Chapter 223: Unexpected Broadcast and a Calculated Betrayal

“Chief of staff, I heard a bunch of broadcasters swarmed in, saying it was a scheduled appointment… is that right?”

Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-suk, phone in hand, looked at me with surprise.

“Was it today?”

“Yes?”

“Ah, right. Let them do what they want.”

The three of us in the car on the way to work remained silent, but I could tell they were waiting for me to explain why the broadcasters had shown up.

Especially Kim Yoon-suk in the passenger seat, who as my aide, seemed flustered that he didn’t know what was going on.

“It’s nothing much. It was my father’s request, so I couldn’t refuse. It’ll just be a short interview.”

But when I arrived at my office on the 24th floor of Soonyang headquarters, it was swarming with people.

It was more than just a simple interview. There were four cameras, as if it were a variety show.

The younger staff members, who probably only saw offices like this in dramas, were busy looking around the executive office of a major company’s president.

Of course, being a third-generation chaebol was also a novelty for them, and they started whispering about me.

“Nice to meet you.”

The PD, looking a bit nervous, smiled brightly and handed me his business card.

“You’re very photogenic. This is going to look great on screen! Haha.”

“Ah, yes. Since we’re doing this, please take good care of me.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll make you look fantastic.”

While they were setting up the lights and cameras, they started putting makeup on me.

Thanks to my father, I was even getting powdered.

A pretty female reporter with thick makeup, seemingly two or three times thicker than mine, smiled and bowed politely. I didn’t recognize her.

Her face seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place her.

Maybe because it was a small cable channel with little influence, they seemed to have cast a celebrity with low recognition.

“Alright, shall we begin?”

The PD gave the cue, and the cameras started rolling.

* * *

The interview, which was supposed to take three or four hours, ended in less than one.

The broadcasting staff all packed up their things and left, looking extremely displeased.

“Are you sure this is okay? I thought you said it was your father’s request?”

Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-suk looked even more disgruntled than the broadcasting staff.

“Did it seem that bad to you, Kim?”

“Yes. Even someone like me who doesn’t know much about broadcasting could see you were focused on promoting Soonyang Group.”

“I’m going to get an earful from my father….”

Sure enough, about two hours after the broadcasting team left, my phone started ringing loudly.

― Hey! What was that interview today?

My father’s yelling voice burst through the phone.

“Yes?”

― Are you a public relations employee for Soonyang Group?

“What are you talking about…?”

I feigned ignorance, pretending not to know anything.

― I just watched the footage. Every other sentence was about our Soonyang Group, Soonyang Life Insurance, Soonyang Securities…. It’s unbelievable… you even promoted our fund products? You little con artist!

“Actually, the thing is….”

― Shut up! I should have known something was up when you said there was no need to review the pre-interview questions. You idiot, is broadcasting an advertising platform?

“It’s just that, the interview kept leaning towards personal questions.”

― Whatever. Let’s talk again after editing. It’s obvious there won’t be enough footage, so be prepared. We might have to reshoot!

After hanging up, Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-suk looked concerned.

“He seemed very angry. Are you going to be okay?”

“It’s fine. My father is just venting because of the whiny PD. That PD who came today will probably get fired.”

Kim looked at me with wide eyes as I said this with a smile.

“Yes?”

“When you’re working, you never know what might happen. A leader needs to show the wisdom to overcome such difficulties. When I started saying things that weren’t in line with the PD’s intentions, he should have revised the script on the spot. Instead, he gave up and left because things weren’t going his way. That’s not how a leader acts.”

A team of over ten people moved, and they failed. It’s proof that Father’s broadcasting company doesn’t have top-tier talent like the terrestrial channels yet.

My father produces movies with the best production team in South Korea and A-list actors. Having experienced more brutal sets every day, it’s easy to guess who my father was angrier with, me or the PD.

But there was something I didn’t anticipate.

It was my father’s quick thinking, honed from over a decade of rolling around on unpredictable movie sets.

About an hour after the call, my father called again.

― Got six minutes, you rascal.

“That’s enough for a teaser trailer, isn’t it?”

My guess was right.

The father who was furious moments ago was back to his usual smiling self.

― A trailer? We were supposed to get twenty minutes! We need to fill another fourteen!

“You’re not suggesting we do another interview, are you?”

― Are you crazy? I know exactly what you’re thinking. We’ll fill that time with other people’s interviews. Casting is already done. The production team has already left to get the interviews, hehe.

A sly chuckle.

Something felt fishy.

“Who did you cast? Is it someone I know…?”

― Yup. It’s going to be a hot topic. Passed the bar exam while still in school, graduated at the top of her class at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, and got appointed to a key position in the judiciary at the Seoul Central District Court as a new judge.

Huh? This is?

“Ah, Father!”

I exclaimed in surprise, but my father continued, suppressing a laugh.

― And she’s undeniably beautiful. Especially the lucky woman who has a third-generation chaebol as her boyfriend. She’ll be an even bigger sensation than you, don’t you think? Ah, her name is Seo Min-young, I believe?

“B-But, the court won’t allow it, will they? How can a sitting judge appear on a variety show?”

― What do you take me for? You brat, do you think I’m someone to be trifled with? You’re a third-generation chaebol, I’m a second-generation one. Do you think I don’t have that kind of network? Even the Chief Judge told me to give his regards. Said they wanted to promote a friendly judiciary that’s close to the citizens. Anyway, the production team is thrilled, saying it’s a great pairing. Couples always draw viewers, haha.

