The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 119

From Pearl Harbor (5)

Hawaii, Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor was the main base of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the site of the Pearl Harbor attack, which precipitated the U.S. entry into World War II.

The original Hawaiian name for Pearl Harbor was Wai Momi, meaning “the sea of pearls.”

In essence, “Pearl Harbor” is simply an English translation of its original name.

“It’s said that in the past, native Hawaiians used to collect pearls here,” Sarah explained.

Jeong Hyun-woo nodded, feigning deep interest in Sarah’s explanation.

“Hmm, I see.”

Even on the plane, she insisted on staying at Waikiki Beach, but as soon as they arrived in Hawaii, she took the lead, guiding Jeong Hyun-woo around.

“We’re almost at the meeting place.”

Sarah was still behind the wheel.

“Come to think of it, doesn’t Charlie want to learn how to drive?”

“I need to find the time.”

For a developer constantly working overtime, getting a driver’s license was a luxury.

“Guys who can’t drive aren’t popular, you know.”

“Hmm, then I’ll think about it.”

“You don’t like being unpopular?”

“I don’t plan on living alone for the rest of my life.”

Sarah’s voice rose at the end of his sentence.

“Oh, you’re going to date?”

“I want to date, and of course, get married too.”

Sarah tilted her head, surprised by his statement.

“Unexpected.”

“Is it unexpected?”

“I thought Charlie liked being in the lab the most.”

“Being in the lab is good, but wouldn’t it be better to be with someone you love?”

Sarah narrowed her brows slightly.

“How about now?”

Jeong Hyun-woo knew he had to answer carefully.

‘It feels like a bouquet with a lot of thorns hidden.’

He cleared his throat lightly and replied.

“Of course, it’s good. Not everyone gets to drive around with a blonde beauty.”

Sarah chuckled at his answer.

“You still have a way with words.”

As she turned the steering wheel, the Chrysler pulled into the hotel.

“We’re here.”

This hotel, simply called the Navy Hotel, wasn’t much to look at.

“There are many nice hotels near Waikiki or even the airport, so why did you choose this place?”

There was only this Navy Hotel in the Southeast Loch area of Pearl Harbor.

“It seems like they’re trying to avoid attention.”

“Attention?”

“I think they don’t want to be seen by Korean tourists.”

In 1984, there were few Korean tourists in Honolulu, but Sarah nodded, noticing the number of Asian people around.

“That could be true.”

She said, turning off the engine.

“Should I wait in the parking lot? Or in the lobby?”

“The parking lot is stuffy. Please wait in the lobby.”

Sarah opened the car door and answered as she got out.

“Okay.”

The moment she stepped outside, the wind caught her blonde hair and white dress, making them flutter.

Jeong Hyun-woo whistled inwardly as he watched her.

‘Ha… she looks different from when she’s in the office.’

When she dresses up like this, Sarah is as beautiful as anyone else.

A moment later.

The two entered the lobby together.

“It’s cramped.”

“I knew it would be cramped from the beginning.”

The Navy Hotel lobby was crowded with naval personnel, befitting its name.

They all focused their attention on the beautiful woman who entered the hotel lobby.

“It seems like everyone is just looking at Sarah.”

It was a compliment, but Sarah responded curtly.

“It’s because I’m the only one wearing a dress.”

Jeong Hyun-woo pretended not to notice her sharp tone.

“Oh, is that so?”

Sarah found an empty sofa and put down her shoulder bag.

“I’ll wait here, so don’t be late coming down.”

Jeong Hyun-woo nodded and said.

“If the meeting runs long, I’ll come down and let you know.”

“Okay.”

Jeong Hyun-woo glanced at Sarah sitting demurely on the sofa and headed for the elevator.

‘Was it room 1302?’

He took a deep breath and got on the elevator.

* * *

Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs.

The position itself wasn’t powerful enough to single-handedly sway the Republic of Korea. However, considering its role and relationship with the President, it was a position that couldn’t be ignored.

‘No need to be nervous. They’re the ones who asked to meet.’

Squeak.

Opening the door and stepping inside, a spacious living room came into view.

‘The Navy Hotel has rooms like this too.’

It was probably a suite reserved for high-ranking officers.

“Are you Mr. Jeong Hyun-woo?”

The young man who checked his name at the entrance seemed to be a Blue House [The executive office and official residence of the South Korean president] staff member.

“Yes, I am.”

“Please come this way.”

Jeong Hyun-woo was led into an inner room. There was a large table in the room instead of a bed. A gray-haired gentleman was sitting in front of it.

“Hyun-woo?”

Jeong Hyun-woo nodded slightly.

“My name is Jeong Hyun-woo.”

The gray-haired gentleman stood up from his seat and extended his right hand.

“My name is Heo Mun-yeong.”

Heo Mun-yeong, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs.

He was one of the core members of the Blue House.

“Nice to meet you.”

The two shook hands and sat down in their respective chairs.

“Would you like a drink?”

“Water would be fine.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong waved his right hand towards the young man.

