Chapter 157 ·Thank you for the offer, but...

Thank ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍you for the offer, but...

【Taeshin Trading appoints Jung Min-seop as new CEO. Full restructuring of the board of directors implemented!】

【Management dissolved, a fresh start: Taeshin Group launches under the Jung Min-seop regime!】

【Executive Director Jung Min-seop promoted to CEO of Taeshin Group Holding Company... Full-fledged organizational renewal begins!】

【AMK Partners to collaborate with Taeshin Group as an investment destination! Has decided not to intervene in management... In response, Taeshin Trading declares total overhaul! A new board formed with new CEO Jung Min-seop!】

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Over the course of about forty-five days, Taeshin Trading held three temporary shareholders' meetings. In the end, with the shares secured by AMK Partners, the proposals passed swiftly.

In that situation, In-hyuk visited the office of the CEO of Taeshin Trading at the summons of the newly appointed CEO, Jung Min-seop.

"So, Chairman, you're here too."

He spoke upon noticing Tae Gun-seung sitting on the sofa.

"I've stepped down completely from my position, so there's no need for such formality. Just call me comfortably."

"... Then, what should I call you?"

"Hm! Isn't 'grandfather' better?"

"Alright, then."

With that reply, In-hyuk sat on the sofa opposite Tae Gun-seung.

Jung Min-seop, sitting at the seat of honor in the center, wore an awkward expression as he spoke.

"The reason I've called Division Director Kang here is because of what we'll be dealing with going forward."

At that, In-hyuk scratched his chin with a finger.

"What's the matter you wish to discuss?"

"Even though we've replaced the management and the board, their influence hasn't disappeared completely. In time, they'll try to seize power in one way or another."

Everyone present had made their way up the ladder under the guise of various business schemes back when Tae Gun-seung was head of the conglomerate.

Naturally, with management rights now completely transferred to AMK Partners due to the new shareholding, they couldn't wield power for now, but with time, they might seek another chance.

"You're wondering if I have information to keep the board in check, rather than just the former management."

Apparently the right answer; Jung Min-seop nodded slowly.

"That's right. I thought, since you were the one who shook up the group through the TF division before, you might have some insights stored."

Back then, even Taeshin Group affiliate executives and even Tae Seok-hyun, then CEO of Taeshin Electronics, were ousted.

"The crucial details from that time were all reported to the former chairman."

Tae Gun-seung spoke up this time.

"There was a lot I failed to grasp back then. Perhaps what was reported to me wasn't everything."

"Aren't you just hoping that's the case?"

Because it was a significant matter, Jung Min-seop had even called in the ailing Tae Gun-seung for this meeting.

"You're not denying it."

At Tae Gun-seung's mutter, In-hyuk let out a slight sigh.

"I half-expected you'd summon me like this."

In-hyuk took a USB drive from his inside pocket and handed it to Jung Min-seop.

"... So you really had it?"

"It's audit material on executives and previous board members who weren't filtered out during the personnel reform."

Across from him, Tae Gun-seung looked a bit troubled.

"So you've had it all along. But why didn't you tell me?"

During the organization reform, In-hyuk had culled corruption in the group so thoroughly that no one could easily track down the perpetrators.

But since this particular matter hadn't been brought up at the time, Tae Gun-seung found it odd.

"Even if I had reported it, you would have let things be."

"I would, really? Why do you think that?"

"The executives and board members pending audit were in charge of major projects at the time. Even if rotten, they were keeping business running smoothly, surprisingly so. Of course, I can't say they were totally clean."

Tae Gun-seung and Jung Min-seop looked at In-hyuk with a sense of wonder.

Meeting their eyes, In-hyuk tilted his head.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Tae Gun-seung responded.

"I didn't know you could analyze things so thoroughly. During personnel reform, you were like a bulldozer."

Jung Min-seop cut in beside him.

"Division Director Kang was known as the Grim Reaper. And the bulldozer was you, Chairman."

"Me?"

"Didn't you know everyone in the company called you that?"

"Oh, is that so? Now that I'm not chairman, you're speaking so freely?"

The atmosphere between the two had clearly become more relaxed.

In-hyuk carefully interjected.

"It would be better to use the data in the USB right away rather than sitting on it."

"Use, huh?"

"With a foreign company having acquired over thirty percent of Mulsan's shares, our external image isn't good. The stock price has also dropped significantly. If these contents burst out while trying to recover, the losses will be even greater."

"You mean, 'a small fissure becomes a great chasm'."

A small gap can eventually lead to a huge crack.

"What kind of card you hold matters, but when you use it is even more important. As CEO, you'll know once you look at the contents."

"And if I don't act as you recommend, we'll get burned?"

"It wouldn't be beyond saving. But whether it's now or later—I'm just speculating on the potential damage at either time."

Jung Min-seop and Tae Gun-seung both expressed admiration again.

After clearing his throat, Jung Min-seop spoke gravely.

"Hm! So, about that... Division Director Kang, how about joining the head office as an executive and working alongside me? I'd be even happier if you'd also take on the board together."

From affiliate division director to head office executive.

It was nothing short of an extraordinary offer.

