Chapter 27
Chapter 27
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Royal Family 8-3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kang Se-hee was as sharp in figure as she was in face.
I wasn't sure if she boasted about having a celebrity body or something, but to Ji-hyeok, she looked so gaunt it raised suspicions of anorexia—like a toothpick standing upright.
In short, she wasn't beautiful at all.
"Your arrogance is piercing the heavens. You think you can get away with anything just because headquarters babies you? Do you even know where you are? This is the financial division."
"I know. You think I'd come for an audit without knowing that? And isn't the financial division part of Taesung? So who the hell are you to keep talking down to me like that? You're pissing me off."
Gasp! Gasp! Gasp!
Ji-hyeok's irritated retort drew shocked gasps from all around.
Everyone except one person, that is.
Dong-hwi alternated glances between Ji-hyeok and Kang Se-hee, chuckling away as if it were the funniest thing.
"I'm Strategy Director Kang Se-hee. Satisfied? Aren't you just a regular employee? Let me tell you upfront: I don't care who you are. Like I said, this is the financial division. Don't get cocky."
This was it.
The reason Ji-hyeok targeted the financial division.
Kang Se-hee's words had just spelled it out clearly.
They believed they had bought the financial division a decade ago with the shares they held back then.
They thought they had protected the company's control with their stakes during Chairman Kang Wook's management dispute and received their reward for it.
And even the famously uncompromising Chairman Kang Wook couldn't easily draw his sword on this matter, which only fueled their arrogance.
This was what Ji-hyeok meant by the vice chairman regretting it.
The vice chairman was the chairman's blade.
But when restructuring affiliate shares under the holding company system, he hadn't ruthlessly consolidated the financial division's stakes.
Back then, it might have been out of consideration for the chairman's feelings, but given the group's current state, the vice chairman must surely be filled with immense regret.
"Ah, you're the director. Nice to meet you. I'm Seo Ji-hyeok from headquarters' Special Audit Division. Please take good care of me during the audit period."
Was this what absurdity looked like?
Just when everyone thought they might grab each other by the collar, Ji-hyeok bowed deeply the moment he heard her name.
Like something out of a comedy.
The sudden shift in Ji-hyeok's attitude left the surrounding employees with one thought:
'What the hell is this guy?'
Ji-hyeok, who had bowed, looked up at Kang Se-hee with a gentle smile and slowly opened his mouth.
"We've got two months ahead. No need to get all red-faced with each other, right?"
"What? Two months?"
"Yes. I'm here planning for two months. Thought I'd shake down Taesung Card real good."
"You crazy bastard..."
Kang Se-hee trembled with rage she could barely contain.
And from the way the employees watched her, it was clear what kind of presence she had in the company.
They all knew better than to poke her when she was like this.
"Get out! I'll go straight to headquarters and tell them. So you go back right now."
"Director Kang Se-hee. Shall I explain the rules on interfering with audits? Intentional obstruction can lead to demotion or worse. Didn't you see the official document stamped by the chairman himself? Who are you gonna tell? If you're doing it, why not call the chairman right in front of me? You're the eldest granddaughter, aren't you? Shouldn't be too hard for you."
Kang Se-hee's arms shook even harder.
For a moment, Ji-hyeok wondered if they might snap right off, but fortunately, before that could happen, she whipped around as if a cold wind had blown through.
She stormed down the hallway, her high heels clicking loudly to show just how furious she was.
As soon as Kang Se-hee vanished, small sighs of relief escaped from all around.
"Was it the 20th floor?"
"Y-yes. 20th floor. Let me guide you there."
The employee, looking like he'd just weathered a storm, snapped to attention at Ji-hyeok's words and called the elevator.
Moments later, Ji-hyeok was led to a conference room with glass walls on all sides.
"Here it is."
"Whoa, can't even pick your nose in here."
Dong-hwi was right.
There was nowhere to hide anywhere.
One side was a window, and the other three were floor-to-ceiling glass.
"Does this turn opaque when you turn it on or something?"
"Y-yes. It usually does, but it's broken right now..."
Had he not witnessed the stare-down with Kang Se-hee earlier, this employee probably would have spoken to Ji-hyeok with confidence and arrogance.
But now, he was sweating bullets and stammering.
Seeing that, Ji-hyeok chuckled softly, flung open the glass door, and stepped inside.
The first thing that caught his eye was the mountain of documents piled on the conference table.
Enough to fill two wheelbarrows, easily—and just looking at them was exhausting.
"Is this everything?"
"No. This is just last quarter's data."
Ji-hyeok turned to look at Dong-hwi.
But Dong-hwi was already striding over, flipping through the papers.
"Yeah, okay. Who do I ask if I need something?"
"You can tell me. My desk is over there—extension 1368."
The man handed over a business card.
Finance Team Manager Oh Jeong-hwan.
Ji-hyeok took the two cards and passed one to Dong-hwi.
"Where's HR?"
"16th floor. Shall I show you?"
"No need. First, can you get us our badges? Can't call someone every time I need the bathroom."
"R-right. Got it. I'll take care of it right away."
After a few more minor exchanges, Ji-hyeok sent Oh Jeong-hwan on his way.
He sat in a chair and looked at Dong-hwi.
"How is it?"
"This? Total garbage. They've just dumped a bunch of random numbered sheets here. Of course, anything important is missing. Normal people wouldn't find shit. But I'm different. Muahaha..."
