Chapter 40: You Old Fossil!

“You old fossil!” Chairman Park Yeongil roared in exasperation as he slammed the receiver down.

Kang Inhan, the Chief Secretary, who had been watching him attentively the entire time, cautiously asked,

“What did Intern Cha report that made you so angry?”

“Damn it all! Chairman Yoon decided to make Intern Cha a full-time employee as a reward for the results he achieved during the American business trip.”

“But isn't that a good thing? That would allow him to leave Hangang Group sooner.”

“You really have no idea what kind of man Yoon is, do you?”

“Are you saying the promotion to full-time status comes with some additional condition?”

“Exactly. Yoon attached a condition. Intern Cha has to provide solid support so that Hangang Electronics, Endivia, and Bongard Group can smoothly establish their joint venture without a hitch.”

Only then did Chief Secretary Kang Inhan understand the reason for Chairman Park's fury. The new company that Hangang Electronics, Endivia, and Bongard Group planned to establish together was intended to become a global player. Creating it was only half the battle. Approval from regulators in the United States and Europe would also be required. The biggest problem was that no one could predict how long those approvals would take. In that case, Cha Jiham's resignation would be postponed indefinitely, inevitably ruining his transfer to Korea Investment to begin management training.

“If Chairman Yoon knows your situation so well, why would he impose such conditions?”

“You know better than anyone how that greedy bastard covets outstanding talent.”

“And how do we destroy Chairman Yoon's plans?”

“I'll have to meet him in person and settle it directly. There's no other way.”

“I'll prepare the car immediately.”

***

“What brings you here without any warning?” Chairman Yoon Jongu greeted him unhappily.

Chairman Park Yeongil had come with a clear purpose. Ignoring the complaint, he silently walked to the sofa and sat down. Then he addressed Chief Secretary Song Dosok dryly.

“Secretary Song, I'm burning up inside. Pour me a glass of cold water.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Sensing the tension in the room, Chief Secretary Song Dosok gave a brief reply and hurried out. Chairman Yoon Jongu followed him with his eyes before turning back to Park.

“And when do you plan to answer my question?”

“I'll drink some water and cool my temper first. Then we'll talk. Wait a bit.”

Chairman Yoon Jongu had already guessed the true reason for the visit. Park had undoubtedly learned that Cha Jiham was being made a full-time employee. He had rushed over without notice to pick a fight. Anticipating this, Yoon Jongu had already sat down with Chief Secretary Song Dosok and Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun and prepared a perfectly convincing strategy.

“Cool your temper? So you came because of that matter?”

“You know very well yourself.”

As icy silence filled the office, Chief Secretary Song Dosok returned with a secretary carrying a tray. As if to demonstrate his anger visually, Chairman Park Yeongil snatched the glass and drained it in one gulp.

Bang!

He slammed the empty glass onto the table and squeezed out the words.

“Do you even understand the situation I'm in?”

“I do. At our age of eighty-five, shouldn't we be thinking about eternity by now?”

“That's not what I'm talking about!”

“If you came here because of Intern Cha, you've come for nothing.”

“What?!”

Chairman Park's thunderous shout made Chief Secretaries Song Dosok and Kang Inhan involuntarily flinch. Chairman Yoon Jongu, however, remained perfectly calm, confident in his position.

“Think back and remember what we argued about six years ago.”

Six years earlier, Chairman Park Yeongil had enthusiastically made a wager with Yoon Jongu during a game of baduk. The condition had been simple. If Park found a successor to inherit his will, that person would have to work at Hangang Group for five years. Naturally, Yoon Jongu had expected this topic to come up and had prepared his response.

“Have you forgotten the saying, 'You can't force a man to become governor if he doesn't want the position'?” Park Yeongil countered.

But Yoon Jongu already had a strategy prepared for that argument.

“Even if Intern Cha submits his resignation, I won't sign it.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“You know better than anyone that our company must establish a joint venture with Endivia and Bongard Group for the exclusive production of high-bandwidth HBM semiconductors.”

“And what does Intern Cha have to do with creating that company?”

“The idea for the joint venture itself came from Intern Cha. Chairman Bongard and Chairman Hudson trusted him and decided to invest thirty percent each. If Intern Cha leaves, the joint venture project will likely become nothing more than a blank sheet of paper.”

Chairman Park Yeongil tilted his head skeptically. Building an HBM semiconductor plant would require astronomical sums. Yet Chairman Bongard and Chairman Hudson were willing to pour in unimaginable amounts simply because they trusted Cha Jiham? Furthermore, when Jiham had gone to America, he had no idea what tremendous inheritance awaited him. Park Yeongil decided to ask Yoon Jongu directly how such a thing was possible.

“I was curious myself, so I asked Chairman Bongard and Chairman Hudson. They said they had compelling reasons.”

“And what are those reasons, damn it?”

“I asked, but both of them avoided answering.”

“I don't believe a word you're saying.”

At that moment, Chief Secretary Song Dosok stepped into the conversation, playing the role prepared in advance.

“Chairman Park, what if we call Chairman Bongard and Chairman Hudson right now and ask them directly? Or perhaps the person at the center of it all should ask personally?”

Song Dosok glanced meaningfully at Yoon Jongu. The latter immediately understood and nodded. Chief Secretary Song promptly called Cha Jiham and instructed him to come to the chairman's office.

***

After receiving permission to enter, I stepped into the chairman's office and froze involuntarily. Both the people gathered and the atmosphere itself were suffocatingly heavy. Deciding to sort things out later, I bowed politely to Yoon Jongu and the others.

“Chairman Yoon, you called for me? Chairman Park, you're here too.”

“Sit down. No truth comes from standing,” Yoon Jongu said.

