Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 207

207. Dreaming of Becoming the Rockefeller of Korea (4)

Taeyang Group Headquarters.

Under Tae-soo’s command, Taeyang Group was experiencing hectic days, barely able to catch its breath.

Seated at his desk in the chairman’s office, Tae-soo faced a mountain of documents awaiting his approval.

While reviewing these documents, Tae-soo instructed his secretary, Song Chang-joon.

“Increase the personnel in the public relations department. I understand the phone lines are flooded with calls to Taeyang Group affiliates because people can’t get through. Work shouldn’t be paralyzed by excessive phone calls.”

“Understood.”

“When will Planning and Coordination Director Song So-ri submit the report on the acquisition of the European oil refinery?”

“I’ll urge her. But Chairman, you’ve rejected the proposals for ten days now…”

“We need to find a worthwhile acquisition target. I’m rejecting these because they’re only bringing me places that are already tapped out. Tell the entire Planning and Coordination Department to make this their top priority.”

‘We’re already doing that.’

Finding an oil refinery that meets the requirements is like trying to catch a falling star.

Song Chang-joon sighed inwardly.

Knock, knock.

“Chairman, a distinguished guest has arrived.”

Tae-soo turned to look at Song Chang-joon.

Judging from Song Chang-joon’s bewildered expression, he knew an unscheduled visitor had arrived unannounced.

To be able to knock on the chairman’s office door without an appointment?

That meant the visitor was someone of considerable importance.

“Come in.”

[Excuse me. I have an urgent matter.]

It was Alice Rockefeller.

Behind her stood an elderly foreign gentleman, impeccably dressed in a high-end suit, wearing a fedora and holding a cane.

[The head butler of the Rockefeller family has come to see you.]

The elderly gentleman exuded an aura of wealth and power.

* * *

No one spoke until they had finished a cup of tea.

The man in his seventies carefully observed Tae-soo.

His expression, eyes, the way he drank tea, his posture, even his subtle mannerisms.

‘He’s very seasoned for his age. He possesses extraordinary courage. His posture and attitude are impeccable.’

He had heard that Tae-soo came from a humble background, but his refinement was remarkable.

His upright posture, relaxed demeanor, and confident attitude were striking.

‘The head of the family instructed me to bring him, and he is indeed an extraordinary individual.’

As the head butler of the Rockefeller family, he had encountered countless prominent figures.

From renowned powerful individuals to the royal families of various countries.

He had met many people who wielded influence in their respective nations.

Moreover, having witnessed the later years of the first oil tycoon, he had accumulated vast experience and developed a keen eye for detail.

Clatter.

Finally, the elderly gentleman placed his teacup down and spoke.

[Thank you for serving such excellent tea.]

[You’re welcome.]

[Shall we dispense with the pleasantries and get straight to the point?]

[Please do.]

[The head of the Rockefeller family wishes to meet you.]

It was unexpected.

Tae-soo and Alice exchanged glances.

[Me?]

[Yes. He wishes to have an in-depth conversation regarding this offshore oil field.]

Alice interjected.

[What did my father say?]

[That is something the head of the family will tell you directly. You should come along as well, Miss.]

[Wouldn’t it suffice for just me to go? Why this person as well…]

[It is the head of the family’s wish.]

Alice fell silent.

In the Rockefeller family, the head of the family’s orders were absolute.

A look of apology flashed in Alice’s eyes as she looked at Tae-soo.

The head butler noticed the look and wore a curious expression.

‘Miss Alice?’

It was the first time she had given such a look to a man.

Wasn’t Alice always cautious and reserved, giving cold looks to any man who approached her?

[It’s probably because of me. I’ll talk to my father when I get back, so don’t worry about it.]

[I don’t think he’s summoning you for anything bad.]

[Pardon?]

Alice’s eyes widened.

Tae-soo put down his teacup.

[What kind of proposal has the head of the Rockefeller family prepared?]

[…Were you expecting this?]

[If it were something negative, you would have initiated the conversation with bodyguards.]

[That’s right. If things were going to get rough, we would have proceeded accordingly. This old man’s bones are weak, you see.]

The elderly gentleman smiled.

[The head of the family was very pleased to hear about Miss Alice’s news. When he heard that you would be heading to Europe to acquire an oil refinery as soon as things in Korea are settled, he sent me.]

