The tumultuous times ended as abruptly as a lightning strike.
“Send a copy to each media company president and assign two reporters to accompany us to the U.S. Also, get a headcount of the reporters and arrange for a charter flight.”
“What about the private jet…?”
“We’ll travel with the reporters. Prepare accordingly.”
“Yes, Director.”
“And for this trip to the U.S., Team Leader Shin Seok-ho and his team will join us. Make the necessary arrangements.”
“What? Oh… understood.”
Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-seok was momentarily flustered but quickly regained his composure. It seemed he could read my mind without needing an explanation.
“And while I’m away, take some time to relax, Kim. You’ve been working too hard lately.”
“No, I couldn’t possibly relax at such a crucial time. I’ll take a break once I see you seated in the chairman’s office. Haha.”
I didn’t mention that there would be even less time to relax then, just smiled. How long would it take to build an impregnable fortress as the chairman?
As we boarded the private jet with President Jo Dae-ho of HW Motors, the chatter of reporters filled the air.
“Isn’t this more than what you’d see on a presidential tour?”
“Of course, I provide far more newsworthy material than the president.”
“Not just crumbs, huh? Haha.”
As we entered first class, Team Leader Shin Seok-ho and his team bowed in greeting.
“This trip is more of a vacation for all your hard work. Unlike Chairman Jin Young-jun, I don’t fuss over formalities, so relax.”
“Thank you, Director. But I think you should say something to the reporters. They’re all waiting for you.”
Team Leader Shin glanced at President Jo for approval.
“Relay the message, Shin. Tell them to report only what they see and hear accurately. No embellishments.”
“Understood.”
As Shin left, the rest of the team followed suit.
The reporters wouldn’t be able to exaggerate the story. Even the truth would be hard to believe.
The reporters, who assumed we were heading to New York, were surprised to learn our destination was California. Their curiosity turned to shock during dinner at the hotel banquet when two unexpected guests appeared.
“Howard! How long has it been?”
“If you can’t remember, ask Google. Haha.”
Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the founders of Google, embraced me warmly, and the reporters’ cameras flashed incessantly.
There was no time to question their presence. The reporters would send photos to their headquarters and post clickbait articles online.
From now on, it’s a race to see who can generate the most clicks, which translates to revenue.
As they tried to capture our conversation, Team Leader Shin intervened.
“There will be a formal press conference after dinner. Please turn off your cameras until then, or you’ll be on the next flight home.”
Faced with Shin’s ultimatum, the reporters lowered their cameras and waited for our meal to conclude.
After dinner, the three of us took our places at the podium in the banquet hall.
“Go ahead, ask your questions.”
Reporters from smaller outlets regretted not learning English sooner as the U.S. correspondents jumped in with questions.
“Could you explain your relationship with Mr. Jin Do-jun?”
Sergey Brin took the microphone.
“When we were preparing to start in a garage, a twenty-year-old angel named Howard appeared with wings. He invested thirty million dollars under extraordinary terms after reading just one algorithm paper.”
“Howard is practically a hidden founder of Google.”
Larry Page accurately described my role, but the reporters were fixated on the money.
“What were those extraordinary terms?”
“He gave us voting rights, promised non-interference in management, and only asked for an average share. At the time, we would have sold our souls for thirty million dollars. Haha.”
“So, does that mean Mr. Jin Do-jun is a major shareholder in Google?”
“Miracle Investment holds a 6.8% stake.”
Since it was already known that I was the major shareholder of Miracle, the reporters were busy calculating the value of my shares based on Google’s stock price.
Currently, it’s worth around ten trillion won, but as a major shareholder of a top company, who knows how much it will grow?
This scoop was bigger than who would become the next president of Korea, leaving the reporters in disbelief.
Questions about the founding and investment continued, with stories that seemed more like legends.
A sharp-eyed reporter turned to President Jo Dae-ho of HW Motors.
“Is your presence here related to Google?”
President Jo, who had traveled a long way, took the microphone and spoke slowly.
“HW Motors is playing a small role in Google’s secret project. I’m here to finalize that contract.”
“Cars and Google, that’s a hard connection to make. Could you elaborate?”
“As I said, it’s a secret project. Google will decide when to announce it.”
Once this news breaks, HW’s stock will skyrocket. But that’s not all. I didn’t stage this show just to boast about my Google shares.
“We’re also discussing the use of Sunyang Electronics’ components in various Google hardware development projects. That’s the main purpose of this U.S. visit.”
As soon as I took the microphone, the reporters’ cameras flashed again.
“Sunyang Electronics is currently under Chairman Jin Young-jun. Did you two discuss this?”
“Does Chairman Jin have time to focus on business right now?”
The reporters laughed, knowing he was about to be summoned by the prosecution.
“Are you aiming to fill Chairman Jin’s position?”
