The elevator carrying Park Jin-hyuk and his group arrived at the 33rd floor, where the executive meeting was to be held.
Sanghyuk Park, afraid of catching his father’s eye and getting an earful, got off first on the 20th floor where his desk was.
Then, as the elevator ascended again and arrived at the 33rd floor, the doors opened and a wave of heat seemed to pour in, startling everyone inside.
Secretaries brought by the executives, along with employees from various affiliates, were lined up along one side.
With even more head office staff conscripted to assist, the atmosphere outside the meeting room was visibly intense.
Park Jin-hyuk looked around at the scene and grinned at Hyun Isu.
“Looks like we came too modestly. If I’d known, I would have dragged a bunch of employees along. Even so, since we’re a construction company, don’t you think our staff look the best?”
Park Jin-hyuk’s joke was met with an easy laugh from Hyun Isu.
“Other departments brought their affiliates, so they’re bound to come en masse. There’s a lot to report and a lot to prepare. But we’re simple, so just me is enough.”
“Hahaha, I think so too. Deputy Manager Hyun here is worth a hundred people.”
Finishing his words, Park Jin-hyuk glanced at the other employees.
The numbers floating above people’s heads proved Hyun Isu really was worth a hundred.
Even if you added up all the numbers above everyone else’s heads, they couldn’t surpass the total of Hyun Isu and Secretary Kim’s numbers.
Though Park Jin-hyuk had only brought Hyun Isu and Secretary Kim, it felt like he had an army at his back as he headed inside toward the meeting venue.
“Well, look who’s here. My nephew’s come! And Deputy Director Hyun, too? It’s been a while.”
Inside the meeting room, the atmosphere was quite different from outside.
Whereas outside people were busy searching for documents and preparing for the upcoming meeting, inside, older men with graying hair were busy socializing.
They all turned as Park Jin-hyuk entered.
Among them, a man bearing a striking resemblance to Park Jun-man stepped forward and greeted Park Jin-hyuk.
[2,000,000]
This man, whose number above his head was lower even than the female secretary crouched outside sorting through files, approached Park Jin-hyuk.
“It’s been a while, Vice Chairman Park.”
From Hyun Isu’s words, Park Jin-hyuk realized this man must be Vice Chairman Park Soo-man.
After all, Park Soo-man was the only one in DS Group with the title of vice chairman.
“Haha, Jin-hyuk, you’ve grown so much. You’re even attending the executive monthly meeting now. But isn’t it a bit odd? You’re just a director, and Deputy Director Hyun here outranks you. Shouldn’t you be assisting him and coming here together?”
Hyun Isu quickly replied with a laugh.
“Titles are just packaging. Right now, the Director is overseeing DS Construction’s restructuring, and I’m just here to help him. Titles like director or deputy director don’t mean much.”
“Is that so? I was just worried you’d be disappointed. Isn’t it time for you to be put in charge of an affiliate?”
“When the time comes, the chairman will decide. For now, I’ll quietly do my part.”
“Loyal as always. We need more people like you in our company…”
Park Soo-man listened to Hyun Isu and then smiled toward those behind him.
Park Jin-hyuk looked at the numbers floating above their heads.
Even the person with the smallest number here had two billion floating above them—everyone here had tens of billions over their heads.
No wonder they were the ones directly in charge of affiliates under headquarters.
‘Sitting among these people with just two million above your head… You’re here purely because you were born with a diamond spoon in your mouth.’
After confirming Park Soo-man’s ability, Park Jin-hyuk returned the greetings of the executive group approaching him.
He’d already learned about their characteristics through Hyun Isu beforehand.
Naturally, Park Jin-hyuk initiated conversation as the executives approached.
He’d spent his career dealing with people, often having to speak to those above his station, so he was unfazed talking to these higher-ups.
Park Soo-man was bewildered by Park Jin-hyuk’s demeanor.
Even if he knew these executives, this wasn’t the kind of place to speak so freely, yet Park Jin-hyuk was entirely at ease.
Moreover, what he’d heard from Oh Seo-young didn’t match what was unfolding before his eyes.
‘Didn’t they say he had amnesia?’
He’d heard Park Jin-hyuk was suffering from amnesia, but there was no sign of that now.
If anything, it seemed like Park Jin-hyuk had known the executives for years.
To lighten the heavy mood before the meeting, Park Jin-hyuk cracked a joke, and the executives enjoyed it.
In the past, as the chairman’s son, he’d barely even greeted them, but now, starting with a joke, he drew them in with his charm.
As time passed, Park Soo-man found himself pushed to the edge of the conversation, and the flow shifted to Park Jin-hyuk chatting with the executives.
After about ten minutes of talk, Park Jin-hyuk smiled at the now-familiar executives.
“Well, it looks like we’re almost out of time. I’ll go take my seat. Since it’s my first time here, I need to prepare a bit.”
“Surely the chairman wouldn’t be hard on you, young master, not on your first time. Don’t worry too much.”
“If he is, you’ll have to help me out.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll help you. Hahaha.”
After sharing a laugh with the executives, Park Jin-hyuk headed to the seat set aside for the DS Construction representative.
Hyun Isu, watching from behind, was amazed once again.
Just the day before, he’d been the one briefing Park Jin-hyuk about the executives’ personalities, prepared to step in if things went wrong, yet now Park Jin-hyuk handled everyone even better than he could.
“Dealing with people is always the hardest part, don’t you think?”
“Did you know the executives from before?”
“No, it’s my first time meeting them.”
“Your first time… I thought you’d become sworn brothers with them, regardless of age.”
“Come on, don’t say that. If we became brothers and had to die together, I’d be the only one at a loss.”
