management without hesitation.

But...

David calmly said,

"Thank you for the offer, but I must decline."

It was not a matter of choice.

The young Korean man had trusted him and given him 1 million dollars without a contract. Whether a contract was signed or not, the moment he received the money, the deal was sealed.

It was impossible to break the contract just because a better opportunity came along.

Michael said regretfully,

[I understand. If you change your mind, please don't hesitate to contact me.]

The call ended.

David stood there for a moment, smiling wryly.

'Who would have thought I'd turn down Michael Preston's offer?'

He might regret this decision for the rest of his life, but he had no choice.

He headed to the meeting place.

* * *

After waking up in a cheap hotel, I went to the café where I met David yesterday. While drinking an iced Americano to calm my nerves, David walked in.

"I'm glad you made it."

He asked jokingly,

"Were you worried?"

"Of course."

Of course, it was a joke.

If I hadn't trusted him, I wouldn't have given him 1 million dollars in the first place.

"Actually, I had an interview with Shark Management today. I told them I couldn't make it, but the CEO called me on my way here."

I was surprised.

"Michael Preston?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

"He said he wanted to hire me."

If the CEO called him directly, it meant he had intended to hire him from the beginning, regardless of the interview.

"You did the right thing."

"What do you mean?"

"You turned him down."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because you're here. If you had accepted, you would have rushed to Shark Management."

David nodded.

"Yes, I turned him down."

I'm glad I came to America quickly. If I had been a day late, it would have been a disaster.

Clap, clap, clap!

I clapped lightly.

"Congratulations."

"For what?"

"For making the best decision of your life. In ten years, you'll probably think, 'Oh! I'm so glad I turned down Michael Preston's offer.'"