Chapter 81: Even a Sheet of Paper Is Lighter When Carried Together

Phone calls weren't allowed in the reception room, so I stepped into a more secluded area and dialed Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong of the National Police Agency.

After several rings, his cheerful voice came through the receiver.

"[I was just about to call you myself, Director Cha. What a coincidence that we were thinking the same thing.]"

"Did you need something from me?"

"[I was simply curious why you decided to visit the American Embassy.]"

"Ah, that? I came to the U.S. Embassy to meet with Adviser Graff."

"[I see. And how did the meeting go?]"

"President Douglas promised to ensure that the joint venture would be established without any obstacles."

"[Excellent news! Now I'm even more curious why you called me.]"

"An hour ago, FBI Director Glenn Nevers arrived in our country."

"[What did you say?!]"

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong's genuinely astonished voice boomed through the phone.

"You didn't know, Commissioner?"

"[If I had known, would I be this surprised? Do you know why he came?]"

"It appears he came to obtain information about the Triad."

"[But surely the FBI knows far more about those bastards than we do?]"

"That may be true, but they definitely don't have the Triad's confidential organizational map."

"[Could it be...]"

I understood perfectly why Commissioner Choi had stopped mid-sentence.

"It's exactly what you're thinking. There's a high probability Director Nevers came to Korea to obtain information concerning the Triad's American branch."

"[I understand.]"

"Commissioner, I'm sure you know the saying, 'Nothing in this world comes for free.'"

"[Of course I do.]"

"In that case, bring Lee Jihun, the President's Chief of Staff, with you and come here immediately."

"[You have a good reason for that, don't you?]"

"Even a sheet of paper is lighter when carried together."

"[Ah, I understand what you're getting at. I'll be there shortly.]"

Click.

The overly impatient Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong hung up first.

"I suppose my role here is finished."

***

"What did Commissioner Choi want?" President Cho Seokchin asked curiously as Lee Jihun lowered his phone.

"He informed me that FBI Director Nevers arrived in our country a short while ago."

"What did he come here for?"

"He needs our police's assistance in a matter involving the Triad."

"What kind of assistance?"

"Not long ago, our police managed to obtain the Triad's confidential organizational chart."

Lee Jihun thoroughly briefed President Cho Seokchin on his conversation with Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

"...Given the circumstances, I believe I should also meet with Adviser Graff."

"Go ahead. But Commissioner Choi isn't going to hand the FBI the Triad's confidential files simply because they ask nicely, is he?"

"Mr. President, you know better than anyone how obsessed that man is with getting results."

"That's true. If anything, I should probably be worried about the FBI."

"Yes. And I intend to take this opportunity to squeeze both Director Nevers and Adviser Graff for everything they're worth."

Lee Jihun's voice carried absolute confidence.

***

While we waited for Director Nevers and Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong to arrive, Chairman Clark Bongard suddenly asked me a rather strange question.

"Tracy looks as though she's about to collapse from exhaustion, yet you, Deputy Director Cha, seem remarkably energetic."

Why is Chairman Bongard bringing this up? Don't tell me... Tracy told him?

I tried to reassure myself that such a thing was impossible before replying evasively.

"I imagine Tracy simply hasn't adjusted to the time difference or recovered from the fatigue of traveling."

"Haha. Perhaps that's true. By the way, Deputy Director Cha, have you ever considered changing jobs?"

"What brought that on all of a sudden?"

"It seems to me that Hangang Group doesn't appreciate you nearly enough."

As expected, Chairman Yoon Jongu immediately flared up and interrupted.

"Our company doesn't appreciate Deputy Director Cha? That's absurd!"

"So you're saying Hangang Group doesn't treat him like an ordinary newcomer?"

"Ahem..."

Chairman Yoon Jongu merely coughed awkwardly, clearly feeling somewhat guilty.

But Chairman Bongard was only just getting started.

"If it weren't for Deputy Director Cha's idea, this joint venture would never have existed. What reward has Hangang Group given the key figure behind this tremendous success?"

"..."

"Don't tell me that converting him from an intern into a full-time employee and giving him a one-thousand-percent bonus is the full extent of your gratitude."

Faced with Chairman Bongard's relentless attack, Yoon Jongu lowered his head guiltily.

To rescue him from such an uncomfortable situation, I stepped in.

"Chairman Bongard, Chairman Yoon has shown me exceptional consideration."

"Really? I'd be interested in hearing exactly how."

"This time, Hangang Group purchased substantial holdings in both Bongard Group and Endivia. Chairman Yoon promised to give me thirty percent of the net profit earned from those investments."

"I hope Hangang Group didn't purchase more of my company's stock than I personally did."

Chairman Bongard had invested two hundred billion dollars into purchasing shares of his own investment group.

Compared to that, Hangang Group had spent only ten billion dollars buying shares in Bongard Group and Endivia.

He looked at me sympathetically for a moment before continuing.

"Since the opportunity has presented itself, there's no need to remain at a company that doesn't fully appreciate your abilities. How about joining mine instead?"

"I'm sincerely grateful for your offer, Chairman Bongard, but I can't leave Korea."

"Why not? Is there a particular reason?"

It seemed the time had come to reveal my plans.

"I'm scheduled to take over Korea Investment from Chairman Park Yeongil."

"But aren't you an employee of Hangang Group?"

"I intend to remain at Hangang Group until the joint venture has been fully established. After that, I'll transfer to Korea Investment."

"Is there really any reason to wait until then?"

As though he had been waiting precisely for that moment, Chairman Park Yeongil spoke first.

"I completely agree with Chairman Bongard."

"Chairman Park, is there any obstacle preventing Deputy Director Cha from joining Korea Investment immediately?"

