Chapter 188: Wanting to Say Thank You

“I want to thank you, but I’m a little embarrassed.”

“That’s more than enough for me, Uncle.”

“I have ears too. I heard your older brother offered you an extra ₩200 billion?”

“Yes, but my fear was greater. The eldest son of Soonyang is truly intimidating.”

Jin Dong-ki offered a wry smile.

“He might seem violent at first glance, but that can be an advantage when leading a large organization. Your older brother knows how to use that well. It’s worked for him so far.”

“It didn’t work on me, though.”

“Because you’re not a subordinate. Of course, if we go by family ties, you’re distant… but he can’t accept that you’re on equal footing. That’s what made you afraid.”

Is this what they call making up a better interpretation than the original?

He’s just making excuses, but seeing Jin Young-ki agreeing and adding explanations, his personality is probably worse than I imagined.

“Now, shall we handle the most important part of the contract first?”

“The slush funds, you mean?”

“That’s right.”

My uncle chuckled and nodded, sliding an envelope across the table.

“Everything you need is in there. Go to Labuan, open an account, and transfer it. That’s all there is to it.”

“Online banking isn’t an option, I presume? Heh.”

“If that’s a joke, it’s not funny. It’s all analog there. To avoid leaving any records.”

“So, it’s money you can’t touch unless you visit in person.”

“Without what’s in your hand, you won’t even get into the bank in Labuan. Keep it safe.”

I fiddled with the envelope and said quietly.

“Uncle.”

“Yes?”

“Could I ask for a bonus?”

“A bonus?”

“Yes. Instead of this fish dish, I’d like you to teach me how to catch the fish myself.”

The fish dish is what’s in the envelope.

“Heh, you’re a quick learner, aren’t you?”

I was asking about how to create slush funds, and my uncle answered with a laugh.

“It’ll be difficult for someone like you. A financial corporation has a complex structure, you see. You can’t have affiliates on the side or below to siphon funds.”

“The executives were saying the same thing. The more the computer networks develop, the more transparent things become. They say it won’t be long before the National Tax Service can see right into the company.”

“Do-jun, don’t set your sights on slush funds. Focus on making your own money.”

Is this advice for my own good? Or is it a ploy to get me hooked on the taste of money? Well, let’s interpret it positively for now.

“It’s more important to make the money earned legally by the corporation your own, within the bounds of the law.”

The simplest way is to receive an enormous salary.

Or you could collect year-end dividends.

Ultimately, it’s about making money without paying taxes.

“Isn’t that something you have to do little by little, step by step?”

“That’s right. You’re still young. Don’t be too greedy, and prepare little by little.”

“Then is this also made in that way?”

I subtly shook the envelope.

“No. If it were money made within the legal framework, I would have confidently deposited it in a Korean bank under my own name.”

“Then… ?”

“It’s made outside the bounds of the law. And it’s a large sum made all at once. That’s why it’s buried in a remote foreign island without any name attached.”

“That’s possible.”

“It’s usually impossible. It’s possible when a big storm hits and everyone is reeling, making it difficult to monitor who’s doing what.”

When a big storm hits…

I see. It was created when the IMF crisis hit.

What method did he use?

“It wouldn’t be easy. You need an external shock, and the timing has to be right… .”

“And you need to write the scenario well. Haha.”

“Did you write the scenario yourself, Uncle?”

“I’m the producer. Smart talents put their heads together to create the scenario.”

Were the talents putting their heads together from the finance team? Or the planning department?

“So, the planning department has another role, bringing together trustworthy talents.”

“The numbers the planning department looks at are different from the numbers the finance team looks at. You’ll soon find out.”

He meant the finance team was involved. Just as I got everything I needed, my uncle closed his mouth. He must have thought he’d revealed too much.

He probably told me this much because I’ve become an accomplice by accepting the slush funds. Otherwise, he’s not the type to speak carelessly.

“Then hurry to Labuan, Malaysia. You need to do that to finalize the acquisition.”

“Yes, I’ll leave tomorrow.”

My uncle patted me on the back and smiled.

He seems to think we’ve formed an alliance for the time being.

It’s true that we formed a united front until 2003, so I returned his bright smile.

* * *

“You could have just given instructions over the phone. There was no need to trouble yourself… .”

“Is it a bother to meet me?”

“No, I just thought you might be busy, Chief of Staff.”

“Important matters need to be discussed face-to-face, and if they’re important enough to be recorded, they should also be documented. But what Executive Director Woo does can’t be documented, can it? That’s why I wanted to speak with you in person.”

A brief smile flickered across Executive Director Woo Byung-joon’s face.

Looking at him, I asked a question that had been bothering me.

“This is your first time here, yet you aren’t looking around the room.”

It’s normal for someone visiting this Yeouido studio apartment for the first time to look around at the sparse interior, which only contains a small table and a few chairs, with curiosity.

But Executive Director Woo Byung-joon opened the front door and sat down on a chair very naturally.

Without glancing around even once.

“I knew. I understand you prepared this place because you needed somewhere to have private conversations.”

“But this is your first time seeing it in person, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

He answered with a blank expression, leaving me speechless.

Is he not showing his emotions, or is he simply not curious about unnecessary things?

