Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Chaebol? Screw That, I'll Do It Myself
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Chaebol? Screw that, I'll do it myself.
Paju's Blue Sky Investment CEO's office.
I sank deep into the leather chair, silently staring at the Taesung Pharmaceuticals stock chart dominating the massive monitor.
Ever since my wife, Yun Chaewon, smashed Cheon Heyeon's face last night,
the world had been in an uproar, but here in the flow of money, things remained eerily quiet.
Standing like a shadow beside me, Choi Yang began her report in her usual emotionless tone.
"As of 10 a.m., here's the status report on the negative public opinion campaign against Taesung Pharmaceuticals, centered around Nutube."
Without taking my eyes off the chart, I gave a slight nod for her to continue.
"A total of 48 channels have simultaneously uploaded and reshared related videos. Cumulative views stand at 18.7 million, holding steady at #3 on real-time search trends. 92% of comments are direct condemnations of Taesung Group or calls to join the boycott."
"And?"
Choi Yang paused briefly at my low murmur.
She knew exactly what I was really asking—this perfect tool of mine.
"Taesung Pharmaceuticals' stock is down just 0.4% from yesterday's close. Some retail sell-off, but no significant moves from institutions or foreigners."
"Figured as much."
I chuckled softly to myself.
It was only natural.
Taesung Group wasn't consumer-facing to begin with; their main game was B2B, selling to hospitals and companies.
A handful of key drugs stocked in pharmacies? Near-monopoly status.
Boycotts?
Utter bullshit.
Didn't they see that milk company ride out the PR dumpster fire by tweaking their logo by an ant's eyelash?
Or the bread factory that grinds people up every year at the plant, yet everyone buys it again once the fuss dies down? That's reality in this country.
Cheon Heyeon was probably staring at this flatline chart right now, breathing a sigh of relief.
Just this much? As expected from some upstart nouveau riche tantrum.
Stupid bitch.
This whole Nutube circus wasn't about tanking the stock.
It was just the blaring siren to grab the world's attention before the real bomb dropped.
The true targets weren't scared Korean retail investors, but New York's greedy institutions that only moved on rationale and numbers.
They didn't buy "fake news."
But they sure as hell believed in "real documents."
Like, say, a formal 1-trillion-won punitive damages lawsuit filed in U.S. federal court.
Our fabricated victims and the Nutube noise? Perfect "justification" for that suit.
"Unethical corporation." "Victims emerged." "Suspected cover-up."
Those three keywords were all it took.
The moment the filing hit, "Contingent Liability: 1 Trillion" would scar Taesung's balance sheet in red ink.
Not a rumor—a recorded accounting "risk."
The perfect excuse for institutions to hit "sell."
Satisfied, I finally asked Choi Yang the real question.
"New York time?"
"9 p.m. now. About 12 hours until filing."
"Right. The real party's just getting started."
I stood up.
This noisy, boring racket would end soon.
No scream could pierce the blast of the massive bomb about to go off.
.....
....
...
Taesung Group headquarters, executive office.
Cheon Heyeon returned to her office, forcing down the burning humiliation churning in her gut.
She needed to think rationally.
What he had. What she had.
If he'd mobilized low-rent Nutubers, she could unleash the very systems that ran society.
Not money or public opinion, but the heavier blade called law and power.
With her mind crystal clear, she picked up her smartphone without hesitation.
The screen showed one shortcut: "Dad."
Before the first ring, a heavy, low voice came through.
[...What is it?]
"Dad, I need a favor."
Cheon Heyeon was surprised at how steady and calm her own voice was.
[A favor? From you?]
Surprise tinged the voice on the line.
Since joining Taesung, she'd never once asked her father for a "favor" first.
"It's about Silla Biotech."
[Dr. Kim Seulgi? Trying to absorb them? Isn't public heat too high right now?]
"Better to swallow them before it escalates further, before they grow bigger."
[Fine, if that's your call... So, what favor?]
Cheon Heyeon took a breath, then got to the point.
"Nothing major... I want to tap the prosecutor's line."
[Prosecutors? Dr. Kim Seulgi doesn't sound like trouble.]
"Not Dr. Kim Seulgi. Kim Cheolsu. 'Blue Sky Investment.' Heard of him?"
[Hm, that hole-in-the-wall in Paju?]
Her father's voice dripped blatant contempt. Cheon Heyeon replied without a flicker.
"Yes. He's Silla Biotech's real owner... and it looks like he's behind this Nutube mess."
