Shortly after the Hong Kongers announced a hostile takeover, the stock market and media were in an uproar. This morning, an emergency shareholder meeting called by the Hong Kongers was held behind closed doors in a conference room at the headquarters. While foreign companies have made friendly merger gestures in the past, an aggressive announcement was unusual. A friendly merger was often compared to an arranged marriage that respects etiquette between the two parties, while a hostile merger was compared to adultery in the guise of marriage. No parent would be happy to see their preciously-raised daughter raped and forced into a marriage with a scoundrel.
After two hours of debate, the shareholders’ meeting ended with no conclusion. The Hong Kong group left the meeting with an interpreter. The Hong Kongers were actors that Sungjae had recruited in advance. He’d trained them for over a month on everything from lines, to facial expressions and gestures as they did not know Korean. Cha Yiseok applauded their skillful performances with a glint in his eye. The Hong Kong fund’s first demand was that the incompetent CEO be fired.
“Those lowly scum, what do you think I am? Do you think I’ll be easily defeated?!”
Cha Myunghwan spat profanities and kicked his desk. He was scheduled to stay in the hospital for a while longer, but forced himself to attend. It was to show that he was already alive and well. The executives furrowed their eyebrows at his unruly behaviour as they sat around a large table with Chairman Cha, planning what to do next with dark expressions.
“I was thinking it was a happy occasion because CEO Cha was fully recovered, but what a slap…!”
“We’re not going to take this lying down either, we’ll all work together to take them down!”
The executives glared at the empty seats where the Hong Kong delegation sat. The Hong Kongers were in the heart of the enemy’s territory, and their cavalier attitude made the executives agitated. They pointed out the lack of transparency in Chairman Cha’s management succession process, the rash acquisition of a semiconductor company to shield Cha Myunghwan, and the fact that Taeryung’s valuation had plummeted and the company was in the red.
The strangers dug up the rotten and festering parts that no one would talk about. Chairman Cha placated his son, his eyes dark with defeat, and only then did Cha Myunghwan finally calm down, but his legs were shaking under the desk. Cha Myunghwan had the defense of being a patient. Chairman Cha’s arrows flew straight at Cha Yiseok.
“I told you to pull yourself together, didn’t I?”
Cha Yiseok sat at an angle and replied.
“I’ve heard rumours of Hong Kong funds buying shares in Taeryung, but I thought it was just a bunch of people trying to make a quick buck. Isn’t that the same for the Chairman? The real purpose of the Hong Kong side is to seize control and sell off the core for short-term gains. Of course, that’s their idea.”
Cha Myunghwan gritted his teeth.
“Director Cha is right. The chances of a hostile M&A succeeding in a domestic company are slim. If we can unite the internal forces, we have a much better chance of winning.”
“Of course, that depends on how loyal the internal forces are to Taeryung.”
Cha Yiseok gave a pointed look to Sungjae, his father, Director Han, and Chairman Lim. Seongjae responded to the provocation by crinkling one of his eyes.
“We have enough ‘white knights1‘ on our side. Shareholders who want to make long-term investments, companies that have done business with Taeryung, Taeryung employees, and the general public will be kicking hard because if Taeryung is split up, they’ll be like duck eggs in the Nakdong River, don’t you think, Executive Director Cha?”
This time, Sungjae was the one who provoked. Cha Yiseok retorted and arched the corner of his eye.
“The ‘Black Knight2‘ from Hong Kong side won’t be easy either. It’s enough to let your guard down once.”
Of course, his black knight is a paper company created by Sungjae, Director Han, Chairman Lim, and Chairman Cha with tax evasion money. Chairman Cha is defending and attacking with his money. He felt sorry for the old man who didn’t even notice the blood leaking from his side. Chairman Lim cleared his throat and said.
“Then let’s hear your opinion on how to deal with this.”
The air in the room grew heavy. Each person offered an opinion, but it fell on deaf ears. Cha Yiseok found it hard to focus on the stabbing pain in his temple. He felt a bit out of it recently, and he’d chalked up the broken pieces to the cat’s sleepwalking. But over the next few days, as he worked through the night, the cat slept soundly.
Occasionally, he noticed marks on the cat’s body that he hadn’t seen before, and his back hole felt different. He realized that his hunch that he was hiding something wasn’t just unnecessary concern. He rolled a piece of candy on his tongue that he had placed in the corner of his mouth earlier. The faint apple flavor lingered in his mouth and the throbbing pain in his brain gradually relaxed. Chairman Cha’s stern gaze shot through the room. Cha Yiseok twisted the corner of his mouth.
