Chapter 151: Stratagem - The JK Card Leverage
Kang Min-ho's next plan wasn't acquiring Gi-yeong Motors but exploiting JK Card. Pair that with a 21st-century installment system backed by Chairman Kang's financial muscle, and they could monopolize a market worth trillions of won.
Of course, this scheme needed Chairman Kang's blessing. No matter how favored the grandson, any hint of recklessness could provoke his grandfather's ire.
Anyone else might have fretted over the chairman's mood first, but that wasn't on Min-ho's radar. Every step was already mapped out in his mind. Clutching his clever ploy, he headed for Soseonjae.
Lawyer Choi gripped the wheel, his face etched with worry. Min-ho glanced over with a smile and broke the ice.
"A stranger would think you were shouldering the world's burdens. What's eating at you?"
He knew hiding it was futile. Choi let out a ground-shaking sigh before replying.
"I believe we need to secure the funds first. One slip, and we could incur the chairman's wrath."
"The order's backwards? That it?"
"A modest sum might get a laugh, but this calls for billions at minimum. No need to court danger."
"You'll find out soon enough. Or not—doesn't matter."
This wasn't a gamble on bravado alone. Choi pressed earnestly once more, his face grave.
"Young master, no matter how I turn it over, the sequence feels off. Why not rethink it?"
"It's all calculated. No worries."
"You sure it's fine?"
"If it was doomed, I wouldn't have started. Relax—give the contract another once-over when we get there."
"Understood."
They pulled up to Soseonjae amid the back-and-forth.
Moon Sang-oh, the butler who'd arrived early, swung open the car door with a greeting.
"Welcome. Hard journey—well done."
Min-ho stepped out, scanning the surroundings.
"Early arrival, perimeter locked down tight. Good work."
"Just duty."
Moon was as in the dark about Min-ho's plan as anyone.
"I've pondered deeply, but I haven't a clue what you'll propose."
"Short version: Use JK Card to sell Gi-yeong Motors vehicles."
"Wouldn't partnering with Daeyeon Motors—higher market share—make more sense?"
"I'll snag the small fry; the big one's a gift for Grandfather."
"Not sure I follow."
"You'll catch on. President Sang Du-hong here yet?"
Sharp heels clicked right on cue.
A woman in flashy patterned attire appeared.
"President Sang Du-hong... won't show till the dot. Never early unless it's prime real estate."
Soseonjae sat near downtown, easy to secure—magnet for politico-business heavyweights. Inevitable in any modern history chat, brimming with secrets as deep as time.
Gu Eun-chae, third-gen boss after grandma and mom, made her entrance.
"Oh, our young master—haven't seen you in ages, and you're even hunkier?"
Moon's displeasure flashed instantly.
"I requested you avoid that term. Forgotten?"
She grinned, slippery as an eel.
"No one's around—testing it out. Vice Chairman Moon, you're too intense."
"Not a request."
"Fine, chill. Min-ho, anyway—long time."
Unlike her usual style, she offered a handshake.
Min-ho clasped it.
"Sun rising west? What brings you out here?"
"Gotta have business? Just wanted your face."
"Sang Du-hong running late?"
"I'm no rookie... known him since manager days."
"Long as he's punctual. Thanks for the cooperation, always."
She flashed a seductive eye-smile.
"I'm the thankful one. Close shop for you solo, sales double."
"Need more? Speak up."
"Plenty to seal lips. This way."
Staff bowed heads as they passed the antique door.
"They're solid. Faces obscured precautionary—no leaks. Your usual spot ready."
Min-ho and Moon settled in.
Gu lowered her voice cautiously.
"Min-ho, any special ops today?"
"Small fish take cheap bait."
"Fair... Sang's no lightweight. Word when he lands. Enjoy."
She shut the door and barked orders outside.
"No booze, food mild—no spice. Sang due."
-Yes, President. Got it.
A familiar engine rumble filled the hushed Soseonjae. Mundane to most ears, but to Gu's razor-sharp senses, a signature stamp.
"Sang Du-hong—does early arrival give him hives? More I see, more baffling..."
She swung open the door, beaming.
"President! Ages!"
Beauty outgunned any weapon. Sang, tyrant to staff, melted into grins.
"Aigoo, President Gu! Missed ya—somehow prettier?"
"Pretty's my default. Folks waiting inside."
"On it! Hold up."
Popped the trunk, thrust a shopping bag her way.
"Gave driver the day, drove myself for this. Hope it clicks—peek."
She barely glanced, tone icy.
"Think cheap trinkets snag rich women? Married man?"
"No... pure gesture. Please."
"Irresistible with cash? I'll bite. Dawdle and you're late. In."
***
The door to Min-ho and Moon's room parted as Gu Eun-chae entered.
"Gi-yeong Motors President Sang Du-hong has arrived."
He lumbered in with haughty strides.
Eyes met Moon's; he proffered a handshake.
"Vice Chairman Moon! Long time—thrilled."
"Grateful for your time amid busyness."
"For you? Mandatory."
His gaze hit Min-ho—youth screamed staffer.
"Kang Min-ho."
"Yeah, hey."
Perfunctory nod unlike Moon's; he plopped down. Smarting from rejection, he chugged water before speaking.
"Vice Chairman, I'm in hell lately."
"Trouble?"
"You know—pumping out cars, no buyers. Bolt upright nights, sweating."
"Cut production?"
"Chairman decreed full steam... scraped by till now, but outlets dried up."
Moon smiled faintly.
"Requested this meet to fix that headache."
"Deeply grateful. Racked brain en route—no inkling."
Sang's "thinking" fixated on Gu's face, not strategy. Still, curiosity won; he dove in.
"Speaking of... how's Chairman Kang Jin-gwang's directive..."
Suddenly clocked Min-ho, clammed up.
"Apologies—sensitive chat, no staff. Bear with."
"Perfectly get it."
"Mind stepping out..."
"Certainly."
Sang pegged Min-ho as Moon's aide—expected him to bounce.
Reverse. Moon rose instead.
Didn't skip the barb laced with thorns.
"Staff no-go for weighty words. Converse freely."
He'd just booted Moon. Second blunder: blind to Min-ho's identity.
No face in memory, fair enough. But that limp handshake looped endlessly.
Who... chief secretary? Nah... affiliate prez? Too damn young...
Eyes bulged at Min-ho—no guess.
One sure thing: if Moon stood, no ordinary joe.
Cold sweat trickled his spine.
Flustered Sang shot up, clutched Moon's arm.
"Vice Chairman! What gives? Who's he that you..."
Min-ho knew Sang's breed—banked on this chaos. Kept ID under wraps, gauging reaction for leverage. Foe rattled? Table tilts your way. Textbook play.
Extended hand to stunned Sang.
"Chairman Kang Jin-gwang's grandson, Kang Min-ho."
Sang knew crossing Kang spelled doom via whispers. Had to salvage.
Clutched Min-ho's hand two-fisted, bowed forehead-near-ground.
"First-meet rudeness—forgive. Gi-yeong Motors President Sang Du-hong."
Min-ho nodded, sat; Moon followed.
"Easy—no trivia to Chairman."
"Yes, much obliged."
"Heard Gi-yeong's inventory plaguing you."
Mopped brow sweat, exhaled relief.
"Top brass screams 'sell,' but cars ain't pocket change. Damned if I do, damned if not."
"Hence the proposal."
"Yes—cooperate to the hilt."
Min-ho slid prepped contract and docs over.
"Speaking as JK Card president, not Chairman's kin. Sign, woes vanish."