The Secret Gallery 4
Beth Porter gulped down water, trying to calm the turmoil in her stomach.
This was her first time facing the chairman of the Sunyang Art Foundation, a major player in the art world, who usually sent proxies to sweep up auction houses.
Yet, he didn’t even glance her way. His chilling demeanor was no different from a white supremacist looking down on her dark skin.
“I don’t foresee any issues with the contract. However, we’ve added a stronger clause. Please review it.”
If it weren’t for the lawyer accompanying the chairman, Beth would have already flipped the table. His fluent English and gentlemanly politeness were the only things keeping her patience intact.
“If the transaction details are disclosed or breached, and it’s confirmed that Wentworth Art Gallery is the cause, you’ll have to pay triple the penalty.”
Beth hadn’t forgotten Jin Do-jun’s advice.
A handwritten signature on the contract!
She was determined to concede everything if she could just secure that.
“Alright. But shouldn’t this clause apply equally to both parties?”
Her response made the lawyer’s eyes gleam.
“Ah, yes. But… is the buyer an individual rather than the gallery? Is Wentworth Art Gallery merely a proxy…?”
“That’s not in the contract, so I don’t have to answer, do I?”
She didn’t miss the twitch of the old woman’s eyebrow, who sat primly across from her. That old hag definitely understands English.
“Oh, my apologies.”
The lawyer bowed slightly and pulled out another document.
“This is the insurance certificate. If our side discloses the contract details or breaches any part of it, we will immediately pay three times the transaction amount, 1.8 billion dollars. We wish to avoid the hassle of legal disputes over contract violations.”
Beth hadn’t expected them to come this prepared. As she stared blankly at the insurance certificate, the lawyer’s lips curled slightly.
“Considering the financial state of a small gallery in New York, isn’t this level of security only natural? We don’t expect you or Wentworth Gallery to cover such a hefty sum as 1.8 billion dollars. So, a solid safety net is necessary. You understand, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Our foundation’s credit is global, so the insurance didn’t cost much. Just 5.4 million dollars… quite a bargain.”
Thinking of her own gallery, Beth felt a wave of dizziness. Even with the backing of Sunyang Group, one of Korea’s top conglomerates, the insurance cost was 5.4 million dollars. Her own would easily exceed ten million.
She felt a pang of shame for having mocked Secretary Song. She had to show them the face of a powerless proxy.
“May I be excused for a moment? I need to make a call…”
As she pulled out her phone, Secretary Song, sitting beside her, smirked.
“By all means.”
With her face flushed, Beth hurried outside.
Once she was gone, Mrs. Lee spoke up.
“I don’t know who she’s calling, but that person is the real backer.”
“Indeed. It seems she’s landed quite the sponsor.”
“In the end, a pretty face is more of a weapon than brains. Such vulgar creatures.”
Convinced that Beth had used her body to climb the ladder of success, Mrs. Lee clicked her tongue and sipped her wine. Just then, Beth returned with a lighter step.
“I’ll secure the insurance immediately. You’ll have it by tomorrow at the latest.”
“Your decision-maker is quite efficient.”
Beth stood abruptly at Secretary Song’s sarcastic remark.
“I apologize for my previous rudeness, Mr. Song.”
As Secretary Song was taken aback by her sincere apology, she addressed everyone.
“I’ll bring the insurance certificate tomorrow, and we can sign the contract then. Until then.”
As Beth was about to gather the contract, a rough voice interrupted in clear English.
“Wait a second.”
Mrs. Lee pulled the contract towards her and signed it without hesitation.
After finishing her signature, she pushed back her chair and stood.
“I don’t need to meet you twice, do I?”
With that, Mrs. Lee, speaking in perfect English, gave some instructions to Secretary Song and promptly left.
“We’ll bring the contract to the gallery tomorrow. We’ll exchange it for the insurance certificate then. Is that acceptable?”
“Of course.”
Beth shook hands with the two men and hurried out as if fleeing.
A 600 billion won scam.
I now hold the undeniable evidence in my hands.
Of course, it will only take effect after the painting is received and the money is sent.
“When is the painting expected to arrive?”
“In about two weeks.”
“Two weeks?”
“Yes.”
Two weeks isn’t enough time to prepare a forgery. They must be in a hurry. And bringing it by plane instead of by ship… smuggling usually conjures images of ships.
How on earth are they managing to use air transport?
“How long will the painting appraisal take?”
“About two months. Though if it’s genuine, it might be shorter.”
“Shorter if it’s genuine?”
“Yes. It’s often referred to as the ‘Blink’ rule…”
Blink, as in the act of blinking? That’s a rule?
“Experts get a feeling the moment they see it. No matter how sophisticated a forgery, something feels off. But if it’s genuine, even if it’s old, it elicits awe.”
“So, if something feels off, they start a detailed examination? But if it’s genuine, they don’t even bother?”
Beth gave a small smile.
