No Way Forward or Back
At a restaurant on the outskirts of Seoul where he'd promised to meet Kang Du-seong, Jeong Dong-gyun had arrived early and was lost in grave contemplation, his face etched with worry.
"I thought I was grabbing a steel cable... but it turned out to be a rotten straw rope..."
Despite using his position as chief secretary to feed him every scrap of information, he'd suffered defeat after defeat before even drawing his sword. At this rate, no strategy seemed to hold any chance of victory.
As he let out a deep sigh, the door opened and a server entered holding a menu.
- Sir, when should we prepare the food?
"My guest will arrive in ten minutes. Have it ready on time."
- Yes, sir.
He stared blankly for a moment, then called back the server as he turned to leave.
"Hey, wait a second."
- Yes, sir?
"Your face looks familiar... How long have you worked here?"
- Three months.
"Have we met before?"
- I'm sorry, but so many people come through, I can't remember everyone.
"Fair enough, not like it's just one or two... Anyway, thanks for your hard work."
The server's face wasn't what mattered right now. Putting out the fire at his feet was the priority.
He downed the ice water on the table in one gulp and continued his train of thought.
Jeong Dong-gyun, desperate to shed the stigma of being a figurehead chief secretary, had clung tightly to the lifeline Kang Du-seong had thrown him, dreaming impossible dreams.
There had been a massive slush fund at JK Mutual Savings Bank under Kang Du-seong's control. And his status as the eldest son couldn't be ignored. With his younger siblings following his lead, ousting Chairman Kang had seemed entirely feasible.
His expectations had been spectacularly dashed.
Second son Kang Min-seong had rejected his brother's proposal. Third son Kang Beom-seong was tied up as Seoul Mayor. The youngest, Kang Myeong-seon, was under house arrest.
To make matters worse, even the slush fund he'd managed had been transferred overseas, leaving Kang Du-seong with just pocket change.
Kang Min-ho seemed to foresee everything. Predicting his decisions or moves was impossible.
'The young master is an opponent we can never beat...'
Unable to even start the fight before his limbs were severed one by one, anxiety was inevitable.
'Challenging Young Master Min-ho from the beginning was the mistake... To save my skin now, I have no choice but to pull out somehow...'
For Chief Secretary Jeong, preserving his figurehead title was the rational choice over losing everything.
Moments later, the door opened and Kang Du-seong appeared. Jeong rose to greet him.
"President, you've arrived."
"Been waiting long?"
"No, sir. I just got here."
"Good. Sit."
The prepared dishes filled the table as always, but neither man spared them a glance.
Kang Du-seong spoke first.
"Kang Beom-seong becoming Seoul Mayor has thrown our plans way off. We need to adjust."
"Yes, President."
"We'll partner with foreign investors for shares, and cover shortfalls from the bank vault and Shilla Beer—my friends there."
"Yes, President."
Unlike his usual aggressive push, he responded mechanically, his face ashen as if half-dead.
"You sick or something? Why the lukewarm reaction?"
Caught awkwardly in the middle, Jeong let out a sigh without realizing it.
Kang Du-seong's displeasure was immediate.
"What's with sighing at the dinner table like a bad omen?"
"I'm sorry."
"No long excuses—just spit out whatever you have to say."
After a brief hesitation, Jeong poured out his lament.
"President, I'm truly sorry, but I don't see a path to victory at this point."
"Now that it's gone south, you want to bail?"
"Every plan keeps changing because of the young master. It feels like we're cornered without even fighting properly."
"There's still a chance. Miss this, and you'll be stuck at the bank forever. Quit yapping and follow orders."
Jeong had already made up his mind.
"I'm sorry, but I can't. This is where I get off."
If even the chief secretary bailed, it would be tantamount to Kang Du-seong surrendering.
His face twisted in fury, he shot back.
"You... what did you just say?"
"I once thought we could win. But not anymore."
"All because of Min-ho?"
"I believe he's an unbeatable opponent. Sorry. I'll take my leave first."
He rose and bowed politely.
As he turned to exit, Kang Du-seong dropped a loaded remark.
"Moon the butler... You don't think he knows your moves, do you?"
"..............."
"I know the reports on Min-ho's movements stopped coming... Father hasn't called you separately, and Moon hasn't given you any special orders."
A wave of sheer terror washed over him.
Kang Du-seong wasn't bluffing.
Moon Sang-oh, having seen through Jeong's disloyalty, had altered the reporting chain. As a result, the intel reaching Jeong had noticeably dwindled.
He'd sensed it gradually but had denied it to himself. Kang Du-seong's words were all true.
Ignoring it wouldn't make it go away.
"Surely... you mean Executive Director Moon knows?"
