Ch 28

<28>

 

1 Month and 15 Days Before That Day (2)

 

CEO Han of Yuseong Venture Capital, who had come to the Yuseong Group’s main residence, handed Choi Seryeong a heavy envelope of documents. She, who had been holding a teacup with an air of arrogance, checked the envelope with a slow gaze and reached out her arm. Her wine-colored nails, neatly trimmed without a single cuticle, contrasted vividly against the white envelope.

 

“No matter how much I think about it, it’s not easy to exceed 35%.”

 

What CEO Han handed over was the shareholder list of Yuseong Venture Capital. Although it had met the listing requirements a long time ago, it was still an unlisted stock on the over-the-counter market, following the wishes of Choi Yoonjae’s father, Choi Sunghoon. Yuseong Venture Capital’s shares were formed by Choi Sunghoon’s connections and institutional investors, and because cash dividends were guaranteed, it had been quietly passing by without complaint until now.

 

Choi Seryeong wanted to re-tie the completely separated Yuseong Venture Capital to Yuseong Group and attempt a backdoor listing on the already listed Yuseong Group. That way, she could return Yuseong Group to its former heyday and easily change the structure so that the capital of Yuseong Venture Capital, which had solid cash assets, could flow into Yuseong Group.

 

The biggest obstacle here was Choi Yoonjae’s 35% stake as the largest shareholder. Her younger sibling, Choi Youngjae, held 17%, but she needed to exceed half of the total stake, including friendly shares, to wield anything at the general shareholders’ meeting. However, Yoonjae’s shareholding ratio was so high that it was not easy.

 

“It’s not just that Executive Director Choi’s stake is high, but the shareholders are supporting Executive Director Choi because the performance is so good.”

 

CEO Han, who was raising his glasses that had slipped down to the bridge of his nose with his finger, expressed his difficulty and held up the teacup with steaming vapor rising from it.

 

“Can’t we try to make the 4% of Jane Pharmaceuticals? If we gather all the shareholders between 1% and 4%, it might be possible.”

 

Recently, Choi Seryeong had poured a huge amount of money into construction costs to renovate the Yuseong Group resort. She had invested all the funds that Chairman Choi had prepared for the construction of the golf course, but the improvement effect was not clear, so she was expanding to the casino and conducting all-out lobbying. However, even this was not easy to get permission for, and Choi Seryeong, who was in a dilemma, faced a situation where she had to secure cash from Yuseong Venture Capital no matter what.

 

CEO Han, who knew her situation, had to show Choi Seryeong objective indicators, who was struggling without finding a breakthrough. This was because even he could be in danger.

 

“To be honest, it’s not easy right now. As you know, these days, every investment that Executive Director Choi touches has such good results. There is no valid reason to put the resignation of the executive director on the agenda of the general shareholders’ meeting, and the shareholders are on Executive Director Choi’s side… It seems better to take a step back now.”

 

When Choi Seryeong trembled at CEO Han’s painful advice, the shareholder list she was holding shook along with her.

 

“If only we had invested in B-gate…”

 

She was anxious because the first promissory note she had to block was only three months away. As planned, if Yuseong Venture Capital invested about 30 billion won in B-gate, the CEO of B-gate would transfer the investment amount to an overseas corporation, launder the money in ghost accounts and casinos, and then remit it to a ghost company, after which the money would flow to Yuseong Group as if it were an investment. The amount Choi Seryeong had to receive from the CEO of B-gate was 20 billion won.

 

Was it a problem that she did not disclose the details because it was a somewhat dangerous plan and she did not know how long CEO Han would be on her side? Because of Choi Seryeong, who insisted on investing in B-gate, saying that it was a sure investment, CEO Han, who had been blowing wind into the B-gate investment internally, had to change his course after being confronted by Choi Yoonjae’s wall.

 

“I don’t know what wind blew into Executive Director Choi to give up B-gate and choose Studio G.”

 

“We should have stuck to B-gate until the end.”

 

“He said he would bet his executive director position on the Studio G investment, so I thought this would be an easier path.”

 

CEO Han only knew that Choi Seryeong wanted to push out Choi Yoonjae, so he thought this method would be easier and gave Choi Yoonjae a hand to do as he pleased, but the situation was completely reversed. As Studio G set tremendous records and went from strength to strength just two months after the investment, even the plan to push out Choi Yoonjae and shake the company went down the drain.

