Free Web Novel“Everyone double-check the ledgers, alright? Get out the bankbooks and documents, and move fast.”
“Yes, sir!”
At Twin Blades’ command, the office staff responded with energy.
Blowing out a puff of cigarette smoke, Twin Blades muttered to himself.
“Phew... Why the hell am I the first? Damn it.”
* * *
When Manager Ha and I stepped into the office, the seated secretary stood up.
“Hello, Manager Ha.”
“Miss Seong, long time no see.”
“Yes, please head right in.”
“Alright, see you later.”
Inside the office, five or six men were standing, with Twin Blades seated at the center chair.
As soon as he saw us enter, he shot up from his seat and approached.
“Oh! Manager Ha, it’s been a while.”
Manager Ha only gave a small nod without saying much.
Only then did Twin Blades, Kim Hosik, turn his gaze to me.
“This the Chairman’s grandson? Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Hosik. You started university this year, right? Seoul National, Law School too! I graduated from Yeonseong myself. If you’re curious about college life, feel free to ask me anytime. I’ll give you advice like a good senior should.”
From the start, he was trying to assert dominance—speaking to me informally.
The smile on Manager Ha’s face vanished.
But he didn’t say or do anything.
That was because I had made a specific request before coming here.
“Manager Ha. No matter what happens, don’t interfere. I’ll handle this myself.”
“Are you sure? He’s not an easy one. He graduated from a prestigious university and clawed his way to that seat in just a few years.”
“He’s still just one of the Chairman’s limbs. If I can’t handle guys like him, how am I supposed to deal with conglomerate CEOs?”
Manager Ha gave a low sigh.
“Please.”
“...Understood. But if there’s any threat to your safety, I will step in without hesitation.”
“Of course. I won’t stop you from that.”
His act was transparent.
I didn’t panic—I smirked and played along.
“Hahaha. So you’re a senior! Pleased to meet you. Why don’t we take a seat, Senior Kim Hosik?”
“Sure, sure, come sit, junior.”
Twin Blades plopped down at the head seat.
Behind him stood a group of bulky thugs.
‘So this bastard was like this from the start, huh?’
I smiled as I took my seat.
Manager Ha remained standing behind me.
“Manager Ha’s going to stay standing the whole time?”
Twin Blades asked. But Manager Ha ignored him and stayed right where he was.
Feeling awkward, Kim Hosik picked up the phone.
“Miss Seong, bring in some coffee. Yeah, just two cups.”
As soon as he put down the receiver, I spoke.
“Let’s start with the ledgers, then, shall we?”
“Already, junior? No need to rush.”
“I’m still not used to this stuff, so it takes me longer. Better to start early. The ledgers, please?”
Kim Hosik gave a signal with his eyes to one of the big guys behind him.
The thug brought over the ledgers and handed them to me.
“Thanks.”
I leisurely flipped through them.
The secretary came in with coffee.
She placed one in front of me and one in front of Mr. Kim, then quietly exited.
“Drink your coffee while you work, junior. No need to stress.”
“Yes.”
I replied but kept my eyes on the documents.
‘The ledgers look spotless... but this bastard’s not the type to run things clean. Hm...’
I went over everything carefully, but the books appeared immaculate.
I closed the ledger with a smile.
“As expected from a senior—your records are clean and tidy. Then may I have the Chairman’s bankbooks?”
Once again, Twin Blades nodded toward his muscle, who stepped forward holding a bundle of bankbooks.
A total of twelve.
I looked to Manager Ha, who nodded.
“Twelve. That’s correct. I’ll be taking these now—Chairman’s orders.”
“...What?”
Twin Blades’ eyes widened.
“The Chairman ordered all nominee accounts managed by the presidents to be collected. Is there a problem?”
“The Chairman said that?”
“Yes.”
His face shifted at the mention of collecting the accounts.
He tried to keep a neutral expression, but his eyes darted nervously.
‘This bastard messed with one of the anonymous accounts, didn’t he?’
Fidgeting in his seat, Twin Blades pressed me.
“Look, junior. I mean—don’t you think it’s a little much to collect them without notice? Are you sure the Chairman gave that order?”
“Why would I lie to you, senior? Especially a lie that’d get found out later anyway?”
“...Hmm.”
“Or is there a problem with handing over the accounts? If so, please speak up now.”
Twin Blades jumped back, flailing.
“What? Hell no! Don’t insult me! It’s just... sudden, that’s all.”
He laughed it off with a wave of the hand, and I smiled back.
“Then that’s good to hear.”
“Yeah, of course.”
I handed the bundle of bankbooks to Manager Ha.
“Manager Ha, I’d like to speak privately with Mr. Kim. The men standing behind him are a bit distracting. Can we have them leave?”
“Understood.”
Manager Ha turned to the big guys behind Twin Blades.
“The young master would like a private word with Mr. Kim. Everyone else, step outside.”
The thugs didn’t budge.
Manager Ha frowned slightly.
When his expression changed, Twin Blades quickly barked out.
“Hey! All of you, get out!”
“Yes, sir.”
As if they’d seen something in a movie, they’d been playing pretend gangsters.
Once the pigs were gone, the office quieted. Only three of us remained.
“Manager Ha. Could I ask you to wait outside, too?”
“Excuse me?”
“I’d like to talk to Mr. Kim alone.”
“Hmm...”
“Please.”
“...Alright. I’ll wait by the door.”
“Thank you.”
Manager Ha bowed slightly and stepped out.
As the door closed behind him, I wiped the smile from my face and stared at Twin Blades.
He snorted through his nose.
“Hey~ junior? What kind of serious mood are you trying to set with just us here? Trying to scare your senior? Hahaha.”
I leaned toward Kim Hosik and whispered.
