Chapter 136: A Fierce Confrontation

Perhaps Vice Chairman Wei Chen saw things differently, but I saw no reason to meet with him.

Thinking the truth might offend him, I politely declined his invitation, saying that urgent business had come up at the company and I needed to return to Korea immediately.

Fortunately, he accepted my excuse and ended the conversation by suggesting we meet another time.

Early the next morning, we moved quickly and boarded the Hangang Group private jet that Chairman Yoon Jongu had dispatched to bring us home.

Naturally, Saho was allowed aboard the special flight after going through an unofficial departure inspection.

After a flight lasting three hours and twenty minutes, the Hangang Group jet landed safely at Seoul Airport shortly after one in the afternoon.

After saying goodbye to the employees who had accompanied me on the Macau business trip, I headed home with Chief Secretary Kang Inhan and Saho.

"Director, Chairman Park asked me to tell you that he'd like you to have dinner with him."

Chairman Park Yeongil undoubtedly wanted to hear every detail of what had happened in Macau.

Since I understood his intentions, there was no point pretending otherwise.

"Should we arrive at the estate at the appointed time?"

"Yes, Director."

"Tell the chef to prepare premium-grade Korean beef."

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan immediately understood the meaning behind my instruction.

There was no denying that Saho had made the greatest contribution during the Macau trip.

As a reward for his achievements, I intended to treat him to the finest beef.

Glancing at Saho, who was lying on his stomach across the passenger seat, Kang Inhan answered,

"I'll have them prepare enough premium beef to make Saho's belly burst."

"Saho, did you hear what Secretary Kang said?"

Normally, the moment Saho heard the word "beef," he'd spring to his feet in uncontrollable excitement.

Contrary to my expectations, however, he showed absolutely no interest this time.

As I wondered why, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

"Heh... so you're a male after all."

"Saho, I promise I'll arrange a wedding night for you with a female wildcat. But there's one condition."

"...Rrr... meow?"

"You're absolutely forbidden from hurting her."

Since Saho had taken the herbal tranquilizer prepared by the monk Popchin, his stamina and vitality should be every bit as extraordinary as mine.

That concern was exactly why I was speaking in such a roundabout way.

Realizing what I meant, Saho let out a low purr and nodded.

At that moment, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan spoke up, as though he'd been dying to ask.

"Director... what if Saho gets the female cat pregnant?"

"A female can only become pregnant while she's in heat."

"Ah, I see."

Kang Inhan nodded in understanding.

***

After opening the front door and entering the house, I noticed how quiet it was.

For some reason, though, neither my mother nor Cha Hyeonji was anywhere to be seen.

Tilting my head in confusion, I went upstairs, changed into comfortable clothes, and came back down.

Just to be sure, I searched the entire house, but neither of them was there.

Finding it strange, I called my mother.

"Jiham, you've already arrived?"

"I just got home. Where are you?"

"Hyeonji and I are at Chairman Park's house helping prepare dinner."

"But doesn't he already have a chef?"

"Chairman Park said he invited a lot of guests and asked the chef to bring us over to help."

"Guests are coming?"

"That's right. Get some rest, then come over when it's time."

"Okay, Mom."

After giving a brief reply, I ended the call.

Saho was lying peacefully on the sofa.

"Come on, let's go upstairs and get some sleep."

***

"Ugh!"

I cried out as I jerked awake.

Looking around in a panic, I felt overwhelming relief when I realized I was in my own bedroom.

"Whew... thank goodness it was only a dream."

After letting out a relieved sigh, I picked up my phone and checked the time.

It was almost six in the evening.

Patting Saho, who was sleeping near the edge of the bed, on the thigh, I said,

"Saho, let's go eat some beef."

***

Chairman Park Yeongil's estate.

When Saho and I entered through the front door, Cha Hyeonji greeted me cheerfully.

"How was your business trip to Macau?"

As she spoke, she picked Saho up and gently stroked his head.

"It went well. Where's Mom?"

"She's in the kitchen with the chef, preparing dinner."

"And where's Chairman Park?"

"He's in his study with Secretary Kang and President Cho."

Following Cha Hyeonji to the kitchen, I greeted my mother and the chef, who were busy cooking, before heading for the study.

After knocking and opening the door, I stepped inside.

Chairman Park Yeongil welcomed me warmly.

"Director Cha, you've worked hard."

"I only did my job. By the way, who did you invite to make such elaborate preparations for dinner?"

"You'll see soon enough. We'll hear about Macau after everyone arrives."

Ding-dong.

Just as I was about to sit down on the sofa, the doorbell rang.

"It seems our guests are here. Secretary Kang, go receive them."

"Yes, sir."

After answering briefly, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan left the study.

The rest of us also stepped into the reception hall to greet our visitors.

A moment later, Kang Inhan escorted them inside.

The instant I saw who they were, I understood why Chairman Park had made such a fuss.

Among the guests were Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Jihun and Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong of the National Police Agency.

As the host, Chairman Park Yeongil greeted them warmly.

"Chief of Staff Lee, Commissioner Choi, welcome to my home."

"Chairman Park, thank you for inviting us."

At that moment, Chairman Yoon Jongu interrupted with an intentionally dissatisfied expression.

"Park, am I not a guest too?"

"You're practically a regular at my house."

"Even so, I'm still a guest."

"Think whatever you like. But how did the two of you arrive together?"

"We happened to run into each other right outside your gate."

After replying with a grumble, Chairman Yoon turned to me with a friendly smile.

"Director Cha, I heard you achieved remarkable results in Macau. You really worked hard."

"Thank you for your praise."

"We'll hear the details after dinner."

Leaving those words behind, Chairman Yoon Jongu strode toward the kitchen.

