Chapter 119: The Tail
***
The Times. Following Min-ho's prior instructions, The Times distributed a special edition nationwide. It was more than enough to create yet another unbelievable spectacle.
An avalanche of calls flooded into the The Times office. Every employee was glued to the phones, but it still wasn't enough. Cheers of support and gratitude poured in, alongside a torrent of subscription inquiries. Reporters who should have been writing articles were stuck holding receivers, bringing operations to a virtual standstill.
"No 5-year subscriptions? Just 1 or 2 years?"
"You don't have to throw in milk or anything—just prioritize my neighborhood first."
"We're in Pyeongtaek—how come we can't subscribe to The Times?"
Pride swelled in their hearts from delivering the scoop ahead of everyone else, and watching The Times grow so rapidly only fueled it. The reporters were run off their feet, but their faces bloomed with smiles.
As the frenzy briefly died down, they set down their receivers with sighs of relief. Kim the reporter chimed in.
"I must've taken over 100 calls today. My throat's shot."
"Same here, sunbae. I've been on the phone nonstop—haven't written a single line."
"This is all thanks to the president, right? When else would we live like this? Isn't he amazing?"
"Of course. I don't think I could've made that call even if the situation repeated itself."
Park the reporter set down his papers and voiced his curiosity with a sly grin. "Sunbae, I've got one question—mind if I ask?"
"Feels like you're reading my mind."
"Have you ever seen the president's face? Even just his back?"
"Come on, you know we can't talk about that here. Nobody's seen him except the boss."
"What really gets me is we're on the 14th floor. He's on the 15th."
Kim nodded and continued. "Yeah, you'd think we'd bump into him at least once coming and going."
"That's exactly it, sunbae."
"Nobody's seen him. It's weird, right?"
"Does he even exist? It's not like he's a ghost—how do we never cross paths?"
Everything Min-ho had predicted had come true. And with one jaw-dropping result after another, their curiosity was only natural. The reporters' innate nosiness was starting to stir.
There was a strict rule against going up to the 15th floor, but it wasn't enough to stifle their intrigue. In the end, a few couldn't hold back and exchanged knowing glances. They crept toward the stairs to the 15th, stealing looks at the boss's office.
"Sunbae, what if we get caught?"
"We'll just peek from half a flight up. Ugh, you're such a chicken—I'll go myself."
As they debated, Jo Dong-uk emerged from the boss's office with a report, spotting the scene.
"Everyone, stop! What the hell are you doing there?"
They'd barely climbed one step, and their plan shattered. The reporters jolted and scrambled down.
"Boss, does the president really exist?"
"You ignore the articles you're supposed to write and swallow a whole bottle of ink? What kind of nonsense is this?"
"Isn't 80% of The Times' growth thanks to him?"
"If you don't know that, you're a spy. But why are you snooping around here?"
"We're just curious if he exists."
Jo let out a disbelieving chuckle at the absurd answer.
"You wanna see his face that bad?"
"Yes, boss. We're reporters, so we can't help it..."
Jo Dong-uk rolled up his report and lightly tapped the junior reporters' heads. He climbed the stairs to the 15th and warned them.
"The second you step foot on these stairs, you're all fired. Got it?"
"We know, but... it's keeping us up at night."
"Want me to work you till you're too tired to care? You'll find out when the time comes. Deadlines are looming—get back to work."
The reporters checked the time and spun around.
"Already 1 PM? What now?"
"Boss, we'll head out."
After sorting the minor commotion, Jo smiled and ascended to the 15th. "Reporters gonna reporter..."
He locked eyes with Min-ho passing in the hallway.
"Something good happen? You look extra cheerful today."
"Subscription calls are so overwhelming, no one's writing articles."
"It was noisy downstairs, huh?"
A bit embarrassed, Jo scratched his head. "Well... the staff's curious about whether the president exists."
"So they were protesting at the stairs?"
"Pretty much. Reporters can't stand not knowing."
Amused by the cute incident, Min-ho burst out laughing. "What's there to be curious about? It's not like seeing my face scoops a story."
"I'd call it awe. He turns the impossible into reality every time. I'd be curious too."
"The special edition was a lot of work, right?"
"They're pros at crashing—they'll manage with a kick in the pants. Don't worry."
"Nothing major today, so treat them to beef. Bonus for everyone, same amount regardless of rank."
Stunned by the windfall, Jo's eyes widened. "You're serious?"
"Of course. They came in at dawn like squid fishermen—least we can do."
"I'm shameless enough to take it without refusing."
"Let's hash out details in the conference room."
"Yes, sir."
