When Jinhyuk Park stepped out of the conference room and arrived on the thirty-sixth floor where his office was located, he saw the staff from Byeoksong Art Museum replacing the paintings.
“Hello, CEO,” the Deputy Director of the museum greeted him.
“Hello. Are you swapping them out now?”
“Yes. Since the weather is getting colder, we brought paintings that give off a warmer feel. As for the ceramics, the restoration of the Song Dynasty pieces has been completed, so we brought those as well.”
As he listened to the Deputy Director’s explanation, Jinhyuk looked at the paintings being hung on the wall. When his gaze shifted to the ceramics, he couldn’t help but smile.
“Is something the matter?”
“No, nothing. I just had a sudden thought. So, you’re saying these are Song Dynasty ceramics?”
“Yes. They are artifacts from the Southern Song Dynasty. They are quite difficult to come by, but since DS Telecom managed to acquire them, we were able to see them as well.”
“If they’re hard to find, roughly how much do they go for? Pieces like these, I mean.”
The Deputy Director thought for a moment before answering Jinhyuk’s question.
“It wouldn’t be easy to win a bid for something like this at an auction. Even if you did, it would probably cost around $3 million.”
“So you’re saying they would be around $3 million through an auction?”
“Yes. However, I heard that DS Telecom didn’t go through an auction but through Junghwa Art Museum. In that case, you probably got them for $1 million — or perhaps even cheaper.”
Jinhyuk nodded at her words. He then turned his gaze back to the ceramic.
**[50,000]**
The value of the supposedly $1 million ceramic was not even 1 million won; it was a mere 50,000 won. Even if he went to a grocery store right now to buy something of this size, he would likely have to pay more than 50,000 won, yet this thing showed a value lower than that.
It meant it was the lowest grade among fakes. Yet, such a low-grade counterfeit was currently being displayed as an original. The situation was so absurd it was embarrassing to even describe.
“Well then, CEO. We will return once the weather gets warmer.”
After packing up the previous paintings and artworks, the Deputy Director bowed to Jinhyuk. Before she could leave, Jinhyuk asked one last question.
“Then, what will you do with the items you’re taking back?”
“Since they were exposed to the outside, they must have sustained many ‘injuries.’ Even if they weren’t handled by people, artworks like these can be wounded just by being looked at. We plan to restore them and store them in our warehouse. It’s best to keep them there and bring them back out when it’s time for the next rotation.”
Jinhyuk simply nodded at the cryptic remark about art being wounded just by being looked at. Regardless, it meant they were taking them back to tinker with them.
“I’ll leave it in your hands then. These items are quite important to us.”
“Yes. Don’t worry. We will make sure to store them carefully.”
With a final greeting, the Deputy Director departed with the artworks. Jinhyuk watched them leave for a moment before entering his office. He then spoke to Junwoo Kim, who followed him in.
“Didn’t you say they were supposed to come one week ago?”
During his last visit to Byeoksong Art Museum, she had shown great enthusiasm, telling Jinhyuk she would visit the very next day. However, the next day, she had sent word that she needed a little more time, only to finally visit a week later.
“Yes. They pushed the time back, saying they needed to prepare things to transport the items. But looking at them today, I’m not sure what they were preparing.”
“They might have been preparing something else. Anyway, how did the investigation go?”
“I looked into Junghwa Art Museum, which we suspect of being the broker, and how they acquired the artworks… but the results were unsatisfactory.”
“Why? What was unsatisfactory?”
Unlike his usual self, Junwoo’s face showed his struggle even before he answered. Usually, he handled any order given to him with ease, digging into even the smallest crack he could find. This time, however, he looked as if he couldn’t find a single opening.
“I’ve heard often that the art world is built on personal connections and moves in tight-knit circles, but when I actually tried to approach it, it was worse than I thought. It doesn’t seem like it will be easy to break in.”
“Is it that bad?”
“It wasn’t even easy to bring up the name Junghwa. And somehow, word got out that I was looking for Junghwa, so people are avoiding meeting me. Everyone I had scheduled to meet has canceled their appointments.”
“So you didn’t find a single lead at all?”
“No. I couldn’t find out anything about what kind of place Junghwa Art Museum is.”
