Chapter 80: The First Step Must Be the Right One

When Chief Secretary Song Dosok escorted Clark Bongard, Michael Hudson, and their entourage into the reception room, Yoon Jongu, Chairman of Hangang Group, was the first to warmly welcome the guests on behalf of the hosts.

"It's a pleasure to see you, Chairman Bongard. Were you able to rest well after your flight and recover from the jet lag?"

"Thanks to your thoughtfulness and hospitality, Yoon, I'm feeling wonderful."

"I'm delighted to hear that. You look exceptionally energetic. Has something good happened?"

"Haha! You could say that. Last night, both our company's stock and the shares of the global giant Endivia soared."

"Oh, really? We were just discussing that."

"Is that so? Would you mind telling me what you were talking about?"

"Let's sit down, and I'll explain everything."

Once everyone had taken their seats, the secretaries served drinks to everyone present.

After taking a sip, Yoon Jongu slowly began.

"Senior Specialist Cha Jiham suggested that the future rise of Bongard Group and Endivia shares depends directly on President Melvin Douglas."

Yoon Jongu carefully recounted the discussion they had just had with Jiham. Naturally, whenever additional explanation was needed, Jiham personally filled in the missing details with concise remarks.

"...According to our projections, Endivia's stock could rise as much as sixty percent."

Earlier, Chairman Bongard had instructed his investment group's analysts to calculate the potential share prices.

Their estimates had placed the ceiling at fifty-five percent for Bongard Group itself and fifty percent for Endivia.

Jiham, however, had projected returns ten percent higher than even their most optimistic forecasts.

"Specialist Cha, do you really believe they can rise that much?"

"If you want to achieve returns of that magnitude, Chairman Bongard, your very first move must be absolutely correct."

"You mean I need to put serious pressure on Adviser Joel Graff? Am I understanding you correctly?"

"Exactly. You've grasped the essence of it."

"And how should I deal with him?"

"If President Douglas loses the upcoming election, Adviser Graff will become unemployed overnight."

"Hahaha!"

As though he had read Jiham's thoughts, Chairman Bongard burst into booming laughter.

When the laughter subsided, Jiham continued.

"The creation of the joint venture could become the single greatest springboard for President Douglas's reelection campaign."

"Absolutely. Damn right it could!"

Bzzz. Bzzz.

Just as Chairman Bongard nodded in agreement, Louis Williams, his chief secretary, received a call.

After checking the caller ID, he reported that it was Adviser Graff before answering.

Following a brief conversation, Williams covered the receiver and addressed his chairman.

"Adviser Graff says he's prepared to come here immediately."

"Tsk. What's the rush? Tell him we'll inform him of the meeting location later."

Secretary Williams relayed his chairman's instructions before ending the call.

Immediately afterward, Chairman Bongard turned toward Yoon Jongu.

"Yoon, I'd like to postpone our scheduled meeting. What do you think?"

"I believe that's the best course of action."

At that moment, Michael Hudson noticed that Cha Jiham had quietly shaken his head.

"It seems Specialist Cha has a different opinion. Or am I mistaken?"

In reality, Jiham had deliberately made that gesture, hoping someone would notice and draw him into the discussion.

Fortunately, the Chairman of Endivia had been watching him closely.

"You're absolutely correct, Chairman Hudson."

"Please share your thoughts."

"The two main pillars of this joint venture are Hangang Electronics and Endivia. I believe the negotiations should be conducted directly between Vice President Ha Cheolhun and you, Chairman Hudson."

"So Yoon, Park, and I should stay out of those negotiations?" Chairman Bongard asked.

"The three of you should meet with Adviser Graff."

"We should?" Park Yeongil pointed at himself in surprise.

"Adviser Graff rushed to Korea for one purpose—to apologize for the incident involving the joint venture. Hangang Group and Korea Investment intend to hold 30.5% and 9.5% of the venture respectively. Therefore, you have every authority and every reason to attend that meeting."

