The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 126

126. Time Points to 1985 (2)

Dinner with Aria Walton concluded without any particularly memorable stories.

Neither Jung Hyun-woo nor Sera broached any business-related subjects.

After dinner, the three convened in the drawing room for tea.

The first mention of business arose during this tea time.

“Charlie, Sera. My father mentioned you two the other day.”

Her father was James Walton, the co-founder of Walmart.

“Mr. Walton?”

“He said you are among the most successful young people he’s seen.”

Aria regarded them with a hint of envy.

The success she herself had not yet attained.

These two were the embodiment of that achievement.

“We were just fortunate,” Jung Hyun-woo said, setting down his teacup. Sera offered an awkward smile.

“Hahaha, I just helped Charlie out a bit.”

Aria Walton took a deep breath, clasped her hands together, and spoke.

“So, I wanted to apologize for what happened last time.”

She wished to express her regret for having spoken coldly to them in the past.

At that moment, Jung Hyun-woo raised his right hand, palm facing outward, in a gesture of restraint.

“Aria, you did nothing wrong. There’s no need to apologize.”

“Charlie?”

“I was the one at fault for trying to leverage Aria’s reputation and connections. I’m the one who should apologize.”

Jung Hyun-woo believed she had simply acted according to her principles. His own stubbornness, of course, was a separate issue.

Aria spoke in a somewhat strained voice.

“Still, I want to apologize because, in my heart, I underestimated your abilities.”

Sera waved her hands dismissively as Aria apologized again.

“Aria, it’s okay. We don’t hold that day against you.”

As Aria Walton’s expression clouded over, Jung Hyun-woo sighed softly.

“Hoo…….”

He lowered his right hand and proposed.

“Then, how about this?”

Aria raised her eyebrows, intrigued.

“How?”

“Introduce us to Mr. Walton. This time, we’re asking formally.”

“To my father?”

“Because there are still matters we haven’t fully discussed.”

Aria Walton was well aware of the significant success Jung Hyun-woo and Sera had already achieved.

‘Charlie can now meet my father without needing my help. Yet, he’s asking me…’

She realized that Jung Hyun-woo was intentionally creating an opportunity for her to make amends.

‘Ha… Charlie is quite perceptive.’

She slowly nodded her head and agreed.

“Okay. I’ll definitely make it happen this time.”

Sera sighed inwardly as the situation between Jung Hyun-woo and Aria resolved smoothly.

‘Hoo…. I feel like I’ve aged ten years.’

She thought Aria might have faced difficulties if Jung Hyun-woo had remained obstinate.

‘Aria’s stubbornness is also something to behold.’

The tea time, having weathered a potential storm, proceeded more pleasantly. After their conversation, Aria escorted them to the front door to see them off, a rare gesture on her part.

Sera recognized that all her actions were imbued with a sense of apology.

‘It’s the first time I’ve seen Aria this contrite.’

She suspected that Jung Hyun-woo had become someone important to Aria.

‘But it’s probably not romantic feelings.’

An emotion more akin to friendship than romance.

She mused as they returned to the hotel.

‘What if Aria were younger than me?’

If that were the case, the dynamic between Jung Hyun-woo and Aria might have been quite different.

‘My sister, too; Charlie is popular with older women.’

Because Jung Hyun-woo was so young, the women he encountered were generally older than him.

‘Someday, when Charlie gets older, will he only be surrounded by younger women?’

Sera concluded that there was far too much time to pass before that could be determined.

* * *

Before visiting JP Morgan, Jung Hyun-woo placed a call to Korea.

“Chief Hong?”

The person he called was Hong Won-ik, the chief of staff of the Daewoon Group.

“Hyun-woo, is that you?”

“Was the last matter handled successfully?”

“Thanks to you, it went smoothly. But are you truly alright?”

There was a limit to how long the Daewoon Group’s secretariat could suppress reports about Jung Hyun-woo.

He anticipated that time was running out.

‘As Hyun-woo’s business ventures expand, the amount of media coverage will inevitably increase.’

Jung Hyun-woo responded in a calm tone.

“I’m fine.”

