Episode 53: Not a Reward, But a Deal (3)
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Shin-woo sat diagonally across from Myung Joong-hwan.
It was Myung Joong-hwan who spoke first.
“The R2ED data you sent has been reviewed by MH Tech. Although it’s still theoretical for now, if the device can be miniaturized, it could be used not only for military purposes but also in other fields.”
That was something Shin-woo had also anticipated. The company that originally developed R2ED had improved the device and reaped immense profits from it.
“Does this mean that the matter I mentioned earlier will proceed as discussed?”
This referred to Jang Man-soo entering MH Tech.
Hearing this, Myung Joong-hwan smiled contentedly.
“Of course. However, if that happens, both you and Manager Jang Man-soo, once he qualifies as a researcher, will face a more complex set of responsibilities.”
Even now, Shin-woo was serving as both the head of the Strategic Investment Operations Division 2 and the CEO of KITE.
“So, what are you planning to do?”
“I’m considering elevating the Strategic Investment Headquarters to the status of a subsidiary and appointing you as its representative. This way, it can facilitate research collaboration with MH Tech through Manager Jang Man-soo.”
“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea. But if I take on the role of representative, what happens to Director Im Hee-yeon?”
This was a question asked out of simple curiosity.
“I intend to appoint her as an executive director of the main headquarters.”
Shin-woo nodded in understanding.
“Got it. In that case, what happens to the office? Can I keep using the current setup? I don’t want to change the layout.”
“I’ll let you keep it as it is. Anything else you’re curious about?”
After a brief moment of thought, Shin-woo asked another question.
“How long am I supposed to hold the position of KITE’s CEO?”
“Thanks to your managerial skills, KITE’s system has been well-restructured, and its value has significantly increased. I didn’t interfere at all, but… have you had any difficulties?”
“Occasionally, the commute to Incheon feels inconvenient.”
To be honest, Shin-woo had initially accepted the role of KITE’s CEO to investigate the Special Security Team 2 under Myung In-chul’s command. However, since the team operated as a completely independent entity within KITE, he hadn’t uncovered anything.
Perhaps due to his calm tone, Myung Joong-hwan was momentarily taken aback.
“…Is that the only reason?”
“There’s too much to do. Besides, now that KITE has stabilized, I think it’ll be fine without me.”
It wasn’t just any role but a CEO position. Yet, Shin-woo wanted to resign simply because of the inconvenience of commuting…
Myung Joong-hwan couldn’t help but feel flustered.
“You’ve managed it well. Changing leadership now might disrupt the system you’ve worked so hard to establish.”
“There are surely others who could do the job just as well.”
Previously, Myung Joong-hwan had only held the title of CEO, while Yu Hyung-jin, the operations director, managed the actual day-to-day operations.
Although Yu Hyung-jin initially had complaints when Shin-woo became CEO, he eventually accepted it after seeing the positive changes Shin-woo brought to KITE.
From Myung Joong-hwan’s perspective, having Shin-woo remain as CEO was the most beneficial arrangement for KITE.
“What would it take for you to continue as KITE’s CEO? If you want something, just say it.”
“Wasn’t the recent arrangement already the reward?”
He was referring to having Jang Man-soo collaborate with MH Tech.
Myung Joong-hwan shook his head with a serious expression.
“That wasn’t a reward; it was a deal. Of course, I’ll provide you with a proper reward separately.”
This offer took Shin-woo by surprise. While he had indeed achieved significant, consistent results, he hadn’t expected Myung Joong-hwan to show such goodwill.
“Do I look like someone who always has a wish ready to state?”
“If you’ve accomplished this much, you must have something in mind. So, just tell me.”
A subtle tension arose between Shin-woo and Myung Joong-hwan.
Now that TSF had approached him directly, there was no longer a need for Myung In-chul. But letting Myung In-chul roam freely was also not an option. It was necessary to have a means of keeping him in check.
“1% of MH Holdings’ shares.”
At that moment, Myung Joong-hwan’s brow twitched.
“Do you know the value of what you’re asking for?”
“The current price per share is around 2.1 million won. At 1%, that’s approximately 210 billion won.”
“That’s correct. So, you’re saying that would be the reward?”
“Is it not possible?”
The best way to check Myung In-chul was to acquire even a small portion of the MH Holdings shares he coveted.
“What if I offered you 40% of KITE’s shares instead? You’d also have 100% of its management rights.”
KITE was currently a privately held company with a market valuation of approximately 530 billion won. If it continued to grow and eventually went public, the 40% stake Myung Joong-hwan proposed would be worth significantly more.
“Are you asking me to choose between a current blue-chip stock and a future one?”
“If possible, I hope you’ll choose KITE.”
“It seems like you’re quite reluctant to part with MH Holdings’ shares.”
The MH Holdings shares owned by Myung Joong-hwan were effectively the group’s insignia. Holding more than 1% of these shares would greatly enhance one’s chances of becoming the successor.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect you to ask for MH Holdings’ shares. It seems you’ve been giving it some thought.”
“Considering what I’ve earned so far, I didn’t think it was unreasonable. Besides, I need to secure my plate.”
Myung Joong-hwan muttered quietly, “If only others could accomplish half of what you’ve done…”
“Are you worried that I’ll take over MH Group?”
“Do you really think you can?”
“It’s not impossible.”
Shin-woo replied calmly, his expression unchanging.