“It’s headache medicine.”
As everyone was agitated, Cha Myunghwan nervously rolled his eyes. As he faced the risk of being stripped of his position for the time being, he will even forget about the symptoms of his addiction to Yaba. Cha Myunghwan said something unexpected.
“By the way, why are you suddenly getting bodyguards? Youngjoo said she saw them at your apartment?”
He had heard that the bodyguard had reported that a woman had visited. It was a mistake not to stop her beforehand. Cha Yiseok sent him a dusty smile.
“I don’t know, maybe I’m hiding some treasure.”
The Hong Kong fund held more than a 5% stake in Taeryung, but there was still a tricky hurdle to clear before the motion to dismiss Cha Myunghwan could pass. Chairman Cha is not a man to be trifled with. Today’s extraordinary general meeting was a shake-up for Taeryung. The real battle lay ahead.
***
Cha Myunghwan stared blankly at the ceiling of his office. He was no longer dependent on needles or ventilators, but his shell of a body was barely sitting up. He rolled his dry eyes as if searching for something from earlier. Having given up on the best medical staff at home and abroad, he could not believe his ears when he heard that he had been completely cured. However, even though it was something he had never hoped for, there was no thrilling joy. Living like this only made him realize more vividly that there was no more of that scammer in this world.
His body craved the scammer’s song although someone else had saved him. He couldn’t understand this abnormal desire. Cha Myunghwan curled up and tore up the sofa with his fingernails. His head was pounding, and his limbs were cramping with chills. His father got up and picked up the phone. Only murmurs could be heard.
“… Don’t call. It’s okay… it.”
Cha Myunghwan struggled to sit upright, his father’s face flushed with worry.
“We are currently searching now.”
Cha Myunghwan his eyes shifted a beat too late. His father continued.
“The singer’s face, body type, and voice are all the same, so you should focus on your recovery.”
“… I don’t need a fake.”
“He was the fake in the first place. Why on earth are you like this? You’ve been a different person for days! What in the world…!”
Cha Myunghwan was sobered by his father’s words. His father’s anger was his greatest fear. He would do anything for him, but he knew there would be no blood or tears for him once he took his eyes off him. Cha Myunghwan bit his lip and averted his eyes. His father regained his composure.
***
“If the stock price plummets, Cha Myunghwan’s side will buy up shares to defend management rights. We’re the ones doing the manipulating, but all the arrows point to the old man and Cha Myunghwan. Once the truth comes out, the ant shareholders will attack out in droves. The presidential election has begun, and there’s nothing more appetizing to the hero wannabes than the Taeryung family’s corruption, and we’ll finish it off by blaming the old man and Cha Myunghwan for the stock price manipulation.”
Sungjae planted his butt on the couch across from Cha Yiseok.
“He’ll go to prison instead of a grave.”
“Let’s improve Cha Myunghwan’s taste for side dishes so he can enjoy his prison meal. While the old man and Cha Myunghwan are being called to the prosecution, it’s our turn to shine.”
Sungjae stroked his chin.
“If we add this stock price manipulation to Chairman Cha and CEO Cha’s fraudulent accounting and tax evasion, they’ll be hit with a double whammy: a huge fine on top of prison meal. Of course, they’ll be out of jail soon, they’re the ones with the money. We’ll have to give the media something to eat.” Sungjae said.
“Anyway, when the stock price goes down, he has to buy it, regardless of whether there is evidence left or not. In what spirit can a gentleman who has just completely recovered buy stocks?”
Cha Yiseok rubbed the back of his neck and replied.
“Is there really a need for Cha Myung-hwan himself to buy it? His aide or his wife can buy it in his name.”
“Sister-in-law? There’s no way she would secretly buy it in her husband’s name, even if I asked her to. If he finds out later and says you made her do it, you’re out of luck.”
Cha Yiseok twitched the corner of his mouth.
“Well, I’ll give it a try….”
Let’s see how far she could go for her brother-in-law.
He picked up his phone and dialed somewhere. There was a beep and a woman’s voice came over. Cha Myunghwan’s wife could only hear his breathing. After being in the hospital, the woman was afraid for herself. It seemed to have been a shocking push for the innocent antelope.
