Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 140

140. 41st. Start of the Deal (1)

Having taken a car from Gimpo Airport, Henry and his entourage arrived at the main branch of the Korea Hotel. Stepping out of the Mercedes limousine, Henry was greeted by those waiting at the entrance.

“Welcome, Mr. Royce. I am Jung Chang-ho, CEO of Korea Hotel.”

“It is an honor to have you, Mr. Royce. I am Jang Ha-yeon, Managing Director of Korea Hotel.”

Having been notified in advance, the hotel president and a young woman, along with other hotel executives, greeted him respectfully. Henry and his executives nodded in acknowledgment.

“As I mentioned on the phone, I would like to rent this entire hotel for ten days. The cost will be fully covered.”

Jung Chang-ho responded to Henry’s polite request with a subtle smile.

“Of course, Mr. Royce. We will do our best to ensure your stay is comfortable.”

Jung Chang-ho didn’t show it, but he was ecstatic inside. With the economic downturn leaving hotel rooms empty, a big shot from Wall Street, and one who had made money for Shinseong Group, was willing to take all the available rooms for ten days? It was a godsend.

Moreover, the endless line of vehicles behind the Mercedes limousine carrying numerous bodyguards meant additional revenue from meals, alcohol, and other amenities. It was like rain after a drought.

“Thank you for accommodating my request, Mr. Jung.”

“It’s nothing, Mr. Royce. I will escort you to your room. Director Jang.”

At Jung Chang-ho’s call, Jang Ha-yeon spoke up.

“Yes, CEO. I will escort you from here, Mr. Royce.”

Jang Ha-yeon stood beside Henry, politely gesturing towards the elevator. Other Triumph Capital executives were also guided by Korea Hotel executives to their respective rooms.

Arriving at the Presidential Suite, Jang Ha-yeon opened the door and gestured inside once more.

“Please, come in, Mr. Royce.”

Henry meticulously observed Jang Ha-yeon from head to toe. Jang Ha-yeon felt the pressure of Henry’s gaze but showed no sign of it, guiding him through the room, from the mini-bar to the bathroom.

“A splendid hotel indeed. Any VIP would be satisfied with a place like this, haha.”

“Thank you for your generous compliment, Mr. Royce.”

Jang Ha-yeon’s cheeks flushed at the praise from the influential figure before her. Receiving compliments from such an unexpected VIP was definitely a highlight.

Seeing Jang Ha-yeon’s bashful expression, Henry said with a warm smile.

“I never imagined I would receive such hospitality from the eldest daughter of the Shinseong Group’s owner, Ms. Jang Ha-yeon. You are quite different from the tycoons I’ve heard about in the East. Thank you for your sincere welcome.”

“Pardon?”

Unlike before, Henry’s polite words of gratitude in somewhat clumsy Korean surprised Jang Ha-yeon. Henry chuckled at her reaction.

“I apologize. I didn’t mean to startle you, haha.”

“No, Mr. Royce. I am sorry for my impoliteness.”

As Jang Ha-yeon quickly bowed her head, Henry switched back to English.

“If necessary, I will call other staff, so you don’t need to come personally. Thank you for your trouble.”

“…Please, rest comfortably, Mr. Royce.”

Leaving the room, Jang Ha-yeon immediately headed to Jung Chang-ho’s office. Jung Chang-ho, who had been anxiously waiting, asked Jang Ha-yeon as she entered.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes, Uncle. There were no complaints about the cleanliness of the room or the service, but we need to keep a closer eye on things.”

Jung Chang-ho made a sound of contemplation at Jang Ha-yeon’s reply.

“This might be just the beginning. He’s such a big shot and brought dozens of bodyguards with him, so they’re probably searching the room thoroughly by now.”

“That’s likely. We had the hotel security team check for eavesdropping devices and hidden cameras, so I don’t think our group’s image will be tarnished…”

Both Jang Ha-yeon and Jung Chang-ho found Henry to be an intimidating guest.

They had hosted foreign dignitaries before, but in these difficult times, wasn’t he an investor Shinseong Group could rely on? Henry Royce, the powerful head of Triumph Capital.

“For the next ten days, we need to make sure we leave the best impression possible. His tastes, sleeping patterns, health condition, everything.”

Jang Ha-yeon’s face looked almost determined as she spoke to Jung Chang-ho. She would soon have to become independent, but until then, she wanted to help her father, who had always taken care of her.

After reviewing the service plan for Henry, Jang Ha-yeon sighed.

“Can I do this well?”

“Don’t worry, Ha-yeon. You’re a more than capable hotelier, no matter where you go.”

Jang Ha-yeon said to Jung Chang-ho, who was looking at her with a warm smile.

“But Uncle, Mr. Royce knows who I am.”

“What do you mean?”

“That I’m Father’s daughter. He even said it in Korean. Albeit clumsily.”

Jung Chang-ho’s eyes widened. How could such an important person know Jang Ha-yeon’s identity and speak Korean?

“Is that true?”

“Yes. But he thanked me. He said I welcomed him personally, unlike other tycoons.”