Park Jin-hyuk laughed and skimmed through the documents on the conference table.
Hyun Isu shook his head and, at the seat behind Park Jin-hyuk, began organizing the documents with Junwoo Kim.
Suddenly remembering something, he spoke to Park Jin-hyuk in a cautious tone.
“Director, I’m sure someone will bring up the issue of securing funds at the end of your presentation. Try to deflect as much as you can. Say we’re still working on a solution.”
“Deflecting isn’t the kind of answer they’ll like.”
“Even so, under the circumstances, it can’t be helped.”
“What solutions have you come up with so far, Deputy Manager Hyun?”
Park Jin-hyuk turned and asked.
Hyun Isu answered quietly.
“Right now, we’re pursuing several angles, mainly with the government. If the Korean government steps in, that’s the best outcome. If that fails, our next option is to ask for help from those with significant power in the Middle East.”
“Someone powerful in the Middle East?”
“Yes, major businesses operating there are all connected to their governments.”
“Like who?”
Park Jin-hyuk smiled, as if something came to mind.
Hyun Isu, not understanding, replied.
“A company like Dongjeong Industries, which has been in the Middle East for decades, is likely to have those connections.”
“Ah, I see.”
Park Jin-hyuk nodded with a smile.
Hyun Isu repeated his request.
“We still haven’t decided on the best or fastest course, so please don’t mention specifics. If funding comes up, I’ll step in if I have to—just try to gloss over it as much as possible.”
“Alright, don’t worry.”
Though Park Jin-hyuk answered confidently, Hyun Isu couldn’t shake his anxiety.
Still, since Park Jin-hyuk had agreed, he turned his attention back to sorting documents.
After a while, the executives, gathered in small groups, found their seats, and the aides they’d brought sat behind them.
Then Park Jun-man, the chairman of DS Group, entered the meeting room and the monthly executive meeting began.
The atmosphere was straightforward.
Each affiliate president reported their results and notable issues to Park Jun-man.
If Park Jun-man found something unclear, he’d ask a question, and their aide would hand over the relevant document for them to answer.
After all the affiliates, it was Park Jin-hyuk’s turn.
Wearing a bored expression, he stepped forward and, based on the materials Hyun Isu had prepared, began his presentation on DS Construction.
With a calm, clear tone and not a hint of nervousness, Park Jin-hyuk explained the progress of the company’s restructuring.
Watching, Secretary Kim whispered to Deputy Manager Hyun, unable to hold back.
“Weren’t you really worried about Director Park’s presentation? He’s doing amazingly well.”
“I know, right? He’s so good, it’s almost confusing.”
Before coming here, Hyun Isu had suggested several times that he do the presentation himself.
But Park Jin-hyuk had laughed it off and refused.
Now, he was showing exactly why he’d refused.
‘This isn’t the first time he’s done this.’
Speaking in front of people.
Especially when those people are intimidating—it’s a pressure only those who’ve stood at the front can understand.
But Park Jin-hyuk seemed more familiar with it than anyone.
From the way he met people’s eyes to his perfectly timed pauses, he was as good as any pro.
‘Damn, this reminds me of the old days and annoys me.’
Though he wore a smile, Park Jin-hyuk couldn’t help remembering the times he had to present to those in power—it irritated him.
Still, he made sure not to show it as he wrapped up his presentation.
“With that, this concludes my explanation of DS Construction’s restructuring. Are there any questions?”
Not only did he present calmly, but he even invited questions.
Seeing this, Park Jun-man smiled approvingly.
Then he asked a question through the microphone.
“Good. But you left out the most important issue: funding. How do you plan to secure it?”
Park Soo-man had already disliked seeing Park Jin-hyuk present so skillfully in front of the main executives.
As soon as Park Jun-man raised the question of funding, Park Soo-man spoke up first.
“Chairman, there are widespread rumors in the industry about a capital increase. It looks like that’s their plan, since it’s hard to raise funds otherwise… Director Park, don’t worry. The group will support you. Since other affiliates are short on funds, our DS Telecom will participate in the capital increase. You need about 800 billion won to get through this, right? I’ve already told the finance team—just need to coordinate timing. Chairman, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Is that so? You’re planning a capital increase?”
The smile vanished from Park Jun-man’s face as he fixed his gaze on Park Jin-hyuk.
Park Jin-hyuk looked back and forth between Park Jun-man and Park Soo-man, feigning ignorance.
“A capital increase? Who said we’re doing a capital increase? This is the first I’ve heard of it. Vice Chairman, where did you hear that?”
Park Soo-man’s face stiffened.
“It’s… a rumor circulating in the market. Isn’t that why the stock price is plummeting? No need to hide it from us. The market is worried about a shareholder allocation, so the price is dropping, but it’s fine. If we allocate shares to a third party, the stock price will stabilize.”
“The market? Which market? You say the rumor is everywhere—where is ‘everywhere’? Is this gossip from tabloid news? You’re listening to completely unfounded stories.”
Park Soo-man had brought up the capital increase knowing it was the only answer, but when the person in charge denied it so strongly, he was thrown off.
“Well…”
Unable to answer, Park Jun-man frowned at Park Soo-man, then turned back to Park Jin-hyuk.
“Fine. If you’re not planning a capital increase, then how do you intend to secure funding?”
“Is there a need? Once we collect our outstanding payments, the problem will be resolved. Soon, we’ll hear from the Iraqi government that the funding issue is settled.”
“Really? Did you get a guarantee from the Iraqi government?”
Hyun Isu gasped in shock.
Not only did Park Jin-hyuk not try to dodge the question, he went a step further and mentioned a guarantee.