The Variable
***
JK Credit Info was in a precarious state under Kang Myeong-seon's grip, with no telling when Kang Min-ho might sever the line. Cornered once more, Myeong-seon steeled herself for the worst possible choice. Clutching a black envelope, she arrived at the president's office. She flung the door wide open for the secretarial staff to see, continuing her methodical act.
"It took exactly twenty minutes. I got what you needed. That should be enough, right?"
"Yes. Next time, we'll prepare it ourselves."
"Aigoo, I can't believe I'm stooping to this."
"It's the chairman's orders. Please forgive our impertinence."
She glanced sideways at Secretary Choi Mi-ok and said, "Choi Secretary, get me a cup of coffee."
"Right away, President."
Flopping into her chair, Myeong-seon pulled out the photo she'd hidden in her underwear and stared at it blankly. She knew too late that Min-ho had played her, cleaning up Seo Gwang-hun in the process—but there was nothing she could do about it now. Frustrated, she lit up another cigarette, puffing away at it needlessly.
Min-ho screwed me over and wiped Seo Gwang-hun clean? Fine, then I won't sit idle.
Doing nothing, as her brother advised, wouldn't solve a damn thing. It would only make matters worse. Eyes blazing, she grabbed a notepad and pen, scribbling furiously.
Fish soup tastes better with some guts in it. Toss in this bait, and the press will foam at the mouth chasing it...
She slipped the photo and note into a small envelope and tucked it into her drawer. Just then, Secretary Choi Mi-ok entered.
"President, your coffee."
Myeong-seon nodded subtly, signaling her. The quick-witted secretary locked the door quietly.
"Why lock the door all of a sudden?"
"Keep it down and come here."
"Pardon?"
"Hurry up. I need to talk to you."
Secretary Choi approached with a puzzled look, and Myeong-seon lowered her voice to a whisper.
"You said going to America was your dream, right?"
"Yes. That's why I've been studying English and saving up. But why bring it up now?"
"I've got a favor to ask. Think you can help?"
"Tell me what it is, and I'll..."
Myeong-seon opened the drawer and pulled out the envelope.
"Just deliver this."
"I... I don't even know what's inside. If headquarters finds out, I could get fired."
"You think I don't know that? That's why no one will. Hide it in your underwear—no one'll suspect a thing. What do you say? Wanna give it a shot?"
Myeong-seon knew Choi Mi-ok inside out and dangled an irresistible offer.
"Do this, and I'll book your flight to America, give you two months' salary, and three weeks' vacation. Deal?"
It added up to millions—a fortune no ordinary employee could refuse. Hand over one little envelope, and she'd finally set foot on American soil. She knew it bypassed normal channels, of course. Reason and desire warred within her for a long moment.
"President, I get that this is important, but if I get caught and fired..."
"Don't worry. I'm still sitting pretty as president."
"You sure it'll be okay?"
"Even if something happens to me, I've got my brothers. All it takes is dropping off this one envelope for your trip. Simple, right?"
"As long as no one finds out?"
"Exactly. You know I'm under surveillance. That's why I need your hand. If anything goes wrong, I'll handle it."
The photo and note in that envelope were nuclear bombs. Oblivious, Secretary Choi nodded in agreement.
"That's my Mi-ok. It's sealed—don't open it, got it?"
"Yes. I won't peek."
"Head to Euljiro 3-ga Station, Exit 1. Behind it is 88 Teahouse. Alley next to it—look for a guy in black horn-rimmed glasses. Give it to him."
"Then I can go straight to America?"
"That'd look suspicious. Plan for two weeks from now."
"Got it. Thank you."
Secretary Choi hid the envelope in her underwear and headed straight for Euljiro 3-ga Station as instructed. She knew it wasn't right, but the massive reward had already stolen her eyes and heart. Taking deep breaths to calm her pounding chest, she made for the rendezvous. Peering around, she slipped into the alley. There stood the man in black horn-rimmed glasses, just as described. Sensing her herbivore-like fear, he strode over.
"From President Kang?"
"Y-yes. That's right."
"The item. Hand it over."
Her trembling hands passed the envelope. He stuffed it swiftly into his bag.
"We were never here today. You get me?"
She nodded and bolted. Confirming no one around, the man opened the envelope. Inside was a photo of Min-ho and Gu Eun-chae. The note detailed the specifics—and Min-ho's true identity.
"So the Athena rep who's been hiding tight is actually Chairman Kang's grandson... Boiled the mighty Gu Eun-chae and dragged her to Yeouido for bribes? When this blows, it'll be a hell of a show..."
A sleazy grin spread across his face as he vanished.
***
Athena. While reviewing documents, lawyer Choi Jong-hoon let out a sigh, the papers slipping from his unresponsive hands. He sipped his coffee and pressed hard on his temples, but the headache lingered, furrowing his brow deeply. It was stress from an unprecedented pressure, starkly different from the usual. His worry-filled eyes turned to Min-ho. Unlike himself, buried under mountains of anxiety, Min-ho seemed utterly unfazed—calm, even, in a situation that would test the steeliest nerves.
