Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 48

48. 15th. A Friend Beyond Distance (3)

The reception room was empty.

Henry, left alone, bit his lip, his expression stiff.

Was it because he, a man whose family had been rooted [established] for five generations, had been outmaneuvered by a young man from a country smaller than the United States? Or was it the self-disgust at having shrunk so much that he could be challenged by such a young man? Whatever the reason, Henry could only groan, his expression unchanging.

Henry sighed and raised his head. His gaze drifted upwards, settling on the wall where the family crest hung.

A shield emblazoned with two magpies and two lions, alternating.

And the words ‘Ich Bau Auf Gott’ [I build on God] inscribed on the scroll beneath it.

“Ich Bau Auf Gott… Heh heh….”

Laughter escaped Henry’s mouth.

A self-deprecating smile twisted his face. Was it the skepticism of whether he truly embodied the phrase ‘I am built on God’? Only his pathetic laughter echoed in the reception room.

“My present is his future….”

Henry murmured John Davidson Lee’s words. That provocative remark, the challenge to show him the future, the more he pondered it, the more bitterness welled up, staining his face with a sour expression.

He lost track of time, but eventually, Henry’s eyes hardened with resolve. He focused on the documents spread across the table.

“Hmm….”

An almost involuntary groan escaped his lips, and a newfound strength shone in his eyes, magnified by the monocle.

***

A week later.

I was on the phone in a New York alley.

“I’m sorry, Grandpa. Please wait a little longer. I will definitely find a way.”

[Don’t be impatient, take your time. Whatever happens, it will be a lesson, heh heh.]

“Thank you, Grandpa. I’ll hang up now.”

[Okay.]

I sighed after ending the call. It had been a week already, and the lack of news was frustrating.

“Damn it.”

I craved a cigarette, a desperate urge. There was nothing like cigarette smoke to soothe the turmoil inside, but I had vowed not to smoke in this life, so only a sigh escaped.

I left the alley and entered the pub, taking a seat at the table.

“What do you think will happen?”

Seon Hae-cheol, already seated, downed his straight whiskey in one gulp instead of answering.

“Henry is as proud as the Chairman, if not more so. But he’s always been a cautious investor, so I imagine the decision isn’t easy.”

Seon Hae-cheol’s brow furrowed as he set down the glass. He seemed to be seeking strength from the alcohol to express his frustration with his friend.

“Is it because of his age…?”

“He’s approaching his sixtieth birthday, so it’s understandable. People don’t change easily. It’s been more than four days since the promised date, and we haven’t heard a word….”

Seon Hae-cheol trailed off, glancing at his wristwatch, which read 11 o’clock, and sighed.

“I’m sorry, Johnny. Let’s give up.”

“Claire….”

“All information from Triumph has been blocked since that day. For both Sun and me. If we continue like this, we’ll just be wasting time.”

Regret clouded Claire’s face. A week had been wasted on this deal where time was money, and the opportunity cost was growing.

Knowing that he had waited four extra days because of her, Claire seemed unable to bear it any longer.

Had I misjudged people? Had I trusted too easily? As I finished my whiskey and set down the empty glass, my phone rang.

“This is John Davidson Lee. Who is this?”

[It’s me, Johnny. It’s late. Judging by the noise, are you drinking?]

Calling so late just to ask that. Annoyance laced my reply.

“What’s going on, Lord Royce?”

[Oh, you’re very angry.]

“Why did you call when you know so well? I assume you’ve finalized all the arrangements by now.”

By now, he must have finished preparing for the yen speculation according to the documents I had provided. Henry’s calm voice grated on me as I clenched my teeth.

[Are you reading my mind? All preparations were completed today.]

You son of a bitch. After acting all high and mighty, you’re stabbing me in the back!

The three who had been holding their breath, watching me, sighed or lowered their heads as they saw my face twist in anger.

After glancing at them, I bit down on my teeth and spoke into the phone.

“I don’t think we’ll be seeing each other again. Good work….”

[Wait.]

“What do you mean, wait, Lord Royce? You can do it without us….”

I was about to hang up, seeing no point in continuing the conversation, but Henry cut me off.

