Chapter 90: The Incident That Night

Because Tracy, Isabella, and Yun Sola had taken the herbal tranquilizer, they all had deep feelings for me. Naturally, in order to attract my attention, those three women could have shown up dressed in whatever revealing outfits they pleased.

Gloria, however, was currently flirting with Lee Ujin. There was no reason for her to dress up for this gathering.

And yet, paradoxically, her dress was the most revealing of them all.

“Ahem... Gloria, I don't even know where I'm supposed to look.”

“Ho-ho. Cha Jiham, so you're actually rather conservative?”

Gloria glanced around at the men sitting nearby, smiled slyly, and then looked directly at Yun Sola.

I immediately understood what she intended to do and hurriedly intervened.

“Senior Specialist Yun, allow me to introduce you. This is Chairman Gomez's granddaughter, the executive director of McKesson...”

Apparently Yun Sola immediately recognized Gloria as a rival, because she greeted her with an unusually distant expression.

Personally, I couldn't have cared less.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, I introduced Gloria to Senior Specialist Woo Changhun.

Soon afterward, a waiter came over to take our order.

Since Tracy, Gloria, Isabella, and I had missed dinner, we ordered Korean soju along with a mountain of hearty dishes to fill our stomachs.

The moment the waiter left, Woo Changhun, as though he had been waiting for exactly this chance, immediately started flirting with Gloria.

“People must tell you all the time that you look like the Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson.”

“Yes, I hear that quite often.”

“It must be difficult walking around looking that breathtakingly beautiful.”

“Ho-ho. It felt strange at first, but I've gotten used to it now, so it's fine.”

“That's good to hear. Forgive me for asking such a personal question, but do you have a boyfriend?”

“I don't have a boyfriend, but there is someone I like.”

Something immediately felt off.

Lee Ujin considered Gloria his girlfriend.

Yet she didn't even acknowledge him as her boyfriend.

Well... as usual, that guy's shooting wide of the goal. But then who exactly is the man she likes?

While I was lost in thought, Woo Changhun and Gloria continued talking.

“The man Gloria falls in love with will be an incredibly lucky person.”

“That's the problem. He doesn't think so.”

“Oh my, what an awful man.”

“Exactly. By the way, Senior Specialist Woo, what kind of relationship do you have with Director Cha?”

“Director? What do you mean?”

Woo Changhun widened his eyes and stared at Gloria.

I had no choice but to step into the conversation.

“Senior Specialist Woo, my position at Korea Investment's venture fund is Managing Director.”

“Managing Director?! Why did you hide something that important from us?”

They would have found out eventually anyway, so I hadn't meant anything by it.

I had simply kept quiet because I thought saying it outright would sound like cheap bragging.

“Well... it just happened.”

“You have far too many secrets, Director Cha. That's your problem.”

“I signed a non-disclosure agreement, so I really didn't have a choice.”

“If that's the case, why don't you officially transfer to Korea Investment?”

“I'd love to, but Chairman Yoon is absolutely against it.”

I carefully explained to Woo Changhun why Chairman Yoon Jongu had vetoed the idea.

“...So until the end of the year, when the new corporation is officially established, I have to remain on Hangang Group's payroll.”

“In that case, there's nothing you can do.”

“If my actual position becomes public, things might get awkward within the team.”

“All right. I'll keep it a secret.”

Just then, the situation took an unexpected turn.

A waiter approached our table carrying a bottle of extremely expensive premium liquor.

Pointing toward a group of customers sitting by the window, he spoke.

“The gentlemen over there asked us to send this bottle to your table.”

The intentions of the men by the window were as obvious as an open book.

They had sent the expensive liquor hoping to hit on the women.

But I had no intention of letting that slide.

“Please tell them we'll gladly enjoy it.”

“Director Cha, what are you doing?!”

Just as I expected, Woo Changhun immediately lost his temper.

Ignoring him, I continued speaking to the waiter.

“One good turn deserves another. Please send those gentlemen the most expensive bottle on your menu. Put it on my bill.”

“Sir, the most expensive bottle in our establishment costs over two million won.”

Ha.

I'd once paid five hundred thousand dollars for a collector's wine.

Why would I worry over a mere two million won?

“May I pay the bill now?”

“One moment, please.”

A few moments later, a man in his forties approached our table together with the waiter.

“I'm the owner of this establishment. My name is Jeong Dongsu. Would you mind explaining what's happening?”

“The gentlemen over there sent alcohol in an attempt to flirt with the women accompanying me. I simply wanted to return the gesture by sending them your most expensive bottle.”

“Wouldn't it be better if we simply returned their gift?”

“But then your restaurant would lose a very profitable sale. Are you sure?”

“I'm not obsessed with money to that extent.”

“Well, since the owner himself says so, I suppose that's for the best.”

“I'll personally return the bottle.”

Owner °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° Jeong Dongsu picked up the bottle and walked over to the table by the window.

After speaking with the customers for a short while, he placed the bottle back on their table before returning to us.

“Dear guests, I've explained everything to them. Please enjoy the rest of your evening.”

As soon as the owner left, Isabella asked curiously,

“Director Cha, what happened?”

“The men at that table were trying to impress all of you.”

“Ho-ho. Over a single bottle? They clearly have no idea how wealthy we are.”

“That's certainly true.”

Before long, the waiters brought our soju and food.

We began drinking cheerfully, passing shot glasses around the table.

However, it wasn't long before one of the men from the window table marched determinedly toward us.

I tensed up and watched him carefully.

Once he reached us, he slurred drunkenly,

“Hic! What the hell... Who do you think you are? Dressing up like prostitutes means you're asking to be picked up!”

That was more than I could tolerate.

I immediately stood up.

“If you're drunk, go home while you still can.”