Bzzz— Bzzz—
At that moment, an alert sounded on Shin-woo’s phone.
“If it’s an important message, feel free to check it.”
“Excuse me.”
It was a message from Jang Man-soo, containing a single internet link.
When he clicked on it, a news article in English popped up.
[U.S.: Serial killer apprehended in Bozeman, Montana. A total of five bodies have been confirmed so far…]
The article detailed how the killer was caught due to the quick thinking of a potential victim, referred to as “A.”
This indicated that Lillian had completed her revenge. In his previous life, the infamous serial killer Chad Palmer had murdered 43 people over six years, including Lillian’s parents.
A follow-up message arrived soon after.
[Emergency Clear.]
The sender was Lillian.
For a brief moment, Shin-woo smiled.
Seeing this, Myung Joong-hwan, unaware of the context, looked puzzled.
“It seems like you’ve received some good news.”
“It’s decent news. So, what’s your decision? I’ll accept whatever you choose.”
As Myung Joong-hwan pondered, his curiosity about what reward to give grew deeper.
* * *
Myung In-chul heard from Park Sang-kyu that 1% of MH Holdings shares owned by Myung Joong-hwan had been inherited by Baek Shin-woo.
As a result, the car they were in reverberated with his booming voice.
“That crazy old man! How could he just hand it over to that brat…!”
“Sir, getting too worked up isn’t good for your health.”
“Shut up!!”
“…….”
Despite Park Sang-kyu’s attempts to calm him, Myung In-chul could not easily suppress his anger.
It was understandable, as in the 55 years since he was born as the son of Myung Joong-hwan, he had never once received any share inheritance.
Of course, he did hold some shares of his own, but they were nothing compared to the holdings of Myung Joong-hwan and the other major shareholders.
Naturally, the 1% that Baek Shin-woo inherited was more than the shares owned by Myung In-chul.
“Hah… this must mean he wants to play for keeps.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“There’s only one way left. That’s why I’m on my way to meet Director Kwak.”
The car carrying them sped along a dark road, leaving the city and heading toward the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province. From there, it veered onto an even more deserted path before arriving at a villa surrounded by a forest.
With a familiar stride, Myung In-chul entered the villa with Park Sang-kyu.
Kwak Chi-young, seated on the living room sofa, greeted them warmly.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
The question seemed almost sarcastic, given the circumstances.
Suppressing the anger that had been erupting since he left, Myung In-chul sat across from him.
“Are you seriously asking because you don’t know how I’ve been?”
“Why are you so sensitive?”
“Sensitive? Do you think this is the time to say something like that? And what exactly were you thinking, meeting with Baek Shin-woo at TSF?”
This was the most pressing matter.
He had wanted to confront him earlier, but due to TSF Investment’s semi-annual meeting, he had postponed their encounter until now.
“Mr. Myung, you are well aware of Baek Shin-woo’s business acumen. TSF saw potential for mutual benefit in the partnership; that’s all it was.”
“Do you think I’m unaware of who Baek Shin-woo is? He’s Im Hee-yeon’s son.”
Kwak Chi-young had initially allied with Myung In-chul while also keeping Im Hee-yeon in check.
Although he acknowledged her remarkable business capabilities, they hadn’t been enough to surpass what Myung In-chul offered at the time, so the alliance had stopped there.
“Do you think I don’t know that?”
“What I mean is that you should have considered your relationship with me. Don’t tell me you’re thinking of switching sides.”
At this, Kwak Chi-young smirked.
“Switch sides? How could I jeopardize my relationship with you, Mr. Myung? Meeting Baek Shin-woo was just a matter of exploring some potential profit.”
“Hah! Let me be clear—this is your last chance. We also need to move up the schedule for the previous plan.”
“You said something similar last time. Why the sudden rush?”
Bang!
Once again, an enraged Myung In-chul slammed the coffee table in front of him.
“We’re in no position to wait any longer.”
Kwak Chi-young glanced briefly at Park Sang-kyu, signaling him to explain.
Understanding the unspoken order, Park Sang-kyu slowly began to speak.
“Today, 1% of Chairman Myung Joong-hwan’s shares in MH Holdings were transferred to Baek Shin-woo as a lifetime inheritance.”
Kwak Chi-young’s expression subtly shifted, as if he had not anticipated this development.
“So it’s about the shares he never gave to any of his other children.”
“On top of that, he’s appointing Im Hee-yeon as an executive director at headquarters. He’s also spinning off the Strategic Investment Headquarters into a subsidiary and putting Baek Shin-woo in charge of it as CEO.”
“His position will grow even stronger.”
“At this point, my father’s intentions don’t matter. Proceed with the plan we agreed on.”
This would mean drastically advancing the original timeline.
Of course, simply standing by and watching was not an option. If they did, Im Hee-yeon and Baek Shin-woo might end up consuming the entirety of MH Group, just as Myung In-chul feared.
However, Kwak Chi-young also had a newly revised plan in mind, so it wasn’t easy to unconditionally support Myung In-chul’s demands.
“The soonest we can proceed would be by next year, during Chairman Myung Joong-hwan’s health check-up.”
“That’s too late.”
“Do you want to carry out the plan now, only to attract suspicion? We can’t underestimate Im Hee-yeon’s intelligence network.”
“Then deal with Im Hee-yeon first. Isn’t that all we need to do?”
At that suggestion, Kwak Chi-young recalled the failed operation at a cafe months earlier.
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