Chapter 191: Acquiring a Resort

Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki, in particular, would assume he used the hundred billion won of slush funds he provided to purchase a long stretch of beach and build a villa.

The important thing here is to make him believe I withdrew that hundred billion won of slush funds.

“Why? Isn’t a hundred billion enough?”

“Ah… no. A hundred billion for a single house… it’s more than enough.”

“Then, could you take charge of everything from purchasing the beach to building the villa?”

“Of course, I should. However….”

The branch manager subtly gauged my reaction.

“As you know, overseas branches and corporations must report their business activities to headquarters.”

“Go ahead. It’s not something to hide. Oh, and of course, bill the expenses.”

“Oh no, it’s nothing like that. It’s just looking into various things.”

The branch manager waved his hands in surprise.

Both I and that man got what we wanted.

I wanted the rumor that I somehow acquired a hundred billion won, and the branch manager wouldn’t want to hide that he met me.

“I appreciate you thinking that way. Once everything is done, I’ll definitely treat you handsomely. Haha.”

“Then, after the meal, why don’t you take a look at the beach I’ve picked out with Team Leader Moon? And if you need manpower to build the villa, please let me know immediately. I’ll send people over.”

“Yes. I’ll keep you updated on the progress.”

Having finished the necessary business, the branch manager began to eat comfortably.

“How is the situation in Southeast Asia?”

“It’s been in a recession since the 1997 financial crisis. There are signs of a slow recovery, but the difference compared to our country is significant.”

“We recovered quickly, didn’t we?”

“There’s no comparison. Anyway, there’s no doubt we’re an incredible people.”

The branch manager subtly watched my reaction as he spoke.

“By the way, what are your thoughts or feelings on managing the financial group… would you mind if I asked?”

“It’s nothing special. Since I lack experience, I’m trying to maintain a system with professional managers as much as possible.”

He probably has many questions, but asking questions is my prerogative. The branch manager’s job is to faithfully answer my questions.

“Where is your ‘family home,’ Branch Manager? Logistics? Electronics?”

Here, ‘family home’ refers to the place where one built their main career.

“Ah, I’m from Soonyang Life Insurance. I was in the insurance risk management team before transferring to Logistics when I was assigned to Singapore.”

From Singapore, the hub of Asian finance, to Malaysia, where the transaction volume is insignificant?

This guy must have had terrible performance or caused a major incident and couldn’t resolve it.

He’s constantly looking for a chance to make a comeback, so he might see meeting me as an opportunity.

He needs to maintain good relations with headquarters, align himself well, and somehow use me… his feelings must be quite complex.

“Ah, Life Insurance! I see. How nice to hear that. Haha.”

Has showing this much friendliness satisfied the branch manager?

“Preparations are complete. Shall we depart?”

Team Leader Moon, who was observing our table, suddenly appeared and spoke to the branch manager.

Perhaps it was because of Team Leader Moon’s restrained demeanor, imposing physique, and extraordinary gaze, but the branch manager was as tense as if he were facing a superior.

“Yes, yes. I’ve finished eating.”

The branch manager, who had jumped up from his seat, followed Team Leader Moon, who was leading the way.

Alright, the first goal is achieved. Now, let’s start the real business.

I immediately made an international call.

“Yo, are you resting well? How’s the super luxurious vacation going?”

Oh Se-hyun’s cheerful voice came through.

“Yes. Thanks to you, I’m resting well. By the way, I found a place here that would be perfect for a resort. We should review it.”

“A resort?”

“Yes. It’s perfect for resort or hotel sites. I want to send some people to check it out.”

“If you went to rest, focus on resting! What work are you talking about…?”

“It’s just that the sunset is so beautiful here, I can’t get the sight out of my head.”

“Really? For a guy like you who has no sense of sentimentality, saying that means it must be a really good place, huh?”

“Select people from Dae-ah Construction and Soonyang Hotel’s resort business division and send them over. If they check it out and the business prospects look good, we’ll proceed immediately.”

“Alright. Check the exact location and send it to me by email. Let’s put together a survey team and get started.”

The resort construction that had been talked about for a while hadn’t even started. If the reason is a lack of business feasibility, we should give up, but if it’s due to investment, we can definitely get involved.

Isn’t having a resort instead of a villa far superior both economically and in terms of outward appearance?

* * *

Eating, drinking, and sleeping.

Spending a week like this made me understand why idle people say a day goes by so quickly.

It felt like a week passed by in a blink of an eye.

Everyone except Team Leader Moon, who didn’t catch a single fish during the week, began preparing to return with satisfied expressions.

Labuan Island is only about 200 kilometers from this resort.

Labuan is the only directly governed territory of the Malaysian federal government.

Labuan was originally under the rule of the Sultan of Brunei, but in 1846, the Sultan of Brunei handed the island over to England. During World War II, Japan controlled it, and after that, it went back to England before becoming a federal territory of Malaysia.

It became an offshore financial center and free trade zone about ten years ago. And how much black money from around the world has gathered here in those ten years is known by very few.

After arriving in Labuan using a limousine and ferry, I spoke secretly to Team Leader Moon.

“When I go into the bank, keep an eye on the surroundings. Someone will definitely be watching me.”

“What should I do if I find them? Should I catch them and interrogate them?”

“No. Just follow them. If we can identify their destination, it will surely be a Soonyang employee.”

“Ah, I see. Understood.”

Team Leader Moon wore an expression that suggested he understood the implication.