Sensing the gaze, Min-ho smiled and asked, "What's got you so worried this time?"
"It's nothing."
"You've sighed five times in ten minutes. And you're staring at the same papers. Still nothing?"
Choi let out his sixth sigh before replying.
"The financial real-name system is bad enough, but what really worries me is President Kang Du-seong."
Choi knew Du-seong's nature well.
"He doesn't care about right or wrong for his goals. Even you, young master, won't be an exception."
"Just one scenario on your mind—share it."
"The most likely is tying you to that Yeouido mess you mentioned. If so, you'll face not just a prosecution probe but the world's finger-pointing and scorn to dispel the suspicion."
One line of suspicion would demand hundreds of pages to refute. Choi's fears weren't unfounded. Min-ho, perched casually on the desk, replied leisurely.
"Know what Yeouido assemblymen treat as gospel?"
"Even if you go wrong, as long as you snag the gold badge?"
"As long as it's not your own obituary, any press exposure is good news. I agree."
"Young master, they'll come at us with everything. Maybe beef up defenses?"
"The real-name system forces me into the spotlight anyway. Public eyes on me—doesn't that make this an opportunity?"
To Min-ho, who understood public sentiment and wielded it precisely, this was pure upside. Just then, the door burst open as The Times President Jo Dong-uk rushed in, panting.
"Representative! Sorry, no knock..."
"Not running from a tiger, are you?"
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Catch your breath first."
He downed a huge cup of water in one go and dove in.
"You were right, sir. The bribe to Judiciary Committee Rep. Kim Cheol-hyeong came from a construction firm tied to his district."
"Real estate devs greased palms via a third party for smooth projects—and got kickbacks."
"Did you have intel? You knew exactly."
Min-ho scanned the notepad Jo handed over.
"Scandals don't start in Seocho-dong for nothing. Most rot festers there. Witnesses secured?"
"Photos of the bribe handoff, testimonies—all locked down."
"Rep. Kim's cleanup wasn't thorough, huh?"
"Promised development fell through; after a year of stonewalling on refunds, they decided to spill."
More Times had assemblyman dirt on tap—Min-ho's personal arsenal, ready anytime. Even if Du-seong attacked via politics, Min-ho was fortified.
"When do we drop the story?"
"Hold it for now. Perfect moment's coming."
"Got it."
That instant, every phone in Athena rang at once. No explanation needed—it meant something had blown wide open. Choi flung open the door, checked outside, and reported.
"Y-young master, something's wrong. Phones don't ring like this all at once."
"Like we said—something popped, so calls pouring in?"
Min-ho answered nonchalantly, as if it were someone else's crisis. Choi, facing this for the first time, was utterly flustered.
"Th-this... what's going on..."
Jo Dong-uk dashed back up after checking downstairs.
"Big trouble! A bombshell exposé on you—operations are grinding to a halt. Reporters swarming like crazy."
"Stay calm. Rushing changes nothing. What's the issue?"
"Like you predicted—the Judiciary Committee's Kim Cheol-hyeong bribe, pinned on Athena. It's spreading like wildfire."
"We're prepped for that."
Min-ho gazed out the window at the first floor. Reporter cars jammed the street. He picked up the lobby phone. Chaos reigned downstairs too.
"Status there?"
"War zone. Blocking reporters, but we won't hold long."
"Send more manpower. Secure the back exit."
"Y-yes, sir."
Du-seong's options were limited, just as Min-ho foresaw—Yeouido suspicions unleashed. With solid evidence, tapes, witnesses, shaking it off was child's play. Min-ho issued calm orders.
"Choi, review legal angles—link everything possible."
"Yes, sir."
"Jo, stay cool. Solving it with reporters piled up is simpler, better—you know that. Prep rebuttal now."
"Th-that's not all. An unexpected variable hit."
Jo, veteran of crises, could usually shrug this off. But today, he looked tormented, yanking at his hair with both hands. Min-ho soothed him and asked steadily.
"We saw this coming. What's the variable killing you?"
Jo sighed like the earth was caving in.
"Short version: Story claims you used Soseonjae's Gu Eun-chae to pass the bribe."
"They dragged in Gu?"
"Brought the photo. See for yourself?"
There it was: Min-ho and Eun-chae side by side, chatting, splashed with sensational headlines.
"They're coming hard. If you sweet-talked Gu Eun-chae, no hard proof means we're sunk."
Arms crossed, Min-ho pondered before speaking.
"Acquittal takes ages... All folks'll remember is bribes and my name."
"That's their play. We'll fire off rebuttals now."
Min-ho shook his head, vetoing Jo.
"Feels more like a gift to me."
"Pardon? Sir, are you in shock?"
"No way. Jo, Choi—head out the back now and bring Gu Eun-chae."
"Gu? What's the plan?"
Min-ho grinned.
"Got a slick move to untie this knot in one go."