Chapter 97
Chapter 97
97.
A Pathetic Bastard (1)
A sigh filled the Chairman's office, bringing with it a chill.
Caught in the middle, Myung In-chul, who had been vaguely siding with Myung Sung-chul, felt his mind grow more and more complicated.
'A distribution system? When did he even prepare something like that?'
Of course, he hadn't expected Shinwoo to agree to the acquisition of Baesung Distribution. He thought it would only strengthen Myung Sung-chul.
But Shinwoo, regardless of the reason, had presented a truly necessary solution.
A brief silence followed, and then Myung Joong-hwan looked at Shinwoo and said, "When did you start preparing something like that, CEO Baek Shin-woo?"
"Around the time Baeseong Corporation started to falter. Livio Soft happened to have it ready."
"Does that mean you knew Baeseong Corporation would collapse like this?"
Large corporations, beyond their own management capabilities, were entangled in numerous complex relationships, making it difficult for them to fail easily. Preparing for that meant either he had foreseen it or had placed a bet.
"I didn't expect it to collapse this quickly. If I had known, I wouldn't be standing here like this. I wouldn't have tried to take the easy way out by securing shares of Baeseong Corporation like someone else, would I?"
Shinwoo glanced slightly at Myung Sung-chul.
Their eyes met, and he knew that the words were directed at his situation. However, unable to refute anything, only the corner of his mouth twitched spasmodically.
Of course, Myung Joong-hwan didn't just sigh; he also identified the problem.
"No matter how good the system is, it needs facilities, equipment, and operational reorganization to match. There will be considerable problems in that process."
"That would be similar even if we acquired Baesung Distribution. Besides, we would have to deal with the labor union's movements during the acquisition process."
Even now, Baesung's distribution affiliates were facing operational difficulties due to various problems, leading to strikes by some center employees.
Of course, this was partly because issues that had been festering for a long time had erupted all at once.
"Quite specific."
"It's someone else's business, but I have to prepare. If it collapses, it's obvious that it will become a marketplace with people trying to scavenge."
It wasn't that others hadn't prepared. Myung Sung-chul had also prepared it as a means to grow the company.
But the problem was that his efforts had become shackles that held him back.
"You're not thinking of scavenging, but of making a new rice cake."
"I don't really like what others have eaten."
"Hmm, when can the new distribution system be implemented?"
"The sooner, the better. However, I don't know if the person in charge will easily agree and follow along."
Shinwoo once again glanced at Myung Sung-chul.
Other affiliates also used the MH Group distribution network, but MH Retail and MH Foods accounted for the largest portion, so Myung Sung-chul was in charge.
Naturally, it was right to decide and proceed with him regarding the system implementation.
"The key will be whether KEDEX will definitely apply the system they are testing."
An atmosphere of trying to find fault with anything.
Shinwoo, still with a relaxed expression, took out an 8-Sided Dice from his pocket and rolled it in his hand.
Clatter—
"We've already completed the contract and plan to replace the system in all centers operated by KEDEX starting early next year."
"No matter how close CEO Baek is to Livio Soft, how can you know even such details?"
Outwardly, Livio Soft had developed the new distribution system. Even if MH Group was one of its major shareholders, it was unreasonable to know the details of the business.
"I know because I know. For your information, the current information is under Embargo until the end of this year. KEDEX will also release an article about the system reorganization early next year, and distribution and logistics companies contacting KEDEX and Livio Soft will emerge in Korea."
It meant choosing whether to be taken over by competitors with your eyes open or to shut up and accept it.
"Ahem!"
In the current situation, if Myung Sung-chul accepted the new distribution system, he would not be able to resolve the issue of Baesung Distribution's shares. Moreover, he would have to pay for using the distribution system, which would create even more financial holes.
With one misfortune piling on top of another, he couldn't help but feel a headache.
"I've set the table for you; what's the problem?"
"It's not something that can be decided easily!"
A bitter smile flashed across Shinwoo's face for a moment.
"Surely, it's not because MH Retail doesn't have the money to pay for the system usage, is it?"
"...What? Are you done talking?"
"Ah, just kidding. MH Retail has the highest cash reserve rate among MH Group affiliates, so that can't be the case."
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Myung Joong-hwan and Im Hee-yeon exchanged glances.
Then, Myung Joong-hwan cleared his throat.
"Ahem! Looking at the situation, it's a decision that doesn't need any consideration. President Myung Sung-chul, have the system introduced through CEO Baek Shin-woo."
"Chairman! I'll take care of that matter myself...!"
"What are you going to take care of? Do I have to spoon-feed you on top of setting the table?"
Myung Sung-chul couldn't say anything.
Seeing that, Myung Joong-hwan clicked his tongue and dismissed the meeting.
"Hee-yeon and Shinwoo, stay behind for a moment; I have something to discuss with you separately."
The others left the room with deeply troubled expressions.
Im Hee-yeon and Shinwoo pulled their chairs closer and waited for Myung Joong-hwan's words.
"I received a call from the police. The woman who tried to kill Hee-yeon died in the hospital at someone's hands."
In an instant, Im Hee-yeon's face turned pale. She knew all too well that the intention behind the death was to silence her.
"What did the police say about the situation?"
"Since the suspect is dead, it will be processed as 'no right to prosecute' for now."
"And earlier, a body of a person suspected to be that woman's colleague was found near Incheon."
With that answer, Myung Joong-hwan called in Gu Sang-ho, who had been waiting outside.