[Come to my house if you’re curious. It would be nice to have a drink with Johnny and talk.]

After a moment of silent hesitation, I released my lip.

“Okay, Lord Royce. I’ll leave right now.”

I decided to trust him one more time. If we remained hidden behind Triumph, Standard would be exposed later anyway, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try.

[Tell me where you are, and I’ll send a car. Make yourself comfortable.]

After giving him our location and hanging up, Seon Hae-cheol spoke first.

“That was Henry on the phone, right?”

“Yes. He said he’ll send a car and told me to have a drink.”

Seon Hae-cheol also seemed confused. Since all his information channels had been blocked since that day, there was no way he would know.

“Let’s have another drink while we wait. It won’t hurt to see what he has to say.”

As we drank, waiting for the car Henry promised, the butler I had seen before entered the bar, removed his fedora, and bowed.

“The master sent me. Let’s go.”

Let’s trust him one last time. Let’s just pretend we’re being played for fools.

***

After the car ride and entering the mansion, we were greeted by Henry in a dressing gown.

“Let’s talk over a drink.”

“Let’s talk here. I have to return to Korea tomorrow.”

Henry exclaimed, taken aback by my sharp tone.

“Oh… Is he showing his true colors after a few drinks?”

“It’s not like that, Lord Royce. I can earn as much as I want even without you.”

If the position was cleared at the current exchange rate, the net profit would be at least $1 billion.

I was fully prepared to expose Standard in the worst-case scenario, even though I was short $200 million of the maximum profit, so I was wary of Henry.

“Johnny, you’re quite a fierce friend.”

Henry smiled at me. Did he find my current state amusing?

“Just you wait, Lord Royce. In the future….”

I was about to retort that I would rise higher than him, clip the crane’s wings, and behead the lion, but I realized something had changed.

“Lord Royce?”

“You’re too stiff, young man. You’re being polite even when you’re drunk. If I had known this would happen, I would have made you drink more before coming in.”

The man who had called me ‘Mr. Lee’ last time was now calling me ‘Johnny’. Come to think of it, he had called me ‘Johnny’ during our phone conversation. But….

“Stop it and get to the point. I really don’t have time.”

Was he teasing me, or was this some kind of nonsense in the middle of the night? The disappointment was as great as the expectation, and Henry’s face darkened at my impatient words.

“Are you that pressed for time?”

“A huge typhoon is about to hit. I have to control it from the eye of the storm, and I don’t have enough time.”

Henry stared at me intently as I pressed him, then sighed.

“I’m sorry, Johnny. It took me time to prepare what I could do.”

I wondered what he meant and rubbed my eyes, but it only took a moment to understand.

“I’ve done everything I could with the contract you gave me. It took time to gather the shares from our family members and find sponsors. I’ve also identified some places to sell financial products in Japan.”

“Yes?”

The alcohol haze cleared. He had drawn up all the blueprints for the work he was planning to sign and promote in such a short time?

Even as Seon Hae-cheol, Claire, and Park Tae-jin stared in astonishment, Henry continued.

“The decision was made the day I met you. After meeting you, I was ashamed of myself. A young man like you is working hard in this faraway place to revive his family, and I am….”

Henry paused, then continued.

“I think I’m worse than your grandfather. No, I’m worse than your grandfather, heh heh.”

Bitterness tinged Henry’s laughter. Whether it was self-disgust or regret for the collapsing family’s wealth, honor, and glory, even his expression seemed pathetic.

“I prepared this because I didn’t want to freeload. If I fight with the determination to die, as you said, I will be a proud father to my daughter even if I fail, and I will be able to face my friend with confidence. If I win, I will be able to drive out even those without pedigree [family background].”

“Henry?”

Henry smiled at Seon Hae-cheol and Claire, who were calling his name.

“I’m sorry for blocking the information line, Sun. I don’t know how big this will get, but it’s likely to trigger a hearing [official investigation]. I didn’t want your name or my daughter’s name to be tarnished, so please understand.”

Henry looked at Claire and Seon Hae-cheol.