Given what In-hyuk had accomplished in a short stint as TF division director, it wasn't surprising he'd receive such an offer.

Even Tae Gun-seung, sitting nearby, had thought about it when he was chairman.

So he quietly watched, thinking Jung Min-seop's offer only natural.

"I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I can accept."

Both men looked surprised.

"Why not?"

"You know the reason well, CEO. As does Grandfather."

"Well, that's..."

"Hm..."

Their words faded.

Everyone knew.

With it revealed that In-hyuk was the illegitimate child of KQ Group Chairman Kang Cheon-gyu, should he rise to an executive at the head office, it would likely stir up misunderstanding.

"So, I intend to leave Taeshin altogether."

This time, Jung Min-seop stared at In-hyuk in surprise.

"Did you get an offer from somewhere else? Or...?"

Again, he trailed off.

Of course, In-hyuk fully understood what he was implying.

"If you mean KQ Group or AMK Partners, no—I haven't."

"Then what are you planning?"

Tae Gun-seung too had naturally assumed In-hyuk would go to one of those two.

But at In-hyuk's resolute answer, he followed Jung Min-seop's question.

"Don't tell me you're thinking of starting your own company?"

In-hyuk gave a slight smile.

"That's right."

"Why go to such lengths? AMK Partners surely recognizes your abilities and would take you, and at KQ Group, Chairman Kang Cheon-gyu would fall over himself to offer you the successor's seat."

It wasn't wrong.

"As I said before, I have no intention of joining KQ Group. At the same time, I'm not interested in just being handed a ready-made platform at AMK Partners."

"Ha... Is that how you'd describe their business infrastructure?"

"I couldn't think of a better analogy."

Tae Gun-seung and Jung Min-seop each looked troubled.

Then Jung Min-seop spoke carefully.

"Are you planning to base your venture on what you did at Taeshin Asset Management?"

"I'm thinking of combining investment and management consulting."

"Consulting? Like what you did in the TF division?"

"Exactly."

Jung Min-seop looked at In-hyuk with lingering regret.

"Well, what do you say to accepting investment from Taeshin Group and moving forward together? I doubt even AMK Partners would raise an issue with that."

"But then nothing would change. I want to build my foundation on my own capability."

Tae Gun-seung, after a moment of silence in the wake of In-hyuk's firm answer, asked,

"Have you discussed this with Ju-ha?"

"Not yet. I'm waiting to tell her as soon as she gets home."

"Then perhaps... No, that's not for me to meddle in."

He stopped himself mid-sentence.

But of course, In-hyuk knew what he was going to say.

'He must be worrying about divorce.'

It had come up in passing before. If it did come to pass, In-hyuk would be severed entirely from Taeshin's umbrella.

However, right now, In-hyuk wasn't particularly considering divorce.

In the tasks he had left to do going forward, being a married man wasn't necessarily a bad condition.

'At least no one would try to push another woman on me, and if anyone tried to approach, I'd have a perfect excuse to refuse.'

In his previous life, businesspeople who valued In-hyuk's abilities had tried to introduce daughters or female relatives to tie him down.

It was such a persistent issue during his quest for revenge that this situation actually felt much easier.

"Well, if that's all, I'll take my leave. There's still a lot for me to wrap up."

Jung Min-seop and Tae Gun-seung realized that it would be hard to keep In-hyuk.

"Take care getting home."

"We'll meet again soon."

After saying goodbye, In-hyuk left the office.

Once the door closed, Jung Min-seop let out a sigh and looked at Tae Gun-seung.

"Division Director Kang always seems to strike the heart of the matter when you least expect it."

Tae Gun-seung, too, let out a sigh, signaling agreement with Jung Min-seop's words.

"He's made plenty of moves we never expected."

"If I may, I think Division Director Kang has a closer connection with AMK Partners than we thought."

"... On what grounds?"

So far, Kang In-hyuk had only handled superficial business at the request of AMK Partners.

In that process, Kang In-hyuk simply took charge of M&A operations and detailed tasks related to investment prospects.

"It felt like he knew I'd been offered the CEO position by Gordon Grimes of AMK Partners."

At the same time, Tae Gun-seung's eyes widened sharply.

"Are you sure?"

"He didn't say it outright. But after the last temporary shareholders' meeting ended in defeat, he threw out a remark about 'decisions.' It seemed he already knew what the outcome would be, same as the offer I received."

"So you're saying... Kang knew all that, to the extent that he's that close with AMK Partners."

"That's my guess. Of course, even if he does know, it changes nothing."

As Kang In-hyuk had already said he was quitting Taeshin Asset Management.

"What do you think of Kang's abilities?"

"If we evaluate objectively, they're by no means low. In all situations, he's cool-headed and decisive. If you look at Velbyte Technology and other project cases, he has quite the eye for investment as well."

"So it's been about a year and a half since he started acting like a changed man."

Jung Min-seop nodded.

"I find that strange too. He used to be an average employee with decent ability, but now he's a real focal point."

"It's not bad for our Ju-ha, but in some ways, it's worrisome."

"Afraid someone else might poach Division Director Kang?"

"You never know."

Saying so, Tae Gun-seung wet his throat with the lukewarm tea in front of him.

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