Chapter 105: Consider It a Pleasant Bonus

I had a bad feeling.

The FBI, the Gomez family, and the U.S. military had launched their joint operation to wipe out the Triad's American branch at midnight. Nearly five hours had passed since then, and by now the overall outcome of the operation should have become clear.

Yet the phone lying on the table remained fast asleep.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one feeling uneasy. Chairman Yoon Jongu asked with obvious concern,

"Director Cha, shouldn't we call Director Nevers and find out what's happening?"

"I'd like to as well, but if the operation is still underway, we'd only get in the way."

"But it's already been five hours."

"The Triad and the street gangs are heavily armed. The authorities may have encountered unexpected resistance."

"Hmm... That makes sense."

Bzzz!

At last, the phone that had been sleeping peacefully came to life and began vibrating.

I instantly checked the caller ID.

Fortunately, it was Director Nevers.

After signaling to Park Yeongil and the others that it was him, I answered immediately.

"Director Nevers, how did the operation go?"

"[Sigh...]"

A heavy, exhausted sigh came through the receiver, making my heart sink.

"Did something go wrong? Don't tell me the operation failed."

"[The operation itself went perfectly. It was a complete success. Unfortunately, we failed to capture the key target—Triad Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui—alive.]"

"Damn... How did you let him get away?"

"[We've confirmed that he left the hotel exactly five minutes before the assault began.]"

"Could he have simply checked out and gone back to China?"

"[Impossible. The surveillance footage clearly shows him fleeing in a panic after abandoning all of his personal belongings.]"

So someone had warned Chen Zhihui, allowing him to escape the hotel just in time.

I cautiously shared that conclusion with Director Nevers, wanting to hear his opinion.

"[That's exactly what we at the FBI believe, Director Cha.]"

"Do you think you'll catch him?"

"[We've committed every available resource to the search, but we still have no idea where he's hiding. Director Cha, who do you think leaked the information?]"

In a situation like this, I needed to prepare the ground carefully and protect my own position.

"Please keep in mind that my assumptions could be wrong."

"[I understand. Tell me what you really think.]"

"Before I share my opinion, I'd like to hear yours first, Director."

"[I believe the leak came from within the Gomez family.]"

"I'm sorry, but the Gomez family has nothing to do with this."

"[And what makes you so certain?]" Impatience was unmistakable in Director Nevers' voice.

"Not even the FBI knew Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui's personal cell phone number. So how could someone from the Gomez family possibly have obtained it?"

"[What if someone from the Gomez family secretly worked with Golden Health's senior management?]"

Chairman Gomez wanted nothing more than to acquire Golden Health as quickly as possible. For him, the operation was of the highest importance, and he had committed everything to it.

The idea that he would secretly cooperate with the executives of the very company he intended to acquire made no sense.

Still, to eliminate every last doubt, I asked Director Nevers one important question.

"Before I answer, I'd like to confirm something. Did any of Golden Health's senior executives escape arrest?"

"[We arrested every single one of them. Not a single rat escaped.]"

That was extremely fortunate.

If even one executive had escaped, suspicion would have fallen on the Gomez family without fail.

"Then let's think about this logically. Suppose I'm one of Golden Health's executives, and someone from the Gomez family secretly warns me that a raid is coming. Would I calmly stay where I was and wait to be arrested instead of running?"

"[......]"

Director Nevers had no response, and silence filled the line.

"Most likely, Chen Zhihui received his warning from an entirely different source."

"[And who do you think that source was?]"

This was the critical moment.

Everything depended on the answer I gave.

"Three parties participated in the operation: the FBI, the military, and the Gomez family. We've already established that the Gomez family isn't responsible."

"[Are you suggesting the military?]"

"That's unlikely. They were responsible for eliminating the Triad's ordinary members and the street gangs. They had no access to the organization's upper leadership."

"[Then are you implying it was the FBI? I'd like to hear some convincing reasoning.]"

"The FBI was responsible for raiding the drug manufacturing and distribution facilities. Besides, it's unrealistic to claim that every single FBI employee is completely incorruptible."

"[...I see.]"

Director Nevers' voice noticeably cooled.

I had touched upon a very sensitive and embarrassing subject for the FBI, so his displeasure was perfectly understandable.

However, it wasn't in my interests to damage our relationship beyond repair.

"Director, do you know what a complimentary bonus is when you buy a product?"

"[Of course.]"

"The FBI's primary objective was the destruction of the Triad's American branch and the elimination of its drug trafficking network. Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui was merely an additional objective, albeit an important one."

"[So you're saying Chen Zhihui was just a bonus?]"

"Exactly. When you buy something, it's nice to receive a free gift. But even if you don't get it, the purchase itself doesn't lose its value. Why not simply appreciate the fact that the enemy's entire network has been wiped out?"

"[Haha! All right, you've convinced me.]"

Director Nevers' wounded pride finally recovered, and his voice became friendly again.

Relieved, I continued.

"Chen Zhihui is nothing more than a cornered rat now. Capturing him is only a matter of time."

"[That's certainly true. He can't hide forever.]"

After exchanging a few more routine remarks, we ended the call.

Chairman Yoon Jongu, who had clearly been waiting for that moment, immediately bombarded me with questions.

"Director Cha, stop keeping us in suspense! Tell us what happened!"

"The Triad's American branch and all of its affiliated drug gangs have been completely eliminated..."

I recounted my conversation with the FBI Director without leaving anything out.

"...It seems Director Nevers delayed calling because he spent every last minute trying to capture the Vice Chairman."

"I see. But do you really think the informant was an FBI agent?"

At that moment, Park Yeongil spoke in a firm voice.

"Chairman Yoon, let's not waste our energy worrying about someone else's internal problems."

