Chapter 98: Intertwining Strategies

"I keep telling you, I already have plenty of clothes."

After Father tragically lost his life in an accident, Mom had carried the burden of supporting the entire family by herself. She had always lived extremely frugally, so she didn't own a single expensive outfit.

"But everything you have was bought at the local market."

"You just don't understand. These days you can buy perfectly decent clothes at markets too."

"Mom, I'm not talking about quality. I'm talking about brands."

"I don't need luxury brands."

"I wasn't planning on buying you luxury brands in the first place."

"Then there's no need to go to a department store."

"Department stores don't only sell luxury goods. They also carry plenty of high-quality products at reasonable prices."

"Oh, what's the point of arguing with you?"

Mom stubbornly refused to budge. Fortunately, I knew her personality far too well, so I had already prepared the proper countermeasure. Giving Cha Hyeonji a subtle signal, I continued,

"Well... if Mom really doesn't want to go, then I guess there's nothing we can do."

"Exactly."

"But maybe we could at least go look around the department store and buy something for Hyeonji while we're there?"

Cha Hyeonji instantly understood the meaning behind her brother's signal. He was clearly planning to use shopping for her as an excuse to take Mom there and buy clothes for her instead. Since she had figured out his plan, there was no way she would stay out of it.

"That actually sounds like a good idea."

"Hyeonji, don't you already have enough clothes?"

Just as expected, Mom's counterattack was powerful. But Cha Hyeonji naturally had a sturdy shield prepared.

"Mom, I'm going to start working soon. I need business clothes that I can wear to the office."

"Well... that's true. I hadn't thought of that."

"Mom, you'll come with me and tell me whether the clothes suit me, won't you?"

"Of course. I'll help you choose."

After a great deal of effort, my sister and I finally managed to obtain Mom's approval.

Once we had finished getting ready, we went downstairs. At that very moment, Meowy nimbly jumped straight into my arms. Judging by the sparkle in his eyes, the wild cat was clearly telling me he wanted to come with us.

"Sorry, but you can't go somewhere that's crowded with people."

"...Grrr."

Meowy bared his fangs and growled unhappily in protest.

Naturally, I already had the perfect plan for suppressing his resistance.

"There's something you should understand. Mom is much scarier than Hyeonji. If she finds out you're actually a wild forest cat, she'll throw you out of the house in no time."

My warning worked perfectly. Meowy immediately leaped out of my arms like a bullet and sprinted upstairs to the third floor.

As I let out a relieved sigh, Cha Hyeonji came downstairs from the second floor and looked at me.

"Big brother, Meowy ran upstairs looking completely terrified. What happened?"

"He threw a tantrum because he wanted to come with us, so I scared him a little."

"How?"

Cha Hyeonji still had no idea that Meowy was actually a genuine wild predator. To keep that secret, I once again resorted to a lie.

"I told him I'd stop feeding him beef and switch to raw chickens. He was completely stunned."

"Oh! I see!"

"You have to save your trump cards for the most critical moments."

"I'll definitely remember that."

"Good. By the way, let's change the subject for a minute."

"I actually wanted to talk to you too. Perfect timing."

I already knew exactly what Cha Hyeonji wanted to discuss.

"Want me to guess?"

"You already talked to Brother Ujin, didn't you?"

"That's right. And I'll tell you now—I don't intend to get you a job at his uncle's company."

"...Why?" Hyeonji's voice was filled with obvious disappointment.

I wasn't worried in the slightest, because I already had a plan that would instantly erase all of it.

"In the near future, Korea Investment, Hangang Group, and Bongard Group are planning to establish a joint investment company. Its initial capital will be fifty billion dollars..."

"Fifty billion dollars?!"

Cha Hyeonji's eyes widened as she interrupted me in complete disbelief.

My younger sister understood perfectly well just how enormous that amount was.

Unfortunately, our conversation couldn't continue.

