Former Mastermind To Chaebol Son-in-Law

Chapter 17

They'll Try to Water It Down, but...

After finishing the conversation, In-hyuk exited the chairman's office.

Kang Cheon-gyu, who was seated inside, stared at the closed door for a moment and then spoke to his secretary, Noh Geun-cheol.

"Could you get me the report I saw before?"

"Here it is."

A tablet was handed over.

On the screen was personal information on Kang In-hyuk, compiled by Noh Geun-cheol.

"He's an orphan whose parents are unknown and graduated from Korea University with the help of the Taeshin Education Foundation. He then joined Taeshin Trading through the open recruitment process, worked in sales for three years, and spent one year in the annex office before marrying Tae Seok-hyun's youngest daughter, Tae Ju-ha..."

Nothing out of the ordinary. This piqued Kang Cheon-gyu's curiosity even more.

"There aren't any particularly close acquaintances, and unlike his time at Taeshin Trading, he's been quiet at Taeshin Asset Management until recently showing significant results... Truly an unusual background and attitude."

Noh Geun-cheol could guess what was on his mind.

"He's been showing a lot of changes in his actions lately, which is why the investment branch has taken notice of him."

"But since he's Tae Gun-seung's grandson-in-law from Taeshin Group, people probably aren't approaching him recklessly."

KQ Group had also paid attention to the recent jump in Raisen Energy's stock price.

Since Kang In-hyuk had made results at Taeshin Asset Management, they could not help but be interested.

"We're currently trying to find a leak in the market where that information came from, but so far, there haven't been any leads."

"And his record since then is considerable, isn't it?"

"His clients aren't handling large sums, so the total amount isn't that high, but in terms of figures, he's maintained an average of about 270% returns."

"Keep monitoring Kang In-hyuk's movements."

"I'll submit regular reports."

After answering, Noh Geun-cheol left the room.

. . .

Having left KQ Group, In-hyuk went to visit Go Mi-ah's place.

In the kitchen, Go Mi-ah was shaking a frying pan, probably making something again.

"Forensics finished quicker than I thought."

"There wasn't much inside, so it went fast."

On Go Mi-ah's desk, covered with monitors, were four smartphones—the ones recovered from those who died along with Pyo Jun-woo.

The locator transmitter hidden in Pyo Jun-woo's clothes had also been collected, of course.

"Anything come up?"

"Nothing special, really. I've put it all up on the monitor, so check yourself."

In-hyuk sat down and began examining each device. Before long, he found something familiar.

"Why is this here?"

Hearing his mutter, Go Mi-ah approached, spatula in hand. The TXT file open on the screen contained a string of alphabet letters.

"What's that?"

"A double-keyword cipher."

"You mean the one where you check the content based on specific keywords?"

Go Mi-ah, familiar with such systems from computers, caught on quickly.

"That's right. Can you make a decoding program for it? Try entering the words sent and received by the smartphones as keywords first."

"The program itself isn't hard to make. But if the keywords aren't correct, I can't say how long it will take to decode."

"That's unavoidable."

In-hyuk sighed and glanced around, sensing something odd.

Even last time, he noted it—things that should obviously be decorating Go Mi-ah's room were missing.

"... Hey, do you by chance like idols?"

Go Mi-ah, punching the keyboard, was startled.

"Hm? What are you talking about? Idols?"

He knew full well who she liked and how, from his previous life.

Of course, Go Mi-ah knew nothing of In-hyuk's true identity, so she feigned innocence with a caught look.

"Y'know. That idol group called DDS. Like Ha Eun-ho from there..."

At his mutter, Go Mi-ah's head snapped back and she glared sharply at him.

"You, you...! How much have you dug up on me?"

DDS was a four-member male idol group currently renowned not just in Korea, but worldwide.

In her previous life, Go Mi-ah had been hooked on them, never missing any broadcasts related to the group even while working with In-hyuk.

He, in turn, had suffered through endless stories about them.

"If I'm working with you, shouldn't I know at least a little? And what's wrong with liking idols anyway?"

"Exactly! Right! Nothing wrong at all! But why mention that?"

In-hyuk hesitated, then continued.

"According to my information network, there's a bad event related to them brewing."

"Huh? What event? Why DDS?!"

"Prosecutors have received tips about celebrities and second/third generation chaebols using drugs—it's under investigation. DDS is among those mentioned."

Go Mi-ah's eyes went wide and she jumped up.

"What?! Drugs? Are you serious?"

"That's what I heard."

"There's no way DDS would do that! Are you sure you didn't get it wrong?!"

She truly looked like she couldn't believe it. In-hyuk scratched his nose as he spoke.

"I'm certain the investigation is ongoing. I'll need to look into the details."

"A real investigation? Geez! Should I try hacking into the prosecutors' servers?"

She was already gearing up to run a hacking program as she sat back down.

"Let's wait and see. I'll check it out some more."

"What if the press breaks the story in the meantime?!"

"They probably will, but not too long from now."

"So does that mean DDS actually took drugs?"

"Didn't you just say there's no way?"

"Of course, they didn't!"

Her face showed unwavering faith.

In truth, as she said, dDS did not do any drugs.

But in his previous life, this case drew massive attention to DDS, and even with nothing proven, one member became a target of investigation and ended up taking his own life amidst harsh public criticism.

Although later proven innocent, by then the real drug offenders got off lightly and slipped away clean.

"As I heard it, what's about to blow up is just a smokescreen. The key players are using DDS as a scapegoat to make their own escape."

