Chapter 29: The Unintentional Love Triangle

Something felt off. Tracy Bongard was usually indifferent to anything that didn't concern her personally. Yet now she was showing active interest in Endivia, as though it were her own business.

"Do you have some connection to Endivia?"

"I own a large number of shares in the company. Naturally, I need to know what's going on too."

Until now, I had never seen Tracy lie. So I could safely assume she was telling the truth. Still, it wouldn't hurt to stay cautious.

"The information I received might be inaccurate, so you should take it with a grain of salt."

"I'll do that, don't worry."

"Micron hired a very famous lobbyist to pressure our company, BK, and TMSC."

"Lobbying is legal in our country, so they can hire as many lobbyists as they want."

I nodded as if agreeing with Tracy and continued.

"But there's a serious problem. That lobbyist is using abnormal methods."

"Could you explain it in a way I can understand?"

"He's claiming that HBM semiconductor manufacturing technology could leak to other countries."

"Why is that claim abnormal?"

'She's American too.'

"AI uses many kinds of semiconductors, and HBM chips are one of them. Endivia's HBM semiconductors only have a slight performance advantage over chips from other companies. Yet the lobbyist insists it's an exclusive Endivia technology."

"I see. Do you know Endivia's position on the matter?"

I needed to prepare for the worst.

"Facts and unverified information are mixed together, so everything needs to be checked."

"Of course."

"Micron's manufacturing capacity is significantly lower than its competitors'. Chairman Hudson says they aren't price-competitive. But in reality, he's avoiding a contract with Micron for another reason."

"Tell me the real reason."

"Endivia was founded jointly by Chairman Hudson, John Prime, and Chris Malachowsky."

I explained in detail the bad blood between Chairman Hudson and John Prime.

"...John Prime is currently serving as Micron's Chief Technical Advisor. Chairman Hudson is worried that HBM semiconductor manufacturing technology could leak to Micron."

"Isn't Chairman Hudson being overly cautious?"

I shook my head.

"Micron also produces AI chips, but their technology is considered far inferior. If Micron obtains HBM manufacturing technology and improves it, Endivia will likely suffer tremendous damage."

"But other companies could improve their semiconductor technologies too, couldn't they?"

"The gap between our chips and Endivia's HBM semiconductors isn't very large."

"I understand. But how did you, Jiham, obtain Endivia's internal information?"

That was the result of my efforts after tormenting Isabella all night. I didn't even need to see Tracy's reaction to know what would happen if I told her the truth. This was exactly the sort of moment when a white lie was necessary.

"I told you from the beginning that it's unverified information."

"Hmm... Alright. Go on."

"Right now, the lobbyist is exerting tremendous pressure on Endivia with the backing of President Melvin Douglas."

"Do you know their relationship?"

"They supposedly attended the same university."

It seemed Tracy finally understood why Cha Jiham had looked so gloomy. No matter how powerful Endivia was, it couldn't overcome President Melvin Douglas's authority. If a lobbyist backed by the President himself pressured Endivia, they'd have no choice but to tuck their tails between their legs. If that happened, Hangang Electronics would end up like a dog that lost the chicken and could only stare at the roof. The business trip would fail, and they would return to Korea empty-handed. How could anyone stay cheerful in such circumstances?

She carefully asked whether her guess was correct.

"You're only fifty percent right, Tracy."

"Tell me which fifty percent I got wrong."

"This afternoon, our company's top management held a meeting with Endivia. Everything was proceeding in a friendly atmosphere, but an unexpected situation arose."

"What kind of unexpected situation?"

"The lobbyist barged into the meeting without warning, threatened Chairman Hudson, and left."

"Is that true?"

"I heard it directly from someone who attended the meeting, so it must be."

"Do you know who the lobbyist hired by Micron is?"

"They say it's John Addams."

"Ah. I'd expect something like that from that bastard."

Tracy rarely used vulgar language, probably due to her upbringing. But it seemed she genuinely disliked John Addams to let such words slip.

"You know John Addams?"

"My grandfather knows him much better than I do."

'Just who the hell is her grandfather?'

"I see. Let's stop talking about that unpleasant man before we lose our appetites."

"Alright. Shall we eat?"

"I was just about to suggest that. I'll tell the manager to prepare dinner."

I didn't really need to go myself. I could have simply pressed the call button and summoned the manager. However, I stepped out because I wanted to tell him to keep his mouth shut about what had happened last night.

It only took a couple of minutes for me to realize what my actions had caused.

The moment I returned to the VIP room and sat down, Tracy spoke in an icy voice.

"Explain why Isabella's number is saved in your phone."

My eyes immediately fell on the phone lying on the table. Isabella must have called while I was out ordering dinner.

'Idiot... I should've taken the phone with me.'

