Chapter 1039: Civil War (5)

Buzz.

Buzz.

[Caller ID: 010-9876-000X]

The calls from President Hong Myung-Soo, the eldest son of HK Inc., kept coming. With HK Inc. collapsing around him, it was certainly an important call. Still, I couldn't help hesitating for a moment between answering it and ordering my bone hangover soup. In the end, too many people were involved for me to ignore it.

"Mr. Kang, let me finish this call first. I'll order the bone hangover soup right after."

Director Kang Ji-Yung, Chief Gu Seong-Cheol, and Chief Lee Dong-Min all stared at me with the same message in their eyes.

'Hurry up and finish the call so we can order the soup.'

"Wrap it up as fast as you can!"

I felt exactly the same way, so I answered, "Yes, sir!"

After assuring them I would be back in a moment, I stepped out of the executive meeting room and answered the phone.

"Hello. This is Chief Jung Yoon-Ho."

A calm, measured voice came from the other end.

-It's Hong Myung-Soo. I'd like to see you for a moment.

Even with his family in complete turmoil, his tone remained utterly emotionless. It was exactly the same voice I remembered before my regression.

The moment I heard it, my guard went up. Some business newspapers praised him as a composed executive who had successfully guided HK Construction through difficult times. The truth, however, was that he was a sociopath who cared about no one but himself.

"I'm not sure why I'd need to meet with you. And if this is about the lawsuit against HK Entertainment, you've got the wrong person. I have no intention of withdrawing it."

I deliberately steered the conversation toward HK Entertainment. However, Hong Myung-Soo let out a mocking laugh.

-Whether a little mom-and-pop shop like HK Entertainment lives or dies is none of my concern.

His youngest sister's company was on the verge of collapse, yet he dismissed it as if it meant nothing. Every time I dealt with that family, I found them more repulsive.

"Then why do you want to see me?"

-I have a proposal.

"A proposal?"

-We'll discuss that in person. It'll take me twenty minutes to reach your company. Come outside.

"Are you threatening me?"

-Call it a threat, coercion, or an invitation. Think of it however you like. Just know that it won't end well for you if you don't come.

I had no idea why he wanted to meet me. Even so, I couldn't simply avoid him. If, by some chance, he had discovered my relationship with President Hong Jin-Gyu, I would have to respond accordingly.

However, I had no intention of playing by his rules.

"Fine. I'll meet you. Just not right now."

His voice remained perfectly level.

-Why? Is there something even more urgent than this?

I answered in the most serious tone I could manage, "Yes. I have to eat bone hangover soup."

-...

For the first time, silence filled the line. Apparently, he hadn't expected that answer. Ignoring the awkward pause, I continued.

"So either we meet in an hour, or you can come here and wait. Your choice."

Hong Myung-Soo finally replied, his voice slightly unsteady.

-...We'll meet in an hour.

Beep.

I hung up first. Then, without wasting another second, I hurriedly called the bone hangover soup restaurant.

The affairs of the HK family were important. But right now, nothing was more important than eating bone hangover soup.

***

After stripping every last bit of meat from the bones, I mixed a bowl of rice into the remaining broth and polished it off.

Feeling satisfied as I looked at the neat pile of cleaned bones beside my bowl, I got to my feet. I had just sent Hong Jin-Gyu a text message, and he had been calling me nonstop ever since.

"I'll head out first. I have a call I need to return."

Everyone else was too absorbed in their bone hangover soup to do more than lift a hand without looking up from their bowls.

"Good work!"

"See you later."

I stepped into the hallway and immediately called Hong Jin-Gyu.

"Mr. Hong, I couldn't answer because my meeting was wrapping up. My apologies."

-Don't worry about it. That happens when you're working. Oh, and I've got good news. Thanks to you, Ah-Yoon's getting shipped off to Russia. Hahaha.

Apparently convinced that becoming HK Distribution's largest shareholder would naturally lead to taking over the department store business, he sounded positively thrilled that his younger sister was out of the picture.

"Well, you've eliminated one rival. That's a step forward. By the way, were you able to secure much of HK Distribution's stock?"

-I was. Everything kept blowing up one after another, so I've reached 19%. But it looks like more people are starting to jump in, so 25% probably isn't happening. I'll likely end up around 22%. Even so, you can consider me the largest shareholder.

