Chapter 94: The Price Paid for an Obvious Lie

Korea Investment.

The moment CEO Kim Mansu stepped through the front entrance and into the lobby, he abruptly froze, a trace of alarm washing over him. Waiting there were the two people who served as Chairman Park Yeongil's right and left hands—Chief Secretary Kang Inhan and Executive Director Cho Myeongjeong.

Reporter Hong Yeonggi, who had been watching him with confusion, spoke up.

"Director Kim, what's wrong? Why did you stop all of a sudden?"

"It's those two waiting over there... Never mind."

Kim Mansu cut himself off and quickly walked toward them to greet them.

"Hello. I'm Kim Mansu, CEO of the online news outlet Today News."

"A pleasure to meet you. By the way, Director Kim, do you know who we are?"

"Of course. I've seen the two of you accompanying Chairman Park many times."

"I see. Since fate has brought us together like this, shall we shake hands?"

"Certainly."

The instant Kim Mansu grasped Chief Secretary Kang Inhan's right hand, he shuddered inwardly. The man's palm was unbelievably rough and dry, almost like the shell of a turtle.

Why are Chairman Park Yeongil's Chief Secretary's hands this calloused?

Suppressing both the question and the uneasiness rising inside him, Kim Mansu shook hands with Executive Director Cho Myeongjeong as well. Naturally, his palm was just as rough as that of an ordinary construction worker.

While their guest struggled to hide his bewilderment, Cho Myeongjeong spoke.

"Director Kim, would you introduce the reporter who came with you?"

"This is Hong Yeonggi. He works in our news department and investigates various incidents and accidents."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Reporter Hong. I'm Cho Myeongjeong, Executive Director of Korea Investment."

After the brief introductions, the entire group headed toward the executive office, where Cha Jiham was already waiting.

***

"Oh!"

The moment Kim Mansu and Hong Yeonggi entered the office, they both exclaimed in surprise.

I knew perfectly well why they had reacted that way. They were undoubtedly shocked by how much younger I looked than they had expected. Pretending not to notice, I rose from the sofa and politely greeted them.

"Welcome, Director Kim. I'm Cha Jiham, a Department Director at Korea Investment."

Once the formal introductions were over and everyone had taken their seats on the sofas, the secretary brought drinks for everyone present. As though overcome by tension, both guests eagerly emptied their glasses.

Setting his empty glass on the coffee table, Kim Mansu spoke with mild curiosity.

"What a peculiar drink. It has a very unusual taste."

I knew the real reason, of course, but now I had to feign complete ignorance.

"Didn't you like it? I can ask the secretary to bring something else."

"No, no. There's no need."

"As you wish."

"Director Cha, if you don't mind my asking, I'm very curious what exactly your role is here at Korea Investment."

"To put it simply, I'm Chairman Park Yeongil's successor."

"His successor? Then... are you related to Chairman Park?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"Then how...?"

I had anticipated this line of questioning, so I had already prepared a convincing explanation.

"Chairman Park's hometown is Hweyang in northern Gangwon Province. During the Fourth of January Retreat, his entire family tragically lost their lives in an accident."

"Oh... How tragic..."

"Since the Chairman had no heirs left, several years ago he began searching for someone to whom he could pass on everything he had built. By good fortune, I was ultimately the one he chose."

"I see. Then allow me to sincerely congratulate you on receiving such an appointment."

"Thank you. Now, let's move on to the reason I requested this meeting."

"I'm listening."

Realizing they had reached the important part, Kim Mansu answered in a noticeably tenser voice.

"Director Kim, I'm sure you're aware of what happened late last night at the Juya bar in Hongdae."

"Yes. I heard about it from my nephew."

"I'm glad you're already informed. Present at that gathering were Chairman Clark Bongard's granddaughter and maternal granddaughter."

"...What?!"

I immediately realized Kim Mansu was merely pretending to be shocked. He deliberately paused before putting on an exaggerated expression of disbelief. To accomplish my goal, I had to play along.