"Chairman Bongard, what do you think of Specialist Cha's proposal?"

"I completely agree."

"Haha. Now I understand your intention," Park Yeongil replied.

Leaving Park's response behind, Chairman Bongard turned back toward Jiham.

"You'll also be attending the meeting with Adviser Graff."

"I don't have any reason to meet him."

"But the strategy for dealing with him came from you."

"...Looks like I outsmarted myself."

***

After hanging up, Adviser Graff couldn't shake a strange feeling.

He had been certain Chairman Bongard would summon him to the hotel.

Instead, completely contrary to his expectations, Bongard had announced that he would personally come to the American Embassy.

After explaining the conversation to Ambassador Tony Goodwin, Graff asked whether he understood the billionaire's motives.

"For confidential discussions, there's no place more secure than embassy grounds."

"Hm... When you put it that way, it certainly makes sense."

"I had dinner with Chairman Bongard last night," Ambassador Goodwin remarked. "I have to tell you, he was extremely displeased with your actions."

"...Sigh."

Graff let out a heavy sigh as an uneasy feeling settled deep inside him.

Bzzz.

While the agonizing wait continued, his phone vibrated.

Knowing exactly who the message was from, he opened it immediately.

"Ambassador Goodwin, Chairman Bongard will arrive in five minutes."

***

Adviser Graff immediately sensed that something was off.

He had expected to see only Clark Bongard and Louis Williams.

Instead, seven people stepped out of the two executive vehicles that had just arrived.

Unable to hide his confusion, Graff stepped forward and greeted them politely.

"Chairman Bongard, it's an honor to meet you here in Korea."

"The pleasure is mine, Adviser. Allow me to introduce my companions. This is the leadership of Hangang Group..."

After a rather lengthy round of formal introductions, everyone followed Ambassador Goodwin into the reception room.

As soon as everyone had taken their seats, Graff looked curiously at Bongard.

"I'm very curious. Why did you invite the Korean side to this meeting?"

"Specialist Cha created the concept for the joint venture itself, and Hangang Group and Korea Investment are direct participants."

"I see... I never imagined your investment group would personally participate in this project."

Perfectly recalling Cha Jiham's advice, Chairman Bongard calmly countered.

"To be honest, I had no intention of participating at first. I changed my mind solely for President Melvin Douglas."

"For the President?"

"Originally, the ownership structure was planned as follows: Hangang Group, 50.5%; Korea Investment, 9.5%; and Endivia, 40%. Under that arrangement, the joint venture would legally have become a Korean company. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I agree completely."

"I concluded that such an outcome would deal a devastating blow to President Douglas's nationalist conservative agenda. So I joined the project and insisted that the headquarters be located in the United States in order to strengthen the White House's position. And what did I receive in return?"

Chairman Bongard deliberately paused before continuing.

"President Douglas completely failed to understand my intentions. He used Wolf News to pour outright lies all over us. I'm doing everything in my power to help him secure a second term, and he stabs me in the back. Don't you think that's going too far?"

Adviser Graff felt his breath catch.

Everything suddenly became crystal clear.

Within the United States, President Douglas's political influence was, in many respects, far weaker than Clark Bongard's.

If this man turned against the administration, winning the election would become virtually impossible.

And without realizing who they were dealing with, they had used the media under their influence to tear the project apart, dismissing it as nothing more than a pipe dream.

Graff involuntarily shuddered before trying to regain control of the conversation.

"I... I have no excuse for this misunderstanding."

"And whose brilliant idea was it to unleash the press against us?"

"..."

Caught completely off guard, Graff pressed his lips together, unable to answer such a direct question.

Chairman Bongard decided that was sufficient.

After all, excessive pressure only made negotiations more difficult.

"If you hadn't come here to apologize, Adviser Graff, I would have been deeply disappointed."

"Please accept my sincerest respect and my heartfelt apology."

