A Genius Speaks with Money

Chapter 16

“CEO Choi, do you like Iraqi food?”

I, Lim Hyunjun, asked as I folded the newspaper, and Choi Seo-jun paused for a moment.

It was because it was an unexpected question.

“...Why are you suddenly asking about Iraqi food?”

Instead of answering, I just gave a relaxed smile.

In that subtle silence, something came to Choi Seo-jun'

s mind.

‘...Could it be that?’

The business that President Lim Do-hyun of Taeseong Construction was pushing forward was related to Iraq.

He asked cautiously.

“Representative, are you perhaps talking about that project Taeseong Construction is working on?”I looked at Choi Seo-jun with narrowed eyes.

The short silence was a sign of affirmation.

“You know exactly what it is.”

At my single remark, Choi Seo-jun'

s eyes wavered slightly.

“Why that.... Is there perhaps some problem with that project?”

Instead of answering, I took out a tablet from my bag and tapped it lightly a few times.

Then I walked to where Choi Seo-jun was and handed him the tablet.

The screen displayed the ‘Iraq Karbala Refinery Construction Project Private Participation Report’.

“See for yourself.”

At my words, Choi Seo-jun peered into the screen.

As he read one sentence, surprise flashed across his face.

[Investment Participating Company : Sahara Investment]

[Equity Participation Route : Taeseong Construction Overseas Branch- Korea Finance- Sahara Investment]

“...What is this?”

I did not answer, but took out a packet of coffee mix and poured it into a mug.

After that, I poured hot water and stirred it lightly with a teaspoon as I spoke.

“Doesn'

t Sahara Investment seem a bit suspicious?”

“I understand it to be Middle Eastern capital, but....”

I nodded toward Choi Seo-jun without a word.

“That is correct. Officially, it looks like a private investment firm, but there are quite a few suspicious circumstances.”

Choi Seo-jun examined the data closely while swiping the tablet screen.

In the meantime, I continued speaking.

“The problem is that this fund came in through Korea Finance. Korea Finance is intertwined with Taeseong Construction.”

Choi Seo-jun'

s gaze turned sharp.

“If that is the case, this might not be a simple business deal.”

“There is no definite evidence. Not yet.”

I held the mug, approached Choi Seo-jun, and pointed somewhere on the tablet screen.

“President Lim Do-hyun departed the country for the reason of meeting with high-ranking officials of the Iraqi government. However, there was no mention of any meeting in the official announcement of the Iraqi government.”

Choi Seo-jun wore an expression as if something was not quite right.

“Do you think there is something behind President Lim Do-hyun, Representative?”

“I cannot conclude that it is so yet. However, I cannot be certain that it is not, either.”

I turned my head toward the window.

“For now, it is clear that Taeseong Construction has become very unstable. They will take quite a hit from this incident. But what is more suspicious is my uncle'

s behavior.”

“......”

“If it were the uncle I know, he would not have let the situation become like this.”

“That is true. If it were him, he would do anything to make sure the Iraq project goes well.”

Outside the window, heavy rain was pouring down refreshingly.

The sound of raindrops tapping the glass window continued regularly, creating a strange rhythm.

It was a grateful rain that cooled down the sweltering summer, but my heart burned hotly.

The truth that should pour down like that rain was still hidden behind the clouds.

Lightning struck past the window.

Soon, a sound as if the sky were splitting apart echoed.

I looked at the streaks of rain and then turned my head to look at Choi Seo-jun.

“CEO Choi, there is something you need to check regarding the Iraq project being carried out by Taeseong Construction.”

“Yes, please just say the word. I will do my best as much as I can.”

I smiled lightly.

Unlike the softly curved corners of my mouth, my gaze was firm and deep.

It was heavy, like a calm river with unknown depths.

My voice also echoed low, leaving a gentle vibration.

“I am still putting the puzzle pieces together. There is no need to rush. We must exercise caution upon caution.”

“Yes.”

***

The top floor of Taeseong Electronics headquarters.

This was the space where Chairman Lim Man-seok of Taeseong Group usually stayed.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass window overlooking the city, the sunset was casting long shadows.

Inside the luxurious interior, there was also a soft-looking sofa.

Chairman Lim Man-seok was sitting there with an expression full of worry.

At that time, the door opened along with the sound of a knock.

“Chairman, it is Kang Cheol-woo.”

Chief Secretary Kang Cheol-woo, who was called Chairman Lim Man-seok'

s right-hand man, entered quietly.

As befitting a person who had stayed by the chairman'

s side for decades, his gaze was calm and without even a tremor.

Lim Man-seok pointed to a seat with a gesture.

“Sit.”

Kang Cheol-woo sat down quietly and waited for Lim Man-seok'

s command.

After the silence ended, a low resonance flowed from Chairman Lim Man-seok'

s mouth.

“Quietly find out who is connected to the Iraqi Ambassador.”

Kang Cheol-woo'

s eyebrows moved slightly.

“Is it perhaps because of the Taeseong Construction refinery facility re-examination matter?”

“...Yes.”

Lim Man-seok lifted the teacup placed in front of him, took a sip, set it down, and looked out the window for a moment.

“It was only natural to hold Do-hyun responsible.

The person above must take responsibility for what went wrong.

But even so, I cannot just sit back and watch with my hands folded.”

Kang Cheol-woo nodded.

He was the one who knew Chairman Lim Man-seok'

s character better than anyone.

Chairman Lim Man-seok turned his gaze toward Kang Cheol-woo and said.

“Once a company loses trust, it must put in enormous effort to get it back.

This is not simply a matter of one contract collapsing.

The name Taeseong itself could be shaken.”