He clearly had no idea what was happening in Myeong-dong.

Suppressing a laugh, I replied, "I'm glad to hear it."

-Right. So why did you tell me to call? Were you worried about the shares?

"No. I was wondering if your older brother had found out that we're working together."

Hong Jin-Gyu's voice instantly changed.

-Why? Don't tell me... he contacted you?

"Yes. He said he has a proposal and wants to meet."

Hong Jin-Gyu's voice shook.

-What are you going to do?

"I'm going to meet him."

-...You're not thinking of abandoning me and siding with him, are you?

"If I were, why would I be calling you? I'm contacting you so I can understand the situation first. Think carefully. Are you sure you didn't make any mistakes?"

Hong Jin-Gyu let out a relieved sigh.

-Even thinking it over again, nothing comes to mind other than encouraging my mother to protect HK Distribution.

'So he acted out of character and ended up drawing Hong Myung-Soo's attention.'

I had partnered with him precisely because he had weaknesses like this, but I still couldn't help shaking my head.

"For now, operate on the assumption that President Hong Myung-Soo knows we're working together. I'll see you this afternoon."

-Oh, right. One more thing. No matter what that bastard offers you, don't accept it. I'll give you double whatever he promises! Got it?

"If all I cared about was money, I'd have gone to your older brother from the start. I like working with you a lot more, Mr. Hong Jin-Gyu."

-Hahaha. R-right? I'm counting on you, Chief Jung.

"Of course. I'll talk to you later."

-See you.

After hanging up, I slowly shook my head. "What an idiot."

The reason I had no intention of joining forces with Hong Myung-Soo, the most likely heir to HK Inc., had nothing to do with loyalty. A capable man like Hong Myung-Soo would never be easy to control. Someone as full of holes as Hong Jin-Gyu, on the other hand, was far easier to keep in the palm of my hand. And that made him far more useful for bringing HK Inc. down.

Just then, my phone rang again. It was exactly an hour later from Hong Myung-Soo's previous phone call.

[Caller ID: 010-9876-000X]

"He's punctual, I'll give him that."

The moment I answered, Hong Myung-Soo's voice came through, sounding just slightly less flat than before.

-Finished eating?

"Yes. I just finished and I'm on my way out. Where should we meet?"

-We'll talk in my car. License plate ends in 2323. I'll be parked in front of your company, so come down.

"Understood."

After hanging up, I headed for the stairs instead of the elevator. I needed to walk off that meal.

***

A massive black Merciless Binz Springer was parked in front of the company.

Whir.

As I approached, the sliding door opened automatically. Hong Myung-Soo sat in the rear cabin with his legs crossed, facing me across the aisle, wearing an irritated expression.

"Come in and have a seat."

The moment I sat across from him, the van pulled away. The driver's compartment was separated by a partition, and thick curtains covered every window, making it impossible to tell where we were headed.

"It's been a long time since someone made me wait. Then again, I suppose it would take someone with your nerve to use Jin-Gyu to shake up HK."

'So he figured out I'm working with Hong Jin-Gyu.'

That didn't mean I had any reason to admit it.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about."

"Oh, don't be boring. Jin-Gyu suddenly helping our mother, HK Distribution being thrown into chaos... He was probably buying up shares behind her back through nominee accounts. I'd wager that entire scheme came from your head. Am I wrong?"

I knew he was perceptive, but I hadn't expected him to lay all his suspicions on the table so openly. Before my regression, he had always been much more cautious. His bluntness surprised me a little. Even so, I wasn't amateur enough to let my emotions show.

"You called me out here in such a hurry, and it turns out you've brought me here just to throw around accusations without any evidence. If that's all you have to say, stop the car. I'm getting out."

Hong Myung-Soo shrugged. "I told you I had a proposal. Seems you've misunderstood. I was merely letting you know that I'm aware of it."

"Then stop trying to confuse me and get to your proposal."

A faint smile curled across Hong Myung-Soo's lips. "Jin-Gyu probably promised to help you take over HK if you worked with him. Forget him. Work with me instead."

"...Excuse me?"

"My father's still too healthy. I have no idea when my turn will come. So make me chairman within a year. Do that, and I promise I'll never touch the entertainment business."

