Park Jin-hyuk almost burst out laughing at the words of the new Minister, but he kept his composure.
He didn’t feel the need to show any expression of satisfaction.
However, the new Minister felt anxious seeing Park Jin-hyuk’s blank face.
“If there’s anything you wish for, please tell me. Whatever it may be, I’ll do my best to meet your request. If it’s something beyond my authority, I’ll go directly to His Excellency and discuss it with him. His Excellency has said to grant whatever DS Pharmaceuticals wants.”
Park Jin-hyuk nodded at the Minister’s words and replied.
“The nation is facing hardship—I can’t think of profiting from this. If you could just resolve the trouble Hansung Pharm is causing us, that would be enough for me. Worried I might have missed something, I had my predecessor turn down the request, but I’ve kept a portion of the production set aside in reserve. I’ll release it immediately.”
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, I thank you for your decision, Director Park. And I will make sure to convey your generosity to both the Party and His Excellency. The government will certainly repay this favor.”
“Oh, no need for that. I didn’t act to seek any reward. Your words alone are thanks enough.”
“I will make absolutely sure Hansung Pharm can no longer trouble DS Pharmaceuticals. Even if I have to wipe out the entire company.”
A hint of murderous intent flashed in Jeong Gye-young’s eyes.
Perhaps the thought crossed his mind that if Hansung Pharm tried to play games again, his own head might not remain attached. He looked at them as if they were mortal enemies.
Jeong Gye-young bowed to Park Jin-hyuk several more times in gratitude.
“About the announcement…”
Before leaving, Jeong Gye-young carefully asked Park Jin-hyuk about the public announcement.
Who made the announcement would determine who was seen as the main actor in the affair.
Knowing exactly what he was thinking, Park Jin-hyuk smiled as he answered.
“Of course, it’s only right for the government to make the announcement. We’ll prepare to supply the medicine according to the announcement.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much. DS Pharmaceuticals—no, DS Group—I’ll remember this. As long as I’m in politics, I won’t forget this debt.”
“It’s not a debt. It’s nothing like that. I’ll do my best to help as well.”
Jeong Gye-young bowed several times again toward Park Jin-hyuk.
Within Jeong Gye-young’s repeated bows, Park Jin-hyuk saw wings.
He confirmed again the value floating above the man’s head.
[70 billion]
Compared to the politicians he’d seen at the recent engagement party, this man’s value showed a higher figure than any of them present.
It was a ‘trump card’ that he would have had to use eventually.
If so, it was wise to use it on someone like this and prepare for what’s ahead.
Politics was an essential component in running a business.
Depending on the relationship formed with them, it could be either a help or a hindrance.
By using a ‘trump card’ on someone of high value, Park Jin-hyuk had given him a turning point in his political life.
And that man said he would not forget this turning point.
Meeting Jeong Gye-young had been a satisfying encounter for Park Jin-hyuk.
Less than two hours had passed since Jeong Gye-young finished his conversation with Park Jin-hyuk, and already a special government announcement was being broadcast on TV.
“This morning, after discussions with DS Pharmaceuticals, we have secured two million courses of Pitaflu. Going forward, we plan to work closely with DS Pharmaceuticals to ensure stable domestic supply of Pitaflu. The Pitaflu secured today will be used first to treat the Paris Flu. The remaining stock will be prioritized for preschool children under 7 and seniors over 70 as a preventive measure. Until supply is stabilized, distribution will remain under government control, so please bear with us a little longer. Fellow citizens, please remember that your government is doing its utmost.”
Jeong Gye-young himself was on TV making the announcement.
You could sense even through the screen how eager he was to reveal that the agreement with DS was his own accomplishment.
The broadcaster, as if aware of Jeong Gye-young’s desire, continually displayed both his name and DS Pharmaceuticals at the bottom of the screen, repeatedly announcing that the government had secured Pitaflu.
“Director. There’s a call from Biologics. They’re releasing the stockpiles they’d kept back all this time.”
“Good. Tell them to sort it out and send it. And from now on, make sure a set percentage of production always stays domestic. It’s only right to help the country in times of difficulty.”
“Understood.”
Park Jin-hyuk placed a cigarette in his mouth and smiled at the TV screen.
