Chapter 27: Did Her Liver Fall Out of Her Belly or Something?

“...Apparently, TMSC proposed building a dedicated contract manufacturing plant for Endivia in the United States to completely eliminate geopolitical risks.”

“Hm... Is that so?”

A hint of concern crept into Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun's voice as he asked the question. Naturally, I already had an answer prepared that would put all his worries to rest.

“However, Chairman Hudson reportedly viewed the proposal skeptically, considering it unrealistic.”

“And why is that? Explain.”

“According to his calculations, it would take at least five or six years just to construct the semiconductor facility and bring the yield rate up to acceptable levels.”

“But while TMSC is building the factory in America, couldn't they simply supply high-bandwidth semiconductors from their Taiwanese plants?”

“That was exactly what they proposed to Endivia. However, Chairman Hudson took a firm stance, arguing that until the factory actually starts operating, the geopolitical risk remains.”

“Isabella also mentioned that if we can neutralize Micron's interference, the contract is practically ours.”

To add more weight to my words, Woo Changhun hurriedly chimed in.

“So we can forget about TMSC and BK altogether?”

“Intern Cha and I interpreted her words that way.”

Ignoring Woo Changhun's answer, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun turned to Hong Hyeonsu.

“When is our meeting with Endivia scheduled?”

“We're still finalizing the details, but most likely between two and three this afternoon.”

“Director Jeong, take into account the information obtained by Senior Specialist Woo and Intern Cha and formulate our negotiation strategy.”

“I'll make sure to do so, Vice Chairman.”

“The three of you stay. Everyone else can leave and continue preparing for the meeting.”

After Director Jeong Sunho and the others left, Yoon Sanghun looked at me in confusion.

“Intern Cha, you look unusually exhausted. Is there a reason?”

Even with a knife at my throat, I couldn't tell him the truth.

“I stayed up all night devising countermeasures based on the information we obtained from Isabella.”

“But Senior Specialist Woo should have been awake with you. Why does he look perfectly fine?”

One lie inevitably gave birth to another, but I had no choice. How could I possibly tell him the scorching truth?

“Senior Specialist Woo got drunk faster than I did and went to bed early.”

“I see. Well, even if we fail to secure this contract, I'll cover the five hundred and thirty thousand dollars you charged to the card.”

The true owner of that credit card was Chairman Park Yeongil himself. Of course, he had personally given me permission to use it, but five hundred and thirty thousand dollars was no small amount. The thought that I might have to repay that debt weighed heavily on my mind, and now Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun was generously offering to settle the bill. Since he volunteered, I had absolutely no desire to refuse out of pride.

“I'm sincerely grateful for your generosity, Vice Chairman.”

“No need for thanks. By the way, how was half-a-million-dollar wine?”

“Isabella found its bouquet extraordinarily profound, but personally, I didn't notice much difference from cheap liquor. Honestly, I don't understand people who spend that kind of money on wine.”

“Haha! In that regard, I completely agree with you, Intern Cha.”

At that moment, Yoon Sanghun noticed Woo Changhun shifting awkwardly nearby. Since ignoring him would be strange, the Vice Chairman addressed him.

“Senior Specialist Woo, is there something you'd like to say?”

“The number of people who know about Intern Cha charging five hundred and thirty thousand dollars is very limited. I'm just curious how you found out, Vice Chairman.”

In truth, Yoon Sanghun had heard about it from Chairman Yoon Jongu. But if he told the truth, Chairman Park's name would inevitably surface, putting Cha Jiham in a vulnerable position. Now was the perfect time for an innocent lie.

“I was dining at the same restaurant with a foreign partner. By coincidence, I saw Intern Cha speaking with the sommelier outside. Sensing something unusual, I later called over the sommelier and questioned him. That's when he told me a bottle worth half a million dollars had been ordered.”

“Ah, now I understand.”

“But I have a question for you as well, Senior Specialist Woo. Who paid for the bar?”

After delivering Yun Sola to the hotel, Woo Changhun had never returned to the bar where Cha Jiham and Isabella were drinking. How could he possibly know who paid? But if he answered honestly, the alibi he shared with Cha Jiham would crumble instantly. So he repeated something he'd overheard Isabella say earlier.

“Isabella paid for the second part of the evening.”

“And why burden the girl with the expense?”

“She insisted. She said she felt uncomfortable after Intern Cha treated her to such expensive wine.”

“I see. And how much was the bill?”

“They ordered four bottles of expensive whiskey, so I'm sure it was quite substantial.”

“That much?”

Bzzz.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

Taking it out and glancing at the screen, I saw a message from Isabella.

[Would you like to have breakfast together?]

At that instant, my little brother inside my pants sprang to life enthusiastically. I immediately grasped the true meaning behind her invitation.

'Wasn't spending the whole night tormenting her enough? Does she want an encore?'

It was a tempting offer, but this wasn't the right time.

[I have an important meeting scheduled.]

[What a pity. Until next time, then.]

Before I could put my phone away, Yun Sola asked with a strange expression,

“Intern Cha, who's texting you?”

I found it absurd.

We were standing in front of Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun, the de facto successor to Hangang Group. Yun Sola understood perfectly well that antagonizing him was foolish. Yet she casually asked such a personal question, completely ignoring the presence of top management.

'Did her liver fall out of her belly or something? Has she completely lost her fear?'

“Intern Yun, we're standing in front of the Vice Chairman.”

At that moment, Yun Sola cried out inwardly.

Neither Cha Jiham nor Woo Changhun knew that she was Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun's only daughter. An ordinary intern had absolutely no right to interrupt a conversation without permission from senior management. Yet, driven by curiosity about Cha Jiham, she'd forgotten herself and made an incredibly foolish mistake.