“And who the fuck are you?!”

At that instant, I desperately wanted to smash my fist straight into his arrogant face.

But there were far too many witnesses.

I had no choice but to exercise extraordinary self-control.

“Open your damn eyes. I'm with them.”

“Hic! So what if you are?!”

At that very moment, the rest of his drinking companions rose from their seats and marched toward our table with unmistakably hostile expressions.

It was obvious they were ready to settle things with their fists.

If a fight broke out now, the entire bar would become a bloodbath.

Ha... What a damn mess.

Just as I was cursing inwardly, something no one expected happened.

The people who had been quietly drinking at the surrounding tables suddenly sprang into action.

Within seconds, they had subdued every one of the approaching men and pinned them firmly to the floor.

Naturally, my opponent was taken down first.

Working swiftly and without causing unnecessary commotion, they escorted every troublemaker outside.

Woo Changhun, who had watched the entire scene with his eyes wide open, finally found his voice.

“Director Cha... What on earth was that?”

“I don't completely understand myself.”

Just then, a man stood up from the table across from us and calmly walked over.

Speaking in a quiet but confident voice, he said,

“We're from the National Intelligence Service's personal protection unit. I'm the leader of this team, Oh Taeksu.”

I had personally asked Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong to arrange protection for Chairman Clark Bongard and the others.

Why had National Intelligence Service agents appeared instead?

After briefly explaining the situation to Oh Taeksu, I asked him directly.

“Why are you here?”

“We're simply carrying out a direct order from Director Om Giyeon of the National Intelligence Service.”

Since that was his explanation, I had no choice but to believe him.

“I'm sorry if we've caused you any inconvenience.”

“We're on duty. Don't concern yourself with us.”

“Thank you. What will happen to the people your men escorted outside?”

“We'll have a serious talk with them before sending them home.”

“All right.”

“One more thing. At the moment, every man in this bar has his eyes fixed solely on the four women accompanying you.”

Those words instantly sobered me up.

Who would enjoy having a crowd of drunken men staring greedily at the women sitting with them?

“Senior Specialist Woo, why don't we call it a night?”

“Whew... Yeah, let's do that.”

After receiving Woo Changhun's agreement, I informed the women.

They had also completely lost the mood, so they accepted without objection.

“Team Leader Oh, please make sure the ladies get back safely to their hotel and homes.”

***

“Big Brother, didn't you say you'd be home late?”

The moment I opened the front door, Cha Hyeonji looked at me in complete surprise.

“We finished earlier than expected.”

“Oh, I see.”

“By the way, did you ask Mom when she's coming?”

“We talked on the phone earlier tonight. She said she'll come sometime this week.”

Today was Thursday.

That meant she'd arrive in Seoul in another two or three days.

“Tell her to call me before she leaves. I need to meet her at the bus terminal.”

“I already told her.”

“Good job. Where's Saho?”

“He probably went out on cat business. He ran outside about ten minutes ago.”

“Then he'll probably be back in another half hour. All right, I'm heading upstairs.”

Bzzz... Bzzz...

After changing into comfortable clothes and sitting down at my desk, my phone vibrated violently.

Looking at the screen, I saw Isabella's name.

The reason for her call was obvious.

“Isabella, did you make it back to the hotel?”

“I just got to my room. I really didn't want us to part. What should I do?”

“Honestly... neither did I.”

“You know... would you come to my hotel?”

The entire Endivia delegation, including its executives, was staying at the Hangang Hotel.

If I went there to spend a passionate night with her, there was nearly a one-hundred-percent chance that I'd run into one of Endivia's senior executives.

If that happened, the entire situation would spiral out of control.

I honestly explained my concerns and asked her to understand.

“Oh... You're right. I didn't even think about that.”

Just then, another incoming call appeared on the screen.

It was Lee Ujin.

Knowing perfectly well why he was calling, I apologized to Isabella and answered.

“What?”

“You little bastard! You got drunk without me, didn't you? Bet you're feeling pretty satisfied.”

“I didn't have a choice.”

“Why's it so quiet over there? Don't tell me you guys are already...”

I knew exactly what that idiot was implying.

“Idiot. I'm at home, not at a hotel. Satisfied now?”

“What?! You actually went home that early?”

“We had to call it off because a bunch of idiots started hitting on the girls.”

“Hahaha! So God really does exist! He answered my prayers!”

“Yeah, yeah. Keep being jealous.”

“So Gloria's already back at her hotel too?”

“Most likely.”

“Hehehe. All right, I've got things to do. Talk later.”

“Wait.”

I stopped Lee Ujin just as he was about to hang up.

“What now?”

“If you really want Gloria to become your girlfriend, you'll have to put in a lot more effort than you are now.”

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“At dinner today...”

I told Lee Ujin in detail about the conversation between Woo Changhun and Gloria.

“Jiham, thanks for the valuable information.”

“Don't mention it. Talk to you later.”

Click.

After hanging up, I opened my laptop and checked the stock prices of Bongard Investment Group and Endivia.

Because of the analysts' recent reports, both charts were drifting downward.

“Hmm... I wonder when President Melvin Douglas will make his official announcement. Well, shower first.”

After freshening up under cool water, I returned to my bedroom and glanced at my laptop screen.

A shiver instantly ran through my entire body.

The stock prices of Bongard Investment Group and Endivia were skyrocketing upward without the slightest pause.

There was no mistake.

President Melvin Douglas had made his official announcement regarding the establishment of the joint venture.

“Ah! I can't waste a single second!”

Cursing under my breath, I immediately dialed Managing Director Cho Myeongjeong.

As always, he answered instantly.

“Managing Director, I'm listening.”

“Sell everything. Tonight, liquidate every single share of Bongard Investment Group and Endivia.”