But there was no point crying over spilled milk. The water jar had already shattered, and the water had long seeped into the ground.

After quickly thinking of how to deal with the situation, I spoke.

"I don't know which Isabella you're talking about."

"I'm talking about Isabella from Chairman Hudson's office at Endivia."

As always, my bad feeling had not betrayed me.

"By the way, Tracy, how do you know Isabella?"

"Shouldn't you answer my question first?"

"She's a university senior of my coworker. I had dinner with her yesterday to find out about the current situation at Endivia and among its competitors."

"So the information you told me came from Isabella?"

How could I tell the truth?

"I tried to get information from her, but she kept her mouth firmly shut."

"Fine. Let's say I believe you. Then why is Isabella's number saved in your phone?"

"We exchanged business cards when we met yesterday."

"Fine. Then tell me why Isabella called you."

Obviously, I couldn't tell the truth.

"How would I know? Now will you answer my question?"

"We're cousins."

"...What!?"

How could I not be shocked to learn that Tracy and Isabella were cousins?

"They're divorced now, but my uncle and her mother were married. I was born eight months earlier than her."

"Ah, so that's why you two look alike?"

"We're cousins. Do you know what'll happen if you start eyeing her?"

'We've already spent a passionate night together...'

"How could I do something like that when I have you, Tracy?"

"I'll take your word for it."

Bzzz—

At that moment, the phone I had left on the table vibrated. I checked the caller ID.

It was Isabella.

Thinking that talking to her might bring disaster, I was about to send her a message saying I was busy.

But something completely unexpected happened.

Tracy suddenly held out her hand and asked for the phone.

If those two talked, things could become incredibly awkward.

No matter how I thought about it, there was only one way out.

"I don't think you have the right to interfere in my private life, Tracy."

"Ah... I'm sorry."

Ignoring Tracy's apology, I quickly answered the call.

"Sorry for taking so long to answer, Isabella."

"[It's alright. I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner together tonight?]"

"I'm afraid that's difficult. Our situation is very serious right now."

Since I was already caught in a love triangle involving Tracy and Isabella, that wasn't exactly a lie. Of course, Isabella probably interpreted it differently.

At the very least, I needed to steer the conversation elsewhere to dispel Tracy's suspicions.

"[I see.]"

"What's Endivia's position regarding John Addams's threats?"

"[Right now, upper management is gathered and discussing countermeasures.]"

"I hope they come up with a good solution. I'm busy right now, so I'll have to hang up."

Click.

As soon as I ended the call, Tracy spoke quietly.

"Jiham, I'm really sorry about what happened earlier."

"You've already apologized."

"Yes, but I was so scared when you warned me."

"No way."

"No, really."

Judging by Tracy's serious expression, she was telling the truth. Deciding it wasn't that important, I chose to let it go.

"Fine. Let's leave it at that."

"What's the atmosphere like at Endivia right now?"

"It doesn't seem very good."

Knock, knock, knock.

There was a knock, and the waiters entered carrying the dishes. I didn't know whether Manager Wallis had informed them about our status, but they served us with the utmost care.

Thanks to that, dinner with Tracy passed in a warm atmosphere.

"How is Gloria Gomez doing?"

"She's studying business administration."

"The company Gloria works for must be huge."

"Compared to our company, it's just a drop in the ocean. But her family's influence can't be ignored."

'Just how massive is their company if she calls it a drop in the ocean?'

"I see. Please say hello to Gloria for me."

"I definitely will. How about skipping dessert and heading back to the hotel?"

I wanted that too, but I needed to show some restraint for once.

"It's only seven o'clock. Isn't that too early?"

"You'll torment me all night anyway."

"That makes it sound like you dislike me tormenting you, but that's not true, is it?"

"Oh, how could that be? But please, go easy on me in return."

"Hahaha. Don't worry."

***

"You're finally back?"

Woo Changhun, who apparently hadn't gone to sleep, sat up in bed and asked.

"Haha. Things just turned out that way."

"Judging by how the dark circles under your eyes have reached your chin, you must've had a hot night with Isabella."

It had been Tracy, not Isabella, but Woo Changhun wasn't far from the truth. Still, I had no intention of telling him.

"Come on, Mr. Woo. I'm human, not a seal."

"There are all kinds of humans. By the way, what about my request?"

He meant introducing him to one of Isabella's friends.

I had cautiously brought it up with Tracy, but she flatly refused. Telling the truth wouldn't make Woo Changhun happy.

"She said she'd look for someone suitable."

"Haha. That's good news. If you learned anything from Isabella, tell me."

"I only heard that Endivia's executives have gathered to discuss countermeasures."

"Some kind of decision might be made today."

"I think so too. I haven't slept all night, so may I go to bed now?"

"Ah, right, right. Go sleep."

After changing into comfortable clothes, I threw my exhausted body onto the bed.