As she desperately tried to think of a way out, Yoon Sanghun himself came to her rescue.

“Intern Yun, considering your contributions last night, I'll overlook it this time. Be more careful in the future.”

“I'll keep your advice in mind, Vice Chairman.”

“Still, Intern Cha, when do you intend to answer Intern Yun's question?”

I certainly couldn't tell him the truth.

“It's a private message from my younger sister. She's asking whether I arrived safely in America.”

“Oh? Intern Cha, you seem very close to your sister.”

“Well, we're the only brother and sister we have.”

“I see. The three of you may go and rest.”

Having received permission, we left the room.

Tilting his head thoughtfully, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun turned to Cho Seongjin.

“Chief Cho, why did Sola suddenly interrogate Intern Cha?”

“When Intern Cha checked his message, the corners of his lips curled upward slightly. I think she noticed the change in his expression.”

“But Intern Cha said it was from his sister.”

Chief Secretary Cho Seongjin shook his head.

“Vice Chairman, we arrived in America yesterday morning. It would be strange for someone to ask whether he arrived safely only now. More importantly, it's already one in the morning in South Korea.”

“Then who sent the message?”

“My guess is Isabella.”

“And what makes you think that?”

“Intern Cha practically radiates the aura of a powerful alpha male.”

“Hm... Looks like our Sola is going to have a difficult time.”

“What do you mean, Vice Chairman?”

“Ah, nothing. Forget it. There's nothing for you to worry about.”

Yoon Sanghun hurriedly covered up his slip of the tongue.

***

Later that evening, I was killing time in the room chatting with Woo Changhun, whose relationship with me had grown noticeably warmer.

“Senior Specialist Woo, how do you think the Vice Chairman's meeting with Chairman Hudson went?”

“How should I know? Why don't you call Isabella and ask?”

“I told you, she took the day off.”

“What a shame.”

“Why are you so disappointed all of a sudden?”

“Well, if you hadn't exhausted her all night long, she probably wouldn't have taken the day off.”

There was some truth to his words, but I had no intention of admitting it.

“If I hadn't... exhausted Isabella, we wouldn't have obtained such valuable information.”

“Well, when you put it that way, you're right. Tell me, what's your secret? How did you keep her occupied all night without running out of steam?”

Of course, it was all thanks to the miraculous effects of the traditional herbal sedative. As always, it was a little frustrating that I couldn't reveal the real reason.

“I'm just a young and passionate man. I'm not even thirty yet.”

“Not every guy your age has stamina like that. Come on, I won't tell anyone. Spill it.”

Bzzz. Bzzz.

At the worst possible moment, Woo Changhun's phone rang.

After checking the screen, he answered immediately. The respectful way he addressed the caller made me prick up my ears. After exchanging a few words with Support Team Leader Heo Yeongjin, he hung up.

“Senior Specialist Woo, what's going on?”

“I don't know either. The Vice Chairman is urgently summoning everyone to a meeting. Let's hurry down to the conference room.”

***

Conference Room.

The moment I stepped inside, I felt a bad premonition rise in my chest.

Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun and the other top executives all wore gloomy expressions. Something had clearly gone wrong during the meeting with Chairman Hudson.

With a heavy heart, I quietly took my seat.

Once the entire delegation had assembled, Cho Seongjin stood and spoke in an unusually stern voice.

“If the contents of today's discussion leak outside, the company will suffer catastrophic damage. I ask everyone to remember this and choose their words carefully.”

“Yes, understood!”

Cho Seongjin continued with a grim expression.

“This afternoon, decisive negotiations took place at Endivia headquarters between the Vice Chairman and Chairman Hudson. Chairman Hudson expressed complete satisfaction with our proposal. However...”

He paused dramatically before continuing.

“Right in the middle of our friendly discussion, the conference room doors burst open, and former U.S. Vice President John Addams, now serving as Micron's lobbyist, barged in.”

...

Silence descended over the conference room.

The situation was disastrous.

After allowing everyone to absorb the magnitude of the crisis, Cho Seongjin continued.

“Chairman Hudson sharply protested this outrageous disrespect from Addams. But the bastard couldn't have cared less.”

“That bastard openly warned Hudson that if Endivia signed with anyone other than Micron, they would face severe retaliation. Then he stormed out,” Director Jeong Sunho added darkly.

Cho Seongjin nodded gratefully and continued.

“Because of this disgraceful incident, the meeting between the Vice Chairman and Chairman Hudson collapsed. Unless we find a way to rein in this abuse of power, we can forget about the contract. If anyone has ideas on how to deal with former Vice President Addams, speak freely.”

“...How about using a local gang to eliminate him?”

“And you call that an idea? If you can guarantee me a perfect crime on American soil, Team Leader Jeong, I'll consider it,” Cho Seongjin shot back.

...

Jeong Doyeon had no choice but to bite his tongue.

“But isn't dealing with former Vice President Addams Endivia's problem?”

“Chairman Hudson admitted his own inability to overcome Addams's lobbying influence and personally asked our Vice Chairman for help.”

In other words, if Hangang Electronics removed John Addams from the stage, the contract would be signed immediately.

Suggestions flew around the room one after another, but none of them amounted to a real solution.

When the stream of mediocre ideas dried up, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun concluded with frustration,

“If anyone suddenly comes up with a truly worthwhile idea, report it to your direct superior immediately.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You've all worked hard today. Return to your rooms.”

Bzzz. Bzzz.

Just as I was about to stand up from my chair, the phone in my pocket vibrated insistently once again.