Chapter 76: Business Comes Before Women

The press conference concluded with tremendous success, but Chairman Bongard and Chairman Hudson were unable to leave the airport on schedule. The reason was a request for a meeting from United States Ambassador Tony Goodwin and Wolf News Executive Director John Garfield.

"Why are you keeping busy people waiting?" Chairman Bongard asked.

In response, Ambassador Goodwin turned toward Garfield with a guilty expression. Watching the exchange, Chairman Bongard instantly understood what was going on. Endivia had suffered enormous losses because of Wolf News's false report. Admitting his fault, Garfield had enlisted Ambassador Goodwin's help to secure this meeting. One way or another, however, Chairman Bongard had intended to meet him anyway.

"Mr. Garfield, we're hardly strangers. Why did you have to ask Ambassador Goodwin to arrange this meeting?" Chairman Bongard said.

"The truth is... we made a mistake."

"I'm glad you realize that."

Garfield could not find a reply and merely lowered his head.

"What the hell was the reason for publishing an article claiming our joint venture was nothing but a sham?"

"It was... Advisor Graff asked me to."

"So my suspicions were correct yet again. And what exactly did he tell you?"

"President Melvin Douglas believes the semiconductor industry should remain under our country's exclusive leadership. Since the joint venture was established as a Korean company, it directly contradicts his policy."

"And you published it without even bothering to verify his claims with Endivia?"

"..."

Garfield fell silent, guilt washing over him as though the ground beneath his feet had disappeared. Chairman Bongard had no intention of letting him off so easily.

"Should I take your silence as confirmation?"

"..."

Bang!

Chairman Bongard slammed his palm onto the table and barked in an ice-cold voice,

"Answer me immediately!"

"...I'm sorry."

"You fabricated a filthy lie and passed it off as the absolute truth. And after that, you still dare call yourself a journalist?"

"I have nothing to say in my defense."

"Do you have any idea how enormous Endivia's losses were because of your false report?"

"..."

"Or perhaps... you received a secret bribe from Advisor Graff?"

"No! Absolutely not!"

The more desperately Garfield denied it, the more convinced Chairman Bongard became that the executive director had received either a substantial sum of money or the promise of special favors from Graff. If Chairman Bongard chose to pursue the matter further, he could crush Garfield completely, but he decided to stop there. Even a cornered mouse could bite a cat.

"Very well. I'll pretend I believe you. When will the correction be published?"

"Tomorrow at the latest."

Chairman Bongard found that answer completely unacceptable. The American stock market would open in just three hours.

"It seems Wolf News is so confident in its market share that it has nothing to worry about."

"What do you mean?"

"Mr. Garfield, you saw with your own eyes how many reporters attended today's press conference. Do you really think they'll wait until your company graciously decides to publish its correction?"

"Ah! I'll have it released as quickly as possible!"

"You must be a very busy man, so I won't keep you any longer. You may leave."

Receiving the unmistakable order to leave, Garfield hurriedly threw open the door and rushed out. After watching him go, Chairman Bongard turned toward Ambassador Goodwin, who had quietly observed everything.

"We're planning to have dinner with representatives from Hangang Group and Korea Investment. Please join us."

"It would be my honor to attend."

Chairman Bongard invited Ambassador Goodwin solely because of President Douglas. It was obvious that the ambassador would report every detail of the dinner directly to the president. Naturally, Goodwin had no idea about the true reason behind the invitation.

"Of course. I'd be delighted."

"Then I gratefully accept your invitation."

"Very well. Shall we head to the restaurant?"

***

Deputy Manager Woo Changhun, Yun Sola, and I arrived early at the restaurant inside the Korea Renaissance Hotel to inspect everything before the banquet. Once the preparations were complete, we spent the remaining time waiting for Chairman Bongard's arrival.

"Cha, what do you think? Has Chairman Bongard already torn Garfield apart?" Woo Changhun asked.

I shook my head.

"If I were Chairman Bongard, I'd use both the carrot and the stick."

"The carrot? What do you mean?"

"Chairman Bongard's primary duty is to fill his shareholders' pockets."

Woo Changhun immediately grasped what I meant. Chairman Bongard had undoubtedly demanded that Garfield publish a correction. To make amends, Garfield would now have to fill Wolf News with favorable articles praising the joint venture. As a result, the shares of Bongard Group, which had invested heavily in the project, would soar.

Wanting to confirm his guess, he asked directly,

"Cha, you ought to quit the company and open your own fortune-telling shop."

"Thanks for the compliment, even if it was flattery. I happen to have some spare cash at the moment. Should I buy Hangang Electronics stock?"

"If you're investing for the long term, then by all means, buy Hangang Electronics."

"So it's not suitable if I want a quick profit?"

"Hangang Electronics shares have already climbed more than thirty percent following the official announcement that it would supply high-bandwidth semiconductors to Endivia. From here, they'll probably rise another ten percent at most."

"Well, ten percent isn't bad either... But isn't there an even better opportunity?"

"If I had spare money right now, I'd put every last cent into Bongard Group."

"I'd love to do that too, but I don't have an account for trading foreign stocks."

These days, isn't that something you can open in just a few taps through an app? I thought.

At that moment, Yun Sola, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, finally spoke.

"Mr. Woo, I have an account for trading overseas stocks."

"You mean you could make the purchase on my behalf?"

"We're on the same team. Why shouldn't I help a colleague? Of course... not for free."

"Naturally. What's your fee?"

"We're practically friends, so thirty percent of the net profit will be enough."

"Hey, isn't that a bit much?"

"Let's say you invest ten thousand dollars in Bongard Group. The return will be at least fifty percent..."