As I opened the bank door and entered, a tall man with a wireless receiver in his ear blocked my path.

“May I help you, Sir?”

I handed him my Authority card, and he bowed slightly, guiding me inside.

Sitting at a partitioned counter with individual doors, a middle-aged woman greeted me with a smile.

“First, I’ll verify your account. May I have your certificate?”

I handed over the account documents and the CD, and she presented a keypad.

“Please enter your password.”

After entering the 18-digit password and waiting, she smiled and gave an OK sign.

“Thank you. Verification is complete. How may I assist you?”

“Shall we check the account balance first?”

“Of course, sir.”

She handed over a slip with the printed balance confirmation.

USD 89,877,100

“What is today’s Korean exchange rate?”

“Just a moment.”

She quickly wrote down the number on a memo pad and handed it over.

1297.7

That’s 116.6 billion won.

I didn’t come all this way just to check the balance. There’s another purpose.

I frowned and tilted my head at the middle-aged woman across the counter who continued to smile brightly.

“Is there a problem, sir?”

“It’s quite a big problem.”

“Yes?”

“The balance I was told about by the person who entrusted me with this account is quite different.”

“That can’t be right. There are hardly any deposits or withdrawals on this account. There can’t be a mistake. Such trust and credibility are the foundation of our bank….”

“Okay, let’s see the deposit and withdrawal history. Since the numbers are different, someone must have made a mistake or error, right? Since this bank says it’s not them, I’ll check it myself this time.”

“Ah, yes.”

She typed on the keyboard again and printed a slip showing only two deposit records instead of withdrawal history.

My prediction was correct.

November 1997 and January 1998.

Over five million dollars each came from England Hutchison Bank in England and Manhattan-Child Bank in the US.

To embezzle over ten million dollars when the country was on the verge of bankruptcy due to a dollar shortage.

My second uncle is quite the villain.

Now, what needs to be confirmed is how they embezzled the ten million dollars.

“Hmm….”

“It’s only two transactions. It doesn’t seem like a mistake could have occurred here.”

She started glaring at me with an arrogant expression.

I scratched my head slightly and nodded.

“I see. I must have had a memory lapse. After all, memories aren’t as accurate as records.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

I picked up the deposit statement and stood up.

“Is there anything else I can help you with…?”

“No. I just stopped by to check because I think I’ll need this money soon.”

“Ah, yes. Then please feel free to visit us again whenever you need, sir.”

“Yes. Thank you. Then….”

The chances of the remitting bank accounts in the US and England being in borrowed names are high, but having confirmed the amount, dates, and deposit banks, I’ve gained half of what I needed.

I left the bank and walked slowly.

It was to give ample time for anyone watching me to be clearly identified.

When I returned to the limousine, Team Leader Moon was looking out the darkly tinted window.

“Is anyone there?”

“Yes. I’ve identified two people. But those two don’t seem to be together.”

Team Leader Moon’s expression was slightly dark.

“Do you know them?”

“…Yes. They are security personnel.”

“Do you know which organization they belong to?”

He hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.

“One is a team member who serves Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki. But I don’t know the other one. I definitely recognize his face….”

“Take your time. Isn’t he one of our people?”

“What should we do? Should we pursue both of them?”

“Leave the one whose identity you’ve confirmed alone and check only on the other. I need to know who in my family is worrying about the youngest who left home like this. I need to express my gratitude.”

“Understood.”

Who could it be?

Is it someone from Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki’s side? There’s nowhere else I can think of.

“Then let’s move first. Staying in this spot will make them suspicious.”

“Yes. Let’s depart. Waiting at the airport would be natural. Oh, the contact with the agents…?”

“They’ve all roamed their phones. Don’t worry.”

The last day of vacation was coming to an end like this.

* * *

“What? A hotel?”

Team Leader Moon frowned deeply as he continued his call. He seemed annoyed by the call delay on the overseas cell phone.

“Stick with him until the end. That bastard definitely confirmed the Chief of Staff today, so he’ll definitely check out. Ah, if that guy wants to leave the country, he’ll come to this airport where we are anyway.”

I spoke when he finished the call.

“Since that guy is security personnel, let’s just leave him be. Can’t we confirm in Korea?”

“There’s always a ‘what if.’ What if my memory is wrong? What if he’s not a security guard or has already left the company and belongs to another organization?”

Oh, to be this thorough. I was a little impressed, but also worried.

Aren’t the aides helping my uncle just as thorough? If two capable teams clash, the one with more experience will have the advantage.

Let’s wait and see.

We might know the result today.

The success or failure of the tail will be a measure of my people’s skill.

And….

As time passed, I began to think that they might have failed. As evidence, Team Leader Moon was becoming increasingly anxious.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Team Leader Moon disappeared with his cell phone and returned after a while.

“I need to get you English lessons as soon as we return to Korea.”

Seeing Team Leader Moon’s troubled expression, I knew they had lost him.

“He disappeared into the hotel and hasn’t come out. I asked the front desk staff in broken English, but….”

“There’s no way they’d confirm. They wouldn’t give a guest’s information to just anyone. It’s fine. Tell them to just come back.”

“I’m sorry. Since I saw his face, I will definitely find him in Korea.”

“You’d better. If you can’t find someone even when you have an idea of which side he’s from, then it just means Executive Director Woo Byung-joon’s boast to me was all hot air.”

Sweat formed on Team Leader Moon’s forehead as he looked at my stern face.