Chief Hong Won-ik pressed further.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes, I made inquiries through another channel separately.”

He was referring to having sought assistance from a source with greater influence than the Daewoon Group’s secretariat.

Chief Hong Won-ik’s voice rose slightly.

“Hmm, did you happen to meet Director Jung [Jung Min-young, an executive in the Daewoon Group and Hyun-woo’s uncle]?”

Director Jung Min-young had recently returned from a business trip to the United States. He speculated that Jung Min-young and Jung Hyun-woo had crossed paths in the United States.

“I spoke with him briefly, but I didn’t ask my uncle for help.”

He clarified that he hadn’t directly met with Jung Min-young to request assistance.

“If it wasn’t Director Jung, did you ask Director Jung’s father-in-law [Heo Moon-young, a high-ranking government official]?”

Jung Min-young’s father-in-law was Heo Moon-young, the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs in the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the South Korean president].

Jung Hyun-woo assumed that Chief Hong Won-ik could deduce the situation.

‘It’s not difficult to figure out Senior Secretary Heo.’

However, he raised his voice, feigning surprise.

“How did you know that?”

In reality, the gesture was pointless since they were on the phone. Nevertheless, Jung Hyun-woo made exaggerated gestures as if emphasizing his exclamation.

Chief Hong Won-ik sighed briefly and raised his voice.

“If it’s a higher authority than our Daewoon Group, wouldn’t it have to be the Blue House?”

“That’s correct.”

“Did you bribe them with money?”

“You can’t influence someone like Senior Secretary Heo with money.”

Chief Hong Won-ik didn’t press the matter when Jung Hyun-woo denied it.

“You mean you used another method besides money.”

“I have several cards to play.”

Several cards.

Chief Hong Won-ik couldn’t even begin to imagine what kind of leverage Jung Hyun-woo possessed.

‘I don’t even know Hyun-woo’s true nature.’

From a certain point onward, Jung Hyun-woo had become an enigma.

“So, what’s the purpose of today’s call?”

He knew that Jung Hyun-woo wouldn’t call without a specific reason.

‘We’re not close enough to make casual calls.’

Chief Hong Won-ik had benefited from Jung Hyun-woo’s actions, but their relationship wasn’t close enough to consider him an ally.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“You’re asking me for a favor?”

“Please give my uncle a little nudge.”

Chief Hong Won-ik frowned at Jung Hyun-woo’s words.

“Are you referring to Director Jung?”

“Isn’t it about time for Grandpa [Chairman Jung Woo-sun, the chairman of the Daewoon Group] to make a decision?”

The selection of a successor was typically decided before the group chairman’s retirement.

Jung Hyun-woo believed that for Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s successor to properly inherit the group, a transition period of several years or more was necessary.

“That’s not a conversation that can be had over the phone.”

Jung Hyun-woo raised his voice slightly.

“Then, would you like to come to the United States?”

“I just returned from the last business trip with great difficulty.”

He implied that traveling to the United States was out of the question.

“Then, what are you going to do?”

“Let’s discuss it when you come to Korea.”

“It will be too late if we wait until then, won’t it?”

“It’s not a decision that will be made in a single day.”

Chief Hong Won-ik believed there was still time before the successor was chosen.

‘Min-seok [another potential successor] and Min-young haven’t achieved enough to definitively surpass the other yet.’

It was at that moment that he frowned.

Knock. Knock.

As soon as he heard the knock, the secretary opened the door and entered.

“Chief, the Chairman is calling for you.”

Chief Hong Won-ik acknowledged the secretary’s message and said to Jung Hyun-woo.

“The Chairman is calling for me. Let’s talk next time.”

Jung Hyun-woo sighed inwardly at his words.

‘Ha……. He’s still not an easy person to deal with.’

He nodded his head and replied.

“Okay. Then, I’ll call you again next time.”

Chief Hong Won-ik hung up the phone and hurried to the chairman’s office.

Creak.

As soon as he opened the door and entered, he couldn’t help but click his tongue in annoyance.

‘Tsk, things are happening so coincidentally.’