“No, even if it’s believed to be genuine, it still needs to be examined. But sometimes, even when it feels like a forgery, all tests indicate it’s genuine. Those cases take a lot of time because you have to trace the painting’s sales history.”
“Even if the tests say it’s genuine, you don’t trust it?”
“Sometimes human intuition is more accurate than physics or chemistry.”
It will take three months for the contract in my hand to become a definitive weapon.
“I see. Then the matter is settled. Thank you for your hard work. We’ll start supporting the gallery from this month. I hope it becomes a great gallery.”
Despite being entangled in something strange, the good outcome seemed to make Beth forget all the troubles, her expression brighter than ever.
After she left, I called Korea.
“Director Woo, bring some sharp colleagues who won’t get lost in unfamiliar places and come to New York. Enjoy a few days off, and let’s get to work in two weeks.”
“What? Mrs. Lee herself?”
“Yes. What you suspected, Director, has become a reality.”
Director Woo Byung-jun was speechless for a moment. The scale was beyond what he had imagined, and the amount was likely unimaginable.
“So, this time it’s a 600 billion won smuggling operation?”
“Yes.”
Director Woo’s expression darkened upon confirming the amount.
“Chief, even if it’s about catching Mrs. Lee’s weakness, 600 billion is too much. No matter how much secret funds the chairman left, the loss is too great.”
I thought he was uneasy about attacking his grandmother, but it wasn’t that. He was worried about my money.
“Director.”
“Yes.”
Even as I spoke with a smile, his expression remained grim.
“When a needle pricks and a few drops of blood form, do you call that a hemorrhage?”
“What? What do you mean…?”
“600 billion is just that to me. And the money left by my grandfather isn’t meant for this. It’s strictly for solidifying my position in Korea.”
Finally grasping the situation, Director Woo’s mouth fell open.
“I have plenty of money. If it were just a matter of money, the chairman’s seat at Sunyang Group would already be mine. There are stocks that can’t be bought with money, which is why I’m going through all this trouble.”
I enjoyed Director Woo’s dumbfounded expression for a moment.
“Anyway, Director.”
“Ah, yes.”
“In a few days, the painting will arrive at the gallery. Please have your team follow the delivery people.”
“The smuggling couriers?”
“Yes. The most baffling thing is the air transport. How can they smuggle a painting by plane…?”
“You don’t know the air route?”
“No. I don’t even know if it’s JFK or Newark Airport. So, we have no choice but to track the couriers.”
“Understood. I’ll prepare the team. But what about the overseas account?”
“All we know is that it’s a Virgin Islands account. We can’t find it on our own. We’ll have to figure it out through my grandmother.”
“Either way, Mrs. Lee won’t escape your grasp, Chief.”
“Let’s be a bit more ambitious. If we dig into the couriers, we might uncover more. This is a chance to expose all of my grandmother’s assets. Heh heh.”
I was itching to rush to the gallery and see the painting, but I had no choice but to wait at the hotel.
The gallery would now begin the painting appraisal. Naturally, Mrs. Lee’s people would be present to oversee the process, and if anyone recognized me, it could ruin everything.
I waited anxiously for the call.
The first call came from none other than Beth Porter.
Her voice was almost tearful with gratitude.
― Howard, I can’t thank you enough for giving me the chance to see such a masterpiece in person.
“Is it genuine?”
― Yes. All the experts present unanimously agree. It’s definitely genuine.
There was nothing more to hear.
I ended the call with Beth and immediately dialed Korea.
“Assistant Kim, get the official artwork list from the Sunyang Art Foundation and email it to me.”
I also checked the Sunyang Gallery’s website. I scoured the announcements and notices, but there was no mention of any painting sales.
I wanted to transfer the money and finalize the illegal transaction immediately, but I couldn’t create a suspicious situation, so I had to wait two months. However, it didn’t seem like the situation would change.
Executive Director Woo Byung-jun returned to the hotel late at night, his expression set in stone.
“Director, it seems they’ve used the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs?”
“Yes. There were two teams involved in the transport: employees from the Sunyang New York branch and the New York Consulate General. It took a while to confirm their residences.”
Though it was hard to believe, one thought immediately came to mind.
My grandmother is truly something else.
“If she has someone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs among her people, then once we identify that person, this battle is as good as over.”
“Possibly. If they’re that influential, they must be a close confidant… and would know where Madam’s secret stash is hidden.”
Director Woo glanced at me, gauging my reaction.
“I’ll meet with the consulate staff. Once we figure out how much they know and the extent of the local manager’s involvement, it should be easier, don’t you think?”
Government officials are easy to handle. They operate under stricter rules than civilians, so a little pressure and they spill everything. Add a retirement fund on top, and betrayal becomes an easy choice.
“I’ll prepare the carrot, so you handle the stick.”
“With these types, the stick is more than enough. Just keeping their heads attached is a big enough carrot. Heh.”
What a reliable person.
He not only gets the job done but also knows how to save money.
I’ll make sure his retirement package is more than generous.