Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 68

68. 21st. Know Thyself (3)

Even as Lee Sung-min and Claire negotiated with Gucci, the Royce family’s bodyguards were discreetly observing from a distance. Their targets, the two white men they had been tracking, were now meeting with a middle-aged Asian man in a café.

To the bodyguards, the three men appeared to be engaged in a heated argument, their faces flushed with anger and voices rising.

“Those guys definitely have something to hide,” one bodyguard muttered.

The man wielding a camera that looked like a cannon relentlessly snapped photos.

“Reckless fools. Daring to tail the young lady and our boss’s friend… Smith & Ronald…”

The man with the headset, equipped with a pistol-shaped listening device and a disc antenna on the barrel, aimed it at the three men, carefully noting down the key parts of their conversation.

“Shin-Seong? Mr. Gong?”

The eavesdropping man frowned, quickly scribbling the two names on his notepad. He circled “Shin-Seong,” as it sounded vaguely familiar, though he didn’t recognize “Mr. Gong.”

“Phone’s ringing.”

Hearing the ringtone, the cameraman stopped filming, tapped the eavesdropper on the shoulder, and pointed to his pocket. The man removed his headset and answered the call.

“Yes. Yes, Miss. It seems we’ve gathered all the necessary information.”

###

Claire’s brow furrowed as she took the call at my request.

“…Smith & Ronald? Private Investigators? Keep going.”

Watching Claire, I could scarcely believe my ears. Private investigators?

My cheek twitched, and Park Tae-jin’s eyes narrowed. Sensing our reaction, Claire waved her hand, trying to reassure us.

“Shin-Seong? Mr. Gong? Did you take pictures? Okay. Keep an eye on them until they go home. Thank you.”

Shin-Seong? Mr. Gong?

The pieces clicked into place with just those two names. They must have been using a slush fund from Shin-Seong Corporation’s New York branch to hire the private investigators. I had authorized that kind of thing more than once or twice when I was in the executive office.

However, I tilted my head, puzzled about who ‘Mr. Gong’ was. Claire turned to me.

“It’s Shin-Seong Group, right?”

“Probably. The second daughter of that family holds a grudge against me.”

I smiled wryly and told her about my history with Jang Su-yeon. Claire sighed.

“Still, using the company for something like that? It’s terrible for their brand image.”

“That’s how things work in Korea. Some of them are no different from gangsters.”

It wasn’t anything new for Korean conglomerates [large, family-owned business groups]. They would crush anyone who dared to defy them, using any means necessary.

I was second to none when it came to using any means necessary, but the key difference was that I didn’t use company funds for personal matters.

Seeing my bitter smile, Claire sighed again.

“So, what are you going to do now? They said they’ll send the photos to the hotel tomorrow morning.”

“Once I get the photos, I’ll have to pay a visit to Haedong Corporation’s New York branch. I need to rein in whoever’s responsible.”

It was obvious that Jang Su-yeon and her mother had ordered it, but ‘Mr. Gong’ was just incredibly unlucky. I would drag him around and exploit him until I made him regret his actions.

***

The next morning.

After receiving the photographic evidence, I went straight to the building housing Haedong Corporation’s New York branch.

“Welcome, Mr. Lee Sung-min.”

Director Kim Dong-seok greeted me with a calm demeanor and led me into the conference room. He retrieved three bottles of juice from the refrigerator, placing two in front of me and Park Tae-jin before taking his seat. Park Tae-jin and I also sat down after he closed the window blinds.

“What brings you here?”

“I have something to show you, Director.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Kim Dong-seok, who had switched to a more deferential tone inside the conference room, accepted the envelope I received from Park Tae-jin. He took out the photos and examined them one by one, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Do you recognize this person…?”

Kim Dong-seok asked, pointing to the Korean man in the photo. I replied calmly,

“I believe he’s been tailing me. He even hired private investigators and tried to get my information from the hotel desk.”

“Excuse me?”

Kim Dong-seok’s face paled. Even though I was officially ‘Lee Sung-min, an employee of Haedong Corporation’s New York branch’ according to company records, I was still the eldest grandson of the owner’s family, so he must have been terrified.

Seeing him swallow hard, I waved my hand dismissively.

“The Chairman and the Director aren’t aware of this yet. I don’t want to worry them, so I’m trying to handle it myself… If you know this person, please let me know.”

Perhaps relieved that his position wasn’t threatened, Kim Dong-seok sighed in relief and said with a stiff face,

“That’s Director Gong Sung-pil of Shin-Seong Corporation’s New York branch.”

“Are you certain?”

“We often gather for networking events among Korean company executives here, and that’s where I got to know him.”

It seemed like a faint memory was resurfacing. Gong Sung-pil… Who are you?

I wanted to find out more, so I continued to press him.