“Yes, all right.”

Giving a brief nod, I darted to the empty sofa as swiftly as a swallow and sat down. Chief Secretary Song Dosok immediately brought me up to speed, recounting everything that had happened before I arrived.

“...Therefore, Intern Cha, we'd like you to ask the two of them why they decided to invest in the joint venture.”

Deep down, I wondered whether things really had to go this far, but I kept that to myself.

“I'm willing to carry out your instructions, Chairman, but I don't know their phone numbers.”

“I'll dial the numbers. Intern Cha, all you have to do is speak with them.”

“I understand.”

Leaving my reply uncommented upon, Chief Secretary Song Dosok called Chairman Bongard, exchanged greetings, and briefly explained the situation. Then, for everyone's convenience, he politely asked permission to put the call on speaker. After receiving approval, he switched the mode and handed the phone to me. I began with an apology.

“I'm very sorry for disturbing you so late.”

“It's only ten in the evening here, so don't worry about that,” Chairman Bongard's voice came through the speaker.

“Then I'm relieved.”

“You're curious why I decided to invest in the joint venture? There are two reasons. First, I sensed something in your eyes that simply couldn't be resisted.”

I had heard something similar from both Tracy and Isabella. Apparently, that herbal tranquilizer really did possess some outrageous effect that made people submit to one's will. But Chairman Yoon Jongu and the others absolutely could not know about that nearly fraudulent property, so I improvised.

“My passionate desire to launch the joint venture must have been reflected in my eyes.”

“That may well be.”

“Chairman Bongard, then I'd like to hear the second reason.”

“Tracy strongly recommended that I invest in the project.”

Tracy...

As a reward for the passionate night we spent together, she had completely recovered from the incurable disease retinitis pigmentosa. This was her way of repaying me. If the joint venture succeeded, I, as the one who conceived it, would naturally benefit the most.

“I understand. I still need to call Chairman Hudson, so I'll end the conversation here.”

“Intern Cha, wait a moment,” Chairman Bongard stopped me.

“Is there something else?”

“The reason Chairman Hudson and I decided to invest is exactly the same.”

In other words, there was no point in calling Hudson.

“Thank you for the clear explanation, Chairman Bongard.”

“Not at all. I'll see you soon in South Korea.”

“All right. See you then.”

Click.

The moment I hung up, Chairman Yoon Jongu hit me with an unexpected question.

“Intern Cha, who is Tracy?”

Whether I had built the Great Wall of China with Tracy or not was none of Chairman Yoon's business. But why was he so frighteningly interested?

“Better play it safe...”

“Last winter, my friend and I were drinking at a restaurant when Tracy and her friend happened to be sitting at the next table. We struck up a conversation and ended up joining them. Only afterward did I learn she was Chairman Bongard's granddaughter.”

“Are you close to her?”

I certainly couldn't tell him we'd spent two unforgettable, passionate nights together.

“We merely exchanged phone numbers.”

“Then why would an ordinary acquaintance ask Chairman Bongard to invest in the joint venture?”

One lie was giving birth to another, but I wasn't about to admit that I had conquered Tracy with my bull-like stamina.

“Tracy once asked me about the advantages of creating such a company. I explained everything in detail, hoping she would help persuade Chairman Bongard.”

“Ah, so that's why Chairman Bongard agreed so readily!”

“On that matter, Chairman, I completely share your opinion.”

At that point, Chairman Park Yeongil, clearly overcome by curiosity, joined the conversation.

“Intern Cha, why did you need to involve Chairman Bongard in the joint venture in the first place?”

“For the weight and influence he carries.”

“Explain it clearly so I can understand.”

“Once the joint venture reaches full operation, we'll easily dominate the artificial intelligence market. In that situation, our competitors certainly won't sit idly by.”

“So you brought him in to use Chairman Bongard as a living shield.”

“You're absolutely right, Chairman.”

“All right, that's settled. Now let's return to the important matter. Chairman Yoon says he won't let you go until the joint venture launches successfully. What do you think?”

I already had the perfect solution prepared.

“I need to transfer to Korea Investment and begin learning management as soon as possible.”

“Ahem, excellent thinking,” Park Yeongil grunted approvingly.

“However, if I leave right now, the joint venture project may collapse. Therefore, I propose this. I'll remain at Hangang Group until the end of the year, until the company has been fully established.”

“Impossible!” Chairman Park Yeongil objected sharply, exactly as expected.

Despite that, I wasn't worried in the slightest because I had an unbeatable card in my hand.

“There is one prerequisite for me to stay at Hangang Group for those eight months.”

“What condition? Out with it already,” Chairman Yoon Jongu urged impatiently, leaning forward.

“While continuing my work at Hangang Group, I will also undergo management training at Korea Investment. Unless something urgent arises, I'll leave work at four in the afternoon. And on Fridays, I'll go directly to the Korea Investment office.”

“Hm, under those conditions, there really isn't much of a problem. What do you think, Chairman Park?”

“Intern Cha is my man,” Park Yeongil grumbled unhappily, clearly unwilling to yield.

“What? Are you really planning to fight me to the bitter end?”

“I never run from fights that you start. But since this might tire Intern Cha, I'm willing to compromise.”

“And what compromise would that be? Speak quickly.”

“Once the joint venture is established, give our company twenty percent of the shares.”

“If I agree, our company and Korea Investment will become only the second-largest shareholders behind Endivia and Bongard Group.”

“Hm... That would indeed be awkward.”

“How about a fair nine percent?”

“Give me another half percent.”

“Good grief, where does all this greed come from at your age? Fine, deal.”

Thus, Korea Investment secured a 9.5% stake in the future joint venture.