In the Palm of His Hand
Athena. The sharp click of high heels and a haughty stride announced a woman's arrival on the first floor. Her striking beauty—outstanding among peers, impossible to hide—left the men heading to work staring in awe.
As if accustomed to such attention, she ignored them, scanning every corner thoughtfully. 'Working in a better place than I expected?'
Just as she headed for the elevator, a security guard blocked her path.
"Excuse me, but what organization are you with?"
"Definitely not here."
"Who are you here to see?"
"A business partner, you could say. Why do you ask?"
"If you don't state your business clearly, you can't go up."
"Is this how you treat guests?"
"I'm sorry. It's for security reasons—we have no choice. Please understand."
Letting out a frustrated sigh, the woman said, "I'm the representative's girlfriend."
"Pardon?"
"His lover. Happy now?"
The men who had been stealing glances whipped their heads around to stare. The guard, equally baffled by the bold claim, asked again.
"You mean you're in a romantic relationship with the representative?"
"Should I show you a photo to prove it?"
If true, the guard would have committed a grave breach of etiquette. His face flushed with embarrassment as he stammered, "I... that's not... Please wait here a moment while I verify."
"Fine, do that."
Meanwhile, the phone rang in Min-ho's office. Choi picked it up.
"Choi Jong-hoon speaking."
"This is Security Deputy Kim Young-sik from the first floor."
"What is it?"
"It's a bit awkward, but a woman is here on the first floor. When I asked her business, she said she's the representative's girlfriend, so I'm checking."
"What? That can't be."
"She was so insistent... I'm sorry. I'll handle it and send her away."
Choi was just as flustered. He knew everything about Min-ho, practically glued to his side 24/7. He shot Min-ho a bewildered look.
Sensing something, Min-ho reached for the receiver. "Deputy Kim, one question. Is she tall with long hair and big eyes?"
"Yes. She's stunningly beautiful."
"Got it. Escort her to the park out back and clear the area."
"Understood."
Still masking his shock, Choi turned to Min-ho. "Young master, do you have a girlfriend amid all this busyness?"
"No way."
"You spoke like you knew who it was."
"Only one person would pull a stunt like that. I'll head down."
"Yes, sir."
Min-ho made straight for the park. As expected, a woman sat on the bench. Their eyes met, and she giggled like a schoolgirl.
"I just wanted to see your shocked face, but you don't look surprised at all."
"You're the only one around me who'd play a prank like this, Eun-chae."
"You're not mad or annoyed, right?"
"I know why you did it, so it's fine."
"Security's as tight as they say. I knew I couldn't get in, so I tried anyway."
"Dragging me out here means your plan worked. Congrats first off."
That was greeting enough. Wiping the smile from her face, Eun-chae got serious.
"I told you about Director Jeong from the Mutual Savings Bank visiting Soseonjae a few days ago."
"Did you take his offer?"
"I've survived on my wits. You think I'd miss where the real meat is?"
"Calling me out here means there's something. Spit it out."
"Your instincts are eerily sharp sometimes..."
After a long pause, Eun-chae spoke. "Truth is, Director Jeong made the same offer you did."
"Must've tempted you. Or you could hedge your bets on both sides."
"One body can't catch two rabbits. So... I came to confirm that promise you made."
"Like I said before, it depends on you. Looks like you've already bet on me."
Both Jeong—Du-seong's lackey—and Min-ho had offered to catch the real culprit. For Eun-chae, with clear goals, securing one side firmly beat a half-hearted double play.
"Right. You know exactly what I want. That's why I'm here—to figure out what to do."
"Share every bit of info you know or learn. That's it."
"You promise...?"
"If you can't trust my word, how about a pinky swear?"
"No contract anyway—sure, let's do it."
As she extended her pinky, familiar footsteps approached.
"At Soseonjae, you seemed like such a refined young master. Seeing you here drives it home."
Moon Sang-oh approached cautiously from the opposite side. Eun-chae stood and nodded in greeting.
"Vice Chairman Moon. Hello."
"I'll wait on the other side until you're done."
"No need. We're finished. I'll head out."
She flagged a passing taxi and slipped into the back seat. Watching her go, Moon spoke carefully.
