The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 123

122

Parliament Building, Assemblyman Jung Hoon’s office in the Future Democratic Party.

“What…?”

An unbelievable piece of news arrived early in the morning.

“Ha Sung-tae got cut off?”

“Yes, apparently.”

“What on earth…”

He trailed off, seemingly unable to comprehend.

Wasn’t the general shareholders’ meeting to dismiss CEO Kim Jun-woo just convened yesterday?

He was so confident, boasting that he had secured a majority. What on earth could have happened in the meantime…

“How on earth did that happen?”

“To secure a majority of Karma Corporation’s shares, he recklessly sold his Hanbyul Dungeon shares. Kim Jun-woo seems to have exploited that gap…”

“Huh!”

A disbelieving laugh escaped him.

Just a fledgling cleaning company pulled off a heist?

Against a subsidiary of the nation’s top company?

‘No, was Chairman Ha Deok-soo just watching this happen…’

It defied Assemblyman Jung Hoon’s common sense.

But what was even more incomprehensible was Kim Jun-woo’s plan to rob a large corporation.

Simply predicting the stock market wouldn’t be enough.

It was an operation that could never succeed unless everything was thoroughly planned.

No, even if he predicted everything, no one around him would believe it.

And these majority white knights trusted only Kim Jun-woo’s words and invested billions?

‘He’s crazy. Completely crazy…’

There’s no one more frightening than a person who receives absolute trust from people.

That goes for businessmen and politicians alike.

Assemblyman Jung Hoon sincerely thought it was fortunate that Kim Jun-woo wasn’t involved in politics.

‘But… if that guy got cut off, what happens to what I’m supposed to receive?’

Wasn’t he promised land in the new city being developed by Hanbyul Construction in exchange for pushing the bill?

It’s a gold mine worth billions if converted to cash right now… Should I just give it up?

‘Hmm…’

Assemblyman Jung Hoon pondered for a long time.

Then he made his decision.

Okay, let’s give up.

With Ha Sung-tae gone, trying to force it might lead them back to him.

It’s really too bad, but… what can he do?

There’s no benefit in sticking with someone who’s already broke, and he’s not stupid enough to risk it for a few bucks.

He needs to think big, big.

Thinking that way made him feel better.

But that was only for a moment.

“W-Who are you…?”

“Uh, wait a minute!”

“You can’t just go in there…!”

Thump.

Suddenly, the outside of the office became noisy, and soon men in black suits entered, opening the door.

They presented their IDs to Assemblyman Jung Hoon.

“We’re from the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office. Are you Assemblyman Jung Hoon?”

Assemblyman Jung Hoon’s face began to stiffen.

“…Yes, I am.”

“We have a search and seizure warrant for bribery charges. Could you step aside for a moment?”

“…Excuse me?”

Soon, words like a bolt from the blue were heard.

***

Jongno, Karma Corporation Headquarters.

While working, I glanced at the time.

‘They’re probably being turned inside out right now…’

Well, the evidence is hidden securely, but it’s only a matter of time.

Articles about Assemblyman Jung Hoon will be pouring out soon.

I already knew that Assemblyman Jung Hoon and Chief Ha Sung-tae had been colluding for a long time. Their relationship was quite strong even before the regression.

Of course, their tails were caught much later, but… well, what difference does it make if they’re caught a few years earlier?

‘It’s better to go to jail early and get out.’

So, I secretly tipped off the Bareun Integration Party, the opposition party.

Of course, they didn’t believe it right away, but I recited the specific amounts of real estate and cash they had received, so they couldn’t help but believe it.

Well, the rest is up to them.

‘Actually, there was no need to touch Assemblyman Jung Hoon.’

He didn’t directly harm me, and above all, there was no reason to create an enemy.

But I was concerned about Ha Sung-tae, who was in a relationship with him.

That guy is dangerous no matter how you look at it.

Even though he’s the eldest grandson of the Hanbyul Group’s chairman.

He could make a comeback if he wanted to, and if he succeeded, he would bite me without hesitation.

So, I need to shake him down to the bottom so he can’t crawl back up again.

Well, with him already losing money and position in this fight, and with his grandfather, Chairman Ha Deok-soo, and his helper, Assemblyman Jung Hoon, all leaving his side…

Now he’s just a tiger cub with all his teeth pulled out.

Now I can focus on my work.

“Good news!”

At that time, Director Lee Ah-young rushed in.

“We finally got a call from the overseas association.”

“That’s the most welcome sound I’ve heard.”

She slammed the data on the desk.

But the pleasant feeling was only temporary, and I asked back with a puzzled expression at the data in front of me.

“…Africa Integrated Branch?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t that affiliated with the International Association?”

“That’s right.”

…Am I losing my touch?

What are we supposed to do if we suddenly touch a branch of the International Association?

“No, why are you bringing me a branch of the International Association? You have to find a place we can acquire.”

When I complained, Lee Ah-young continued in a calm voice, as if she had expected this reaction.

“When I looked into it, it’s a bit ambiguous.”

Then she handed over the data and continued the explanation.

“In Africa, there were originally only a few small independent associations centered around countries with relatively good conditions.”

“I know.”

“In fact, they were just independent associations, but they were worse than private guilds. But around last year, the International Association swept through the associations in Central Africa and established an integrated branch.”

It wasn’t reported in the news, but everyone in the industry knows about it.

But why are you bringing up that story?

