Chapter 78: Across the Table

President Shim let out a long sigh.

“Sir, Taeseong Chemicals is a company worth a whopping 30 billion won! Asking us to hand it over in just three days is outrageous enough, but what did you say? Finish it today? By settling things directly with Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang?”

Three days, or today—if you ask me, it’s all the same.

“All the Taeseong Chemical folks are moving to Taeseong Construction. I even took care of the slush fund and stocks just now and handed them over to you, President Shim. What’s the problem?”

“That’s exactly the problem! Do you really think Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang will accept such nonsense?!”

“Making him accept it is exactly our task!”

“Huh!”

President Shim grabbed the back of his neck.

Whether he did or not.

“You have to dangle a tempting bait. That’s how you reel them in. Don’t you think so?”

“You mean you’re trying to reel in Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang… Hahaha!”

“Letting the working-level teams butt heads for days won’t get the acquisition talks anywhere.”

“That’s how it usually goes.”

Which is why I have no choice but to play my trump card.

While President Shim and the Woo Gwang negotiation team were sitting at the table bickering, the 6th factory exploded and many people were killed and injured.

Ha, how am I supposed to explain that?

“You’re still young, sir, so you might not realize, but acquisition negotiations are never simple. At the very least, they take months—at most, years.”

“That’s true in normal cases. But in the end, it’s just people making the decisions. With one word from the group’s leader, it could all end in an instant.”

Just like how, by my grandfather’s decision, Taeseong Chemicals was handed to Woo Gwang overnight.

I hopped off the chair.

“Grab the car keys and come with me. We’re leaving right now.”

“Right now… sir?”

“No time like the present.”

“Sir, wait! If you hand over Taeseong Chemicals like this, Chairman Cha will grab his neck and collapse!”

“No way. Grandfather’s already made up his mind. The only one who hasn’t is you, President Shim.”

“......!”

My grandfather’s nickname was Flaming Bulldozer.

“Have you forgotten what Grandfather said? No lingering regrets, don’t drag things out—hand it over cleanly and decisively!”

I shoved a sheet of paper with the special terms into President Shim’s pocket.

“You said you’ve been granted full authority over the Taeseong Chemicals acquisition negotiations by Grandfather. Now’s the time to use it, right?”

President Shim let out a groan.

“Sir, Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang is not someone to take lightly.”

“That’s exactly why it’ll be easier. He won’t want to miss a good opportunity.”

I carefully buttoned my coat.

I wrapped my scarf and put on my wool gloves.

“Let’s brainstorm what kind of offer would really interest Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang on the way.”

With my earmuffs on, I was ready to head out!

“You’re really going to barge into Woo Gwang headquarters?”

“Oh, it’s the New Year’s holiday. Maybe Chairman Kim isn’t at the office today?”

I strode forward briskly.

“In that case, we can just go to Chairman Kim’s house.”

“Sir!”

Loud footsteps thundered down the hallway outside the president’s office.

“President, there’s trouble!”

Bang!

A man in Taeseong Chemicals overalls burst in, so anxious he’d even skipped knocking.

“Ch-Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang is here!”

Oh, speak of the devil and he appears.

Looks like we won’t need to storm his house after all?

Even a mongrel barks loudest on its own turf.

President Shim, you’re in luck!

“Chief Lee, are you making any sense?!”

President Shim shouted.

“Why would Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang come here on New Year’s Day?!”

“He said it’s an affiliate inspection…”

I heard that Taeseong holds an executive meeting while eating rice cake soup with affiliate executives for the New Year.

I guess Woo Gwang does affiliate inspections for the holiday?

‘Is he staking his claim, declaring that Taeseong Chemicals now belongs to Woo Gwang?’

Suit yourself.

Still, lucky for us!

Saved from having to barge in without warning on New Year’s Day and look rude.

“Remember, President Shim, you’re in charge of the acquisition negotiations, right?”

“N-No way…!”

“Heaven itself seems to be helping you get this done today. Three hours should be more than enough, right?”