“A glass of water.”

“Yes, sir.”

As the young man went outside, Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong sighed briefly.

“Hoo… I was quite surprised when I first received the call.”

“What surprised you?”

“That the government was missing out on the richest man in Korea.”

The richest man in Korea.

Jeong Hyun-woo’s assets, as estimated by Forbes, were more than 13 times greater than those of Daehyun Group Chairman Park Jun-yeong.

Of course, what Chairman Park Jun-yeong showed on the surface wasn’t everything. He had a considerable amount of slush funds and real estate overseas.

‘Even if you calculate all of that, Jeong Hyun-woo’s assets would still be several times greater.’

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong was convinced that Jeong Hyun-woo was the richest man in Korea.

“There’s a lot of exaggeration.”

“You’re not saying it’s a lie.”

Jeong Hyun-woo shrugged lightly.

“You must have investigated everything before coming here.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong had reviewed Jeong Hyun-woo’s resume through the National Security Planning Agency [South Korean intelligence agency, formerly known as KCIA].

‘Should I call him audacious? Or is he just full of confidence?’

It was the first time he had seen a confident nineteen-year-old like him.

Click.

The door opened, and the young man who had guided Jeong Hyun-woo earlier came in with a glass of water.

“There was no ice, so I couldn’t put any in.”

Jeong Hyun-woo nodded lightly.

“It’s okay.”

After the young man left, Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong asked.

“Was it because I am Jeong Seo-bang’s father-in-law that you designated me?”

He was the father-in-law of Jeong Min-yeong, the youngest son of Chairman Jeong Woo-seon.

“To put it simply, yes.”

“You don’t beat around the bush.”

“I don’t think there’s any reason to lie after coming all the way to Pearl Harbor.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong laughed softly.

“Hehehe, you have the guts to call me all the way to Pearl Harbor.”

He acknowledged Jeong Hyun-woo’s boldness. But he didn’t think he could negotiate with him on equal terms.

‘He didn’t rise to this position on his own.’

Despite the stories from his son-in-law Jeong Min-yeong and several American media reports, he suspected that Jeong Hyun-woo had risen to that position with someone’s help.

“I have several things to tell Senior Secretary Heo, so I brought you to Pearl Harbor.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong raised his voice slightly.

“So, who sent you?”

Jeong Hyun-woo shook his head at his question.

“I am not someone who takes orders from anyone.”

Meaning he came here on his own initiative.

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong raised his eyebrows.

“There’s no one behind you?”

“Who do you think is behind me, Senior Secretary Heo?”

Even IMF [International Monetary Fund] Deputy Managing Director Ain Ferman thought the Hilton family was behind Jeong Hyun-woo.

It was only natural that Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong suspected Jeong Hyun-woo’s backing.

“You… you’re saying that at that age, without any background, you built a huge fortune in America on your own?”

Jeong Hyun-woo straightened his shoulders.

“I had colleagues, but there’s no one I would call a background.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong put his hands together at his answer.

“I heard that some of your university recommendation letters were written by famous people.”

He was implying that they weren’t recommendation letters that could be obtained through ordinary means. He brought up the story of Jeong Hyun-woo’s MIT recommendation letters to demonstrate the National Security Planning Agency’s intelligence capabilities.

“I won’t deny that acquaintances influenced the recommendation letters. But I don’t think of them as my background.”

“Then tell me about those acquaintances.”

“They were Activision, which was a partner at the time, and the families of my partner, Miss Hilton.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong gave a meaningful smile.

“Isn’t the Hilton family behind you?”

Jeong Hyun-woo had been asked this question several times, so he answered calmly.

“It’s true that I partnered with Miss Hilton, but I don’t think Miss Hilton’s family is behind me. And all the companies I’ve dealt with are much bigger than the Hilton family.”

Bank of America and JP Morgan were entities where the Hilton family’s power had no influence at all.

‘Thanks to Sarah, I was able to negotiate comfortably with Activision and Commodore.’

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong didn’t believe all of his stories.

“I don’t know if I should believe everything you say.”

Jeong Hyun-woo sighed deeply at his question.

“Hoo… I doubt the National Security Planning Agency’s intelligence capabilities.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong frowned and raised his voice.

“You doubt the National Security Planning Agency’s intelligence capabilities?”

Jeong Hyun-woo took a sip of water and asked back.

“You can tell by comparing the Hilton family’s assets with my assets, can’t you?”

According to Forbes’s calculations, his assets were greater than those of Barron Hilton, the chairman of the Hilton family with the most assets.

If Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong’s words were true, it meant that the Hilton family was controlling Jeong Hyun-woo, who was richer than them, from behind.

“Your wealth is greater?”

“If there’s someone who omitted the report, I think you should hold them accountable.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong had no way to verify Jeong Hyun-woo’s words right now.

‘Hmm, is it a bluff?’

It could be a bluff, but if his words were true, he needed to be careful with his words.

“If what you say is true, you’re saying that you became a chaebol [South Korean conglomerate] in America before you even turned twenty.”