"Very well. I accept it. However, we now require an official statement from President Douglas declaring that the White House will fully support the uninterrupted launch of the joint venture. Can that be arranged?"

"Absolutely! We'll handle it perfectly."

"I'd like to see that statement today so the stock market investors can be reassured."

"Considering that it's currently the middle of the night in Washington, please allow me approximately ten hours."

"Very well. But remember this: the joint venture must begin mass production of high-bandwidth memory semiconductors no later than the end of next year. President Douglas's support will be absolutely critical."

"You needn't worry about that at all. Everything will be taken care of."

Since the President of the United States' closest confidant displayed such confidence, there was little reason to remain concerned.

"I'll hold you to your word, Adviser Graff."

"You may rely on me completely."

Buzz.

At that moment, the phone in Cha Jiham's pocket chimed.

Taking it out, he saw a message from the foreign exchange student Tracy Bongard.

"In a couple of minutes, you'll receive a call from an unfamiliar number."

"Can you tell me who it is?" Jiham quickly replied.

Bzzz. Bzzz.

The moment he sent the message, his phone immediately began vibrating with an incoming call.

The number displayed on the screen was exactly the one Tracy had warned him about.

Realizing it would be awkward to answer during such an important diplomatic meeting, Jiham first sought Chairman Bongard's permission.

"Who's calling you at a time like this?"

"I don't recognize the number, but Tracy strongly urged me to answer."

"Oh! In that case, don't mind us. Please answer it immediately."

"Then please excuse me."

Without hesitation, Jiham accepted the call and held the phone to his ear.

"This is Cha Jiham speaking."

"Good afternoon, Specialist Cha. This is Glenn Nevers, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

Jiham's first thought was that someone was playing a prank on him.

Why would the Director of the FBI personally call an ordinary Korean intern?

"Are you really the Director of the FBI?"

"What?!" Yoon Jongu suddenly exclaimed in a booming voice.

He had been listening carefully to every word Jiham said, and his eyes widened in astonishment.

Realizing he had interrupted, he hurriedly added,

"My apologies. I couldn't help myself."

"It's quite alright," the calm voice on the phone replied. "Tracy informed me that you're currently in the same room as Chairman Bongard. You may mention my name to him, and he'll confirm my identity."

"Very well, Director Nevers. I believe you. Would you please tell me the purpose of your call?"

"Tracy informed me that the Korean police possess the precise location of the Chinese Triad's American branch. I'm calling to officially confirm whether that's true."

"Yes, that's correct. Tracy told you the truth."

"Oh! That's wonderful! Specialist Cha, tell me your current location. I'll come to you immediately."

Jiham paused for a moment.

The FBI headquarters was in Washington.

For Director Nevers to meet him personally, he would have had to cross the entire Pacific Ocean.

Yet the American's tone clearly suggested that he was already somewhere nearby.

Jiham decided to voice his suspicion.

"My plane landed at the U.S. military base in Osan about thirty minutes ago."

"Ah, I see. At the moment, I'm at the American Embassy in Seoul."

"What brings you to our embassy?"

"I'm attending the meeting between Chairman Bongard and Adviser Graff."

"Excellent. I'll leave immediately and should arrive in about an hour."

"Please wait a moment," Jiham stopped him before he could hang up.

"Do you have another question?"

"May I invite Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong of the National Police Agency and representatives of the Korean government to our meeting?"

"That would be extremely helpful. I'd appreciate it."

"Very well. We'll see you in an hour."

Click.

The instant Jiham ended the call, the visibly excited Yoon Jongu hurried over.

"Jiham, what on earth is the Director of the FBI doing in our country?!"

Jiham understood that revealing the true reason for Nevers' visit would only create unnecessary panic and complicate the situation.

Under such delicate circumstances, the wisest choice was to redirect the conversation.

"Chairman Yoon, let's deal with the urgent matters first. After that, I'll explain everything in detail."

"What urgent matters?"

"Director Nevers came to Korea for an emergency meeting with Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong of the National Police Agency."