Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 131

38th. All-Out War (3)

From that day on, we poured all our funds into put option trading. We boosted profits by selling August and September put options as they expired and using the proceeds to buy October put options.

And today, October 30th, everyone who had been in charge of their respective put option volumes gathered around the computer I was sitting at.

“Final contract, sell!”

The moment I pressed the enter button on the keyboard in front of me, everyone erupted in cheers.

“Woo-hoo!”

“It’s over!”

“Hooray-!”

The three-month put option trading that started in August ended today.

Thanks to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority raising short-term interest rates to 300 percent, a large amount of capital fled the stock market, causing the Hang Seng Index [Hong Kong’s main stock market index] to plummet by 11 percent. As a result, the value of put options, which make money when stock prices fall, soared, making the selling process smooth.

“How much did we make?”

Joo Seung-bin, who had returned to his seat and was tapping away at his computer, shouted loudly.

“A total of 10 billion dollars, Director! We have secured the full amount in US dollars!”

As soon as the profit settlement results came out, another wave of cheers swept through the office. Hadn’t we increased the initial 300 million dollars brought into Hong Kong more than 33 times? It was definitely something to celebrate.

“Everyone, you’ve worked hard! I will give each of you 10 billion won [approximately $7.5 million USD] as a year-end bonus! And there will be dividends, so look forward to it!”

Everyone’s eyes widened at my answer, which I shouted while clapping loudly.

“D, Director?”

“This is all thanks to you all. Director Park Tae-jin and I only came up with the idea, so you should receive the rewards.”

At current prices, 10 billion won is enough to buy nearly ten of the most expensive apartments in Apgujeong or Seocho-dong [affluent districts in Seoul]. How flustered would they be to hear that I was going to give away such a large sum?

However, I ran a large operation in Hong Kong under the pretext of not wanting to let them play around, and the practical work would not have been easy without them. So, it wouldn’t have been a waste to give them twice as much as 10 billion won per person.

I looked around at Min-joo Hyung and Joo Seung-bin, and then spoke to those who had their eyes on me.

“You guys did this project from start to finish. Director Park Tae-jin and I only made the decisions. Just make sure this never gets out in Korea.”

“What are you saying, Director? Isn’t it all your and Director Park’s idea?”

“That’s right, Director! To give us all the credit and bonuses…”

Even Joo Seung-bin shouted with a look of disbelief, but I raised both hands and shook them to calm them down.

“Our Haedong doesn’t have the strength to shake off the other groups’ checks yet. But what would happen if I stepped up and made money?”

Min-joo Hyung, who had narrowed his eyes for a moment, relaxed his expression.

“···Is it because of the spotlight?”

“If I get exposed, I’ll be showered with attention and checks, whether I like it or not.”

Giving them 10 billion won each in bonuses was not only to acknowledge their contributions, but also to hide my achievements from the eyes of Shin Sung and Jang Ho-gun.

Understanding what I meant, Min-joo Hyung, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth.

“···I see. Understood, Director. Department Head Joo understands too, right?”

“Of course, Director. A protruding stone gets hammered [a Korean proverb meaning those who stand out are targeted], so it can’t be helped.”

Looking at Min-joo Hyung and Joo Seung-bin, who had accepted my intentions, I drove the point home once again.

“So, you guys are the only ones who should know that Director Park Tae-jin and I stepped in on this matter. That doesn’t mean the truth disappears, so don’t worry about it, haha.”

Until I achieve my goal, I must thoroughly hide my true self. If I get exposed now, all sorts of leeches will stick to me and monitor my every move.

As everyone quietly nodded while looking at me laughing heartily, Min-joo Hyung opened his mouth.

“Understood, Director. Instead, we will go with you until the end.”

Not wanting to be outdone, Joo Seung-bin also looked at me and said.

“I will also go with you until the end, Director.”

“Me too, Director!”

“I will stay until the end, Director!”

The remaining 18 people also shouted, competing to say that they would be with me.