It wasn’t a bad sign, so both Jang Ha-yeon and Jung Chang-ho’s expressions relaxed slightly.

“It’s fortunate that he thinks highly of you. I think I made the right choice in entrusting Korea Hotel to you, haha.”

Jang Ha-yeon wore a bright smile at Jung Chang-ho’s praise. Even Jung Chang-ho, who was strict when it came to work, acknowledged her, and she felt a sense of pride.

***

After Jang Ha-yeon left, Henry, who was looking around the room while drinking bottled water, took out his phone.

“Come in.”

As soon as the brief call ended, about a dozen bodyguards entered the room with 007 briefcases in their hands. Taking out electronic equipment from the cases, the bodyguards thoroughly searched everything from the toilet tank to the bottom of the bed.

After completing the search, the bodyguards lined up in two rows, and Henry, standing before them, asked.

“What is the situation?”

“No eavesdropping devices or hidden cameras were found, Master.”

He had checked just in case, but as expected, it was thorough. Henry made a light sound of approval with a satisfied expression.

“Good work. You may rest.”

“Yes, Master. Please, rest comfortably.”

After dismissing the bodyguards, Henry stood by the window and looked around.

“It will be quite beautiful in the summer.”

Currently, only the bare branches of trees were visible, like the country’s economy, but Henry could envision the lush greenery that would fill the landscape. Could this be the place where his young friend would bring back the spring?

“So that’s why Johnny put in so much effort for such a woman, haha.”

Henry chuckled to himself in the empty room.

Even he found her elegant and refined, and despite being the daughter of an owner’s family, she was attentive in serving him. His young friend had good reason to ask him to stay at this hotel, and he was quite pleased as well.

Ceasing his laughter, Henry dialed a number on his phone. It was the number of the young friend who had introduced him to this place.

###

Having finished my work in the United States and returned to Korea, I was receiving a call from Henry.

“Yes, Henry. Yes. I’m glad you like it. Yes? You’re quite mischievous, Henry, haha. I may not be able to see you this time, but I will be happy to host you comfortably next time you come. Yes. Rest comfortably.”

After finishing the call from Henry, Seon Hae-cheol said to me with a teasing smile.

“I don’t know who’s calling who mischievous. Do you want to tease the woman who will be your wife that much?”

“It’s not teasing, Uncle. I’m just giving her confidence and asking Henry to see what my woman is like.”

I replied nonchalantly, and Seon Hae-cheol looked at me with an exasperated expression and chuckled. Park Tae-jin, who was watching us, smiled.

“In any case, it will be a good thing in many ways that Lord Royce readily accepted Director Lee’s request, Brother.”

“I suppose so. Our niece-in-law’s shoulders, which must have become heavy because of poor business, will be a little lighter, and the Hwang family of Korea Daily News won’t even think about harming her because she’s the niece-in-law Henry is watching. And.”

Seon Hae-cheol took a sip of tea and added one more reason.

“Henry also knows that Seong-min is meeting a good woman, so his trust in this guy will be further solidified. There’s nothing more trustworthy than a stable family, right? Haha.”

‘A happy family is the foundation of everything,’ is the same in any country. Shouldn’t a family support everything to go well? I nodded and said to Seon Hae-cheol.

“There’s nothing more I could ask for if Henry thinks that way, haha.”

“He will. Anyway, the show starts the day after tomorrow, so it’s going to be fun, haha.”

It will be very fun. Because the people of this country will have no idea that a super-class scam is about to begin.

***

Two days later.

Henry, who had been cooped up in his hotel room adjusting to the time difference and recovering from his journey, arrived with his bodyguards in a car in front of the headquarters of the ‘New Politics Democratic Council.’

The reporters who had been stationed in front of the headquarters relentlessly flashed their cameras as they saw Henry getting out of the car.

“Please say a word! What made you decide to visit Korea this time?”

“I saw Mr. Kim’s speech during his exile in the United States. The value of democracy contained in that speech moved me, who was full of youthful vigor at the time, and I went to see Mr. Kim that day and became friends beyond age and nationality. This visit to Korea was decided to meet my old friend, Mr. Kim.”

Although none of that was true, Henry responded to the interview with an enthusiastic expression, following the prepared script. Among the reporters who were taking notes, a young-looking female reporter raised her hand and asked.

“I’m Jo Young-ran from Dongyang Daily News. You must have heard stories about Korea while interacting with Candidate Kim, what do you think?”

Henry smiled at the question from Jo Young-ran, the eldest daughter of Dongyang Daily News President Jo Hyung-man and the girlfriend of Lee Dae-soo’s second grandson, Lee Seong-moon.

“Isn’t it a country with people who created the Miracle on the Han River [a period of rapid economic growth in South Korea] from the ashes? I believe that the diligent and sincere people will overcome this crisis as well. If I have the opportunity, I would like to lend a hand as well.”

Henry continued the interview, implying that he had made the decision not only because of simple friendship but also as a businessman. There are no fools who invest solely based on affection.