“What’s he like? Tell me everything you know.”

“Yes. When he was a new employee, he secured a $10 million export deal of Shin-Seong Corporation’s textiles to the U.S….”

The more I listened to the branch manager, the more memories that had been buried beneath the surface were coming back. I didn’t need to hear any more, so I cut him off.

“Thank you, Director. I’m sorry to ask, but could you arrange a meeting with him?”

Kim Dong-seok was startled by my request.

“You want to meet the guy who was tailing you in person?”

“If you want to deal with a problem head-on, you have to confront it directly,” I said with a grin.

Kim Dong-seok stared intently into my eyes and nodded with a groan. He must have anticipated the repercussions of Shin-Seong Group targeting me.

“I understand. I’ll let you know as soon as I make an appointment.”

***

After finishing my work at the company, I returned to the penthouse and asked Claire to investigate Gong Sung-pil.

Even so, I continued to work at the company on weekdays like an ordinary office worker. At the penthouse, I worked out with Park Tae-jin or managed Standard Capital, waiting for the results of Claire’s investigation.

“Just one more!”

“Haa!”

With Park Tae-jin holding my feet, I was doing push-ups in the morning sunlight on Saturday. I was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt that had rolled up to my shoulders and training pants, moving slowly on the way down and quickly on the way up.

“Just one more!”

I had already run on the treadmill for an hour, and this was already the tenth ‘Just one more!’ since the 71st push-up. Was this guy serious!

“Hyung [older brother or close male friend]! How many more are you going to do? My arms are going to give out.”

“You used to be able to do 100 without resting, but it seems like you’re lacking exercise. You’ve been working every day, so it can’t be helped… Haha.”

Park Tae-jin chuckled and continued,

“It’s good to do it whenever you have time, Young Master. That way, you won’t have a repeat of what happened when you went jogging with the young lady the other day, right?”

“Ugh…”

Just thinking about it was terrible. I didn’t want to embarrass myself like that in front of a woman I wanted to impress ever again. I gritted my teeth, determined not to show such a sight to Jang Ha-yeon again.

“Okay. I’ll do 100.”

“Good. One more!”

“Haa!”

So, I started doing push-ups again.

One, two, three, four, five… I ignored the screams of my muscles and kept doing push-ups until I could see the finish line.

“The last one!”

“Haaa!”

As soon as I hit 100, Park Tae-jin lowered my legs. I collapsed on the floor like a frog, gasping for breath.

“Young Master, you have a call.”

“Okay.”

Hearing Park Tae-jin’s words along with the sound of the phone ringing, I jumped up.

“Yes, Lee Sung-min speaking… Yes, Director. Yes… Just a moment.”

Holding the phone, I immediately grabbed a notepad and pen and wrote down the time and place.

“Thank you, Director. I will definitely handle this without causing any trouble. And please don’t disclose this to anyone. Yes.”

After ending the call, I called Claire.

“Yes, Claire. It’s me. Are you sure about that guy’s information?”

[In all my life, I’ve never seen such a dirty guy. Where should I send the photos?]

“Just a moment. The appointment time is 7 PM, the location is…”

After telling her the location and the time I would arrive, I heard Claire’s voice.

[Okay. I’ll send it to you in time. Good luck.]

“Thank you.”

[Oh! After this is over, my father wants to see you. He said he has something to discuss, is that okay?]

“Henry does?”

I didn’t know what was going on out of the blue. Was it because I used the penthouse? That guy wouldn’t be so petty…

[It’s nothing bad. He said he has something to discuss about business and wants to see you after you’re done with your work.]

“Okay. Thank you.”

Park Tae-jin approached me and asked after I hung up the phone.

“What does Lord Royce want to see you for?”

“He said he has something to discuss about business. It doesn’t seem like anything bad. There’s plenty of time until the appointment, so I should take a shower.”

Even after I took a shower, there was still plenty of time until the appointment. I have enough money on the American side, so should I think about how to increase my wealth on the Korean side? My cousins and I have to prepare to inherit legitimately.

***

Gong Sung-pil, having left work, arrived in front of the Japanese restaurant where he was supposed to meet Kim Dong-seok.

“What’s going on all of a sudden?”

Gong Sung-pil tilted his head, puzzled by the unexpected dinner invitation. Even he, a dedicated company man, couldn’t understand why the head of the New York branch, one of the core branches of Haedong Corporation’s trading division, would want to meet him.

As Gong Sung-pil entered the restaurant, an employee approached him.

“Excuse me. Are you Gong Sung-pil?”

“Yes, I am.”

The employee nodded and pointed to a VIP room inside.

“Is this guy going to treat me properly tonight?” he wondered.

Arriving in front of the VIP room, he stepped inside after the employee opened the door.

“Yo, Director Kim! Why so formal…?”

