Chapter 61: Enormous Compensation

“Commissioner General Choi, have you reached an agreement with the victims?”

Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui's voice clearly carried the impatience befitting the moment. Commissioner General of the National Police Agency Choi Dongyeong recalled the discussion he had with Chairman Park, Chairman Yoon, and Cha Jiham before answering.

“The victims lodged a protest, believing that both the punishment for Chen Shao and Li Jiahan, as well as the amount of compensation, were far too lenient.”

“Hm... Is that so? And what exactly are they demanding?”

“For both of them—a minimum of life imprisonment...”

“What did you say?!” Chen Zhihui interrupted, completely unprepared for such an outcome.

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong frowned and continued.

“Vice Chairman Chen, this is already the second time you've interrupted me during today's discussion.”

“Ah... I was simply too shocked. I sincerely apologize.”

“I accept your apology.”

“Then how can we reduce my son's sentence?”

“I believe the compensation should be doubled, while the prison term should be reduced to ten years.”

“Haa... It seems there's no other choice.”

Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui would have to pay enormous compensation to both the Korean government and the victims. Despite all his risky attempts and efforts, he had ultimately failed to take Chen Shao back to China. Naturally, there remained the possibility that the enraged vice chairman would attempt to retaliate against the Korean authorities. Just in case, Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong had already prepared countermeasures.

“Vice Chairman Chen, now let's move on to the truly important matter.”

“Weren't the negotiations already over?”

“Of course not. The Chinese authorities will resort to any means necessary to extract information from the Triad members who are returned.”

That was precisely what Chen Zhihui feared most. There was a very high chance that the Triad members would not withstand police interrogation and would reveal everything. If that happened, he himself would inevitably be held responsible. That was exactly why he had planned to leave the ordinary members to serve their sentences in Korea while taking only his son, Chen Shao, back to China.

“...Of course they will.”

“Our country has decided to take your situation into consideration, Vice Chairman Chen.”

“Could it be...” Chen Zhihui stopped short, as though he had suddenly realized something.

“Yes, exactly what you're thinking. We will secretly send the Triad members back to China.”

“...May I ask what prompted such a decision?”

From the very beginning, the Chinese authorities had demanded that the Triad members be handed over in complete secrecy. Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong had insisted to Chen Zhihui that the deportation would proceed strictly through official procedures. That had merely been a tactic to force the Triad into accepting that Chen Shao and Li Jiahan would be punished in Korea. Now that the objective had been achieved, secretly sending back the remaining rank-and-file members would no longer affect anything. To avoid raising unnecessary suspicion, the commissioner answered by skillfully mixing truth with fiction.

“While you were waiting in your hotel room, we reached an agreement with the Chinese government.”

“Ah, I see.”

“However, there are three conditions for secretly transporting the Triad members to China.”

“Please tell me.”

“First, a charter flight must be used for the transportation.”

“I'll cover the charter expenses.”

“I would be most grateful. The second condition is that you take them away as soon as possible.”

“I promise they'll all be out of Korea before the end of today.”

“And finally, there must be a representative of the Chinese government aboard the charter flight.”

“Is that really necessary?”

Chen Zhihui's question carried obvious dissatisfaction. Naturally, Choi Dongyeong had anticipated that reaction.

“It is necessary so that the Triad members can be handed directly into the custody and supervision of the Chinese government.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Chen Zhihui nodded in understanding after grasping the commissioner's reasoning.

Once every agreement had been finalized, he transferred the compensation to the account designated by the Korean authorities. After that, the procedure for sending the Triad members to China began. Ambassador Shaofei was appointed to supervise their transfer. Thanks to the swift actions of both sides, at around nine o'clock that evening Chen Zhihui and his men were able to depart for China.

“Phew~ It's finally over,” Police Superintendent Hwang Dongsok sighed in relief as the charter plane carrying the vice chairman and the Triad members disappeared into the night sky.

Watching him, Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong spoke.

“Superintendent Hwang, you've worked very hard.”

“Not at all, Commissioner. The real credit belongs to you. You worked harder than anyone.”

“Haha. You think so? By the way, when is Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan planning to return to China?”

“The cut on his forehead still hasn't healed, so he'll have to remain in the hospital for another two or three days.”

“Didn't I tell him he had to return by tomorrow morning at the latest?”

“He explained the reason for the delay to his superiors and received official permission to stay.”

“I see. Well, now that a weight has been lifted from our shoulders, how about we have a drink?”

“Hahaha! Excellent idea. I've been waiting to hear you say that.”

***

At the same time, back at home, I was telling Cha Hyeonji about the outcome of the negotiations.

“This afternoon I received compensation from the driver who hit you.”

“How much?”

“Two million dollars.”

“......!!”

Hyeonji's mouth fell wide open in genuine astonishment. Apparently, she fully understood just how enormous that amount was.

“I can see your cavities. Close your mouth.”

“I don't have any cavities! You really got two million dollars in compensation?”

“I did.”

“How rich is that driver if he could hand over that much money so easily?”

When Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui transferred the money, I happened to catch a glimpse of the balance in his secret account.

It held more than two billion dollars.

That was why paying us compensation had been no burden to him at all.

<I wonder how shocked she'll be if she finds out that the inheritance I'm supposed to receive from Chairman Park amounts to tens of trillions of won?>

With that thought in mind, I answered her question.

“That guy's father is unbelievably rich.”

“Ah, I see. But seriously, did he really just hand over that money so easily?”

“What do you think you would have done in his place?”

My words implied that the police had gone to considerable lengths to extract that amount.

“I get what you mean.”