— Young master, what happened?
There was a trace of water at the end of her stiff voice. Cha Yiseok sent his candy to the other side. The sound of sucking was heard without filtering into the woman’s ear hole.
“I was thinking about a gift for my brother’s discharge, and I thought I’d ask for your help, since you know his tastes best.”
— Oh, he’s greedy for classic LPs; he’s always complaining that it’s hard to get these days because it only comes out on CD.
“I’ll have to order it right away.”
Cha Yiseok blew a breathy laugh into the woman’s ear. If a Hong Kong fund demands the removal of the CEO, it is impossible unless there is an objective justification. So from now on, he would create that objective justification.
“Isn’t the LP version too small of a gift? Let’s give him something else.”
— What is it?
“How about buying some more shares for my brother?”
He didn’t bother to beat around the bush. She wasn’t the kind of woman who would get it.
“The Hong Kong fund will demand his dismissal.”
— What? What did that person do wrong…! What happens to him then?
He could tell she was terrified.
“If he does anything wrong, he’ll be stripped of his position as CEO.”
— …….
“The Hong Kong side will be waiting for the issue of dismissal of the CEO, and even with the friendly stakes we have now, you’re at a disadvantage. Even 1% can make or break a company, and you’d better secure a stake in advance in case there’s a traitor from within.”
— So… Are you saying we should do it without him knowing? But… I don’t know what’s going on right now, but considering the time, shouldn’t I tell him?
“Since this is a surprise, let’s keep it between you and me for now.”
Cha Yiseok pushed his upper body up and spoke lowly.
“We don’t have much time to spare, because sooner or later, the Hong Kong side will hold a formal shareholders’ meeting and it will be voted on immediately. Even as you’re hesitating, the Hong Kong side is probably working hard to accumulate Taeryeong stocks.”
The woman was quiet for a while. Then her voice broke through.
— So… what can I do?
“You just need to do as I say.”
— Yes… young master.
The woman took the bait easily, and not just for her husband’s sake.
“When my brother finds out about this later, he’s going to jump for joy.”
He set up a time to meet with the woman and ended the call.
My discord server for chatting! — Link
Shortly after the Hong Kongers announced a hostile takeover, the stock market and media were in an uproar. This morning, an emergency shareholder meeting called by the Hong Kongers was held behind closed doors in a conference room at the headquarters. While foreign companies have made friendly merger gestures in the past, an aggressive announcement was unusual. A friendly merger was often compared to an arranged marriage that respects etiquette between the two parties, while a hostile merger was compared to adultery in the guise of marriage. No parent would be happy to see their preciously-raised daughter raped and forced into a marriage with a scoundrel.
After two hours of debate, the shareholders’ meeting ended with no conclusion. The Hong Kong group left the meeting with an interpreter. The Hong Kongers were actors that Sungjae had recruited in advance. He’d trained them for over a month on everything from lines, to facial expressions and gestures as they did not know Korean. Cha Yiseok applauded their skillful performances with a glint in his eye. The Hong Kong fund’s first demand was that the incompetent CEO be fired.
“Those lowly scum, what do you think I am? Do you think I’ll be easily defeated?!”
Cha Myunghwan spat profanities and kicked his desk. He was scheduled to stay in the hospital for a while longer, but forced himself to attend. It was to show that he was already alive and well. The executives furrowed their eyebrows at his unruly behaviour as they sat around a large table with Chairman Cha, planning what to do next with dark expressions.
“I was thinking it was a happy occasion because CEO Cha was fully recovered, but what a slap…!”
“We’re not going to take this lying down either, we’ll all work together to take them down!”
The executives glared at the empty seats where the Hong Kong delegation sat. The Hong Kongers were in the heart of the enemy’s territory, and their cavalier attitude made the executives agitated. They pointed out the lack of transparency in Chairman Cha’s management succession process, the rash acquisition of a semiconductor company to shield Cha Myunghwan, and the fact that Taeryung’s valuation had plummeted and the company was in the red.
The strangers dug up the rotten and festering parts that no one would talk about. Chairman Cha placated his son, his eyes dark with defeat, and only then did Cha Myunghwan finally calm down, but his legs were shaking under the desk. Cha Myunghwan had the defense of being a patient. Chairman Cha’s arrows flew straight at Cha Yiseok.
“I told you to pull yourself together, didn’t I?”