“Why would I bother with an empty house? But if the shareholders insist, I won’t refuse. Honestly, is there anyone else but me to fill that spot?”
Tomorrow’s headlines were already forming.
“Sunyang’s Youngest, Jin Do-jun, Declares Bid for Sunyang Electronics Group Chairmanship!”
The second stage left no room for Korean reporters. The American media had already taken over Intel’s convention center.
The reporters witnessed Intel acquiring an obscure Israeli company, but they didn’t understand why they were there to see it.
What they confirmed was that Intel was acquiring an Israeli company, Mobileye, for a staggering $15 billion, or 15 trillion won.
But the reporters following me were no longer shocked by figures in the trillions.
When Amnon Shashua, the founder and CEO of Mobileye, appeared and greeted me like a long-lost brother, the cameras clicked again.
”…He came to my school, invested fifteen million dollars, and disappeared. Howard is the most generous and foresighted investor in the world. I was surprised to learn yesterday that he was Google’s first investor.”
“What about Mr. Jin Do-jun’s stake in Mobileye?”
“Sixty percent. A hundredfold return in ten years.”
Dr. Shashua’s explanation prompted a barrage of questions from the reporters.
“Mr. Jin Do-jun, could you share your investment criteria?”
“I invest under extraordinary terms in companies that will change the world. You’re already familiar with Google, and Mobileye will transform the future of automobiles. That’s why we’re signing a technology contract with HW Motors. It’s part of Intel’s acquisition terms.”
“Since Miracle is HW Group’s holding company, can we consider HW Motors as Mr. Jin Do-jun’s company?”
“Structurally, yes, but as you know, I prefer a professional management system. I might nag the financial subsidiaries of Sunyang, but I only check the performance of the other affiliates.”
“Are you considering merging HW Group and Sunyang Group?”
“We’re assessing the synergy effects of a merger. If it improves efficiency, it’s a given.”
Tomorrow’s headlines will be about the HW and Sunyang Group merger.
And articles will highlight that Jin Do-jun is most focused on electronics and automobiles.
“Mr. Jin Do-jun, could you tell us about your highest-yielding investment?”
“Are you asking about the sheer amount, not the investment value?”
“Yes, it’s a curiosity-driven question, so I’m a bit cautious…”
Curiosity-driven questions are what people love most, aren’t they?
“Oh, there’s one. I invested in a derivative product… about 1,300 times return in a week? It was in the Japanese stock market, but I don’t remember the exact amount now. A few years ago, the financial statements showed seven trillion yen… I didn’t pay much attention…”
Seeing the reporters forget to take notes, I was confident the show was a success.
Earning tens of trillions in Japanese currency is more satisfying news than winning a Korea-Japan soccer match, isn’t it?
More reporters awaited me at Incheon Airport than those who had accompanied us.
The media wrote as if Google were a Korean company, and I was treated like Park Chan-ho or Choo Shin-soo, who conquered Major League Baseball.
Especially Hanseong Ilbo, which ran daily comparisons between me and Jin Young-jun. The articles were more scathing than comparing a professional to an amateur or an adult to a child.
This is why a vengeful spouse is terrifying. You could feel the venom in the air.
Now that the stage makeup is done, only the final battle remains.
“Hey! I’m struggling here, and you’re basking in glory?”
“Where does a mere prosecutor get off being so cocky? The higher-ups have already settled everything. I worked hard to make you a star prosecutor.”
Prosecutor Kim Ji-hoon, who visited my house in the evening, was just putting on a show.
“I don’t care about being a star or whatever, I’m scared to death. Unknown numbers keep calling, and there are always people waiting outside my house. It feels like someone’s following me. What if I get attacked or something?”
“Who would be dumb enough to attack a scarecrow? They’re just trying to sway you because you’re the prosecutor. The media’s watching everything like it’s a live broadcast, so if you go easy on the sentencing, there’s no way out for them.”
I needed to calm down my frightened old classmate.
“And those people following you? They’re mine. I had them keep an eye on you, just in case.”
Prosecutor Kim blinked a few times before clicking his tongue.
“Hey! Why are your people so amateurish? Even I noticed I was being followed.”
“They’re supposed to be obvious. That way, no one dares to get too close. You should learn a thing or two.”
As we chatted and his nerves settled, Kim Ji-hoon spoke up.
“Jin Young-jun’s appearing in court tomorrow. We’ve already arrested Assemblyman Lee Sang-il, the Minister of Health and Welfare, and the Pension Fund Chairman. Do you think Jin Young-jun will get a warrant?”
“Are you underestimating my connections?”
“I know, but their side isn’t exactly weak either.”
“I’m even less ordinary. The judge handling the warrant is human too. Did you think I’d just sit back and watch?”
“Did you bribe him? That judge is known for being upright…”
Kim Ji-hoon was taken aback.
“Even bamboo breaks under enough weight. I used money to create that weight. The warrant will definitely be issued.”