Chapter 102
If It's Kang...
In-hyuk, in the guise of Gordon Grimes, sensed the clear shift in the atmosphere around him.
Meanwhile, Raven Delacroix met his gaze, now with the smile gone from her face.
"That's definitely information we missed."
"Would you mind sending the others out for a moment?"
"Why is that?"
"What I'm about to say may come across as disrespectful to you, ms. Delacroix, which is why I wanted to mention it first."
Raven Delacroix pondered briefly, then sent her staff outside.
"I'm curious to hear what you have to say."
Her tone carried a faint hint of sarcasm. In response, In-hyuk momentarily widened his eyes before lowering them and spoke.
"It's about the advisor for SGA. If even he didn't know this, then it must have been difficult for you as well, CEO Delacroix."
"...... How do you know that?"
Raven Delacroix's demeanor chilled noticeably.
SGA of Hong Kong was a company that had started as a private equity fund in 2021.
At the time, managed with the capital of various conglomerates, it grew rapidly with successive investment successes.
But two years before, a massive loss in ELS (equity-linked securities) products resulted in huge damages.
Of course, this wasn't an issue unique to SGA.
Businesses that invested in ELS products in Hong Kong, China, Korea, and other countries also suffered severe losses.
However, at the beginning of the previous year, after SGA's CEO was replaced by Raven Delacroix, who had been the branch manager in New York, the company experienced a rapid resurgence and was able to regain its former reputation in Hong Kong.
Still, the fact that someone else was involved in that process was a secret known only to her.
"I pride myself on my information network, you see—I don't lose to anyone in that regard."
Raven Delacroix let out a deep sigh.
"That advisor was impressive, but I suppose he still fell short compared to CEO Grimes."
"I was just a bit better, that's all."
"Aren't you being too modest? That advisor couldn't even figure out who you were, after all."
The way In-hyuk had figured it out was simple, in fact.
The secret advisor of SGA in Hong Kong—he was none other than In-hyuk himself.
Furthermore, In-hyuk had acquired SGA's falling shares by quietly rerouting part of AMK Partners' funds and installed Raven Delacroix as CEO.
That was why In-hyuk was now personally managing two of his own companies separately and negotiating while taking the lead himself.
"It's just a difference in our intel capabilities. So, what do you think? From SGA's standpoint, wouldn't the highly promising Chinese smartphone business be better than simply holding Taeshin Group's shares for now?"
Raven Delacroix, having paused to think, let out a sigh.
"I didn't expect you to make such an impressive proposal."
"The key to a proposal is making it so attractive there's no reason to hesitate. Shall I take that as your acceptance? Of course, you're free to conduct due diligence on SolarView before we sign anything."
In-hyuk, in the guise of Gordon Grimes, had already predicted even the further offers she might bring up.
"You really don't leave any openings, do you? Very well. If everything checks out, let's proceed with the contract. Will you be present then as well?"
"I doubt I'll have the chance to show my face for a while due to other matters. Branch manager McGrath will handle the due diligence and contract signing."
Finishing the conversation with a smile, In-hyuk stood up. As he exited, Norman McGrath, who had been waiting, approached him.
"Are you finished?"
"Yes, it went well. As long as there are no issues, you can just exchange the shares with a transfer contract."
After saying their farewells to Raven Delacroix, the group descended again.
Upon reaching the first-floor lobby, Norman McGrath, his face full of questions, spoke again.
"What exactly did you talk about in there?"
In-hyuk replied in a quiet voice.
"It seems SGA also has someone providing investment advice, similar to what I do."
"Really? Ah... so that's how they were able to grow so quickly, like us. Do you know who this person is?"
At that, In-hyuk paused to think and then shook his head.
"No. I haven't figured that out yet. Anyway, thank you for coming such a long way. We should part ways here."
"This is our first meeting... Aren't you going to join us for a meal?"
His tone was filled with regret.
"I still have important matters to attend to. Next time, if there's a chance, we'll eat together."
In-hyuk said this as he shook hands with Norman McGrath and the other staff.
They all looked elated, probably because not only had they seen the legendary Gordon Grimes in person, they'd even shaken hands with him.
"Are you sure you don't need a car?"
"I'll just take a taxi."
After saying his farewells, In-hyuk quickly scanned his surroundings and hailed a taxi.
At the same moment, a black vehicle some distance away began to move slowly, as if it had been waiting for this moment.
* * *
Third Deputy Director's Office, National Intelligence Service.
As soon as he heard the field agent's report, Im Deok-chang jumped to his feet.
"What?! Someone visited SGA in Hong Kong?"
"It was Gordon Grimes of AMK Partners. He arrived about an hour ago accompanied by Norman McGrath, the Korean branch manager."
"An hour ago? Why are we only getting this important report now?"
"There had also been security guards assigned to Norman McGrath, so identification was delayed. We did immediately tail them once identified, but... we just lost him."
Im Deok-chang couldn't help but frown at the meek voice.
"And the photos and immigration data?"
Within the organization, Gordon Grimes became a person of concern after AMK Partners established a branch in Korea and began to stand out.
But aside from his name and official identification, nothing was known, so they'd only been able to regularly monitor Norman McGrath's movements in Korea using the National Intelligence Service's resources.
"Here they are. However, we were unable to find any records of Gordon Grimes entering Hong Kong under that name."
The man in the picture was a lean British man with ash-grey hair.
Upon seeing the photo, Im Deok-chang grew suspicious.
"If it was that hard to track, he must've used a fake passport. But did he show up alone, without security or staff?"
"For now, yes."
"Now that I think about it... SGA had transferred investment in Texcellence to AMK Partners, which led to RSK's acquisition, right?"
