Chapter 133: An Unwelcome Meeting

The new year of 1999 dawned. After a long period of treatment, Eva was discharged from the hospital and returned to the front lines.

Initially, there were plans to send her abroad for intensive psychiatric treatment, but Eva insisted on staying in Korea.

The hospital suggested that prioritizing the patient’s opinion would be best for her emotional stability.

Ultimately, Eva continued her treatment in Korea according to her wishes.

Her physical wounds had all healed, but she still needed a lot of time to recover mentally.

“Happy New Year, Chairman,” I said.

Meanwhile, I visited Chairman Song’s house to pay my respects for the New Year.

“Mu-hyeok, it’s hard to catch a glimpse of you these days.”

Although he was over 80 years old, Chairman Song still seemed energetic. Seeing him reminded me of my grandfather, making me uneasy.

My grandfather’s health had deteriorated significantly, and he could barely move. I didn’t know why, but his decline was happening faster than in my previous life.

“It’s been too long. You seem busier than I am, Chairman.”

After my New Year’s bow, Chairman Song playfully handed me a ten thousand Won bill. I smiled, accepted the New Year’s money, folded it in half, and held it in my hand.

“Is that Cheon still acting the same?”

“The time he spends moving around is decreasing. Chief Ha is always by his side.”

“That Chief Ha must be suffering too.”

The person currently watching over my grandfather was not his children, but Chief Ha.

I was grateful to Chief Ha for that.

“So, how’s business going? I heard you’re close to Han Gyeong-yeong, who acquired Jungwoo Group this time?”

“We became friends by chance in Korea, and we’ve kept in touch often even after he went to the U.S. I never imagined he would become so successful.”

Han Gyeong-yeong had been frequently featured on the front page of newspapers recently.

He followed the government’s policies better than the chaebols in Korea, and the initial image of him as a ‘black-haired foreigner’ had also faded considerably.

There was labor union repression during the company’s sale process, but not a single article about it appeared in any major newspaper.

“Do you have shares in Dream High?”

“A little. I invested in President Han Gyeong-yeong, and it turned out to be quite a large sum.”

“Having the foresight to recognize such a person is commendable. My children don’t have that. They’re just greedy.”

“That’s just how they appear to you, Chairman. Others don’t see them that way. Lower your standards.”

“It’s not because of you. Hmph, I’m envious of that Cheon for the first time.”

Chairman Song seemed quite displeased, but Chairman Song’s sons were not lacking in management skills.

It’s just that they didn’t meet Chairman Song’s standards.

“By the way, Taesan Financial? Is that your work too?”

“Yes, I partnered with Future Investments using grandfather’s slush fund and acquired a bank. It’s difficult for me to step forward publicly.”

“Heh heh. That Cheon is blessed in his old age. Truly blessed.”

Though he said that, Chairman Song was smiling contentedly.

After Kim Hak-gwon’s government took office, he re-entered the scene and recently showed a performance of taking cattle to North Korea.

I broached the subject carefully.

“Will you continue with the North Korea business?”

“I have to. I definitely have to.”

The money going into the North Korea business was enormous, to the point where even the mighty Daehyeon Group could falter.

“Is it necessary for you to do it, Chairman?”

From a business perspective, the North Korea business doesn’t make much money.

Investment stability is the worst, and the policies are the worst. They were our primary enemy, not an ally.

What it means to invest in North Korea in a state of armistice, not a state of peace, will only become clear with time.

Right now, President Kim Hak-gwon’s strong will has created a thawing atmosphere with North Korea, so it’s fine, but…

If things continue this way, Korean society will once again experience the side effects of the past that surfaced after Chairman Song’s death.

“If I, Song Young-ju, don’t do it, who will? If I pave the way, other companies will follow. It’s always been like that.”

Chairman Song spoke with pride, but as someone who knew the future, I couldn’t help but shake my head inwardly.

The money invested in North Korea could vanish into thin air at any time without the help of China and Russia.

If stability could be guaranteed, it was a promising market.

North Korea is rich in mineral resources, including various rare earth elements. China is already plundering North Korea’s resources at bargain prices.

But not now.

“Why? Don’t you like the North Korea business?”

“Personally, I’m concerned about the uncertainty of the business prospects. It’s North Korea, after all. We can’t completely trust them.”