Watching him, I sensed that something was off.

Whenever he visited Chairman Park's house, he normally headed straight for the living room sofa.

Today, however, he went directly to the kitchen.

"Is he really that hungry?"

Curious, I followed him.

Only a few seconds later, I realized my guess had been completely wrong.

The reason was that he greeted my mother with extraordinary—almost excessive—politeness.

"What an honor to meet Director Cha's mother here."

"I'm sorry, but... I don't believe we've met."

"Ah, of course. I'm Yoon Jongu, Chairman of Hangang Group."

"What!?"

My mother reacted with complete shock.

Cha Hyeonji, standing beside her, was no less astonished.

"Oh dear, I had no intention of startling you. Please forgive me."

"No, it's all right. I'm Sun Jisuk, Jiham's mother. And this is his younger sister, Cha Hyeonji."

"Miss Cha Hyeonji, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"The honor is mine, Chairman."

"Ha ha. I'm glad to hear that. Allow me to introduce the guests Chairman Park invited. This is Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Jihun, who works closely with President Cho Seokchin."

"...What!?"

As expected, both my mother and Cha Hyeonji were once again stunned speechless.

Chairman Yoon Jongu, looking as though he'd anticipated exactly that reaction, went on to introduce Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong of the National Police Agency.

Just like before, both women were left speechless.

After the introductions concluded amid the commotion, everyone took their seats at the dining table.

Realizing the identities and status of the guests, my mother and Cha Hyeonji tried to excuse themselves, but Chairman Yoon insisted so strongly that they had no choice but to remain and join us.

Looking over the table filled with dishes, he addressed my mother.

"I've noticed quite a few dishes here that I've never tasted before. Mrs. Sun, did you prepare them yourself?"

"Yes, Chairman."

"It seems you have a real talent for cooking."

As though he'd been waiting for exactly that moment, Chairman Park Yeongil cut in with an annoyed expression.

"You haven't even tasted Mrs. Sun's cooking yet."

"Don't you know the saying? 'If a rice cake looks beautiful, it tastes good too.'"

"Ahem, ahem!"

Chairman Park couldn't think of a reply and could only clear his throat awkwardly.

With a mischievous smile, Chairman Yoon turned to Cha Hyeonji.

"Hyeonji, I heard you're a fourth-year university student. Have you decided on your future career?"

"Yes. I plan to join the investment company that Korea Investment, Hangang Group, and the Bongard investment group are establishing together."

Chairman Yoon immediately shifted his gaze toward me.

Understanding what he wanted, I spoke without hesitation.

"My sister is a business administration student at Seoul National University and has ranked first in her class throughout all four years. She also holds a Certified Public Accountant qualification and speaks English fluently."

"With credentials like that, you have more than enough qualifications. Miss Cha Hyeonji, forgive me for underestimating your abilities."

"It's perfectly understandable. Please don't worry about it."

"I'm glad you feel that way."

"Chairman, may I ask you something that's been on my mind?"

"Of course. Ask anything."

"When is the investment company scheduled to open?"

Chairman Yoon deliberately turned toward President Cho Myeongsu.

As though he'd already anticipated the question, President Cho answered immediately.

"We're currently completing the incorporation process. At the latest, the company will officially be established during the first half of this year."

"And when will recruitment begin?"

"May I ask why you're interested?"

"I want to join the investment company through fair competition and my own abilities—not because of my brother's influence."

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

At that moment, Chairman Park Yeongil suddenly burst into booming laughter.

Unable to understand why he was laughing, the rest of us simply stared at him in confusion.

Noticing our expressions, he stopped laughing and said,

"Hyeonji, make sure you get into that investment company and show Chairman Yoon what you're made of."

As expected, Chairman Yoon Jongu immediately flared up.

"Park, why are you dragging me into this?"

"Think carefully about why Hyeonji said she'd rely on her own abilities."

"Ugh..."

Having taken a direct hit from Chairman Park's remark, Chairman Yoon could only let out a heavy sigh.

Chairman Park, however, had no intention of stopping there.

"Even your granddaughter will have to pass the open recruitment process if she wants to work at that investment company."

"My granddaughter..."

"Chairman!"

At that instant, Chairman Yoon Jongu realized he had almost made a serious mistake.

Cha Jiham still didn't know that Yun Sola was his granddaughter.

If Jiham discovered that his granddaughter had earned a master's degree from Harvard University, the entire plan would fall apart.

That was precisely why Chief Secretary Song Dosok interrupted him before he could continue.

After discreetly thanking Song Dosok with a glance, Chairman Yoon resumed speaking.

"My granddaughter graduated from a prestigious university in the United States. That's why she'll have no trouble joining the investment company."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You're trying awfully hard."

Chairman Park Yeongil merely clicked his tongue and replied indifferently.

In that somewhat chaotic atmosphere, dinner finally began.

As everyone chatted over the meal, Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Jihun unexpectedly changed the subject.

"Director Cha, do you have a girlfriend?"

"Not at the moment, but..."

I deliberately left the sentence unfinished, hoping to read what Chief of Staff Lee was really thinking.

"The truth is, I have a niece. If Director Cha doesn't mind, I'd like to introduce the two of you."

As though he'd been waiting for exactly that moment, Chairman Yoon Jongu immediately interjected with a displeased expression.

"Chief of Staff Lee, what exactly do you think you're doing?"

"...What do you mean?"

"You know perfectly well how many women are hoping to stand beside Director Cha."

"I do. However, Director Cha just told us he doesn't have a girlfriend."

"So what? Should I take that as a challenge?"

"If winning Director Cha as my niece's future husband means entering a confrontation, then I have no reason to back down."

Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Jihun answered in a firm voice, making it clear that he was fully prepared for battle.