Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 211

211. How is Your Father? (1)

In front of the left door of the Rockefeller family head’s office in the United States.

The Rockefeller family head’s chief steward adjusted his tie.

Knock, knock.

The chief steward carefully opened the door.

Immediately, the waiting medical staff bowed deeply.

“You may leave for a moment. I need to speak with the head of the family alone,” the chief steward said, dismissing the medical staff with a gesture.

The Rockefeller family head, surrounded by life support devices, slowly turned his head.

He had been spending more time asleep recently, but fortunately, he was awake today.

“We have joyful news from Miss Alice.”

His youngest daughter, who had been a source of concern, had sent good news.

The Rockefeller family head’s eyes regained their vitality.

“They say oil is gushing out of the sea off the coast of South Korea.”

“Oil…?”

“Yes, a massive amount.”

“What is the estimated reserve?”

“The current estimate is about 60 billion barrels. However, reports suggest it could be up to 100 billion barrels.”

At the unexpected news, the Rockefeller family head’s eyes widened in surprise.

Seeing joy spread across his master’s face, the chief steward excitedly continued his report.

“Saudi Arabia, the current largest oil producer, has proven oil reserves of about 270 billion barrels. Do you grasp the significance?”

This was why the chief steward had decided to speak with the Rockefeller family head alone.

“Our Miss Alice has struck a jackpot in the offshore oil field she participated in.”

The Rockefeller family head nodded, a pleased expression on his face.

He looked very satisfied.

“Miss Alice will be able to claim all the credit for this. She has demonstrated the most outstanding performance among the Rockefeller family members.”

It was unlike the usually composed chief steward to be so effusive.

The chief steward’s face was filled with pride.

“Her investment performance alone has already set her apart from her siblings. And now, oil too! No one will be able to belittle Miss Alice’s abilities.”

Alice had the disadvantages of being an illegitimate child and a woman in a patriarchal society.

Moreover, her mother, from an insignificant family, had passed away early, leaving her with no support.

Therefore, despite her outstanding abilities and sharp mind, she had been largely excluded from the family’s inner circle.

True to the family’s motto of ‘survival of the fittest,’ the Rockefeller family head could only watch, even though he knew of her potential.

Because society is even more ruthless and cruel than any family.

He deliberately turned a blind eye, believing that a tough, resilient individual was better than a spoiled, entitled one.

“It’s a relief…”

His daughter was overcoming all of that and successfully standing on her own two feet.

He was proud.

“It was luck…”

“It’s not luck, but her ability. The head of the family knows better than anyone how intelligent and sharp Miss Alice is, doesn’t he?”

“She met him… that’s the luck…”

The Rockefeller family head thought of Tae-soo.

‘He was no ordinary man. He wasn’t intimidated at all, even in front of me. Rather, the look in his eyes, that saw right through me, couldn’t be seen as belonging to a mere youngster.’

Eyes reveal much.

Tae-soo’s eyes held wisdom, experience, courage, and insight.

‘He is a man capable of commanding an era.’

Such a man was by Alice’s side.

So things must have progressed so easily and quickly.

‘Alice is smart, but she doesn’t have the capacity to achieve this level of success in such a short time. Surely, he helped her in every way.’

The Rockefeller family head was curious about Tae-soo’s moves.

“Kang Tae-soo seems to have taken control of Korea with this incident.”

It was astonishing.

“Is it because of the oil…?”

“It’s not just because of the oil. Do you remember the Lockheed scandal he exposed?” (The Lockheed scandal was a major bribery scandal involving the Lockheed Corporation and numerous politicians in several countries.)

Of course, he remembered.

He vividly remembered the chief steward’s shocked expression when he saw the documents he had presented.

It was a very pleasant and enjoyable moment.

“The Lockheed scandal did not break out in Korea.”

The Rockefeller family head immediately understood.

Tae-soo had deliberately covered up the Lockheed scandal in Korea.

He could easily guess the reason.

“He’s shrewd… cunning, too…”

He had used the Lockheed scandal to win over high-ranking Korean officials and influential figures.

He particularly liked that choice.

A lone wolf will eventually be beaten and fall.

“He’s making sure they’re too busy stirring up the entire Japanese political scene to touch the oil business, and even using diversionary tactics in the meantime. He’s truly a great strategist.”

He meant that he had deliberately escalated the situation by creating a huge scandal that shook the world, diverting attention from his own activities.

‘All I can do for Alice is buy her time.’

That was why the Rockefeller family head was desperately clinging to life.

His young youngest daughter needed time to solidify her position.

She was perfect in every way to become the next head of the family, but he just regretted that she didn’t have enough time to prove it.

“Support her generously…”

“Understood. Leave it to me.”

The old father would use money, power, and connections.

He would mobilize all his resources.

He intended to shower his daughter with opportunities.

Then Tae-soo would pave the way for his daughter to walk on that path.

‘If only Tae-soo could fulfill the last condition for my daughter to become the next head of the family…’

The most outstanding of his children.

The most remarkable person among the young people he had ever seen, Kang Tae-soo.

‘What kind of amazing child would be born between those two? I would have no regrets if I could see that child before I die.’

The Rockefeller family head was indulging in pleasant fantasies.

* * *

Korea was turned upside down.

People were ecstatic about the oil news announced just before the presidential election.

Newspapers and broadcasts showed scenes of oil drilling off the southern coast of Jeju Island every day.

Everywhere, people were talking about oil.

“I bought shares in the Tae Yang Group. You should buy them quickly too.”

“What kind of company is Tae Yang Group? I’ve never heard of it.”

The Tae Yang Group’s stock price soared.

This was because the Tae Yang Group had succeeded in developing oil independently.

