Stratagems
***
JK Credit Info Rooftop
Standing alone on the deserted rooftop, Director Seo Gwang-hun checked the time with an anxious expression. Unlike his usual composed self, he paced the same spot with his hands clasped behind his back.
His mind was a whirlwind of complicated thoughts. At first, he'd planned to simply demonstrate his loyalty to President Kang Myeong-seon and secure his executive position for the long haul. But the tailing mission had yielded unexpectedly massive results, and he no longer bothered denying the creeping ambition rising within him.
If he could expose Kang Min-ho as Athena's true owner through this, it wouldn't end with mere survival. He was already fantasizing about climbing to the vice president spot, whose term ended next month.
'Park should be here by now...'
His fate now rested entirely in the hands of employee Park Dong-min.
A few minutes later, the rooftop door creaked open, and the awaited Park appeared.
Seo greeted him with a beaming smile. "Aigoo, there you are, our Park!"
"Good day, Director."
"Everyone says our Dong-min's so polite—when it's just us, think of me as your uncle and skip the formalities."
"No, Director."
Seo was meticulous. This operation required ongoing reports from Park, but summoning him to his office repeatedly risked unwanted rumors. So he'd snuck him up here while everyone else was buried in work.
After the perfunctory greetings, he cut straight to the chase. "So, how'd it go yesterday? Get those photos?"
"I took them all and brought them."
"That's my Dong-min! Let's see 'em."
"Here are the photos."
"Good work... uh..."
Staring at the photos of Min-ho now in his hands, Seo's eyes widened. He rubbed them and looked again, but the unbelievable images didn't change.
'No way... this can't be...'
He tried denying reality, but that wouldn't alter what was captured.
What had Min-ho done to shock Seo like this?
Kang Min-ho had always been a wastrel from the start. He lived for nightly debauchery. Despite his royal family status, he had zero interest in management. No plans, no goals—just blowing money wildly, drowning in booze. Drunk driving, assaults; he never stopped causing scandals. His father, Kang Du-seon, had essentially disowned him by forcing a family split.
Seo knew all about Min-ho's past. Yet the photos from Park showed Min-ho utterly wasted.
It was Min-ho's ploy to sow confusion. He'd simply visited bars by time of day and staged convincing shots.
Like a bolt from the blue, Seo was utterly bewildered. "Park... these photos... something wrong with them? This can't be... him..."
The clear evidence stared him in the face. Struggling to accept it, he pressed on.
Park Dong-min calmly recalled Min-ho's instructions and replied. "Assistant Manager Lee Min-ho left home late and just kept drinking. He was in Apgujeong-dong until dawn yesterday too."
"Good lord... until what time?"
"Last I checked was 4 a.m."
Blissfully unaware he'd been played, Seo sighed in dismay and asked again. "If these are right, he started boozing at midday and went till sunrise... What time did he wake up yesterday?"
"Around 1 p.m., he went out to buy smokes at the convenience store."
"But he'd quit smoking... Damned if I know what's going on. Good work anyway. Snap pics like this every day if you can."
As Seo turned to leave, Park tossed out the question Min-ho had scripted. "Yes, and... Director, I have something to ask you."
"What? Make it quick—I'm busy."
"Well... I'm short on my mom's hospital bills, so could I get an advance on the money you promised...?"
Already irritated, the money talk set him off. "You screw up the job like this and now want cash?"
"With all due respect, I think I carried out your orders faithfully."
"Talking back like that? When I was a first-year like you, I wouldn't dare speak to an exec—got it?"
"I'm sorry. But the bill's due next week..."
Seo glared at Park with contempt, then pulled out his wallet and tossed three 10,000-won bills like scraps. "Use this for now. We'll talk money later. Head down in five—no drawing eyes."
Seo shut the rooftop door behind him. Park stared at his back, eyes burning with rage.
He headed straight to the president's office and handed the photos to Kang Myeong-seon. "President, here's the young master's movements for the past two days."
"As expected from our Director Seo—bringing photos too. You always know how to move me."
"First... the photos..."
Myeong-seon's bright smile faded fast. Her face hardened the moment she glanced at them.
Utterly contrary to expectations: Min-ho pounding drinks all day.
"What the hell is all this?"
"I don't know exactly either. Sorry."
"He was fine, then suddenly this? You expect me to buy it?"
"My apologies, but... it's clear evidence. Can't deny it."