As expected, he was no ordinary lunatic. The fact that he could speak so casually about betraying his own father said everything. That alone was enough to prove he was someone I could never join forces with.

"I..."

At that moment, Hong Myung-Soo cut me off and slid a black briefcase onto the seat between us.

Thunk.

"Before you make your decision, have a look at this."

Click.

Hong Myung-Soo opened the briefcase. Inside was a stack of bearer bonds.

"I'll give you ten billion won in bearer bonds as a signing bonus. Then, the moment I become chairman, you'll receive the remaining one hundred billion." The ambition blazing in Hong Myung-Soo's eyes burned like fire. "Oh, and that's not all. Once I'm chairman, the new HK Inc. will funnel advertising contracts to Hoop Entertainment."

If I joined forces with him, there was little doubt Hong Myung-Soo would become chairman of HK Inc. He had ambition, he had ability, and his drive exceeded even my expectations.

However, what I wanted wasn't a stronger HK Inc. I wanted an HK Inc. so thoroughly torn apart that it would never again have the strength to target my artists. That was why I could never work with Hong Myung-Soo.

More than anything, I simply couldn't trust the man. Unlike Hong Jin-Gyu, who had little interest in female celebrities, Hong Myung-Soo was notorious for summoning actresses and female idols for his own twisted amusement.

In other words, if he ever became chairman of HK Inc., it was only a matter of time before he reached for the artists of Hoop Entertainment whom I cared about most. Even if he offered me limitless wealth, this proposal was one I would never accept.

Thunk.

I closed the briefcase and said, "I'll pretend I never heard your offer."

Hong Myung-Soo frowned slightly when I rejected such an enormous sum. "Why?"

"Getting rid of HK Entertainment was all I ever wanted. I've already achieved my goal. Everything else is no longer any concern of mine."

"...You expect me to believe that?"

"Believe it or not. I don't care. Just don't come looking for me again."

Hostility gradually surfaced in his eyes. "You won't regret this? If you don't join me, the politicians and media people working under my father's orders will keep coming after you. More importantly... I'll become your enemy."

I merely answered with a dismissive smile. "I'm not particularly afraid of a lowlife who spends his nights whipping female celebrities."

Hong Myung-Soo's face instantly flushed red. Apparently embarrassed that I had uncovered his closely guarded private tastes, he clenched his fists.

"You son of a bitch... How dare you..."

The rear cabin of the Binz Springer was tall enough for someone to stand. Hong Myung-Soo unfastened his seatbelt and looked ready to leap to his feet and throw a punch.

However, I quietly clenched my own fist. "Don't forget. It's just the two of us in here."

Hong Myung-Soo froze. He had suddenly remembered that there was no one else in the back of the van except the two of us, and that I was a national-team-level boxer. His whole body trembled as he slowly lowered his fist. Instead of attacking me, he settled for a warning.

"I don't know where you heard... those ridiculous rumors... but the moment people start repeating them, neither you nor anyone around you will ever live in peace again, Jung Yoon-Ho."

I didn't answer. Now that we had become enemies, I knew he would come after me no matter what I did.

After a brief silence, he pressed a button and spoke to the driver in the front compartment. "Stop."

A moment later, the van came to a halt and the side door slid open.

Screech.

"Get out."

Thud.

As soon as I stepped onto the sidewalk, Hong Myung-Soo spoke from inside the open door. In that short span of time, he'd already regained his composure.

"Things won't go the way you want, Jung Yoon-Ho."

Whir.

Clunk.

The sliding door shut, and the black Springer quickly disappeared down the road. Watching it drive away, I fell into thought.

"Hmm... Hong Jin-Gyu alone isn't going to be enough to deal with Hong Myung-Soo."

Meeting him in person had made one thing clear. Hong Myung-Soo was far bolder than I had remembered. If Hong Jin-Gyu was going to stand against his older brother, he would need someone capable backing him up.

At that moment, one particular name came to mind. I immediately wanted to go see him. Then, I realized I didn't have a car. After all, Hong Myung-Soo had dropped me off in Hannam-dong, near his own house.

"If you weren't going to take me back to the company, you could've at least dropped me off near my place. What a petty bastard."

Raising my hand to hail a passing taxi, I made myself a promise.

