Genius Grandson Of The Loan Shark King

The most heated reaction to Joongwoo Construction being awarded the PM role came from Chairman Song Chanwoo.

Daehyeon Construction was competing neck and neck with Joongwoo Construction for first and second place among domestic construction firms, so it was only natural.

“President Kim Muhyuk. Is that true? Joongwoo Construction was selected as the PM for such a massive project?”

“I haven’t signed the contract yet. But internally, everything’s already been coordinated. I did consider involving Daehyeon Construction as well, but since Daehyeon needs to focus on North Korea right now, I deliberately excluded them.”

“That’s still a shame. Having PM experience is a great credential for a general construction firm......”

Realistically, Daehyeon Construction was already operating at the limit of its capacity.

At this point, focusing on North Korea-related projects was the right move.

If there was any silver lining, it was that most of the North Korea projects involved employing North Korean labor.

That made it possible to juggle multiple undertakings at once.

“Don’t be too disappointed, Chairman Song. Better opportunities will come.”

There was still plenty of work left for the Daehyeon Group and the Joongwoo Group to do together.

Reading the meaning behind my words, Song Chanwoo’s expression brightened a little.

“True enough. They say too much is as bad as too little. This is the time for Daehyeon to focus on North Korea, so I understand.”

As he listened to our exchange and grasped the situation, Chairman Yeo Seungjin turned to me.

“What you just said—does that mean you’re letting Geumseong Construction participate as PM?”

Greedy as ever. I shook my head at Yeo Seungjin.

“If we assign joint PMs, it’ll only create confusion. All construction carried out in Korea will be entrusted to Geumseong Construction. Even that alone amounts to a project worth several trillion won. The exact figure will depend on the finalized plan.”

“So you’re asking Geumseong Construction to handle the domestic construction portion.”

Disappointment showed on Yeo Seungjin’s face, but he pressed on, his greed undisguised.

“A pity. Is there really no other way, President Kim?”

“If you offset the losses from Geumseong Refining by growing Geumseong Construction, the corporate split shouldn’t face major issues. Pipeline construction alone takes several years. That means you’re securing years’ worth of work.”

Still looking dissatisfied, Yeo Seungjin eventually nodded when he saw there was no opening to push further.

“The gas pipeline will take even longer. The oil companies’ stock prices are wobbling right now from the initial shock, but they’ll return to their proper levels eventually. When that happens, Geumseong Refining—an unlisted company—will be properly valued as well.”

The refining business wasn’t a market Joongwoo Refining could monopolize.

Even within Korea, the four major refiners split the pie. On a global scale, even all four combined couldn’t match a single giant like Chevron.

Operating profits and net income might differ greatly, but supply prices couldn’t diverge all that much.

Given more time, oil company stock prices would find their way back. They might even rise higher.

With oil consumption increasing in China and South America, the value of refiners would continue to climb.

“You’ve clearly calculated all of this, but if it were me, I wouldn’t hand Geumseong Refining over to the Bu family. Of course, there’s no way to change it now.”

“That much must be conceded to part ways with the Bu family without a major conflict. It can’t be helped.”

That was true as well.

Yeo Seungjin’s attitude played a big role in ensuring the corporate split proceeded without major friction.

“Has your anger subsided now? I was worried. At your age, getting that worked up could really make you collapse. You still need to see this corporate split through.”

“You think I wouldn’t be furious? This is a separation I’ve prepared for over years. I even sent my own family branch out first to avoid any noise. And then it nearly went awry from an entirely unexpected direction. If you’d told me beforehand, I could’ve prepared countermeasures.”

Yeo Seungjin complained openly. The old man really held a grudge.

“These matters live and die by secrecy. Too many countries and corporations have stakes in this. Otherwise, why would I have kept it from Chairman Song as well?”

“Hoo...... Fine. If that’s how far you went, I’ll let go of my resentment.”

Come to think of it, why was a man who’d already handed over the chairmanship moving around personally?

I’d heard Yeo Seungjin had lost Geumseong Semiconductor and stepped down to an honorary position.

“By the way, Chairman. Haven’t you retired? Where’s your son, and why are you handling this yourself?”

“Do you think that boy could handle you? He’d be lucky not to get stripped bare.”

“Geumseong Group’s transition to a holding-company structure is so solid that there’s nothing I could really do anyway. You’re worrying too much.”

Despite the praise, Yeo Seungjin merely shook his head.

“My son still doesn’t have the head to deal with you. If my grandson were older, I’d hand it straight to him...... but he’s still too young. Too young to run the group.”

Yeo Seungjin seemed far more fond of his student-aged grandson than his grown son. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

“Your son wouldn’t be happy to hear that. Oh—didn’t your grandson just get into Harvard?”

“You knew that too? That’s right. I always knew Seongjin would grow into something big. Chairman Cheon bragged endlessly to me about you getting into Korea University. He should’ve lived to see my grandson get into Harvard.”

I laughed at the pride—and regret—mixed into his voice.

Turning away from the tongue-clicking Yeo Seungjin, I shifted my gaze to Chairman Choi Woosik.

“KS’s stock has fallen quite a bit. Are you all right?”

“......We’re treating it as an opportunity and have begun buying back our own shares. With the dispute against the sovereign fund still unresolved, a falling stock price could push minority shareholders back into the fund’s camp.”

