[096] A Tough Battle 4
“Hey, what’s gotten into you all of a sudden? Who here has time to worry about their family while working? You know I’ve been living in a hotel for over two weeks. I can barely remember what my kids look like.”
Kim Kwan-hyuk waited patiently, his head slightly bowed, hoping for just one word from Go Kyung-yeol. He remained silent.
“By the way, arrange a dinner with the Seoul district representatives and local committee chairs. We’ve been spending money; we should at least make it look good.”
“Understood.”
The words he longed to hear never came. Kim Kwan-hyuk bowed his head and turned away.
“Hey, Director Kim.”
“Yes?”
He turned back at the call, his face brightening a little. Maybe Go Kyung-yeol was too preoccupied to ask earlier. Perhaps now he would finally hear what he wanted.
“Did last week’s approval ratings come in?”
“Oh, yes.”
The anticipated words never came.
“You’re leading within the margin of error. The gap is widening, so we should see better results next week.”
Hearing even a bit of good news improved Go Kyung-yeol’s expression.
“Good. Well done. You can go.”
Kim Kwan-hyuk bit his lip as he bowed again.
Once outside, he let out a sigh.
There was only one thing he wanted to hear.
“What’s going on?”
He had clearly stated it—one week.
In a time when every second was precious, he had said he would be away for a week. Anyone would know it wasn’t a trivial matter.
Hadn’t he always been the closest aide, managing not just his own family but even his superior’s personal affairs?
The first thing he should have asked was what was going on. It wasn’t a difficult question.
Reflecting on the past decade, he realized he had never once asked for a favor.
Is that why? Does he think I have no personal life?
The guilt of testing his superior vanished, replaced by disappointment and frustration.
He didn’t want to make a hasty judgment based on this small test.
Maybe by tomorrow morning, things would be different.
“Director Kim. No, Kwan-hyuk. I was out of it yesterday… Is something wrong? Is there trouble at home?”
Perhaps he would say this with a worried expression.
Three days passed, then a week. But the words he longed to hear never came from Go Kyung-yeol. He must have forgotten.
“Damn. Was it really just this much…?”
He was speaking to himself.
To think that a simple question could shatter a decade of trust in someone he had served. Or perhaps it was an excuse to sell himself for 20 billion won.
The target of his curse was both Go Kyung-yeol and himself.
Both deserved the blame.
He began to think it was time to look for someone else.
Over a week had passed without contact. A relationship that didn’t even glance at a 20 billion won advance and a high-paying executive position. And loyalty.
It was something to respect.
Whether Kim Kwan-hyuk had unwavering loyalty or Go Kyung-yeol was a person worthy of such devotion, he didn’t know.
But human trust was as fragile as paper.
Like paper torn by a single drop of water, Kim Kwan-hyuk’s trust had crumbled.
When they met again, there was no life in his eyes.
“Is it true that Miracle has close ties with the Sunyang Group?”
“Yes. Haven’t we already absorbed Sunyang Motors?”
“No, I mean with the owner’s family. Is all this to make the son-in-law the mayor of Seoul?”
Is he finally done just nibbling on the bait and wants to know the whole story?
“It has nothing to do with that. If Sunyang Group wanted to make their son-in-law win the election, they wouldn’t need such a complicated process, given their power.”
Kim Kwan-hyuk nodded.
He’s been in politics for ten years.
Anyone who benefited from Sunyang’s political funds would know they could place whoever they wanted as the mayor of Seoul. There’s no need to meddle with insiders.
“Alright. Let’s talk openly now. Why are you trying to make Sunyang’s son-in-law the mayor of Seoul?”
“It’s a corporate secret, so I can’t disclose it to outsiders.”
Kim Kwan-hyuk’s expression changed slightly.
“Outsider? I’m thinking of becoming a traitor, and you still call me an outsider? Do I have nowhere to belong?”
“The moment you take our money and Go Kyung-yeol loses, you become an insider. Until then, consider yourself on the border.”
He chuckled bitterly and took a sip of his drink.
“Damn, is this what being a traitor is? Do I have to burn all my bridges to be recognized as one? This is a thankless job.”
I should offer him some comfort in his miserable state.
“Director, if I may say something?”
“Go ahead.”
“Betraying colleagues and friends is what you might call treason.”
“Betraying a superior isn’t treason?”
“It’s just the end of a business relationship. Were you really bound by trust with Go Kyung-yeol? Did you serve him without wanting anything in return?”
Kim Kwan-hyuk couldn’t answer easily and just held his drink.
“This isn’t the age of dynasties or feudalism. Loyalty should no longer be a virtue. Superiors treat subordinates like dogs, and loyalty? Subordinates aren’t dogs. There should be mutual respect.”
Kim Kwan-hyuk raised his hand to stop me.
“Enough. It’s not comforting at all. I’m just a materialist.”
“Most people are materialists. Unfortunately, they’re materialists who can’t even secure money.”
“Am I better off because I secured a fortune?”
“You’ve got the money and a chance to pursue what you want. Why not run for parliament instead of being someone’s right-hand man? Miracle will fully support you.”