That was why the Tae Yang Group’s public relations office phone was ringing non-stop.

* * *

Geumsan Hotel, 7th floor hall.

Today was the day of the KBL (Korean Business Leaders) meeting.

“We fought fiercely with Kim Jong-pyo this time, but we finally won.”

“The game was already over when the announcement of the oil discovery came out.”

“Kim Jong-pyo was dragged away for the Park Jung-hwan assassination case and disappeared without a trace, but no one even mentions him.”

“Who would pay attention to a has-been whose political career is over?”

It was a case where even the acting president was involved in the assassination of the former president.

But no one paid any attention to it.

“Why did Kim Jong-pyo provoke the chaebols (large family-owned conglomerates)? I don’t understand why the chaebols waged a full-scale war against the government, unlike usual.”

“Haven’t you heard about Kim Jong-pyo and the chaebols clashing at the Geumsan Hotel?”

“Oh, so the fight between Kim Jong-pyo and the chaebols started there?”

Rockefeller.

Rockefeller’s power to control the chaebols with a few words was truly amazing.

Kim Jong-pyo’s downfall was foreshadowed from the moment he fell out of Rockefeller’s favor.

“Rockefeller definitely smelled the oil early on.”

“They say they’re even developing Jeju Island.”

These days, the chaebols’ interest was all focused on oil and the development of Jeju Island.

“I hope we can get a piece of the development process.”

“The oil industry port doesn’t cost just a few pennies. There will be positions available.”

“I’m thinking of jumping into the hotel and resort business in Jeju Island.”

“I wonder if they’re going to expand the Jeju airport? I’m more interested in that.”

“Isn’t a shopping center and logistics center more interesting than that?”

The pipeline from the 7th mining sector inevitably had to pass through Jeju Island.

So everyone was eager to get involved in the Jeju Island development project.

Unlike the people who were excited about the business talk, Han Il-kwon was sitting in his seat with an uncomfortable face.

‘What’s so great about it that they’re making such a fuss? It was just good luck.’

Han Il-kwon, the new head of Cheongil Group, which ranked 13th in the Korean business world.

It was his first time attending a KBL meeting since his father, Han Cheong-ho, went to prison.

But everyone was only talking about Kang Tae-soo.

‘Kang Tae-soo is only ranked 163rd in the business world! I am the head of Cheongil Group, ranked 13th!’

But no one showed even a shred of interest in Han Il-kwon.

‘They don’t even ask about my father’s well-being. These shameless bastards…!’

His stomach was churning with resentment.

Naturally, Han Il-kwon’s expression could not help but stiffen.

Han Il-kwon looked at his watch.

‘Everyone is just chatting and not even thinking about the meeting. Why did we even gather if this is how it is?’

Then someone shouted.

“Tae Yang Group Chairman Kang Tae-soo is here!”

All eyes focused on one place.

Step, step.

Tae-soo appeared at the entrance of the 7th floor hall.

Kim Kwang-rok and the Tae Yang Group bodyguards following Tae-soo stopped in the hallway.

The secretaries and aides bowed to Tae-soo and went down to the lower floor hall.

Only Tae-soo entered the 7th floor hall.

“Chairman Kang, this way.”

Jang Jun-yong, the head of Geumsan Group and chairman of the KBL, jumped up and waved his hand happily.

Chairman Lee Byung-chun of Samcheong Group also stood up from his seat.

“Let’s start the meeting now.”

Lee Byung-chun personally pulled out the chair next to him and offered Tae-soo a seat.

It was an elegant and precise movement.

‘That seat was reserved for Kang Tae-soo.’

‘Lee Byung-chun is deliberately taking care of the seat next to him. He’s more of a big shot than I thought.’

A quick-witted person jumped up and suddenly started applauding.

It was to make an impression on Tae-soo.

“Congratulations on the successful oil development.”

Profit came before face.

Then the flies who smelled power and money joined in all at once.

Everyone applauded and offered congratulations.

“Congratulations, Chairman Kang.”

“Please take good care of us in the future, Chairman Kang.”

They were all chaebols with companies that were highly dependent on oil.

They didn’t want to get on Tae-soo’s bad side over a small matter and face trouble.

They wanted to get even a crumb that fell into Tae-soo’s eyes.

‘This isn’t something to be welcomed like this. I’m embarrassed.’

Normally, Tae-soo would have waved his hand and acted modestly.

But the moment he saw Han Il-kwon, Tae-soo shut his mouth.

Everyone was standing up and applauding, but Han Il-kwon was sitting alone in his seat, glaring at Tae-soo.

‘Han Il-kwon.’

Tae-soo looked down at Han Il-kwon without a word.

The distance between Tae-soo and Han Il-kwon was about 20 meters.

Han Il-kwon also glared back without giving in.

“What are you staring at?”

The 7th floor hall of the Geumsan Hotel became quiet.

People were embarrassed and looked at Han Il-kwon, who had made rude remarks.

Tae-soo still stood silently in his place, looking down at Han Il-kwon.

Han Il-kwon sat alone in his seat and glared at Tae-soo.

The person next to him nudged Han Il-kwon’s back.

“Don’t you understand the atmosphere right now?”

“Understand the atmosphere? Applauding like crazy monkeys waiting for bananas to fall? I didn’t know that was the KBL atmosphere.”

The atmosphere was as cold as if they had been splashed with cold water.

“Aren’t you all ashamed? What’s with all the fuss as if some great person has come out?”

“Hey, you!”

“Kang Tae-soo, tell me with your own mouth. Are you such a great guy?”

Tae-soo smiled coldly.

“How is your father?”

Han Il-kwon frowned.

It was because Tae-soo had asked about his father’s well-being, which no one had asked about until now.