Cleanup
To be honest, this whole thing was 100% emotional. I did it and then just went on with my life without thinking much about it, but it seems the fallout is bigger than I expected.
"Hmm... it's more of a mess than I thought?"
Of course, it's not really my problem. Only Black Ridge and Cheonmun got busier—nothing's happening to me.
The business world's reaction is quite intense. There's no major movement yet, but subtle checks are starting to come in.
"Well... that's unfortunate."
It's not like I'm running those companies, so it's not really my concern.
"I heard the foundation is set up. Are the donations done?"
Yes, we've provided necessary help to veterans, independence activists, children with incurable diseases, and others in welfare blind spots.
"Good. No one skimmed off the top, right?"
No. I managed everything from start to finish.
"Alright. But Arthur... he'll be fine, right?"
There are many who envy and resent us, but at the same time, many will reach out wanting our help.
He seems quite busy, but wouldn't he like it that way?
"It's better than lazing around in the park doing nothing..."
Han Jeong-woo is young, but Arthur is older and doesn't seem to take care of his health—I worry he might collapse.
"I'm dying..."
Arthur J. Sullivan, who leads Black Ridge Capital, hasn't been sleeping lately—just working nonstop. The acquisition of Neo Gate wasn't a big deal. Compared to Black Ridge's scale, Neo Gate was like a corner store. But Cheonmun is different. The influence of the entire Cheonmun Group, the connections the owner family had built in this country—it was on another level. And it's only natural that eyes are on them after they swallowed Cheonmun Group in an instant.
Knock knock.
A knock on his door.
"Come in."
Arthur gives permission, the door opens, and Jennifer Kang, one of the four members recruited alongside him, enters.
"Arthur, we have a problem."
Coming from Jennifer, who handles public opinion, this sends a chill down his spine.
"...What kind of problem? Are they picking on the donations again?"
"I wish it were that kind of problem. There are people in communities and some investigative media digging into our identity."
"...What did they say? Any basis?"
"Nothing official. But there was too much noise during the recent Cheonmun acquisition, and people are jumping on the opportunity in the chaos."
Jennifer sets a tablet on Arthur's desk.
"It seems Taewoong, where Han Jeong-woo used to work, is thinking of taking a shot at us."
"Tch. How can a businessman let personal feelings affect business like this..."
Arthur had heard the whole story of what Han Jeong-woo did at Taewoong and why he was kicked out, and he found it absurd.
"What reason do they have to come after us? Even if Taewoong is big, they can't just act recklessly."
"They seem intent on pointing out that we're a new fund. I hear they're planning to request the Financial Supervisory Service to investigate the source of Black Ridge's funds."
Jennifer had been building her network one by one, but with the Cheonmun acquisition nearly complete, people wanting to connect directly were flooding in, making her work easier lately.
"Did you report to the higher-ups? Maybe the boss will move."
"I already reported. I told them and then came to report to you."
"What did they say up there?"
"Athena said she'd handle it and hung up. I don't know more than that."
If the secretary of the employer who hired them said they'd handle it, maybe the employer himself would contact them soon.
"Still, we need to prepare. Call a meeting."
In the Black Ridge Capital conference room, the four initial members personally scouted by Gwon Hyeok sit around the table, starting the meeting.
"Given that we've received information, it's safe to assume this operation has already begun," Jennifer, who first caught wind of the intel, opens.
"We've grown and gained some connections, but we don't have as long a history as they do. The person who gave me the information likely gave it with some time delay, so we need to respond accordingly."
"Is there no way to stop the investigation?" Mark, who was dragged from trading during market hours, grumbles with a dissatisfied expression.
"No. There's no legal way to block it. We'll have to take this hit once... but since we have no legal issues, there's nothing major to worry about."
"No legal issues, but the market will see us in a bad light. Some operations will have to pause. During the investigation, the stock prices of Cheonmun and Neo Gate will be affected..."
Hearing Sarah's words that there's no way to stop the investigation, Mark sighs as he simulates the aftermath.
"Arthur. What about using Cheonmun's connections?" David, the quant who had been quietly listening, speaks up, but Arthur shakes his head.
"That's tough. The network Cheonmun built has effectively lost its power during this acquisition. There's almost nothing left, and what remains isn't made of useful people."
The three sigh at Arthur's answer.
Knock knock knock.
I knock and enter the conference room, meeting the eyes of all four.
"Whoa, you scared me. Did you see a ghost?"
"No... why is the boss here?"
"Came to help. I was going to let you handle it, but that would take too long."
"How are you going to help?"
Jennifer's eyes light up as she looks at me.
"I've sent some things to Cheonmun that'll make Taewoong have a seizure. I sent Han Jeong-woo to settle his past ties, so he'll take care of it and come back."
"But how will you stop the investigation..."
Sarah looks at me with a worried expression.
"Well, Taewoong will have to figure that out, right? Even if they investigate, it doesn't really matter. There's nothing to catch, and besides, isn't this something we'd have to face sooner or later as we grow?"
"That's true, but it could still damage our image."
"Does it matter what the media says? It'll be temporary, and we've done good things, so our reputation won't be severely tarnished."
With that, I tell them not to worry and leave the conference room, heading back to my office upstairs.
"Athena. You knew about this, didn't you?"
Of course. I had already identified it, but since Jennifer reported it, I took the opportunity to pass it on to you, Master.
"The chairman of Taewoong is pretty petty. It's been years, and he's still holding a grudge, now coming after us..."
He's known in the media as a magnanimous person, and I thought so too, but now I feel like I've opened Pandora's box.
Should we retaliate separately?
"Not necessary... Let's let this one slide. Besides, I've already sent something to Han Jeong-woo, so in a broad sense, isn't that retaliation?"
Getting threatened by someone you kicked out should be enough to bruise his ego, so I'll let it go this time.
At the Taewoong Group headquarters, Chairman Kim, known as a kind-hearted man, stares with trembling hands at a stack of documents on his desk. Inside are records of internal transactions between Taewoong's subsidiaries over the past ten years.
"Han Jeong-woo... How dare this ungrateful bastard."
"Ungrateful? Weren't you the one who kicked me out, Chairman?"
It's that look. That arrogant look in his eyes