Chapter 246: When Someone Gives, Take It

Director Jean-Philippe took the FIS agents with him and left to wipe out Manuel’s gang.

Branch Director Harrison went off to take care of arranging the transfer of the detained Antonio, his men, and Jourdain to the United States.

As a result, only Korea Investment employees and National Intelligence Service agents remained at Gabriel’s villa.

We enjoyed the unexpected few moments of rest while chatting leisurely.

“Chief Kang, from the assets Gabriel hid, our share came to 48 billion dollars in cash and 12 billion in bonds. From what Antonio hid, we received 4 billion dollars in bonds. We decided to hand those amounts over to the Swiss government.”

“The cash is one thing, but should we really hand over the bonds?”

The institution that issued a bond was obligated to pay the investor the principal and interest when the bond reached maturity.

For that reason, before maturity, bonds traded below their face value.

Accordingly, if we wanted to transfer the securities that had fallen into our hands to the Swiss government, we would have to sell them at a discount.

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan had taken that into consideration, which was why he was hesitating. I had read his thoughts, so how could I pretend not to notice?

“I’ll leave that matter to your discretion, Chief Kang.”

“Ha ha ha, understood!”

Leaving the now cheerful Kang Inhan behind, I turned to Hong Jongsu.

“We seized 80 billion dollars in cash, 20 billion in bonds, and 5 billion dollars’ worth of diamonds from Gabriel. From Antonio, we seized 100 billion dollars in cash and 10 billion in bonds. Finally, we seized 35 billion dollars in cash from Jourdain.”

“Wow, those are some staggering amounts...”

“I won’t deny that. From Gabriel’s assets, our side received 48 billion in cash, 12 billion in bonds, and 5 billion in diamonds. From Antonio, we received 40 billion in cash and 4 billion in bonds, and from Jourdain, 14 billion. We’ll give exactly half of that to the National Intelligence Service.”

“What!?”

Hong Jongsu looked so astonished that his reaction bordered on shock.

“What are you so surprised about?”

“Well... you’re giving us far too much money and securities.”

“Our employees and NIS agents have worked side by side from rescuing Kwak Cheolhun all the way through eliminating Antonio’s men. For that reason, you have every right to half.”

“But all we did was follow Director Cha’s orders.”

Heh heh. That was exactly the answer I had been waiting for.

“Agent Hong, you acknowledge that command authority over the NIS team rests with me, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Then you should know what happens when you disobey an order.”

“Naturally, but...”

Hong Jongsu trailed off, as though he had figured out what I was planning.

“Don’t refuse. When someone gives, take it.”

“I don’t have the authority to make a decision like that regarding your offer. That falls under Director Om Giyeon’s authority.”

“Then report it to Director Om immediately.”

Without putting it off, Hong Jongsu immediately called NIS Director Om Giyeon.

He gave him a detailed report on everything that had happened from yesterday evening up to the present moment.

Judging by the smile spreading across his face, Om Giyeon was clearly praising his subordinate.

At one point, Hong Jongsu covered the phone’s speaker with his hand and turned to me.

“Director Cha, the Director would like to speak with you.”

Taking the phone from Hong Jongsu, I held it to my ear.

“Director Om, I’m listening.”

[Director Cha, you’re allocating far too large a share of the money and securities to our Intelligence Service.]

“The NIS agents and our employees did the same work.”

[But the entire plan came from your head.]

“What difference does that make?”

[I don’t want to argue with you over something trivial, Director Cha. How about a round 10 billion dollars?]

“Compared to what we received, 10 billion is practically nothing.”

[This time, do as I say. Let’s settle the matter there.]

Om Giyeon answered in a firm tone. Since he was categorically refusing, there was no point in insisting any further.

“Have it your way.”

[Good. Now, something else. When can you bring Kwak Cheolhun back to Korea?]

“Unless something unexpected happens, we’ll fly out tomorrow afternoon.”

[Something unexpected?]

“Reconnaissance General Bureau agents from North Korea have converged on the city to capture Kwak Cheolhun.”

[Ah, right! They’re there too...]

“They’re stationed right in the lobby of the hotel where we were staying.”

[Hmm...]

Director Om fell silent in thought. Fortunately, the pause did not last long.

[How did they find out which hotel you were staying at?]

“There are hotels all over the city.”

[You mean someone leaked the information to them?]

At that very moment, the image of Director Jeong Sancheol flashed through my mind.

“Director Om, Jeong Sancheol is the direct superior of Senior Colonel No Gwangcheol, who leads that RGB team.”

[You think he’s behind it?]

“There’s a very high probability. Could you check my theory?”

[Give me a minute.]

Click.

Director Om Giyeon hung up first, clearly in a hurry to verify the information.

The moment the call ended, Chief Kang Inhan approached me.

“Director Cha, why would Director Jeong spy on them?”

“If he leaked the information to Colonel No, he must have had a good reason.”

“And what reason would that be?”

Bzzzz—

A short while later, the phone in my hand vibrated.

The number was unfamiliar, but I decided to answer because the South Korean country code, “82,” appeared on the screen.

“Yes, Cha Jiham speaking.”

[Director Cha, this is Jeong Sancheol.]

“That’s what I thought.”

[Ha ha. Is that so? I’m the one who told Colonel No which hotel you were staying at.]

“And naturally, you had a reason for doing so?”

[Colonel No has been desperately trying to capture Kwak Cheolhun, but he hasn’t even managed to pick up his trail in half a month. Because of that, Pyongyang has already issued an order recalling him.]