“Parliament, huh…”
“The 16th general election is two years away. Whether it’s the ruling party or the opposition, whether it’s a district or proportional representation, you have enough time and money to prepare.”
He drank for a while, as if trying to wash away his guilt with alcohol. When two bottles of soju were empty, he spoke slowly.
“Move the money to Switzerland or wherever quickly. And when I contact you two days before the election, have the reporters ready. I’ll give you a big scoop.”
“Yes. Don’t worry about the money. I value trust highly. I won’t stab you in the back.”
The deal was made, but I didn’t extend my hand. I doubted he felt comfortable enough for a handshake.
With two weeks left until the election, the approval ratings showed a 10% gap. It was more about image than policies or promises.
A clean public servant versus the son-in-law of a conglomerate blamed for the IMF crisis—this was a backdrop that couldn’t close the gap.
“Father, please do something. At this rate, there’s no point in campaigning.”
Even the opposition leadership was suggesting they give up this time and aim for the next, leaving Jin Seo-yoon with no choice but to plead with Chairman Jin.
“It’s too late. Do you want me to hand out envelopes of money to every voter? The final strength of an election is the candidate’s ability. What can you do if your husband is only capable of this much?”
Chairman Jin scolded his daughter with a disapproving look.
“I’ve shaken hands with market ladies, those dirty hands, thousands of times! After doing all this… if we lose, I won’t be able to stand it.”
A daughter who got everything easily.
Even at fifty, she still spoke like a child.
“You take full responsibility for your husband’s election. That campaign fund is your young nephew’s money. Even if you can’t double or triple it, you should at least return it with plenty of interest.”
Chairman Jin sharply reminded his daughter, who didn’t even consider the 40 billion won.
“Don’t underestimate Miracle’s Oh Se-hyun. He acquired Ajin and swallowed Dae-ah Construction with American investors’ money. He’s no ordinary man. He has the contract in his hands. Even if you can’t win, if you show a lack of sincerity or give up, who knows what he might do.”
Only then did Jin Seo-yoon remember the source of the money. And the contract.
Seeing his daughter’s flustered expression, Chairman Jin clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, tsk, you didn’t know the fear of money, and now you remember? Instead of wasting time, you’d better go meet Oh Se-hyun and smooth things over.”
Jin Seo-yoon hurriedly grabbed her bag and rushed out of the study.
“Despite your efforts, it seems difficult. The gap in approval ratings keeps widening…”
Jin Seo-yoon bowed her head as politely as possible.
“What? You’re giving up with ten days left?”
“There’s a trend. To overturn it, we need a big hit, but everything that could come out has already come out.”
“Is that so? Hmm…”
Oh Se-hyun had to work hard to maintain his composure. It was amusing to see a daughter of a conglomerate, old enough to know better, acting so humble. He also had to hide his thoughts on how to best capitalize on the reversal he had already set in motion.
“So you’re saying there’s absolutely no chance of winning?”
“Regrettably, yes.”
“Should I make a comeback happen?”
”…?”
Jin Seo-yoon blinked, not understanding Oh Se-hyun’s intent.
“You just mentioned needing a big hit. Should I make that happen for you?”
“What do you mean? A big hit?”
“Did you think I’d pour 40 billion won of company money and just give up? Or do you and Mr. Jin think it’s easy to spend someone else’s money?”
“Oh, no. Of course not. It’s just unfortunate given the situation.”
She couldn’t lift her head, as if trying to hide the turmoil boiling inside her. She was a woman who had never bowed to anyone except her father, Chairman Jin. How humiliated must she feel right now?
“Given the situation, I’m stepping in. I never engage in losing ventures,” Oh Se-hyun declared, setting his teacup down with finality.
“Forget about losing. Just do your best until the end. I’ll create the turning point. There will be significant changes two days before the election. And…”
He glanced at her, noticing Jin Seo-yoon was speechless, her mouth slightly open.
“You should remember all of this as part of our contribution. We’ll make sure to collect our due reward.”
“Just say the word. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Remember those words.”
Jin Seo-yoon nodded vigorously, meeting Oh Se-hyun’s fierce gaze.
“Uncle, we’ve got a message.”
“Really? Where?”
“They’re telling us to release the journalists at the ‘Dami’ Japanese restaurant in Yeouido, Room 4, starting at 8 PM tonight. Kim Kwan-hyuk will probably be in Room 3 or 5.”
“Okay. We need to make this a big scoop, so let’s gather all the major newspapers.”
Oh Se-hyun was already on the phone. After speaking with half a dozen reporters, he seemed a bit tense.
“Will it really be worth the two billion?”
He didn’t say much about the additional two billion going in. As someone who had spent his life in stock investments, he knew that pouring more in and succeeding was better than losing four billion.
His only concern was whether the diversion would work effectively.
“If Uncle-in-law loses, we’ll make sure to recover the money. Kim Kwan-hyuk knows it too. Today is the crossroads—either he resets his life and starts anew, or he ends his political career in ruin. It’s a critical juncture.”