“The money should arrive tomorrow, and I plan to give every last dollar to you.”

“All of it...? Why?” Hyeonji asked, clearly bewildered.

“Because of this accident, you may have to deal with its consequences for the rest of your life. Looking at it that way, two million dollars really isn't that much.”

“That may be true, but I know how much you risked for my sake. How could I possibly take all of it for myself? Let's split it fifty-fifty.”

“I'd rather beg alongside the homeless than take your money.”

“My, someone's awfully proud for a man who's supposedly so wealthy...”

It was time to clear up her misunderstanding.

“You know how rich Chairman Park is, don't you?”

“Yes.”

“Unfortunately, he has neither a family nor any close relatives. Do you understand what I'm getting at?”

“...Y-you mean... You're saying you'll inherit Chairman Park's entire fortune?”

Hyeonji's voice trembled with genuine shock.

“Exactly. And by the way, his wealth is measured in trillions.”

“...My God. That's an unimaginable amount.”

“So? Will you do as I asked now?”

“Yes... All right. I'll do it your way.”

“What are you planning to spend those two million dollars on once you receive it?”

“Hmm... The first thing I'd do is buy a large, spacious apartment so we'd never have to worry about housing again.”

“I don't think we should rush into moving.”

“Why not?”

Instead of answering, I pointed at Saho, who was sprawled comfortably across the dining table.

“Didn't you say you were going to return Saho to Chairman Park?”

“...Grrr!”

Just as expected, Saho let out a dissatisfied growl the moment he heard Hyeonji's words.

“Watch your attitude!”

Without the slightest hesitation, I smacked the cat on the back of the head.

Feeling wronged, Saho jumped off the table and proudly stalked into my room. Watching him leave, Hyeonji asked in confusion,

“Brother... Is Saho really a cat?”

“Why are you asking something so obvious? I'd better go calm him down.”

Opening the bedroom door, I found Saho lying dejectedly on the bed.

Feeling sorry for him, I walked over and gently stroked his head.

“I'm not the kind of person who abandons members of his family. But Hyeonji is different.”

“......”

“If you don't start behaving like an ordinary house cat, she'll simply throw you out. Do you understand?”

Saho nodded vigorously in agreement, making it perfectly clear that he understood exactly what I meant.

***

The next morning, after getting ready for work, I went downstairs.

As usual, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan was already waiting for me. Behind him stood a luxurious executive sedan with its engine already running.

After greeting him, I settled into the prestigious rear seat, which I had gradually become accustomed to. No sooner had the car started moving than Kang Inhan spoke.

“Mr. Chairman, a serious incident occurred last night.”

“Tell me what happened.”

“The charter flight carrying the Triad members was originally headed for Hong Kong. However, for some reason, the aircraft changed course and landed at a military base on the outskirts of Beijing.”

“Do you know why?”

“We believe someone pulled strings at the very highest levels of the Chinese government.”

The moment I heard that, one specific name surfaced in my mind.

“Could Vice Chairman Wei Chen be behind it?”

“The police are leaning toward the same conclusion.”

“And what happened to the Triad members after they landed at the military base?”

“It has been confirmed that Vice Chairman Chen and the upper leadership of the organization were released without incident.”

I immediately understood exactly what had happened there.

After realizing the seriousness of the situation, Chen Zhihui had used every connection at his disposal to save himself.

His efforts had paid off, and he and the organization's leadership had walked free.

“Sigh... In the end, only the innocent low-level members will end up behind bars.”

“Exactly.”

“Were you able to find out anything about this Vice Chairman Wei Chen?”

“For the past several years, he has effectively been the Triad's second-in-command. However, over the last year or two, Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui's position became much stronger, and he began challenging him for that spot.”

“Looks like we're about to witness an entertaining war for control of the Triad.”

While talking with Chief Secretary Kang, we arrived at the office before we even realized it.

I headed toward Chairman Park Yeongil's office to greet him, only to find a rather unexpected sight.

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong was already there.

“Commissioner, what brings you here so early in the morning?”

“I happened to come by because there are several matters we need to discuss.”

Since there were several issues, I decided it would be best to deal with them one at a time.

After bowing to Chairman Park, I took a seat on the vacant sofa. At that moment, Chairman Park addressed me.

“Cha Jiham, aren't you curious why Commissioner Choi came to see me?”

“I assume it's to share information about last night's events in China.”

“That too, but the main reason is to resolve an extremely complicated and delicate issue.”

“What issue?”

“I think Commissioner Choi should explain it himself.”

Chairman Park yielded the floor to the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency.

“You're already aware of last night's events in China, so I'll skip those details.”

“Before that, allow me to ask one question. Who exactly set Vice Chairman Chen up?”

“There is a very high probability that it was Wei Chen.”

“I can only imagine how furiously Chen Zhihui is grinding his teeth right now.”

“I share that opinion. Now let's move on to the reason I came to see Chairman Park. What should we do with the compensation we received from Chen?”

“I think I'd like to hear Cha Jiham's opinion on that matter,” Chairman Park deftly tossed the hot potato to me.

After only a brief moment of thought, I answered Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

“The compensation for the traffic accident should be distributed among the victims. As for the Triad members, as you know, they were neutralized by our company's personnel. Accordingly, our company should receive eleven million dollars to cover medical expenses and compensation for emotional damages. However,” I paused to emphasize the importance of my next words, “the twenty-six and a half million dollars paid as ransom for the Triad members should rightfully be transferred to the police.”

“You must have a good reason for that?”

“The police played a direct role in interrogating those scumbags and arranging their transfer to China.”