Chapter 32: Wasn’t I Asking About Something Else?

In truth, Yun Sola had brought up the subject of a joint venture with Cha Jiham without any ulterior motive. Yet somehow, he had twisted things around in such a way that it sounded as though he had personally conceived the entire idea himself. If a person had even the slightest shred of conscience, how could they possibly agree to that? Yun Sola was just about to object when Cha Jiham lightly stepped on her foot. While she was trying to understand his intentions, the presentation came to an end.

“...The second meeting regarding the establishment of a joint venture is scheduled for this afternoon.”

“Intern Yun, how did such a fresh and original idea occur to you?”

Yun Sola felt as though she had put on someone else's clothes, clothes that didn’t fit her size. She desperately searched for a way to throw off the heavy burden as quickly as possible, and when Hong Hyeonsu, head of the American branch, asked curiously, she considered it a perfect opportunity and answered immediately.

“I merely mentioned to Intern Cha the possibility of creating a joint venture.”

“Intern Cha, what do you think about Intern Yun’s answer?”

In reality, Cha Jiham had only involved Yun Sola because of Isabella. If everything were presented as her idea, there would be no need to drag Isabella into the matter. Besides, he also wanted to raise Sola’s standing in the eyes of Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun and the executives. Unfortunately, without understanding his intentions, she was spitting out the cake that had been carefully placed directly into her mouth. On the other hand, Jiham had no way of admitting that he had obtained this information while spending a passionate night with Isabella. No matter how he looked at it, there was only one solution left: answer by skillfully mixing truth with lies.

“The original source of the idea was indeed Intern Yun. Intern Yun, do you agree with my statement?”

“I do.”

“After arriving here, Intern Yun, Deputy Manager Woo, and I met with Isabella to gather information about Endivia and its competitors. During our conversation with her, we learned that Endivia had attempted to acquire a semiconductor company but had eventually abandoned the idea.”

Jiham paused for a moment and continued.

“That was when we began to flesh out the idea of establishing a joint venture.”

“It doesn’t sound like some important secret. Why was there a need to hide it?”

“Chairman Hudson is unaware of our meeting with Isabella.”

“So you’re saying that you shifted all the credit to Intern Yun for the sake of preserving secrecy?”

“That was one reason. Among others.”

“Your ‘among others’ clearly carries another meaning. Why don’t you elaborate?”

‘Sigh... What exactly am I doing right now?’

“...I’d rather limit my answer to saying that I’m simply a healthy bachelor in my twenties.”

“Hahaha!”

Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun suddenly burst into loud, booming laughter. Everyone immediately turned to Yun Sola, whose face instantly turned red like a tomato. Chief Secretary Cho Seongjin, who knew the truth about the relationship between the two, also grinned broadly, exposing his gums. The others exchanged bewildered glances and silently stared at the laughing vice chairman. After some time, he finally stopped laughing and said:

“Let us agree that the joint venture proposal is the joint idea of Intern Cha and Intern Yun.”

“Yes, understood.”

Ignoring the chorus of voices around him, Yoon Sanghun turned to Yun Sola once more.

“I understand Intern Cha’s thoughts. But what do you think about Intern Cha, Intern Yun?”

“I consider him a dependable and reliable colleague.”

“That’s not what I’m asking, is it?”

“I understand what you’re implying, Vice Chairman, but I don’t think this is the proper place for such an answer.”

“Come on now, I’m just asking out of curiosity, so stop being shy and answer.”

“I apologize. It has nothing to do with the topic of this meeting, so I cannot say anything.”

Yoon Sanghun could clearly see that his daughter had feelings for Cha Jiham. He was pressing her only because he wanted to make sure that the young man would never be able to escape from his only daughter. But the daughter herself, completely unaware of her father’s hidden motives, continued resisting stubbornly.

“Intern Yun, you know I don’t like repeating myself.”

“It’s my private life, so it’s difficult for me to talk about it.”

“Hmph!”

