Chapter 69: The Decisive Reason

"The Future Strategy Promotion Department is responsible for receiving Chairman Bongard and Chairman Hudson."

Park Cheolsu, the CEO of Hangang Electronics, couldn't understand Chairman Yoon Jongu's decision.

After all, Hangang Electronics was the party creating the joint venture with the American company Endivia, Bongard Group, and Korea Investment.

Logically speaking, they should have been the ones hosting the guests.

Yet, for some unknown reason, Chairman Yoon Jongu had completely excluded them from the matter.

Unable to hold back, Park Cheolsu voiced his thoughts directly.

"The proposal to establish the joint venture came from Senior Analyst Cha."

"I'll respect your decision, Chairman, but I still don't understand why we've been left out. Frankly, it doesn't sit well with me."

"What?!"

Chairman Yoon Jongu suddenly raised his voice.

Despite that, Park Cheolsu remained perfectly composed, as though he hadn't made any mistake.

After staring at him with obvious displeasure for a long moment, Yoon Jongu continued.

"Why do you think Senior Analyst Cha recommended that Chairman Bongard repurchase his own company's shares?"

"I assume it was to maximize the profits of Korea Investment, which invested in Bongard Group."

"That's certainly one reason, but there's another."

"The decisive one."

"There's another reason?"

Rather than answering him directly, Yoon Jongu turned toward me.

"Jiham, explain to this fool, President Park, what the decisive reason is."

In reality, when I'd suggested the buyback to Chairman Bongard, I had only one objective.

Chairman Yoon Jongu, however, was deliberately exaggerating the significance of that move, presenting it as a brilliant strategic maneuver.

As I considered what the Chairman was truly trying to accomplish, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

...Ah.

So that's what Chairman Yoon is aiming for.

Quickly organizing my thoughts, I addressed Park Cheolsu.

"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the key to establishing the joint venture lies in Chairman Bongard's hands."

"And what makes you say that?"

"Bongard Group is Endivia's largest shareholder. In addition, Chairman Bongard himself is scheduled to receive a thirty percent stake in the new joint venture. If he opposes it, the project simply won't happen."

"But isn't it a bit far-fetched to claim the entire venture would fail because of one man's objection?"

I shook my head.

"Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun brought Bongard Group into the joint venture because he didn't fully trust Chairman Hudson."

"There's another reason as well."

"Chairman Bongard's own status and influence."

"I understand the first reason, but not the second."

"A joint venture dedicated solely to manufacturing HBM semiconductors will become a global corporation. That means it will inevitably require regulatory approval from the United States, the European Union, and other jurisdictions."

"So you're saying we'll rely on Chairman Bongard's influence to obtain those approvals?"

"Exactly."

"If you want a donkey to work hard, you have to feed it well first."

"Hahaha!"

Finding the comparison surprisingly apt, Chairman Yoon Jongu burst into booming laughter.

Naturally, everyone else joined in.

Once the laughter subsided, Yoon Jongu looked back at Park Cheolsu.

"Do you understand now why I assigned the reception to the Future Strategy Promotion Department?"

"I assume it's because Senior Analyst Cha has a close relationship with Chairman Bongard."

"Exactly."

"And that answer just saved your job."

The atmosphere suddenly changed.

Park Cheolsu immediately stood up and bowed deeply.

"Chairman, thank you for allowing me to keep my position."

"Now that you understand, that's enough. Stop overdoing it and sit down."

Looking embarrassed, Park Cheolsu quietly returned to his seat.

Yoon Jongu glanced at him disapprovingly before turning toward Director Jeong Sunho.

"I can count on you, can't I, Director Jeong?"

"We'll do everything possible to ensure our guests experience not even the slightest inconvenience."

At that moment, Chairman Yoon noticed President Lee Changho studying something on his phone.

Curious, he asked,

"President Lee, has something major appeared in the news?"

"The thing is... Hangang Electronics' stock has suddenly shot through the roof."

"What?! Is that true?"