“I understand.

I will look into it quietly.”

Kang Cheol-woo pressed the tablet he was holding and then opened his mouth.

“Perhaps Director Jeong Mu-yeong of Global Strategic Operations might have a personal acquaintance.

I will try contacting him.”

Lim Man-seok'

s expression brightened slightly.

“If possible, tell him to try contacting him today. The later the date becomes, the more disadvantageous it is for us to carry out this task quietly.

There is nothing good about it being known.”

“Yes, Chairman.

I will make sure it never leaks to the outside.”

As Kang Cheol-woo stood up from his seat, Lim Man-seok added one last thing.

“And another thing. Cheol-woo.”

“...Yes.”

“Be careful so that this matter never gets mixed up with those people doing politics. We are businessmen, not fighters.”

“...I will keep that in mind.”

Kang Cheol-woo left the chairman'

s office quietly.

Then only silence flowed again.

Lim Man-seok fell into thought while stroking his rough chin.

The next day, Chairman Lim Man-seok arrived first at a room used only by the owner'

s family at Taeseong Hotel and was waiting for someone.

After a while, the door opened and a man with a comfortable impression came inside.

Chairman Lim Man-seok stood up from his seat and welcomed the guest warmly.

“You have made a difficult journey. I am Lim Man-seok.”

The Iraqi Ambassador to Korea, Hassan Al-Karim, smiled softly and took Chairman Lim'

s hand.

“I always welcome an opportunity to meet someone like the Chairman.”

The two shared small talk for a moment and then soon brought up the main topic.

However, the one who brought up the topic first was not Chairman Lim Man-seok, but the Iraqi Ambassador to Korea.

“We are also in a difficult situation because of the project being carried out by Taeseong Construction.”

Lim Man-seok nodded lightly and then opened his mouth.

“We have no intention of giving up either. We cannot let the name Taeseong collapse overseas, can we?”

Ambassador Hassan set down the glass he was holding and then spoke cautiously.

“But you see, Chairman. A close acquaintance of mine is in the Ministry of Oil, so I occasionally hear about the atmosphere.”

Chairman Lim Man-seok'

s body moved closer to Ambassador Hassan.

“According to that side, it is said that Taeseong Construction has recently shown a passive attitude toward communication with the local side. Before, they were progressing with consultations quickly, but these days... how should I put it? It is not quite satisfactory?”

“...Is that so?”

Lim Man-seok reacted with a calm attitude, but internally his thoughts deepened.

Taeseong Construction had met a crisis, so it would not be enough even if they responded actively.

Even the Chairman was moving personally because of that, so how could he not be flustered to hear such a story?

In an instant, all sorts of thoughts crossed Lim Man-seok'

s mind.

‘Is it because Do-hyun cannot handle the situation? There is no way that fellow would...’

Unless he was hiding something.

There was no reason for the owner of a company to do such a thing on purpose.

Chairman Lim Man-seok hid his complicated feelings and lifted his glass toward Ambassador Hassan.

“It seems we are handling things immaturely. I will pay more attention so that such words do not come out in the future.”

Ambassador Hassan said as he held up his glass in return.

“Since the Chairman says so, I feel much more confident. I will also convey the Chairman'

s intentions well to my home country.”

Their glasses clinked and made a clear resonance.

As Ambassador Hassan set down his glass, Chief Secretary Kang Cheol-woo, who was beside Chairman Lim Man-seok, handed over a box.

To Ambassador Hassan, who was surprised, Lim Man-seok said with a smile.

“This is a gift that we at Taeseong give only to special connections. It is nothing much, so please accept it with your heart.”

“Being invited to such a precious occasion is enough, but to even receive a gift like this. I do not know what to do with myself.”

He said so, but the corners of Ambassador Hassan'

s mouth did not know how to come down.

It was for good reason, because when he opened the box that looked luxurious, there was a very expensive handmade luxury watch inside.

Even inside the case, a phrase engraved in gold was written.

[Regarding the time we will create together starting from this moment]

Hassan'

s gaze wavered for a moment.

More than the watch, the phrase written inside shook his heart.

Lim Man-seok opened his mouth slowly, pretending not to notice.

“Is business not ultimately the work of building time together? I hope that we can build not only the time we will spend together in the future but also trust.”

Ambassador Hassan held the box with both hands and raised his head.

“I will receive it gratefully, Chairman.”

The two shook hands for the last time and parted from each other.

Even after the Iraqi Ambassador to Korea left, Lim Man-seok could not leave his seat.

He sat silently for a long time, looking toward the window and lost in deep thought.

He was the one who did not lose his smile until Ambassador Hassan left.

Now, with a hardened face, he silently swallowed only the silence.

Hassan'

s words kept echoing in his mind.

“I do not know why on earth Taeseong Construction is showing such an attitude.”

Lim Man-seok stood up slowly and walked to the window.

In the deep night, the city lights twinkled peacefully.

In his eyes, everything was precariously unstable.

He stroked his chin and mulled over the words Hassan had left behind.

No matter how much he retraced them, they did not make sense.

Given his younger son'

s personality, it was difficult to see it as a mere coincidence or a simple mistake.

‘Is Do-hyun hiding something?’

Thoughts followed one after another.

Doubt gave birth to another doubt.

Soon, he shook his head.

‘There is no way my son would do such a thing.’

A shadow was cast on his deeply wrinkled face.

With every breath he exhaled, anxiety dwelt and was emitted, becoming entangled in suspicion.

His instinct saw a red warning light, but his heart as a father wanted to believe until the end.

He finally opened his lips, which were tightly shut as if turning away from the truth.

“...There is no way.”