"It seems you're quite surprised as well, Director Kim."

"Naturally. Anyone would be shocked to hear something like that."

"Haha, indeed. Would you mind telling me exactly what happened at the bar?"

Kim Mansu judged that the entire deal depended on what he said next. The amount that would eventually end up in his pocket rested on this answer. After mentally reviewing the script he and Hong Yeonggi had carefully prepared, he began.

"My nephew and his friends were enjoying themselves at Juya last night. Then two young men arrived and sat at the neighboring table together with four women wearing rather revealing outfits. Captivated by the women's beauty, my nephew and his friends occasionally glanced in their direction."

He paused briefly to gather his thoughts before continuing.

"However, one of the young men sitting with those women glared at my nephew's group with obvious irritation and hostility."

It took considerable effort to suppress my smile. Kim Mansu was telling outright lies without batting an eye. I wanted nothing more than to expose every word of his fabrication right then and there, but I had to continue pretending ignorance.

"And what happened after that?"

"Apparently unable to control his temper, that young man walked over to my nephew's table and started provoking them. My nephew and his friends had also been drinking heavily, so they lost their tempers and argued back. Then, out of nowhere, that man's bodyguards stepped in and brutally assaulted my nephew's group."

"The bodyguards dragged Director Kim's nephew and his friends outside, where they mercilessly beat them. As a result, all of them are currently hospitalized under medical care," Reporter Hong Yeonggi added, helping his superior.

"That's unfortunate... How are they now?"

"My nephew suffered the worst injuries. The doctors say he'll need four weeks to recover. His friends weren't hurt as badly. They'll need about two weeks of treatment."

"I see. We'd like to settle last night's incident quietly. In your opinion, what would be the best way to proceed?"

Gulp.

Swallowing with difficulty from the tension, Kim Mansu answered.

"Personally, I'd be happy to accommodate you, Director Cha, considering your position. But after seeing how brutally my nephew and his friends were beaten, I'm afraid it won't be easy."

"Would it be sufficient if we compensated your nephew and his friends for their medical expenses and emotional damages?"

"I suppose that depends entirely on how much compensation you're prepared to offer."

"I'm prepared to pay your nephew ten billion won, and each of his friends five billion won."

Kim Mansu was overjoyed inside.

His nephew and his friends hadn't merely escaped serious injuries—they hadn't even suffered a scratch. Yet Cha Jiham was immediately offering an astronomical amount as compensation. He desperately wanted to accept on the spot, but at least for now, he restrained himself.

"May I discuss it with the victims before giving you my final answer?"

"Of course."

"However... if we simply bury this incident, then all the investigative work our reporters have done will have been for nothing. What should we do about that?"

"What if we purchased all of Today News' investigative materials?"

"Oh! Right! Why didn't I think of that myself?"

Quite the actor.

"What would you say to fifty billion won for the investigative materials?"

"...!"

Kim Mansu and Hong Yeonggi's eyes widened in genuine shock.

Apparently, even they considered fifty billion won an absurd amount for a news article.

Naturally, I had absolutely no intention of paying them a single won—neither for the article nor as compensation. I mentioned those ridiculous figures only to let them enjoy a brief moment of euphoria.

Needless to say, neither of them had the faintest idea what I truly intended.

"What's wrong? Did the fifty billion won surprise you that much?"

"N-No! Not at all!" Kim Mansu hurriedly waved his hands, clearly struck by my remark.

"Haha. Very well. How much time do you need?"

"Please give us one day."

Just then, Reporter Hong Yeonggi suddenly remembered something important. Leaning close, he whispered into Kim Mansu's ear.

"Director, we need to accept Director Cha's offer right now."

"But then we won't be able to squeeze more money out of him."

"Forget that. You remember perfectly well what really happened last night."

Bang!

It felt as though Kim Mansu had been struck across the head with a massive hammer.

