Chapter 30: Meeting an Incredibly Powerful Man

"Intern Cha, wake up. Hurry."

Feeling someone shaking me, I struggled to open my eyes. Senior Specialist Woo Changhun was standing over me.

"...Mm, is it lunchtime already?"

"Lunchtime, my ass. The Vice Chairman just called for you."

I instantly came to my senses, sat up in bed, and asked,

"Do you know why the Vice Chairman needs me?"

"How would I know? He's waiting in his suite, so hurry up."

"Yes, sir. I'll be there right away."

I dashed into the bathroom, quickly washed up, changed clothes, and headed at a brisk pace toward Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun's suite.

***

Ding-dong.

The moment I pressed the doorbell, the door opened immediately. It seemed they had been expecting me. Standing there was Chief Secretary Cho Seongjin. I bowed politely and cautiously asked what was going on.

"We'll discuss it inside," he answered quietly.

Following him into the living room, I froze in confusion. Rising from the sofa and looking me over closely were an elderly gentleman of distinguished bearing and three men who appeared to be in their sixties or seventies. While I stood there awkwardly, unable to understand what was happening, Cho Seongjin spoke.

"Intern Cha, this is Chairman Clark Bongard, owner of the world's largest investment group, Bongard Group. Incidentally, Bongard Group is also the largest shareholder of Endivia."

"...What?!"

Things had taken an unexpected turn. While I was still in shock, Chairman Bongard looked at me with an enigmatic smile.

"Cha Jiham, what exactly are you so surprised about?"

How could I not be shocked? The man standing before me was Tracy's grandfather. If I answered honestly, I'd expose her secret. Who knew where things would go from there? My brain worked at maximum speed, and I managed to come up with a plausible answer.

"I'm simply amazed to meet the head of the greatest investment company in the world."

"I can tell that's a lie, but I'll pretend to believe it."

At that moment, my insides turned cold. Chairman Bongard's tone clearly suggested that he knew about my relationship with Tracy.

'Don't tell me... he came here to crush me?'

As dark thoughts swirled in my head, Chairman Bongard continued.

"Since fate has brought us together, Cha Jiham, how about a handshake?"

Clenching my teeth and gathering my courage, I answered,

"Yes, I'd be honored."

When Chairman Bongard grasped Jiham's outstretched hand, he was genuinely astonished inside. Even President Melvin Douglas, who seemed fearless, visibly grew nervous whenever they met. Yet there wasn't the slightest tremor in Jiham's voice or hands.

That could only mean one thing.

The boy wasn't afraid of him.

Deciding to test his theory, the old man asked,

"It seems you don't have much to lose, Cha Jiham?"

In reality, thanks to the traditional herbal sedative I had taken earlier, the very concept of panic had flown all the way to the moon. I clearly understood the Chairman's real meaning, but there was no way I could say it aloud.

"Perhaps I still haven't fully realized that I'm standing in front of someone of your stature, so I don't feel nervous."

"Hahaha!"

Chairman Bongard burst into hearty laughter, clearly pleased by my answer.

After his laughter subsided, Chief Secretary Cho Seongjin introduced the others. The man in his seventies was Louis Williams, Chairman Bongard's Chief Secretary and confidant. The other two men in their sixties were Chairman Michael Hudson of Endivia and his Chief Secretary, Louis Madison.

After the lengthy introductions, we finally sat down, and Chairman Bongard began.

"Cha Jiham, Chairman Hudson and I are former relatives."

Chairman Bongard's youngest son had once been married to Chairman Hudson's younger sister, Amelia, but they had divorced. Strictly speaking, they were no longer connected. However, I had no desire to display all my knowledge or pry into someone else's family matters.

"Ah, I see."

"You knew about my ties with Chairman Hudson, didn't you?"

"I won't deny it."

"And can you tell me who informed you?"

'Come on! Can't we just skip this topic?'

"I have an obligation to keep other people's secrets," I replied firmly.

"Very well. One more question. Do I personally know your informant?"

"Since that person might have concealed their true identity, I can't say yes or no."

"You may take my word for it. No identity was concealed."

"In that case, yes. You know them."

"And what do you think of that person?"

I had absolutely no intention of answering that. After all, I probably wouldn't see Tracy again anyway.

"Chairman, you promised to ask only one question. Therefore, I have every right not to answer."

"Hmm..."

Chairman Bongard narrowed his eyes unhappily and sank into thought.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room, but a promise was a promise.

Finally, he sighed.

"Very well, Cha Jiham. A deal is a deal. Pretend I never asked that last question."

"Thank you for understanding my position."

At that moment, Chairman Hudson decided to change the subject.

"Aren't you curious why we invited you here?"

Obviously, the things I had told Tracy had reached Chairman Bongard's ears. That's why he'd rushed all the way from New York to San Francisco. If I blurted out that I'd spent a passionate night with his granddaughter, I'd probably end up fish food somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.