"Moon Sang-oh oversees the secretariat—not you. Hoping he wouldn't notice?"
The bridge Jeong had crossed lay in ruins behind him. There was no turning back.
He had to swallow the bitter pill and press on.
Facing the horrific reality, Jeong quietly returned to his seat.
"How... did you find out?"
"You stopped reporting Min-ho's movements at some point. The intel coming in felt sloppy... That's when I caught on."
"Then... why keep me as chief secretary?"
"To use you in reverse, obviously. Once I've squeezed the juice, you'd end up buried in Namsan... If you walk out now, I won't stay quiet either..."
A tiger ahead, a bear behind. Only one choice remained.
He had to stick with Kang Du-seong to the end.
"What do you need me to do?"
"Funds from JK Mutual Savings Bank and Shilla Beer. You go to JD Morgan's Korea branch—your friend runs it—and get their firm commitment."
"They'll acquire shares?"
"Exactly. That's all we have left."
"Understood. I'll handle it and report back."
Without touching their chopsticks once, they ended the conversation and left the restaurant.
Meanwhile, someone who recognized the pair and eavesdropped from the next room—the very server Jeong had spoken to.
Stepping out for a smoke, he fed coins into a payphone and dialed.
"Hello?"
"President, you remember me? Sang-hyeon."
"Oh! Of course. How long's it been? Doing well? You quit to go to college—how's school?"
"Tuition's tight, so I pick up part-time gigs at places like Soseonjae when I can."
"Good for you. Pay decent?"
"It's okay. Anyway, I have some info."
"What? Sounds juicy from your tone."
Gu Eun-chae paid handsomely for useful intel. Knowing this, the server hesitated before making his demand.
"I'll tell you everything I saw and heard if you cover my tuition this semester."
"That big? Hmm... I don't do losing deals, you know. Who first?"
"Kang Du-seong and Jeong Dong-gyun."
"Nice. Let's hear it, then decide."
"Yes, President."
"Don't worry about cab fare—drop everything and come now."
"On my way, President."
***
At Athena, Kang Min-ho and Lawyer Choi Jong-hoon were inseparable. Living together and sharing every secret, they even used the same office.
While Kang Min-ho stepped out to the restroom, Choi's pager blared noisily. Checking the caller, he scowled and picked up the receiver.
"What is it! You know my brother's busy—calling this late?"
His younger brother Young-hoon sighed in response.
"Bro... Dad got drunk again last night... and hit Mom..."
"Hasn't he quit drinking since rehab?"
"I don't know... He kept saying Mom disrespects him, downed a couple bottles, and raged all night. Cops even came—total chaos."
"Mom okay?"
"Some bruises on her face, but nothing serious—no need for hospitalization."
"See! How many times have I told you to live separately!"
The usually composed Choi bellowed, underscoring the crisis.
"I've told you a million times—dump that bastard and move out! There's plenty in the account!"
His shouts drew staff murmuring around the office.
- Isn't that Lawyer Choi?
- First time seeing him that mad.
- What's going on?
Kang Min-ho returned from the restroom just then.
"What's all this?"
- Lawyer Choi was yelling for ages, so we came to check.
He'd been screaming like a madman.
"Everyone back to your seats. I'll handle it."
- Yes, sir.
Unsure of the issue but deeming intervention necessary, Kang Min-ho entered.
Choi, red-faced and still yelling, slammed down the receiver. His hands trembled with uncontainable rage.
Kang Min-ho silently fetched a glass of water and waited calmly.
Once calmed, Choi stood and bowed his head.
"Young master, sorry for showing such an unseemly side."
"That's not the issue. I'd like to know why you're this furious—if it's something you can share."
"Sorry. I can't discuss it now."
Kang Min-ho had never seen Choi angry, let alone shouting.
He quickly recalled what he knew of Choi. The model student's life pointed to one thing.
"Family matter?"
Choi looked up, startled.
"How did you know?"
"Records show a normal family, but you've never mentioned yours to me once—so I guessed."
Still seething, he clenched his fists tight.
"Young master, sorry, but can I take a few days' leave?"
"Whatever you need, I'll support it. Just say the word."
"A few days will do."
"I don't know the details, but handle it well. Call anytime if you need help."
"You'll be inconvenienced without me—I'll hire a driver before I go."
"Perfect timing. Might as well get my license. Don't worry about here—go now."
Choi bowed deeply and rushed out.
"Definitely family... But it's personal—I can't pry."
Personal matters were off-limits, even for Kang Min-ho. If help was needed, Choi would've said so.
For the first time, his constant companion was absent. Staring at the empty chair, the phone rang.
"It's Eun-chae. Got something important. Can you come to Soseonjae now?"