 

Seryeong, who was biting her lower lip in frustration, pointed to a company with changes in the recent shareholder list and asked.

 

“A Second, what kind of company is this? I’ve never heard of it.”

 

“It’s a famous overseas corporation in real estate investment. It mainly invests in Asia, but I think this is its first time in Korea.”

 

Tracking the records every three months, the stake was gradually increasing from 1% to 3%. It was noticeable that they were quietly buying up the stakes of major shareholders of more than 1%.

 

“They’re steadily buying.”

 

“It’s still insignificant, so we’re keeping an eye on it.”

 

The sun passing over the afternoon was coming in long through the window and peeking over the table. Seryeong threw the shareholder list on the table and urged in a dissatisfied tone.

 

“First, try to make Jane Pharmaceuticals. Shouldn’t we try as much as we can?”

 

“I understand.”

 

CEO Han’s expression was dark as he rose from his seat. Who was the one who was desperate, but she was acting high and mighty. Because of the relationship that Chairman Choi had established as CEO before Choi Yoonjae had grown this much, he had no choice but to become a stooge of Yuseong Group, but CEO Han, who had reached his limit these days, was at a crossroads whether to cut off the rotten rope or not.

 

Choi Yoonjae, a naive 24-year-old college student, had become a ferocious beast that was hard to find even a trace of. Even within the company, there were more board members who followed Choi Yoonjae than himself, the CEO, and even the shareholders were more than twice as favorable to Choi Yoonjae. He led the organization smoothly with a cross-generational ability to win people over, but he moved coldly in the face of important decisions. CEO Han, who saw the future in Choi Yoonjae, also quietly put one foot in with him and was quietly lining up.

 

“There’s not much left.”

 

CEO Han’s eyes, which were looking around the extravagant mansion with a distant gaze, were somewhat cynical. Chairman Choi, who had endured for two years, making the doctor’s words that he had six months left seem insignificant, but CEO Han also felt that his life was not long. These days, he was increasingly looking for him and the unbearable anxiety was being transmitted to Choi Seryeong, who was complaining of frustration.

 

***

 

1 Month Before That Day (1)

 

As funds from the market rapidly poured into the coin sector, showing signs of overheating, the exchange-related bills that had been rumored to be promoted were passed one after another. Eunho scanned the article and gave Yoonjae high marks for his insight in withdrawing his investment in the coin exchange B-gate.

 

The phone, which was charging on the desk, vibrated loudly. The gaze that had been fixed on the monitor quickly moved to the LCD screen.

 

“Ah… Sunbae.”

 

As soon as the call was connected, loud background noise swept in along with the voice. Was he outside? Eunho lowered the volume with his thumb and walked out of the Secretary’s office, waving his arm in advance at the sensor near the entrance to open the door.

 

-What time do you get off work?

 

“Six o’clock. Why?”

 

-I’m going to your company soon. I have an interview with CEO Han Youngcheol.

 

“Ah, so it was Sunbae who was coming.”

 

He had heard from Secretary Park that there would be an interview with an economic newspaper at 3 o’clock, but he never imagined that it would be Hyukpil Sunbae. Eunho passed the elevator and stood in front of the long, vertical window, looking diagonally down at the road and passersby that looked like sesame seeds below the building.

 

-The interview will be over around 5 o’clock, so I can organize the data at a nearby cafe and send it to the proofreading team, so would you like to have a drink after work?

 

“Okay. Send me the address.”

 

He thought the conversation would be long, so he walked out of the office, but Eunho, who put his phone in his pocket after the short conversation, straightened his back and stretched lightly. While turning his waist to the left and right, loosening all the muscles he didn’t usually use, the sound of shoes that had been ringing as the door opened behind his back suddenly stopped.

 

“Uh…”

 

“Your back hurts.”

 

It was Choi Yoonjae in a perfectly tailored suit. His trademark expressionless face melted away as soon as he saw Eunho, and he smiled brightly. Eunho, who had been watching blankly in a defenseless state, smiled at his smile.

 

“Stretch well and go. I’ll stop by the hospital first.”

 

On the days when Chairman Choi’s visit was scheduled, a formula was created for each of them to leave work. Yoonjae made this decision because he didn’t want to leave Eunho alone in the parking lot and go up to the hospital room.

 

Yoonjae pretended to put his phone to his ear as if he would contact him later. Eunho nodded and greeted him with a shoulder greeting at his affectionate gesture. Eunho, who had been watching until the elevator door closed and Yoonjae’s figure completely disappeared, rubbed his left chest with his right hand and went inside the entrance.