I could feel the heart of a father and the heart of a friend in his face. My heart was touched by his determination to protect his children and friends from any blemish.

“Dad….”

“It’s the first time, Claire.”

Henry approached Claire with a gentle smile and stroked her cheek. Her tears touched his hand.

“How is it, Johnny? Can you be sure of your future now? That you will be a good father.”

“…Of course, Henry. You are a really good father.”

As I answered, I thought of my deceased parents and my grandfather, who believed in me and waited for me. I had only vaguely asked them to wait a little longer, but I wondered if they were doing well.

“I will return to Korea because you have prepared a good table, Henry. I will inform my family and bring more sponsors.”

I was wary of the butterfly effect [small changes can have large consequences], but this opportunity was once in a lifetime. I believed that if I consulted with the elders of my family and group and prepared carefully, I could minimize the potential negative consequences.

“Is there enough ammunition [funds] for the sponsors?”

“That’s why I have to go to Korea. I’ll have to see how much property my grandfather and other sponsors have, haha.”

As I looked at Henry with an awkward smile, Seon Hae-cheol spoke.

“Johnny’s family can contribute more than your emergency fund, Henry. I guarantee it.”

“Uncle?”

Henry addressed Seon Hae-cheol, seemingly unconcerned by my surprise.

“Are you sure, Sun?”

“I wouldn’t have said it if I wasn’t sure. I’ll go to Korea tomorrow and contact you.”

Hearing Seon Hae-cheol’s confident reply, I remembered my meeting with my grandfather at the beginning of the year.

[Haven’t you done it a few times before? It shouldn’t be too difficult to split it up and combine it like this?]

[You’ll find out later, Seong-min. For now, just take it as it is, haha.]

I now understood what my grandfather and Go Seung-ju meant. Seon Hae-cheol, were you managing our family’s overseas slush fund [secret fund]? Is that why my grandfather let you join Triumph?

Otherwise, those words couldn’t have been uttered. How much hidden wealth did our family possess?

As I tried to unravel the tangle of questions that had been resolved but newly formed, Henry spoke.

“…Okay. Before that….”

When Henry lifted and shook a glass bell, a young man pushed in a cart laden with several bottles of wine.

“Drink the wine your friend offers, Johnny. I hope there will be more opportunities like this in the future. The same goes for tea time, haha.”

Looking at Henry laughing heartily, I was suddenly going to be treated, but what did it matter? A friend who had overcome the vast distance of nationality and age wanted it, so I had to drink and enjoy the moment.

***

The next morning.

We, having slept in the guest room at Henry’s house, were waiting for our flight in the JFK Airport VIP Lounge.

“Ugh, my head.”

Seon Hae-cheol clicked his tongue as he watched me massage my temples.

“Don’t drink so much. You idiot, did you drink it all just because he offered it?”

“He’s a friend offering wine, how could I refuse? It was also a reception, heh heh.”

At last night’s drinking party, I had played the role of a wine connoisseur, diligently accepting and drinking the vintage wine Henry poured. When the glass was empty, he refilled it, and if it wasn’t empty, he urged me to finish it and refilled it again, making it difficult to stay sober.

“That’s true. Seeing Henry step up like that, what you said must have had a big impact. I’m glad I introduced you, heh heh.”

Seon Hae-cheol and I exchanged smiles. I had gained a new, reliable friend, and Seon Hae-cheol had helped his best friend—what could be better?

“What did you tell the New York branch of Hae Dong Corporation?”

“I took annual leave. I’m only on the payroll for a symbolic 10-won salary, but it’s still complicated.”

I answered Seon Hae-cheol and sighed lightly. I had put my name on the company to create a smokescreen outside the group, but I hadn’t realized it would be this difficult.

Claire shook her head at me.

“Johnny’s family is strict. I heard that Korean chaebol [family-owned conglomerate] owners do whatever they want.”

“That’s the Chairman’s style, Miss Lawrence. Let’s talk about it on the plane, haha.”

We boarded the plane, enjoyed the comfort of first class, and arrived at Gimpo Airport. Having completed the homework my grandfather had assigned, my steps out of the arrival hall were light.