Chapter 90: Turning Misfortune into Fortune (2)
***
The impregnable fortress of Korea's three major dailies was shaking under the assault from The Times. Sensing the threat, they banded together to strike back at The Times, but its true owner, Min-ho, remained firmly hidden in the shadows. To lure him out, they turned their blades on the advertiser, Chairman Kang Jin-gwang. It was an unexpected move, but Min-ho had always anticipated something like this might happen. Unlike the others who were thrown into panic, he calmly assessed the situation.
"What did you find in your review, Lawyer Choi?"
Choi set down the documents he had been examining and began his report.
"The articles meet the criteria for defamation through media reports. They contain specific content that damages social status and reputation."
"So if we go to court, we win for sure?"
"Yes. The problem is it would take quite a while."
"Just as expected—no real significance."
"Looking at the current situation, I agree."
The biggest sparks flew at The Times President Jo Dong-uk. Caught off guard by the sharp attacks from the three dailies, he was tearing his hair out, agonizing over countermeasures. Min-ho patted his shoulder and handed him a glass of water.
"I'm so sorry, sir. This is all my fault."
"No need for self-blame. We knew something like this could happen someday. We just didn't know when they'd draw their swords."
"We anticipated it, but I never dreamed they'd strike so suddenly. What's the best way to respond?"
"Chairman Kang Jin-gwang was targeted as a company, not an individual. And they stayed within legal interest rates. Focus your rebuttal articles on those two points."
"Understood. I'll get the articles up right away."
Jo finished jotting notes and hurried out of the conference room. Cheon the section chief's report followed.
"Excluding Seyoung Shinmun among the three dailies, the others are unlisted companies. We can't silence them all."
"We can. It just takes time. First, let's check JK Telecom's stock price."
"It's trading down 6.1% right now."
Min-ho had a clean way to resolve this mess. As always, the issue was money. With ample cash, he could uproot the three dailies and toss them into the river, but unlike Chairman Kang, he lacked liquid assets. He had a solution, but it required the chairman's full cooperation. As he pondered, his pager beeped. He pulled it out, checked the number, grabbed his jacket, and dialed.
"Yes, Butler Moon."
"The chairman is asking for you. Come right away."
"I'll take a taxi. It'll be about thirty minutes."
"Understood."
As Min-ho hung up, Lawyer Choi instinctively rose from his seat.
"I'll see you out."
"No need. I'll go alone. Keep reviewing the legal angles, Lawyer."
"Got it. I'll have a taxi waiting downstairs."
"Contact me if anything unusual comes up. And check on my license—should be ready next month. Be right back."
If the chairman was summoning him, it meant something urgent. Min-ho headed straight to the first floor and slid into the taxi.
"JK Group headquarters, please."
"Sure thing."
Min-ho stared out the window, organizing the situation and solutions in his mind. The biggest problem was the corporate image. Recovering from a tarnished reputation demanded massive costs and time. In the worst case, JK Group could be branded as loan sharks, sparking a boycott across all affiliates. As his thoughts spiraled, the taxi driver glanced at Min-ho's grave expression and tossed out a comment.
"You look like you work at a good company, young man, but why the heavy worry lines?"
"Got some troubles."
"I'm over fifty now, and if worrying solved the world's problems, I'd have fixed them long ago."
"You're right, sir."
To lighten the mood, Min-ho kept chatting with the driver.
"Business been okay lately?"
"With the recession, it's just enough to get by. You a new JK hire? Great company."
"Yep, one of the best."
"Pay pretty good?"
"Better than most, and the food's top-notch."
"In this world, what more could you want? Even if the boss yells, just bow your head and tough it out. It all blows over."
The driver, never imagining Min-ho was royalty, offered casual advice. Then, suddenly, he scowled and clutched his left chest.
Sensing trouble, Min-ho asked, "You okay, sir?"
"Started aching last night. Thought it'd pass after sleep, but it's getting worse."
"Get to a hospital right away. Could be your heart."
"Thanks for caring. Where exactly out front?"
"Right here. Take care, sir."
Min-ho paid and closed the door, adding one more time, "Please see a doctor."
"You too."
As he turned to hurry off, a deafening crash and screams made him whirl around. The taxi he'd just left was barreling toward the JK building at full speed. In that instant, Min-ho intuited what had happened to the driver. He sprinted after it, yelling desperately.
"Get out of the way! You'll get hurt! Move!"
It was over in a flash. The taxi slammed into the building at terrifying speed. Screams erupted. Glass shattered in a massive explosion. The cab crumpled beyond recognition. Min-ho rushed up, pounding on the window.
"Sir! Sir! Wake up!"
The driver slumped over the wheel, gripping it tight—just as Min-ho suspected, likely a heart attack. He yanked the door, but it wouldn't budge. If it was his heart, every second counted. Min-ho dashed to a flower bed, grabbed a rock, smashed the rear window, released the lock, and hauled the driver out, laying him flat. He checked for response by shaking his shoulders—nothing. Min-ho knew exactly what to do. He shouted at a lobby employee.
"Call 119!"
Without hesitation, he started CPR.