Director Jung Min-young was seated next to Chairman Jung Woo-sun. He even suspected that Jung Hyun-woo had somehow monitored the chairman’s office and timed his call accordingly.

“Chairman, you called for me?”

“Chief Hong is here?”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun gestured to the seat across from Director Jung Min-young and said.

“Sit down.”

The invitation to sit down indicated that there was a matter to discuss at length, not a brief check-in.

“Then, I’ll take a seat.”

As he sat down, Chairman Jung Woo-sun inquired.

“Was the matter with the Blue House handled successfully?”

The reference to the Blue House was a matter he had not disclosed to Director Jung Min-young or Vice President Jung Min-seok [another potential successor].

‘Discussing the group’s internal secrets in front of the two of them suggests that he intends to entrust them with significant responsibilities?’

He bowed his head and answered.

“I handled it as you instructed.”

“Good job.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun turned his head to Jung Min-young.

“Did the work you undertook in the United States go well?”

He had been holding back this question for nearly ten days, waiting for an opportunity for Chief Hong Won-ik to be present.

Jung Min-young quickly responded to his father’s question.

“I was invited to a party attended by President Reagan and met many influential people.”

He had encountered Jung Hyun-woo at this very party.

Chief Hong Won-ik clenched his fist slightly upon hearing that Jung Min-young had attended a party with the US President.

‘A party attended by the US President? Then, is it a commemorative party for the election? No, the timing doesn’t align.’

The party that Jung Min-young attended was a fundraising event supporting the Republican Party and President Reagan, who was seeking re-election.

“It’s a relief that you met the President. I was concerned that I was simply spending money without achieving anything substantial.”

One couldn’t claim that there was substance simply because one met the President, but it was certainly preferable to not meeting him at all.

Chief Hong Won-ik thought.

‘Could Hyun-woo be behind this?’

Even with a substantial donation of political funds, it wasn’t easy to secure an invitation to a party attended by the President.

Invitations to such events were typically reserved for individuals with guaranteed credentials or those deemed to be significant supporters.

“It’s a relief that there were positive outcomes in the United States.”

Jung Min-young smiled at Chief Hong Won-ik’s words.

“The real results need to be achieved from now on.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun gripped the armrest of his chair and announced.

“The regular personnel reshuffle next year…”

As 1984 transitioned into 1985, the positions of the executives would be subject to change.

“Yes, Chairman.”

“I intend to appoint Min-young to Daewoon Corporation. What are your thoughts?”

Currently, Jung Min-young held the position of managing director at Daewoon Construction.

“From construction to corporation?”

Daewoon Corporation, like Daewoon Construction, was a core affiliate within the group.

“It’s partly due to the work he did in the United States, and I also want to give Min-young more freedom to operate.”

Chief Hong Won-ik interpreted it as a form of traffic control.

‘Min-seok is focusing on the Daewoon Construction side, so he’s trying to move Min-young to the corporation.’

He subtly tensed his neck.

“If that’s the reasoning, I believe it’s a sound decision.”

“Really?”

“Gaining experience in various affiliates will undoubtedly be beneficial in the long run.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun nodded his head as if he had made up his mind.

“Okay. Then, I’ll appoint Min-young as the vice president of Daewoon Corporation and Min-seok as the president of Daewoon Construction.”

Vice President of Daewoon Corporation and President of Daewoon Construction.

Chairman Jung Woo-sun effectively declared that the competition for succession had officially commenced at that moment.

‘Min-seok is being promoted from vice president to president, but Min-young is being promoted directly to vice president without having served as managing director?’

It was the duty of a loyalist to raise concerns at times like these, but Chief Hong Won-ik refrained from doing so.

‘Because I’m not a loyalist.’

He relaxed his clenched fist and acknowledged Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s announcement.

“I understand. I will convey the Chairman’s wishes.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun sighed deeply and added.

“Everyone may be surprised by the sudden promotions.”

Any executive within the Daewoon Group would undoubtedly understand the implications of these promotions.

Jung Min-young straightened his posture at his father’s promotion announcement.

“I will dedicate myself to the task.”

Then, Chairman Jung Woo-sun raised his right hand as if recalling something he had forgotten.