'I won't forget this. I'll make you pay the most expensive taxi fare in the world, Hong Myung-Soo.'

***

At a side street at the entrance to the HK Chemical Building, I waited for someone in a company car I had brought over myself.

With HK Inc. under investigation from every direction and Chairman Hong Moon-Gyu's youngest daughter, Director Hong Ah-Yoon, having just issued her public apology, employees were running around the building in utter panic. The only exception was former Chief of Secretary Gong Gi-Seok, who strolled out alone with his employee ID hanging around his neck, looking perfectly relaxed.

I immediately started the engine and pulled the car over.

Screech.

Stopping beside the curb, I rolled down the passenger-side window and called out, "Mr. Gong. Get in."

Gong Gi-Seok looked over in surprise. "Mr. Jung? What are you doing here...?"

"I came because there's something I need to discuss with you. Why don't we talk in the car?"

Gong Gi-Seok stiffened and shook his head. "No. I have nothing to hear from you."

"If you don't get in, you might not just be transferred to General Affairs this time. You could end up losing your job altogether."

"...What are you planning now?"

"It's not a bad offer. Hear me out before you decide."

After a long moment of hesitation, Gong Gi-Seok finally climbed into the passenger seat.

Thunk.

The moment he fastened his seatbelt, I pulled away.

Glancing toward him, I spoke. "You look like you've aged overnight."

"Because someone kept me from getting any sleep."

Judging by his sullen expression, he clearly wasn't fond of me.

"Do you hate me?" I asked.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't. Thanks to you, the entire plan I'd mapped out for my life has fallen apart. HK Chemical is as good as finished now."

"What do you mean finished?"

"The man I served... President Hong Jin-Gyu will never beat President Hong Myung-Soo."

"What makes you so certain?"

"Before I transferred to HK Chemical, I worked in Strategic Planning at HK Construction. I saw how Mr. Hong Myung-Soo handled things back then, and he was frighteningly meticulous. Compared to him, Mr. Hong Jin-Gyu has weaknesses everywhere. He rushed ahead with his plans, so he'll inevitably face a counterattack. And when that happens, the damage will probably be irreversible."

It was just as I thought. If this man had still been standing beside Hong Jin-Gyu yesterday, my plan to reel Hong Jin-Gyu in might very well have failed. At the same time, it also proved that I found exactly the right person to cover Hong Jin-Gyu's weaknesses.

"So? Have you considered helping President Hong Jin-Gyu again?"

Gong Gi-Seok answered bluntly. "I have my pride. I don't intend to go back to someone who pushed me away. I'm preparing to move to another company if I get the chance."

'He's looking for another job, huh?'

That actually made things easier.

"In that case, how about working with me?" I asked.

Gong Gi-Seok's eyes widened. "...Are you joking? I lost my position as chief of secretary because of you, and now you're asking me to work with you?"

I nodded. "Yes. Just as you analyzed, President Hong Myung-Soo somehow figured out immediately that President Hong Jin-Gyu and I had joined forces. You're right. President Hong Jin-Gyu probably can't defeat his older brother. That's why I want you to stand beside President Hong Jin-Gyu in my place and stop him from making foolish mistakes. I'll pay you twice your current salary, and I'll transfer a signing bonus of one hundred million won to you today."

His previous annual salary had been around one hundred twenty million won. Now I was offering double that, plus a signing bonus. He looked completely bewildered.

"Are you out of your mind?"

"Not at all."

"Wait, no. You were the one who destroyed President Hong Jin-Gyu, and now you're asking me to help him on your behalf? Why would you make an offer like that?"

"If I tell you, you'll have to work with me. Are you sure you're okay with that?"

Gong Gi-Seok wrestled with himself for quite a while before finally groaning. "Damn it... You win. I'm too curious not to know. Just tell me one thing first. Why do you want to send me back to President Hong Jin-Gyu?"

Seeing that he had already decided to change jobs, I answered calmly, "Because President Hong Jin-Gyu has to survive his brother's attacks. Only then can we split HK Inc. cleanly in half."

"...What?"

Gong Gi-Seok stared at me in stunned disbelief. His expression said he had never imagined someone insane enough to plot cutting the nation's twelfth-largest conglomerate cleanly in two.