A Genius Speaks with Money

Chapter 79

At Lawyer Baek Yu-jin's cold tone, Choi Dong-ryeol moved his lips as if flustered, but he could not say anything as if overwhelmed by her aura.

Eventually, he moved his body and drank.

At the same time, the HJ Partners office.

Choi Seo-jun spoke as he set the documents down on the table.

“Senior Advisor Baek has reportedly finished tidying up the situation.”

I, Lim Hyunjun, quietly examined the materials and turned the pages without a word.

“There is not much left now.”

“That is true.”

“Nam Jae-heon is in prison, and Choi Dong-ryeol has also fallen into our hands. It is now only a matter of time before Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering passes over.”

Outside the window, the lights reflecting the city center were spreading beyond the glass pane.The multicolored lights reflected off the glass surfaces of high-rise buildings, making the entire city ripple like a wave of dazzling light.

I quietly turned my head and looked at the cooled teacup.

The fatigue of a long day was weighing down on my shoulders.

Nevertheless, my voice was full of energy.

“It seems President Nam Jae-heon is finished now. With Chairman Nam Kun-ho's personality, he will never put him on the front lines of management again.”

Choi Seo-jun nodded carefully and asked.

His expression was clearly tinged with curiosity.

“Then who do you think Chairman Nam has in mind as a successor?”

I lowered my head as if lost in thought for a moment.

I traced my memories while lightly pressing my temples with my fingers.

“Actually… even I do not know that.”

I slowly raised my head and looked at Seo-jun.

Looking at his expression, he seemed very curious.

However, in the future that I knew, President Nam Jae-heon continued to lead Daehan Group.

Nam Yoon-kyung and Nam Jae-min lived quietly, holding their breath in the affiliates they each managed.

I opened my mouth while making a guess.

“Looking at Vice President Nam Yoon-kyung of Daehan Oil at the last press conference, she seemed quite rational and experienced.”

Choi Seo-jun narrowed his eyes as if reminiscing and agreed.

“That is correct.”

I nodded and continued speaking again.

“She was also skillful at handling the media and adjusting the level of her remarks. I received the impression that she was a strategic yet quite rational person from before.”

I lightly tapped the table with my fingertips.

The regular sound echoed through the quiet office.

“But I still do not know what kind of person Representative Nam Jae-min is.”

My expression turned slightly dark as if somewhat troubled.

“He hardly ever appeared in official settings, and articles were rare, so it is indeed difficult to grasp what kind of person he is.”

Seo-jun asked while showing a lot of interest in my appearance.

“Then do you perhaps intend to meet him in person?”

“I suppose I should have to. Haha.”

The laughter disappeared from my eyes again and they became sharp.

“If it is a person who has endured quietly within the massive organization of Daehan Group, they will certainly possess that much capability.”

I stopped speaking for a moment and moved my gaze out the window.

“Because often, such a person is more fearsome.”

Seo-jun replied with a serious expression.

“Then I will look for a way.”

I nodded with a smile.

That smile was slightly tinged with expectation for the new future that would unfold.

“Good. But you must approach it carefully. If he knows who we are, even a meeting will be difficult.”

Choi Seo-jun nodded and immediately opened his laptop.

“In that case, a natural approach will be necessary. First, I will check Representative Nam Jae-min's schedule and movement patterns. If there is an external event or a place he visits regularly, we might be able to create a point of contact.”

I rested my chin on my hand as if lost in thought and looked out the window.

Then, I examined news articles related to Daehan Culture & Media and marriage articles about his spouse on a tablet.

There were hardly any stories about personal matters, only brief mentions related to the company.

I slowly opened my mouth.

“Hmm. As expected, nothing came up. I will only be able to judge after meeting him. Use my name too if necessary.”

“I understand.”

I narrowed my eyes and muttered.

“It will be easier to grasp if I know whether he is staying quiet on purpose or if he dislikes revealing himself.”

A little later, someone visited the office.

It was General Manager Han Seung-woo.

There were documents in his hand.

“Representative, please sign this. Also, I have something to tell you as a reference.”

I turned my head and looked at him.

General Manager Han Seung-woo carefully continued his words.

“This Friday evening, a dinner with high-ranking cultural and artistic figures hosted by the Taeseong Cultural Foundation is scheduled. Shall I put your name on the attendee list?”

My eyes flashed.

I asked while signing the documents.

“Is Representative Nam Jae-min among the attendees?”

“Yes, he is.”

I turned my head and my eyes met Choi Seo-jun's.

The two of us stopped what we were doing in delight.

“Luck is on our side. General Manager, tell them I will also attend.”

“Yes, I understand.”

General Manager Han Seung-woo answered without knowing the reason and left the office.

As soon as he left, Choi Seo-jun spoke.

“How is there timing like this?”

“I know, right.”

“Why did I not think of that? We did not even need to look for it on purpose. And for this event, one needs to have internal connections within the foundation to attend.”

Choi Seo-jun continued speaking while looking at me.

“Representative, is there a number you like?”

“Why do you ask that? Are you perhaps going to buy a lotto?”

Choi Seo-jun's eyes widened.

“How did you know that….”

I shook my head and raised both hands.

“It seems you are teasing me now.”

Laughter bloomed in the office.

Choi Seo-jun summed it up with one word in envy.

“They say luck is also a skill. So which number did you say you like, Representative?”

“Ahahaha.”

***

It was the day the dinner for high-ranking cultural and artistic figures hosted by the Taeseong Cultural Foundation was held.

