Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Rejecting Ilseong's Blind Date Proposal
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"In exchange for 2% of Ilseong Trading's shares, we hope you'll forge a connection with our Ilseong Group."
I stared at Executive Director Kim Do-kyeong in utter bewilderment at this unheard-of proposition.
He was openly and brazenly demanding it.
As you know, Ilseong Trading serves as the central conduit through which all funds from the group's affiliates flow. To launder slush funds, they rely on shell companies, and Ilseong Trading is the entity that sets up these ghost firms.
Holding shares in such a pivotal company was tantamount to grasping real power within the group.
"Are you telling me to waltz into Ilseong's inner sanctum?"
"That's right. Our chairman insisted I convey this personally."
"Hah... Do you really think that's feasible?"
For a mere 2% stake.
It was no different from saying they'd swallow the upcoming DJ Group whole.
Even a so-called "chicken head" wouldn't bite on an offer like that.
Naturally, I had no choice but to turn down Ilseong's proposal.
"Impossible. No matter how mighty Ilseong Trading is, do you think I'm insane enough to hand over everything I have for 2%?"
"......"
At a loss for words, Executive Director Kim Do-kyeong could only gaze at the ceiling. He probably realized it was an absurd demand even by his own standards.
But that wasn't the end of it.
"In that case, the chairman added that you should at least go on one blind date."
"?"
What the hell was this now?
A blind date?
That was just a fancy way of saying a setup.
With one of Ilseong's daughters, no less.
'Besides Lee Seon-young and Lee Eun-mi, was there another daughter in the Ilseong family?'
Lee Seon-young was the CEO running Ilseong Hotels with exceptional talent, managing the highest-grossing hotel chain in the country.
Lee Eun-mi was a girl I'd heard attended the same middle school as Jin Seol-young.
I'd never dreamed there was another woman in the Ilseong lineage beyond those two.
'A concubine's daughter?'
In chaebol families, there are often children born to mistresses rather than legal wives. Sons are called illegitimate heirs, daughters illegitimate daughters. Back in the day, such affairs were commonplace.
If the chairman was personally offering to introduce such a daughter, it meant he held her in some regard.
Not that chaebol chairmen would lose sleep over matters of conscience.
Those who have more always want even more, don't they?
The HT Group chairman, well over sixty, still had a voracious libido and occasionally popped up on TV shaking his latest mistress around.
There was no reason to think Ilseong's chairman was any different.
"A blind date, you say? With whom exactly?"
"There's a young lady named Lee Hye-ah."
"...Lee Hye-ah?"
"Yes. She's remarkably bright and is currently attending Cambridge University in England."
Cambridge University.
Founded in 1209, it's one half of "Oxbridge" alongside Oxford, renowned especially in sciences and engineering.
No one could deny Cambridge was among the world's elite universities.
Honestly, her credentials intimidated me a bit.
Chaebol offspring truly had otherworldly pedigrees.
'They don't seem like they'll back down easily...'
Whatever the chairman had told him, Executive Director Kim Do-kyeong—the shadowy power behind Ilseong—was practically sparkling with enthusiasm.
A far cry from his earlier demeanor.
"What do you say?"
What was there to say?
Of course, I'd refuse.
As harsh as it sounded, Jin Seol-hwa, Olivia, Prisia, and Im Yun-ah's educations were equal to or better than this Lee Hye-ah's.
"I refuse. Cambridge or the Planet Defense Force—it makes no difference to me."
"!"
"And isn't 2% a bit too greedy? I didn't expect such blatant conditions. If this is how Ilseong treats me, then forget the 3% stake in South Energy we discussed earlier."
"W-Wait just a moment..."
I didn't wait for his reply and bolted from the room.
Any more time here would be wasted.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Lee Byung-hak's face lit up with intrigue upon hearing the rejection. Who in this country would dare turn down Ilseong's chairman?
"Fascinating. Utterly fascinating."
"Chairman, it seems we won't get through to him anymore."
"Tell me the details."
Kim Do-kyeong recounted the events from just hours ago in exhaustive detail.
"For starters, Kim Do-jun isn't the type to be swayed by money. As you've heard, he donated billions for war veterans. And he didn't stop there—he even announced plans for more through the press."
"And?"
"Young as she is, Hye-ah possesses a brilliant mind surpassing the other heirs. Hasn't she already shown results in the tech sector where Ilseong is weakest?"
"Indeed. Our Hye-ah has talents entirely different from Seon-young's."
Eight years ago.
Ilseong Electronics faced a major crisis.
They couldn't pinpoint why equipment malfunctioned midway through production.
At that moment, while inspecting alongside Lee Byung-hak, Lee Hye-ah swiftly diagnosed and fixed the issue—right in front of the executives and the chairman. And she was just a high schooler.
She spotted a fatal flaw that veteran experts of ten or twenty years had overlooked.
He'd quietly pitied her plight.
Then he fell for her at first sight.
Before long, his bloodline was growing in her belly.
When he first introduced Hye-ah to the family, his worthless children were stunned.
