199 Tues. Now, shall we turn off that bright light?
“Chris, if you’re the president of Bardock, is that Robert Bardock of the Bardock Corporation I know?”
-yes.
Wow, what a chance to meet so naturally.
“When is the invitation date?”
– It’s this Friday. I was invited to dinner.
There are three days left.
“Chris, I’m going with you. I’ll change my departure schedule right away. Are you okay?”
-sure. Edward is also facing the Dark Star.
Okay, there’s no problem with joining together.
“You don’t know why Mr. Bardock invited you? It’s probably not the kind of gentleman you’d invite just for a meal or dinner.”
-I do not know. The nuance was the feeling of wanting to be treated like an Australian…
It can’t be.
According to Henry’s evaluation, he is a person who only works for his own benefit.
Perhaps the reason is more likely to come out of the dinner table.
“I’ll leave tomorrow morning, see you in LA.”
So, after making an appointment, I hung up the phone.
‘Robert Bardock’s invitation…’
Considering the honor of the Triple Crown, there is nothing strange about it.
It was such a prestigious competition and it was a very honorable result.
It’s an honor for Australians who love horse racing to have dinner together.
Yes, assuming you are a horse racing enthusiast.
Henry said that Robert Bardock had no hobbies other than business.
He told me that he doesn’t like gamble like Gary Parker does, and that even money isn’t of much value to him.
-He’s a perfectionist. Would you say that you are possessive because you want to control everything? If I had to ask for a hobby, I would say the number of entrepreneurs.
In particular, he says he enjoys controlling the press by acquiring the press and broadcasting companies.
The act of electing a politician close to him through the media and defeating a hostile politician also stemmed from such a bad hobby.
It could be said that he enjoyed controlling the movements of a country by extending his influence to the political world.
‘You’ll know what kind of person he is.’
If you make a hasty judgment before you experience it yourself, you will only have some preconceived notions.
***
Los Angeles Beverly Hills.
It is a wealthy village located in the southwestern part of California, USA, and it is famous enough that few people do not know.
Because Hollywood is nearby, famous actors and businessmen build and live in luxurious mansions there.
That’s why the mansion of media tycoon Robert Bardock was also there.
‘Hey, it’s symbolic.’
It is said that the place where you immigrated to the United States and established your foundation is the front yard of Hollywood, the flower of American media.
It is also said to be the most expensive mansion in Beverly Hills, or in all of America.
175 billion Korean Won or something.
“Come in.”
After getting out of the car, Chris took the lead and Madduck Hunt followed.
I glanced up at the mansion before entering.
The overall exterior looks like an American embassy.
It seems to be because of the clock hanging in the center of the building and the American flag hanging on the eaves above it.
When you immigrated, did you put the American flag on the nail to make people say you are now American?
Because we are the same immigrants, I couldn’t just ignore it and kept seeing it.
And while I was looking, I glanced over the entire building with clairvoyance.
“The president is waiting for you.”
An old man who seemed to be the butler came up to me and spoke to me.
I nodded and moved on.
‘Wow, is it the Palace of Versailles?’
I’ve never actually seen the Palace of Versailles, but I wonder if it’s like this.
A central hall, a staircase that splits on both sides, and a chandelier hanging from the high ceiling.
In addition, numerous statues and works of art were displayed throughout.
‘It’s not like I don’t have a water bath.’
Showing off is no joke.
Unless you are a wealthy person, you will be overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
“Does the president like art?”
“No. The artworks here were collected by my great wife.”
Hmm, is it the hostess’ responsibility to decorate the house?
Besides, if there is a big wife, there is also a small wife.
Does the female color light up?
“I think.”
The butler opened the door by hand and made a gesture to politely enter inside.
I thought that this is why I have a butler because even simple movements give off the feeling of being treated.
‘Wow, is this a parlor?’
A long table in a spacious space of 100 pyeong.
This is the dining table I saw in a movie set in the Middle Ages.
“Come here.”
The old man who was sitting at the top got up from his seat and approached him.
A neat hairstyle with a thin body and half-white hair.
Even on the outside, I thought that he was a sharp and sensitive person.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Bardock. My name is Chris Inham.”
“It’s an honor to meet the protagonists of the Australian horse racing world and become myself. Thank you for accepting the invitation.”
After shaking hands with Chris, Robert Bardock reached out to Madduck Hunt.
“Nice to meet you, are you Madduk Hunt? I’m going to touch the precious hands of the instructor who nurtured the Three Crowned Horses.”
“No, Darkstar is due to the dedication of John, an Australian teaching assistant. I just took his place on an American expedition.”
“Aren’t you the one who did the triple crown instead or whatever. So there’s nothing to be humble about.”
He patted Madduck Hunt on the back of his hand and walked over to me.
“An unexpected person came to my house. How is Henry?”
You already knew about me.
“I’m doing well. He asked Mr. Bardock to say hello.”
“Heh heh, I don’t think he can do that, but let him know that he received his regards well.”
Robert Bardock shook hands with me and took a seat at the top.
After Chris and Madduck sat down together and I sat on the other side, a rather uncomfortable meal began.
“I heard Chris, you’re the heir to Inham, are you taking business classes?”
“I’m still concentrating on horse racing, so I haven’t started properly. As soon as I get back to Australia, I plan to build an inham stallion and take management classes.”