"One, two, three, four, five... One, two, three, four..."
He compressed the chest steadily. Sweat poured like rain, but Min-ho didn't quit. His only thought: Save him. To pull the driver back from death's edge, he kept at it relentlessly.
"Please... sir... please... open your eyes."
Right now, eyes closed on the ground, but he was someone's father. Min-ho, who grew up without one in his past life, knew that pain too well to give up.
"Sir, please..."
As Min-ho gasped for breath, the driver mercifully exhaled and opened his eyes, blinking at him.
"Sir, you with us?"
"Yes..."
"Don't move. Stay put."
The ambulance arrived just in time.
"Patient's condition?"
"He just woke up. Said his left chest hurt earlier. Take him to Korea University Hospital in Yeouido."
"Got it. We'll transport now."
Thanks to Min-ho, the driver survived. Onlookers clapped; some offered water and helped him up.
-That young guy's a hero. Saved a life.
-Driver lived because of him!
-Whew, that old guy's got luck on his side.
Min-ho gave a light nod and moved on. He eyed the wrecked taxi and shattered lobby entrance, then nodded as an idea struck.
This could turn into a blessing in disguise.
***
JK Group Chairman's Office.
The taxi hurtled toward the lobby at insane speed. The noise was so loud it echoed clearly even in the top-floor office. Chairman Kang brushed it off to Butler Moon.
"Sounds like a big accident somewhere."
"It was very close, sir. I'll check it out."
"No need. They'll handle it."
Then the phone rang. Moon picked up.
"Big trouble. A taxi crashed into the first floor. It's chaos down there."
"A taxi into the lobby?"
"Yes."
"Injuries?"
"Victim's already en route to the hospital."
"That was the sound... Got it. I'm coming down."
Moon sensed something amiss and reported to the chairman.
"Sir, a taxi plowed into the first floor. I'll go check."
"Do that. Get the full picture..."
Suddenly, the worst flashed through Kang's mind. Face paling with fear, he asked,
"Min-ho... what time did he say he'd arrive?"
"Should be here any minute."
"Jong-hoon?"
"Said he was busy today, taking a taxi..."
Before the words finished, Kang bolted out, slamming the door. Min-ho had said taxi—he should've arrived by now. Ominous dread gripped Kang. He jabbed the elevator button frantically.
"No way... it can't be... hurry up!"
This was uncharacteristic. He'd never shown such panic. He flailed like a man in terror. Secretaries stood frozen, stamping their feet. Desperate at the elevator, he even kicked off his shoes.
"Sang-oh! Elevator! No—I'll take the stairs!"
"Sir, he's arrived. Stay calm; we'll escort you."
Now he wasn't the chairman—just a grandfather fretting over his grandson. In the elevator, Kang couldn't stand still, pacing and muttering.
"My... grandson, our Min-ho... my grandson... our Min-ho, no, it can't be... impossible."
"Sir, stay calm."
"When the doors open, you run first!"
"Yes, sir."
From the fifteenth floor to first took under a minute, but to Kang, it was eternity.
If... if Min-ho was hurt... if he's the one in the hospital... no, impossible.
He shook his head fiercely to banish the thoughts, but the taxi and timing nagged inescapably. After hellish wait, the elevator hit the first floor. Moon sprinted out. Kang chased after. Staff, stunned by the chairman's sprint, followed suit.
No... impossible... not our Min-ho... it can't happen... mustn't.
The crash site came into view—worse than imagined. If Min-ho had been inside, severe injuries were certain. That was Kang's ultimate nightmare. Then Moon shouted.
"Sir! Young master is safe!"
Kang needed to see for himself. He poured every ounce of strength into running. Thankfully, Min-ho stood unharmed. That brief hell had shaken him. Trembling hands caressed Min-ho's cheeks.
"I thought you'd left me first..."
Kang was so frantic he'd run shoeless. Staff watched from behind. Min-ho nodded to Moon, who rallied them for cleanup. Now, only grandfather and grandson remained by the mangled taxi.
"Grandpa, you rushed down thinking I might be hurt?"
"Of course, you rascal. Worry's natural... no injuries?"
"I'm fine. It happened after I got out."
"Good... good... thank heavens..."
Tension released, Kang collapsed to the floor. Hands still shook; tears streamed.
"Grandpa's fine. Just... dizzy for a sec... a heart pill'll fix it."
"We need to get you to the hospital."
"No... as long as my grandson's safe... everything's fine... yes, indeed..."
Min-ho signaled Moon for the car. It arrived promptly. They eased Kang into the back and headed to the hospital. He sighed in relief, acting casual, but his shirt was soaked with sweat.
"Making a fuss over nothing."
"This scare means hospital, Grandpa. You're not as young as you used to be."
"All right, then."
Min-ho wiped the beaded sweat from his forehead and gripped his hand tight.
"Remember what you always told me?"
"Mind's blank right now."
"You'd say 'turning misfortune into fortune' in times like this. And this is exactly that moment."
Grasping the meaning, Kang eyed Min-ho.
"You mean... turn this accident into an opportunity?"
"Yes. I'll make it happen. But I need one favor in return."