Blessing in Disguise
***
Credit Info President's Office.
Unlike regular employees, executives served at the whim of a flickering candle in the wind. Their heads could roll with a single word from the president. The title of director came with the weight of a brick on one's shoulders. To enjoy the enviable salary, chauffeured car, and array of perks for long, one had to rub their hands like flies around the boss.
Seo Gwang-hun, the director who had joined the credit team under Kang Min-ho and risen to executive through his unbelievable debt-collection skills by playing both sides. Oblivious to the field chaos, he strode confidently into the president's office with his report in hand.
'This should make the president thrilled. My executive position is paved in gold for sure...'
A rosy future painted itself in his mind, and a smile crept onto his lips. He barely suppressed it and knocked lightly on the door.
"Director Seo Gwang-hun here."
"Come in."
He bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the floor, then took a seat. Kang Myeong-seon stared straight at him and said,
"You look pleased as punch on your first day."
"I landed a bigger fish than expected."
"What was the collector's name again?"
"Credit team employee Park Dong-min."
"I saw him in the hallway once before. He seemed a bit... dim? Lacking smarts, you know? But apparently, he gets the job done tight."
"If we'd hired a detective agency instead, the sharp young master might've sniffed it out. Sending a bumbling employee worked in reverse, and with debt collection as a solid cover, I see no issues."
"Alright, how'd the first day go?"
He sipped the coffee on the table and began his report.
"First, he went to Yeouido, to the The Times building, then back home."
Kang Myeong-seon furrowed her brow. "That's it?"
"Yes, President."
The thrill of "big fish" faded fast. What he'd brought was a dried baby pollack at best. She let out a long sigh of disappointment, irritation revving up.
"Director Seo, you messing with me? Do I look that idle? Think Min-ho's gonna wander and end up homeless?"
Normally, he'd be squirming, but today Seo Gwang-hun brimmed with leisure. He replied with a knowing smile.
"The key is the young master entering The Times building, not just heading home. Why do you suppose he went there?"
"Obviously, our affiliate Se-min Newspaper has business ties there. Dad must've given him something."
"As you know, the young master isn't that straightforward. We always have to twist it two or three times."
Kang Myeong-seon tilted her head. "You're lost at the highway entrance today. Cut the spin—hit the gas."
"Do you know who owns The Times?"
"Think I'd miss that? Athena. It's been in the papers plenty."
Seo pulled more documents from his inner pocket and handed them over.
"The young master is technically under JK Credit Info, but dispatched on paper, right?"
"Practically quit, but on paper, yeah—because Min-ho wanted it that way."
"That's why I checked a few things."
She waved him off with a hollow laugh. "Come on, Director, that's stretching it."
"Athena's founding date lines up eerily with the dispatch request. Coincidence?"
Her smile vanished. She pored over the documents again. Athena was making unbelievable moves. Its president never showed his face, yet it had poached key players like Executive Director Yang Sang-pil. Its affiliate Athena Distribution was building massive marts across Seoul, and it owned The Times, which sold out every morning.
Myeong-seon knew of Athena, so she resisted the idea that Min-ho was the real owner.
She exhaled a long plume of cigarette smoke, eyes like a bird of prey fixed on the papers.
"So... you're saying Min-ho is the real owner of Athena, which owns The Times?"
"That's the current assessment."
"I'm his aunt. I know he's been sharp since kid days. But scaling this? Takes more than pocket change, right?"
"Marts to newspapers—hundreds of billions minimum."
"Min-ho owns all this? Director, that's nonsense!"
As if expecting her reaction, Seo produced more documents.
"What about this?"
Eyeing Athena's registry, her eyes widened at Seo.
"Choi Jong-hoon? Our lawyer Choi? That Choi Jong-hoon?"
"Yes. One major shareholder must register under real name at incorporation."
"Couldn't put Min-ho, so Choi as front, rest ghost-filled?"
"Highly likely."
It fit Min-ho, but circumstantial. Denying it looked suspicious too. Scratching her head, Myeong-seon replied,
"Then... Dad meeting Min-ho often, sudden Se-min acquisition... Yeah, it lines up if Min-ho's the shadow boss."
They edged closer to Min-ho's truth.
