Chapter 102
Chapter 102
102. Releasing the Bowstring
Baek Shin-woo's salary offer, higher than the market rate, left Amber Montgomery momentarily speechless.
"...Is it that dangerous of a security detail?"
In the industry, salary is proportional to risk, so it was bound to seem strange.
"A minimum of four people. The main task is to provide 24-hour security for me and those around me."
"So, that's at least four million euros... Even as the CEO of a new investment firm, MH Future Security, aren't you overdoing it?"
"I didn't know FEROX worried about their clients' finances."
"We're just doing our job for the money."
Shinwoo chuckled, reminded of Amber from the past. Of course, back then, Shinwoo was the mercenary being offered a salary.
"Don't worry about the funds; they're more than sufficient. And I'd like to select the personnel myself."
"Our FEROX has excellent talent. Tell us your desired qualifications, and we'll suggest personnel accordingly."
"Mark Freeman, Alexander Figueroa, Lawrence Bird, Ricardo Hart."
Amber's expression subtly hardened at the casually named individuals. They were the real names of mercenaries active in FEROX.
FEROX used separate aliases for external purposes, so their real names were unknown to outsiders. It was only natural for Amber to be surprised to hear Shinwoo utter those names.
"...What are you trying to do?"
"I'm just mentioning the people I need from FEROX."
"I mean, how do you know those names?"
"My information network is quite unique. Anyway, I need those individuals. So, I hope it's possible."
Amber took out a tablet from her bag and checked the information of the names she had just heard. All of them were veterans with at least seven years of prior experience and over five years with FEROX.
However, considering that the active age range in the mercenary market was around 30, these individuals were at least 38 years old, with the youngest being 38. While they excelled in experience and skill, their physical stamina was bound to be inferior to those currently active.
"Baek Shin-woo, you have KITE under MH Future Security, which manages such security personnel. So, why are you trying to hire from outside? It could damage your image."
"That's why I'm going to make another proposal. How about transferring those four people altogether?"
Amber's expression turned even more serious than before.
"Do you think this is some kind of sports team card matching?"
"You're an agency, after all. Even though you're dedicated to FEROX, it would be a good deal for the company. I initially considered contacting them separately, but I thought it would be better to approach this ethically, so I'm mentioning it this way."
From the start, Shinwoo knew their real names. If he had just acted, he could have poached the mercenaries with the current conditions, just as Shinwoo had said.
Of course, without any benefit to FEROX.
"You're as aggressive as I've heard in this industry."
"I always try to be polite, but I often hear that."
"It's hard to call a game that starts by revealing the opponent's hand 'manners'."
"I don't particularly like gambling."
Clatter— Clatter—
Shinwoo had already taken out an 8-Sided Dice and was casually rolling it in his hand.
From that action and the situation so far, Amber found it hard to deny that Shinwoo was in a superior position.
"You only play games where victory is certain."
"No one likes to lose."
Amber thought as they exchanged short words. Judging by the careers of the four named individuals, they were considerable veterans within FEROX and valuable assets.
However, being in their 40s, they didn't have much time left as active mercenaries. At most, three to four years. Of course, she wasn't even sure if they could last that long.
"If I understand correctly, you're saying you'll pay the transfer fees to us?"
"That's right."
"I can't make a decision on my own, so I'll have to go back to the company and discuss it."
"There will be many things that will become dangerous if you are alone for too long, so I hope a quick decision is made."
Amber's tense body relaxed a little at Shinwoo's joke.
The meeting ended like that.
* * *
[Baeseong Corporation Acquired by Chinese Private Equity Firm DAX Investment Company! Securing an average of 51% or more of the holding company and affiliate shares, transferring all management rights. The future of Baeseong Corporation remains uncertain...]
[Korean Giant Distribution Group Acquired by Chinese Capital... DAX, a newly established private equity firm, rapidly proceeded with the acquisition by purchasing shares through the Korean branch of TSF Investment, which already held shares...]
The news spread quickly. At Baeseong Corporation and all its affiliates, all members of the owner's family had no choice but to step down.
Oh Han-sung quietly approached Kwak Chi-young, who was checking the situation in his office.
"DAX has transferred the remaining 300 billion won without any issues."
"Then what's our final loss?"
"Including the amount recovered from the pre-acquisition stock price increase, the profit is 570 billion won. A loss of about 130 billion won."
Kwak Chi-young had leaked the rumors about the acquisition of Baeseong Corporation shares last time. This allowed him to temporarily inflate the stock price and quickly dispose of the cheaply acquired shares.
"It's a relief, at least. I feel a bit sorry for using Baek Shin-woo's name."
"But I still don't understand. Do you have any idea what DAX is planning to do with Baeseong Corporation after the acquisition?"
Even if the connection with the books was severed due to the change of ownership at Baeseong Corporation, the management damage was still significant. Of course, DAX had relieved some debt with the acquisition, but that only kept it alive, and it was difficult to increase the possibility of revival.
"I can't figure it out either. They certainly didn't acquire it with the intention of only taking losses."