I should give up on my personal curiosity about this man.

“This was a pointless question. My apologies.”

“Not at all.”

His voice remained dry.

“What I need are the weaknesses of someone.”

“And who might that someone be?”

“Those who were the finance team leader and finance director of Soonyang Construction during the IMF crisis in ’97 and ’98.”

“What level of weakness are you looking for?”

“Enough to hand over information related to Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki?”

“That would require a fatal flaw.”

Perhaps because of the mention of Jin Dong-ki’s name, the corner of his eye twitched slightly.

“Is it difficult?”

“No. But… .”

I spoke to him as he hesitated.

“It’s alright. Speak freely.”

“Are you alright with this, Chief of Staff?”

“What do you mean?”

“Once you start something like this, it becomes a back-and-forth until someone gets hurt. Just as I’m investigating them, Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki’s side might also be digging into your background.”

It’s not that he’s uncomfortable with digging into Jin Dong-ki, but he’s worried about what might happen to me.

“Will you be making your presence known when you investigate those involved in Soonyang Construction’s finances?”

“No. It’s literally a background check. The problem is, you’ll be using the weaknesses of those in finance to demand something related to Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki, won’t you? That could be me, or you could do it yourself… eventually, Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki’s side will find out.”

“So, Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki will dig up everything about me?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you know the people working on his side well?”

There must be someone like Executive Director Woo Byung-joon close to my two uncles as well. Perhaps Woo Byung-joon has a close relationship with them?

“I don’t know them. Our work is structured so that it’s difficult to know each other, to prevent information leaks. However, I know that the employees on his side are skilled enough to uncover the details of your past decade within a week.”

“How long would it take you, Executive Director Woo, to uncover my past decade?”

“I would also need about a week.”

“Then I’d like to see my past decade in a week. Is that possible?”

So, even this man is surprised when given an unimaginable order. Seeing Woo Byung-joon’s surprised expression for the first time made me feel a little smug.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. You don’t react to jokes, Executive Director, so it’s no fun. I decided early on not to joke with you.”

“Then give me ten days. Wouldn’t it be more helpful to investigate thoroughly, since we’re doing it anyway?”

Does he think I’m testing him? He’s showing an unexpected surge of motivation.

“Alright. I’m looking forward to this.”

“I will meet your expectations.”

This time, he even showed a faint smile. He must think this is an interesting task.

Investigating the past of the person you serve, and will have to serve for quite a long time, is not a common occurrence.

“Now, back to the main topic. How long will the task I mentioned earlier take?”

“There are two people, the team leader and the director, so ten days each, making it twenty days. If I need more time during the investigation, I will report back.”

“Then investigate me first, and then begin investigating the other two.”

“Yes, Chief of Staff.”

“And you don’t have to worry about Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki’s retaliation. I will only hold onto the investigation results; I have no intention of revealing them or using them for blackmail.”

“A knife in its sheath is the most threatening. You know that well.”

“I’ve learned that much. Heh.”

I smiled and stood up. I couldn’t keep someone who needed to be busy.

“I’m going on a business trip to Malaysia tomorrow. I’ll be back in exactly ten days, so let’s meet again then.”

“Yes. I will prepare and wait.”

He smiled again. He’s starting to feel like a person.

I’d like to dig into Executive Director Woo Byung-joon’s background too.

Would he agree if I ordered him to?

* * *

“Khalifah Al Tortelier?”

Oh Se-hyun, who was carefully examining the documents, CD, and card I handed him, tilted his head and muttered the bank’s name.

“It’s an Arab bank. Do you happen to know it?”

“No. There are so many banks like that, how would I know? But you’re leaving tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Why don’t you give me some time to check what kind of bank this is?”

“Please do. I’ll be there for ten days.”

“Huh? You’re staying long?”

“I’m planning to enjoy a little vacation.”

“Vacation? Really? You’re not up to something else, are you?”

Oh Se-hyun’s suspicious gaze swept across my face.

“What else would I be doing? Really. I’ve booked a resort in Kota Kinabalu. I’m planning to relax there for over a week, and Labuan is just a stop on the way back.”

“Is that so? Good thinking. You should seize every opportunity.”

Oh Se-hyun smiled and took out a few documents.

“Once you find the money, transfer it here. It’s a bank in Kuala Lumpur. If you don’t want to travel back and forth, I can find a trustworthy friend to take care of the money after you withdraw it.”

“I don’t need that. I’m just going to confirm a few things and be done with it.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“I’m not planning to withdraw the money. I’m going to leave it in that account. I don’t have anywhere to spend it anyway.”

“So, you’re just going to leave it in Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki’s account?”

“Yes. My uncle said that without those documents, the CD, and the card, no one can find it, so it’s safe to leave it there.”

“You’re just going to leave the money buried? Banks in Labuan don’t even offer interest. They’re just holding banks.”

“There’s no need to delete the account connected to my uncle just to get the interest. Isn’t this the most important piece of evidence there is?”

“Evidence? What evi… Hey! Could you be… ?”

Seeing Oh Se-hyun’s surprised expression, it seems he finally realized it.

₩100 billion in tax evasion, or perhaps an even bigger crime. Like embezzlement.

I have that evidence in my hands; getting rid of it would be foolish.