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Chapter 24




< You help me. Let's form an alliance. >
#24
You help me. Let's form an alliance.
“Munghyuk, go to the car first.”
I threw the car keys to Munghyuk.
Munghyuk, who caught the car keys, hesitated for a moment before walking to where the car was parked.
“Where are we going?”
“Let’s go to my car.”
“Lead the way.”
I followed behind Cheon Jisu.
I got into the passenger seat after she got into the driver’s seat.
“I didn’t expect you to acknowledge me at school.”
“What’s the point of family if not for that?”
You’re such a pain.
You’re the worst.
I continued the conversation while hiding my true feelings.
“So, what’s the matter? I’m waiting for a friend.”
“What’s the rush?”
Cheon Jisu’s eyes, which had been glaring at me, showed a hint of curiosity.
“Why are you so prickly? Is someone going to eat you? Even if you are my sister, you don’t have to talk to me like that.”
“Yeah, sister. What’s the matter?”
Cheon Jisu sighed, seemingly finding my attitude ridiculous.
“We don’t need to be so formal with each other, right? I’m not interested in Grandfather’s assets. You take over Grandfather’s business. I want Il Sung Group. You help me a bit. Let’s form an alliance.”
“Alliance?”
“Eventually, it’s going to be a fight between our brother and me, right? From the current atmosphere, I think you have a higher chance of winning. If I provide you with information about Father and my brother, your chances will be even higher. What do you think?”
I couldn’t help but snicker.
“Do you really think Cheon Jiwon can do anything? Don’t you think you’re overestimating him just because he’s your brother?”
“······Don’t underestimate me. I’m the eldest granddaughter. You’re from the maternal side, while Cheon Jiwon is the eldest grandson. If he gets support from Il Sung Group, you won’t know what hit you. Don’t be too confident.”
“Ha! Cheon Jiwon? That guy?”
“Hey! Are you even listening to me?”
Every time I saw her face, my mood soured, and I kept mocking her, but it seemed that further provocation wouldn’t do any good.
“Well, okay. What do you want in return for the information? If it’s an alliance, there should be something in it for you. What do you want me to do?”
She must have been stung.
After the chairman of Il Sung Group collapsed from a heart attack, she began her real moves. She opposed her uncle, who was the heir, and eventually got into a battle over shares.
In the end, I, who succeeded Grandfather, gave her one-third of the Il Sung Group subsidiaries.
The hand I shook with her at that time was the one that later pushed me into the abyss.
Cheon Suwan, the woman who, along with her brother, Cheon Suhan, sent me to hell.
That was Cheon Jisu.
“You won’t lose anything, right? Let’s trust each other as family. Okay? Don’t you trust your sister?”
“Pu, puh. Hahahaha.”
I burst out laughing at her sudden question, “Don’t you trust your sister?”
What, does this woman really say such things?
“Why are you laughing?”
Cheon Jisu frowned.
“Well, it’s a bit funny that you ask if I trust you. I’ll think about it. It’s not something I can decide easily.”
“Think about it? Are you going to miss such a good opportunity? You said it yourself, it’s a losing deal for me.”
“You’re right. It’s a losing deal for you. But this is the first time we’ve had a proper conversation. How can I just trust you and shake hands right away?”
Of course, I also wanted to make her squirm a bit.
“I’ll think about it. I’ll give you an answer as soon as possible. Oh! And don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone else about this. I’m not that stupid.”
Cheon Jisu, who didn’t expect me to say I’d think about it, stared at me silently for a while.
She finally sighed.
“Phew······ Okay. Give me an answer as soon as possible. I can’t wait too long. If you drag your feet, I’ll have to find another way. You understand, right?”
“Yeah, I get it. Is that all? I’ll contact you later.”
As I was about to get out of the car, Cheon Jisu added:
“Wait a moment. I’ll give you a gift, at least.”
I let go of the door handle and looked at her.
“What?”
“It seems like your father is planning something with the Myeongdong managers. I don’t know the details, but be careful when you meet them.”
There’s no such thing as a belated warning.
I stared at Cheon Jisu, speechless with disbelief.
“Why? Do you think I’m lying?”
“No, I just wondered for a moment if you could really be helpful······”
Cheon Jisu’s face twisted.
“What are you saying?”
“I’ve already met all the Myeongdong managers and wrapped things up. I’ve recovered all of Grandfather’s nominee accounts and arranged to receive reports once a month.”
“What?”
Cheon Jisu looked at me in surprise.
She can make such expressions too. I’m really learning a lot about her today.
“Maybe I should think about it for a while longer?”
“······You’ve subdued the Myeongdong managers?”
“Yeah, it wasn’t that hard.”
“······You’re not an ordinary guy, are you?”
A strange smile spread across Cheon Jisu’s face.
She must be thinking I could be useful.
