“Who’s Seo Min-young?”
“Just a classmate.”
“Is that all?”
My uncle, with a sly grin, gave my shoulder a playful nudge. He was the quintessential middle-aged man, starved for romance.
“If you’re a college freshman, focus on getting a girlfriend. Didn’t you just say? You’re handsome, rich, smart—what’s missing? Girls will be lining up.”
“What good is a line if I don’t have time to meet them?”
“Life’s simple. Love and women are everything. Money? That’s just a signpost for attracting women without love.”
He wasn’t listening to me, just saying whatever he wanted.
“Not exactly the advice I’d expect from a successful uncle who deals with money.”
My uncle widened his eyes, feigning surprise.
“Wait, you still don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“My job, my career, is about making legal bets based on precise data, not just making money. Though, thanks to you, it’s lost some of its thrill. A gamble with a hundred percent success rate isn’t exciting.”
“Then, using your gambler’s intuition, do you think Daehyun Group will take over Ajin Motors?”
I deftly changed the subject, a perfect opportunity to dodge his probing about Seo Min-young.
“Probably.”
“Why?”
“Because everything aligns perfectly. Plenty of chips, luck on their side, and a good hand.”
I understood the part about having plenty of chips—they had over two trillion won saved up. But what about luck and a good hand?
“Luck is the momentum in gambling. It’s that moment when you feel like you’re about to win after a losing streak. When there’s a lot at stake, that’s when good fortune needs to strike. Ajin is a hefty stake on the table.”
“And why is it a good hand?”
“With the recent bankruptcies of major corporations, Ajin Motors going under isn’t surprising. A bankrupt company wants someone to take over quickly to minimize the shock. Plus, Daehyun failed to acquire Hando Steel. The government won’t call it favoritism if they get at least one.”
“So, you’re certain Ajin Motors will go bankrupt.”
“Daehyun Group orchestrated it, didn’t they? The banks prefer Daehyun over Ajin. And the politicians, riding the coattails of this administration, will likely squeeze Ajin Motors for the crumbs Daehyun throws their way. Just watch.”
He was remarkable. How many people could be so sure of Ajin Motors’ bankruptcy at this point?
The absurdity was that even the banks were involved.
If Ajin Motors went bankrupt, it would be a significant blow to the banks, but they had something to rely on.
Public funds.
Public funds—a term coined by some scoundrel, but to be precise, it’s taxpayer money.
They siphon off the people’s money bit by bit to save failing companies, but the revived company doesn’t belong to the people. It becomes the property of some individual.
That individual could be me. The first to grab it owns it, right? I’m not interested in playing the righteous young college student.
“Uncle, should we take over Ajin Motors then?”
“What? What did you say?”
He seemed to think he had misheard.
“We have everything aligned too. We have plenty of chips stashed in the U.S., and you know I’m blessed with incredible luck, so there’s no need to say more. And a good hand isn’t exclusive to Daehyun Group; we can make it ours. What do you think?”
Oh Se-hyun’s expression suggested he didn’t see me as entirely sane.
A college freshman talking about acquiring the second-largest car company, which once ranked fourth in the business world and now sits at eighth—how could that seem normal?
“Isn’t this plagiarism? Where do I file a copyright violation?”
Chairman Jin joked, but no one laughed.
The strategy report they had painstakingly crafted six years ago was now being used verbatim by the current chairman of Daehyun Group.
“Should we throw a wrench in their plans?”
It wasn’t just a response to the chairman’s joke. Jo Dae-ho, the president of Sunyang Motors, looked as serious as ever.
“First, we need to understand Chairman Joo’s intentions. What’s his game? Industry restructuring? Or bankruptcy?”
“Chairman Joo doesn’t want industry restructuring. He wants Ajin’s bankruptcy.”
“And why do you think that?”
“If it were government-led restructuring, the monopoly clause would be a stumbling block. But if it’s bankruptcy…”
Chief Lee Hak-jae cautiously continued, watching Chairman Jin’s reaction.
“If a company the size of Ajin goes bankrupt, it needs to be dealt with swiftly. They’ll rush to select a buyer…”
“Exactly! They cleared our spoon off the table so we couldn’t jump in. They must have been preparing since I was focused on acquiring Hando Steel.”
Even if the creditors select a buyer, Sunyang Group can only watch. They don’t have the money.
Chairman Jin couldn’t shake the feeling of defeat.
He had desperately wanted Hando Steel and got it. But realizing it might have been part of Chairman Joo’s plan made him tremble with anger.
At least he hadn’t received a gloating call after winning the Hando Steel acquisition battle.
But Jin, a shrewd businessman, didn’t dwell on emotions.
“Alright, let’s consider one more thing. If Daehyun acquires Ajin, what happens to us?”
“Our market share will plummet.”
President Jo Dae-ho spoke gloomily.
In the car industry, production volume is key. If the two companies merge, share parts, and streamline overlapping production lines, it will be hard to compete on cost.
“Jo Dae-ho.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“You have a big reason to throw a wrench in their plans.”
Even though he spoke as if it were someone else’s problem, Chairman Jin’s intentions were clear.
“Let’s hear President Jo’s ideas. President Jo.”
“Yes.”
“Come back with a plan by this time tomorrow.”
As soon as the meeting ended, everyone hurried out of the study. It wasn’t just President Jo’s problem. It was everyone’s problem.