“Hey, Kim Hosik. If you’re a lackey, then act like one. Gotta taste it to tell if it’s shit or soybean paste? Can’t read the room?”
At my words, Kim Hosik shouted.
“What the hell did you just say?! You little—!”
As he started to rise, I pushed him back down by the shoulder.
“Hey, Twin Blades. Cut the tough guy act and listen up. I know you’ve been messing around. I get it—you’ve got to survive. I might even let that slide.
But touching the Chairman’s accounts? That’s a no.”
“...What?”
“The Chairman’s nominee accounts. You know, the ones even Manager Ha doesn’t know about. Why didn’t you bring those?”
“...”
“What? Thought I wouldn’t know?”
“Did the Chairman tell you?” fгeewebnovёl.com
“Figure it out yourself. Just bring them. Now.”
“...Give me a little time.”
I let go of his shoulder and said,
“Still don’t get it, huh? Bring them right now. If I don’t see them in ten minutes, I’m reporting it to the Chairman.”
Four anonymous accounts with one trillion won each. Four trillion total.
Chairman Cheon had secretly entrusted those accounts to the Myeongdong bosses—even Manager Ha didn’t know.
I found out only after the real-name financial system was implemented.
Because the accounts were under fake, non-existent names, all four trillion disappeared instantly.
“...Give me a month. Please.”
“Please?”
“Please give me a month, young master.”
“Have them ready in two weeks. Not a single won missing.”
“...Understood.”
I patted him on the shoulder.
“Senior, don’t push your luck. The Chairman knows everything and just pretends not to. You worked hard to reach that position—what, you want to get knocked all the way back down to the gutter? You’re the only one among the bosses who went to college. Use your head.”
Twin Blades’ expression was rotten, but the words out of his mouth were polite.
“Yes, young master. I’ll be careful from now on.”
“The same goes for the other bosses. If I hear any weird shit from my uncles, this gets real complicated. Got it?”
“Yes.”
I smiled again.
“Senior, the ledgers are clean. The nominee accounts look fine too. I’ll come pick up the rest in two weeks.”
“Understood, young master.”
“And don’t pretend to be a gangster anymore. Those big guys? What are you doing with that kind of cosplay? Hire real people if you must.”
With that, I stood up.
“The reason I came to you first is because I figured you were worth working with. You went to a top university. You’re smart. You know exactly what I’m saying, right?”
“...”
As I walked toward the door, Kim Hosik couldn’t move a muscle.
When I opened it, Manager Ha was waiting.
“I heard shouting...”
“There was no issue. Just a good, productive conversation. Let’s head back.”
“Yes, young master.”
As we exited the office—
The row of thugs standing outside were still trying to look menacing.
Haha. Adorable.
I smiled inwardly as I walked past them.
Back home, I reported to Grandfather.
“I checked all the ledgers and collected the nominee accounts. Twelve in total, correct?”
“Yes. No problems?”
“He’s someone you can talk to.”
“Hoho. You could talk to him?”
“Yes. The handover went smoothly. We agreed on biweekly check-ins.”
“Really? That wouldn’t have been easy—you did well.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ve got school tomorrow. Go on upstairs and get some rest.”
“Yes, I’ll head up. Good night, Chairman.”
Back in my room on the second floor, I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
‘Alright, I’ve got dirt on Twin Blades...
The rest probably tampered with the accounts too.
That’ll make things easier.
First, I’ve got to finish collecting the books and convince Grandfather to move the money before the real-name system hits...
How do I persuade him?’
Thinking through everything, I eventually fell asleep.
* * *
Meanwhile, in the study, Chairman Cheon was speaking with Manager Ha.
“Are you sure it ended with just a conversation?”
“When I was there, President Kim spoke informally and treated the young master like a subordinate.”
“What?”
Manager Ha gave a detailed account of what he had seen.
“Is that so? And then?”
“He said he wanted to speak alone with President Kim, so I ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) stepped out with the others.
I don’t know what exactly was said.
President Kim raised his voice briefly, but it didn’t last.
They talked for about ten minutes and came out.”
Chairman Cheon tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.
The tapping that echoed across the large study stopped abruptly.
“I see. Who’s next?”
“I’m thinking of sending him to President Noh next week.”
“Can he cook that Snake bastard too? Alright. Go get some rest.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
After Manager Ha stepped out, Chairman Cheon picked up the phone and made a call.
― Yes, this is Kim Hosik.
“It’s me.”
― Yes, Chairman.
“How was Muhyuk?”
― ...
“Why aren’t you answering? I asked how he was.”
― He’s a tiger cub. Much more like you than the other two presidents.
“Oh? That’s your impression?”
― Yes, sir.
“What did you two talk about?”
When no answer came from the receiver, Chairman Cheon asked again.
“You’re making me ask twice. I said—what did you talk about?”
― ...He brought up the nominee accounts you entrusted to me without telling anyone.
Chairman Cheon’s eyes widened.
“What? How the hell did he know?”
― Didn’t you tell him, Chairman?
“...Never mind that. Then what?”
― I agreed to hand them over in two weeks.
“Hmm. Alright.”
― May I send them over?
“Yes, do it.”
― Yes, Chairman.
A pause, then Chairman Cheon spoke again.
“Hosik.”
― Yes?
“You spoke informally to my grandson, didn’t you?”
Silence.
― ...I apologize.
“Hosik, just because you’ve made it doesn’t mean we sit at the same table.
Don’t forget who gave you your seat.”
― I’m sorry, Chairman.
“Don’t let it happen again.”
With that, Chairman Cheon set the phone down.
“...Well, well. How the hell did that brat know to ask for those accounts?
Not even my sons know. Not even Myeonghun...”
A smile spread across his face as he leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
< Still Going to Talk Down to Me? > End.