"What? Those insane bastards!"

"It's obvious. People who care only about their own survival."

Go Mi-ah bristled, seemingly grasping the situation.

"Politicians or chaebols? Ugh... This won't be easy."

She coolly analyzed the situation. Still, In-hyuk could change things this time.

"There is a way to solve this..."

"Really? What do I need to do?"

"I'll need your help."

"I'll do anything! Where do I hack? Prosecutors' Office? National Intelligence Service? CIA? MI6?"

She looked ready to hack all the world's intelligence agencies.

"No need for hacking. Just make sure the articles I send you don't lose momentum."

"Articles? Not collecting evidence or anything?"

She was baffled—it was about proving her favorite idol group's innocence, yet instead of evidence, In-hyuk asked about articles.

"It's best if the investigation into DDS doesn't proceed, but that's impossible right now. So minimizing the damage is our top priority."

"What articles are these?"

"I'll send sources about the people who really deserve to be punished. Once the articles go up, push the search traffic and spread them around. Focus on media outlets other than major ones—YouTube is good, too."

Go Mi-ah tilted her head at his instructions.

"More firepower is good, but wouldn't it be better for credibility to go through the big outlets?"

Big media is more effective than minor outlets at spreading big stories, after all.

"If politicians and chaebols are involved, where do you think they'll try to control things first?"

"Ah..."

"Keep stirring things up on online communities, too, and just follow the plan I set. Everything will turn out the way you want it to."

Having finished their discussion, In-hyuk was about to head home, but Go Mi-ah suddenly rushed to the kitchen.

"I made some wasabi stir-fried anchovies as a side! Do you want some to take home?"

"No thanks. I don't eat at home."

With his answer, In-hyuk quickly walked out.

Earlier, he'd glimpsed the anchovies—they were as pale green as real wasabi.

"How could anchovies end up that color...?"

* * *

【Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Busts Major Drug Scandal! Second/third generation chaebols, politicians' children, and celebrities placed under sweeping investigation...】

【Seoul, the city of drugs? The Seoul prosecutors are probing a huge drug distribution network, launching a broad investigation of involved parties. The drugs are said to have circulated through Gangnam's R Club...】

【Economic red alert from drug scandal! Second/third generation chaebols are allegedly involved. Of them, the younger son, Mr. M, of Company M faces suspicion of drug distribution as well...】

.

.

Articles broke early in the morning.

As In-hyuk got ready for work and checked the news, a smile formed.

Normally it would have been an article about DDS being linked to drugs hitting first.

But this time, he'd twisted things so the real key figures were mentioned first.

In particular, company M was Moon Trading, and Mr. M was Moon Jae-min, who had previously picked a fight with In-hyuk at Rizeburn.

This time, he exposed it all at once, tying the incident to others involved.

"They'll try to water it down, but if we keep striking, it won't work as well."

Frankly, whether it was DDS or DDR, In-hyuk didn't much care.

He just wanted to relieve one major worry for Go Mi-ah, who would be working alongside him from now on.

Of course, he would also take this opportunity to acquire shares of companies that would temporarily stagger via AMK Partners.

After dressing, he entered the living room and ran into Tae Ju-ha, who was coming out of the master bedroom.

"You haven't left for work yet?"

"I'm heading out now. Are you leaving later than usual today?"

Since the last incident, Tae Ju-ha had gone to work early and returned late every day, seemingly pushing herself to forget that the incident had been orchestrated by someone.

"My morning meeting is scheduled for an awkward hour today."

"I see. Have a good day at work."

With a nonchalant 'sure,' In-hyuk headed toward the front door.

As he did, Tae Ju-ha called out in a hurried voice.

"In-hyuk!"

"Yes?"

"I see the plan for Team 3's additional stock operations this quarter hasn't come up yet. Is there a problem?"

In-hyuk tilted his head.

"You, the CEO, are keeping track of a single team's plan?"

Stock operation plans were processed by the Upper Office director and executives.

While CEO Tae Ju-ha certainly had authority, team 3's managed assets weren't so large as to garner her direct involvement.

"Because Team 3's performance has been the highest lately."

"I was just lucky."

"Honestly, the returns are much too high for luck. The executives are all talking about it."

Average returns exceeding 270%.

Though the operation size was small, the performance dwarfed most investments, where 50% returns were rare.

"I assume they're not saying good things."

"... You knew?"

"Even for a company, overly high returns may not always be welcomed."

Taeshin Asset Management was already split among factions.

Tae Ju-ha had just barely solidified her position with shares granted by Chairman Tae Gun-seung.

Yet inside, lines loyal to the current Chairman, Tae Gun-seung, to his heirs Tae Seok-hyun and Tae Seok-ho, and a faction loyal to former CEO Jeon Joon-seok all still remained, meaning she could never relax her guard.

"If you're aware of the complications, I'd like you to attach detailed plans for large-volume investments."

In-hyuk simply made a disinterested expression.

"I recall having set conditions."

That was, team 3's operations were to proceed without interference.

"I know. But I never expected results to be this good. Now the executives are raising concerns about possible insider trading."

A predictable reason. Even to them, In-hyuk's returns were too good to be believed.

"I have no intention of sharing my investment sources. If you'd rather forfeit company profits, then do as you please."

"..."

It clearly meant she could fire him if she wanted. Tae Ju-ha fell silent, quickly grasping his meaning.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be heading out."

With that, In-hyuk turned his back on her and left the house.