“Hmm. Then how were the previous transactions handled? The connection they used for those should still be active, right?”
“I was told they met through an introduction by Byeoksong.”
“So in the end, it means we have to go through Byeoksong again to find out what Junghwa is. and if we do that, we’ll have to reveal to Director Oh that we suspect Junghwa…”
“It seems there is no other way right now.”
At Junwoo’s words, Jinhyuk sat in his chair, rested his chin on his hand, and sank into thought. He had suspected it wouldn’t be easy since it was a place that functioned as a broker despite calling itself a museum. Moreover, if it was a place that could acquire items for less than $1 million when they would normally cost $3 million at auction, he felt they definitely weren’t using normal methods.
The more Jinhyuk learned, the more his interest grew in this place that reeked of something fishy.
“CEO. Do you happen to know anyone in the art world? It seems difficult to approach because we have no connections. If you can provide a connection, I will take it and try to move forward.”
“Are you asking me to make a connection for you?”
“Yes. I thought you might know someone since you have a lot of interest in art. Moreover, I figured your acquaintances wouldn’t just be art students, but people who can exert some influence in the art world. I think we could find out what we’re curious about through someone like that.”
Jinhyuk stared at Junwoo. There was nothing wrong with what he said. The Jinhyuk Park of the past loved art, and if anyone was an acquaintance of his, they would surely have established a position in the art world by now. Through such a person, it seemed possible to enter their private world, which was currently walled off.
The problem, however, was that the Jinhyuk Park standing before Junwoo was a different person. He was someone who didn’t know what kind of friendships he had maintained in the past.
‘Those guys?’
If he used those so-called friends who had invited him to the party last time, he might be able to figure out who the past Jinhyuk was close to. However, Jinhyuk shook his head and dismissed the thought. He was certain they would only try to use his elevated status to chase after women.
‘Except for those guys who are crazy about women, I have no way of knowing who the past Jinhyuk was close to… It’s not like I know anyone else personally… Wait.’
Jinhyuk recalled the “friends” from his past he didn’t want to meet. After concluding they were out of the question, he thought about whether there was anyone in the art world he might know. One person came to mind who would likely know the current situation better than anyone else.
Noticing that Jinhyuk had thought of someone, Junwoo asked him.
“CEO. Did someone suitable come to mind?”
Jinhyuk raised his head and looked at him.
“I do know just the right person.”
“Who is it? If you give me the contact information, I’ll go meet them. You just need to say the word.”
“Well, giving you the contact info isn’t hard, but… hmm.”
She was someone he didn’t particularly want to meet. He didn’t have bad feelings toward her, but he felt that getting involved with her would only be a headache. Still, no one else came to mind. Otherwise, there was no way to find out why all the artworks owned by DS Telecom, starting with those from Junghwa Art Museum, were fakes.
In the current situation, she was the most suitable person. Jinhyuk looked at Junwoo and asked.
“What would happen if we just watched for a while?”
“You’re going to just watch? You, CEO?”
Simply observing a situation was not Jinhyuk’s style. He was the type to grasp everything from start to finish, predict the opponent’s moves, and dig a trap. Or, he would lure an opponent who seemed likely to take a different path into his trap. That was Jinhyuk’s style. Simply watching where the opponent was going and for what reason didn’t fit him at all.
“I suppose so. If I just watch, I’ll be too late to respond, won’t I?”
“Whether you respond or not, if you just watch the situation, you’ll miss the window to intervene in this matter. Are you perhaps thinking of backing down at this point?”
DS Telecom’s artwork, worth 70 billion won, had been found to be fake. And those fakes were sitting in Byeoksong Art Museum. There was a broker museum where it was unclear if they sold originals or fakes, and some “expert” had stepped forward to certify the fakes as genuine. The museum, too, was unable to distinguish between real and fake despite looking at over fifty pieces.
Given the bizarre situation, Jinhyuk finally made up his mind to meet the person he had been avoiding.
“I can’t just let it slide. It would be one thing if I didn’t know. But knowing what I know, the situation itself is too strange to ignore. I know the person who would likely know the most about this.”
“Who is that?”
“Go and contact Jiyeon Han. Tell her I want to meet.”
