Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 163

165

“It seems you have a lot to say. We don’t have much time, so let’s get straight to the point. Please, sit down.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Wilkins sat on the reception sofa first, and Bum-suk and Lexter took seats facing each other.

“Actually, the reason I came here today is to get a loan.”

Wilkins nodded. He had already heard about it roughly before, and most people who came to him begging were looking to borrow money. There was nothing particularly surprising about it.

“Hmm. The company in trouble is Rainbow Group, you said?”

“Yes, that’s right. Their financial condition is very sound, and they are a real estate company that is quite respected in the region.”

Wilkins made a loud snorting sound. Most real estate-related companies grew in size through debt, so their financial condition was not very good. Naturally, he couldn’t fully trust Bum-suk’s words.

“Ahem. That’s what you say. From my perspective, it’s different. Don’t give me that superficial talk. Show me the proper financial indicators.”

“Yes, I understand. Please take a look here.”

Bum-suk immediately took out his electronic notepad and displayed the well-organized financial documents on the screen. Because it was organized simply and neatly, Wilkins could see the contents at a glance.

Rainbow Group had total assets of 64.6 billion Krang [fictional currency], net assets of 34.3 billion, security deposit funds of 7.3 billion, and liabilities of 23 billion Krang. When calculated, the external borrowings were 30.3 billion Krang, which did not exceed the net assets. And they were recording total sales of about 3 billion Krang each year, of which 1.2 billion Krang was left as net profit. Compared to other companies in the real estate industry, it could be seen as a fairly sound financial state and a conservative business operation.

Wilkins frowned and glared at Bum-suk. He thought that he was either trying to scam him or playing a joke on him. If a company of this level was on the verge of bankruptcy, there would be no companies left in this world.

“You. Tell me honestly, are you trying to trick me right now?”

“Absolutely not. It’s the truth without any falsehood.”

“Huhu. You must think I’m a fool right now. How can a company with total assets of 64.6 billion that makes an annual profit of 1.2 billion Krang be on the verge of bankruptcy? And it’s not even an economic crisis right now.”

Bum-suk maintained a calm look.

“I have similar thoughts to the Chairman. But as I live, I see that such things do happen.”

“What do you mean, ‘happen’! There’s only one way to bankrupt a company like this in a short period of time! That’s if all the creditors, such as banks, collude and call in their debts all at once.”

“Huhu. As expected of the chairman of a financial company, you know well. That’s why we’re going bankrupt now. Nearly 1.3 billion Krang in debt demands are pouring in every month.”

Wilkins’ eyebrows twitched. If that was true, there was nothing more infuriating than this. It was morally unacceptable for the banking sector to use its influence to bankrupt a perfectly good company.

“Who is it? Who are the bastards doing this?”

“It’s LHN Bank. According to the information, it seems like the group is determined to take us down.”

“What? LHN Bank? The group is determined? Don’t be ridiculous! LHN would never do that!”

At Wilkins’ loud voice, Bum-suk immediately replied with a triumphant expression. He thought that if he played his cards right, he could get a loan.

“But it’s a definite fact.”

“It seems you’re mistaken about something. Chairman Valbar of LHN is not the kind of person to do such a thing!”

“Is that so? Why are you so sure?”

“It’s very simple. If he were the kind of person to do this, I, Wilkins, wouldn’t be stuck in this second position.”

Bum-suk was intimidated by his overly confident eyes. As expected, he was a prominent figure who had dominated an era.

“Well, I can’t be sure that he’s involved, but it’s certain that LHN is leading this case. I heard it directly from a member of the Black Society [an intelligence organization].”

Wilkins’ eyes changed at the mention of the Black Society. Their intelligence was the best in the world. If Bum-suk’s words were not a lie, the possibility was very high.

“The Black Society said that? Is that true?”

“Yes. I don’t know if you know, but recently I helped the Black Society in their fight against the Economic Association. They owe me a great debt for this, so they wouldn’t have said anything false.”

Wilkins’ eyes flashed at those words. Recently, the Black Society and the Economic Association had a big fight, and he heard that one of the Black Society members safely landed on a professional sports team, which led to their victory in this fight.