Pretending to know everything in a situation like this would be pure suicide.

"I'm dying of curiosity," I replied.

"Vice Chairman Yoon told me that you came up with the strategy that could allow Hangang Electronics to secure a contract with our company."

'Whew... Thank goodness. I almost had a heart attack.'

"Vice Chairman Yoon has greatly exaggerated my contribution."

"I've heard that Koreans are naturally modest. You seem to be a fine example."

"If you say so, I have no objections."

"Then let's get to the point. In your opinion, what should our company do to successfully sign a contract with Hangang Electronics?"

Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun was still the most important person on our side. No matter how brilliant my ideas were, I couldn't speak without his approval.

As though reading my mind, he immediately spoke.

"Intern Cha, don't worry about Chief Cho and me. If you have a good idea, say it without hesitation."

Since the Vice Chairman himself had given permission, there was nothing to fear.

Organizing my thoughts, I addressed Chairman Hudson.

"The first thing our companies need to do is swat one annoying mosquito."

"Hahahahaha!"

Something nobody expected happened.

Chairman Bongard suddenly exploded into booming laughter.

Everyone stared at him in confusion.

After calming down, he looked at me.

"The mosquito that had been bothering Endivia and Hangang Electronics has already gone to the other world."

"What?!"

Everyone in the room, myself included, gaped in shock.

The lobbyist hired by Micron was no ordinary figure. He was a former Vice President of the United States.

How could we not be stunned by the news that John Addams was dead?

Unlike us, Chairman Bongard remained perfectly calm.

"To tell you the truth, former Vice President Addams had long been the greatest enemy of our family."

"If you don't mind me asking, what kind of grudge did you have?" I asked.

"Addams was born into extreme poverty. My late father saw potential in him and personally supported his political career all the way to the Vice Presidency. But once that bastard gained power, he forgot everything and started trampling on our family."

'Ah, so that's why Tracy hated him so much.'

Chairman Bongard continued.

"My father died loathing that traitor. I'd intended to take revenge for years, but I was always too busy. Then I heard that the bastard was trying to dictate terms to Endivia. So this morning, we sent him to meet his ancestors."

"I see... But won't that cause problems?" Chairman Hudson asked.

Chairman Bongard simply laughed.

"Chairman Gomez personally handled him. Since Chairman Gomez himself took care of it, there won't be any problems."

At that instant, Gloria's image appeared in my mind.

Her surname was Gomez.

'Could the Chairman Gomez he's talking about be related to Gloria?'

As though reading my thoughts, the old man smiled slyly.

"Cha Jiham, you've already met Chairman Gomez's granddaughter, Gloria, haven't you?"

My suspicion was confirmed.

"...Yes. We met in Korea last summer. She came with her friend."

"Excellent. Chairman Gomez and I are the closest of friends. I'll make sure to introduce you properly when the opportunity arises."

"I'm deeply grateful for your kindness, Chairman, but is it really appropriate for someone like me to meet a person of that stature?"

"Believe me, Cha Jiham. You'll only benefit from it."

"I understand."

"Well then, since we've eliminated the mosquito that was bothering Endivia and Hangang Electronics, you can sign the contract with peace of mind."

President Melvin Douglas was currently doing everything possible to restore America's dominance in semiconductors. Micron's management had seen through his intentions and hired John Addams to pressure Endivia.

Even with Addams gone, Micron would surely find another lobbyist of similar influence. It was far too early to celebrate.

Yet Chairman Bongard radiated absolute confidence.

"Chairman Bongard, President Douglas himself stood behind Addams. We should consider the possibility that the President might interfere."

"I give you my word. President Douglas won't dare utter a single complaint."

"May I ask where that confidence comes from?"

Instead of answering, Chairman Bongard glanced at his confidant, Williams. Understanding immediately, Williams spoke.

"Everything you're about to hear must remain absolutely secret."

"Of course!" we answered together.

Williams nodded in satisfaction.

"Two years ago, the presidential election was so close that no one could predict the winner until the very end. Two weeks before Election Day, candidate Douglas secretly visited Chairman Bongard. He openly admitted that he was severely behind in electoral votes."

Williams paused briefly before continuing.

"Douglas practically begged Chairman Bongard for help. Unable to refuse his persistent pleas, the Chairman poured enormous sums of money into swing states. As a result, Douglas secured the bare minimum number of electoral votes required to win."

"Can presidential elections really be funded like that?" I asked.

Williams shook his head.

"Direct vote-buying is naturally illegal. But indirect campaign funding, including massive television advertising, is completely legal."

"Ah, I understand."

"To continue, President Douglas owes Chairman Bongard a debt he can never repay. He would never dare oppose the Chairman's wishes."

At that moment, the thick fog that had clouded my vision finally and completely disappeared.