Planting the Flag
Min-ho was using Yang Sang-pil to seize the roots of Namdo Group, shaking it to its core. The Times relentlessly published follow-up articles, exposing every bit of the group's corruption without mercy. With the world's eyes fixed on it, Han Du-hak's prison sentence was all but certain.
He had diverted the public's attention. For Chairman Kang Jin-gwang, this was a chance that would never come again. Just as Min-ho had hinted, the chairman began accumulating shares to take over Namdo Construction and Securities.
Min-ho, too, was methodically advancing his plan to acquire Namdo Distribution. When the tiger's away, the fox will play. With Chairman Han away and his dim-witted son clueless, real power had effectively fallen to Executive Director Yang Sang-pil.
He gathered the current and former executives—who were major shareholders in Namdo Distribution—in the conference room and reported to Min-ho. After hanging up, Min-ho made a bold decision that was hard to believe. He set off without hesitation for the heart of enemy territory.
No matter that the master of the house was away, it was unmistakably the enemy's stronghold. Though there were no legal issues, Lawyer Choi cautioned that there was no need to stir up trouble.
"Why go directly to Namdo Group headquarters of all places? Is there a special reason, sir?"
"It's about marching into the heart of their lair and planting my flag. A warning that they'd better tuck tail if they want to live."
"Given the current shareholding structure, we'd need unanimous agreement from all major shareholders and executives. We have to consider the possibility of someone objecting. Do you have a contingency plan?"
Min-ho flashed a bright smile and pulled out Director Cho's documents. "This is all we need. Who at Namdo would have the guts to oppose when their heads are on the chopping block?"
"No concerns about Executive Director Yang Sang-pil?"
"The situation speaks for itself. There's no turning back now. Don't worry about that. Park over there."
"Yes, young master."
After parking, the two headed into Namdo Group headquarters.
***
Namdo Group conference room.
The current and former executives, major shareholders in Namdo Distribution, had gathered. They'd rushed over at the sudden summons but had no idea what it was about. All they could do was murmur and exchange opinions.
"What's this about when the chairman's not even here?"
"Beats me. Yang called us in, so I dropped everything. Probably some major agenda."
"Stocks are plummeting daily, and the chairman's looking at real jail time... Things don't look good."
"Director Ahn, you'd better find your own way out too. Life's unpredictable."
Namdo Group's ship was slowly tilting. As the water rose, the executives huddled, slyly eyeing each other while seeking their own escapes. They exchanged views, but none knew the real situation.
The murmurs in the room fell silent in an instant, like a bucket of cold water had been dumped. Executive Director Yang Sang-pil entered. His presence commanded more than just authority.
The executives clamped their mouths shut and watched warily.
"Thank you for coming all this way. I've gathered you because there's a major announcement today."
Questions flew immediately.
-What about the chairman?
-Any orders on defending the group stock price?
-They say prison's likely—any countermeasures?
In the old days, he'd have answered each one. But Yang's heart was elsewhere now. The questions felt worthless. He stared silently at the executives, their eyes greedy and evasive as they sipped cold water.
"You'll know soon enough. One thing in advance: cooperate. Otherwise, I can't guarantee what happens next."
Yang warned them, then bowed as he opened the door. The executives assumed it was Vice Chairman Han Tae-young. Instead, in walked Min-ho, wearing sunglasses.
Yang had bowed to this stranger. The executives exchanged quick glances but remained clueless.
Min-ho strode into the enemy conference room on his own two feet, his steps heavy and unwavering. Without a hint of hesitation, he took the head seat—the one reserved for Chairman Han.
The executives were mildly annoyed but couldn't complain without grasping the situation. Settling into the chair, Min-ho slowly turned to face them.
"Curious who I am and why I'm sitting here?"
All eyes locked on him. Executive Director Lee Sung-hwan, their de facto leader, spoke cautiously.
"Forgive me, but even Namdo people don't sit there. We'd appreciate some decorum."
"Is it the chair that's the problem? Or me sitting in it?"
"Well... that's..."
"If the chair bothers you that much, I'll remove it."
Min-ho shoved the chair aside and stood. No time for games. He cut straight to it.
"As representative of Athena, I plan to acquire Namdo Distribution. Any questions, feel free."
-Athena, the ones who took over Yeonggwang Ilbo, going after distribution now?
-Like a bolt from the blue—what the hell?
-Let's stay quiet and see.
Executive Director Lee spoke carefully. "May I ask why you came all the way here to say this?"
"If you're curious, it's only right to answer, isn't it?"
Min-ho nodded, and Lawyer Choi distributed the documents. One was a consent form; the other detailed each man's dirty secrets.
The executives paled in shock. Their hidden misdeeds—even their wives didn't know—were laid bare. The biggest bombshell: their involvement in preferential land allotments.
Already scrambling for self-preservation, this was beyond imagination. The room's atmosphere shifted instantly. Eyes wary, they coughed awkwardly and looked away.