Ah! We used to eat together, drink together, and even go to the sauna. Oh, we did all that! Right?
Ah······ Not the sauna.
‘I know you better than you know yourself. Look forward to it. This time······’
I got out of Cheon Jisu’s car and headed to where my car was parked.
Seeing Munghyuk reading a law book in the car, I couldn’t help but laugh.
I opened the driver’s side door and got in, saying:
“Hey! Studying in the car?”
“Hey, Muhyeok! Who was that girl? She was so pretty. Introduce her to me. Why did you meet her alone? Bastard, you tell me to study hard for the bar exam, but you’re the one meeting girls. What a scumbag.”
Munghyuk’s words, which poured out as soon as he sat down, hurt my ears.
I replied with a nonchalant expression.
“She’s my cousin.”
“Oh, really? Sorry.”
Munghyuk apologized quickly.
“Don’t be fooled by her looks. She’s a fox with hundreds of snakes inside. She’s not someone I can be with.”
Munghyuk then subtly turned his eyes back to his law book.
“I’m hungry. Let’s go eat! Let’s go, Driver Kim!”
I shook my head and started the engine.
The car slowly pulled out.
After eating with Munghyuk and returning home, I headed straight to the study where Grandfather was.
I stood at the door and said:
“Grandfather, it’s Muhyeok.”
Grandfather’s voice came from inside the study.
“Come in.”
“Yes.”
When I opened the door and entered, Secretary Ha was nowhere to be seen, and Grandfather was sitting alone, leaning back in his chair.
“How was your first class? Was it interesting?”
“Yes, I greeted my classmates.”
“Is that so?”
“I met Cousin Jisu.”
“Jisu? Oh! She’s at the same university, right?”
“Yes, we agreed to have lunch together next time.”
“That’s good. Get along well with your cousins. Understand?”
“Yes.”
Grandfather nodded in satisfaction.
“So, why did you come to see me as soon as you got home? Speak up.”
I cautiously brought up the topic.
“Well······ Grandfather, you asked me to manage your secret accounts, right?”
“Yes.”
“I want to move some of that money overseas.”
“Overseas?”
“Yes, if you’re not planning to use the money immediately, I think it would be good to invest it overseas.”
Grandfather, who had been leaning back in his chair, sat up and leaned toward me.
“Hmm, investment. Are you confident? Do you remember what I said when I entrusted you with the accounts?”
“Yes, you said that if I make a mistake, this money might be the last.”
“Maintaining the status quo wouldn’t be bad, but why do you want to move the money overseas? Is it because of the financial real-name system that hasn’t even been implemented yet? Is there a reason to do so?”
I calmly replied.
“Since you entrusted me with the money, you should trust me and help me manage it. Don’t you think so?”
It was a bold statement, but sometimes the straightforward approach was the best.
“Hahaha! Interesting, very interesting. Your uncles are always intimidated by me and can’t even speak properly, but you, Muhyeok, are fearless or full of spirit. Either way, it’s a good sight.”
That’s right.
I used to be like that.
I was always intimidated by Grandfather and couldn’t speak properly.
Even though he seemed to consider me a potential successor, he was never satisfied.
“So, what do you want me to do?”
“Transfer 400 billion to an American account.”
“And?”
“Don’t ask me about that money until the year 2000. I’ll handle it myself.”
“Huh? Don’t ask about 400 billion?”
“Yes.”
After a long moment of thought, Grandfather nodded.
“Alright. Do it. But there’s no second chance. Whether you make a profit or lose it, you only need to return 400 billion to me. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Have Secretary Ha do the job. He’ll transfer it to America without any issues.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
I didn’t expect to have such a conversation in Grandfather’s study.
My changed behavior also seemed to have an effect on Grandfather.
Now······
I needed to find someone to manage my account.
‘At this time, he······ was running around, struggling with loan sharks, right?’
Grandfather didn’t talk about the slush fund anymore.
Instead, he asked about my university life.
When the conversation with Grandfather ended and I left the study, Secretary Ha came into the house.
“Secretary Ha.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Could you find a person for me?”
“A person?”
Secretary Ha stopped, looking a bit puzzled.
“Please tell me. It might take some time, but the more information you provide, the faster I can find them.”
I tried to recall as much as possible and explained.
Secretary Ha took out a notebook and wrote down what I said.
A few days later.
Secretary Ha gave me the address of the motel where the person was staying.
He looked at me curiously and asked:
“Han Kyungyeong? He has a lot of loans. That’s why I found him easily. But why would you want someone like him······”
“Hahaha. He’s useful. Thank you, Secretary Ha.”
Secretary Ha didn’t ask any more questions after that.
Han Kyungyeong.
A future stock market legend, known as the “Super Ant.”
But right now, he was just a stock addict struggling with loan sharks.
Soon, he would become my person and help grow my wealth.
< You help me. Let's form an alliance. > End