 

Perhaps because the days had gotten longer, it was as bright as midday outside even though it was time to leave work. Eunho’s steps toward the address Hyukpil had given him, caught in the midst of the busy people, were light.

 

After confirming the desired company name on the sign of a three-story building one block away from the company, Eunho went downstairs to find the entrance. As soon as he opened the door of the pub, the latest idol pop music that burst out refreshingly made him nod his head involuntarily.

 

While looking around the table past the counter, Hyukpil waved his hand from afar. He had already emptied a 500ml glass and was ordering more, as if he was declaring in advance that he had finished his work and would not be going back to the company.

 

“I heard from Suyeong. You and Executive Director Choi…”

 

Eunho, who was surprised that Hyukpil raised his tone as soon as he sat down, sent his hand out first without even thinking. He forcibly blocked Hyukpil’s mouth and sat down, looking around and saying in a subdued tone as if urging him.

 

“It’s close to my workplace here.”

 

What if someone heard him? It was still a secret relationship, so he had to be careful. There were only a handful of cases where people were connected as an in-house couple and got married, but the other person was his boss and a businessman whose name immediately appeared on the portal screen even if he just searched for it, so everything was cautious. Eunho, who had sealed Choi Yoonjae’s designation as ‘that person’, smacked his lips as he looked at the beer and chicken snacks that had just been ordered.

 

“Ugh. I feel so relieved that you dumped that bastard.”

 

This situation, where he was now known as that bastard instead of Hyunjun’s name, was both funny and bitter. About half a year after dating Hyunjun, there was one time, the first and last time, that they all saw each other together. At that time, Hyukpil didn’t even try to mix in the conversation with Hyunjun, as if he didn’t like something about him.

 

Eunho guessed why Hyukpil didn’t like Hyunjun, so he was inwardly upset, but he couldn’t say anything. Hyunjun had already been gnawing at Eunho, saying that he was preparing to become a civil servant from then on, so it was natural that Sunbae was upset.

 

“I’m not saying this because I heard it from Suyeong… We all met him together back then. His eyes were just rotten.”

 

“Did Sunbae know from the beginning?”

 

“I just had a feeling. That bastard can’t get a job like that for the rest of his life. I’m glad you cut him off now.”

 

When Eunho drank beer like water, Hyukpil told him to drink slowly. When Eunho picked up a fork instead of a beer glass and stabbed a piece of chicken, Hyukpil gave him a leg, pretending to be indifferent, saying that it was a dry piece. Hyukpil lowered his eyes and looked at Eunho pitifully.

 

“Anyway… why do you always choose such thorny paths? Is that person… treating you well?”

 

A reluctant question, full of negativity. Eunho’s eyes followed up at the tone that contained various meanings. This time, Eunho felt a strange stubbornness at Hyukpil’s gaze that was uncomfortably looking at him.

 

“Yes. He treats me so well that I feel sorry.”

 

It was a negativity with a different nuance from Hyunjun, but anyway, he was upset that Yoonjae was in the category of failing according to Hyukpil’s standards. Eunho wanted to put Yoonjae above the passing line he had set. No, how good is Sunbae that he’s failing? He barely pushed in the words that came up to his throat, but Hyukpil chuckled as his eyes, which couldn’t lie, shot out sparks.

 

“Okay, okay. I was wrong.”

 

When Hyukpil raised his glass and made a toast of apology, Eunho pouted his lips and pretended to accept it.

 

“What part of you does that person like so much?”

 

“I don’t know. Come to think of it, I didn’t ask him that.”

 

It was as if he had hit something right, and he felt like he had missed something. When he thought about it, he only asked if he was playing with him or if he looked easy, but he didn’t ask what he liked about him. He carefully put it in his head that he should ask him later if he thought of it, but a somewhat stiff question came in.

 

“Do you know that Yuseong Group is having a war of nerves these days?”

 

“Yes, roughly.”

 

Hyukpil continued, indifferently looking down at the water droplets on the surface of the half-empty beer, as if he was relieved that he knew.

 

“I’m saying this out of concern, but to be honest, that person doesn’t have anyone to support him.”

 

“……”

 

“He’s doing so well now, but you never know what will happen in the future. There’s a reason why the business world has intermarriage, right? It’s all to expand their power.”