Gong Sung-pil’s greeting died in his throat as he saw a young man sitting at the table.

###

Sitting in my seat, I smirked as I saw the look of utter shock on Gong Sung-pil’s face.

“Welcome, Director Gong Sung-pil. You don’t seem happy to see me, even though you went to such lengths to keep tabs on me?”

Gong Sung-pil hurriedly tried to leave the room, but it was already too late. Park Tae-jin, who had been standing by the door like a silent sentinel, blocked his path.

“Sit down and let’s talk nicely. Otherwise, I’ll inform Chairman Jang of Shin-Seong Group directly that you were tailing us.”

“W-What are you talking about? Why would I tail Lee Sung-min?”

He was stuttering, clearly flustered. Gong Sung-pil tried to ignore him and leave, but Park Tae-jin blocked him with his arm.

“Smith & Ronald, ring a bell? How dare you spy on our Young Master?”

Park Tae-jin’s voice was as cold as the Grim Reaper’s as he spoke into Gong Sung-pil’s ear. Seeing Gong Sung-pil flinch, I added coldly.

“You’d better do as Manager Park Tae-jin says, Director Gong Sung-pil. Do you think we’re doing this without any evidence? Did you really think we wouldn’t find out you hired private investigators?”

“Ugh…”

Gong Sung-pil slumped his shoulders and reluctantly sat down at the table. I chuckled and tossed him the envelope containing the photos related to his surveillance.

“Take a look.”

Gong Sung-pil swallowed hard and reached for the envelope. He took out the photos, and his eyes widened. I didn’t miss his reaction and launched the second stage of my intimidation.

“The money you used to spy on me – it came from a slush fund, didn’t it? Does Shin-Seong Group think it’s above the law?”

“Don’t talk nonsense! A slush fund, you say!”

“Keep lying, Gong Sung-pil! I have the account transfer details from that detective agency. Are you going to deny it?”

Claire had thoughtfully sent me the account transfer details of Smith & Ronald. I picked up one of the envelopes next to me and showed him the account transfer statement, and Gong Sung-pil’s eyes widened further.

“A slush fund from one of the leading conglomerates in Korea. And used to spy on the fourth-generation heir of a rival group… Wouldn’t it be fun to leak this to the prosecutors? Besides, Korea is in the middle of local elections… How much time is left?”

I asked loudly, and Park Tae-jin spread his thumb, index finger, and middle finger with a cold smile, like a German counting down.

“There are about 3 weeks left. Whether they win or lose, there won’t be a bigger issue in Yeouido [political center of Seoul]. Next year is the general election, isn’t it? Hehe.”

Even though the butterfly effect would occur, if things went as they did in my past life, the ruling party would be defeated in the upcoming local elections. With various scandals surfacing and approval ratings plummeting, a defeat in such a symbolic election would cripple the Blue House [Korean presidential residence] and the ruling party.

If I gave them this information, the Blue House and the ruling party would attack Shin-Seong Group with the same fervor they would use to beat a dog on Dog Days [hottest days of summer, when dog meat is traditionally eaten]. Whether it was to divert attention from the local election woes or to raise election funds for next year’s general election, they would use it effectively.

I don’t know if he fully grasped the implications, but I smiled at Gong Sung-pil, whose face had turned pale, took a light breath, and said,

“The relationship between Haedong and Shin-Seong has been good so far, but it would be a shame if it fell apart because of you. Shin-Seong Electronics borrowed 300 billion won from Haedong Merchant Bank. Should we call back the loan that we were considering extending because of my father and Chairman Jang’s relationship? Ah! There’s also the joint shopping mall establishment, right, Manager?”

“That’s right, Young Master. We could cancel the joint shopping mall establishment as a condition for covering this up. I don’t know what Chairman Jang Ho-gun will do to Gong Sung-pil then, hehe.”

Gong Sung-pil’s teeth chattered at the sinister and murderous duet performed by me and Park Tae-jin.

If hundreds of billions of won were to be lost because of him, Jang Ho-gun’s personality would leave him with nothing but his underwear. He might even sell him to organ traffickers and have them pluck out his eyes and internal organs and sell them piece by piece.

I leaned against the wall, crossed my arms, and watched Gong Sung-pil as if enjoying a show, raising the intensity to the third stage.

“And aren’t you ashamed to face your family back home?”

“Why are you bringing up my family?”

“I didn’t intend to, but when I looked into you, this came up.”

I gave Gong Sung-pil, who was shouting, a cold smile and threw another envelope in front of him. He huffed and took out the photos from the envelope I gave him.

“T-This is?”

“Anna Harris. 20 years old in Korean age. Occupation: stripper and call girl. The same age as your eldest daughter…”

I grinned like a devil at Gong Sung-pil’s face, which looked like he was suffering from anemia or low blood pressure.