Min-ho fixed them with a steely gaze and spoke firmly. "Cooperate, and The Times can omit your names. Oppose, and they'll be in tomorrow's headlines."
Leashed tight, the executives grimaced and sighed. Min-ho ramped up the pressure.
"The document before you transfers your voting rights to me."
"All our voting rights?"
"Sign and live. Refuse, and lose a lot."
To Min-ho, it was negotiation; to them, outright blackmail. Trembling, Executive Director Lee asked, "What if we don't agree?"
"Just as you expect. You'll be under the Justice Ministry's blanket. Even after your sentence, more could await. No forcing you."
Cooperate to live, refuse to die. No need for long explanations. The executives racked their brains for survival. Their combined Namdo Distribution shares: 17%.
With their votes, Athena's takeover was sealed. Loyalty to Namdo meant nothing—life and money did. Everything hung on this choice. No brainer, really. They knew Namdo had crossed the point of no return: Chairman Han imprisoned, puppet vice chairman, and sole power-holder Yang bowing to Min-ho.
Opposing gained nothing. Agreeing saved their necks and promised stock gains from Namdo Distribution's fresh start. To drive it home, Min-ho spoke.
"Oppose, and you'll get fitting treatment. Cooperate, and generous rewards."
The choice was obvious. They grabbed pens and signed without hesitation.
***
Namdo Group headquarters lobby.
While Min-ho won over the executives, Vice Chairman Han Tae-young—back from Seocho-dong—arrived in the lobby. He hurried to relay his father's orders to Yang.
Secretaries rushed out.
"Yang in a meeting?"
"Y-yes, but..."
"Problem? Speak properly!"
"A guest is here... talking with the executives."
"What? In the conference room? You joking?"
"Sorry."
"Forget it—come out. I'll check."
Stunned, Han dashed to the room. Panting, he flung open the door. Unbelievable.
A sunglassed man sat at the head, issuing orders like he owned the place.
"What the hell is this? Who the fuck are you?"
The executives—who'd switched sides for survival—stayed silent. The vibe was utterly different.
Han, flustered, checked the table documents.
"What's this crap? Director Yang, you kidding? Transferring voting rights? To who?"
Even dim Han grasped it quick. He turned to the sunglassed man at the head: Athena's rep.
All pieced together, blood boiled in his veins. He shook his head in denial, but reality stared back. Approaching Min-ho, he glared.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Don't know? I'll tell you. Meeting in progress."
"What? This a meeting? What the fuck you doing in my house!"
Min-ho smiled leisurely, not even glancing. "You know bursting in mid-meeting is rude, right?"
Min-ho was unflappably bold; executives looked at him like a bug. Unbelievable—or rather, unacceptable. Yanking his tie, Han roared at them.
"You... you all eat rat poison or what? Don't you know who your boss is? Get out! What you waiting for, assholes! I'll rip these papers! Out!!"
The master had changed. Min-ho held their leashes. Their response: ice-cold. Once ready to die on command, now they eyed Han like a stray dog at a feast.
"Exec Director Lee, Director Kang—you forget why you're here? All thanks to my dad, Namdo Group fed you!"
A cry in silence. Han ranted on, ignored by all. Min-ho upped it: he banged the gavel.
"Meeting adjourned. Good work, everyone."
The real shock followed. Executives who'd ignored Han's yells rose at Min-ho's word, bowed, and strolled out.
"Fuck... what the hell is going on..."
Han couldn't trust his eyes. Cracks formed in Namdo's unbreakable wall. Undeniable fact. Executives scorned him; Min-ho had waltzed into the master bedroom and made himself at home. Righteous fury boiled over.
Always action over words, Han charged Min-ho, fists clenched. Someone yanked his collar hard.
"Let go! Who're you! Let go!"
Lawyer Choi Jong-hoon gripped him, warning in a deep bass. "Touch one hair on him, and you'll spend your life in a wheelchair. I stake everything on it."
Overwhelmed by Choi's intensity, Han could only whine.
"Fine, let go! Let go!"
"Mind your manners."
Han glared at Min-ho, lit a cigarette. The emotion: terror. His trembling hands betrayed it. Born with everything, he'd never imagined Namdo shaking. Now it was happening—because of this one man before him.
Even if he scraped cash now, 17% votes to Athena meant no win. Shadows of defeat loomed, but he denied it.
"You think you can swallow Namdo Distribution?"
Min-ho buttoned his jacket. "Precisely: not just distribution, but all of Namdo Group."
He pulled a few ten-thousand-won bills from his wallet and shoved them into Han's hand.
"Must burn inside. Grab some kkukbap outside. Make it ttarakukkbap. See you later."
Min-ho's mocking cash: ruin the company, not your gut. He'd sent the chairman to Seocho-dong, flipped Yang Sang-pil, then strolled into enemy HQ, planted his flag, and left. Han's pride wasn't bruised—it melted.
Overcome by rage, he screamed like a madman, hurling objects. That was all he could do.
Min-ho, cruising back to Yeouido, eyed the documents and smiled faintly.