Chapter 170: <Richest of them all>

Choi Taemin took a sip of his drink. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

“Haha, not at all. I’m glad we get a chance to clear the air. I think there has been a misunderstanding between us.”

Choi Taemin laughed at the word “misunderstanding.”

He replied, “I heard you are getting ready for the battle. You hired every lawyer in the country.”

“Haha, I need to protect myself.”

Choi Gichul drank silently. Last time, it seemed like Choi Gichul was Choi Gitae’s slave, but it appeared that Choi Taemin controlled him now. Choi Taemin placed his arm on Choi Gichul’s shoulder. Choi Gichul flinched.

Choi Taemin asked, “So you wanted to talk to Gichul about Daeyang?”

“Yes, but now that you are here, we can all discuss this together.”

“Alright. Go ahead.”

“So firstly, we need to accept the situation. I understand your dilemma, Vice president. I’m not interested in playing the blaming game.” Woosung ate a piece of sushi and continued, “How many are you thinking?”

Choi Taemin took another sip of his whiskey and asked, “Haha, I don’t understand. What do you mean?”

“Then I will have to be more specific. How many of Daeyang subsidiary companies?”

Jung Jinsup was sleeping. Choi Gichul glared at Woosung. Choi Taemin’s face hardened.

“You are asking me for my company’s subsidiaries… You want to take them?”

“Do you have any other choice? Daeyang’s sales are declining fast.”

“Daeyang is fine.”

“Come on, let’s be realistic. Your stock price is plummeting. Your performance this quarter is awful.”

“Just because you say it doesn’t make it true.”

Woosung grinned mockingly. “Haha, sir, I am Kang Woosung. My words are always true.” Woosung then suddenly turned serious.

Choi Taemin swallowed. Choi Gichul kept sighing.

Choi Taemin asked, “I can’t give you any. Can we come up with something else?”

“Then…”

Woosung glanced at Choi Gichul. He suddenly thought of something.

When Woosung hesitated, Choi Taemin encouraged him, “As long as it’s not something ridiculous, I will cooperate.”

Choi Taemin was desperate.

After a few more seconds of pause, Woosung added, “I want to create a foundation similar to FKI (Foundation of Korean Industries). I would like Choi Gichul to consign his Daeyang shares to me in good faith so I can use them to make this foundation. This agency will provide a platform for the businessmen to negotiate and work out the differences before seeking the legal route.” Woosung continued quickly, “I will, of course, provide half of the necessary funds. I will be the CEO and Choi Gichul can be the Vice president.”

When the Choi brothers looked confused, Woosung added, “Currently, FKI is useless. I want to make an agency that will work and benefit all the businessmen.”

It was not a bad deal, but consigning Choi Gichul’s shares was concerning.

Woosung explained further, “Choi Gichul has 2% of Daeyang Electronics and 15% of Daeyang Life. I realize this is a big deal, but that is why it would be great. It would represent your trust in me and this idea.”

Choi Taemin asked nervously.

“That’s it?”

“I want Choi Gichul to be part of my team. That means I want you to get rid of his bodyguards. I want my bodyguards on him.”

The reason Choi Taemin knew of this meeting was because he had people watching Choi Gichul. Choi Taemin bit his lips. Choi Gichul looked at Woosung in surprise.

Choi Gichul was like a prince imprisoned in the castle run by Choi Taemin.

It appeared Woosung knew this situation.

Woosung added quickly, “This is a better deal than giving up your subsidiaries.”

Choi Taemin glared at Choi Gichul. He suspected this was Choi Gichul’s doing, but Choi Gichul was innocent.

He explained, “Taemin, this wasn’t my idea. I have been using only the cell phone you gave me, and I am monitored 24/7 by your bodyguards. How could I plan anything like this?”

Choi Taemin relaxed. It was true. Everything Choi Gichul did was reported to him. Suddenly, Choi Taemin remembered.

Chun Gisu.

Jang Hyunho.

Choi Taemin asked, “And this will end the current troubles?”

Woosung nodded and replied, “Yes. I will drop the defamation lawsuit. I will also stop those annoying TV ads and make an official announcement that KND will not be moving its headquarter because we came to good terms with Daeyang.”

Choi Taemin took another sip. What should he do? Why was Woosung interested in Choi Gichul?

So many thoughts crossed his mind.

‘But there is no proof.’

Choi Taemin decided quickly. He suspected Woosung knew about Choi Gitae and his father’s recent demises. However, there was no proof. Testimony from Choi Gichul alone would never be enough in the court.

He replied, “Alright. Let’s do it.”

Woosung laughed. The Choi brothers couldn’t understand why Woosung looked so happy.

Woosung offered his hand to Choi Taemin. “Hahaha, good deal.” He also turned to Choi Gichul. “I hope we work well together.”

Choi Gichul shook his hand.

***

The next day.

Everything promised was done quickly and efficiently. However, despite KND’s effort, Daeyang’s controversy didn’t’ die out. It certainly lessened, especially due to the Fukushima disaster, but the investigation by the prosecutors continued. Some from Daeyang also ended up in jail. However, Chun Gisu and Jang Hyunho remained safe.

As expected, Choi Taemin wasn’t even questioned.

Woosung’s reputation was golden. He was now known as the man who forgave his enemy. Red Angle’s work in Japan also helped in promoting Woosung and his companies. The public saw Woosung as the hero.

Blue S sales and the number of Coconut users continued to increase. Many would have been happy with such a success, but Woosung remained hungry for more.

He asked Choi Gichul, “How is it going with our Korean Business Agency?”

“We recently completed the purchase of an office and are in the process of hiring.”

Woosung asked in annoyance, “Couldn’t you get things done faster? At this rate, we won’t be able to start this year.”

Choi Gichul bit his lips and answered, “Yes, sir. I will try.”

Woosung had no intention of extracting any information from Choi Gichul.

Woosung’s only goal of this relationship was to stress Choi Gichul out. Just like Choi Gichul did to him in his previous life.