“How long are we going to exclude the North? I hate communists too. But aren’t they still our people? I’ve succeeded to this extent, so I should help them make a living too.”

Chairman Song was also someone who despised the Communist Party.

He himself experienced the Korean War, and Daehyeon is a representative company that grew under the protection of the military regime. Anti-communist ideas must be ingrained in his mind.

Nevertheless, the reason he wanted to do the North Korea business was because his hometown was in the North.

“I agree with that sentiment. But I don’t think now is the right time. We need at least minimal safety measures. Will they be grateful if we just give them money unconditionally?”

“Looking at the firm will of this government, I think it’s trustworthy. Let’s stop this conversation.”

I tried to speak my mind, hoping he would reconsider, but as expected, he was someone who didn’t listen to others.

“I guess I came to wish you a happy New Year and only ended up upsetting you.”

“It’s alright. It’s actually a good thing. No one says these things to me. Not at home, not at the company. But this is my last project. I want to finish it properly.”

I didn’t bring up the North Korea business anymore.

“Do you keep in touch with Hyun-ji?”

“Yes. I call her occasionally to check in.”

“Every guy she meets is a mess. Hmph, you should just hold on tight to you.”

“She wasn’t the right person for me.”

Song Hyun-ji made a boyfriend soon after entering university.

Because she was a free-spirited person, our relationship didn’t continue. She remained just a cute younger sister.

I didn’t have any regrets.

Would Song Hyun-ji have been happy if we had continued?

I couldn’t be sure of the future, but I could confidently say no. I had many enemies, many things to do, and many things to protect.

“What about Hyun-soo?”

“We meet up occasionally for a drink. I heard he got promoted this time.”

Chairman Song didn’t just give his grandchildren high positions. He believed they had to learn properly from the bottom, so he hid that they were his grandchildren and had them start from the very bottom.

Well, those traditions will all disappear after he passes away… It was admirable.

“In 20 years… no, even just 10 years, you all will have to lead Korea’s economy. Stay on good terms with everyone. Your relationship with Il-sung is still not good, is it?”

After my grandfather’s health deteriorated, I contacted Cheon Ji-won and Cheon Ji-soo.

It was uncomfortable, but they were still my grandfather’s family.

But they never once visited my grandfather.

I smiled silently, and Chairman Song simply shook his head without saying anything else.

“I’ll be going now. I’ll visit you again next time. Work is important, but take care of your health too. You need to stay healthy for a long time.”

“Heh heh, I will. Thank you.”

It was a busy holiday season, visiting many people I had worked with last year to offer New Year’s greetings.

* * *

After being discharged from the hospital, Eva summoned all the executives to the conference room.

Most of the executives were filled with Baek Seong-jin’s connections, so Baek Seong-jin effectively held all the power.

The executives who entered the conference room sensed an eerie atmosphere and glanced around. Eva’s face, which they hadn’t seen in a while, was stiff unlike her usual demeanor.

Baek Seong-jin stepped forward as the representative and cautiously tested the waters.

“It’s been a while. I’m glad you’ve returned in good health.”

“Director Baek.”

“Yes, CEO.”

“While I was away, you’ve been doing a lot of interesting things. I clearly said that the Taesan Financial matter must be done unconditionally.”

The atmosphere became even colder.

“Let’s just ask one thing.”

At Baek Seong-jin’s words, Eva nodded lightly, as if telling him to go ahead.

“What is the reason for naming it Taesan Financial? Is it taken from the name of Cheontae Mountain Chairman, as rumored?”

“What’s it to you? Do what you’re told. You don’t need to be curious.”

“Ha…”

Baek Seong-jin opened his mouth as if he was at a loss for words.

Eva’s voice grew even colder as she stared at him with a blank expression.

“Director Baek Seong-jin. The reason I brought you in was because I didn’t know much about Korea yet. But if you’re going to try to control what the company does as you please, that’s a different story.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“I’ve turned a blind eye to your previous overstepping, considering Director Baek’s reputation, but you’ve crossed the line with the Taesan Financial matter.”

While Eva was away, Baek Seong-jin heard Kim Mu-hyeok’s name from the Mofia in the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.

Rumor had it that Kim Mu-hyeok had a fairly close relationship with Eva, which had leaked from the Blue House.

He had never heard the name Kim Mu-hyeok before, but Cheontae Mountain Chairman was well known.

