Chapter 86
Time of Maturation
【America, Greenbyte Labs & AMK Velion announce 40% reduction in power consumption for products requiring over 100kW! Final goal announced as over 50%... Both companies, backed by investment from AMK Partners & Taeshin Asset Management, are simultaneously pursuing a four-party joint development and production contract...】
【Joint development by AMK Velion & Greenbyte Labs! 40% power consumption test completed! The goal is to develop a product that can also be used in existing electronic devices... The production plant is planned as a joint venture funded by AMK Partners and Taeshin Asset Management... Currently, total announced investment fund is 200 million dollars, capturing widespread attention...】
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The chairman of the WISE&WIRE group, Baek Ji-woong, was reading the article on his tablet in his office.
In the midst of this, his secretary, Do Jung-geol, took a call and transferred it over.
"This is Amber Hart from Redboar."
"... Right. Did you look into Accentia?"
Amber Hart's voice came out of the cell phone, switched to speakerphone.
[I have completed the confirmation.]
"What happened?"
[Well... There was a problem with the industrial software under development at Accentia.]
"A problem?"
A chill seeped into his voice as he repeated the question.
Sensing that, amber Hart's voice grew quieter than before.
[... It seems the software being developed there was based on leaked source code from another company.]
"Does the software have value?"
After all, plagiarism itself was not the main problem. That could always be taken away by whatever means necessary.
[It is indeed a source that could supplement issues that Greenbyte Labs found difficult to solve. However...]
"There was another problem, then?"
After a moment of hesitation, amber Hart spoke cautiously.
[I found out about a developer Accentia was hiding. After investigating, I found a history of employment at Velion.]
In that instant, Baek Ji-woong's face hardened.
"Are you saying that the developer stole source developed at Velion and brought it into Accentia?"
[That is the situation. Moreover, Velion already completed the patent registration for the source, so even if Accentia develops it, using it will be difficult.]
"Why didn't we realize something so important sooner?"
[Ah, as I mentioned earlier, Accentia concealed it until the investment was finalized.]
Amidst the growing confusion, something felt odd.
"All this... Was AMK aware?"
[I thought it odd too, so I checked, but I was told Accentia didn't reveal it to them either.]
"Can that be trusted?"
[To what I can tell, it doesn't seem like a lie. Also, there were no suspicious traces in the developer's communication records. There was no separate contact either.]
It seemed she had made a thorough investigation.
But even so, once things had already happened, nothing would change.
"If AMK didn't know either, that means they found out just before talks of a settlement began."
He realized that was why the matter ended in a settlement, rather than dragging it into litigation.
[It was my failure. I have no excuse.]
"Haaa... Still, we can't just let Accentia's deceit slide. First, what was the name of the CEO over there?"
[Amir Holcomb.]
After a brief pause in thought, Baek Ji-woong continued.
"That Amir Holcomb guy can't have stolen only from Velion. If more companies emerge, we can move ahead with a lawsuit on that basis. Redboar should use that to reclaim the investment fund, or to receive equity proportional to the loss."
[... Understood. Then what about AMK?]
He deliberated over this question as well.
"Just leave them for now."
[Then, to the Organization...]
Since Redboar Technology was also a company subordinate to the Organization, with the failure at Accentia, they would be reprimanded one way or another.
"I'll make the report. But we won't be able to avoid responsibility."
"..."
The call ended there.
As the screen of his cell phone went dark, Baek Ji-woong let out a long sigh again.
Watching carefully from the side, Do Jung-geol cautiously spoke.
"It appears that AMK intentionally betrayed Redboar in this matter. I believe we need to take more definite action."
For a moment, Baek Ji-woong's gaze turned to him.
"What kind of action? Should I kill the head of AMK, whose identity we haven't even been able to confirm? Or should I make an example by putting a bullet in Norman McGrath's head?"
"At the very least, shouldn't we issue some sort of warning?"
It was an earnest suggestion.
"The Organization would be pleased by that. But responsibility would fall to me. Are you perhaps wishing for that?"
Do Jung-geol hurriedly bowed his head.
"... I apologize."
"Any contact from Baek Si-hwan?"
"Not yet..."
bzzz― bzzz―
The cell phone buzzed again. On the screen, the name KARAS appeared.
That was Baek Si-hwan's organization code name.
"I'll never be a gentleman."
"I'll connect the call now."
As the call button was pressed, Baek Si-hwan's voice came through.
[I apologize for the late report.]
"Alright. Shall we start with why you were this late?"
[Kang In-hyuk arrived at AMK Velion, checked the technology, completed the contract, and then spent a week meeting with eleven companies in the area.]
"Eleven companies? Was he looking for other investment avenues? Anyway, couldn't you have contacted me during that time?"
There had been no news for seven days.
No matter how busy he was, it was hard to believe Baek Si-hwan couldn't send even a short report unless he was being closely watched the whole time.
[To the moment of the AMK Velion visit, the mood among the security guards was tense. Moreover, Kang In-hyuk ordered a review and organization of materials for the companies he met, so there was no spare time.]