“Jiyeon Han? The one from Cheongwoo…”
“Yes. Isn’t she the Deputy Director of the art center run by Cheongwoo? Since she’s at a museum operated by a corporation, she’ll know the current situation better than anyone.”
“That’s right. If it’s Ms. Jiyeon Han… are you okay with that?”
Junwoo slapped his knee in admiration, then looked at Jinhyuk with a grin. While he was asking if it was okay, his face was full of curiosity. Seeing the look in Junwoo’s eyes, Jinhyuk put on an annoyed expression.
“Don’t look at me like that. Just go and make the call.”
“She’ll be shocked out of her wits when she finds out you’re the one who called.”
“Why would she be shocked? She’ll probably just wonder why this guy is calling. Hurry up and get out.”
“Yes. I’ll set an appointment date right away.”
Junwoo left the office without even waiting for Jinhyuk’s response.
***
Jiyeon Han’s side had responded indifferently, saying he could visit Cheongwoo Art Center at any time that was convenient.
Since her reaction was different from what he expected, Junwoo contacted the art center again the next day and the day after that. However, each time, Jiyeon’s secretary simply replied that if he was curious, he should just come.
After confirming her side’s attitude, Junwoo even offered to go in Jinhyuk’s place. He was worried that they might be treated as uninvited guests if they visited when the other party clearly wasn’t welcoming them. However, Jinhyuk refused Junwoo’s proposal, saying he had to go himself since the person involved was Jiyeon Han. He expected to be treated as an uninvited guest anyway, and he thought that if he sent Junwoo, he might come back without even seeing her face.
Since the other party had said he could visit anytime, Jinhyuk headed to Yeoksam, where Cheongwoo Art Center was located, that very day.
“CEO. I’ve prepared a small bonsai in the trunk.”
“A bonsai?”
“Yes. I thought it would be easier for you to talk if you brought something rather than going empty-handed.”
“True. Since I’m going there to get information, it would be rude to show up with nothing. Good job.”
“Thank you. I thought a plum bonsai would be better than bringing flowers.”
In fact, Junwoo had initially considered preparing flowers to congratulate her on her new appointment. However, knowing that Jinhyuk and Jiyeon had met on a blind date but were awkward with each other, he had prepared the bonsai to maintain a more formal appearance. When Jinhyuk said he did well but didn’t show much interest, Junwoo thought it was a good thing he hadn’t prepared flowers.
Yeoksam was packed with cars as the end of the workday approached. The car arrived at the art center a bit later than the time he had given them.
“Are you from DS Telecom?”
As they were entering the art center’s parking lot, a security guard stopped the car and asked the driver.
“Yes. This is the DS Telecom CEO’s car. For the Deputy Director…”
Before the driver could finish, the security guard signaled somewhere as soon as he heard the word “CEO.” Immediately, men in suits approached the car and opened the door.
Jinhyuk stepped out through the open door. The men bowed politely to him.
“Welcome, CEO.”
Jinhyuk was baffled by the staff’s welcoming greeting, which was the kind of reception usually reserved for when he visited an affiliate. He had simply come to visit Jiyeon Han, but it felt as if he might find a welcome banner if he looked hard enough.
“This way, please. She is waiting for you.”
About ten people, who appeared to be staff members of Cheongwoo Art Center, surrounded Jinhyuk and tried to guide him. Since he had come to meet Jiyeon Han out of personal acquaintance, Jinhyuk hadn’t brought an entourage. He almost regretted it now, as the art center didn’t seem to view his visit as a personal one.
As he followed the staff into the art center, Jinhyuk whispered to Junwoo, who followed behind him carrying the bonsai.
“Didn’t you say they were indifferent when I said I was coming?”
“Yes. I was being mild when I said ‘indifferent.’ Actually, they acted as if they didn’t care whether you came or not. They even hinted that they disliked us calling and coming over.”
“Does this look like they dislike it?”
The art center was treating Jinhyuk with such extreme hospitality that he wondered if they would have even blocked the general public from entering if he had called a few days in advance. Once inside, it seemed as if every employee of the art center had come out to greet him; several times more people than those outside bowed to Jinhyuk as he walked in.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.