Chapter 139 : I'm Sorry!
I'm Sorry!
Tae Ju-ha waited for In-hyuk's response. However, when In-hyuk cast a glance over her shoulder, she asked again.
"Is there something behind me?"
"No, not at all. By the way, are you going to sleep at the hotel again tonight?"
"I have to, since there's no one else I can entrust this to. And I also want to."
Even though they had hired a private caregiver, Tae Ju-ha continued to stay by his side.
Of course, Tae Ju-ha and In-hyuk weren't the only ones who decided to stay in America.
Tae Gun-seung's eldest son, Tae Seok-hyun, and his daughter-in-law, Lee Sun-hye, were also there, but after staying in the hospital for just two days, they disappeared.
"You're working so hard."
"You're the same, In-hyuk—you're not returning to your lodging either."
That was because they each felt some measure of responsibility for Tae Gun-seung's condition.
Of course, it wasn't that In-hyuk felt guilty or anything like that.
It was just that the loss of Tae Gun-seung at this point would be too early for his own plans.
"This situation happened because of my invitation. When the chairman accepted so readily despite his age, I feel like maybe I should have thought it over once more."
"This was all for Taeshin Asset Management's sake. Even though there was an accident, public opinion is starting to recognize that Taeshin Group is showing major interest in Taeshin Asset Management and Bellbyte Technology."
That was the ostensible goal. It was all just bait that In-hyuk had set down...
Moreover, with Chairman Tae Gun-seung collapsing, Taeshin Group's stock price was also steadily slipping as an added bonus.
"In any case, don't overdo it."
"Are you... worried about me?"
Feeling a bit awkward, In-hyuk scratched his cheek and tried to change the subject.
"We can't have two people collapse here. By the way, why did you step out?"
"Oh, I was just getting some fresh air."
"I understand. Still, please always take a security guard with you, just in case."
"It is uncomfortable... but I guess I should."
The exact cause of the Bellbyte Technology incident had not been clarified.
On top of that, ever since the incident in Vladivostok where Tae Ju-ha and In-hyuk barely escaped with their lives, she always moved about with a security guard.
As Tae Ju-ha wandered off away from the other security guards,
In-hyuk walked toward the station area and quietly spoke to a nurse who was sitting alone.
"What are you doing here?"
The nurse, busy typing on a keyboard, glanced at In-hyuk and gave him a subtle smile.
"What do you think? I'm working."
"You can actually do a nurse's job?"
Her true identity was Noah Vantrail, disguised as a nurse.
In-hyuk sneakily glanced at the monitor of the computer she was typing on.
As expected, she had Notepad open, writing something unintelligible.
"This much is a piece of cake. But how long is the boss going to keep this up? Is it because of the chairman?"
"For now, yeah. There's a chance those guys might come after us again. But really, why did you show up like this?"
"I heard that Baek Si-hwan, that secretary, is over here too. I didn't want to get tracked by talking on the phone next door, so I came here in person."
Noah Vantrail had already heard through In-hyuk just how far Kooou had gotten.
"So, why did you come?"
"I saw some suspicious guys outside coming in. Did you know about that?"
"Really?"
"You seem to already know."
Originally, as soon as the incident happened, the plan was to send Baek Si-hwan straight back home.
But with the way the aftermath was playing out, and for other reasons, he insisted on staying, so they let him.
And earlier, he left the area without any resistance whatsoever.
He moved so obediently that it was only natural to become suspicious.
"I figured it was about time they showed up."
"I can't tell if you're good at reading things or just reckless... Need a hand?"
Noah teased him, though she clearly looked unsure if In-hyuk could really handle it.
At that moment, In-hyuk felt the atmosphere around him thin out.
"Wait a second."
He moved straight to the window at the end of the corridor and scanned the view outside.
Noah, who had followed behind, cocked her head and asked,
"What is it?"
"Their presence is gone."
"... Huh? You can notice something like that?"
To be honest, it wasn't so much their presence as their killing intent and the weight of their gaze.
Of course, at close range, he could sense most people's presence anyway...
"I'm sensitive to these things."
"Are you sure they've pulled out?"
"I think so. But why would they leave? Did their plans change?"
The people dealt with at Bellbyte Technology had clearly been after Chairman Tae Gun-seung. And behind them stood Tae Seok-ho.
Though Tae Gun-seung was still unconscious, as long as he was alive, he would surely be an obstacle to the plan.
"Maybe they came up with another method?"
"... No way."
While he muttered that, a voice sounded from behind.
"In-hyuk! What are you doing over there?"
Tae Ju-ha, who had gone out for some fresh air, had gotten off the elevator and spotted In-hyuk with Nurse Noah.
"Uhm, well..."
For a second, In-hyuk didn't know what or how to explain.
That's when Noah, feigning surprise, spoke up.
"Oh my! You have a girlfriend, don't you? I'm so sorry!"
And with that, she hurried past Tae Ju-ha and down the emergency stairs.
"...."
At that moment, he got a strange sense of déjà vu and Go Mi-ah's face flashed through his mind.
"Were you doing something with that nurse?"
"No, it's a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding? A misunderstanding about what?"
In-hyuk started getting a headache.
"I have something important to check, so if you'll excuse me for a moment."
"In-hyuk."
In the end, he thought it best to avoid the situation.
So, ignoring Tae Ju-ha's call, In-hyuk headed toward the break room.