"May I ask why President Gu Eun-chae visited?"
"Just checking if she's grabbing the right rope. Nothing to worry about."
"She has deep political ties. Best to keep your distance."
"Noted. Why'd you come all the way here, butler?"
"I was passing by and saw you sitting here, so I stopped."
"Sounds like Grandpa sent you with a message he doesn't want overheard."
Confirming no one was around, Moon replied, "The chairman visited the Mutual Savings Bank himself. He ordered all managed funds transferred overseas."
"Like a dog chasing chickens ending up staring at the roof."
"Just as you predicted, young master."
"What was Father's face like?"
"Shock was evident. He likely had plans for those funds."
Knowing the financial real-name system was imminent, Min-ho had convinced his grandfather. Reducing risk was one goal, but the real aim was severing one of Du-seong's arms. With slush funds abroad, Du-seong couldn't touch them—losing a key card and shrinking his influence in the group. Min-ho was gaining the upper hand without direct confrontation.
"You could've called about that. Coming in person means... you're curious about Father's next move."
"Yes. We're considering every possibility, but we can't rule out an unexpected card."
Min-ho knew Du-seong better than anyone. He knew the next play too. Smiling faintly, he said, "What scenarios are you anticipating?"
"Pulling funds to buy JK Group stock, and..."
"That's a last resort. Father tests every bridge before crossing—unlikely."
"Then what do you foresee?"
Contrary to Moon's view, Min-ho dropped a bombshell.
"There's someone in the coffin, but the lid's not on yet. He'll use her to pick his nose without lifting a finger."
Even the unflappable Moon hadn't seen it coming. "Surely... you mean Lady Myeong-seon?"
"Auntie's already out of the succession race. Grandpa despises her too. How does she flip this?"
Myeong-seon, trapped in Min-ho's scheme, was a hollow puppet in her office chair. If Min-ho took the throne, even that would vanish. To avert disaster, one choice remained.
"She'll accept the chairman's proposal."
"Gotta get some crumbs at least."
"How do you expect her to play it?"
"Damage Athena to lure me out."
"Raise suspicions?"
"Yes. Prep's done there—no worries. Director Jeong Dong-gyun's on track?"
"Yes. Feeding skewed reports with bad info."
Standing, Min-ho said, "That's enough. Whatever card Father plays, we're ready. Don't stress."
"Understood."
"Grandpa's afternoon schedule?"
"Visiting JK Cement's Gwangyang plant."
"Let's wrap here. He hates tardiness."
"Yes. I'll go ahead."
***
In a dingy diner sat Secretary General Jeong Dong-gyun.
- What'll it be?
"Waiting on someone. I'll order later."
- Sure.
Soon, the creaky door opened, and Kang Du-seong entered. Jeong started to stand and bow out of habit, but Du-seong waved it off and sat across.
"Hiding from eyes in a rundown gukbap joint—no need for formalities."
"Got it."
"How'd it go with President Gu?"
"Made your offer, but she was lukewarm. I'll sweeten the details."
"No need for extra work. Her mom's brutal death—natural to distrust."
Steaming gukbap arrived. Du-seong took a spoonful and continued.
"Not long after I married... I had a dog that bared teeth at me sometimes, not knowing its master."
"What'd you do?"
"Starved it and beat it 'til it listened. After that, tail-wagging nonstop."
"So, same with President Gu?"
"Gonna lure Min-ho out. Using her."
Quick on the uptake, Jeong pulled a photo from his inner pocket: Min-ho and Eun-chae chatting intimately.
"This the one?"
"Yeah. Sharp as ever. With pics like this, linking them's easy."
"Leaking to press is simple, but... worst case, it could backfire on us."
Setting down his spoon and sipping water, Du-seong burst into laughter. "Too early to bloody our own hands, no?"
"You mean... use President Myeong-seon?"
"Yeah. Limbs all hacked off—she'll grab any straw, take my offer."
"Brilliant as always. Lures the young master out and pressures Gu."
"Exactly. I'll talk to Myeong-seon and pass details. Eat up."
Sensing his defeat looming, Du-seong resolved to unleash a dirty ploy. He finished hastily and headed to meet his sister Myeong-seon.