“Hmm, if you start a business that has failed once, you’ll be recognized by everyone as a successor. A young man is smart, yes.”
“It’s overrated.”
“But if you build a stallion, are you thinking of retiring Darkstar?”
Madduk Hunt stepped forward to answer that question.
“Dark Star has turned 4 this year. It’s just the beginning, so it’s too early to retire.”
“Now is the start? Did you achieve the Triple Crown?”
“Do you know why there are so many horse racers looking at the derby out of so many caravan races?”
At Madduck’s question, Robert shook his head.
“I don’t know. I don’t know much about horse racing.”
It seems that today’s seat was not invited to celebrate the Triple Crown.
No one, no matter how Australian, doesn’t know much about horse racing, and immigrants who live with American flags at home don’t seem to be for the sake of simple meals.
“Derby is a competition to select the best racehorse among the three-year-old horses. In other words, it is a stage where the protagonists who will lead the next generation of horse racing are selected.”
“Is it like some kind of rookie of the year?”
“Yes. So, the heyday of the Dark Star is from now on.”
Robert nodded and asked again.
“What do you think the Dark Star’s goal is?”
This time Chris answered.
“First, I plan to win the Breeders Cup Classic, an American grand prize race, and achieve the Grand Slam for the first time.”
“Heh heh, there’s something bigger than the Triple Crown. And?”
“I’m going to go back to Australia and win the Melbourne Cup. If that happens, Darkstar will be able to win the Eclipse award, proof that he’s the best horse in the world this year.”
“and?”
“The last goal is to break the record of three consecutive wins by Meccabi Diva, who has won the most Melbourne Cup.”
“That’s great. Yes, you should aim high. I pay tribute to your aspirations.”
After a brief applause, Robert Bardock continued.
“However, how much do you think the value of the Dark Star will be when it gets there?”
“Yes?”
“The value of a horse that has won the most Grand Slam and Melbourne Cup titles.”
“……”
something is tough
Chris felt it too and shut his mouth.
I urged Maddock to learn the true meaning of Robert Bardock.
“Maduck knows better than Chris, right?”
“Um? Uh… it is, but…”
“Then tell me. You’re waiting.”
Madduk loosened the tie by tying it with his right hand as if the situation was stuffy.
“Uncle, tell me.”
Chris nodded his head in permission, and Madduk reluctantly opened his mouth.
“I think the Darkstar will be worth at least $200 million when he retires. But I’m only basing this on the Darkstar’s career. Considering that the value of a stallion is determined by the performance of its cubs, I think. It is difficult to set an exact amount.”
“200 million dollars… Then how much is the most expensive racehorse in history?”
Chris and Madduk’s expressions hardened at the constant talk about money.
I spoke on their behalf.
“British Northern Dancer had the highest price of $700 million.”
This is exactly what John told me before.
At that time, I heard about 800 billion won and accepted Darkstar’s share contract.
“700 million dollars a horse, that’s great.”
Robert Bardock put down his fork and knife and wiped the area around his mouth with a napkin.
Then he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket.
The old butler brought a silver tray and held it out, and the paper was placed on it.
with a fountain pen.
‘A blank check?’
it was this
Today’s seat was created to purchase Dark Star.
For that, I asked the value, and a blank check came out without negotiation.
In other words, spend as much as you want, whether it’s $7 billion or $70 billion.
“You don’t seem to be interested in horse racing, so why are you doing this?”
He answered Chris’ question after taking a sip of wine.
“I need a Dark Star. It’s very important to me.”
“It’s not for the horse, it’s for Mr. Bardock.”
“……?”
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear the offer.”
“Hmm, Gero isn’t a money-driven friend. So, how about this?”
strong
Where did you see this scene?
“What do you think will happen if Dark Star’s doping allegations are raised in the media?”
“……!”
“Or the suspicion of tax evasion by the grandfather or the suspicion of hygiene management of Inham?”
Henry is removed from the picture.
That time when they pressured me in the VVIP room at The Stars Casino.
If there is a difference, should it be said that it is more real?
Perhaps it is because he is the head of the Bardock Corporation, which is synonymous with the yellow press.
“What are you doing now?”
I can see my old self in Chris.
very frightened…
‘I was like that.’
Take a step back and see what you see.
When you touch something precious, your eyes turn and your field of vision narrows.
‘And imagine yourself as you please.’
At that time, Henry used such a method of speaking.
While using the interrogative form, it gives off the nuance that I could be like this or that.
‘It’s not a big deal if you think about it a little.’
Doping allegations?
Will the American Horse Racing Association stand still if I raise it?
It’s been 33 years since the trio came out.
What if, after the investigation, it turns out that the allegations are not true?
Horse racing is a popular sport in the United States and takes great pride in being one of the best in the world.
I don’t know, but the damage to Bardock Corporation will be huge.
Attack on Bobby and Inham?
Isn’t there a P&B group?
They are the ones who fought with the Bardock Corporation for decades.
If it’s just a suspicion, it won’t benefit Robert Bardock if he was hit by a counterattack.
‘But Chris wouldn’t be in the mood to think about that.’
An exclamation point is forced, but a question mark makes you bend.
This is a pretty big difference.
And the more influential people like Robert Bardock use it, the more it shines.
‘Now, let’s turn off that bright light.’