Ji-hyeok smiled faintly at Dong-hwi, who struck a heroic pose from the movies with hands on hips.
And at that moment, at least a hundred eyes were stealthily watching the two men.
But soon, Ji-hyeok's gaze landed on the CCTV camera in the corner of the ceiling.
He flashed a grin at it and waved.
- Thwock!
"Nice one, President."
"Great shot! Great shot, President."
"Nice! You're on fire today, President."
As Kang Jun-woo's putt sank into the hole, cheers erupted from all around.
Kang Jun-woo straightened up from his putting stance and let out a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha, things are going in today, huh? Better watch your wallets, boys."
"You're telling us."
"I came prepared with extra cash. Hahaha."
"Oh dear, this is bad. Heh heh heh."
Every word from Kang Jun-woo drew three in response.
It was nine in the morning on a weekday.
While everyone else was hard at work, Kang Jun-woo and three Taesung Card executives were playing golf, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Soon after, they settled into the shade house with drinks and snacks, taking seats.
"President, what about that audit from headquarters today?"
"What about it? They'll just bluff around and leave. What can those punks do? Right?"
"Of course. This is the financial division, after all. Financial division."
"But what's the deal with that Seo Ji-hyeok guy?"
The three executives turned to Kang Jun-woo.
Vice Chairman Kang Heon of Taesung Life was personally Chairman Kang Wook of Taesung Inc.'s older brother.
So maybe he had some insider info others didn't.
Kang Jun-woo, his pudgy toad-like cheeks twitching, spoke up.
"Father says it's nothing. End of story, right? No changes on the horizon. Whether it's some hidden bastard kid of Jin-young, Seon-young, or Mi-young, it doesn't affect the big picture."
"There are rumors he's Vice Chairman An Chi-hyeon's man, President."
"If that's the case, even less to worry about. What can that toothless old mutt do? Right?"
"Hahaha. Exactly. Toothless mutt."
"Spot on."
The word "no" didn't exist in their vocabulary.
Sure, people curse the king where he's not listening, but openly calling a group vice chairman a "mutt" and chiming in agreement? No way they'd stay silent.
This was the state of Taesung Card right now.
The president and executives of Korea's top card company by sales, with the highest stock value among listed firms.
Days passed like that.
During that time, Ji-hyeok sat in the glass conference room, ignoring the documents and fiddling with his phone.
Meanwhile, Dong-hwi ate the lunch boxes and snacks Ji-hyeok brought him and changed into the clothes Ji-hyeok provided.
Dong-hwi's antics were so outrageous that people outside the glass room shook their heads in disbelief.
It was the fifth day, buried in papers to the point where "crazy" didn't even cover it.
"Heh heh heh, found it."
"You did?"
"Yeah. Hyung, check this out. Their money's flowing to one place."
"Where?"
"KM Credit Information. A debt collection agency here—and way too much money's going their way."
"Debt collection means selling off bad debts, right?"
"Yep. Also called write-offs. Normally, you can sell after 30 days delinquent. But defining bad debt varies by company—they consider delinquency reasons, financial status, repayment intent. Even past 30 days, if repayment will is strong, they hold up to 90. It's like, if it hangs on your nose, it's a nose hook; on your ear, an earring."
"And?"
"They're sending down an abnormal amount."
"How much?"
"Averaging 150 to 200 billion per month."
"Is that high?"
"Very. Monthly sales are 3 trillion. That's 5% consistently written off. Holding bad debt isn't great for accounting—better to offload quick. But this is excessive. Has to be intentional."
Ji-hyeok fell deep in thought.
Dong-hwi clamped his mouth shut, waiting for Ji-hyeok to speak.
Moments later,
"They'll have a prepared answer for that."
"Yeah. Hard to nail them on it, like I said—too many escape routes."
"But if KM's a shell company?"
"Jackpot. Money flows back to President Kang Jun-woo from KM. Straight-up embezzlement and breach of trust."
"Okay, you keep playing here. I'm heading out."
"How long?"
"Long enough. Sunil Accounting Firm Ace, right? Make 'em lose their minds. So much they won't notice I'm gone."
"Thanks! Time to really cut loose. Heh heh heh."
Hmm, that expression's a bit dangerous.
Ji-hyeok felt a twinge of worry at Dong-hwi's mischievous grin but said nothing for now.
Once this was over, would Dong-hwi take that longed-for trip or stay by his side? Still unknown.
But Ji-hyeok figured he'd want to stay.
That's why he needed to test Dong-hwi.
Their personal bond was great.
Working like this temporarily was fine.
But journeying together long-term was another matter.
After this job, Dong-hwi would face questions.
The same ones Oh Tae-hyung and Han Ji-young had.
And regardless of Dong-hwi's answers, Ji-hyeok would weigh many things about him.
Independently of that, if he judged "no," he'd sever ties cleanly.
That way, they could remain friends, brothers.
'Alright, show me what you've got. You're smart—you know what it takes to stay by my side.'
Leaving the grinning rascal Dong-hwi behind, Ji-hyeok left Taesung Card and pulled out his phone.
"Yes, Manager Han. Could you send an audit cooperation notice to KM Credit Information, a Taesung Card client? Right away."
"........."
"Yes, call first, then fax. Thanks."
He ended the call and sped off toward Shinsa-dong.
It was a race against time.
Now, the real audit round one began.