Looking at them, I felt a surge of emotion. Wasn’t this the kind of welcome I had never received even during my Shin Sung Group days?

“Thank you. The project is over, so I’ll be heading back now.”

I had secured enough ammunition to use in the war in Korea, so it was time to return home. I went into my room and called my grandfather.

“Grandfather, it’s Sung-min. How have you been?”

[How have I been? I’ve been working my butt off dealing with the things you and I planned, you rascal, hahaha.]

Our old man is exaggerating. He knows exactly what’s going on with my return to Korea, but he’s saying it’s hard? Still, I was grateful to my grandfather for helping with my plan.

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

[Thanks for what? Isn’t this all about beating up Jin-ho hyung and Jang Ho-gun? So, did you have some fun there?]

“Yes, Grandfather. I deposited 10 billion dollars into the Hong Kong branch account.”

At my confident answer, my grandfather’s voice trembled.

[Wh, what did you say? T, ten billion?]

“Yes, Grandfather. 10 billion US dollars.”

After confirming it once again, my grandfather’s exclamation flowed from the receiver into my ear.

[Heh… What kind of money-grabbing ghost is attached to you…]

“Aren’t I your eldest grandson? It’s nothing compared to what you and my great-grandfather did to grow the group during the Korean War, hehe.”

Following my low laugh, my grandfather’s loud voice was heard.

[Hey, you rascal! Don’t flatter me!]

“Still, I did well, right? Hehe.”

[Is there any need to say it? Thanks to you, my family members will have their stomachs ripped open, hahaha.]

As the laughter subsided, my grandfather’s question was heard.

[So, when are you planning to come in?]

“I’ll go in as soon as you enter the final stage of the scenario.”

[Okay. If I want to see my eldest grandson soon, I have to take care of it quickly. I’ll take care of it right now.]

My and my grandfather’s individual battles are also over today. I smiled as I thought about the things I would unfold in Korea.

***

Lee Dae-soo finished his call with his eldest grandson and immediately made another call.

[This is Jang Ho-gun of Shin Sung Group.]

“This is Lee Dae-soo, Chairman Jang.”

[It’s been a while, Chairman. What’s going on?]

“The acquisition bid is tomorrow, so I was calling to see how the preparations are going.”

[Thanks to your consideration, I’ve been able to breathe a little, but it won’t be easy with Taehyun Group holding out. Standard is also a problem.]

Hearing Jang Ho-gun’s gloomy voice, Lee Dae-soo’s lips curled up. It was the perfect opportunity as the scenario was progressing smoothly, but Lee Dae-soo calmed his excited feelings and said.

“Wouldn’t it be better to join hands?”

[Join hands? Who are you talking about joining hands with? Perhaps… Are you going to step in, Chairman?]

At Jang Ho-gun’s cautious question, Lee Dae-soo said in an indifferent voice.

“Why are you asking the obvious? Even if Hae-cheol is someone I raised like my own son, I can’t just hand over Ado Motors, which will be revived with taxpayers’ money, to a foreign company, can I?”

[···Chairman?]

“Those guys have a lot of money, so it won’t be easy. So, I was wondering… I’ll set up a meeting, so have a three-way meeting with that Hae-cheol guy.”

Lee Dae-soo, who had thrown the suggestion to Jang Ho-gun over the receiver, wore a sinister smile.

###

At Lee Dae-soo’s suggestion, Jang Ho-gun, who was receiving the call in his office, widened his eyes.

“A three-way meeting?”

[Is there any other way for you to get your foot in Ado? There’s no match for money, so what if those guys go crazy and raise the acquisition price even higher?]

Jang Ho-gun bit his lip at Lee Dae-soo’s sarcastic question.

Taehyun Group’s family problems have caused them to lose strength, but if Sun Hae-cheol seduces his wife, who is the head of the headquarters, and pulls in more funds, Ado Motors will fall into his hands, won’t it?

However, not wanting to appear easy, Jang Ho-gun chose to play hard to get.

“I’ll listen to the opinions of Director Lee and others and get back to you.”