Now I fully understood Jeong Sancheol’s plan.

He intended to persuade Senior Colonel No Gwangcheol to defect to the South.

But for that to happen, someone had to talk to No Gwangcheol.

Believing me to be a suitable candidate, Jeong Sancheol had deliberately engineered a meeting between us.

[You guessed correctly, Director Cha.]

“I understand what you’re thinking. I’ll meet Senior Colonel No.”

[Thank you for agreeing to take on the trouble.]

“No need to thank me. Give Colonel No my phone number.”

[I will. Please wait a little.]

Click.

The moment the call ended, Kang Inhan immediately asked,

“Director Cha, where are you planning to meet Colonel No?”

I instantly caught the implication behind his question. Chief Kang thought I intended to go all the way back to the hotel for the meeting.

“I have absolutely no intention of walking into the enemy’s den just to meet Colonel No.”

“Phew...”

Kang Inhan breathed a sigh of relief.

“Chief Kang, prepare to receive a guest.”

“You want to meet Colonel No right here?”

“If you know somewhere safer than this, tell me.”

“Hmm... You have a point.”

Buzz, buzz—

While I was gathering my thoughts, the phone lying on the table buzzed again.

The number was unknown, but there was no doubt about the caller’s identity.

With a particular calculation in mind, I took my time pressing the answer button, moving as slowly as a turtle.

“Cha Jiham speaking.”

[Hello. This is Senior Colonel No Gwangcheol.]

“Director Jeong Sancheol already told me.”

[How do you know Director Jeong?]

“I crossed paths with him during some previous business in Macau.”

[I see. Director Jeong said you were an enormous help when he escaped to the United States.]

Jeong Sancheol had actually defected to the Republic of Korea, but he had lied to No Gwangcheol and told him he had gone to America. That meant there must have been circumstances forcing him to conceal the truth.

“I won’t deny it.”

[Director Jeong strongly recommended that I meet with you. Tell me your hotel room number, and I’ll come up.]

“I’ve already checked out of the hotel.”

[I see...]

Disappointment and dejection could be heard in No Gwangcheol’s voice.

“I’m at a villa near Interlaken.”

[I’ll come there. Can you send me the address?]

“No problem, but on one condition: you must come alone.”

[I was planning to do that anyway.]

“Then it’s settled. I’ll text you the address as soon as we hang up. See you soon.”

Click.

After hanging up, I immediately texted No Gwangcheol the villa’s address.

Then I gave Lee Hyeonsol instructions.

“Team Leader Lee, wait at the villa’s main gate and escort Colonel No to me.”

“Consider it done.”

After Lee Hyeonsol, I turned to Jeong Gwangseok.

“Bring Kwak Cheolhun and Vitor Gabriel here.”

“Understood.”

After answering briefly, Jeong Gwangseok sprang up from the sofa and brought Kwak Cheolhun and Vitor Gabriel into the living room.

The two hesitantly sat down on an empty sofa.

“Kwak Cheolhun, how are you feeling?”

“I’m too uneasy to say I’m doing well.”

“You’ll feel better starting tomorrow afternoon.”

“You’re taking me to Korea?”

“Yes. We’ll take you to the Republic of Korea on a private jet.”

“What!? A private jet!?”

Kwak Cheolhun’s eyes widened in genuine astonishment.

The real reason we were returning aboard Hangang Group’s private jet was Saho.

But I saw no need whatsoever to tell him that particular detail.

“We decided it would be safer that way.”

“I sincerely appreciate your consideration, Director Cha.”

“You should thank your father, Commander Kwak Taesu, rather than me.”

“I’ll be sure to convey my gratitude to him.”

Putting the matter of Kwak Cheolhun aside, I turned to Vitor Gabriel.

“The captured Antonio and his men have already been extradited to the United States.”

“That quickly?”

Vitor Gabriel gasped in surprise.

“That’s just how things worked out. Antonio’s men will hunt you for the rest of your life. Because of that, we can arrange for you to live safely and peacefully in the United States.”

“You can really arrange that?”

“Of course. Tomorrow, CIA agents will take you to the States.”

“I understand.”

Everything we had discussed so far had merely been the appetizer. Now it was time for the main course.

“This morning, we found the money and diamonds your father hid.”

“Really!? Where were they?”

“In a hidden compartment beneath the basement floor.”

“Ah, I see. Then how much money and how many diamonds did my father hide there?”

“We managed to seize 80 billion dollars in cash, 20 billion in bonds, and 5 billion dollars’ worth of diamonds.”

“And what are you going to do with my father’s savings?”

The assets Gabriel had hidden had already been divided among Korea, the United States, and Switzerland.

If I told him the truth, Vitor Gabriel would rebel.

This was exactly the kind of moment when a white lie was necessary.

“As you know, assets obtained through criminal activity are, as a rule, subject to complete confiscation.”

“...Well, that makes sense.”

Vitor Gabriel answered weakly, like a deflated balloon.

It was time to give the dejected man a carrot.

“Considering your contribution to locating your father’s hidden assets, we’ve decided to pay you a reward of 2 billion dollars.”

“W-what did you say!?”

Shocked, Vitor Gabriel shot up from the sofa and shouted.

Feeling all our eyes on him, he became embarrassed and awkwardly lowered himself back into his seat.

“Give us your bank account number, and we’ll transfer the 2 billion dollars to you today.”

“Thank you so much!”

The difficult matter had been resolved without any unnecessary trouble.