Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Hyo-yeon Construction getting into Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction business had turned out to be more of a problem.
They had already borrowed as much as possible from banks to secure equipment and materials, pouring enormous amounts of money in, which left their funds dry.
On top of that, the market had frozen due to the conflict between Venezuela and Guyana.
Former Chairman Kim Kwang-deok was taking advantage of that gap.
‘He already revised the scenario.’
The original plan was to have a figurehead as the representative, carry out the reconstruction work in Ukraine, then use the performance as a pretext to bribe Ukrainian politicians and siphon off the money. They would make it look like the figurehead stole everything and disappeared.
The scenario currently under review, however, seemed aimed at draining Hyo-yeon Construction’s funds before they even fully entered the Ukrainian market, allowing Kim Kwang-deok to increase his own share.
Judging by how aggressively Kim Kwang-deok’s side was buying raw materials, it looked like an intentionally manufactured crisis.
Vice Chairman Go Yoon-seok thought along the same lines as Jung Jin-woo.
With just 100 billion won, he could normally only buy about 2% of the shares. But if the company looked close to bankruptcy, that 100 billion could buy roughly 4%.
Adding that to the 7% former Chairman Kim held, he could reach 11%, enough to influence management. Later, when Hyo-yeon Construction received payments from Ukraine and business boomed, the share price could double or triple.
‘He’s going to run both scenarios simultaneously.’
Jung Jin-woo seemed to understand what Kim Kwang-deok was aiming for.
Should he intervene or not? He had more than enough money. It wouldn’t be hard to thwart Kim Kwang-deok’s dirty plan, but honestly, he didn’t want to get involved.
Jung Jin-woo, with a clear judgment, sent a message to Vice Chairman Go:
“Let’s not worry about it. Seems like it’s not our business.”
“Understood. And as you said, most of the dollars we had were already used for resource purchases.”
“Well done.”
Right after sending the message, a phone rang. As soon as he answered, he heard cursing.
“Hey, damn it, Jo Min-gi! Or should I call you Jung Jin-woo now? You free today? I have something to celebrate!”
It was his friend, Park Kyung-tae.
Damn, he was busy… but if Kyung-tae wanted to meet, he had to. Kyung-tae had always been like family, accepting him whether he was Jo Min-gi, Jung Jin-woo, or whoever.
“What’s the celebration? Did you set a wedding date?”
Kyung-tae had been dating the same girlfriend for five years. Jung Jin-woo had met her three times back when he was Jo Min-gi. They were supposed to marry this year, but Kyung-tae’s father had lost his executive position, delaying the wedding.
“Yeah, we set a date. My dad just got into a famous group company. Hahaha… I’m officially a CEO’s son now.”
“Damn it. Well, congratulations. Which company?”
Jung Jin-woo’s lips curved. They were like brothers. If something good happened to Kyung-tae, it was naturally good for him too.
“Don’t freak out! Damn! My dad just became CEO of Hyo-yeon Construction.”
“What?”
“Damn right… I’m treating you to eel today! Be there on time!”
“Y-yeah… congrats.”
After hanging up, Jung Jin-woo shook his head.
Kyung-tae looked genuinely happy.
They laughed together, mixing soju and beer for bomb cocktails. Jung Jin-woo tried to pay, but Kyung-tae insisted on covering it all.
“Hey, damn it, even if no one else comes, you better show up! If you don’t, you’ll answer to me! You’re the MC!”
Kyung-tae, drunk and swearing, was surprisingly an elementary school teacher.
Jung Jin-woo had been to his house many times since childhood. He had a younger sister three years his junior. Their mother was a housewife, father an executive at a major construction company. Jung Jin-woo had once won an award in a math competition, and Kyung-tae’s mother had liked him for that. Sometimes he met Kyung-tae’s father, who would always smile and give pocket money.
Kyung-tae’s father had been unemployed, delaying the wedding, and now his new job happened to be CEO of Hyo-yeon Construction.
‘My father didn’t live in vain. There’s no one better in construction than him!’
Kyung-tae’s pride came from society recognizing his father’s life. He laughed with genuine happiness.
Jung Jin-woo thought he could guess who orchestrated it. He had refused before, and Kim Kwang-deok’s schemes reached Kyung-tae’s father. A construction industry expert of over thirty years, now preparing diligently for the new role.
“Ah, damn…”
He had thought holding a grudge against his grandfather was a waste of energy, but now he realized someone like him brings misfortune to many.
On the way home, a good idea came to him. He called Vice Chairman Go.
“Vice Chairman, about Hyo-yeon Construction.”
“Yes, Chairman. What should we do?”