"Since when did something like this become a minor issue?"

"Then tell me this. How does capturing Chen Zhihui right now directly affect our business?"

"Ahem!... Well, when you put it that way, I suppose I have no answer."

"It's getting late. We should all head home."

Instead of replying, Chairman Yoon Jongu looked at me expectantly.

Immediately understanding what he wanted, I explained,

"The news about the destruction of the Triad's American branch won't appear online just yet."

"Why not?"

"They want to capture the fugitive Vice Chairman first."

"Ah..."

Chairman Yoon Jongu nodded in understanding.

***

Bzzz...

After returning home, I was happily playing with my wild cat Saho when the phone on my bed vibrated.

Picking it up, I saw that Chairman Gomez was calling.

"I'm listening, Chairman Gomez."

"[Director Cha, thank you very much for helping clear our name.]"

"No need to thank me. By the way, were they able to capture Chen Zhihui?"

"[They still haven't found the slightest trace of him.]"

"Where could he be hiding?"

"[There's a high probability that he's hiding somewhere in San Francisco's Chinatown.]"

"So they'll find him soon?"

"[There are around fifty thousand Chinese residents living there. It won't be easy.]"

"Yes, that's certainly not a simple task."

"[I'd like to release the news about the Triad's destruction to the media immediately. What do you think, Director Cha?]"

If the destruction of the Triad's branch and drug organizations became public now, the chances of capturing Chen Zhihui would fall to virtually zero.

Chairman Gomez understood that perfectly well, yet he was still willing to take that risk.

"But wouldn't that make capturing the fugitive much more difficult?"

"[To catch him there, we'd have to completely seal off San Francisco's Chinatown and search every corner. That would take at least a month.]"

We had opened our short positions against Golden Health the previous evening.

If the media blackout continued until Chen Zhihui was arrested, our potential investment profits could be significantly reduced.

That was precisely why Chairman Gomez wanted the news released early.

"I understand your reasoning, Chairman, but I doubt Director Nevers will agree."

"[Don't worry about that. Chairman Bongard and I will handle Director Nevers ourselves.]"

"In that case, for the sake of preserving Director Nevers' dignity, how about waiting twenty-four hours before releasing the news?"

"[That's a perfectly reasonable compromise. We'll talk again later.]"

Click.

I tossed the phone onto the bed and quietly muttered to myself,

"Ah, whatever. What's done is done."

***

Exactly twenty-four hours later.

Every major American news outlet simultaneously broke the story that President Douglas' administration, together with the FBI and the military, had completely eliminated the Triad's American branch and its affiliated drug organizations.

Subsequent analytical reports placed particular emphasis on the fact that Golden Health had effectively been controlled by the Triad, while reminding readers that the Triad was a Chinese criminal syndicate.

Naturally, this coordinated media offensive amounted to a direct strike against China.

As a result, the comment sections beneath virtually every article were flooded with anti-China sentiment.

On Monday morning, Chairman Yoon Jongu summoned me to discuss the destruction of the Triad.

"Why did they release the news only twenty-four hours after the operation ended?"

"Chairman Gomez believed Chen Zhihui was hiding in San Francisco's Chinatown and that capturing him could take far too long."

"That makes sense. But tell me, wasn't Chairman Gomez upset about the situation?"

The Gomez family had directly participated in arresting Golden Health's senior executives, yet the official media reports credited only the FBI.

That was the delicate issue Chairman Yoon Jongu was referring to.

"Chairman Gomez's primary objective was acquiring Golden Health. Details like that didn't concern him."

"Excellent. Then why hasn't the press mentioned Governor Brant yet?"

"Director Nevers indicated that they're saving that information for the most critical moment."

"Hmm, I see. Now let's get to the important question. How far do you expect Golden Health's stock to fall?"

"Considering that every major news outlet is now reporting the company's ties to the Chinese mafia, we'll easily exceed our target return."

"Hahaha!"

Chairman Yoon Jongu burst into hearty laughter, clearly delighted by what he had heard.

Naturally, Song Dosok and I couldn't help smiling as well.

After a few moments, the Chairman stopped laughing and continued.

"Specialist Cha, how do you think we should divide the profits?"

I had absolutely no desire to refuse the offer.

After all, without me, Hangang Group would never have been able to short Golden Health's stock in the first place.

"I think thirty percent of the net profit, just like last time, would be appropriate."

"Done. Song Dosok, inform Chairmen Bongard and Gomez of Specialist Cha's decision."

Knock. Knock. Knock.

At that moment, someone knocked, and the office door opened.

Park Yeongil and Kang Inhan entered.

Song Dosok and I immediately rose to greet them, while Chairman Yoon Jongu grumbled irritably,

"What's wrong with you? Couldn't you stay asleep on a Monday morning? Why are you here?"

"You already know the answer, so why bother asking?" Park Yeongil muttered before taking a seat and immediately turning toward me.

"What made those American reporters release the news so quickly?"

Before I could answer, however, the phone in my pocket chimed, signaling a new message.

Glancing at the screen, I saw it was from Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

[Where are you right now?]

[In Chairman Yoon Jongu's office.]

[I'm heading to Hangang Group headquarters immediately. Please wait for me.]

[If you don't mind me asking, what's the purpose of the meeting?]

[This isn't something we should discuss over the phone. We'll talk in person.]

[Understood. I'll wait.]

The moment I put my phone back on the table, Chairman Yoon Jongu immediately asked,

"Who was that?"

"Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong. He says he has something urgent and important to discuss with me."

"Hmm..."

Chairman Yoon Jongu narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as he considered the situation.

His contemplation didn't last long.

"Why is the Commissioner General of the National Police so eager to meet with Specialist Cha?"