I sat down and quietly observed Han Yeri’s posture.
She came in a hurry, my ass; she’s fully prepared.
I could feel the effort put into Han Yeri’s outfit and makeup.
Knowing her appearance was also a weapon in negotiations, her will to gain an advantage in this showdown with me was palpable.
If the opponent weren’t me, the scales of conditions would have tipped with her seductive smile.
“Where did you hear the news? This matter was being handled quite quietly.”
“We have many places to hear from. You know I have people in the food sector, right?”
“Ah, that person is still attached?”
“Of course. There’s still much for them to help me with.”
I thought they would have caused the previous share sale issue and fled to Kangseong Hotel.
Either they diluted it well or hid their presence inside.
That meant she could also contribute to this matter.
“You’ve prepared quite a few cards.”
“Business is like that, isn’t it? You never know what the other side wants at the negotiation table, so you prepare in advance.”
This was the posture of a negotiator.
Han Yeri crossed her legs and said.
“In this matter, I know I’m merely an assistant. So I won’t be overly greedy.”
“It sounds like you’ll be greedy to some extent.”
“The size we move is different, isn’t it?”
That was true.
If I moved 10% of shares, she could move 15%.
That’s what chaebols are.
“Stop weighing and let’s talk about the plan.”
“Didn’t you already know everything?”
“I don’t know how close my guesses are to the truth.”
“Fine, then.”
From the moment I realized Kangseong Foods was involved in this incident, I drew the big picture.
“I’m going to completely pull down Kangseong Foods this time.”
“It sounds like you’re going to rip Kangseong Foods out of Kangseong Group?”
“Similar.”
Completely ripping it out is difficult.
Kangseong Group owns 45% of Kangseong Foods shares.
Originally, it was known as 30%, but with Chairwoman Han Kyungsook’s shares being taken, they became the majority shareholder.
Unless most of those shares are secured, completely separating Kangseong Foods is hard.
But loosening that connection isn’t difficult.
“Chairwoman Han Kyungsook’s shares are 33%.”
“Hmm, pretty close. How did you know?”
“Analyzed based on disclosed data. We have capable employees too.”
“That sounds tempting.”
“Don’t eye them. The reason I mentioned Han Kyungsook’s shares is….”
“Secure the shares, convene the board, and dismiss aunt from the presidency. Right?”
“Yes.”
Rip one of Kangseong Group’s bloodline from Kangseong Foods.
That would weaken the connection with Kangseong Group further.
Of course, others might come from Kangseong Group.
But before that, if Ribbon Corporation eats and digests Kangseong Foods, that’s it.
“Nice plan. It’ll cost a lot, and finding someone to hand over shares is the problem.”
“Two problems, but you’ll solve one, right?”
The reason Han Yeri is the key person in this plan.
“Bring some shares from Kangseong Group.”
The only one around me who can secure shares held by Kangseong Group is her.
Han Yeri let out a short sigh and said listlessly.
“It won’t be easy. Grandfather isn’t that easygoing. And he dislikes family fights.”
“Yes, but he knows how to sacrifice small things for big gains.”
Han Kangseong resembles Yu Jinsang and the past me.
A human who can grind people for greater profit and company growth.
At my words, Han Yeri asked suspiciously.
“That sounds like grandfather will gain big from this?”
“Yes. At least he can get the big profit he wants.”
“That’s similar to what was said at the last party? Grandfather’s deal.”
“Right.”
The deal to hand me one affiliate.
She couldn’t grasp how greater profit could come from that.
But I know.
What that old man wants.
“So grandfather will agree. Exchanging hotel shares for food shares.”
“But he won’t just hand them over.”
“If he thinks he won’t lose, add something else.”
“What?”
“Say we’ll list Ribbon Corporation and hand over shares.”
Again, Ribbon Corporation has no listing plans.
It would greatly disrupt my plans.
Yet making this proposal is for one reason.
“If we stake our company’s future, the chairman will like it.”
“Listing…. Are you really going to?”
“No way. It’s if it fails.”
“Seeing you say that, it won’t happen. And according to President Kang, grandfather won’t lose much either.”
“Yes.”
Han Yeri opened her mouth, closed it, and stared at me.
“Why?”
“Tell me what grandfather gains. You glossed over it last time too.”
“Got it?”
“You’re good at slyly steering the conversation.”
I never thought I was good at it.
Hmm, well. Fine.
I can give Han Yeri a hint.
“Think about what Chairman Han Kangseong dislikes most in the current situation.”
“What he dislikes most?”
“Yes. This is practically teaching the answer.”