[My father did?]

[Why look so far away? The Rockefeller family possesses an excellent oil refinery.]

At those subtle words, Alice looked at Tae-soo.

[We’ve discovered oil. So, if we want to quickly acquire drilling equipment, facilities, experts, and a company, a company on the verge of bankruptcy would suffice.]

[What would be left in a company on the verge of bankruptcy? They would have already siphoned off all the valuable assets and left only debt.]

Tae-soo nodded.

That was the reason why Planning and Coordination Director Song So-ri’s proposals were repeatedly rejected, despite her dedication to acquiring a European oil refinery.

‘It’s a company chosen as an acquisition candidate, but it doesn’t show any potential for profit. It only reeks of decay.’

What’s the point of acquiring a company that’s already worthless?

It would be better to build a new one from scratch.

However, there was a lack of time and technology to build an oil refinery from the ground up.

[Miss Alice, how about asking the head of the family?]

[My father?]

[Who knows? He might have a hidden card prepared separately.]

Alice was tempted.

Wasn’t Alice worried about her father, who was confined to his bed?

‘I should go home and see him. I need to see my father.’

Alice nodded.

[Okay. I’ll ask my father.]

[That’s a good idea. The head of the family has been waiting for you for a long time. He will be very happy when you return.]

The elderly gentleman said to Tae-soo.

[The head of the family has something to tell Mr. Kang.]

[What is it?]

[He said, ‘The second meeting regarding the Korea-Japan continental shelf will be held in Tokyo, Japan, in two days. Do you have any plans to cause trouble?’… The message to be conveyed will differ depending on Mr. Kang’s answer.]

It was exactly what Tae-soo had been anticipating.

[What if I plan to cause trouble?]

[Come to America. I will personally set the stage for you. I promise.’… That’s what he said.]

‘I like it.’

[I’m very much looking forward to what kind of trouble the head of the Rockefeller family will personally orchestrate.]

Tae-soo also had a plan he was preparing.

But the head of the Rockefeller family was offering to help with the trouble?

It was tempting.

[Alright. Let’s go together.]

[The Rockefeller family’s private jet is prepared at the airport. Mr. Kang doesn’t need to prepare anything separately, just make time.]

Thus, Tae-soo, Alice, and the head butler of the Rockefeller family headed to America.

* * *

It is known that wealthy people in the vast United States live in luxurious mansions.

The Rockefeller’s mansion was truly worthy of being called a castle.

Brrr.

When the iron gate, which was over 10 meters long, opened to the left and right, the car entered the grounds.

The grounds the car was entering could no longer be called a yard.

At this scale, it could be called a large forest rather than a garden.

There were pavilions and fountains everywhere, and flower beds filled with colorful flowers.

There was even a lake within the grounds.

‘Amazing.’

The mansion, which was reached after driving for more than 10 minutes, was on a different scale altogether.

It was more magnificent than Saudi Khalid’s mansion.

[Let’s go see the head of the family right away.]

As soon as they got out of the car at the entrance of the mansion, the employees stood in a row to greet Alice.

The head butler gave brief instructions to the employees and followed Alice.

‘Now that I see it, she really is the daughter of an incredibly wealthy family.’

The Rockefeller family’s reputation was well-known, but it was the first time he had actually visited their home.

Even in his previous life, he had never met a member of the Rockefeller family in person.

Knock, knock.

The head of the family’s office was on the 3rd floor of the main building, connected to the sickroom of the head of the Rockefeller family.

Alice ran and grasped the frail hand of the head of the Rockefeller family.

[Father.]

The head of the Rockefeller family, surrounded by life support devices, looked visibly ill.

He was receiving several types of IV drips and antibiotics, and the oxygen respirator and heart rate monitor displayed vital signs.

When Alice leaned over and caressed his hand, a raspy voice was heard above her head.

[Have you come……?]

The head of the Rockefeller family struggled to open his eyes.

Tears were already welling up in Alice’s eyes.

[Why have you become so thin in just a month or two since I last saw you?]

[It’s been a while…….]

The head of the Rockefeller family stroked Alice’s hair.

[You’ve worked hard…….]

It meant that he knew how Alice had been living for the past two months.

