Chapter 81
You're Overpraising Me
The hour was late when In-hyuk received a message while driving.
【KQ4123: Executive Vice President Noh Geun-cheol has been acting on his own quite often. The place he recently visited is somewhere called Banpo Plaza General Arcade in Seoul. Upon investigation, it seems this was on the chairman's separate orders.】
【HERMIT: Yes. Where you always put your money. (돈은 언제나 놓는 곳.)】
At the same time, the message just sent disappeared from the chat window. It was an external management instant message from Ghost Link.
In-hyuk's face stiffened a bit.
Seeing this, the driver, Hong Yu-geon, glanced at In-hyuk through the rearview mirror and asked quietly,
"Did something bad happen?"
After hesitating for a moment, In-hyuk let out a sigh.
"I think Chairman Kang Cheon-gyu has found out about my existence. It seems like he's searching for me."
"Huh? To there? How?"
Jeon Hae-in, KQ's mistress, had moved far more meticulously than expected.
Behind her was Daemyung Detective Agency, which was connected to Kooou.
Naturally, unless she spoke to Kang Cheon-gyu directly first, it wouldn't have been easy to find out.
"I don't know exactly, but someone working for Chairman Kang Cheon-gyu visited the place where Daemyung Detective Agency was located. Based on that, I'm guessing... Jeon Hae-in probably let something slip."
"See? No matter how thoroughly you move, there are always openings. You be careful too, boss. Baek Si-hwan might dig up something."
"I'm always careful."
"You think they'll find you out like that?"
"Who knows? I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't caught Jeon Hae-in meeting Lee Daemyung and talking."
"That's precisely who we are!"
At Hong Yu-geon's playful exclamation, Van Hester also nodded from the front passenger seat.
"... You look really excited, don't you?"
"Well, not really, but it's just like a soap opera! What, is Jeon Hae-in going to come over with an envelope of cash and tell you to disappear? Or maybe, assassination?"
At that, In-hyuk let out a sigh without thinking.
"That woman has already almost gotten me killed several times, and I don't intend to die in the future, either."
"Judging by the party invitation, do you think she already knows and invited you on that premise? Didn't you say she insisted on your attendance?"
"Who knows. I still owe her from last time."
He was referring to the incident at Kang Cheon-gyu's residence.
But the timing was suspicious, and In-hyuk found himself thinking along similar lines as Hong Yu-geon.
"But where did you get that information from earlier? Did you manage to make a connection with someone in the KQ chairman's inner circle?"
"And if I did?"
"When did you have time for that?"
"Why do you think I'm always so busy?"
In-hyuk gave a deliberately vague reply.
A little later, the car pulled up in front of a luxury hotel in Gangnam, Seoul.
People alighted from the series of cars and entered the hotel.
Today was the day of KQ Group's 50th-anniversary party.
In-hyuk also stepped out of the car, better dressed in a neater suit than usual.
"Welcome, Division Director."
At that moment, Baek Si-hwan, smartly dressed, approached.
He'd been on an outside appointment until recently and had arrived at the venue separately.
Strictly speaking, In-hyuk didn't need to bring him to the KQ Group party, but he had him accompany him in order to fine-tune their relationship.
"I'm sorry for making you attend something that's rather personal."
"Not at all. And you're here on business more than personal matters, aren't you?"
"I suppose you're right."
Soon, the group moved into the second floor where the party was being held.
KQ Group's security team and an external security company were checking IDs and letting guests in.
"I'm Kang In-hyuk from Taeshin Asset Management. These are my secretary and my security guard."
When he presented the invitation, the man at the entrance checked it along with his identity on a tablet.
"Your secretary may go in, but your security guard will have to wait outside."
"... Understood."
When In-hyuk looked at them, Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester nodded and stepped back.
Thus, with only Baek Si-hwan, In-hyuk entered the party hall.
Inside, people gathered in small circles, talking.
Just as at the publication party for Chairman Kang Cheon-gyu's autobiography, it was less of a celebration and more like a business forum.
And In-hyuk could hear the whisperings of people as they noticed him.
"Isn't that Kang In-hyuk, division director of Taeshin Group? He's been on fire lately."
"I heard his investment returns are insane lately. Should I go talk to him?"
"There are rumors of insider trading. Honestly, it's not like he's clairvoyant—how can he get it right again and again like that?"
"I heard the chairman favors him a lot—he even set up a TF division to back him up, even though the group stock price has tanked."
"He must be nuts. No matter how many problems there are, how could anyone stick it out this far? Just cover it up and move on."
"He's not even a blood relative, just a son-in-law. Doesn't matter how much the chairman likes him, that's his limit."
All sorts of comments drifted around, but no one actually approached In-hyuk.
Their envy and jealousy for In-hyuk's abilities formed thick walls alongside their pride as chaebols (tycoons).
"Are you Division Director Kang In-hyuk of Taeshin?"
A voice came from behind.
He turned to see a silver-haired middle-aged man. Even without being acquainted, he couldn't help but recognize him.
"You're Chairman Baek Ji-woong of W&W Group."
"So you know me."
Baek Ji-woong was famous for rarely showing his face in public, despite being a corporate chairman.