Gu Sang-ho handed out documents that he had prepared in advance to Im Hee-yeon and Shinwoo. It was information about the body found in Incheon.
"It's the person disguised as a waiter who was caught on CCTV."
It was a photo of the corpse. Unlike Im Hee-yeon, who frowned and couldn't look at it properly, Shinwoo calmly examined it and muttered.
"That's right. We're still identifying him, but it seems it won't be easy."
"The hacking of the party's security system is only circumstantial, but apart from that, they are the ones who attempted the assassination. As meticulous as they are, tracking them won't be easy."
"For now, Secretary Gu is also using his intelligence to find out."
If it was Gu Sang-ho, who came from the National Intelligence Service, he might be able to find the identity of the Three Fiends without difficulty.
Then, Shinwoo asked back with a question.
"What are you going to do after you find them?"
"What do you mean, what am I going to do? I have to make sure they know who they messed with."
Shinwoo felt unpleasant because of the unfamiliar appearance.
"Do you think that's possible?"
"Do you think it's not?"
"Take good care of your health, Chairman. You might end up clutching the back of your neck with unnecessary worries. Do you get regular checkups?"
Myung Joong-hwan looked puzzled as the conversation suddenly shifted to health.
"I had one recently. Still, I'm quite healthy compared to other old men my age. My doctor said I'm fine too."
It seemed like he felt like his grandson was worrying about his grandfather.
But Shinwoo's intention was different.
"Hansang Hospital Director Han Young-hoon was your primary physician, right?"
"That's..."
Myung Joong-hwan's words stopped as he was about to continue naturally.
He didn't disclose exactly who his real primary physician was because of his position.
"...How do you know Director Han?"
"I'm probably not the only one who knows. Of course, I also know that you have a close relationship, but I think it's good to check from time to time."
With those words, Shinwoo left the Chairman's office.
Dumbfounded, Myung Joong-hwan exchanged a serious look with Im Hee-yeon.
"What Shinwoo just said... what do you think it means?"
Im Hee-yeon had already personally experienced Shinwoo's power. Of course, she could fully sense that Shinwoo's words were not thrown away carelessly.
"I don't think he would have said that without any reason. I think it would be a good idea to check Hansang Hospital."
"Hmm... Secretary Gu, can you quietly find out about my records that Director Han Young-hoon examined?"
"It's difficult because Director Han directly manages the Chairman's records. However, it might be possible with a slightly roundabout method."
It would be difficult to get the desired examination records if Myung Joong-hwan requested them outright.
So, Gu Sang-ho discussed bribing another person who could secure the examination records instead of a frontal breakthrough.
"Please do it as soon as possible."
"I'll move right away."
Gu Sang-ho went outside with his answer.
Meanwhile, Myung Joong-hwan groaned and met eyes with Im Hee-yeon.
"Hee-yeon, you seem to trust Shinwoo quite a bit."
From the moment Shinwoo said he would join MH Group, only worries came first. Then, questions began to arise with every incident, and now it felt like something terrible would happen if he didn't believe Shinwoo's words.
"I can't help but do so."
"I see... there must be something I don't know."
Myung Joong-hwan had even found out that Shinwoo had served in a dangerous special forces unit. Of course, there were countless other unusual things besides that.
Just now, Shinwoo had warned Myung Joong-hwan about Hansang Hospital, so he couldn't help but think it was strange.
"It's hard for me to explain. I have a lot to think about, so it's complicated."
"It must be quite unsettling since even the woman who was targeting you died in the hospital."
"...To be honest, it's not good."
"How about counseling?"
"That's not easy either."
She had been receiving psychiatric counseling since returning to Korea from China and being hospitalized.
The diagnosis was PTSD. The so-called post-traumatic stress disorder was largely caused by the terrible things she had experienced at the abandoned factory.
As a result, she couldn't turn off the lights even when lying in bed and greeted the morning, or she would be startled by the slightest noise and check the security situation at her home.
"You can rest for a while if it's difficult to work."
For a moment, Im Hee-yeon felt unfamiliar with Myung Joong-hwan. Of course, it wasn't just now, but it was a sight she had occasionally seen since Shinwoo had been brought into MH Group.
But she brushed it off, thinking it was because of the habit of having lived as MH Group's loyal dog for decades.
"...It's okay. I can't because I have a lot of work to do at the company."
Currently, Im Hee-yeon was a Managing Director at MH Group headquarters and was in charge of the General Audit Division. With that, she was auditing the headquarters and all affiliates under the direction of Myung Joong-hwan.
The scale was so enormous, and there was also the work as a Managing Director at headquarters, so it was difficult to rest even a little.
"Still, shouldn't you think about your health first?"
"Really... I'm okay. I'll get up now."
Im Hee-yeon left the Chairman's office, suppressing a corner of her heart that had become uneasy.
Left alone, Myung Joong-hwan sighed more deeply than before and was about to return to his desk when he stopped. When he pushed the painting hanging on the left side, a safe appeared.
He familiarly pressed the password, and several boxes the size of a fist were piled up with important documents. He carefully opened the lid of one of them.
Inside was an old photograph. The colors had faded so much due to time that the figures of the two men and women in it were barely visible.
"Hoo..."
The people in the photo were a young Myung Joong-hwan and Im Hee-yeon's biological mother, Im Myung-joo.
Myung Joong-hwan couldn't hide his bitter expression as he looked at the photo.