Seo nodded. "Only a day in. Too early for conclusions. I'll keep tails on till solid proof."
"Be careful. If this blows, Dad might yank my hair out."
"No worries. I'll handle clean."
"Min-ho's no pushover. Watch close, report daily—every tiny detail."
"Got it. I'll prepare a big gift."
***
JK Group Chairman's Office.
Kang Jin-gwang's body aged, but his keen mind shone undimmed. Moon Sang-oh had left with an unconvincing excuse. Min-ho overdue past appointment. Sensing trouble, the chairman lifted the receiver.
Secretary General Jeong Dong-gyun snapped to attention like a raw recruit. "Yes, Chairman! Secretary General Jeong Dong-gyun."
"Did Sang-oh go your way?"
"Yes, Executive Director Moon stopped by briefly."
"What orders?"
"Blocked vehicle passage, nothing else."
"Blocked vehicles?"
"Unclear. Grabbed screwdriver and hammer from the toolbox and bolted out."
Moon had left to check the schedule. This made no sense.
"Hammer? Why?"
"No word. I'll check now."
Alarm bells rang for Kang Jin-gwang. Receiver in hand, he moved to the window, eyes on Min-ho's car. Inside: Min-ho, Moon, Choi the lawyer chatting. And one unknown man in back.
"No need to fuss. Lift the vehicle block."
"Understood, Chairman."
"Got binoculars?"
"Yes, three on hand."
"Bring those and full list of hires in last year."
"Yes."
Soon, secretaries entered with binoculars and roster.
"Good work. Out."
"Yes, Chairman."
The chairman had noted the car tailing Min-ho's closely. Hoped not surveillance, but it screamed tail. Who dared? He pondered the past.
Prime suspect: eldest son Du-seong. Recently, he'd stormed in, grabbed Moon's collar, spewed fury. Reason obvious. But Du-seong suspected Moon, not Min-ho. No motive to risk tailing Min-ho.
Someone else. Chairman scanned parking lot through binoculars. Tailing car's driver window shattered.
Then Min-ho's car. Studied the back-seat man closely. Checked new hires.
"Big clown face, slanted eyes, short hair... Familiar face..."
Flipped pages. Found Park employee.
"Credit Info credit team... Myeong-seon tailed him?"
Tailing Min-ho threatened JK Group—and the chairman. Normally rage-inducing, yet he smirked faintly.
"Greedy Myeong-seon drew first blade... Now, let's see how our Min-ho counters."
To claim the throne, Min-ho must conquer four peaks. This clash inevitable. Chairman saw opportunity.
If Min-ho wilted to Myeong-seon or forgave softly, throne unworthy. What did he expect? Brutal revenge on aunt? Mercy? Method irrelevant. He wanted Myeong-seon humbled.
To grasp JK Group demanded such ruthlessness and judgment.
The trio finished talking and entered. Chairman stowed binoculars, feigned ignorance, greeted warmly.
"You rascal, so late? Gramps near died waiting."
"Stomach ache—quick bathroom break."
"Lunch bad?"
"Food fine, but that ice cream felt off."
"Even summer, watch cold stuff."
"Yes, Grandpa. Will do."
Curious about Min-ho's thoughts today, but he didn't pry. Eager for his masterstroke against Myeong-seon.
Bigger: election neared. Funding decision time. Straight to point.
"Saw polls?"
"Yes, slight lead, but no sure win."
"Picked one, so fund him. No clue on amount—called you."
"One-on-one with Grand National Party's Kim Dong-il when?"
"Day after tomorrow, Samcheong-dong."
"Two days... Plenty for funds."
Chairman eyed him expectantly.
"So, grandson, what's your number?"
Min-ho smiled slyly. "Prepare fifteen cars."
Fifteen for a 차떼기 bribe fleet? Massive scale. Unprecedented.
Min-ho said casually. Far beyond prior. Even the great chairman hadn't dreamed it. Shocked, he dropped his coffee cup.
Moon dabbed the spill with a handkerchief. Chairman raised a hand to stop him, eyes on Min-ho.
"Fifteen cars? How much we talking?"
"Five hundred billion. Minimum for profit. Let me explain step by step."