26. A Delinquent Girl as Landlord? (3)

Cheolyong said,

"The target's name is Choi Ga-eun, and as I mentioned in our call yesterday, she's the granddaughter of the Donggang Group."

"Yeah. But her face and the name Choi Ga-eun are a total mismatch."

"I agree, haha. Sir Seongtae, take a look at this first."

Following the profile was a detailed record of her activities.

"She went to middle and high school in America?"

"Yes, that's right. She lived in Maryland."

"Where's Maryland?"

"North of Washington D.C."

"Ah, got it. Isn't that a really rich area?"

"Yes. From what I know, it's always competing for first or second in per capita income among all U.S. states."

"Baltimore's around there, right?"

"Ironically, Baltimore is one of the most slum-ridden, dangerous spots in America."

"I don't know much about that. All I know is there's a team called the Baltimore Orioles."

"Is that so? Anyway, further investigation let me infer the reason for the sale."

The screen flipped to an article about Donggang Group's investment plans in U.S. private universities, and the lawyer continued.

"Do you know about the contribution admission system in America?"

"Roughly? Donate a certain amount and they let you in?"

"Exactly, but things have changed lately. Top U.S. universities now just give bonus points—it's become somewhat nominal. But private schools are still actively accepting it."

"So you think Choi Ga-eun's selling the building to go back to a U.S. university?"

"Precisely, someone is sending Choi Ga-eun back to America."

"She looks like she's done with studying. Why?"

"Probably to launder her academic record."

I crossed my arms and said,

"But does she really need to sell the building to go? Real estate is 'unbeatable' anywhere in the world, right? Value goes up with inflation over time. Plus taxes."

"There are recent loan regulations and interest rate hikes causing a temporary dip, but fundamentally, you're right, sir. But someone's plan was different."

"By 'someone,' you mean this isn't her own will?"

"Yes."

"Buying a house in America? Family could just buy it for her. They'd cover tuition anyway. Maybe Choi Ga-eun just has no thoughts on it?"

"She might be as clueless as you say, sir. But in these cases, someone's always involved—someone chasing profit."

"So someone egged her on to sell for their gain?"

"That's how it looks to me. I have a good nose for this. Check the next screen."

The lawyer pulled up a map and building photos.

"This building is in a prime location, so land prices are higher than surroundings."

"Yeah. It's a new build with great facilities—nothing lacking, price included."

From my perspective, it was too eye-catching...

"Compared to the other properties you eyed, sir, the location's great, only three years since completion, and facilities are top-notch."

"Right, but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠weirdly priced like an old rundown one? Ah! They're aiming for the price gap profit?"

"Primarily, yes. So who buys it?"

"Insiders with prior info or third-party speculators?"

"My gut says internal this time."

"Who?"

"Before that, let me show Donggang's ownership structure and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠family tree."

He handed me the pad. The laptop screen mirrored over.

Convenient.

The pad showed a tangled family tree and company shareholdings. A red pointer from Dalgeon highlighted the ancient chairman at the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠top.

"Donggang Group's chairman, Choi Cheoljong, built it from nothing, but chronic illness keeps him hospitalized. He still holds most shares."

The pointer moved down.

Five kids under the chairman.

"Currently, eldest son Choi Eunsu runs it as president. Second most shares after chairman."

"Choi Ga-eun?"

"President's only daughter."

"Damn, and she's the one who turned out a total mess."

"On the surface, yes. Parents can't control what kids do."

"True. So?"

"Donggang's surely prepping smooth succession. But the president's daughter goes rogue."

"What's that got to do with this?"

"If President Choi Eunsu inherits control later, who would he pass it to?"

"His daughter, obviously? Ah, but his only one's like that?"

I wagged my head side to side.

"Original plan: Send Choi Ga-eun to America early for study abroad, then special admission to a Korean university on return."

"But she flipped out? Still, she came back to Korea as planned?"

"Not nicely. Sir, know about the drug epidemic near Washington lately?"

"Saw it on news. President's pro-immigrant policy let illegals cross borders; pissed border state governors bused them to D.C., flooding streets with fentanyl addicts."

"Remember where I said Maryland is?"

"Near Washington? Ah, no way."

"My guess, but plausible. Building purchase timing matches her return perfectly. Daddy's gift."

"Okay on timing, but how do you know return date and it was a gift?"

"She documented everything on SNS. Easy to trace. Here's her posts."

Other posts showed her getting a tattoo on her arm by the artist, bikini pics with yankees at the beach, and all sorts.

"What do you think now?"

"Hmm... Circumstantially fits. But why send her back to America after calling her here?"

"Sir, if the bedridden grandpa meets Choi Ga-eun, how'd he feel?"

"...My empire ruined in just three generations...?"

"Exactly. So until succession wraps up, president's hiding her from sight by shipping her back."

I slumped into the chair back.

This is getting annoying. Snag another building?

"So she's dumping it cheap in a rush?"

"Yes."

"But under market price? Speculators should swarm. Why no bites?"

The lawyer's eyes sharpened.

"Someone might be blocking deals."

"Who?"

"Setting that aside, suppose you urgently sell a building and it won't move—what do you do?"

"Lower price or wait more?"

"No time to wait leisurely? Swallow tears and drop price."

"Yeah?"

"Now, who cuts info to clueless 21-year-old Choi Ga-eun, then tells her 'it's not selling'?"

"No idea? But per you, she might drop it cheaper. That dumb? And dad-president lets it?"

"Sir, no parent beats their kid. Plus, title and rights are all hers."

"Sigh... So someone's attached to her, pushing the sale?"

"We'll dig who."

I can check that myself.

My body felt heavy; I stood and paced circles in the room.

"Okay, other listings?"

"One's a rundown old couple's building—needs heavy remodel for your use."

"The academy one?"

"Not bad, but heavy debt. Can you evict students immediately?"

"Tough."

Wanna scout more, but meet Choi Ga-eun first.

"Meeting her at 3, right?"

"Yes."

"Plenty of time left?"

"That's why I called the tax accountant here. Arriving soon."

"Oh?"

Sudden, but whatever.

Talks wrapping up, I craved a smoke bad.

"Cheolyong, you smoke?"

"No. Quit a bit ago."

"Ha... Gotta quit, but keeps nagging."

"They say you fight it forever. Sir, how long since you quit?"

"Day two-ish?"

"Haha, toughest then. I'm at three years, but booze makes me crave."

"Yeah?"

Mouth idle, I sat for food. Pointed at colorful neat dishes—orange, green, etc.

"What's this? First time seeing."

"Liangban Haizupi—yangjangpi here. Usually starch skin, but real jellyfish here."

"Jellyfish? Tasty?"

"Jellyfish is texture; mustard sauce makes it tangy."

"Like Vietnamese rolls? Dip and eat?"

"No, mix it up."

I mixed and took a bite.

Ah, tangy. But oddly addictive.

Time to kill, wanted to call Jian.

"Dalgeon, I'm calling—ignore content."

"Yes, won't listen."

Dalgeon gestured.

"Tax guy's almost here!"

"Yeah, Jian, oppa's got stuff—call later."

"Okay. Love you, oppa! Muah!"

"Me too, love you!"

Call ended.

"Tax guy's here?"

"Yes, nearly."

I hid papers, fired up hypnosis app, fiddled phone.

Soon, guest at room 3.

The tax accountant.

"Hello."