“Acquire it. No matter the cost…”
Would Kyung-tae’s father be going to Ukraine next month?
“Understood.”
“Finalize the acquisition by the end of this month.”
“Will do. May I ask why we’re acquiring it?”
“The new CEO is my friend’s father. I’ve known him since childhood. He’s excellent in construction management. My friend and his father are thrilled about joining Hyo-yeon Construction. But I suspect my grandfather has some dirty plan. If we acquire it, there won’t be any trouble.”
“I see. Hmm… Then when your friend’s father goes to Ukraine, our special forces experts should protect him.”
“Exactly. If we acquire it, he becomes part of our company.”
“Understood. But just so you know, it’ll cost about 1 trillion won. Thanks to Chairman Kim draining Hyo-yeon Construction’s resources, it’s perfect for us to take over.”
About 100 billion won would buy roughly 4% of shares; 1 trillion could secure 30–40%. For Hyo-yeon Construction, that was enough to fully control management.
“Understood. Please proceed.”
While the personal connection motivated him, it was also a profitable company. If not for Kim Kwang-deok, JW Construction would have entered the Ukrainian reconstruction business anyway.
“Repay the debt with soju later, damn it.”
Jung Jin-woo chuckled to himself. Kyung-tae had invited him to eat eel but ended up buying sea eel instead. Still, eel was eel.
Some things in life couldn’t be measured in money. Kyung-tae was one of them. He’d never know Jung Jin-woo had safeguarded his father’s peace.
“So that’s what happened?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“So in the end, you and I are in the same position.”
“Hahaha… seems so.”
Do Ye-rip and Choi Ji-eun sat at a café, drinking coffee. They realized they were like dogs chasing chickens, both staring at the roof helplessly.
“Why do you like divorced men?”
“Well… he’s a good person, so I didn’t feel much at first… When I found out he was divorced, it felt different… I wanted to see him again… You don’t know, but he’s really amazing.”
She didn’t mention he had given up almost everything to protect her from being sued as a mistress. There was no need to.
“You saying that makes me want him more.”
“Why did you do that weird thing? You just asked him to come to the meeting with you, right?”
“I don’t know… maybe I was drawn to him?”
Choi Ji-eun asked Jung Jin-woo to come to the meeting because her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend were involved. She had to act as if she was dating someone even better than her ex, Ham Ho-seok. It was a matter of pride for her at the time.
“Why did you join SG Global… tsk.”
Do Ye-rip clicked her tongue, annoyed.
“If I knew you were here, I wouldn’t have come.”
Two third-generation chaebols met by chance at a small company of under 100 employees.
“But… I heard rumors… that Jung Jin-woo is… a bit strange.”
“What’s strange? I’ve known him for three years as my senior and am familiar with him.”
“Number Five. Jin-ho oppa brought Number Five to meet him.”
“Number Five?”
The five wealthiest heirs, often meeting separately, were called ‘Number Five.’
“Rumor has it Number Five was intimidated by Jung Jin-woo. Jin-ho oppa isn’t someone who bows to anyone. Yet he treated Jung Jin-woo like he was extraordinary.”
Do Ye-rip smiled. She knew Jung Jin-woo well. Jin-ho, the great Lee Jin-ho, serving a man who had only 30 million won, divorced, living in a goshiwon?
“Impossible.”
“Trust Kicheon oppa’s words.”
Do Ye-rip wasn’t interested in gossip among chaebol heirs. That’s why she joined SG Global. Rumors there were usually exaggerated.
“You saw that day, didn’t you? No Mira!”
“Yes… she glared at us.”
“Damn… why would she marry Jung Jin-woo? Everyone at the meeting knew what kind of person No Mira was. She probably ruined a decent man’s life. I heard the divorce was because the child wasn’t his.”
Do Ye-rip’s expression darkened. She disliked two women treating another as trash. But Ji-eun’s words were true. No Mira was that kind of woman. Any man aware of her wouldn’t consider her as a marriage partner. She had chosen an innocent man like Jung Jin-woo as her victim.
“I later found out that their marriage also involved interests between SG Global and No Mira’s jewelry family… it’s tiring to explain.”
Ji-eun learned that from others.
“And that No Mira… threatened Oh Se-eun. She probably tried to hire someone to mess her up while drunk.”
“Crazy…”
No Mira was a dangerous woman who controlled low-quality men like a queen bee. Targeting Oh Se-eun was extremely dangerous.
“I’m debating whether to tell Se-eun.”
“Well… I think we should. It’s better to inform her.”
If Se-eun weren’t around, Do Ye-rip could’ve claimed Jung Jin-woo, but that didn’t seem right. Both nodded silently, understanding.