Chapter 71: Are You Sure That’s Really the Case?

“We should've been the ones flying to New York to meet you. I feel terrible that we made you travel all this way.”

Bongard Investment Group's headquarters were located in Manhattan, New York.

Chairman Clark Bongard could have flown directly from there to South Korea. Instead, despite the inconvenience, he had traveled to San Francisco, where Endivia's headquarters were located, leaving Chairman Michael Hudson feeling somewhat guilty.

“Flying from Korea to San Francisco is a lot shorter than flying to New York.”

“Hahaha. That's true.”

With a light laugh, Chairman Hudson settled into his chair.

Seated across from him, Chairman Bongard took a sip of mineral water from the bottle on the table to moisten his throat. Then he swept his stern gaze across everyone gathered in the conference room before speaking in a firm, authoritative voice.

“Keep this in mind. If the contents of this meeting leak outside, it could ruin something truly important.”

“Yes, sir! Understood!”

The participants responded loudly in unison.

Looking satisfied, Chairman Bongard continued.

“Chairman Hudson, how many shares of our company have you managed to purchase?”

Hudson recalled what had happened last Saturday afternoon.

Chairman Bongard had strongly urged him to use every bit of available capital to purchase shares of Bongard Investment Group. When Hudson had asked why, the old man had merely replied that he would explain later. Trusting that there had to be a compelling reason, Hudson had done exactly as instructed.

“About twenty billion dollars' worth.”

“That'll be more than enough.”

“Now would you please explain why we needed to secure a stake in Bongard Investment Group?”

“Our company expected the war between Russia and Ukraine to end sooner than anticipated, so we invested heavily in oil futures and suffered enormous losses. Because of that, our stock price fell nearly thirty percent compared to the beginning of the year. While I was searching for a way to recover, Tracy gave me a brilliant idea.”

Chairman Bongard openly recounted everything Tracy had told him, along with the contents of his phone conversation with Cha Jiham.

“...In the end, we poured two hundred billion dollars into purchasing shares of our own company.”

“...!”

Everyone in the conference room stared with their mouths hanging open in genuine astonishment.

Each of them understood perfectly well just how staggering two hundred billion dollars truly was.

After a moment, Chairman Hudson spoke with a skeptical expression.

“Even so... doesn't investing that much strike you as an excessive risk?”

“As Mr. Cha Jiham put it, you have to strike while the iron is hot.”

“I understand your point, but can we really achieve a fifty percent return?”

“The answer lies in why we're flying to Korea on a regular commercial flight instead of a private jet.”

“To be honest, Chairman, I'm completely lost.”

“You'll understand everything once we arrive in Korea.”

“Very well. Then when should we sell the shares we've accumulated?”

“I'll tell you when it's time. Until then, simply wait.”

“Understood.”

“Now, let's change the subject. Why did Endivia's stock give back almost all of its gains from this morning?”

That question had also been troubling Chairman Hudson.

Chairman Bongard had deliberately spread the rumor that Endivia and Hangang Electronics were planning to establish a joint venture.

Investors immediately interpreted the news as overwhelmingly positive, causing the share price to surge more than thirty percent in a spectacular rally.

Yet by the close of trading, nearly all of those gains had disappeared, leaving the stock up only five percent.

Hudson had immediately gathered the company's executives to determine the reason, but no one had been able to provide a convincing explanation.

“I honestly don't know.”

At that moment, Louis Williams, Chairman Bongard's trusted chief secretary, joined the conversation.

“Chairman, perhaps Mr. Cha Jiham knows the answer.”

“Hm. That's entirely possible. Call him immediately.”

Secretary Williams phoned Cha Jiham, exchanged a few words with him, then handed the phone to Chairman Bongard.

“Mr. Cha Jiham, is this a good time?”

“Of course. Chairman, I'm available to speak with you twenty-four hours a day.”

“We expect to land at Incheon International Airport at around seven o'clock this evening, Korean time.”

“I understand.”

“You've probably already figured out why we're taking an ordinary commercial flight despite the inconvenience.”