"How much?! That high?!" Woo Changhun blurted out, unable to hide his astonishment.

"Bongard Group's stock is currently about thirty percent lower than it was at the beginning of the year. Recovering by fifty percent won't be difficult."

"All right, I get the idea. Go on."

"If the return is fifty percent, your net profit will be thirty-five hundred dollars. Earning that much in just a day or two sounds like a gift from heaven to me."

"But how can it possibly jump by fifty percent in a single day?"

"The American stock market doesn't have daily price limits, so it's entirely possible."

"Ah, I see."

Woo Changhun nodded in understanding.

"So hurry up and decide how much you want to invest."

"Why the rush?"

"The U.S. market opens in two hours."

"Got it. Send me your account number. I'll transfer thirty million won."

Yun Sola quickly tapped on her phone and sent him the account information. Without hesitation, Woo Changhun opened his banking app and transferred the entire thirty million won. Moments later, she confirmed that the money had arrived before turning to me with a smile.

"And you, Cha? Aren't you interested in making some easy money?"

In reality, Chairman Park Yeongil had already invested eight billion dollars into Bongard Group shares based on my advice. If the stock rose by fifty percent, my own share would amount to two billion dollars. Naturally, Yun Sola knew nothing about that. Why would I bother chasing pocket change when billions were already at stake?

"I don't have any spare money right now."

"But you received a one-thousand-percent bonus just a few days ago."

"I used every last won to pay off my bank loan."

"Oh, what a pity. If you'd like, I can lend you the money without charging any interest."

Where does an intern get enough money to casually make offers like that? I wondered.

"You must be quite wealthy, Yun."

"I won't deny it."

"Haha, really? Then how much could you lend me?"

Just then, the doors opened, and Chairman Yoon Jongu entered with his entourage, bringing our conversation to an abrupt end. We quickly stood to greet the executives.

Chairman Yoon and the distinguished guests took their seats at the central table while everyone else sat according to the seating arrangement.

That was when an unexpected problem arose.

Tracy and Isabella nearly got into a fight over the seat beside me. The more serious issue, however, was that Yun Sola had already calmly occupied the chair on my left.

Watching the two foreign women argue with wide eyes, Woo Changhun leaned over and whispered,

"Cha, who is she? Why is she so desperate to sit next to you?"

"Chairman Bongard's granddaughter."

"What?!"

His exclamation was so loud that Tracy and Isabella both turned to look at him.

In the end, Tracy used her privilege as the older cousin to edge Isabella aside and triumphantly claimed the seat to my right.

Smiling proudly, she spoke in remarkably fluent Korean.

"Hello. My name is Tracy Bongard. Cha and I first met in Seoul last winter, and we've remained very close ever since. So I hope you'll understand."

"Wow, Tracy. Where did you learn Korean so well?" Woo Changhun asked.

"A few years ago I heard Korean pop music for the first time. From that moment, I completely fell in love with Korean culture. Once I realized how fascinating it was, I decided I absolutely had to learn the language. I've been studying diligently ever since."

"Your determination is truly impressive."

"You're flattering me. Now, would you mind introducing everyone else?"

"Ah, of course. I'm Deputy Manager Woo Changhun..."

Woo Changhun introduced Tracy and Isabella to everyone at our table one by one. Once the introductions were over, the waiters began serving the first course.

Dinner unfolded in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

Halfway through the meal, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Woo Changhun asked Tracy,

"You and Isabella look exactly alike. Anyone would think you were sisters. Are you related somehow?"

"Legally, we're not related. But by blood, we're cousins."

"I'm... not sure I understand."

"My uncle and her mother used to be married."

"Ah..."

Woo Changhun nodded awkwardly, realizing the conversation had wandered into uncomfortable territory.

To ease the tension, I changed the subject.

"Isabella, what do you think of our country? What are your first impressions?"

"We only arrived recently, so I haven't had the chance to see much. I'd really love to experience Seoul at night. Cha, would you be willing to be my guide?"

"If that's what you'd like, I'd be happ— Ow!"

I cried out involuntarily as Tracy mercilessly pinched my side beneath the table.

I had no intention of tolerating behavior that crossed the line.

Lowering my voice so no one else could hear, I said coldly,

"Know your limits."

"...Sorry."

Startled by the icy look in my eyes, Tracy immediately shrank back and fell silent.

Satisfied that the matter was settled, I turned back to Isabella.

"Considering the jet lag and your long flight, tonight would be difficult. How about tomorrow evening?"

"Yes, I think that would be much better."

Bzzz—

At that moment, the phone lying beside my plate vibrated.

Glancing at the screen, I saw the caller's name: Lee Ujin.

That was unusual. My university classmate and army friend knew perfectly well that Chairman Bongard and Chairman Hudson had arrived in Korea. He understood how packed my schedule was. If he was calling instead of sending a text, something important must have happened.

After excusing myself, I stepped into the quiet hallway and answered.

"What happened?"

"Well... Gloria came to Korea."

"What? Seriously?"

"Why would I lie to you?"

"Fair point... Did you ask why she came?"

"She says she missed me and came because of me. But I have a strong feeling there's another reason."

Everything immediately became clear.

Realizing she wouldn't be able to get me alone for a date, Tracy had simply summoned Gloria to Korea as reinforcements.

Shaking my head inwardly at these feminine schemes, I replied,

"Well then, I hope you two have a wonderful date. We'll talk later."

"Wait, don't hang up!" Ujin interrupted.

"What now? Is there something else?"

"Gloria wants everyone to get together tonight. What should I tell her?"

"Tell her business comes before women."