Poisonous Mushroom
At the very moment Kang Min-ho was heading to Soseonjae, Kang Du-seong was barreling toward Pocheon, his face twisted in a furious scowl. His mind was every bit as tangled as his expression.
How the hell did Min-ho... How did he become Athena's president? With what money? A-Mart, Yang Sang-pil, even Jong-hoon... This is impossible.
As his father's summons grew rarer, Du-seong recalled how he'd stormed into Seongbuk-dong and grabbed Moon Sang-oh by the collar. If he assumed Min-ho was now at his father's side, it would explain his current predicament.
Is Father seriously grooming Min-ho as heir? No, that's impossible. Even if he is, I can't just sit idly by.
He needed facts. He couldn't make any rash decisions. Seo Gwang-hun was the only one who could testify to everything. Pushing aside his other duties, Du-seong arrived at the Pocheon Factory to hear it straight from him.
The unfocused eyes of the workers, the fawning factory manager Ham, the swirling dust—Du-seong despised this hellhole that was little better than a mine. But now wasn't the time for such complaints. Ignoring the clouds of dirt kicking up, he stepped out of the car.
Cranning his neck, he urgently scanned for Seo Gwang-hun.
At Du-seong's unexpected arrival, Manager Ham rushed out to greet him.
“Oh my! Vice Chairman, what brings you here?”
Nothing about this place pleased him. Glaring down without a word, Du-seong snapped, “Is Executive Director Seo definitely here?”
Sensing the ominous mood, Ham quickly replied, “Yes? Y-yes... He is.”
“How long has he been here?”
“Well... Since last time... It's already been a few months.”
“Why didn't you report it to me?”
There was no real obligation to report Pocheon matters to Du-seong. But the thoroughly subservient Ham couldn't argue the point.
“I... Vice Chairman, the truth is...”
The group's core was moving at a frantic pace, and Du-seong knew nothing of it. He felt disgust—contempt, really.
Unhappy with the vague answer, he roared like a raging bear. “Why! Seo is here, and you didn't tell me a damn thing!”
Ham couldn't even meet his eyes, bowing his head hastily. “It was the Chairman's order.”
“Not to tell anyone?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
Ham had done nothing wrong. Emotional outbursts wouldn't help. Du-seong let out a long sigh to calm himself, then headed straight for the workshop.
“I'll bring him to you.”
“Tend to your work.”
“Understood. Executive Director Seo's workshop is to the right.”
He wasn't one to walk himself. At the workshop entrance, he bellowed, “Seo Gwang-hun! Executive Director Seo! Where are you? Seo Gwang-hun!”
Under Min-ho's orders, Seo Gwang-hun had been stuck with the harshest tasks. He'd grown even gaunter in days, his work clothes caked in grime. He hurried out in his overalls. He didn't force a smile, but inside, he was thrilled.
If even the Vice Chairman is looking for me... Things must be going smoothly. Maybe I can get out sooner than I thought.
He bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the ground. “Vice Chairman, what brings you all the way here?”
“You think I came here just to check on you?”
“I'm sorry.”
“Just one question... Beom-seong told me something unbelievable. Is every word of it true?”
Beom-seong was somewhat sidelined in the succession race, but Du-seong was the frontrunner. Cooperate well, and escape would be a matter of time. Seo, scheming like a rat to slip out, flashed a sleazy grin.
“It's true...”
No sooner had he spoken than Du-seong slapped his right cheek with full force. Seo's glasses flew to the ground, blood trickling from his nose bridge.
“Vi... Vice Chairman...”
“You don't even know what you did wrong, and you're grinning like an idiot?”
“I'm sorry. It wasn't because I'm happy—it's just been so long since I've seen you...”
“Too many eyes here. Move to the back.”
“Yes...”
Seo picked up his cracked glasses and put them on, then followed Du-seong with hunched shoulders.
Unable to contain his rage, Du-seong sighed. “Wagging your tail for Myeong-seon, and now you confess... You want to live that badly?”
“May I speak frankly?”
Du-seong nodded, and Seo replied at once. “If I can just get out of here, I'll do anything.”
“Myeong-seon's done for, so you're betting on regime change to get out as a founding merit?”
“Yes.”
Du-seong let out an incredulous chuckle, exhaling cigarette smoke. “Your lifeline rotted, so you're grabbing another?”
“The phrasing is harsh, but President Kang Myeong-seon is...”
“Enough. Tell me everything you know, without missing a single detail. Hide anything...”
His gaze flicked to the sharp tools nearby. No further explanation needed.