She'd hoped for insights into Min-ho's moves and schemes, but got booze-soaked pics instead.
Myeong-seon flung the photos into the air and exploded. "Director Seo! You toying with me right now?"
"I... President..."
"I told you to find out what Min-ho's up to, his schemes—not snap him drunk!"
"No, it's just... these past few days, he's only been drinking. Delicately put, maybe his old habits are resurfacing."
Chairman Kang hated seeing Min-ho drunk most of all. If true, Min-ho couldn't set foot in the chairman's office.
The photos scattered on the floor were ironclad proof. Even she couldn't refute it.
As Min-ho planned, her confusion deepened. She racked her brain for scenarios, but nothing fit.
"You know Dad hates Min-ho acting like this most."
"He even banned him from group events over it—didn't approve at all."
"But that sly fox knows it full well and pulls this? Makes zero sense."
"I can't figure that part either."
Frustrated, Myeong-seon downed her coffee and lit a cigarette. After pondering, she spoke. "Think... he noticed the tail? Min-ho might even turn it against us."
No matter how she thrashed, it was all in Min-ho's palm. He'd anticipated her exact reaction.
Seo scooped up the photos and explained urgently. "We switch rental cars daily. Never let him spot us from the vehicle—zero chance."
"True, we're at a distance, and these are car shots..."
"The kid? He lie, it'd show."
"I've been senior VP for over ten years, trained hundreds of rookies yearly. I read newbies' faces like books."
"No issues, then?"
"None. Mom's bills on the line, and he's got no guts anyway."
"Fine. Keep the tail on."
"Yes, ma'am."
Meanwhile, Park Dong-min reached a payphone far from the office. He fished out coins and called Min-ho right away.
"Assistant Manager Lee Min-ho, sir—it's Park Dong-min."
"Your voice sounds chipper—you nailed it like I said. How'd they react?"
"Panicked, just as you predicted."
"You bring up the money?"
"Yes, gave me 30,000 won and said talk later."
Min-ho chuckled at the petty predictability. "Spot on. Need more details?"
"No, sir. Crystal clear now."
"Keep feeding reports like that. Call anytime for anything odd."
"Understood."
***
Plunging Myeong-seon into chaos was just the opening shot. To launch the real plan, Min-ho headed to Sangmyeong Bank's Myeong-dong branch with Lawyer Choi.
"Hard to snag a meet with Gwak Hee-do on a day's notice—how'd you pull it off?"
"Old school senior, personal ties—piece of cake."
"Was getting dicey if delayed. Thanks to you, smooth sailing. No traffic either."
At the wheel, Choi's mind raced. Min-ho's target was clearly Myeong-seon. Share acquisition could've cornered her, but he'd pulled the wild card: Branch Manager Gwak Hee-do.
Whatever angle, he couldn't fathom Min-ho's intent. After agonizing, Choi ventured, "Young master, I'm a bit confused by this."
"No twenty questions. Just ask."
"You're juggling two plans: election funds and President Kang Myeong-seon."
"Funds need time; aunt's next. But why meet Gwak Hee-do, right?"
"Yes. Wondering if you're skipping the JK Credit Info shares."
Min-ho grinned and explained. "Know what Gwak Hee-do's famous for?"
"Tops deposits at every branch—called the Hand of God. Three months ago, posted to Sangmyeong's biggest, Myeong-dong."
"Ever hear how much cash he moves?"
"Myeong-dong branch? Hundreds of billions, I'd guess."
"Rumors say up to 200 billion in CDs (Negotiable Certificates of Deposit) alone."
Sangmyeong Bank, top tier, in usury central Myeong-dong—even with MSG, the scale was undeniable.
"Investing in CDs?"
"Think I'd sink cash into paper scraps?"
A thought flashed through Choi's mind. "Don't tell me—you're pitching it to President Kang Myeong-seon?"
"Bingo. What's next?"
"Funds locked minimum 90 days—even if we snag JK Credit Info shares, she's helpless."
Min-ho nodded. "No need for big bucks. Empty the pantry, and raiding an empty house is easy."
The plan was solid, but hinged on Myeong-seon biting. Choi raised the catch. "What if she passes on investing?"
"Mice hit traps from greed. Bait a tempting one, they walk in. Details inside."
"Got it. This way, please."
Gwak Hee-do, who filled a page in Korea's economic underbelly. Min-ho pushed open Sangmyeong Bank's door to meet him.