[Tch...]
She clearly heard her father click his tongue in disapproval.
He didn't like drawing the sharpest blade for some "hole-in-the-wall" owner.
But he didn't object.
Anyone who dirtied Taesung's honor paid the price—no matter who. That was family tradition.
Moments later, her father spoke lowly.
[Send the name and company exactly.]
"Yes, Dad."
[And handle the fallout yourself.]
Click.
Call ended.
Cheon Heyeon set the phone down quietly.
No emotion crossed her face.
The dice were cast.
She knew she'd unleashed one monster to catch another.
But it didn't matter.
If it meant chopping that upstart's head off, she'd gladly let the blade cut her own hand.
............
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...
My office's peace shattered.
Papers spilling, camera flashes popping in chaos.
"We're executing a search and seizure warrant for violations of the Capital Markets Act and concealment of criminal proceeds."
The sharp voice from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office drilled into my ears.
In the eye of the storm, I glared at them with an icy, frozen expression.
Taesung—that bitch finally played the dumbest card.
Investigators tore through the office like it was a party.
Ripping open PC towers, yanking cabinets wide.
I stood stock-still, watching.
Then, amid the investigators, I spotted a familiar face directing them.
Paju Branch's top dog, Prosecutor Lee.
Lingering in the back behind the Central crew, but definitely him.
In that instant, the rage on my face melted away like snow, replaced by a sly, oily grin.
I shoved past a noisy investigator blocking me and strode right up to Prosecutor Lee.
Clapped him hard on the shoulder and bellowed like he was family.
"Well, hellooo~ Bro! Long time no see~~~!!!"
My shout froze the entire madhouse office.
The Central prosecutors gawked like, What the fuck is this guy?
Prosecutor Lee's face flushed beet red, then drained ghost white, repeating.
"Uh, n-no, President Kim... What brings you here...?"
"I'm the damn president here—what do you mean?! Anyway, bro, you come all the way out here and don't even give a heads-up? I could've at least ordered jjajangmyeon!"
I grabbed his hand and pumped it enthusiastically up and down.
Lee floundered, glancing around nervously, then yanked my arm and whispered low.
"Hey, President Kim. What's going on? What the hell did you do to get Taesung personally requesting pressure?"
That clicked everything into place.
Still grinning, I recalled the last two years in my head.
Two years in Paju, I was the king of spending—Paju's own donation angel.
City hall, fire station, police station, orphanage. No place untouched by my cash.
Councilmen, officials, police brass—no one hadn't gotten a drink on me.
Hell, even room salons were crawling with my "little bros."
Me!
I ate with the mayor!
Hit the sauna!
Room salons!
All of it!
Taesung? Kings in Seoul, maybe. But in Paju? I'm the fucking king, you punks.
I leaned into Lee's ear, voice low but brimming with certainty only he'd get.
"Oh~ Taesung? No biggie, bro. Just a mangy bitch throwing a tantrum at her master. Sorry for the noise."
I stepped back, arms wide to the stunned Central investigators.
"Come on, what're you standing around for? Execute the warrant. Go ahead, tear it up. Not sure if there's anything worth taking, though."
My casual vibe left the clueless Central crew bewildered.
Prosecutor Lee swallowed dryly, looking away.
That's right.
Now it's fun.
Cheon Heyeon, the monster you unleashed is this? Disappointing.
After ransacking for ages, a team lead from Central approached me, empty-handed.
"President Kim Cheolsu, let's keep it casual—head to the station for some tea?"
Gone was the initial menace.
A local guy bro-ing out with a senior prosecutor.
Seeing it firsthand, the investigator's tone turned buttery soft, like chatting with a neighborhood uncle.
People need connections, money or otherwise.
I beamed at his obvious shift, like I'd been waiting.
"Sure thing. But can we swap tea for seolleongtang? Extra special if possible."
His face stiffened at my offbeat reply.
I savored it, cheering inwardly.
Finally checking off a bucket list item: seolleongtang in a prosecutor's interrogation room?
Flanked by investigators, I left the office.
Far off, Choi Yang's blank face.
I shot her the tiniest signal, just for us.
'Plan A proceeds as is.'
Her eyes flicked—got it.
Good enough.
The empire runs without me.
Right before the black sedan, I glanced at the sky.
Cloudy night, but my mind was clearer than ever.
Wonder what time it is in New York? If Choi Yang's report was right... about three hours left?
The car pulled away smoothly.
I smiled at my shabby three-story building fading in the rearview.