“Do you mean you will invest if Candidate Kim is elected?”

“How much will you invest if you do?”

After the Q&A with Jo Young-ran, other reporters threw questions at him, but Henry, as if they were not worth listening to anymore, entered the headquarters with his bodyguards. As the reporters tried to follow, a middle-aged man blocked their way with party officials.

“The questions you just asked have degraded the dignity of this country. Where did you learn the manners to ask such rude questions to a guest from abroad?”

The reporters glared at the fierce voice of the Deputy Chairman of the New Politics Democratic Council, who had come to greet Henry. Only Jo Young-ran was looking down with a shameful expression.

The reporters expressed their anger at being ignored by the Deputy Chairman, a lawyer from a high school graduate, but he also glared back at the sharp eyes of the reporters, except for Jo Young-ran, and said.

“I believe that those of you who have graduated from college and are working in the media will do well even if I don’t say it twice. Candidate Kim has agreed that you can record Mr. Royce’s conversation, so the reporters who are called will enter in order. Dongyang Daily News reporter Jo Young-ran, reporter Min OO, Hanyang Daily News reporter Joo OO…”

The reporters’ joy and sorrow were mixed at the Deputy Chairman’s call. The chosen reporters, including Jo Young-ran, crossed the door and followed Henry.

***

Henry, guided by party officials, entered the office and smiled as he saw the elderly man in front of him.

“Mr. Kim! Long time no see!”

Although it was the first time he had seen his face, Henry greeted ‘Candidate Kim’ with a bright smile, as if he were greeting a friend he had seen in a long time, according to the prepared script.

“Glad to see you here! Mr. Royce!”

‘Candidate Kim’ also exchanged friendly greetings with Henry, following the pre-arranged script, and shared a hug. Not even his closest aides knew about this plan that Lee Dae-soo had conveyed.

The two men sat on the sofa in the president’s office and chatted naturally, laughing heartily.

“I was able to endure in the United States thanks to Mr. Royce. At that time, I just thought that there were righteous people in the United States, but I am very happy to see you again like this, haha.”

“No, Mr. Kim. I was honored to be able to help someone who values the values of democracy like you, haha.”

Both of them had a smooth conversation according to the scenario that Lee Dae-soo and Lee Seong-min had conveyed. The reporters were shocked to see the scene.

‘What, these people? Were they really friends?’

‘Candidate Kim was friends with such a big shot!’

It was something that none of the reporters had imagined. Who would have known that Candidate Kim would have such a powerful friend like Henry Royce?

‘Grandfather, you are really amazing! You knew this fact?’

Even Dongyang Daily News, which had been tipped off about Henry’s visit, did not know the deeply hidden truths, so Jo Young-ran was surprised as well.

Henry, who had been giving the reporters news material for a long time, said to Candidate Kim.

“I would like to stop the reporters and have a deep conversation for the first time in a while, Mr. Kim.”

“Let’s do that, Mr. Royce. Let’s go to my house and talk in detail, haha.”

***

Henry and ‘Candidate Kim’ got up from the sofa and arrived at Candidate Kim’s private residence in Ilsan [a city northwest of Seoul] in their respective cars. The two men, who entered the building, went to the study in the basement.

“I heard from the bodyguards on the way that there are many people eavesdropping on your home. It must be hard, Mr. Kim.”

‘Candidate Kim’ smiled bitterly at Henry’s words. How nervous would the government and the ruling party be, since a figure who shakes Wall Street had met him first and even came to his private residence?

“It can’t be helped. It’s only been about 10 years since we escaped from dictatorship. Still, thank you for coming like this, Mr. Royce. Please, have a seat.”

“No, Mr. Kim. I am truly happy to be able to help someone like Mr. Kim.”

At Candidate Kim’s polite invitation, Henry also answered politely and sat facing him on the sofa and drank tea.

“I don’t know what to say since you think so. By the way, what is your relationship with Haedong Group that you are helping me like this?”

“There is a person named Seon Hae-cheol among my friends, and Chairman Lee of Haedong Group raised that friend like a son, so I have a relationship with them. When I was in trouble, that friend and Chairman Lee helped me, so I was able to have the power to help you.”

Henry did not say anything deeper about Seon Hae-cheol and Lee Dae-soo, but ‘Candidate Kim’ nodded as if that was enough.

“I will keep in mind what Mr. Royce has just told me. I will repay you when I achieve my goal.”

For ‘Candidate Kim,’ he was engrossed not only in entering the Blue House [the South Korean presidential residence] but also in how to save this country after entering the Blue House.

In the meantime, considering the story that Henry had just told him in addition to his deal with Lee Dae-soo, he thought that he should consider Haedong Group. If he attracts investment from a big shot like Henry, the amount cannot be ignored, and it will be easier to attract other foreign investments, right?

Henry knew well what the reward was even if ‘Candidate Kim’ did not say it. The two men, who had reached their peak, did not reveal their inner thoughts, but they exchanged their true intentions and looked at each other with smiling faces while drinking tea.