Nearly everything he had just told Cha Jiham was an outright lie.

If this young man decided to thoroughly investigate last night's incident, it would become an absolute disaster.

How could he have forgotten something so important simply because he had been blinded by the prospect of enormous sums of money?

"Y-You're right... We definitely can't let that happen."

Realizing how foolish he had been, Kim Mansu hurriedly addressed me.

"Reporter Hong believes we shouldn't tempt fate and recommends accepting your offer immediately, Director Cha."

"Excellent. Then what about the compensation for your nephew and his friends?"

From the very beginning, Kim Mansu had never intended to give his nephew or his friends a single won.

After all, the bodyguards had restrained them only because they had started the trouble themselves.

Besides, none of them had actually been injured.

Buying Hyeonwu and his friends a few drinks will be more than enough.

Having quickly reached that convenient conclusion, he answered.

"We fully accept your terms, Director Cha."

"Are you certain that's enough?"

"My nephew and his friends treat me like their own father. If I explain everything to them, they'll accept without complaint."

"I sincerely appreciate your understanding, Director Kim."

"Hahaha! Think nothing of it."

Ignoring Kim Mansu's awkward modesty, I turned toward Cho Myeongjeong.

"Before Director Kim changes his mind, prepare the settlement agreement."

"Yes, sir."

Cho Myeongjeong answered crisply before opening the office door and stepping outside.

Watching him leave, I continued speaking with Kim Mansu.

"It should take about thirty minutes to prepare the contract."

"That's perfectly fine. We'll gladly wait."

"Please remember this. If any rumors about last night's incident leak out after the agreement is signed, you alone will bear full responsibility, Director Kim."

"The moment the money reaches our account, I'll personally destroy every piece of investigative material."

"Very well. I'll trust your integrity."

Just then I noticed Reporter Hong Yeonggi repeatedly swallowing.

"Reporter Hong, are you alright? Is something wrong?"

"Ah... yes... I think we had an overly salty lunch. My throat is completely dry."

Naturally, that wasn't the real reason.

The drinks Kim Mansu and Hong Yeonggi had consumed earlier contained an enormous amount of salt.

Because of the stress and tension, they hadn't even noticed how salty they were and had emptied the glasses in one go.

Now, about thirty minutes later, the salt was finally taking effect.

Suppressing a satisfied smile, I turned toward Kang Inhan.

"Kang Inhan, have some cold water brought in to help Reporter Hong with his thirst."

As though he had been waiting for exactly that moment, Kim Mansu quickly added,

"Chief Secretary Kang, would you bring me some water as well? Looks like that same salty lunch has left me parched too."

"Haha. Right away."

Kang Inhan chuckled softly as he stood.

A few minutes later, the secretary returned carrying two enormous glasses filled with ice-cold water.

Taking them from her, Kim Mansu and Hong Yeonggi greedily drained them in huge gulps.

"Ah... That's much better. I finally feel relieved."

Setting his empty glass down, Kim Mansu suddenly noticed something strange.

An overwhelming wave of drowsiness swept over him.

What's happening to me...?

I knew exactly why he was blinking desperately, trying to clear the haze clouding his vision.

A massive dose of sleeping pills had been mixed into the ice water.

Feigning concern, I asked,

"Director Kim, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"...I... suddenly... feel... sleepy..."

"Perhaps now that the tension is gone, it's simply catching up with you."

"Maybe that's exac..."

Kim Mansu never finished the sentence.

His head fell limply against the back of the sofa, and he instantly sank into a deep sleep.

Reporter Hong Yeonggi suffered exactly the same fate.

After glancing at the two guests, fast asleep, I turned to the Chief Secretary.

"They were out in less than a minute. Kang Inhan, just how much sleeping medicine did you put in there?"

"Exactly enough to guarantee they wouldn't die."

"Haha. Hearing you say that gives me goosebumps. Well then... shall we begin the second phase of our operation?"