“Yes... Of course... I'll tell you everything I know.”
His only path to survival was his three-inch tongue. To curry favor, Seo spilled every last detail.
“So, in summary, Min-ho's been influencing the Chairman's decisions all this time. That's it?”
“Yes.”
“And Myeong-seon's situation?”
“Meeting her now would be dangerous. She's likely stationed secretaries to avoid contact with key figures and the press.”
“Then put some people on it.”
Gauging the mood, Seo spoke up. “If I may... Perhaps reconsider tailing Young Master Min-ho.”
“Dangerous?”
“Yes. That's what got me into this mess. Best to be cautious.”
Father, Moon the butler, even Lawyer Choi—all lips sealed tight. He wanted to flip everything upside down, but he knew better than anyone that emotional moves led to disaster. Worse, he couldn't even guess who knew what.
“Anyway, you're saying Athena's president—the one behind A-Mart—is Min-ho?”
“From Athena's movements, I'm almost certain it's Young Master Min-ho.”
“A-Mart... The Times... Yang Sang-pil, Lawyer Choi...”
If this testimony held, Min-ho had become a force beyond his control. Even with his poor feelings toward his son, Du-seong—who knew him well—couldn't easily accept it. Better to verify facts first, then act. Haste bred mistakes.
Du-seong pulled all the cash from his wallet and handed it to Seo. “Take it.”
“Pardon? Why give me so much all of a sudden...”
“From now on, don't breathe a word of this to anyone but me. Not even Myeong-seon. Got it?”
“Understood.”
Du-seong patted Seo's cheek with his thick palm, then climbed into his car and headed back to Seoul, dialing someone. “Chief Jeong. Long time—let's grab lunch.”
***
Soseonjae.
Lawyer Choi asked Min-ho, who'd abruptly changed destinations. “Any schedule I don't know about?”
“Do you only visit a mill for business? You drop by now and then.”
“Is it President Gu?”
“Can't fool you anymore, huh? Yeah. She said it's important, wants to meet briefly.”
Yang Sang-pil, who'd been listening quietly, chimed in. “President, forgive me—may I offer an opinion?”
“Always welcome.”
“President Gu Eun-chae has deep ties to power brokers in politics and business. In Yeouido, they call her the poisonous mushroom.”
“Pretty and flashy, but deadly... Whoever coined it nailed it.”
“Unpredictable—what she's thinking, where she'll bolt next. I think it's best to avoid private contact if possible.”
Min-ho saw it differently. Gu Eun-chae was where all intel converged. Even poison could be an asset if wielded right.
“I'll hear her out and decide. Don't worry—I won't let looks cloud my judgment. Older women aren't my type anyway.”
“Understood. Flag anything suspicious.”
“Oh, and President Yang—head straight to the hospital after dropping me. No skimping on tests. Eat well for a week.”
“Thank you.”
Min-ho's car pulled up to Soseonjae. Gu Eun-chae came out to greet them, waving with a bright smile. “Oh my, all these famous faces? President Yang—long time no see!”
Yang, wary of her, gave only a slight nod, avoiding talk.
“Lawyer Choi, Min-ho and I will talk here. My staff will take you—go on ahead.”
Irked by her high-handedness, Min-ho replied, “We're not here for a long private chat.”
“Today's different. Pretty please? How's this?”
Her beaming smile hid her intent, but something was up. Sparing time wasn't hard for him. After getting out, he told the two, “Drop President Yang on the way, review contracts at the office.”
“Young master, no taxis—Chairman ordered it. I'll wait.”
“I'll call if needed. For now, go.”
“Got it.”
Confirming the car out of sight, Min-ho said, “There. Happy?”
“What?”
“I did what you wanted. Now spill.”
“Seeing you on a weekday feels... different.”
“What game is this?”
“Play with me for two hours. Lunch too. Deal?”
“Cut the crap. If it's a joke, end it here.”
Gu Eun-chae grinned wide, dropping a hint. “Fine, you're busy. One hour?”
“Let's talk inside.”
With a nasal whine full of aegyo, she shook her head. “Nah.”
“I'm swamped. No time for chit-chat. Save the cute act for your boyfriend.”
“I've eaten here since I was a kid. Bored now.”
“Then say your piece here.”
“Actually, I wanna eat out.”
He couldn't guess her card, but wasting time here wasn't smart either. “Here's the deal: One keyword. I'll decide if we eat out or wrap up here.”
Stepping close, Gu Eun-chae covered her mouth lightly and whispered, “Just one... Kang Beom-seong... That enough?”