*****
As Park Jin-hyuk gazed at the monitor, Kim Jun-woo entered the office and greeted him, then spoke.
“Director, Secretary Hwang has contacted us. The message was for you to come to Hannam-dong immediately.”
“Hannam-dong?”
Park Jin-hyuk finished speaking and glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was still a reasonable time to be at work, so it seemed odd for Park Jun-man to summon him home.
“Is it because of the announcement earlier?”
Park Jin-hyuk nodded at Kim Jun-woo’s question and shifted his gaze back to the monitor.
On the screen was a headline about an investigation into tax evasion by Hansung Pharm.
Prosecutors had raided Hansung Pharm’s headquarters, and it was reported that the investigation might spread to the entire Hansung Group.
Meanwhile, on stock market forums and online communities, rumors were circulating that Hansung Group had blocked the supply of Pitaflu, with a growing public demand for a strong government investigation.
Of course, these rumors had been quietly spread by Park Jin-hyuk himself, but the speed with which supportive forces picked up and spread the rumors made it clear that there had always been many who resented Hansung Group.
“If it wasn’t for that, there’d be no reason to summon me. Well, if they call, let’s go.”
Park Jin-hyuk rose from his seat.
He expected to run into Oh Seo-young when he got to Hannam-dong.
In any case, they would have to face each other and talk sooner or later, so Park Jin-hyuk decided that today would be the day and headed to Hannam-dong.
Leaving the DS Pharmaceuticals headquarters and riding to Hannam-dong, Park Jin-hyuk closed his eyes for a short rest.
He knew he would soon have to expend mental energy, so he wanted to restore his tired body and mind while he could.
“Director. We’ve arrived.”
At Kim Jun-woo’s words from the passenger seat, Park Jin-hyuk opened his eyes and got out of the car.
Kim Jun-woo rang the bell at the main house in Hannam-dong, greeted those inside, and stepped back.
“Go ahead and head home.”
Deciding there was no need to take Kim Jun-woo all the way inside, Park Jin-hyuk told him to go home, then entered the house.
Even though he hadn’t been home for several months, Hannam-dong didn’t feel unfamiliar to Park Jin-hyuk.
After passing the main gate and climbing the stone steps, Kim the housekeeper came out to greet him.
Park Jin-hyuk nodded politely to Kim and the other staff before entering the house.
“Jin-hyuk, you brat!”
No sooner had he opened the door than a piercing female voice rang out.
Park Jin-hyuk turned his head toward the sound.
There stood Oh Seo-young, her eyes swollen red, glaring at him.
Once always immaculate, she now looked completely disheveled.
She radiated a murderous aura at Park Jin-hyuk, as if she might devour him at any moment.
“Mother, what’s wrong?”
Feigning ignorance, Park Jin-hyuk approached and took Oh Seo-young’s hand.
“You don’t look well. What’s wrong? Seo-eun, do you know why Mother’s upset?”
“Hmph.”
Park Seo-eun snorted, glared at Park Jin-hyuk, and headed upstairs.
Park Jin-hyuk quietly watched her retreating back.
But his senses were focused on the hand he held—Oh Seo-young’s trembling fingers.
To Park Jin-hyuk, that trembling felt like a beautiful rhythm.
“What are you doing, standing around after arriving?”
Unable to wait any longer, Park Jun-man came out.
He glanced at the hand-holding pair, then turned away.
Smiling at Oh Seo-young, Park Jin-hyuk said,
“Mother, Father is calling. I’ll go see him first, and when I return, I’ll listen to why you’re upset. In the meantime, please drink some water and calm down.”
Unable to contain herself any longer, Oh Seo-young shouted,
“I’m coming too.”
“Will you be alright?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Park Jin-hyuk laughed at Oh Seo-young, who was bristling with anger.
“Then please do.”
He released her hand and walked ahead toward Park Jun-man’s study.
Oh Seo-young followed.
The sound of her angry footsteps was audible, but for some reason it put Park Jin-hyuk in a good mood.
When Park Jin-hyuk entered the room and greeted him, Park Jun-man nodded.
Then, seeing Oh Seo-young follow in behind, he frowned.
“Why are you here?”
“Can’t I be? This concerns my own house.”