It wasn’t difficult to guess how the name Taesan Financial came about.

But even he didn’t realize that the owner of Future Investments was Kim Mu-hyeok.

“I cannot approve of the name Taesan Financial. Didn’t we say we would create the best bank in Korea? But now you’re taking the name of a loan shark?”

Then Eva chuckled.

“Does it look like I’m asking for your approval right now?”

Eva, who never spoke informally even to low-level employees, blurted out a casual tone.

Baek Seong-jin was surprised and froze.

“Who are you to say you can’t approve? Just because I’m always smiling, do you think I’m a puppet you can control as you please?”

“…”

Baek Seong-jin’s face, who was nearing 60, turned red.

Eva, looking at the executives sitting in front of her with a mocking expression, continued.

“Your role is to smoothly carry out what I’m trying to do in Korea. That’s why I recruited you with so much money. I didn’t put you in those positions to listen to your opinions.”

“Isn’t that a bit too harsh?”

Baek Seong-jin shouted angrily.

Eva, who had been wearing a stiff expression all along, surprisingly smiled at those words.

“Harsh? Shall I show you something harsher?”

Eva’s secretary, who was standing next to her, brought a folder to Director Baek.

“Dynamic Korea! There are so many ways to profit, aren’t there?”

Eva spread her hands as if she was amused.

Baek Seong-jin, with a flustered expression, took the envelope and took out the documents inside.

His pupils began to shake.

“You didn’t think I wouldn’t know, did you? It’s a shame you saw me so lightly.”

“…CEO.”

Baek Seong-jin called out, but Eva ignored him and spoke to the other executives.

“The same goes for the others. Everyone has been helping themselves, without exception.”

Eva sneered as she watched the executives panic.

“Yes, I was going to understand and move on. It’s not a lot of money, and it can happen when an organization is running. It’s unavoidable if it can’t be helped. But then you should at least do the work you’re told to do. Why should I work with people who only hinder what I’m trying to do and pocket money on the side?”

She was smiling brightly, but her words were like stabbing with a knife.

“Director Baek, what should we do? Will you return everything you’ve taken so far and receive a Supreme Prosecutors’ Office investigation?”

“Do you think you can do business without the help of the Mofia?”

Baek Seong-jin tried to pressure Eva using the Mofia, but it was a futile act.

“I wonder. Will the Mofia follow Director Baek Seong-jin, who has lost his backing, as they used to? Try experimenting. See if my money works, or if Director Baek’s words work.”

During the time Eva was away, Baek Seong-jin tried to find out about the investors behind Eva.

But he couldn’t find any information, as if it had been deliberately erased.

In the end, he had to admit that it was difficult to suppress Eva even in terms of power.

“…”

And that Eva’s money was more powerful than his influence.

“Whether you will do the work you were paid to do as you were told, or stand in the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office photo line. It’s up to Director Baek’s decision.”

Eva crossed her arms and urged them.

Faced with Eva’s appearance, which had changed 180 degrees from what it had been until now, Baek Seong-jin had no choice but to back down.

“I apologize. I overstepped my bounds.”

“I’ll trust you one last time. What’s important right now is Taesan Financial, but this is just the beginning. Find out everything about how the government’s bank sales, mergers, and integrations are progressing, without missing a single detail.”

Eva had no intention of being satisfied with two banks.

“Director Baek, everyone else, please leave,” Eva instructed.

The executives, reading the room, quietly filed out of the conference room.

“Director Baek, I want to trust you, but my investors don’t seem to share that sentiment.”

“Just who are these investors?” Baek Seong-jin asked, his voice laced with frustration.

Eva continued as if she hadn’t heard the question, her gaze fixed on some distant point.

“We’ve managed to smooth things over this time, but if something like this happens again… my hands will be tied. You might find facing the law a preferable alternative. Do I make myself clear?”

Baek Seong-jin felt a cold sweat break out on his back.

“I understand.”

“You may leave.”

Baek Seong-jin bowed his head and exited the conference room.

The heavy wooden door clicked shut behind him.

Inside the conference room, the blinds were drawn. Though the fluorescent lights were bright, Eva’s hand began to tremble.

The trauma hadn’t completely faded.

“I’ll do anything for the Boss.”

Eva’s soliloquy echoed in the empty conference room.