Speaking of Divorce
The media outlets that had been relentlessly targeting Tae Shin Mulsan suddenly changed direction. Of course, quite a few were still firing away, but the flow of events made it clear they wouldn’t be able to maintain that stance for long.
During that time, Reina Blackwood arrived at a shuttered fishing spot on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province.
It was well past midnight. As she walked deeper inside, a middle-aged man waited for her in the darkness.
Reina bowed her head slightly first.
She was referring to Tae Seok-ho. The personnel reorganization had been pushed through without the slightest delay, forcing her to endure an endless stream of complaints.
The middle-aged man slowly walked toward her.
The man’s identity was Hyottoko—one of the organization’s highest-ranking elders, the very person who had ordered Reina to place herself under Tae Seok-ho.
He was also Lim Deok-chang, the current third deputy director of the National Intelligence Service.
Of course, Reina knew his true identity perfectly well.
Lim Deok-chang shook his head at her grumbling.
Reina rubbed her forearms as if a chill had run down her spine.
Kitsune was an elder like Hyottoko, holding the position of fourth elder. From the tone of the conversation, however, their relationship was clearly not friendly.
Reina’s eyes widened slightly at the cautious instruction.
Reina had been genuinely shocked after witnessing Kang In-hyuk’s information network during the recent Tae Shin Mulsan executive meeting.
She had been confident that the current plan was absolutely foolproof. Yet Kang In-hyuk’s moves—based on investigations far deeper than their own—had not only caught up but completely overturned the board.
Moreover, the issue of Tae Shin Asset Management shares that had been deliberately leaked to Tae Seok-hyun’s side had been neatly blocked by indirectly raising problems within Tae Shin Electronics.
Even she had failed to anticipate that angle, and listening to it unfold had actually filled her with a strange sense of anticipation for the outcome.
W&W Group itself was one of the organization’s primary sources of capital. Over many long years, they had maintained their lineage by placing capable individuals in the chairman’s seat.
Baek Ji-woong was one such person.
Lim Deok-chang gave a faint smile.
She had said it herself, yet even she thought the idea was ridiculous.
But Lim Deok-chang’s expression remained grave.
He was referring to Baek Hae-na, the second daughter of the W&W Group.
That marriage had originally been one of the scenarios prepared by the organization they served.
Reina stared at Lim Deok-chang with genuine surprise.
At that question, Lim Deok-chang’s expression grew heavy.
AMK Partners was a rising star known in investment circles as the new Midas touch. The fact that such a firm had opened a branch in Korea rather than in financial hubs like Hong Kong, Dubai, or New York was unusual.
The South Korean government had no intention of letting it slide, and the NIS had moved quickly to conduct a thorough investigation.
Reina nodded.
Lim Deok-chang, apparently frustrated himself, pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
He was referring to the Daemyeong Detective Agency incident. Reina had confirmed the details through the report Baek Si-hwan himself had submitted.
At the same time, she instantly understood why Jeon Hae-in had tried to have Kang In-hyuk killed.
Reina fell silent for a moment, considering the order.
No immediate conclusion was reached.
Then Reina suddenly remembered something.
Once again, Lim Deok-chang shook his head.
Nomen had been the leader of Aoshika. Before that, however, he had been the one originally in charge of their entire organization.
For reasons unknown, the organization had split in two, and they had been searching for Nomen ever since.
The question sparkled with pure curiosity.
Lim Deok-chang let out a long sigh.
Reina shrugged.
With those final words, Lim Deok-chang vanished into the darkness. Before long, no trace of his presence remained.
The Tae Shin Group’s personnel reorganization passed the board of directors.
A bloody storm like a typhoon began to rage. The headquarters, along with its subsidiaries and affiliates, were turned upside down.
Kang In-hyuk sat facing Tae Ju-ha inside the representative director’s office at Tae Shin Asset Management.
"This is the purchase agreement for the twenty-five percent stake in Tae Shin Asset Management previously held by Tae Shin Life. The funds used were the profits held by the MP division, exactly as discussed in the last meeting."
"…That brings treasury shares to forty-three percent. Adding the shares held by me and the executives, we now exceed fifty-five percent."
Kang In-hyuk nodded at Tae Ju-ha’s words.
"We’ve officially stepped out from under the parent company."
"Indeed."
With that quiet reply, Tae Ju-ha’s gaze remained fixed on the purchase agreement Kang In-hyuk had handed her.
She wasn’t actually rereading the relatively short document. The promise she had made with the changed Kang In-hyuk after his return from the United States had now been fulfilled.
"Tae Shin Life still holds roughly twenty-six percent, but the dividend payout ratio will definitely decrease from before. And if we proceed with the IPO, the chairman has said he will personally look after that stake to provide initial defense of management rights."
Tae Ju-ha looked surprised once again.
"He told you even that much?"
"Because listing Tae Shin Asset Management will be beneficial for the Tae Shin Group."
Kang In-hyuk remained indifferent.
Seeing his calm demeanor, a soft sigh escaped Tae Ju-ha’s lips.
"Then… should I proceed with my side of the promise as well?"
"What do you mean?"
He genuinely seemed not to understand.
Tae Ju-ha hesitated for a moment, then spoke slowly.
"Ah…"
It was the promise they had made at the beginning of the year.
The marriage was to be maintained for one year from that point. In exchange for handing over the account records of the H&T Fund that Tae Ju-ha had acquired, he had agreed to gather shares of the parent company, Tae Shin Life.
The promised date was now fast approaching.
"If you tell me when you want it, I’ll begin preparations for a negotiated divorce."
While listening to her, Kang In-hyuk tapped his fingers on the table where the contract lay.
Tap— Tap—
"Let’s think about that a little longer. I have too many matters to handle right now."
Far too many projects were currently underway involving Tae Shin Asset Management in coordination with AMK Partners, Hong Kong’s SGA, and Lumen Holdings.
In particular, Green Byte Labs—where Tae Shin Asset Management had invested—was approaching a critical juncture. A divorce could not be allowed to disrupt business involvement at such a time.
"I understand. Then please let me know whenever it’s convenient for you."
"I will. I’ll be going now."
Having finished the conversation, Kang In-hyuk rose from his seat.