They threw a massive fit over the new rival.
Amid the chaos, Lee Hye-ah said this:
"I'm not interested in the chairman position. Nor in succession. What I want is to build my own company and stand independent."
"Truly nothing from me?"
When Lee Byung-hak asked, she nodded without hesitation.
"Yes. If I declared my intent to become chairman, it would bring a bloodbath to this peaceful home. I'd rather give up succession than see that. But grant me one request."
"Name it."
"I want to study abroad in England. Once I'm an adult, I crave the wider world over this narrow country. There's an old saying about the 'frog in the well.' To survive in a market changing by the day, I can't afford to fall behind. That's why Ilseong donates billions monthly to nurture overseas talent. Why pour that money into them otherwise?"
Lee Byung-hak was floored by her candid words.
His other children just flattered him, agreeing with whatever he said.
Like courtiers, nothing more.
"So, having been born into the Ilseong family, I want to experience broader markets, absorb their strengths, and apply them to our electronics division. We're still sorely lacking. Even in semiconductors, emerging powers are hot on our heels. I'd love to dive into Taiwan's industry myself."
Thus, Lee Hye-ah left for England right after turning eighteen.
That was seven years ago.
In those seven years, she'd sent no updates beyond necessities.
They'd planted eyes on her, given her family status.
'Hye-ah's returning to Korea soon, wasn't she?'
Lee Byung-hak had discreetly checked on her life in England. Unlike other chaebol heirs, she focused solely on studies and fieldwork—no debauchery.
To her, the Ilseong name might be less wings than shackles.
"Listen."
"Yes, Chairman."
Having mulled it over, he made a momentous decision.
He wanted his late-life treasure of a daughter to live happily.
"Change the terms and meet Kim Do-jun again. Offer 2% of Ilseong Trading shares in exchange for hiring Lee Hye-ah as a new recruit at Bigaeng Systems."
"Ch-Chairman! What do you mean? Sending Hye-ah to a place like that...?"
"I've thought it through. If Hye-ah stays at Ilseong, she might shine, but showing results would only stoke envy in those fools."
And it would.
Exceptional talent breeds jealousy.
And the root of that jealousy? His own pathetic sons.
"End this here. Secretly deposit some of my overseas slush funds into Hye-ah's account. That'll ensure she'll never want for money, whatever she pursues."
"Chairman..."
Lee Byung-hak, chairman of the Ilseong Group—called the king of chaebols.
It was a rare glimpse of his humanity.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The entire research team at Bigaeng Systems, credited for the massive Saudi deal, gathered in one place.
I brought the mic to my lips and scanned their faces. They looked utterly drained—either ground up like in a blender or having bet everything on this contract.
"You've all worked incredibly hard. What Bigaeng Systems will achieve going forward isn't just business—it's a boon to the nation. The Ministry of National Defense is already sniffing around our asses eagerly."
"Hahaha!"
With proven performance and DJ01's prowess demonstrated.
They came running, begging us to sell them drones.
No need for bad blood, even if first impressions sucked.
I'd just leverage this to owe them a favor.
Now, time to reward their efforts with some carrots.
"I believe today's success stemmed from the researchers' tireless, life-risking dedication. Thus, within the week, each of you will receive a 200 million won performance bonus."
"!"
I didn't stop there.
Clear rewards would spur them to greater efforts.
I wanted them to treat company work as their own.
"I'll also distribute separate incentives from the Saudi and five-nation deals. I won't specify amounts, but they won't disappoint."
"R-Really?"
Shocked expressions all around.
The contracts involved mind-boggling sums.
Handing portions to loyal employees had them leaping like frogs.
Even Seo Kyung-hwan, watching from the side, blinked in surprise at the generosity.
"Bad news floods in daily: our top veterans, boasting the nation's best tech, are defecting abroad due to poor treatment. In a resource-poor country like ours, how vital are talented minds? Yet we mistreat them like disposables, ignoring potential if credentials are lacking, fixating on results alone. As you know, research takes time. We can't discard teams over momentary setbacks. Thus, at my Bigaeng Systems, such nonsense won't happen. I'll provide whatever environment, budget, or resources you need—even if it means selling my organs. All I ask is that you show me the resolve in your hearts. Chase your dreams here, big or small. I want Bigaeng to be the place where our researchers' dreams come true."
For society's progress and national security, I bowed deeply to them.
Clap clap clap!
Everyone in the conference room stood, flushed with emotion, embracing one another.
"You did great!" echoed everywhere.
Some would pay off loans, others honor their parents. Family breadwinners would stand tall today, basking in their wives' affection.
As I stepped down, Seo Kyung-hwan took the podium.
"Enough of that—today we celebrate! Reserved a pricey beef joint nearby, so stuff yourselves silly. Senior researchers, here's the corporate card—use it freely. If you don't blow a million won each, don't bother coming in tomorrow. I'll check the receipts!"
"Hahaha!"
"Woooaaah!"
"Long live Bigaeng!"
The room erupted in cheers.