"Mi-ah or Noah, why do they always do this to me...?"
Muttering under his breath, he entered Ghost Link on his phone and called Go Mi-ah.
[Mmmmmm—! What is it at this hour?]
"Are you eating something?"
[It's lunchtime now.]
It was past 8 PM here. In Korea, that made it just past noon.
"Oh, sorry. More importantly, can you update me on the head office situation?"
[Why, what's up?]
"I thought the people who were after Chairman Tae Gun-seung showed up, but they left. It seems something is happening at head office."
[Really? I'll check as soon as I'm done eating.]
"And can you get me the list of all arrivals at airports near Flagstaff for the past three days? Within a 300-km radius."
Go Mi-ah was startled.
[What?! Do you even know how many airports are within that range?]
"Maybe just over ten?"
Meanwhile, having finished her search, Go Mi-ah shouted loudly.
[Exactly eigh!teen!]
The number somehow sounded a bit unpleasant.
"I'm counting on you."
[Geez—! How soon do you need it?]
"As soon as possible."
[Thanks to the boss, my workload just exploded! Anyway, fine.]
With that, the call ended with Go Mi-ah's complaint.
* * *
Taeshin Trading executive vice president's office.
Tae Seok-ho sat at his desk, scrutinizing documents with a calm expression.
Then, after a knock, Reina Blackwood entered quietly and handed over a file.
"As you requested, I withdrew the team we sent to the chairman."
"Well done. They didn't get caught pulling out, did they?"
"Not at all. We withdrew right before they were deployed. But... are you really sure about this?"
Reina had been ordered by Im Deok-chang to make absolutely sure of finishing off Tae Gun-seung.
Of course, Tae Seok-ho was briefed as well and, with his approval, a separate team under his command had moved.
But at the very final moment, Tae Seok-ho had reversed the decision.
"Is there any guarantee we'll succeed this time, when we've already failed once? And even if we do, with what happened at Bellbyte, who do you think would be blamed?"
The investigation was now heading in the direction that Kang In-hyuk or Bellbyte Technology had been targeted.
If Tae Gun-seung was openly attacked, suspicion would surely fall on the Taeshin Group's succession structure.
Once Tae Seok-ho finished his calculations, he began implementing a new plan.
"I understand what you mean. But if you go ahead and the chairman wakes up, it'll really be out of control."
"He's been unconscious for three days. Even if he does wake, it'll take time for him to return to business. Besides, Tae Ju-ha and Kang In-hyuk are tied up with the chairman, so this is actually a golden opportunity."
Reina let out a small sigh at his words.
"Soon, there will be official notice of an emergency shareholders' meeting."
This time, Tae Seok-ho let out a long breath.
"So now an irreversible situation is set to begin."
"Do you think you have the winning hand?"
"I've already acquired all the shares necessary. And with things as they are, the directors who were on the fence aren't likely to side with Tae Seok-hyun."
Currently, Tae Seok-hyun had more than 30% directly favorable shares.
In addition, there were about 18% shares held by small shareholders or under uncertain names.
The shares previously friendly to Tae Seok-hyun could easily shift.
Plus, if KQ Distribution is thinking of making Kang In-hyuk the successor, they'd likely hand their shares to Tae Seok-ho.
"The shares held by Lumen Holdings, Orbis Investment, and AMK Partners are the biggest obstacles."
"Didn't you say together they hold about 15%?"
"According to the current tally, it's exactly 14.83%."
"That's a significant amount."
So far, Chairman Tae Gun-seung's direct shareholding was about 20%.
Combined with the shares of Tae Seok-hyun and Tae Ju-ha, that made just over 30%.
If those three companies sided with the chairman, their total would be about 45%.
If they skipped the emergency shareholders' meeting, it'd be fine, but if they opposed, it could be a huge variable.
"Fortunately, those three companies haven't made any contact as of now. Still, we can't let our guard down."
"As per the articles, as long as we get a majority among those present, that's enough."
"If things proceed as planned, there shouldn't be any problem."
Even as Reina said that, she felt an ominous premonition.
But with Tae Seok-ho acting so triumphant, as if success was certain, it was hard for her to speak up.
"Of course it should go that way."
"And just in case, I'll make arrangements on the Flagstaff side so that even if Chairman Tae Gun-seung wakes up, he won't be able to return easily."
"What sort of arrangements?"
"Just tying up a foot or two. Of course, I'll make sure it goes unnoticed."
Even now, she wanted to make absolutely sure of finishing Tae Gun-seung for good.
"That should suffice."
Having finished her report, Reina stepped out. Then, entering the break room next to where the secretaries worked, she called Im Deok-chang.
[Did something go wrong?]
Currently, Im Deok-chang was irritated, busy handling matters regarding the domestic shell companies between Notex and Hwain Techon on orders from Jin Jong-man.
"No, nothing's wrong. It's just that something is bothering me."
[What is it?]
"I've set up the notice for the shareholders' meeting, but AMK, Orbis, and Lumen are obstacles. Are we really okay? I was thinking, maybe I should probe them indirectly through W&W Group."
They were companies holding almost 15% of the shares.
If their moves weren't clearly understood, they could become a critical variable.
[If you've already sent the notice, then the train has left the station. Besides, there's a week left before the meeting, and it's too late to try to contact them now.]
"Understood. I'll do as you say."
Unable to go against him, Reina could only nod.