"That's correct. After that, Texcellence successfully won the military uniform bid and, through its own factory and Taeshin Spintech, is making enormous profits."
Im Deok-chang let out a long sigh.
"That suggests he might have a real identity we don't know."
"Are you saying Gordon Grimes might not be his real identity? But isn't that the registered CEO of AMK Partners?"
"If it were real, there's no reason for him to avoid the spotlight like this. Anyway, even if he used a fake passport, he couldn't change his face, so make sure to thoroughly check recent records."
At that, the agent looked troubled.
"Then we'll need to send an official request... The overseas team will catch on."
As third deputy director, Im Deok-chang was originally responsible for industrial information and science/technology.
Overseas matters technically belonged to the first deputy director, but he had his own line for such things.
"If unavoidable, I'll explain to the first deputy myself. Just proceed."
It was a necessary decision under the circumstances.
After the agent exited, now alone, Im Deok-chang lifted the blinds to look outside, then pulled out his phone.
[Direct communication is only permitted in emergencies. What is it?]
A question came in English.
The person on the other end was Hannya, who had the same rank as Im Deok-chang in the organization.
"Do you have any personnel deployed in Hong Kong?"
[Hong Kong, all of a sudden?]
"Gordon Grimes of AMK has made an appearance. We've lost track of him, so I need a team to follow up."
The mood on the other end of the line instantly changed.
[Do you have immigration records?]
"He probably used a fake passport. We'll look for him internally. I'll send you the photo right away."
[Understood. We have four operatives who just finished a mission in Hong Kong. I'll assign them to you.]
There was no mention of what the previous mission had been.
Unless you investigated yourself, such details weren't shared.
"What's their level?"
[Three level-4 operatives and one level-3.]
"So it's a team that just wrapped up another job. Got it. If you give me a communication code, I'll share the last known location of Gordon Grimes. Ah, we also have agents of our own in the area, so make sure they don't run into each other."
[Understood. I'll relay that.]
The call ended.
Im Deok-chang placed his phone on the desk and sat down with a deep sigh.
AMK Partners had recently turned several of the organization's corporate projects upside down in sudden, unexpected ways.
Now, its owner, Gordon Grimes, had publicly appeared for the first time.
From the organization's standpoint, they had to find him by whatever means necessary.
* * *
26th floor, hillwood URS Building, Hong Kong.
Inside a company called Lionport Trading.
There, Noah Vantrail, in In-hyuk's appearance, was sitting with Tae Ju-ha.
"Why are you so quiet all of a sudden?"
Noah Vantrail replied matter-of-factly to the question.
"I just don't have anything to say."
She had practiced the speech patterns and mannerisms that In-hyuk had told her in advance.
But perhaps because she was holding back from speaking too much, Tae Ju-ha's reaction was somewhat awkward.
"So... where will we be going after this?"
Of course, answers to questions she might ask had also been provided in advance.
"I'll let you know before we move."
"You said someone's been tailing us since Switzerland. Did they follow us here?"
Noah Vantrail was aware of that situation as well.
In fact, as they traveled to this location today, she had noticed for herself.
"Yes."
"And you're sure it's safe?"
"No problem."
Tae Ju-ha squinted slightly, narrowing her brow, and stared at Noah Vantrail in In-hyuk's appearance.
"It seems like this is something to be worried about. How can you sound so certain?"
But there hadn't been an example answer prepared for this question.
'If it's Kang... If it's Kang...'
Thinking hard, Noah Vantrail finally managed to answer with difficulty.
"Because I'm here."
At that forced answer, Tae Ju-ha's eyes opened wide in surprise.
"Where does that confidence even come from?"
Sensing something was off about her reply, Noah Vantrail went quiet again.
"Let's just wait."
A short while later, the representative of Lionport Trading returned inside with documents in hand.
"It's ready. All you have to do is sign here and the process is complete."
His words were interpreted by In-hyuk.
The document was extended to Tae Ju-ha, who silently accepted the paper and pen and signed.
"It's done."
"以後會期待的. (I look forward to what's next.)"
Once again, Tae Ju-ha looked at In-hyuk, not understanding.
"They said they look forward to it."
She definitely understood the implication. She had heard similar words from company CEOs in Switzerland and Monaco.
"I don't know if this is really okay..."
"......."
Noah Vantrail, still in In-hyuk's appearance, could not say anything else.
He had only received a rough overview of the situation from In-hyuk and didn't know the details, so he felt it would be easy to slip up if she said anything more.
When the two of them went down to the first floor, Heo Yu-rim, Hong Yu-geon, and Van Hester approached.
Hong Yu-geon immediately came up beside and asked quietly in Spanish,
"We didn't get caught, right?"
"If we were caught, do you think we'd have just walked out like this?"
"Has the boss contacted you yet about when he'll arrive?"
"No."
Even In-hyuk had already handed his phone over to Noah Vantrail.
There might be another phone, but even Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester didn't know that number.
Just then, Hong Yu-geon received a message on his phone.
【HERMIT: To. Noah. One hour from now. South end of Gate 2, men's Restroom, Hong Kong International Airport.】
Hong Yu-geon also showed the message to Noah Vantrail.
"It's Mr. Kang. He's not watching us somewhere, is he?"
The timing was just too perfect.
"Anyway, let's get ready and head over. Until then, let's not say anything unnecessary."
"I know that."
At that moment, Tae Ju-ha, who had been walking ahead, turned her head.
"What are you all whispering about over there?"
"Uh, nothing."
Noah Vantrail, still in In-hyuk's guise, quickly switched to a different tone and walked up next to her.