Apparently displeased with Yun Sola’s answer, the vice chairman let out a stern warning. A heavy silence immediately settled over the spacious living room. Realizing she could no longer resist, Sola shot her father a resentful look and replied coquettishly:

“There are already far too many women chasing after Intern Cha without me.”

Sensing danger, Jiham hurriedly stepped in.

“Vice Chairman, Intern Yun is seriously mistaken...”

“And you, Intern Cha, stay quiet.”

“...Yes, sir.”

Cutting off Jiham’s timid response, Yoon Sanghun continued questioning Yun Sola.

“These women pursuing Intern Cha... who are they? Tell me their names.”

“A girl named Gloria, another named Tracy, and Isabella...”

“Wait a moment.”

As though he had suddenly remembered something important, Yoon Sanghun interrupted his daughter. Then he fixed his gaze on Jiham and asked:

“Intern Cha, this Gloria that Intern Yun mentioned... wouldn’t she happen to be Chairman Gomez’s granddaughter?”

“You are absolutely correct, Vice Chairman.”

“And when did you first meet her?”

“At the end of last year, purely by chance through a friend in Korea. Since then, I haven’t heard anything from her.”

“Very well, I’ll take your word for it. Then who is this Tracy?”

‘I wonder how the vice chairman would react if he found out Tracy is Chairman Bongard’s granddaughter?’

“She’s Gloria’s friend.”

“So there’s nothing between the two of you?”

Could he really admit that he had already spent passionate nights with her twice?

“Personally, that’s how I see it.”

“And what kind of relationship do you have with Isabella?”

“I regard her solely as Intern Yun’s senior from graduate school.”

Yoon Sanghun turned back toward his daughter.

“What do you think of Intern Cha’s answer?”

“I spoke with Isabella over the phone yesterday afternoon, and more than eighty percent of our conversation revolved around Intern Cha.”

“Hm...”

The vice chairman dragged out the sound as though immersed in deep thought. Fortunately, his contemplation didn’t last long.

“I have no right to interfere in Intern Cha’s private life. However, if you are seriously considering Intern Yun, then it would be best to deal with all the other women and cut ties with them.”

“I will firmly remember your words, Vice Chairman.”

“Good. Now let us begin our emergency meeting properly. What are your opinions regarding the establishment of a joint venture between Hangang Electronics and Endivia?”

“There is one critical flaw in the proposal made by Intern Yun and Intern Cha,” Vice President Ha Cheolhun spoke up.

“Please explain what exactly it is.”

“Our company’s ultimate goal is to improve our own capabilities in system semiconductor design and marketing and eventually dominate the market entirely. But if we establish and develop a joint venture with Endivia, there is a risk that our own drive for development will weaken considerably.”

Everyone present, including Yoon Sanghun, immediately looked toward Jiham. Understanding what they expected from him, he entered into debate with Ha Cheolhun without the slightest hesitation.

“Hangang Electronics plans to dedicate only one factory to HBM semiconductor production. Only the manufacturing facilities and the workforce of that plant will be transferred to the joint venture. All researchers and specialists engaged in system semiconductor design will remain within Hangang Electronics. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for our development momentum to weaken.”

“And one of the reasons I personally support the establishment of this joint venture,” Yoon Sanghun added to support Jiham, “is that our researchers will be able to gain easy access to HBM semiconductor blueprints and designs.”

“Ah, I see. That makes sense now.”

Vice President Ha Cheolhun nodded in understanding.

***

Chairman Hudson’s office at Endivia.

Sitting opposite Chairman Bongard, who occupied the seat of honor, Chairman Hudson cautiously asked:

“Why do you think there has still been no news in the media regarding the death of former Vice President Addams?”

“I was informed that Chairman Gomez stuffed that bastard into an iron barrel and sank him to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. So his disappearance will probably remain an unsolved case forever.”

“But there could have been witnesses.”

“Hudson, do you really know so little about Chairman Gomez that you would ask something like that?”

“Ah, my apologies. I wasn’t thinking.”