[You should. But you’ll have to tell me by noon today.]

“I will.”

After finishing the push and pull, Jang Ho-gun summoned Director Lee Soo-han and other executives.

“What do you think?”

The faces of the executives who heard Lee Dae-soo’s proposal through Jang Ho-gun changed brightly.

“You must accept, Chairman. Chairman Lee’s proposal is the only way to beat Taehyun Group.”

“That’s right, Chairman. If Haedong Group mediates and promotes a joint acquisition, it’s definitely worth a try.”

Lee Soo-han and the other executives strongly urged Jang Ho-gun to agree to the three-way meeting proposed by Lee Dae-soo. If they lose Ado Motors this time, there will be no future for Shin Sung Group’s automobile business, will there?

Opinions on the acquisition conditions went back and forth, but they were just side issues. As the executives’ voices subsided, Jang Ho-gun made a conclusion.

“I understand. Even if I’m not satisfied, it’s better to have a joint acquisition than to lose it to Taehyun. I’ll meet them.”

***

Several hours later.

Lee Dae-soo, Sun Hae-cheol, and Jang Ho-gun met in the presidential suite of the Lotte Hotel’s main branch.

“Were there any tails [people following them]?”

At Jang Ho-gun’s question, who was sitting on the sofa, Sun Hae-cheol, who was sitting across from him, smirked.

“Why wouldn’t there be? It was tough getting here, hehe.”

Jang Ho-gun vowed to slap that impudent guy’s cheek someday. Suppressing his anger, Jang Ho-gun turned to Lee Dae-soo, who was sitting at the head of the table.

“You’ve worked hard, Chairman.”

“What hard work? It’s nothing compared to the hard work during the Korean War, hehe.”

Lee Dae-soo, who was laughing softly, and Jang Ho-gun, who was nodding in response to the answer, had also changed cars several times in preparation for being followed. Ado Motors was a valuable enough property to make the three of them work hard, wasn’t it?

“Anyway, I never thought I’d see you again like this, CEO Sun.”

“Who would have thought, Chairman Jang Ho-gun. You said all sorts of things back then, but it’s clear that you can never know what will happen in life, hehe.”

Lee Dae-soo frowned at Sun Hae-cheol’s blatant sarcasm towards Jang Ho-gun.

“Enough, CEO Sun. Do you want me to break the bridge I laid for you today?”

Today’s meeting was a blueprint for embracing Ado Motors into Haedong’s arms with his grandson. Sun Hae-cheol also knew this, so he quickly stopped laughing and bowed his head.

“I’m sorry, Chairman.”

“Anyway, if Taehyun Group acquires Ado Motors, it’s obvious that they’ll eat up the automobile market alone. We all have vested interests, so I think it would be good to have a joint acquisition… What do you think?”

“A joint acquisition?”

At Lee Dae-soo’s question, Jang Ho-gun’s eyes widened in sincerity, and Sun Hae-cheol widened his eyes in accordance with the situation.

“If the three of us unite and make a more innovative proposal, I think the weight of the judging panel will lean towards us, so I’m saying this.”

At Lee Dae-soo’s suggestion, Sun Hae-cheol opened his mouth.

“Chairman, our Standard has enough financial resources. We also have a solid recovery plan after the acquisition. So why should we join hands with Chairman Jang or you, Chairman?”

At Sun Hae-cheol’s objection, Lee Dae-soo pretended to be displeased and retorted.

“Hey, do you think doing business in Korea is the same as in the United States? Are you saying that because you don’t know that you can’t surpass Taehyun Group without my or Chairman Jang’s connections?”

“Chairman Lee is right, CEO Sun. This country is full of thieves, whether they’re wearing badges [police] or civil servants. Do you know how much money we get ripped off by those guys, whether it’s during normal times or during election season?”

Even Jang Ho-gun lashed out, causing Sun Hae-cheol to make an embarrassed expression.

“It’s really dirty. It’s so hard to do business with our own money.”