“I assumed it was to send Bongard Investment Group's share price soaring.”

“Just as I expected—you understand everything perfectly. Then I'm sure you also know what we should do next?”

“Of course. I'll be fully prepared on every front before your arrival.”

Chairman Bongard was curious about exactly what Cha Jiham had prepared, but he chose not to ask.

Once they reached Korea, everything would become clear soon enough.

“Excellent. Now let's discuss something else.”

“I'm listening.”

“We've been trying to figure out why Endivia's shares ended the day up only five percent, but we still don't have a definitive answer. Mr. Cha Jiham, do you have any thoughts?”

“Please remember this is only my personal theory, and I could very well be wrong. I believe the American government—specifically President Melvin Douglas—is responsible.”

“Why do you think that?”

“There are countless media outlets in the United States, but Wolf News is particularly devoted to promoting President Douglas's conservative policies.”

“I'm well aware of that.”

“Then it'll be easier to explain. Wolf News has published several articles and editorials directly claiming that the proposed joint venture between Hangang Electronics and Endivia is nothing more than an illusion—a bubble.”

Chairman Bongard covered the receiver with his hand and gestured for Secretary Williams to display Wolf News's articles on the large screen in the conference room.

Then he continued speaking with Cha Jiham.

“So what problems does Wolf News claim this joint venture will face?”

“They argue that even if the agreement is signed, President Douglas simply won't approve it.”

In other words, the articles published by Wolf News reflected President Douglas's own position.

“Mr. Cha Jiham, do you understand why President Douglas keeps putting obstacles in our way?”

“He's obsessed with the idea that the United States should maintain exclusive dominance over the global semiconductor industry. From his perspective, Endivia choosing a strategic alliance with South Korea's Hangang Electronics instead of the American company Micron gives him absolutely no reason to celebrate.”

“And how do we overcome his stubborn opposition?”

“Strictly speaking, the joint venture we're establishing will be an American company.”

“Hm... Hahaha!”

Chairman Bongard burst into booming laughter the instant he understood Cha Jiham's reasoning.

“Oh, Chairman Bongard, I nearly ruptured my eardrums.”

“Hahaha! My apologies. I'll personally cover your hospital bill.”

“If you present that argument to the media, the share prices of Endivia and Bongard Investment Group will experience explosive growth.”

“Yes, yes. Naturally they will.”

Chairman Bongard chatted with Cha Jiham for a little longer about unrelated matters before hanging up.

The moment the call ended, Chairman Hudson, who had been listening intently the entire time, leaned forward.

“What clue did Cha Jiham give you?”

“He reminded me that the new joint venture will, in fact, be incorporated as an American company.”

“What does that mea... Ah, I see!”

While Chairman Hudson nodded in understanding, the article from Wolf News appeared on the large screen.

Chairman Bongard carefully read every line before giving a satisfied nod.

Without needing another word, Secretary Williams displayed an editorial from the same publication.

After reading it to the end, Chairman Bongard issued an icy, unwavering order.

“Call Wolf News's Executive Director and tell him I want to see him.”

“But we'll have to leave for the airport very soon.”

“Then have him fly to Korea after us. We'll meet there.”

“Yes, sir.”

Secretary Williams gave a brief nod before hurrying out of the conference room.

At the same moment, Chairman Hudson addressed Chairman Bongard once more.

“You should arrange a personal meeting with President Douglas.”

“Tell me why.”

“The President keeps pressuring us to award the high-bandwidth semiconductor manufacturing contract to Micron.”

“That man still hasn't learned his lesson.”

Chairman Bongard's voice carried unmistakable resolve.

***

The First Class Lounge at San Francisco International Airport.

Chairman Bongard looked at Isabella, whose face was clouded with obvious displeasure.

“You look miserable. Did something happen?”

“Tracy isn't even an employee of Bongard Investment Group. Why are you bringing her to Korea?”

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Tracy shot Isabella a sharp look and immediately counterattacked.

“Isabella, don't you think you're being rather rude to your older sister?”

“There's only an eight-month age difference between us.”