The place where the dinner was held was none other than the Taeseong Hotel.

The lobby was already crowded with dozens of guests.

Artworks filling the walls and the classic interior blended with the soft lighting, creating a high-class atmosphere.

The guests were mostly filled with representatives of famous galleries, artists, and figures from the business world.

The position of Chairperson of the Taeseong Cultural Foundation was originally held by Mrs. Yoon Myeong-sook, the wife of Chairman Lim Man-seok, but it was currently being operated by the second daughter-in-law, Shin Seo-yoon.

Originally, it was recommended to the first daughter-in-law, Kang Ji-yeon, but she yielded it to her, saying that Shin Seo-yoon had majored in Western painting.

At that time, a man who caught everyone's attention appeared at the lobby entrance.

I, Lim Hyunjun, walked slowly into the lobby while dressed in a luxurious suit.

The suit, which looked custom-made, made my solid physique look even better.

My hair calmly swept back and my composed expression made me stand out even more.

The gazes of the people in the lobby focused on someone.

“Is that boy the representative of HJ Partners?”

“I heard he is only eighteen years old? Looking at his face, he does look young.”

“What kind of kid has an aura like that? He is no ordinary person.”

Everyone buzzed while looking at me.

Some sent looks of admiration, but some glanced at me with gazes mixed with jealousy.

At an age not even twenty, I was already an existence that became a hot topic in the industry.

It was enough to simultaneously evoke envy and jealousy from the people gathered in this place.

“He looks much better in person.”

“Wow! He is like an idol.”

While everyone was whispering a word each, Choi Seo-jun approached behind me.

People also swarmed toward me.

I could not even walk much before exchanging greetings and well wishes.

At that time, Choi Seo-jun led me and whispered in my ear.

“This way, Representative. I heard Representative Nam Jae-min has also just arrived.”

I nodded and looked around.

As expected, Representative Nam Jae-min was entering with his wife.

I gave a slight glance and then turned my head again.

There was no need to give a gaze that looked like I had been waiting.

Until the goal was achieved, it was better to pretend to be uninterested.

The first impression of Representative Nam Jae-min was much cleaner and more plain than I thought.

In person, he exuded a much more solid atmosphere than the photos exposed in the media.

I went inside the event venue and sat down.

I picked up the glass placed on the table and took a sip.

It was non-alcoholic champagne.

‘Something is missing.’

I had already drunk a lot of alcohol in the past.

It was not that I particularly liked alcohol, but perhaps because I was at an age where I could not drink, I felt a bit of regret every now and then for no reason.

Pledging that I would gulp down a cool beer when I became an adult, my gaze lingered on a certain spot in the event venue.

The event began with an introduction from the moderator.

Shin Seo-yoon stepped onto the platform while wearing a flashy dress.

The soft wine-colored dress harmonized with her fair skin and glowed elegantly under the lights.

Standing before the microphone, she slowly looked around and wore a gentle smile.

When Shin Seo-yoon bowed her waist, applause poured out.

“I sincerely thank everyone for gracing this occasion despite your busy schedules.”

Her confident voice filled the event venue and echoed.

“Today’s gathering is a meaningful occasion where culture and art blend together with the business world. Through this meeting, I sincerely hope that new inspiration and collaborations will follow.”

Shin Seo-yoon slowly scanned the inside of the hall and then stopped.

I, who met her eyes, wore a faint smile.

Although she did not show it, somewhat complex emotions were revealed in her gaze.

‘What did he come here for? What does he even know!’

People let out exclamations while looking at me, but Shin Seo-yoon alone struggled to hide her displeasure.

At some point, Mrs. Yoon Myeong-sook began to praise me and showed an appearance of liking me more than Hyun-woo.

The same went for her father-in-law, Chairman Lim Man-seok.

Originally, that spot belonged to her son.

Shin Seo-yoon's thought was that even if someone were to receive the spotlight, it should be Hyun-woo.

Since a child was shaking the family's board like an eyesore while suddenly showing prominence, her displeasure was beyond words.

After finishing her greeting, Shin Seo-yoon came down from the platform and walked toward the inside of the event venue.

And before long, an employee approached and tipped her off.

“Chairperson, Representative Lim Hyunjun says he would like to exchange greetings with Representative Nam Jae-min.”

Shin Seo-yoon narrowed her eyes instantly.

Her expression, which looked gentle, changed at once.

“Yes, do so.”

An unenthusiastic answer flowed out.

After that, she slowly moved her steps toward the center.

However, the people who would have been busy flattering her in the past were all surrounding me.

Those who usually acted nicely to her were out of their minds trying to hand me business cards while smiling in front of me.

I did not respond to each of their stories, but my appearance of laughing lightly occasionally felt composed instead.

Shin Seo-yoon’s eyes became sharp.

She moved her steps quickly enough for the hem of her skirt to flutter behind her, then suddenly stopped.

After letting out a sigh, she forcibly composed her expression and turned her gaze.

She happened to see the actress Go Hye-rim, the wife of Representative Nam Jae-min, who caught her eye.

Go Hye-rim, who was beautifully dressed in a white dress, was still sophisticated and beautiful.

She was still a person who suited being an artist better than being in the business world.

Shin Seo-yoon moved her steps quickly and wore a bright smile.

“Hye-rim, you are truly dazzling today as well. I did not even know you were sitting here and looking for you for a long time.”

Because she spoke while intentionally putting strength into her voice, it was enough to attract people's attention.

When she felt people approaching one by one toward where she was, she became even more excited.