“Isn’t this an acquisition and merger that will suck up 7.5 trillion won of the people’s taxes, not just any ordinary acquisition and merger? You have to be prepared for that much.”

Lee Dae-soo, who had retorted curtly, took a sip of the coffee in front of him.

“Time is running out, so let’s decide on the distribution ratio and method later. But we still have to throw a bait that the judging panel guys will be tempted by, so let’s say we’ll acquire the entire stake for 3 trillion won [approximately $2.25 billion USD].”

Jang Ho-gun wondered if what he was hearing was real. Acquire the entire stake?

“Ch, Chairman?”

“There’s no other way. It’ll be difficult to surpass Taehyun unless we buy all the shares that the creditors exchanged for debt. Shin Sung isn’t ahead of Taehyun in automobiles either, is it?”

“Ugh…”

It was uncomfortable to hear, but it was the truth. Jang Ho-gun only groaned at Lee Dae-soo’s sharp criticism.

“You and CEO Sun may not be completely satisfied, but the best negotiation is one where everyone is a little less satisfied. Even if the profit you get is less, it’s still a profit, isn’t it?”

Jang Ho-gun had no way to counter Lee Dae-soo’s continued criticism. Even if the profit from acquiring it together with the three of them was less than the profit from acquiring it alone, it was still a profit.

While Jang Ho-gun was bowing his head and racking his brains, Sun Hae-cheol opened his mouth.

“I understand, Chairman. Since I have to do business in Korea, I have to follow the rules of Korea. Let’s decide on the contribution amount later and make the announcement first.”

“You’ve thought well, CEO Sun. Chairman Jang, what are you going to do?”

At Lee Dae-soo’s urging, Jang Ho-gun raised his head, which he had been bowing. Jang Ho-gun’s eyes shone fiercely, as if he had made a decision.

***

That evening.

Sun Hae-cheol, Go Seung-joo, and Lee Soo-han held an emergency press conference at the Lotte Hotel.

[After a tortuous agreement, Standard Capital has formed a consensus with Haedong Group and Shin Sung Group on the future of Ado Motors, and has formed a consortium.]

[Our Haedong Group will support the rear, such as materials and parts, based on our existing cooperative relationship with Ado Motors. Accordingly···.]

[Our Shin Sung Group will provide management know-how as a participant in the existing automobile business, and will strive to improve Ado Motors’ constitution. First of all···.]

[Finally, the consortium will acquire 100 percent of Ado Motors’ shares for 3 trillion won to reduce the burden on the creditors. The contribution ratio will be determined after being selected as the preferred bidder···.]

Watching Sun Hae-cheol, Go Seung-joo, and Lee Soo-han babbling on TV, Myung Jin-ho and other Taehyun Group executives were speechless without even having time to get angry.

“3 trillion?”

“3 trillion won?”

“As much as 3 trillion won?”

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Even if the three companies unite to acquire it, even if they acquire all of Ado Motors’ shares, they’re going to throw 3 trillion won at once, not 300 billion won?

“Th, those crazy bastards!”

Myung Jin-ho, who had come to his senses, even stammered as he shouted. His face, which had turned bright red, was enough to let anyone know that he was angry.

Myung Jin-ho took a rough breath, as if he was very angry.

“Someone, anyone, bring me some ice water!”

At Myung Jin-ho’s order, who shouted as if the conference room would collapse, the youngest executive ran out of the conference room so fast that his feet couldn’t be seen and brought a glass of ice water.

Myung Jin-ho snatched the cup as if he was taking it away. Myung Jin-ho drank the ice water in an instant. Myung Jin-ho, who had emptied the water in an instant, trembled with the hand holding the glass cup, then swung his arm with all his might.

Smash!

The glass cup that hit the wall shattered into pieces and scattered everywhere with the ice it contained.

“Aaaaaah-!”

Myung Jin-ho screamed even after smashing the glass cup. The executives below Myung Sun-gu could only swallow dry saliva and watch his mood at the scene that unfolded in an instant.