“…Three hours?”

President Shim turned to me, face pale as a ghost.

I winked at him.

“For your information, Team Leader Yoo, who was Secretary Kim’s direct subordinate, wrapped up negotiations with President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction in three minutes.”

“…?”

Meaning, there’s not much difference between a mere affiliate president and the head of Woo Gwang Group.

“We can’t keep Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang waiting outside. You should hurry along.”

“What about you, sir?”

“I’m only eight years old. Do I look like someone who should join a 30-billion-won acquisition negotiation?”

If only I were eighteen!

“I’ll support you by phone, so just make sure to answer.”

“By phone?”

I smiled brightly and pumped both fists.

“President Shim, fighting!”

***

I went into the secretary’s office next to the president’s office.

Sitting in the chief secretary’s seat, I saw neatly posted memos on the wall.

From the president’s office to the client list.

There were extension and outside phone numbers written down.

‘Nice!’

Numbers on the wall, a phone on the desk, and in my head, my grandfather’s house number!

I’d memorized the number written in my mother’s notebook.

‘If things really go wrong, I can just call Grandfather. If it’s about negotiating with Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang, he’ll rush right over.’

Now that’s reassuring!

Snap!

I flicked my fingers.

‘Hey, Guardian Spirit!’

[Yeah.]

The Grim Reaper appeared, as silently as smoke.

‘Happy New Year.’

[Not yet. We go by the lunar calendar.]

‘Then since it’s not the real New Year, I don’t need to feel sorry about sending you out! Go on!’

[…….]

I pointed out the window below the secretary’s office.

‘Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang is here. Go see what he’s up to.’

[Alright.]

The Grim Reaper vanished again, just like smoke.

My vision stayed perfectly clear, no shimmering blue light like when I’d glimpsed the future earlier.

I was now sharing vision with the Grim Reaper.

***

In the factory yard, the Taeseong Chemicals folks were sitting around makeshift tables, sipping makgeolli and eating snacks, looking puzzled.

Some craned their necks like meerkats, staring toward the factory.

“Who are they? It’s the holiday, so we shouldn’t have lines of men in suits visiting.”

“Didn’t Chief Lee say he’d go check? Why isn’t he back?”

“Must be important guests.”

Someone slapped his knee.

“Maybe it’s Chairman Cha and the affiliate presidents?”

“Right! President Shim and the young master are here too!”

The Taeseong Chemicals workers stood up, brushing off their clothes.

“We should thank them for the makgeolli and snacks.”

“And say we’re looking forward to working at Taeseong Construction.”

But the person approaching wasn’t Chairman Cha.

It was an elderly gentleman in a long coat with a cane.

Behind him were bodyguards and dignified middle-aged men in suits.

The Taeseong Chemicals people couldn’t hide their confusion.

Chief Kim glanced around, then stepped forward.

“Um… may I ask why you’re here?”

“This is the group president of Woo Gwang. He’s here with the affiliate presidents for an inspection.”

“A-An affiliate inspection?”

Chief Kim grew agitated, not knowing what to do.

Each word from the bodyguard weighed heavily.

The Taeseong Chemicals folks shot to their feet, startled.

“Why would Woo Gwang be doing an inspection here?”

“This is Taeseong Chemicals, not a Woo Gwang affiliate!”

The Woo Gwang bodyguard snorted.

“Are you out of the loop? Chairman Cha of Taeseong Group already announced he’s handing Taeseong Chemicals to Woo Gwang.”

“So for now, it’s still Taeseong Chemicals!”

Thump!

Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang tapped his cane.

His cold, sharp gaze swept over the Taeseong Chemicals workers.

“Haven’t you heard anything?”

His voice was cold and hard.

The pressure in his tone weighed on the crowd.

“We’ll be changing the sign here soon. It’ll become Woo Gwang Chemicals. So of course, I came for an affiliate inspection.”

“But for now—!”

Thump!

Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang tapped his cane again.

One of the foremen, about to protest, lost his nerve under that force.