“You understand perfectly well what will happen if information about former Vice President Addams’ disappearance leaks out, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course.”

At that moment, Louis Madison, Chairman Hudson’s trusted chief secretary, who had been itching to satisfy his curiosity, interjected.

“There’s just one thing I’m curious about. Why did former Vice President Addams decide to betray Chairman Bongard’s family?”

“That fool sincerely believed that power could defeat money.”

“I understand now. Please continue your conversation, Chairman Hudson.”

Having satisfied his curiosity, Madison stepped back.

“Chairman Bongard, who informed you that former Vice President Addams had been playing dirty behind our backs?”

“Tracy called me and told me everything.”

“And where did Tracy get the information?”

“I’ll give you a hint. Tracy spent quite a long time in Korea last year.”

At that instant, Cha Jiham’s face surfaced in Chairman Hudson’s mind. Wanting to confirm his suspicion, he cautiously asked:

“Bingo! And what do you think of our Cha Jiham?”

“Extraordinary intellect, absolute confidence, lightning-fast judgment... Despite his young age, I could tell he’s an exceptional person.”

“Yes, I can never deny your ability to judge people.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Now do you understand why I approved the joint venture proposal he suggested without a moment’s hesitation?”

“You mean you did it because of Cha Jiham?”

“Exactly. Let’s bring him over to our side and raise him into a truly great figure.”

“Hahaha! Understood.”

Chairman Hudson’s office was filled with his loud, satisfied laughter.

***

The second meeting between Hangang Electronics and Endivia representatives began precisely at three o’clock in the afternoon. Jiham and Yun Sola attended as the authors of the joint venture proposal. Chairman Bongard slowly surveyed everyone gathered around the table and spoke calmly.

“I am here solely in my capacity as Endivia’s largest shareholder. Please keep that clearly in mind so there are no misunderstandings.”

“Yes, understood!”

Chairman Bongard nodded with satisfaction and continued.

“Endivia’s management has made its final decision to purchase HBM semiconductors from Hangang Electronics.”

As though waiting for that exact moment, someone immediately asked to speak.

“Chairman Bongard, I believe this matter requires the utmost caution.”

“And what are your reasons?”

“Micron hired former Vice President Addams as a lobbyist in order to secure a contract with us. Using the authority and influence of current President Melvin Douglas, he has been exerting tremendous pressure on our company.”

“You need not concern yourselves with that. I will personally block every attempt by Micron to interfere.”

“Yes, sir.”

“By the way, regarding the contract with Hangang Electronics... that young employee sitting over there came up with a brilliant idea. Let us hear it. Mr. Cha Jiham?”

Jiham confidently rose from his seat and walked to the center of the conference room. Bowing politely to everyone present, he began in a calm voice.

“Hello. My name is Cha Jiham, and I work for the Hangang Group conglomerate.”

He had originally intended to introduce himself as an intern. However, remembering Hong Hyeonsu’s advice that the status of an intern was viewed as temporary and insignificant in high circles, he deliberately avoided mentioning it.

“The idea I developed is to establish a joint venture between Hangang Electronics and Endivia.”

Afterward, Jiham carefully laid out all the advantages and disadvantages of the approach and proposed concrete steps for implementing it.

“...If Hangang Electronics and Endivia combine their strengths and unleash this synergistic effect, our position in the global AI market will become absolutely unshakable. I am now ready to answer your questions.”

“How quickly should this joint venture be established?”

“In my opinion, the sooner, the better.”

“But first, wouldn’t it be necessary to determine the ownership distribution?”

Jiham had anticipated that question in advance and had already discussed it with Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun, receiving clear instructions.

“Vice Chairman Yoon believes that the most optimal arrangement would be forty percent...”

“Forty percent for Hangang Electronics, thirty percent for Endivia, and the remaining thirty percent for Bongard Group.”

“I wholeheartedly support Vice Chairman Yoon’s proposal!” Chairman Bongard declared loudly, his voice filled with obvious enthusiasm.