He seemed slightly surprised that In-hyuk recognized him right away.
"You're famous, so I memorized your face from some old photographs."
"I'm honored that such a famous figure among businesspeople would recognize me first."
"I'm more surprised that you spoke to me first. I didn't even know you would be at this event."
Baek Ji-woong smiled faintly at In-hyuk's reaction.
"I usually don't like these gatherings. But this time, I heard Division Director Kang In-hyuk was coming."
"You came to see me?"
"You're extremely well known among businesspeople these days. So I was curious. I wanted to talk to you about investments as well."
His manner and speech were so cordial and gentle that one would trust him if one didn't know his true feelings.
"My investment knowledge is nothing compared to that of W&W Group's chairman."
"Even I can't do what you do, Division Director Kang. I started to pay attention to Taeshin Asset Management's movements because of that interest."
"Please feel free to speak informally if you'd like. I apologize if it was impolite that you approached me first."
At this, Baek Ji-woong smiled more warmly.
"Thank you. May we have a drink and chat for a bit?"
"Of course."
The two moved to a table and received glasses of champagne from a passing waiter.
"These days, there's been a lot of interest in Greenbyte Labs. What do you see there, director Kang? Of course, if it's sensitive business information, you don't need to say."
In-hyuk took a sip of champagne first.
"Low power, high efficiency is attracting major interest in every business these days. Since every sector uses devices, if they can hit their target performance, the profits will be huge. That's why I saw investment value in Greenbyte Labs' technology."
"I heard the core technology being developed at Accentia is key. But that situation's become complicated—has Greenbyte Labs found a way out?"
In-hyuk deliberately let out a sigh.
"Honestly, I'm quite worried. I thought partnership with Accentia would be problem-free thanks to AMK Partners' investment, but now... Even if Redboar Technology snatches it away, who's to say they'd work with Greenbyte Labs?"
"Like you said, they might join hands with a different company with similar technology. Maybe that's why they invested so heavily and pushed for the cancellation of investment in the first place."
"Exactly. That's why I'm looking into similar companies, but it's not easy."
When In-hyuk finished his champagne, Baek Ji-woong also finished his glass before speaking cautiously.
"I've become a bit interested in that business myself. But from what I found, there are so many similar technologies out there, it could be accused of being a copy at any moment."
"It's a difficult matter."
"Then, aren't there only two ways? Either make sure AMK Partners maintains its investment in Accentia, or proceed with Redboar Technology's investment as planned."
"You know my position. I'm partnered with AMK Partners. If I contact Redboar in this situation, it would only destroy business trust."
Anyone who had been paying attention to events in the business world these days was aware of the connection between Taeshin Asset Management and AMK Partners.
Naturally, this applied to the current Accentia situation as well.
If that partnership broke, the damage to In-hyuk and Taeshin Asset Management would be significant.
Baek Ji-woong grew even more cautious.
"Are most of your investments based on AMK Partners?"
"You've probably seen the scale of funds Taeshin Asset Management has been moving lately. The largest portion is with AMK Partners. Thanks to that, I've been able to manage large sums."
The conversation flowed naturally.
"AMK Partners... It's certainly worthy of being called this year's hottest new name in investment. Ever since they opened a Korean branch, domestic business leaders have been desperate for connections. How did you end up working with them?"
"When I first started getting active, they contacted me first. It was originally a scouting offer, but you know my situation."
"A scouting offer for the Taeshin family's son-in-law... That's not something I would have expected, to be honest. So in the end, you ended up entrusted with funds and M&A business—that must be how the MP Division was created."
In-hyuk smiled again.
"Exactly."
"It isn't a complicated story. Opportunity comes to everyone. But it all depends on whether you can grab it or not. If you can not only grasp it but wield it freely like you do, all the better."
"Hahaha—! You're overpraising me."
His laughter resounded throughout the hall.
At the same time, people's eyes were naturally drawn to In-hyuk and Baek Ji-woong standing together.
"W&W Group's Chairman Baek Ji-woong? The man next to him is Taeshin's Kang In-hyuk, isn't it?"
"How are those two together?"
"I think Kang In-hyuk just laughed. What are they talking about with Chairman Baek?"
Voices rippled through the crowd.
Sensing the attention, In-hyuk put on a slightly embarrassed expression.
"I think my voice was a bit too loud."
"It happens. If you don't mind, would you care to have a meal together sometime?"
"If you contact me, I'll check my schedule and make time."
In-hyuk took out his business card and handed it over.
Baek Ji-woong's rough-looking male secretary, standing by his side, accepted it instead.
"Thank you. I hope we can meet again. I wish you luck with the Greenbyte Labs matter."
"Thank you."
With that, they finished their conversation and slowly left the area.
Other businesspeople nearby greeted Baek Ji-woong and cautiously started conversations.
The standing of the W&W Group's chairman was on par with Tae Gun-seung or Kang Cheon-gyu.
-Meanwhile, In-hyuk sensed Baek Si-hwan discreetly approach from behind.
"Division Director. CEO Tae Seok-hyun and Executive Vice President Tae Seok-ho have arrived."