“Ah. So, you’re the team that made a Black Society member a professional athlete?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Huhu. Impressive. The Economic Association must have put a lot of pressure on you, but you managed to hold out.”

Bum-suk stroked the back of his neck as if he was embarrassed.

“Yes, it was very difficult. Once, they played a trick on us, and we almost lost our chance for promotion to the pros. At that time, Rainbow Group’s Chairwoman Gloria helped us get through it safely.”

Wilkins listened to those words, rested his chin for a moment, pondered, and then looked at him again.

“Hmm. Is that so? Then, could this be the work of the Economic Association? Since there’s still some animosity, I think it’s possible.”

“Probably not. I suspected them too, so I asked, but the Black Society said no.”

“Is that so? Not…? Hmm. By the way, didn’t the Black Society offer any help? If it’s such a solid company, the bond income would be good, so they could have helped to repay the favor.”

“Hoo~ I thought so too, so I asked, but they said they couldn’t provide direct help because LHN was determined to take us down.”

Wilkins slowly tilted his head to the side, as if he didn’t agree with those words. Even if it was LHN Financial Group, if the Black Society was hesitant, then this must have been done at Chairman Valbar’s level. If it was below that level, their members or helpers working in the financial world could have solved it sufficiently.

‘Strange. The Black Society is backing down…? I heard that this Valbar guy hasn’t been feeling well lately, so is he finally losing it?’

Wilkins showed considerable interest as the situation was unfolding in an interesting way. If this was really Valbar’s doing, it meant that he was losing his mind. It was a golden opportunity for Wilkins Financial Group to rise to the top spot in the industry.

Thinking that he needed more information, he asked the next question.

“Okay, I understand. Then, explain who the creditors are.”

Bum-suk gestured and turned the documents on the screen back a few pages and presented the list of creditors.

“Here it is.”

Wilkins looked at the screen and read down the list, stopping at the third item and staring intently. It was the content that Wilkins Financial Group had 12% of the bonds. He pointed his finger at the screen and looked at Bum-suk.

“Surely not?”

“Probably right.”

In an instant, Wilkins’ face turned red and blue, and he transformed into a demon-like figure. He cursed inwardly at what kind of crazy bastards were doing this, only to find that he was included. He didn’t know anything about it, but since the name Wilkins Financial Group was included, he couldn’t deny it.

With trembling hands, he brought up the screen of the intercom nearby.

– Yes, Chairman. Did you call?

“Who is the branch manager of the Avon region?”

The secretary in the screen quickly searched the data and immediately answered.

– It’s Director Den.

“Connect me right now.”

After Wilkins’ cold and quiet voice, a silent stillness flowed in the room. Bum-suk even thought about making a joke to change the atmosphere, but he didn’t have the courage when he saw his expression.

After a while, the screen switched and a clerk in his late 50s appeared. He had half-white hair and treated Wilkins with great humility.

– Oh, Chairman. What brings you here? It’s an honor.

“Tell me everything you know about the Rainbow Group situation, without missing a single detail.”

Den was extremely embarrassed by the sudden threatening remarks and didn’t know what to do.

– W-well, Chairman… I don’t really know much about the Rainbow Group issue…

“Hmph. Do you think I’m a fool? I know roughly, so if you tell me even a hint of a lie, I won’t end it with just a recommendation for resignation.”

Den stiffened his body and looked at Wilkins. If he made a mistake here, he would be fired immediately.

– T-that’s because the entire group of creditors agreed, so I couldn’t help it. If I had opposed it here, I would have been immediately ostracized and we would have suffered huge losses. I had no choice but to cooperate for the sake of the company.

“Hoo? So, you’re involved, huh? It’s so interesting that my back is tingling. So, who is the mastermind?”

– It’s Executive Director Ride of LHN.

Wilkins repeated Executive Director Ride’s name and thought of a woman. She was Aula’s closest aide.

“So, that bitch Aula is behind it.”

– Probably.

“Why did that bitch move? Did Rainbow Group do anything wrong?”

– I don’t really know about that. However, Rainbow Group is a company based in Avon. I don’t think they did anything to offend Aula.”