"Did you see anything significant during this visit?"
[Nothing noteworthy yet.]
In the end, it meant there were no results at all.
"You could have pushed yourself to alert me to any explosive news from AMK Velion in advance."
[I did try to ask discreetly, but I was told that Kang In-hyuk also found out about AMK Partners' acquisition of Velion only after the fact.]
"Can that be trusted?"
Baek Si-hwan paused before replying.
[There's no reason for Kang In-hyuk to lie to me about that.]
"Your cover hasn't been blown, right?"
[There's been no suspicious movement, so that is certain.]
"Well... If something had been revealed, you wouldn't have been left free anyway. Report immediately if anything major comes up."
After ending the call, Baek Ji-woong's mind was even more tangled.
The first problem was the $40 million investment fund in Accentia.
The investment contract hadn't been made for any specific technology.
If they were to take this into court, it would take time.
* * *
In-hyuk returned to Korea after his trip to America.
As before, reporters swarmed around him in the arrivals hall.
"Have the low-power technology developed by Velion and Greenbyte passed the tests?"
"How much profit do you think Taeshin Asset Management will earn from this development project?"
"How did Taeshin Asset Management recognize the potential of Greenbyte Labs' technology?"
Questions poured in from all directions.
Of course, bodyguards from TSS were present at the terminal, surrounding In-hyuk and helping him get to his vehicle.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Baek Si-hwan, already in the front passenger seat, turned and spoke.
"Shall we head to your residence?"
"No. Let's go to the company."
"What do you mean by company...?"
"Taeshin Asset Management."
The car set off, and everyone grew quiet.
After a week of dashing around Austin, Texas, they were all exhausted.
The car departing Incheon International Airport reached Taeshin Asset Management after about two hours.
As they entered the company, they heard whispers similar to those at the airport.
"Where did all the people go who said we'd lose a hundred million dollars last time?"
"If what the article says is true, this is massive! And if it's a joint venture, does that mean it's a subsidiary of Taeshin Asset Management? Maybe I'll get assigned to Texas someday?"
"Everyone whose job at the TF division ended got a performance bonus and a promotion, right? Maybe there'll be another opening next time?"
The staff seconded to the TF division back then thought this marked the end of their time at the company.
Moreover, on In-hyuk's orders, they had clashed with the audit division and even endured a second round of audits, completely destroying morale.
But even with a revolutionary change in personnel shaking the Taeshin Group, what those in the TF division received was not punishment, but reward.
To other employees, it was simply enviable.
Meanwhile, In-hyuk arrived at the floor where the M&A/PEF division was located.
"You're here, division director! How was your business trip?"
Once again, Noh Dongjun approached, greeting him warmly.
Now, unlike before, he had been promoted from just a PEF 2 Team member to team leader and deputy general manager because the new year had started.
Of course, the TF division at the head office had also been completely dismantled and everyone reassigned to their desired positions.
"It was so-so. Team leader Noh, you look quite refreshed."
"That's because you brought money from America, division director."
"Did you rack up some achievements, team leader Noh?"
Feeling slightly called out, Noh Dongjun responded with a playful smile.
"I'm still getting used to the job. There's plenty to hand over."
The previous PEF 2 team leader had been fired and investigated for leaking internal information.
Afterwards, with Noh Dongjun seconded to the TF division, the interim team leader role was filled by Manager Shim Kyung-jun, originally of M&A 2 Team.
"I imagine all the attention must be a bit uncomfortable."
"I'll bear it."
Everyone, including those from PEF 2 team, assumed Shim Kyung-jun would become team leader.
But when Noh Dongjun returned from the TF division and took the post, jealous glances abounded.
"If you'd worked as diligently as you do now, team leader, you wouldn't have this problem."
"That's just my style."
Noh Dongjun always seemed laid-back but got everything done.
However, people only saw his nonchalant attitude and strange rumors circulated as a result.
Shaking his head, In-hyuk entered his office.
"Manager Baek, you can go ahead and leave for the day. Since today is your return from a business trip, it'll be handled as paid leave."
"No, I still have some work to catch up on. So if you need me, please call."
"Alright."
As the unflappable Baek Si-hwan stepped out, In-hyuk retrieved a detector from the safe under his desk and tossed it to Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester.
The two of them swept the office to ensure nothing had been planted.
Although they had their own detector that would be triggered, they always took precautions against the unexpected.
With a glance, Hong Yu-geon signalled to In-hyuk that everything was clear.
Relaxing, he slumped onto the sofa.
"Man~ I'm dying! Why were we running around like fools over there anyway?"
The eleven company meetings held in Texas were not originally planned.
Though Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester had no idea at first, with Baek Si-hwan present, they'd held off on asking until now.
"Time of maturation."
"Huh? Maturation? What maturation? Did you make kimchi while we weren't watching?"
"I mean with the KQ side."
"Oh..."
"After Jeon Hae-in was provoked during the party, she must have guessed as much. So, she won't stay still and will likely be planning something."
Realizing right away, both Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester nodded up and down.