“I’d appreciate it if you called me a successful businessman rather than a chaebol.”

“Why aren’t you a chaebol?”

“Because I don’t own several companies.”

Victoria Corporation wasn’t yet at the scale to be called a chaebol.

“You have a lot of money, but the company is small?”

“Didn’t you already investigate the size of Victoria Corporation?”

“According to the report, it has about 3,000 employees across the United States.”

3,000 people in the United States wasn’t a very large company.

“Senior Secretary Heo, I didn’t come to Hawaii to explain to you how I made my money or whether I’m really rich. You didn’t come to Hawaii to hear my success story either, did you?”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong had no choice but to nod at Jeong Hyun-woo’s question.

“As you said, I didn’t come to Hawaii to hear those stories.”

Jeong Hyun-woo got to the point as he nodded.

“The reason I brought you all the way here is because I have one request. Of course, it’s not a one-sided request.”

“Not a one-sided request?”

“If you grant me one request, I will also grant your request.”

An exchange of requests.

This was no different from a transaction.

“Hmm, your request.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong had expected this kind of proposal to some extent while coming to Hawaii.

‘Whether this kid is for real or conveys my story to the person behind him, all we have to do is take what we want.’

He said in a low voice.

“Okay. Let’s hear your request first.”

Jeong Hyun-woo narrowed the distance between them and said.

“Please keep my story a secret from people.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong raised the corner of his right lip.

“You’re saying you want me to control the media so that people don’t know your identity?”

“I think it’s possible with the power of the Blue House.”

In an era without the internet.

Media control wasn’t an impossible feat.

“It’s not a difficult request.”

Jeong Hyun-woo wasn’t an actor or singer, so he didn’t appear on TV. Therefore, he could get away with the setting of a Chinese namesake like last time.

‘What’s the reason for hiding himself?’

Excessive interest from Korea?

If not, is it because of the Daeun Group?

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong couldn’t accurately discern Jeong Hyun-woo’s intentions.

‘Either way, it doesn’t matter.’

All we have to do is control the media properly.

Jeong Hyun-woo returned to his original seat and said.

“I’ve told you my request, so please tell me your request, Senior Secretary.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong didn’t immediately reveal his request and hesitated.

About a minute of silence.

He cleared his throat twice.

“Hmm, hmm.”

Jeong Hyun-woo realized that Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong was about to speak.

‘Maybe it’s not a request for himself.’

Controlling the media.

That meant power was involved.

“His Excellency [Referring to the President of South Korea] wants something.”

What the President wanted.

Jeong Hyun-woo thought, as expected.

‘It must be related to what Chief Hong was doing.’

Chief Hong Won-ik had visited New York in response to the Blue House’s request.

‘He asked the Daeun Group for an apartment, so is he going to ask for a mansion here?’

He raised his voice.

“What does His Excellency want?”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong lowered his voice and answered.

“His Excellency wants to establish a proper connection with the Republican Party.”

It was unexpected.

What the President wanted was political influence.

‘It’s not about bribes or slush funds.’

In fact, Jeong Hyun-woo lacked political influence. But he couldn’t say it was impossible here.

“How significant a connection are we talking about?”

“The stronger the better.”

What they wanted was a powerful figure in the Republican Party.

Jeong Hyun-woo nodded.

“I’ll look into it.”

“It’s not a one-time meeting, but a sustained connection.”

The Blue House wanted a lasting relationship with the Republican Party, not just the US government.

“I know.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong frowned at Jeong Hyun-woo’s seemingly nonchalant response.

‘I don’t know if he really understood.’

What the Blue House wanted wasn’t just any member of Congress.

‘It’s going to be difficult if it’s not a powerful figure in the Republican Party.’

Jeong Hyun-woo smiled faintly as he noticed the frown.

“Senior Secretary Heo, I think you chose well ahead of the election.”

“Chose well?”

“Isn’t the US presidential election just around the corner?”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong snorted.

“We also know that President Reagan’s re-election is likely.”

The reason why he and the Blue House decided to side with the Republican Party was because they believed President Reagan’s re-election was probable.

“How should I contact you?”

He was asking whether to contact him through Jeong Min-yeong or directly to the Blue House.

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong took out a business card from his pocket.

“Please contact me this way.”

A strange company name was written on the business card.

[Chinook International]

‘It’s most likely a front company for the National Security Planning Agency.’

Jeong Hyun-woo was even more convinced that the address was in New York.

“Okay. I’ll contact you this way.”

As he was about to get up, Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong asked.

“Can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Do you have any intention of returning to Korea?”

Jeong Hyun-woo stood up and answered.

“Maybe I’ll return to Korea when I retire.”

Senior Secretary Heo Mun-yeong nodded very slowly.

“Retirement, you say.”

Jeong Hyun-woo was nineteen years old. Retirement was a distant prospect for him.

‘In short, he’s saying he’s not coming back.’

He came to his own conclusion and wrapped up today’s meeting.