Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Royal Family 6-1
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Oh Manager was the first to speak.
"If I said I wasn't shocked when I first heard about your background, Seo Ji-hyeok, that would be a lie. But that doesn't change anything. I'm still the head of this department, and I intend to fulfill my responsibilities."
"Same here. As your senior, Seo Ji-hyeok, I plan to give it my all."
Ji-hyeok smiled faintly at their responses.
Of course, once his true identity was fully revealed within the group, his relationships with these two would inevitably change.
The hierarchy would flip, and the overall dynamics would shift.
But looking at their faces, there was no need to worry about that.
They wore expressions that already took all of that into account.
"It's only right that I respond to your trust. I took my mother's surname."
"So... you're Kang... Ji-hyeok?"
"Yes."
Ji-hyeok had already admitted he was part of the Royal Family.
But the two had expected his background to be on the vice chairman's side.
That's why they thought the Special Sales Department was being directly managed by the vice chairman.
It had seemed the most logical assumption.
But now everything was upended.
The revelation that he was Kang Ji-hyeok, not Seo Ji-hyeok, had tangled everything up.
Currently, only four people in the group bore the Kang surname.
Chairman Kang Wook and his three daughters: Jin-young, Seon-young, and Mi-young.
Of course, aside from those four, Chairman Kang Wook's brother served as vice chairman of the financial division, and his children were also in the group, but no one referred to them as the Royal Family.
In that confusion, even Oh Manager, who rarely lost his composure, stuttered slightly.
"Th-then... a son..."
"No. Chairman Kang Wook is my grandfather."
"Pardon? I thought Kang Woo-young passed away unmarried."
"That's what was announced to the world. And Chairman Kang Wook knew about my birth from the start."
"Then what about the orphanage?"
"Chairman Kang Wook abandoned me. More precisely, he wanted to erase an unwanted bloodline. Agent Han, you remember, right? What I said about verifying the information's authenticity."
"Yes... I remember."
"I'm the abandoned Royal Family member. That's why I used the term 'authenticity.' But now, something has changed in Chairman Kang Wook's mindset. That's why he's calling me in."
The shocking statements kept coming, leaving the two speechless.
The impact was so great that they couldn't even figure out what to ask next.
"I should clarify this. It's true that Chairman Kang Wook's intentions brought me here. But there's a high chance those intentions aren't benevolent."
"If not benevolent, then what?"
"The most convincing explanation right now is that he wants to ensure no one sits comfortably on Taesung's throne. He's telling us to fight."
"Doesn't that mean he's giving you a chance too, Ji-hyeok?"
"I don't know. I'll have to find out exactly what Chairman Kang Wook wants from me. But one thing's clear: he might not choose me, but anyone else would be a suboptimal option. Because I'll crush everyone else vying for the throne. If it's not me, the chairman will have to pick from those trampled under my feet."
It was a terrifying declaration.
As if feeling its weight, the two fell into deep thought with heavy expressions once Ji-hyeok finished speaking.
Ji-hyeok sipped the last of his coffee and gazed out the window.
A moment of silence passed...
"Bigger game than expected, right?"
"Indeed."
"Yes. The typhoon's larger than we thought."
Ji-hyeok gave them a gentle smile at their replies.
"Not sure if this comforts you, but I've never lost a fight."
"That's somewhat reassuring."
"Yeah, me too."
"Once Section Chief Bang returns, you two will be officially recognized as my people within the group. But I'll never forget that you're still my department head and senior."
Oh Manager, smiling warmly, picked up Ji-hyeok's words.
"Having done secretarial work for so long, I've realized something. Relationships in an organization are fluid. Hierarchies are highly dynamic. Take the former CEO Kim I served—he joined as a section chief fifteen years ago. I was on the verge of promotion to deputy manager then. But with his incredible abilities, he proved himself and became CEO of Jeonja in just fifteen years. Similarly, someday you'll be my boss, Seo Ji-hyeok. And I'll have to accept that. That's what an organization is."
"Thank you for the wisdom, Manager."
As Ji-hyeok bowed his head in thanks, Han Ji-young brightened her tone to shift the mood.
"Shall we get back to business?"
"Yes. We've notified the group PR office, and all articles have been retracted. Chemical has delegated full authority on this matter, so tomorrow's contract should go smoothly. Any potential issues?"
"No, none, Manager."
"Seo Ji-hyeok, you look like you have something to say."
"Yes. It doesn't look good for you to handle the contract alone tomorrow. How about Agent Han assists?"
"Meaning you have other business."
"Yes. I'm not entirely sure about this one myself, so I'll proceed and report back later. Is that okay?"
"Hmm, you'd answer if asked, but it wouldn't paint a pretty picture. Fine, we'll hear the report afterward."
"Sorry. And one more request."
"What is it?"
"Please allow use of 2 billion from the department budget. Of course, I'll report every expenditure."