Alice bit her lip tightly to keep from crying.

She rubbed her cheek against her father’s dry hand without saying a word.

The back of his hand became wet with Alice’s tears.

[Are you Mr. Kang……?]

[It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Kang Tae-soo.]

The head of the Rockefeller family made eye contact with Tae-soo.

His gaze was different from the head butler, who meticulously examined Tae-soo from head to toe.

The head of the Rockefeller family never took his eyes off Tae-soo’s eyes.

It is said that if a person’s body is worth a thousand *nyang* [a traditional Korean currency], the eyes are worth nine hundred *nyang*.

The head of the Rockefeller family looked at Tae-soo’s eyes in silence for a long time.

Tae-soo and the head of the Rockefeller family stared at each other without blinking.

‘He’s definitely a significant figure. Even though he looks like he’s on the verge of death, his spirit and mental strength are at this level. Those with great insight have different eyes.’

The head of the Rockefeller family finally smiled.

[Yes, you can’t be a man without a venomous heart……. Good…….]

Suddenly, the head of the Rockefeller family raised his hand.

He went straight to the point instead of offering greetings.

[I will keep my promise……. The Korea-Japan treaty was not properly concluded… Cough!]

[Father!]

Alice exclaimed in surprise.

The head butler quickly wiped the corners of the Rockefeller family head’s mouth with a white towel.

Only after carefully wiping away the dark red blood did he step back.

[How can I assist… with your troublemaking……?]

[I am planning to detonate a gate [a scandal or controversy] at the upcoming hearing of the Multinational Corporation Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.]

[Of course, it will be on a scale that will shake the entire Japan…….]

[That’s right. It will be the biggest, worst, and unprecedented political fund scandal in Japanese history.]

This was exactly why he flew all the way to America.

Tae-soo took out the bundle of documents he had prepared.

When he held out his hand, the head butler took the documents and stood next to the head of the Rockefeller family.

The head butler reviewed the documents and opened his mouth in disbelief.

[No, th, th, this is……!]

Flutter. Swish. Flutter.

The head butler’s speed of turning the documents became faster, rougher, and more frantic.

The head butler quickly flipped through the thick documents in an instant.

[No, how did you investigate all of this? It doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t make sense!]

Only shock remained in his dazed eyes.

[Are you out of your mind? You prepared a gate of this scale?]

[I didn’t create something out of nothing. I just dug up what was already there.]

[Do you even know how many countries are involved in this? Not only will Japan be turned upside down, but also West Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Saudi Arabia!]

The head butler became greatly agitated and touched his forehead.

[Are you really going to detonate this? If you do, all the presidents of these countries will have to resign! This is not a scandal that can just be covered up, how can you……!]

Just how big of a deal was he trying to make that he was showing such a reaction?

Unlike the head butler, who was always calm and logical, he was rambling.

Alice, who knew the head butler well, could not hide her bewilderment and looked back and forth between Tae-soo and the butler.

It was as if a question mark (?) was floating above her head.

On the other hand, the head of the Rockefeller family could not hold back and laughed loudly.

[Ha, haha……. Yes, it has to be this much… Haha…….]

He had a very satisfied expression.

[Head of the family, this will really spread like wildfire! This is no ordinary gate! Our Rockefeller family can’t get involved in something like this……!]

[Proceed…….]

The head of the Rockefeller family cut off the head butler’s words.

The head butler could not believe the words that came out of the head of the Rockefeller family’s mouth.

He directly flipped through the documents prepared by Tae-soo again and shouted.

[Head of the family, please take a look at this! Once you see this, you won’t say to proceed! What the hell is this crazy bastard trying to bomb in how many countries……!]

The Rockefeller family should not get involved in such political scandals.

Just as the head butler was about to summarize Tae-soo’s plan.

The head of the Rockefeller family raised his hand.

[Proceed… as planned…….]

[Head of the family!]

The head of the Rockefeller family forced a smile with his trembling lips.

[I promised…….]

The promise of the head of the Rockefeller family must be kept.

Only then did the head butler remember.

When the head of the Rockefeller family suggested bringing Tae-soo, what promise he had made to him.

-If you plan to cause trouble, come to America. I will personally set the stage for you. I promise.

[Head of the family, you already anticipated this situation when you sent me…….]