“This place is a mess.”

The crowd fell silent.

The Taeseong Chemicals people glanced at each other, awkward expressions plain on their faces.

They couldn’t do anything about a chaebol group head who had barged in, but they also couldn’t block him.

‘I just heard from President Shim that Taeseong Chemicals would be handed over to Woo Gwang, and I’d already signed to transfer to Taeseong Construction.’

Hearing about it was one thing; seeing Woo Gwang people storm in and declare Taeseong Chemicals their own hit differently.

Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang frowned as he saw the snacks and makgeolli set on the tables in the factory yard.

“Drinking in the middle of work?”

The Taeseong Chemicals workers glanced at each other, swallowing dryly.

They quietly put down their cheap plastic cups and hid their chopsticks behind their backs.

“You leave the factory lines running and have the workers slack off like this? Where are the foremen? Where are the executives?”

His rebuke was icy.

“What a well-run factory.”

Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang signaled with his eyes.

“Director Jang.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

A middle-aged man, Director Jang, bowed.

“Prepare for restructuring. Can’t leave the factory in the hands of people like this.”

“Yes, Chairman. I didn’t expect Taeseong’s employee training to be this sloppy.”

Just then, President Shim entered the yard with Chief Lee.

“No need to worry about restructuring!”

“President!”

“These people are Taeseong family! It’s already settled—they’re moving to Taeseong!”

“Taeseong’s taking them?”

“Yes, consider them resigned from Taeseong Chemicals.”

Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang sneered coldly.

“Resigned workers occupying the factory? That’s a problem too, isn’t it?”

“Let’s say we’re throwing them a farewell party since they’ve quit.”

“Tsk!”

Chairman Kim clicked his tongue.

“This is what Cha Taeseong promised me. Don’t hand over a garbage company.”

“That won’t happen.”

“The factory’s a mess, employee management’s a disaster, there’s piles of inventory and raw materials, and the lines are left idle. How am I supposed to interpret this?”

“I was just about to come see you about that very matter, Chairman Kim.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I want to finalize the Taeseong Chemicals acquisition today.”

“What?”

Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang raised an eyebrow.

“Today?”

He couldn’t hide his surprise.

The affiliate presidents trailing behind him were just as startled.

“Is that even possible?”

“I heard Taeseong Chemicals is worth at least 30 billion won.”

“If the employee arrangements are already done… are you serious?”

As fellow affiliate presidents, they knew very well how tricky acquisitions could be.

A tense, complicated battle behind the scenes was only to be expected.

They’d also come with the intention of making a declaration of war under the pretense of an “affiliate inspection.”

“President Shim, are you in your right mind?”

“You think that’s possible? Say something reasonable!”

“Wrap up negotiations in a day? Even the dogs would laugh at that!”

President Shim straightened his back.

“I have been given full authority over the Taeseong Chemicals acquisition by Chairman Cha!”

President Shim met Chairman Kim’s gaze without flinching.

He spoke confidently, enunciating each word.

“We will transfer all the raw materials in the factory, all products in the warehouse, and even the contracts with suppliers and clients!”

The Woo Gwang affiliate presidents snorted.

“That’s billions worth just at a glance. You’d hand over all the raw materials and products?”

“Giving away contracts and supply deals too? He must be crazy.”

“Shim Wonchul, who prides himself as a loyal Taeseong man, would never make an offer this one-sided in Woo Gwang’s favor!”

“Shim Wonchul, what on earth are you up to? What’s your scheme?!”

Chairman Kim of Woo Gwang eyed President Shim with interest.

Regardless, President Shim declared confidently,

“Chairman Kim, now that you’ve come all the way here, would you like to just tour the factory? Or shall we have tea in the president’s office while we discuss the acquisition terms?”

He was saying he’d wrap up the negotiations in the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

There’s no way Chairman Kim wouldn’t catch his meaning.

With a smile, half a smirk, at President Shim’s brazen challenge, Chairman Kim said,

“I’ll have an espresso, double shot.”