“Those hunters are a nuisance. But as long as I’m the white knight, they won’t act rashly. So please understand this situation.”

Choi Woosik smacked his lips, displeased, but eventually nodded.

“Hoo...... Understood.”

“By the way—everything all right with your family?”

“Our family? What kind of problem could there be?”

“That’s good. There’s an old saying: harmony in the home brings success in all things.”

“.......”

“If family disputes arise in your current state, management control will be endangered. Even if I step in as the white knight.”

Choi Woosik’s face hardened. Looking me straight in the eye, he asked pointedly,

“That doesn’t sound like idle talk. Do you know something?”

“Of course not. Just a word of caution. Within a year—two at most—the sovereign fund will liquidate its stake, take its profit, and withdraw. Until then, I’m counting on you.”

Though I framed it as mere caution, Choi Woosik’s expression didn’t relax.

Something must have struck a nerve. I smiled even more deeply.

“As long as there’s no family infighting, I’ll stand by you to the end.”

“Thank you, President Kim Muhyuk. As always.”

After finishing with Choi Woosik, I looked around and made a suggestion.

“If everyone’s free, I’ll treat you to a meal. I’ve reserved a Chinese restaurant nearby.”

Important matters were often settled over meals, and the chairmen gathered here knew it.

After confirming their nods, we moved together to the restaurant.

* * *

Just as Yeo Seungjin had said, a large delegation from Chevron—led by Director Michael Wiss—entered Korea.

I ordered that their every move be monitored.

“They’ve just met with Vice Chairman Bu Jinsu.”

“No other movements?”

“None. They headed straight to Geumseong Refining’s headquarters after entering the country.”

“Their lodging is the Goryeo Hotel, right?”

“Yes. As instructed, we installed the surveillance equipment in advance.”

From the entry list alone, it was clear Chevron was taking this matter very seriously.

Michael Wiss, who led the delegation, was currently the head of marketing for Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

I set down the file containing Michael Wiss’s résumé and let out a sigh.

To think a man who would later rise to Chevron’s chairmanship had personally come—this wouldn’t be easy.

“We need to know who they meet and what they talk about.”

“It’ll be difficult to obtain conversations held inside Geumseong Refining. We’ve heard he’s meeting Vice Chairman Bu Jinsu one-on-one.”

“That can’t be helped. Then stick to them as closely as possible.”

Chevron was a corporation capable of moving U.S. politics.

Until Condoleezza Rice entered the White House, she had served as a director at Chevron.

The international oil cartel, with Chevron as one of its pillars, could sway the global oil market.

Six supermajor oil companies united into a single cartel.

At one point, they monopolized seventy percent of crude production in the free world—excluding communist states—and controlled ninety-nine percent of Middle Eastern output.

But as the saying goes, even flowers bloom for only ten days.

As Middle Eastern producers gained influence and OPEC took control, the cartel’s share declined.

Still, diminished or not, its influence remained formidable.

If Chevron deemed this a serious issue, it could rally the other supermajors and apply collective pressure.

Six hours after Michael Wiss’s arrival, I received a call from Chairman Yeo Seungjin.

“Chairman Yeo. At this rate, tomorrow really might see the sun rise in the west—getting a call from you first.”

— What? You’ve got quite the tongue, President Kim.

Yeo Seungjin laughed loudly.

Then, as if he’d never laughed at all, he spoke in a serious tone.

— Vice Chairman Bu Jinsu just contacted me. Chevron wants to meet the person in charge of this project. What do you say? Will you meet them?

“Do they already know me, or did Vice Chairman Bu mention me?”

— They already know who you are.

How did Chevron know me? As I pondered the source, one name came to mind.

Maybe Rice’s aide had leaked my information.

“All right. Let’s meet them. Where should I go?”

— I’ll give them Manager Ma’s contact. Tell them to get in touch right away.

“Yes. I’ll wait.”

Less than ten minutes after ending the call, Manager Ma’s phone rang.

An unregistered number lit up the screen. After showing me, he answered.

“Pyeongchang-dong.”

He took the call in Korean, then switched to English.

“Please hold for a moment.”

Covering the receiver, Manager Ma said quietly,

“Boss, it’s Michael Wiss.”

I gestured for the phone.

Manager Ma handed it over, and I brought it to my ear.

“This is Charlie, Director Wiss.”

— Haha. Good to meet you, Charlie. You know who I am?

“Of course. How could I not? You’re Chevron’s real power broker.”

— I’m flattered. I didn’t expect such praise from the owner of Dream High.

He even mentioned Dream High. He already knew exactly who I was.

That made things easier—no need to dance around each other.

“Let’s talk in person.”

— Agreed. I’d prefer somewhere quiet. If you tell me the location, I’ll come to you.

“Will you be coming alone?”

— Yes. My staff will stay at the hotel. I’ll be with just one driver.

“Then how about my place? There’s nowhere safer in Korea.”

Michael laughed loudly, then fell silent for a moment before speaking softly.

— I like the confidence, Charlie. Send me the address.

“I’ll text it to you.”

— Then I’ll head out immediately.

I handed the phone back to Manager Ma.

“Send the address to this number.”

As he typed, I issued additional instructions.

An hour later, Michael Wiss ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) arrived.

Guided by Manager Ma, he entered my study.

I offered him a friendly smile and extended my hand.

“Welcome, Director Wiss.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Charlie.”

Michael Wiss clasped my hand and smiled back.