"Approved. I have to acknowledge your overwhelming share in the department budget anyway."
"Thank you. I'll head out first then. My destination is Busan."
"Busan? Not too far."
"Yes. But whether it'll take a day or several, I'll know once I get there."
"Keep in touch. Agent Han, set up a department chat room."
"Got it."
Ji-hyeok rose after hearing Oh Manager's final instruction.
He gave the two a light bow and left the coffee shop.
"Whew..."
"Phew..."
Deep sighs escaped the remaining pair simultaneously, and Oh Manager and Agent Han exchanged awkward smiles.
Ji-hyeok arrived in Busan just past six o'clock.
It was a bit early to call it a day, but since his destination had already closed, he checked into lodging and enjoyed some leisure time.
After browsing the seafood market and having drinks and dinner at a famous street food stall village, he returned, showered, and opened his laptop.
He had studying to do for tomorrow's schedule.
Absorbed in his work, he didn't go to bed until dawn was near.
"Hello. I'm Seo Ji-hyeok, the one who contacted you."
"Yes. Nice to meet you. I'm Section Chief Lee Dong-cheol."
Ji-hyeok had come to P&C Company, located in Seomyeon, Busan.
P&C Company invested in and provided management consulting to venture firms based in the Yeongnam region, collaborating with the Small and Medium Business Administration, and was a company of decent scale.
The reason Ji-hyeok visited was the stake P&C held in one particular company.
"Straight to the point. As I mentioned over the phone, I'm interested in the Jinsung Tech stake held by P&C Company."
"Yes, Jinsung Tech... a good company. The owner's passion is remarkable, and it has solid future value. But from our perspective, there's no reason not to sell if the price is right."
"You acquired 20% with a 2 billion first-round investment, then added 15% with another 1 billion in the second round."
"Correct. 3 billion invested for 35% stake."
"How much are you thinking?"
"It's been four years since initial investment. Factoring that in, our position is at least 4 billion."
Ji-hyeok smiled faintly at Lee Dong-cheol's words.
Knowing what the other side wanted was such a powerful weapon.
P&C was bluffing now because they knew he wanted Jinsung Tech.
"Four billion? I was thinking 400 million."
"Pardon? That's..."
"I know Jinsung Tech is in capital impairment."
"True in the current state, but the technology they hold is worthy of recognition."
"The existing tech has expired, hasn't it? Pushed out by cheap Chinese products, their sales channels have mostly collapsed. All that's left is that ultra-thin tempered glass they recently developed, right? And it's only about 20% more durable than existing products."
"Yes, that's the point. As you know, ultra-thin tempered glass is a key component for foldable or rollable displays."
"Who can they sell it to? In Korea, only Taesung and Mirae. Can they really knock on those doors with just 20% better durability? Honestly, it's common sense that Taesung and Mirae have already developed that level of tech."
Lee Dong-cheol's face darkened upon confirming Ji-hyeok knew Jinsung Tech's internals.
He was right.
The points Ji-hyeok raised had been discussed internally.
In fact, the mood inside was leaning toward liquidation.
They needed to recover whatever they could from the investment.
That's why Ji-hyeok's offer to buy the Jinsung Tech stake felt like a godsend.
A deal they had to seize.
That's why not only the manager who approved the original investment but even Director Park, head of Investment Team 1, were anxiously awaiting the meeting outcome in the office.
Yet Section Chief Lee, at his level, was handling it to feign that P&C wasn't desperate to sell, gaining negotiation leverage.
But what was this?
Far from easy, he felt utterly exposed.
'Damn, if I push wrong, this could blow up.'
Lee Dong-cheol's anxiety stemmed from Ji-hyeok's demeanor.
The basis of any deal was push and pull.
Finding agreement through that dance.
But some opponents didn't play that game.
A light tug, and they just snapped away...
For some reason, Lee Dong-cheol sensed Ji-hyeok was that type.
"Alright. You seem to know it all, so I'll lay it all out. You're right. But 400 million is absurdly low. The investment terms include liquidation clauses. If we push, Jinsung Tech must liquidate, and we estimate recovering up to about 600 million max."
"Make it 700 million."
"Hmm... Excuse me a moment."
With Ji-hyeok's permission, Lee Dong-cheol left the meeting room with a grim face.
He returned after about ten minutes.
"Deal. Shall we discuss contract and payment terms?"
"Contract today, 300 million upfront. Remaining 400 million in two days."
"Yes. Please wait a moment. I'll prepare the contract."
Lee Dong-cheol left the meeting room again.
Alone now, Ji-hyeok pulled out his phone.
To review materials he hadn't finished yesterday.
Opening the file displayed a man's photo and profile.
Park Seon-woong.
(Current) Jinsung Tech Representative Director.
This man was the former Taesung Chemical CEO who left due to the Ilshin Chemical incident.