“Come to think of it, did either of you meet Hyun-woo in the United States?”

Chief Hong Won-ik bowed his head first.

“I was only in New York, so I didn’t have the opportunity to meet Hyun-woo.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun expressed a hint of disappointment.

“If he’s in Boston, isn’t that relatively close to New York?”

“I apologize. I will make sure to meet him next time.”

Chief Hong Won-ik offered a white lie.

‘There’s no need to complicate matters unnecessarily.’

Following his response, Jung Min-young spoke up.

“I also didn’t meet Hyun-woo in person. However, we did have a phone conversation once.”

“You spoke with Hyun-woo?”

“He sounded well. It seemed like his endeavors are progressing smoothly.”

“Did Hyun-woo mention that he was at the research center?”

“He specified the MIT University Research Center.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun smiled, seemingly pleased with the news that his grandson was thriving.

“Hyun-woo will undoubtedly achieve great things.”

He considered Jung Hyun-woo to be the most promising of his grandsons.

* * *

The location where Chief Hong Won-ik and Jung Min-young convened was a hotel suite near Seoul Station.

“I wasn’t aware you had this particular preference.”

Chief Hong Won-ik was subtly criticizing the choice of a hotel suite as their meeting place.

“It incurs a slight expense, but I believe it’s worthwhile to avoid unwanted attention.”

Both were Daewoon Group executives with ties to Jung Hyun-woo, and Jung Hyun-woo had instructed them to collaborate.

Of course, Chief Hong Won-ik hadn’t readily agreed to Jung Hyun-woo’s request.

“Where should we begin?”

Jung Min-young crossed his legs and suggested.

“Shall we start with Hyun-woo’s story?”

“Hyun-woo’s story?”

“Isn’t Hyun-woo the common thread connecting the two of us?”

Chief Hong Won-ik scoffed.

“Are you claiming to be Hyun-woo’s patron?”

“Do I possess the necessary qualifications for that role?”

“You hold Hyun-woo in high regard.”

“There is no one in Korea who surpasses Hyun-woo’s potential.”

Chief Hong Won-ik frowned at his statement.

“That’s a rather audacious claim.”

As of 1984, the most powerful individual in Korea was the president, a former military leader.

He wielded absolute power, acting as a dictator.

“Power currently precedes wealth, but that dynamic will soon shift.”

“Are you a proponent of mammonism [the worship of wealth]?”

“I believe the chaebol [South Korean conglomerate] represents the pinnacle of capitalism.”

Chief Hong Won-ik raised his right hand and cautioned.

“You know, your ideology is somewhat dangerous.”

“I wasn’t aware that I would be subjected to ideological scrutiny by the chief.”

Chief Hong Won-ik chuckled at his remark.

“Alright, let’s discuss Hyun-woo. How much do you know about him?”

“I may possess more information than the chief.”

“Really?”

Jung Min-young uncrossed his legs and stated.

“Hyun-woo possesses a level of wealth that is unparalleled in Korea.”

“Isn’t Hyun-woo merely a figurehead?”

“No.”

“You assert that with such conviction.”

Jung Min-young spoke with a serious expression.

“Hyun-woo has achieved remarkable success in the United States. As a result, the Blue House is also paying close attention to him.”

“The Blue House?”

“Because foreign press reports concerning Hyun-woo continue to surface.”

Chief Hong Won-ik groaned softly at his words.

“Uhm, so the Blue House is actively suppressing those foreign press reports.”

He realized that Jung Hyun-woo had indeed forged a connection with the Blue House.

“Chief, will you align yourself with Hyun-woo?”

Chief Hong Won-ik countered Jung Min-young’s question.

“Why Hyun-woo and not you?”

“Because Hyun-woo occupies a higher position than I do.”

Supporting him wouldn’t be merely joining forces with him, but rather aligning oneself with Jung Hyun-woo’s trajectory.

Chief Hong Won-ik offered a wry smile.

‘Both of them are completely swayed by a child who isn’t even twenty years old.’

However, it was safe to assume that virtually anyone would be susceptible to that influence.