“Your house is here in Hannam-dong. Don’t forget that.”
“This is my house, but wherever Father is, that’s my home too.”
Oh Seo-young held her ground.
Uncharacteristic for her, Park Jun-man found himself unable to push her further.
She sat beside him, glaring at Park Jin-hyuk.
“Mother, if you keep looking at me like that, you’ll burn a hole through my face. What’s wrong?”
“Do you really not know? Or are you just playing dumb to tease your own mother?”
“I really have no idea. Father, did I do something wrong to upset Mother?”
Park Jun-man couldn’t help but smile at Park Jin-hyuk’s shamelessness.
“That’s enough. I know what you’ve done. Was it truly necessary?”
With Park Jun-man weighing in, Park Jin-hyuk dropped the act.
He leaned back comfortably and looked back and forth between Park Jun-man and Oh Seo-young as he spoke.
“‘Was it truly necessary?’ Isn’t that a bit clichéd? Why not ask something else?”
“Do you even know what you’ve done?”
Unable to restrain herself any longer, Oh Seo-young pointed a finger and yelled.
Park Jin-hyuk, unable to hold back any further, let out his own pent-up anger.
“What exactly did I do? What did I do wrong for you to treat me like this? Do you think I leaked the tax evasion information? Or that I asked the government to investigate? Not a chance. That’s not the kind of thing I do. You should know that by now. I don’t ask for favors and leave myself owing anyone. Instead of cornering me, why not use your connections to lessen the intensity of the investigation?”
Park Jin-hyuk raised his voice at Oh Seo-young and watched her reaction.
Seeing her face flush red and pale in turn, he caught something in her expression.
“Ah, you already tried, didn’t you? Of course you did—you’d know that was faster than haranguing me. But it must not have worked. So now you need someone to take it out on…and that someone is me? If you didn’t want this to happen, maybe you should have arranged things so there was nothing to catch you. And really, do you think the administration that changes every five years is so powerful that a single investigation should make you act like this? Isn’t this the kind of thing any conglomerate goes through every now and then? Don’t tell me… there are things that really can’t be found out?”
Oh Seo-young couldn’t say anything.
As he said, with governments changing every five years, there was no reason to beg or bow to them.
But considering the intensity of this tax investigation, it was as if the current administration was determined to dismantle Hansung Group, and she felt she wouldn’t be able to withstand it.
This was nothing like the old investigations where a slap on the wrist and a token 10 billion won fine would make things go away.
If things went badly, group head Oh Jung-hun himself could end up on trial.
Park Jun-man glanced at trembling Oh Seo-young, then spoke to Park Jin-hyuk.
“Let’s use the trump card you have.”
“My trump card?”
“Yes. Let’s use the Pitaflu trump card this time.”
“What do you mean? Do I have a trump card?”
“Don’t play dumb. I know you kept a portion of Pitaflu production aside and provided it to the government. The government must feel indebted to you. So let’s use that favor now.”
Park Jin-hyuk shook his head.
“Wait, what are you saying? The government is indebted to me, and that’s become my trump card. So why are you the one to use it, Chairman? Are you telling me to use my trump card for Director Oh’s sake?”
The terms he’d just been calling ‘Father’ and ‘Mother’ suddenly shifted to ‘Chairman’ and ‘Director’—even Park Jun-man noticed the change in address depending on Park Jin-hyuk’s state of mind.
But there was no time to point that out now.
The news only mentioned the tax investigation, but in truth, the investigation’s target had already been determined.
The government’s goal was focused on bringing down Hansung Pharm.
Although the prosecution had started the process, there were rumors the Ministry of Health and Welfare was preparing to announce that several Hansung Pharm medicines contained lethal substances.
If this broke as well, the incident sparked by Hansung Pharm could shake the entire Hansung Group.
“We have no choice but to help Hansung. So let me use your trump card.”
“Why should I help Hansung? And that trump card is mine. Why should you be the one to use it?”
Park Jin-hyuk turned to look at Oh Seo-young as he spoke.
“And I’m not generous enough to save someone who keeps blocking my way. Making a rival feel indebted and turning them to your side by being virtuous only happens in novels, doesn’t it? Isn’t that right, Director?”
With that, Park Jin-hyuk finished with a broad smile.