Hearing Hyeonji's shocked cry, Mom hurried out of the bedroom.

"Jiham, what happened?"

If I answered honestly, the conversation would drag on forever, so I decided to keep the truth to myself.

"Nothing, Mom. Are you ready?"

"Yes. I just need to grab my purse."

"Great. Then shall we head to the department store?"

While Mom returned to the bedroom to get her bag, I quickly whispered to Hyeonji,

"We'll talk about the joint company later."

"But answer just one thing first. Is the initial capital really fifty billion dollars?"

"I don't like repeating myself."

Answering in an intentionally indifferent tone, I headed toward the front door.

The moment we opened the gate and stepped outside, a luxurious executive sedan with its engine already running was waiting for us. The personal driver respectfully bowed and opened the rear door.

Seeing this, Mom looked at me in confusion.

"I'll explain everything on the way to the department store. For now, just get in."

Mom and Hyeonji sat in the back seat, while I took the front passenger seat.

As soon as the car pulled away smoothly, Mom immediately turned to me.

"Jiham, explain what's going on."

"Chairman Park Yeongil is in charge of Korea Investment."

"And Chairman Park sent this company car just for our family?"

"Yes, Mom."

"But why is Chairman Park treating us so kindly?"

I still hadn't told Mom that I was Chairman Park's official successor. That ignorance was precisely why she kept asking questions like these.

For our future, it was finally time to reveal part of the truth.

"Mom, I need you to listen to me very carefully."

"Alright. Go ahead."

"Chairman Park was born in what is now North Korea, in Hweyang, Gangwon Province. During the January Retreat..."

***

At that very moment, inside the office of the President of Hangang Department Store, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun, President Yoon Sehwa, and Yun Sola were talking.

"Brother, when is Senior Specialist Cha leaving?"

"I just received a message from Secretary Kang. He said they left five minutes ago."

"Considering it's Sunday, it'll probably take them about twenty minutes."

"Most likely."

After giving a brief reply, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun turned toward Yun Sola, who was sitting there with a clearly dissatisfied expression.

"Why do you look so unhappy?"

"I just don't understand why we have to go this far and practically throw away our pride."

Yoon Sanghun felt it was necessary to change his daughter's way of thinking.

"The head of Bongard Group owns the largest investment company in the world. Even so, he's doing everything he can to establish a joint venture with our company and Korea Investment. Why do you think that is?"

"Because he wants to make use of Senior Specialist Cha's genius."

"There's no denying his brilliance. But I'm sure Bongard Group itself has plenty of geniuses who are every bit as outstanding."

At that moment, a realization suddenly flashed through Yun Sola's mind.

The head of Bongard Group had a granddaughter—Tracy—whose background and abilities were in no way inferior to her own. The old man undoubtedly intended to marry Tracy to Cha Jiham and make him part of the Bongard family.

The joint investment company with Korea Investment and Hangang Group was merely the first strategic move on the chessboard.

To verify her suspicion, she cautiously asked her father.

Yoon Sanghun nodded.

"Exactly."

"As a matter of fact, that investment company will be established right here in Korea."

"So..."

"That's right. The head of Bongard Group intends to place Tracy in that new company."

Yun Sola instantly realized how serious the threat was.

If Tracy settled into that company, she would be able to meet Cha Jiham freely every single day.

Meanwhile, Yun Sola herself would remain tied to Hangang Group, giving her far fewer opportunities to see him.

Under those circumstances, she couldn't guarantee victory in this competition.

After thinking it over, she realized there was only one solution.

"Father, transfer me to that new investment company too."

"I was planning to do exactly that."

"Then isn't everything fine?"

"For this to end in marriage, you first need the approval of the family elders. That's why it's absolutely critical that you earn as many points as possible with Senior Specialist Cha's mother."

"Of course."

While Yun Sola nodded in understanding, President Yoon Sehwa joined the conversation with obvious curiosity.