"Yes, Chairman. Compared to Friday's closing price, it's already up eighteen and a half percent."

Yoon Jongu found it extremely strange.

Hangang Electronics had an enormous number of outstanding shares.

Its stock price rarely experienced dramatic swings.

Yet it had suddenly jumped eighteen and a half percent without any major official announcement.

As he pondered the reason, Park Yeongil's face suddenly came to mind.

"Secretary Song, call Chairman Park immediately."

"Right away."

After a brief response, Song Dosok contacted Kang Inhan.

Following a short exchange, he handed the phone to Yoon Jongu.

"Chairman, Chairman Park is on the line."

Taking the phone, Yoon Jongu immediately shouted without even greeting him.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

"[Why are you suddenly yelling?]"

"Why did you leak news about the joint venture to the stock market?"

"[We've known each other for decades, and that's still what you think of me?]"

Chairman Park Yeongil's tone made it perfectly clear that he had nothing to do with the leak.

"Then why are Hangang Electronics' shares skyrocketing?"

"[What?! Seriously?!]"

"Stop shouting in my ear."

"[You started yelling first!]"

"Fine. I need to figure out what's causing this surge. We'll talk later."

Click.

Ending the call in a hurry, Yoon Jongu turned toward Lee Changho.

"You heard everything Chairman Park and I discussed, didn't you?"

"Yes, Chairman."

"Vice Chairman Yoon, President Lee, and Senior Analyst Cha stay."

"Everyone else may return to work."

Once the others had quietly left the office, Yoon Jongu shook his head in confusion.

"Senior Analyst Cha, what do you think caused the sudden surge?"

I only had one theory.

But since there was still a possibility I was wrong, I answered cautiously.

"I can't say for certain, but I believe Chairman Bongard is behind it."

"But the American stock market won't open until tonight."

"Futures trading operates around the clock."

"You mean he's buying Bongard Group futures?"

"We should definitely consider that possibility."

"Can we verify it somehow?"

The implication behind Yoon Jongu's question was obvious.

He wanted me to call Chairman Bongard directly.

But there was something I wanted to confirm first.

"President Lee, could you check the over-the-counter prices for Endivia and Bongard Group?"

Without another word, Lee Changho pulled out his phone and checked both companies.

A moment later he reported,

"Endivia is up fifteen and a half percent."

"But Bongard Group has only risen one point seven percent."

"I understand now."

Immediately afterward, I dialed Chairman Bongard.

He answered instantly, as though he'd been waiting for my call.

"[Mr. Cha Jiham, shall I guess why you're calling?]"

"Chairman, are you the one behind the rise in Endivia and Hangang Electronics shares?"

"[Just as I expected, you figured it out immediately.]"

"I'm curious about your objective."

"[Well, I am also a major shareholder in both companies.]"

That single sentence contained the entire logic behind his strategy.

"I see."

"Then I'd like to ask why Bongard Group's own stock has barely moved in the over-the-counter market."

After discussing several additional business matters, I ended the international call and gave a full report to Chairman Yoon Jongu and the others.

"...They deliberately spread only the rumor that Hangang Electronics and Endivia intend to establish a joint venture."

"Ah..."

"So that's why Bongard Group's own stock barely moved."

"Exactly, Chairman."

"So what should we do now?"

"Just to be safe, we should also buy futures instead of the shares themselves."

Yoon Jongu nodded in understanding before turning toward Lee Changho.

"What do you think of Senior Analyst Cha's suggestion?"

"I think it's an excellent idea."

"Carry it out discreetly."

"I don't want unnecessary rumors spreading."

"Understood?"

"Of course, Chairman."

"Very well."

"President Lee and Senior Analyst Cha, you're dismissed."

However, I made no move to stand.

"What is it? Do you have something else to tell me?"

"Yes, Chairman."

"I believe I should visit Korea Investment's headquarters to discuss a plan for dealing with any possible consequences."

"I'll go with you."

"Head downstairs and wait for me."

As soon as everyone else had left the office, Yoon Jongu turned toward Song Dosok.