Wilkins took out his electronic notepad from his pocket and began searching for information about Aula. If she was doing something so absurd, there must be a reason. He needed to find out more. However, no matter how much he looked, he couldn’t find any connection between her and Rainbow Group.

‘Then someone must have ordered it…’

Wilkins roughly grasped the situation and examined Aula’s relationships. And he found a suspicious person at the alumni meeting she attended every year. It was Julian, who belonged to the Young Entrepreneurs Association. The Young Entrepreneurs Association had a close relationship with the Economic Association, which was hostile to the Black Society.

‘What is it? Is the Black Society saying that they didn’t even grasp this content? Hmm. That can’t be.’

Wilkins thought that there was some complicated vested interest and continued to ask questions to find out more details.

“Tell me about everyone involved in this matter.”

– Most of the major creditors of Rainbow Group. From Executive Director Ride of LHN, Vice President Hobbs of Unique Bank… and…

Wilkins, with his eyes wide open, interrupted Den’s explanation. Vice President Hobbs had a close relationship with the Black Society, almost like his own limbs.

“What? Vice President Hobbs? Are you sure?”

– Yes, I’m sure. The reason I cooperated in this matter was because I received a call from Vice President Hobbs.

Wilkins made an absurd expression, looked at Bum-suk, and clicked his tongue. The Black Society, which he firmly believed was an ally, was hitting him hard in the back of the head. Even though this industry was a ruthless world without blood or tears, it was too much to point an invisible dagger at a benefactor.

Wilkins, who roughly grasped the situation, said to Den in a cold voice.

“You said your name was Den?”

– Yes, yes. That’s right.

“Submit your resignation to my desk by tomorrow and pack your bags.”

Den, whose face turned white, pleaded earnestly.

– C-Chairman. Please forgive me. I just made an unavoidable choice for Wilkins Financial Group.

“You’re saying that kind of thing is for Wilkins Financial Group? You must be mistaken about something. Banks don’t live on money. It’s all about image and trust. You smeared shit on my face for money that you can have or not have. I can’t tolerate this. Consider yourself lucky to be getting severance pay and being kicked out.”

– Chairman. Please…

“I warn you. If I don’t see your resignation on my desk by tomorrow, there will be nothing left for you.”

After saying this, Wilkins forcibly cut off the communication. Bum-suk and Lexter, seeing this, clenched their fists, as if they were full of expectations. Judging from Wilkins’ actions now, it was believed that support for Rainbow Group was certain.

Bum-suk couldn’t hide his smile and said.

“Chairman. Then, are you going to support Rainbow Group?”

Wilkins looked at him with calm eyes and shook his head.

“No. There will be no support for Rainbow Group. No, we will also put considerable pressure on Rainbow Group, so be prepared.”

Bum-suk, who couldn’t understand at all, abruptly questioned him.

“W-what do you mean? You know very well that this situation is very wrong, don’t you, Chairman?”

“That’s right. It’s very wrong.”

“Then why are you saying such absurd things?”

“Because the life of a bank is trust. No matter how wrong the decision is, and even if it’s caused by the mistakes of those below, we must keep our promises once we’ve made them. That’s the motto of Wilkins Financial Group.”

Bum-suk stared at Wilkins with a blank expression for a moment. He knew that he was a stubborn old man, but he didn’t know that he would be this rigid. Angered, he jumped up from his seat and spat out an angry voice.

“Then what about Rainbow Group! And what about the lives of the employees who make a living there! Are you saying that Wilkins Financial Group’s face is more important than the suffering of countless people!”

“That’s right.”

“That’s a ridiculous sophistry!”

“No. The world is a cold place. And we are not philanthropists. You can never run a financial company if you feel sorry for the unemployment of a few people.”

He was speaking with a firm expression, but Wilkins’ eyes were shaking. Judging that he was feeling conflicted due to his conscience, Bum-suk glared at him with deeply sunken eyes. Wilkins was the only hope now, so he couldn’t give up like this.

============================ Author’s Notes ============================

Oh my, oh my, I end up drinking every weekend, which is driving me crazy. Strangely, when I drink, I can’t write well for a few days. I think I should turn off my phone and spend the weekends.

Then, everyone, have a pleasant Monday, and I’ll see you again tomorrow.