"Brother, what if we let Sola and Tracy compete on completely equal terms?"

"What do you mean by equal terms?"

"I think we should reveal Sola's true status to Senior Specialist Cha."

"I already brought that up with Father, but all I got was a harsh scolding."

"Why?"

"Senior Specialist Cha will eventually inherit all of Chairman Park's personal assets. Do I really need to explain any further?"

In other words, Cha Jiham couldn't be won over with money.

"I suppose it can't be helped. But is Tracy really such a dangerous rival?"

"She's incredibly beautiful and exceptionally capable. The two of them are almost evenly matched."

"No wonder Sola is so anxious. What if Senior Specialist Cha falls in love with Tracy?"

"I was worried about that myself, but fortunately it seems Tracy is still the only one who's in love."

"Well, that's at least the lesser of two evils."

"Exactly. Senior Specialist Cha has astonishing intuition. If we act clumsily or too aggressively, we could end up losing everything."

"You don't need to worry about that."

Bzzz.

Just as Yoon Sehwa confidently declared that, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun's phone vibrated briefly.

Knowing exactly who the message was from, he quickly read it.

"Senior Specialist Cha will arrive in five minutes. Shall we begin our operation?"

***

While Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun and President Yoon Sehwa were busily carrying out their own hidden strategy, I continued toward the department store while satisfying Mom's curiosity.

"Until the joint venture is officially established, I'll have to remain employed by Hangang Group as well."

"Working for two companies at once... Isn't that exhausting, son?"

"The Chairmen treat me very well and provide excellent working conditions, so it's much easier than it sounds."

"Then I'm relieved. By the way, does Chairman Park live alone in that neighboring house?"

"He lives there with his personal driver and a housekeeper who helps manage the household."

At that moment, our driver spoke.

"Managing Director, we're almost at Hangang Department Store. I'll drop you off right at the main entrance."

"Alright. After that, you can park the car and head home to rest."

"But I'm your personal driver."

"I just feel bad making you work on your day off."

"From Monday through Thursday, I hardly have anything to do, yet I receive my salary without fail. To accept that salary with a clear conscience, I have to perform my duties properly."

"When you put it that way, I can't really argue."

"Please don't worry. Enjoy your shopping, and when you're finished, just give me a call."

A few minutes later, the driver carefully pulled up to the main entrance of Hangang Department Store.

We quickly got out so we wouldn't block the cars behind us.

Mom looked around at the bustling crowd with genuine surprise.

"It feels like everyone in Seoul came here today."

"Haha. There are definitely a lot of people. Shall we go inside?"

Unfortunately, we never made it through the entrance.

A clear voice suddenly called my name.

Turning around, I saw President Yoon Sehwa stepping out of a newly arrived car and waving warmly.

Since we knew each other personally, there was no way I could simply ignore her.

I quickly walked over to greet her.

"President Yoon, it's good to see you. It's been a while."

"The feeling's mutual. What brings you to our department store?"

Naturally, Yoon Sehwa knew perfectly well why Cha Jiham had come.

However, she deliberately pretended not to know because she had a very specific objective.

"I came to buy clothes for my mother and younger sister."

"Oh my, really? Won't you introduce me to them?"

"You must be very busy. Are you sure that's alright?"

I deliberately showed a little restraint to gauge Yoon Sehwa's true intentions.

"Busy? What are you talking about? Senior Specialist Cha, you know who my father is, don't you?"

"Of course."

"My father has talked endlessly about how much you've contributed to the development of Hangang Group. On his behalf, it's my duty to pay my respects and thank the mother who raised such an outstanding son."

"Thank you for your kind words. I'll bring my mother over. Please wait just a moment."

"Oh, don't bother bringing her here. I'll go to her myself."

Left with no other choice, I escorted Yoon Sehwa over to my mother and introduced them.

"Mom, this is Yoon Sehwa, President of Hangang Department Store..."