I never imagined I’d get backstabbed by my own father.

* * *

“I saw the broadcast. Wow! Our nephew has a face for the cameras. That celebrity aura is something else…. Amazing! And your girlfriend? That judge? Everyone’s saying you two chose the wrong professions.”

“I’m already being teased and embarrassed, Uncle. Please don’t add to it? Should I just leave?”

As I playfully started to get up, Daehyun Group Chairman Joo Kwang-shik grabbed my wrist.

“Where do you think you’re going? You need to save me before you go.”

We exchanged jokes, but Chairman Joo Kwang-shik’s face showed he was burning up inside. He looked like a withered, dry leaf, probably not getting enough sleep.

“Is the recovery difficult? Haven’t you received any transfusions?”

“I don’t have a rich nephew who’s family. The financial sector is only looking out for themselves, and the name Daehyun doesn’t even work anymore.”

“Isn’t it more that your brothers are blocking it?”

“That’s a big factor too. My eldest brother wouldn’t miss this opportunity.”

Rumors had already spread in business circles that Daewoo Motors Chairman Joo Tae-shik was putting all his efforts into ousting his younger brothers.

“But how did you foresee it, nephew?”

“What are you referring to?”

“The credit card crisis. Back then, you sold the company, and I acquired it. It’s clear whose choice was right.”

“It wasn’t foresight, just a matter of preference.”

I feigned ignorance, but the suspicious look didn’t disappear.

“Rumor has it you had all sorts of fun. Is it true your two uncles got badly burned?”

“No. All I did was secure the bonds. Miracle was the one who had the fun.”

“Isn’t that your doing? Did you orchestrate it that way?”

“No. I only acted as a mediator.”

Chairman Joo Kwang-shik’s eyes lit up for a moment.

“Could you mediate for me one more time?”

I could almost hear his desperate plea. I pressed my lips together tightly for a moment, studying Chairman Joo’s expression.

How desperate was he? The closer he was to the edge of the cliff, the better the terms I could get.

“I don’t know. Miracle acquired Soonyang Card, so they shouldn’t have any unmet needs. And investing a large sum in the credit card business again isn’t an easy decision. Representative Oh Se-hyun is the type to focus on internal stability rather than external expansion. Isn’t he a professional manager for an investment firm? His priority is the investors’ profits.”

“Investors will expand as long as the output is good. Isn’t that right, nephew? If the stock price is guaranteed to rise, you’d buy endlessly, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course. But everything about Daehyun Card is uncertain. No, it’s downright precarious.”

“But the input is small, which makes it a good deal. Just take care of the debt.”

“Just the debt?”

That was a good deal indeed. The value of Daehyun Card when the economy recovered wouldn’t be included in the acquisition price.

“Yes. I poured a lot of the subsidiaries’ money into Daehyun Card. If you could just take care of that debt, I could breathe a little easier.”

“How much is the subsidiaries’ debt?”

“That’s not something you need to know. I want to tell Representative Oh Se-hyun directly. My pride won’t let me show my dirty laundry to my nephew.”

Oops, I need to watch my words.

Officially, I’m not the owner of Miracle. I should only play the role of a mediator.

“Still, I need to know the approximate amount to even bring it up. Just ask him to meet? Frankly, even you know that’s not difficult, Uncle. Who would refuse a cup of tea with Daehyun Group’s Chairman Joo Kwang-shik?”

“I, is that so? Still, it’s more comfortable if someone I know makes the connection.”

He suddenly showed a sign of being flustered.

Was that something to be flustered about?

I carefully observed his expression and gaze again. It seemed like he was hiding something.

“Anyway, I understand. I’ll convey your wishes to Representative Oh. But I expect he’ll want to know the debt amount first. If it’s not a reasonable amount, he won’t even consider meeting. Why bother meeting and getting into an argument over a deal that’s going to fall apart anyway?”

“I can promise you that. There won’t be any arguing with Representative Oh. Haha.”

His expression brightened again.

This man definitely has another motive.

* * *

“I checked with the Blue House and related government departments, and they’re being cooperative.”

Vice President Jang Do-hyung tilted his head, unfolding the documents.

“Does that mean there won’t be direct intervention like issuing mandatory orders?”

“Yes. Daehyun Card has already submitted self-rescue measures and is faithfully implementing the plan. They’re not only getting rid of bad members but also tightening screening for new members.”

“What about their financial situation?”

“They haven’t been able to settle their debts with the financial sector yet. No one knows about the financial support from the subsidiaries. It seems like it was handled exclusively among the top executives.”

“Or maybe that never happened….”

“Yes?”

“Nothing. Thank you for your work. Ah, please continue the investigation. We need to know everything about Daehyun Card.”

“Yes. But Chief of Staff, if the conditions are right, are you considering acquiring Daehyun Card?”

“What do you think, Vice President?”

“It feels like we’re taking on a heap of trouble, and it makes me uneasy.”

“Yes. Let’s make a careful decision.”

Something is definitely suspicious. He’s not in a situation where he’d humble himself and cling to me.

Because my suspicion wasn’t resolved, I ignored Chairman Joo Kwang-shik’s request. I didn’t schedule a meeting with Oh Se-hyun or even contact him.

Just as my suspicion remained, I needed to make Chairman Joo Kwang-shik feel anxious.

That way, the power dynamic would be balanced when we met again.