“Even if I was born only five minutes earlier, I'm still your older sister. Grandpa, am I right?”

“I agree with Tracy. Isabella, call Tracy your older sister.”

“...All right, Grandpa. I'll do as you say.”

“But why do you dislike Tracy so much?”

The answer was simple.

Cha Jiham.

Isabella was convinced that the moment Tracy met him again, she'd immediately begin pursuing him.

Naturally, she couldn't possibly admit that aloud.

“I just can't stand how she always acts so cute.”

“That's all? There isn't another reason?”

“No. Honestly.”

Caught completely off guard, Isabella frantically waved both hands in denial.

“You do know that denying something too fiercely is practically the same as admitting it? Just tell the truth.”

“...Actually, there's someone I like.”

Chairman Bongard immediately understood everything.

It was obvious that his granddaughter Isabella had fallen in love with Cha Jiham.

And she was terrified that Tracy would set her sights on him as well.

The real complication, however, was that his other granddaughter, Tracy, was just as deeply in love with the same man.

“Tracy already knows exactly who you like.”

“...How?”

“Tracy lived in Korea for several months last year.”

Isabella instinctively turned toward Tracy.

As though reading her thoughts, Tracy answered without the slightest hesitation.

“I first met Mr. Cha Jiham near the end of last year. I don't think I need to say anything more.”

“You're just acquaintances. Nothing more.”

“Are you sure that's really the case?”

“You can't possibly...”

As something suddenly came back to her, Isabella stopped mid-sentence.

“Yes. Exactly what you're thinking. So step aside.”

“No.”

Isabella's reply was cold and unwavering.

***

Completely unaware of the fierce invisible battle unfolding between Tracy and Isabella, Cha Jiham was arguing with Yoon Sola at that very moment.

“Senior Specialist Cha, why don't you simply call Isabella yourself and ask her directly?”

“Well, Senior Specialist Yoon, you're much closer to her than I am.”

“Isabella certainly doesn't think so.”

“I've only met her once. How could I possibly be closer to her than you are?”

“How should I know?”

Yoon Sola's thoughts were written plainly across her face.

“I've already told you dozens of times. When I had dinner with Isabella, Deputy Manager Woo was there too. Senior Specialist Woo, could you please back me up?”

Woo Changhun was dying to tell the truth.

But he feared the consequences far too much, so he chose the safest possible answer.

“Cha and I returned to the hotel immediately after dinner ended.”

“Senior Specialist Yoon, did you hear what Senior Specialist Woo just said?”

“...Yes.”

“In that case, we'll leave everything in your capable hands while we go for a walk. Senior Specialist Woo, shall we?”

***

“Hey, Cha... are you sure Senior Specialist Yoon didn't suspect anything?” Woo Changhun cautiously asked from the passenger seat.

I shook my head.

“Isabella and I coordinated our alibis beforehand, so there's virtually zero chance she figured anything out.”

“That's a relief. By the way, why do you keep turning Senior Specialist Yoon down? She's making such an obvious effort.”

Yoon Sola surpassed me in every conceivable way.

There wasn't a single objective reason for her to pursue me.

The only explanation for her sudden affection was the pheromones contained in that traditional herbal tranquilizer.

Knowing the truth, how could I possibly respond to her feelings?

I genuinely wished I could explain everything to Woo Changhun.

“Senior Specialist Woo, you already know the relationship between Isabella and me.”

“Didn't it only amount to one night together?”

“...That's how I see it. She seems to think otherwise.”

“Hm. I see. Then what about my request?”

Whenever the opportunity arose, Woo Changhun begged me to introduce him to one of Isabella's friends.

I couldn't bring myself to refuse, so I honestly asked Isabella each time.

Every single request had been rejected.

Not wanting to disappoint him, I answered as vaguely as possible.

“I've been told they're currently looking for someone who's exactly your type.”

“Oh-ho-ho! Then on my next business trip to the States, I'll definitely end up dating someone!”

Woo Changhun grinned from ear to ear, already celebrating a victory that didn't yet exist.