With her brain, she’d understand more than enough.
But do that at home.
“Let’s finish our deal talk first.”
“…Fine.”
“If you secure some shares, I’ll hand over my shares.”
If I hand over my secured shares, Han Yeri becomes the majority shareholder of Kangseong Foods.
Meaning she can move everything in Kangseong Foods.
“Convene the board. And propose dismissing Chairwoman Han Kyungsook.”
“Then it’s over.”
“No way.”
Always fox-like.
Trying to end it slyly here.
“You have to return my shares.”
“No openings, no fun.”
“Who makes openings for fun? Ah, hand over the shares secured from Kangseong Group too.”
“Do you have the funds? Won’t hand for free?”
Han Yeri curled her lips and continued.
“And those shares. They were received in exchange for our hotel shares. To get them back, I need something reasonable too, right?”
“I’ll give some food shares.”
“Some isn’t enough. Let me maintain majority shareholder position.”
“That’s nonsense.”
Our conversation was tense.
We offered unnecessary things to gain real benefits, and tried to gain others instead of discarding.
The parallel transaction finally, with great difficulty, found a compromise.
“10% shares. You take the rest, President Kang, and hand over some distribution rights for <Neighborhood Bakery> to Foods?”
“Not distribution rights, but entry into hotels and department stores.”
“Honestly, this seems only good for Ribbon Corporation.”
“Even after seeing <Neighborhood Bakery>’s brand image now?”
You can take images Kangseong doesn’t have.
That alone is profit, honestly.
Of course, not tangible, just secondary benefit.
So I added one proposal.
“We’ll continue expanding business directions. You know this?”
“You’re preparing new businesses now? I know.”
“Later, we’ll do businesses helpful to hotels or department stores. Planning to expand into construction and interior too.”
This is my guess, but if Tinyfolk’s dexterity combines with modern construction technology.
Quite significant results would come.
And bringing those results to the modern world might be possible.
If the dimension system strengthens.
Just a possibility.
Possibilities aren’t limited.
Could secure special construction materials, or buildings with magical elements.
If hotels or department stores apply those?
Kangseong Hotel or department store value could skyrocket.
I foresaw that and added one card to this deal.
“When that time comes, Kangseong Hotel and department store. We’ll build one.”
“Cheaply?”
“That’s the price for helping this deal.”
Sell future possibilities for overwhelming profit now.
Han Yeri pondered briefly but soon smiled widely.
“You know? You’re losing hundreds of billions in this deal?”
Comparing the building to build in the future and current value of shares to secure, roughly that much loss.
But present must exist for future.
Think after devouring Kangseong Foods now.
And maybe not that much loss.
With dimension items, is that a loss?
“Don’t worry. That’s for me to handle.”
“Hehe, I like that manly side of President Kang.”
“Where do you learn lines to seduce men?”
“At the negotiation table, men are surprisingly useful. Just these words, and more than one or two dream of marrying me.”
Guys dreaming of being future Kangseong son-in-law and sucking up.
Idiots.
“Don’t dream with me.”
“President Kang. You don’t like men, right?”
“No.”
Useless talk.
I have no leisure or heart for that now.
Just busy moving forward.
“Go secure the shares properly.”
“Got it. But if grandfather doesn’t, no choice, okay?”
“I know.”
Then hastily build Plan B.
Honestly, I don’t think it’ll happen.
That old man, giving a few percent shares for dog-like profit.
***
After leaving Ribbon Corporation’s office, Han Yeri headed to the main house.
A place she never came unless special, but today no choice.
To collapse Kangseong Foods, it was necessary.
Entering the main house, she hoped not to meet anyone, but the world didn’t flow as thought.
“Hm? Yeri?”
“Uncle, how have you been?”
“Nothing special. You okay? Hotels are peak season lately?”
“Yes, still careful not to mistake.”
Blood-related, but considerable distance between them.
After Chairman Han Kangseong dies, bloody fight for the position would start, so natural.
“Yes, all learning. To become a pillar of Kangseong Group later, learn much now.”
“Of course. I’ll be the biggest pillar.”
“We’ll see.”
After the chilling nerve war, Han Yeri strode forward.
Soon standing before grandfather’s bedroom, she slowly regulated her breath.
Grandfather on the verge of passing, but still daunting to her.
Will grandfather really do as Kang Jisung said?
She wasn’t sure.
Thus, the hand about to knock trembled slightly.
But didn’t stop.
Knock knock.
“Grandfather, it’s Yeri.”
She too was a businesswoman and gambler inheriting Kangseong Group’s blood.