Once they were alone, Lee Hak-jae spoke urgently.
“Chairman, the stocks…”
“I know.”
They had secretly amassed 7% of Ajin Motors’ shares.
Even if Daehyun acquires it, they can’t avoid a capital reduction.
“I can’t stand the thought of losing because of Joo Young-il.”
“Should we sell quickly?”
“Sell? You have no intention of fighting?”
“Bankruptcy is inevitable.”
“Why?”
Chairman Jin bit his lip, struggling to contain his anger, but Chief Lee’s expression remained unchanged.
“Because it was our plan. If the Suseo corruption scandal hadn’t erupted six years ago, we would have absorbed Ajin Motors. It was a perfect plan.”
There was no counterargument.
“Unless a scandal of that magnitude erupts now, things will proceed as planned.”
Silence lingered in the study for a while.
“Should we shake things up with that? We can’t just sit back and do nothing.”
“With the stocks?”
“Yes.”
A shareholder with more than 3% ownership has the right to demand the dismissal of executives, call an extraordinary general meeting, and appoint an inspector. They have the power to storm in and overturn desks.
“But the shares are scattered. We need someone to consolidate them.”
“There’s a suitable person. Oh Se-hyun.”
“Ah…!”
Lee Hak-jae was once again impressed by Chairman Jin’s quick thinking. Even at over seventy, his mind was as sharp as ever.
“Meet with him. Hand over the Ajin shares and appoint him as our proxy. And we have that slush fund we entrusted to him. It’s a chance to recover it.”
They would exchange the 7% of Ajin Motors’ shares for the 100 billion won slush fund sleeping in Miracle.
Chairman Jin’s quick thinking, seizing a double opportunity, made Lee Hak-jae feel ashamed.
“Seven percent?”
“Yes. We hold it under borrowed names.”
“And you want me to buy it for a hundred billion won?”
Lee Hak-jae frowned.
“Not buy, exchange. We give you the Ajin Motors shares in return for retrieving the 100 billion won we entrusted to you.”
“That’s a bit difficult.”
“What?”
Oh Se-hyun’s slight head shake finally triggered a loud outburst.
“Hey! What do you mean, difficult? Are you mistaking it for your money because it’s under borrowed names? Or do you think it’s ownerless money?”
“Not at all. Even though it’s nameless money, it’s still Sunyang Group’s. Do you really see me as that much of a scoundrel?”
“Right now.”
Oh Se-hyun burst into laughter, unfazed by being labeled a scoundrel.
“Oh, come on, that’s harsh, haha.”
“I’m not joking, so speak quickly. Why can’t it be done?”
“Miracle Investment has shareholders and investors. Rumors of Ajin Motors’ bankruptcy are rampant in this industry. And you want us to buy their shares?”
Oh Se-hyun shook his head vigorously.
“Buying shares of a failing company for a large sum? That’s akin to a breach of trust. If shareholders or investors sue, I’ll end up behind bars.”
“What?”
“And Mr. Lee.”
Oh Se-hyun began to glare sharply at the fuming Lee Hak-jae.
“I’m not a Sunyang employee. Even on paper, Miracle and Sunyang have no connection. I’m only accommodating you because of Do-jun.”
His gaze grew even more intense.
“And what did you say? Exercise major shareholder rights to investigate Ajin Motors and shake things up? Do you always expect to get things for free? Is it a habit or a bad habit?”
Oh Se-hyun stood up abruptly.
“Find a more plausible way to acquire Ajin Motors’ shares. Let me reiterate… I have no intention of pocketing that 100 billion won. And… don’t summon people for such matters again. If it happens once more, I’ll sever ties with Sunyang, regardless of what Yoon-gi or Do-jun say.”
Oh Se-hyun’s expression was unyielding as he turned away.
It wasn’t out of anger. The acquisition of Ajin Motors that Do-jun mentioned—it seemed like a path was finally appearing.
If this deal went through, it would be the biggest gamble he’d ever sat at. Just the thought of it made his heart race and sent a thrill through his fingertips.
“Is it Daehyun this time?”
“I’ve confirmed it. They’ve been contacting the heads of our partner banks one by one. That’s why the pressure to recall loans has intensified.”
“Damn it…”
Chairman Song Hyun-chang gritted his teeth.
The accumulated deficit across all 28 subsidiaries was a mere 380 billion won. Ajin Motors, their flagship company, even posted a profit last year.
Even without these figures, the fact that conglomerates like Sunyang Group and Daehyun Group were eyeing Ajin Motors was proof enough of its value.
Meeting with bank presidents to discuss corporate health and financial statements was pointless if it meant keeping the company from being snatched by wolves.
Now was the time to negotiate with the political sphere.
“The ruling party is in the middle of primaries, right?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure? Lee Hoe-chang, that guy?”
“Unless something unexpected happens, it’s certain.”
“Try to establish a connection with him.”
At Chairman Song’s words, his advisors all reacted the same way.
“He’s known for being incorruptible. Even with the current wave of corporate bankruptcies, he insists it’s each company’s responsibility. Would he really help?”
“That’s just him still thinking he’s a judge. By the time this primary is over, he’ll have shed all traces of his judicial past and become a politician. And I don’t believe in the existence of a clean politician.”
A clean politician. To Chairman Song Hyun-chang, it was a contradiction, like calling garbage fragrant.