"Thanks to DAX, we've recovered, but... it's a very suspicious company."
"Wasn't there no problem with the source of funds? Azure Feather Group also invested in it."
Kwak Chi-young had even identified that the CEO of DAX was Weisuan, who was known as an information broker in the underworld. He had thoroughly investigated the company he had established after emerging from the shadows, but he had not found any particular issues.
"......"
When Oh Han-sung fell silent, Kwak Chi-young continued.
"By the way, what's the situation in China?"
"Dorothy McDaniel is moving based on the information we leaked last time, and four branches in the city remain. I think those will be cleared up soon."
"Good. When the work is finished, the damage to the Chinese branch will be significant."
"The setup for Myung Joong-hwan is complete."
Kwak Chi-young's eyes turned cold at this answer.
"It's time to release the bowstring we've been holding onto so tediously. There won't be any shortcomings in the preparation, will there?"
"Execution plan, ambulance, and medical staff. Everything is ready."
"There haven't been any suspicious movements from Myung Joong-hwan?"
"He's quiet, perhaps because of what happened to Im Hee-yeon recently. Myung In-chul and his other siblings aren't showing any particular movements either."
Kwak Chi-young nodded with a satisfied expression.
"Just in case, be careful to avoid any mistakes."
"I will keep that in mind."
.
.
.
Evening was approaching.
Shinwoo visited Myung Joong-hwan's residence in Pyeongchang-dong at Myung Joong-hwan's invitation. Myung In-chul and Myung Woon-suk, who were sitting in the living room, made eye contact with Shinwoo as he entered.
"...It's been a while."
Shinwoo spoke as if annoyed at Myung In-chul's question.
"Indeed."
"......"
Myung In-chul belatedly heard that Im Hee-yeon had almost been in danger at the party. He immediately suspected that TSF had done it, but he had been quiet until now, thinking it might seem suspicious.
Afterwards, he had considered contacting him about the acquisition of Baesung Distribution. However, Kwak Chi-young was quiet about Im Hee-yeon's incident and his contact with Baek Shin-woo, so he only felt resentful.
"If you have nothing more to say, I'll go to the study."
Shinwoo said to Myung In-chul, whose eyes had become sharp, and moved his feet.
Myung Joong-hwan, who was waiting in the study, had a serious expression.
"I hope you have something important to say today."
Myung Joong-hwan, who had risen from his desk, grabbed a handful of documents and threw them onto the table in front of the sofa before sitting down.
"How did you know about Hansang Hospital?"
"You know it's not difficult to find out about the chief physician."
A vein popped out on Myung Joong-hwan's forehead, and he pointed to the documents.
"Not that. I'm talking about my medical records."
"Ah, I checked because there was something suspicious."
"What is it?"
"Han Young-hoon's son, Han Sun-woo, has gambling debts. He's been accumulating debt for years, and there was a trace of him clearing it once about two years ago."
With the explanation, a long sigh escaped from Myung Joong-hwan's mouth.
"So that was it."
"You've already finished investigating that far."
"The debt was about 3 billion won. Han Sun-woo still hasn't come to his senses and has accumulated another 1 billion won in debt. There's no way Han could afford that amount."
Even as a hospital director, it would be difficult to easily raise that much money unless he was a chaebol.
Myung Joong-hwan continued to groan. Han Young-hoon had known Myung Joong-hwan for decades. Nevertheless, he had no memory of hearing anything about Han Young-hoon's son.
"In the end, he was instructed by someone and manipulated the chairman's medical records for money."
The documents spread out on the table contained that information. Despite his old age, Myung Joong-hwan did not suffer from any major illnesses. However, the medical records were fabricated to look like those of someone with angina, cerebral infarction, and high blood pressure, with various imaging tests and prescriptions for the corresponding medications.
"I'm really dismayed, dismayed... How could a person do such a thing... And to think I would suffer such a fate in my life."
Myung Joong-hwan did not visit the hospital often, but he exchanged various stories with Han Young-hoon whenever they met. Due to his position as the chairman of MH Group, he was always tense and exuded a heavy atmosphere, but that was the only time he could relax.
However, the thought that Han Young-hoon had received money in exchange for his life made him feel deeply betrayed.
"Anyway, that's the situation."
Myung Joong-hwan was even more dumbfounded by Shinwoo's nonchalant words.
"How long have you known about this?"
"Not long."
"Why didn't you tell me right away?"
"Because it's not a legal method. And if I had given you the data, would you have believed it without suspicion?"
Myung Joong-hwan still couldn't believe it, from the time Gu Sang-ho had investigated Han Young-hoon and Han Sun-woo along with the medical records until now.
"Then... did you also know who was behind it?"
"It seems you haven't found out that far, Chairman."
"Shinwoo, you know who it is?"
Knock— Knock—
At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and the voice of the housekeeper who worked at the residence was heard.
"...Chairman. It's time for your evening medicine."
It was a nutritional supplement that he consistently took for his health.
Gu Sang-ho went to the door of the study and received the pills and water from her.