 

Hyukpil’s heavy words tied up Eunho’s thoughts. In fact, he knew it. It was a matter of course to predict a person from the business world rather than an ordinary person for Choi Yoonjae’s spouse. Eunho also kept pushing Yoonjae away whenever he came close for this reason. The words he poured out, whether he was playing with him or if he looked easy, were also for that reason.

 

“Don’t give your heart too much. Don’t get hurt later.”

 

Eunho quietly lowered his head at Hyukpil’s words that reminded him of the thoughts he had forgotten.

 

‘Sunbae, I know that too.’

 

Hyukpil quietly emptied his glass, looking at Eunho, who was deeply depressed.

 

After sending off Hyukpil Sunbae, who was running off to take the bus, Eunho took a taxi and mixed his thoughts with the colorful lights seen through the window.

 

He straightened his body, which had been leaning toward the window, and took out his phone from his pocket, but there were no missed calls or messages.

 

‘Is he still at the hospital? He must be staying long today.’

 

Eunho put his phone in the laptop bag that was placed next to him and turned his head back to the car window. He knew exactly that the love he was giving was not curiosity or one-time, but Eunho himself had difficulty judging the sustainability. Because he was not an ordinary person, the thought suddenly crossed his mind that even if he gave his love firmly, it would be difficult to maintain sustainability due to surrounding variables.

 

“…Are you already thinking about that? How anticlimactic.”

 

Eunho muttered in a drawn-out tone as he got out of the taxi and walked to the officetel. You knew it when you started. Let’s go as far as we can, and if it doesn’t work out, we can’t help it.

 

Eunho, who had swallowed his bitterness, dismissing it as nothing because he had experienced a breakup once, stopped walking when he saw a black object sitting in front of his house while turning the aisle after getting off the elevator.

 

Reason and instinct signaled him to turn his body and walk back to the elevator. Just then, the phone in his laptop bag vibrated loudly. The shadow, which had been motionless like a huge shadow, heard the sound and hesitated and got up. Eunho, who felt fear, turned around as it was, but the sound of pounding footsteps rang out messily in the quiet hallway.

 

“Eunho.”

 

Eunho, who was grabbed by the wrist by Hyunjun and turned around, got goosebumps. He was definitely the person he used to look at with affectionate eyes and share skinship with just a few months ago, but he felt disgusted just by looking at him, perhaps because of the hatred and disgust that were mixed in his heart. When he shook his arm violently to pull it out, Hyunjun, who was holding on even tighter as if he thought it was the last string, knelt down on the spot and pleaded.

 

“I… I was wrong. I think I was possessed by something back then.”

 

He was a mess, and it was hard to tell what had happened in the meantime. He always groomed his body cleanly even when he came out wearing sportswear and slippers, but now he had dark stubble, his hair was greasy, and his clothes were stained. It was as if he had been living on the streets for a few days, and he couldn’t close his mouth.

 

“I won’t do that again. Huh? Can’t you give me one more chance?”

 

An earnest gesture with all his heart. When Eunho’s face, shaking over Hyunjun’s turbid eyes, was reflected, he came to his senses and said firmly and coldly.

 

“Isn’t it enough that you used me as a pushover for three years?”

 

The word first love was so special that he accepted everything even if he acted unfairly. He thought he would get better someday, and he would treat him well later. That’s how he spent three years. It’s useless pity that his heart is shaking because he appeared as a beggar. But I can’t even give you pity. Because you’re not even worth it. Eunho cut him off coldly.

 

“Are you telling me to be a pushover again?”

 

Hyunjun’s hand, which had been tightly gripping Eunho’s, flinched at Eunho’s frigid tone. His wrist was red and throbbing from how hard he had been holding on, but he didn’t even want to show that it hurt.

 

“Get out, now.”

 

Come to think of it, there was no reason for him to run away. Why couldn’t he go into his own house and have to turn around? Eunho nervously twisted and yanked his arm out of Hyunjun’s grasp, not caring if his wrist broke. Stunned by Eunho’s icy tone, Hyunjun blankly knelt before abruptly standing up.

 

“Argh.”

 

In an instant, Eunho’s neck was seized, his body lifted into the air, and he was slammed onto the floor. The incessant vibration of his cell phone in his laptop bag stopped at the same time.

 

Before Eunho, who had been thrown to the ground, could even come to his senses, a damp and humid pheromone washed over his entire body as Hyunjun climbed on top of him.

 

“What? Get out?”