***
Athena conference room.
Despite his long business trip, Athena's staff had followed Min-ho's orders seamlessly—no gaps. In return, Min-ho rewarded them with department bonuses and a lavish company dinner.
"Great work, everyone. I worried problems might crop up without me, but it was all for nothing. No time, so let's start with Section Chief Cheon."
"Yes, sir."
"Daegwang Industrial investment's on track per the report. Anything else?"
"We started buying the next day as you said. Returns are just over double now."
Min-ho had chosen the Daegwang investment to secure funds for his next plan. For him, who knew the outcome, it was a breeze. In just 40 days, it had doubled.
Still unsatisfied, Min-ho said, "We put in 60 billion, got 120 billion... Let's watch a bit more."
Cheon, thinking it sufficient, was floored. "Any target for selling?"
"Start at 200,000 won for Daegwang."
"Pardon? Average buy-in's around 50,000—that's quadruple. You really see it hitting that?"
"Unless something weird happens. Watch steadily."
"Got it."
Min-ho set aside Jo's report and continued. "We covered specifics in the hall—let's confirm a few big-picture items."
"Yes, the presidential candidate probe continues."
"No need. I'll back Kim Dong-il of the Grand Republic Party—he'll win."
His confidence in picking the winner was staggering. But it was Min-ho.
"You've... decided?"
"Yes. Meeting Kim soon. You know what to do with the Patriots' Party, right?"
"Of course—no worries."
"Better to commit to a clear path than hedge. Do it."
"Understood."
Choi glanced at his watch and approached. "Your appointment with the chairman's soon. Time to head out."
Min-ho nodded, clapped, and said, "Key briefings done. Keep at it—I'll be out briefly. Great work."
Min-ho hopped in the car straight to JK Group Headquarters, where Chairman Kang awaited.
Usually chatty, Choi was unusually tight-lipped today, eyes glued to the rearview mirror.
"You're quiet, tense, staring at the mirror—what's up?"
Deep in focus, Choi barely registered. At a stoplight, Min-ho tapped his forehead. "Lawyer, you okay?"
"Ah... nothing. What'd you say? I missed it."
Min-ho knew exactly what was off. Glancing at the side mirror, he said, "That, right?"
"It's been lurking nearby since yesterday. Not sure if I'm paranoid or it's coincidence."
"We're being tailed."
"What? You knew? Who?"
"No clue. I've racked my brain—nothing rings a bell."
"Namdo Group maybe?"
"Can't say yet. Definitely not a PI firm."
"Why?"
Min-ho smirked, eyes on the tail. "No pro tails that sloppily."
"I'll hop out and grab them now."
"Stuck in traffic? No evidence, and they'll deny it. Let 'em follow to HQ parking—then we nab 'em."
"I've been watching—sunglasses hide the face."
"Drag 'em into the tiger's den, we'll see. Outdoor lot."
"Yes, sir."
***
JK Group chairman's office.
Thanks to Min-ho's flawless plan, Chairman Kang's spirits stayed sky-high—nothing could bring him down. The image of JK Group and Chairman Kang Jin-gwang himself couldn't be better. Proving it, the press showered him with interview requests. His days blurred from one to the next.
Back in his office after an interview, he lit a cigarette and exhaled.
"Afternoon interview's at 3, sir. Postpone if you're tired."
"I'm fine. Same old lines get repetitive, but when else do I get this attention? Strike while the iron's hot, right?"
"Yes, sir."
Checking the clock, Chairman Kang asked, "When's Min-ho coming again?"
"On time, per his call. Should be here soon."
"Heart's racing just thinking about the boy... Can't sit still."
Waiting eagerly, he stood, hands behind his back, staring out the window. "Straight down the avenue from that intersection—he should be visible now... There! Sang-oh, that looks like his car—check."
"It's the young master's, sir."
Smiling contentedly at the car, Chairman Kang contrasted sharply with Moon Sang-oh's piercing gaze fixed a car-length behind.
Unfamiliar car... glued since the intersection...
Same destination might explain it once, but not repeatedly. No coincidence at crossroads or boulevards—a sedan shadowed Min-ho's like a tail. It even followed into Group HQ parking.
All JK vehicles were identical models for non-execs, numbers known. The tail was suspicious.
Suspicion without proof. Couldn't tell the chairman yet.
Moon quietly said, "Sir, quick trip to the secretariat."
"Something up?"
"One more interview—time slipped my mind. Checking."
"Forgetting amid all that would be weirder. Take your time."
"Yes, sir."
To track the car, Moon headed straight for the secretariat.