"Make sure rumors about Senior Analyst Cha's accomplishments don't spread inside the company."

"Keep everyone on a very short leash."

After giving that order, Yoon Jongu looked reproachfully at Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun.

"And what exactly have you been doing?"

"...Excuse me?"

"I'm talking about finding a way to secure Senior Analyst Cha before some other woman steals him away!"

"Ah..."

"I understand."

"I'll begin working on a plan immediately."

Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun nodded vigorously, as though he had finally understood his grandfather's intentions.

***

At the same time, in another wing of the building, Director Jeong Sunho was speaking with Support Team Leader Heo Yeongjin and Team One Leader Jeong Doyeon.

"Chairman Bongard and Chairman Hudson will arrive the day after tomorrow."

"What?!"

"That soon?"

"They say Chairman Bongard personally made the decision."

"But remember."

"This information must remain strictly confidential until tomorrow evening."

Heo Yeongjin simply couldn't understand his superior's reasoning.

A visit from people of such stature to Hangang Group was a tremendous achievement for the entire company.

Normally, they would be publicizing it everywhere.

Instead, they were being ordered to keep silent until the next day.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Heo Yeongjin asked,

"Sorry, but why all the secrecy?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you."

"That only makes me even more curious."

"Be as curious as you like."

"Just keep yourself under control."

"Understood."

"Our department has officially been assigned responsibility for receiving the American delegation."

"What?!"

"Shouldn't Hangang Electronics be handling that?"

"It was the Chairman's personal decision."

"I can imagine the executives at Hangang Electronics throwing a fit."

"They certainly did."

"President Park actually challenged the decision in front of the Chairman."

"He was chewed out so badly that he barely escaped."

"Oh..."

"Now I understand."

Satisfied with that exchange, Jeong Sunho turned toward Jeong Doyeon.

"We need to coordinate schedules with Hangang Electronics."

"Call an emergency meeting immediately."

"Understood."

"I'll take care of it right away."

Jeong Doyeon nodded, took out his phone, and hurried from the office.

Watching him leave, Jeong Sunho turned back toward Heo Yeongjin.

"You realize that both your career and mine now depend entirely on Senior Analyst Cha."

"That's a rather dramatic thing to say, Director."

"I've seen the way the Chairman looks at him."

"His eyes are overflowing with affection—as though he were looking at his own son."

"I see..."

"Make absolutely sure Senior Analyst Cha encounters no problems whatsoever at work."

"Give him every possible convenience."

Buzz.

At that moment, Director Jeong Sunho's phone vibrated on the desk.

Seeing the caller's name, he answered immediately.

"Yes, Secretary Song. I'm listening."

"[Director Jeong, the Chairman is extremely displeased by the possibility that rumors about Senior Analyst Cha's accomplishments might spread through the company. I trust you understand my meaning?]"

"Yes."

"I understand completely."

"[Now for another matter."

"The Chairman has officially confirmed Senior Analyst Cha as the future spouse of Senior Analyst Yun."

"You are aware of that, aren't you?]"

"Of course."

"I'm fully aware."

"[Then you also remember that you have only eleven months left.]"

Immediately after returning from the American business trip, Jeong Sunho had indeed been summoned by Chairman Yoon Jongu.

At that time, the Chairman had revealed that Yun Sola was his biological granddaughter and ordered him to do everything in his power to ensure that she married Cha Jiham within one year.

Failure would result in dismissal.

Song Dosok had just chosen the perfect moment to remind him of that fact.

"I remember perfectly."

"[Do your best to ensure the Chairman's trust in you is not misplaced.]"

"I'll do everything within my power."

"[Very well. You have plenty of work to do, so I won't keep you any longer.]"

Click.

The moment Jeong Sunho hung up, Heo Yeongjin immediately asked,

"What did Secretary Song say?"

"...Sigh."

Jeong Sunho let out a long sigh as he stared at the ceiling.

Then he quietly muttered,

"If we don't want to be kicked out of this company..."