"Six years ago, Chairman Yoon and I made a wager over a board game. Who would've thought that old agreement would come back to tie my hands?"

Park Yeongil calmly explained the events of six years earlier to Chairman Bongard.

"...After lengthy discussions with Chairman Yoon, we agreed that the young man would remain at Hangang Group until the end of this year."

"I had no idea such circumstances existed."

"So don't try to steal him. He's destined to succeed me at Korea Investment."

"Hm..."

Chairman Bongard hummed thoughtfully as he considered something.

Fortunately, he didn't remain silent for long.

"Chairman Park, what do you think about our companies establishing a joint investment firm?"

Chairman Bongard's proposal genuinely intrigued Park Yeongil.

Not only did Bongard Group possess the largest assets in the world, but it also maintained an unrivaled intelligence network.

Establishing a joint organization with them would provide an excellent opportunity to learn world-class management techniques and unique business expertise.

Under such circumstances, Korea Investment could truly soar.

Nevertheless, the old man had no intention of accepting blindly without carefully weighing the pros and cons.

"Chairman Bongard, if you accept my three conditions, we can consider your proposal favorably."

"Let's hear them."

"Our company must be the majority shareholder. The headquarters must be located in Korea. And overall management must be entrusted to Cha Jiham."

"Those aren't particularly difficult conditions. I'll give you my answer after I've thoroughly reviewed your proposal, Chairman Park."

Buzz.

At that moment, my phone vibrated briefly.

Glancing at the screen, I saw a text message from Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

"Commissioner Choi says he'll arrive in five minutes."

***

We went downstairs and waited.

Soon, an executive sedan pulled up in front of the building.

As soon as Security Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok opened the car door, President Cho's Chief of Staff Lee Jihun and Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong stepped out.

They quickly approached Chairman Yoon Jongu and Chairman Park Yeongil to exchange greetings.

"You didn't have to come outside. You could have stayed inside."

"Distinguished guests like you deserve a proper welcome."

"Haha, I agree. Has Director Nevers arrived yet?"

"Not yet. Adviser Graff is waiting for us in the reception room."

However, we never made it inside.

At the most inconvenient possible moment, a luxurious limousine and a minibus pulled up outside the gate.

Something about it struck me as odd.

Everyone assumed Director Nevers would be inside the limousine.

Instead, an elderly man with white hair stepped out.

Could Director Nevers really be that old?

While I was still wondering, a stern-looking man in his fifties stepped out behind the old gentleman.

Commissioner Choi immediately recognized him.

He hurried forward and greeted him first.

"Director Nevers, welcome to Korea."

"Commissioner Choi, please accept my apologies for arriving so suddenly without prior notice."

"There's no need to apologize. I understand perfectly why you've come."

"Thank you for your understanding. Allow me to introduce the gentleman who arrived with me. This is..."

At that instant, I was genuinely shocked.

The white-haired elderly man was none other than Chairman Gomez of McKesson, Gloria's grandfather.

It was obvious why he had rushed to Korea.

The problems surrounding Golden Health had brought him here.

After all, he was the owner of McKesson, the company that held the largest market share among America's "Big Three" pharmaceutical wholesalers.

While I hurriedly pieced everything together in my mind, Commissioner Choi finished his greeting and introduced Director Nevers and Chairman Gomez to Chairman Yoon and the others.

Then something completely unexpected happened.

Chairman Gomez displayed astonishing friendliness toward me.

"What a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Deputy Director Cha."

"The pleasure is mine, Chairman Gomez. I've heard a great deal about you from Chairman Bongard."

"Oh, I've heard all about your talents as well—from both Clark Bongard and my granddaughter Gloria."

I assumed it was nothing more than polite courtesy.

After all, Gloria and I had only met for the second time yesterday.

Naturally, I had no intention of voicing my true thoughts.

"I'm afraid those stories exaggerate my abilities."

"Clark Bongard is usually extremely stingy when it comes to praising people."

In other words, the old man was telling me there was no need to be overly modest.

"If Chairman Gomez himself says so, then I have nothing more to add."

"Hahaha!"

While Chairman Gomez laughed heartily, Clark Bongard and the others walked over.

The moment he spotted his old acquaintance, Bongard looked genuinely surprised.

"What brings you to Korea without any warning?"

"Well... circumstances worked out that way."

After answering rather curtly, Chairman Gomez turned toward the President's adviser.

"And what is someone as busy as you doing here?"

"I came to meet Chairman Bongard on President Douglas's personal instructions."

"I see. The gentleman standing beside you is unfamiliar to me. Would you mind introducing him?"

"Certainly. This is Mr. Tony Goodwin, the current United States Ambassador to..."

Once the rather lengthy introductions were finally over, everyone returned to the reception room to continue the interrupted discussion.

Adviser Graff spoke first.

"Director Nevers, would you mind explaining the reason for your sudden arrival in South Korea?"

"The reason for my urgent visit was the shocking information Chairman Gomez shared with me."

With those words, Director Nevers looked toward the elderly businessman.

Understanding the unspoken cue, Chairman Gomez immediately began.

"As you know, the American wholesale pharmaceutical and medical equipment market is dominated by the Big Three. I head McKesson, which holds the largest market share. The third-largest company is called Golden Health. Two years ago, it was purchased by a man named Director Wu Weiliang."

Chairman Gomez paused briefly before continuing.

"From that moment onward, Golden Health began aggressively undercutting the market, knowingly operating at a loss. We spent a long time trying to understand their true motives. Then yesterday, I learned something astonishing from my granddaughter."

"What was it?"

"The real name of the man who purchased Golden Health under the alias Director Wu Weiliang is Chen Zhihui. And he is the second-highest-ranking figure in the Chinese Triad."