“But… that’s all. The headquarters only sent a few branch managers and managers and haven’t paid attention to it for a long time.”

“They haven’t paid attention to it?”

“Yes. I’m a little puzzled that they bothered to integrate it with money and then let go of it… Well, anyway, that’s the situation. So, they’re apparently supplying all the operation personnel and equipment themselves.”

It’s definitely strange.

Just looking at it, it looks like a waste of money and manpower… Is there some other purpose?

‘I should have found out about the situation of overseas branches if I had known this would happen…’

I had too little information because I wasn’t interested in it before the regression.

Well, back then, I was so focused on ranking up that I didn’t care about the surrounding situation.

“It seems that self-suppression is difficult given the situation. Well, that’s why they contacted us.”

“The branch manager over there doesn’t seem to know about our relationship with the International Association.”

“I think so. I tried to sound him out once, but the branch manager doesn’t know what happened between the headquarters and us, and above all, he doesn’t seem to be related to PB Corporation at all.”

“You’re saying he’s just a low-level employee guarding his position.”

“So, um, I was wondering.”

Director Lee Ah-young cautiously continued.

“If the International Association has completely let go… can’t we take it away?”

“…”

I was taken aback by the rather radical statement.

Well, she’s not wrong.

Even if it’s a branch of the International Association, it’s still temporary.

If we set our minds to it, there’s nothing we can’t take away…

‘I don’t want to stir up trouble unnecessarily.’

It’s like declaring war outright.

And above all, there’s a strange, fishy smell.

I took a moment to organize my thoughts and opened my mouth.

“Let’s think about it a little more for now.”

“What?! Why, we got contacted with difficulty!”

“We don’t have enough justification to go in alone.”

“Justification?”

“If a company that only provides suppression support suddenly tells them to withdraw from the International Association and join the Korean Association, wouldn’t they think it’s strange?”

“That’s… true.”

“Even if we acquire it, it’s a problem. Of course, it will get into the ears of the International Association headquarters, and then they will know that I moved. They won’t stand still.”

“…Then what do you want to do?”

She’s reacting as if I’m going to cancel something she’s worked hard to prepare.

“I’m not saying we should do anything. I’m saying it would be nice to have a justification to propose a merger. For example… another company with a similar purpose moves with us?”

When multiple relationships start to become intertwined, people tend to look for situations that are more beneficial to them.

If they were told to choose between our company and the International Association, they would naturally think it’s strange…

If multiple organizations are interested in them, they will naturally side with the one that benefits them more, even if we don’t force them.

Above all, if another company comes to the forefront, what we’re doing will be less noticeable.

‘Well, I wonder where there is such a good company…’

It’s a bit difficult to proceed as is, so I’ll have to put it on hold for now.

“…Okay.”

“You’re not upset, are you?”

“Why would I be? You’re the one making the decision anyway.”

She needs to fix her expression before she speaks.

“Oh, and we have a guest coming today.”

“…Excuse me?”

A guest?

Was there such an appointment?

No, how great of a guest is it that they’re coming without prior schedule consultation?

…I was thinking for a moment.

Knock knock.

“Looks like they’re already here.”

Someone knocked on the office door.

Soon, a person opened the door and revealed himself.

“…Ch, Chairman?”

It was Ha Deok-soo, the chairman of Hanbyul Group.

“Sit down.”

The first words he threw without even greeting.

He sat down naturally across from me and made eye contact with me.

Even though he was an old man in his 70s, I couldn’t help but feel nervous when faced with the charisma comparable to Chairman Park In-beom.

“What brings you here, Chairman…?”

“I had to see what kind of guy kicked out my eldest grandson.”

“…”

A sharp gaze pierced me.

Surely he’s not thinking of bringing up the past now.

…No, but didn’t he make the first move?

“Haha. I’m just kidding. I just wanted to have a personal conversation. I have something to propose.”

“…”

Somehow, even his personality feels similar to Chairman Park In-beom.

“I heard you were a janitor?”

“Yes… that’s right.”

“From janitor to head of operations at the Korean Association in 4 months. Resigned after two months and founded a cleaning company. And in three months, acquired a large corporation subsidiary…”

He smiled subtly and stared at me.

“Well, I started as a scrap dealer, so I don’t intend to say anything about your background, but you’ve gone far beyond common sense.”

“I was just going with the flow.”

“You’re joking too much. Did someone who lives according to the flow throw such a gamble at the general meeting last week? What if I had sided with Sung-tae at that spot?”

It was a question that hit the core.

Trying to openly cut off his grandson in a place watched by the corporation’s chairman and grandfather was not a gamble, nor was it left to chance.

“A company’s greatest asset is its employees.”

“…What?”

“Isn’t that what the chairman has been saying his whole life? I didn’t think someone like that would favor a grandson who was caught up in controversy, no matter how much he loved him.”

“You bet billions on just that one thing?”

“Isn’t that enough?”

Even in my past life, Chairman Ha Deok-soo was famous as a person of character that Korea wouldn’t have twice.

With heartwarming stories pouring out almost every day, why would he help a grandson who caused a huge accident?

“Haha… Hahaha! After all, you’re different from Sung-tae from the start.”

“You flatter me.”

“No, I think I’ve been underestimating you until now. I like you very much. Well, so…”

His eyes flashed.

He leaned forward and continued in a very serious voice.

“Would you like to do a business with me?”

“…”

I hesitated to answer for a moment at the rather embarrassing proposal.