Cha Yiseok sat at an angle and replied.
“I’ve heard rumours of Hong Kong funds buying shares in Taeryung, but I thought it was just a bunch of people trying to make a quick buck. Isn’t that the same for the Chairman? The real purpose of the Hong Kong side is to seize control and sell off the core for short-term gains. Of course, that’s their idea.”
Cha Myunghwan gritted his teeth.
“Director Cha is right. The chances of a hostile M&A succeeding in a domestic company are slim. If we can unite the internal forces, we have a much better chance of winning.”
“Of course, that depends on how loyal the internal forces are to Taeryung.”
Cha Yiseok gave a pointed look to Sungjae, his father, Director Han, and Chairman Lim. Seongjae responded to the provocation by crinkling one of his eyes.
“We have enough ‘white knights1‘ on our side. Shareholders who want to make long-term investments, companies that have done business with Taeryung, Taeryung employees, and the general public will be kicking hard because if Taeryung is split up, they’ll be like duck eggs in the Nakdong River, don’t you think, Executive Director Cha?”
This time, Sungjae was the one who provoked. Cha Yiseok retorted and arched the corner of his eye.
“The ‘Black Knight2‘ from Hong Kong side won’t be easy either. It’s enough to let your guard down once.”
Of course, his black knight is a paper company created by Sungjae, Director Han, Chairman Lim, and Chairman Cha with tax evasion money. Chairman Cha is defending and attacking with his money. He felt sorry for the old man who didn’t even notice the blood leaking from his side. Chairman Lim cleared his throat and said.
“Then let’s hear your opinion on how to deal with this.”
The air in the room grew heavy. Each person offered an opinion, but it fell on deaf ears. Cha Yiseok found it hard to focus on the stabbing pain in his temple. He felt a bit out of it recently, and he’d chalked up the broken pieces to the cat’s sleepwalking. But over the next few days, as he worked through the night, the cat slept soundly.
Occasionally, he noticed marks on the cat’s body that he hadn’t seen before, and his back hole felt different. He realized that his hunch that he was hiding something wasn’t just unnecessary concern. He rolled a piece of candy on his tongue that he had placed in the corner of his mouth earlier. The faint apple flavor lingered in his mouth and the throbbing pain in his brain gradually relaxed. Chairman Cha’s stern gaze shot through the room. Cha Yiseok twisted the corner of his mouth.
“It’s headache medicine.”
As everyone was agitated, Cha Myunghwan nervously rolled his eyes. As he faced the risk of being stripped of his position for the time being, he will even forget about the symptoms of his addiction to Yaba. Cha Myunghwan said something unexpected.
“By the way, why are you suddenly getting bodyguards? Youngjoo said she saw them at your apartment?”
He had heard that the bodyguard had reported that a woman had visited. It was a mistake not to stop her beforehand. Cha Yiseok sent him a dusty smile.
“I don’t know, maybe I’m hiding some treasure.”
The Hong Kong fund held more than a 5% stake in Taeryung, but there was still a tricky hurdle to clear before the motion to dismiss Cha Myunghwan could pass. Chairman Cha is not a man to be trifled with. Today’s extraordinary general meeting was a shake-up for Taeryung. The real battle lay ahead.
***
Cha Myunghwan stared blankly at the ceiling of his office. He was no longer dependent on needles or ventilators, but his shell of a body was barely sitting up. He rolled his dry eyes as if searching for something from earlier. Having given up on the best medical staff at home and abroad, he could not believe his ears when he heard that he had been completely cured. However, even though it was something he had never hoped for, there was no thrilling joy. Living like this only made him realize more vividly that there was no more of that scammer in this world.
His body craved the scammer’s song although someone else had saved him. He couldn’t understand this abnormal desire. Cha Myunghwan curled up and tore up the sofa with his fingernails. His head was pounding, and his limbs were cramping with chills. His father got up and picked up the phone. Only murmurs could be heard.
“… Don’t call. It’s okay… it.”
Cha Myunghwan struggled to sit upright, his father’s face flushed with worry.
“We are currently searching now.”
Cha Myunghwan his eyes shifted a beat too late. His father continued.
“The singer’s face, body type, and voice are all the same, so you should focus on your recovery.”
“… I don’t need a fake.”
“He was the fake in the first place. Why on earth are you like this? You’ve been a different person for days! What in the world…!”
Cha Myunghwan was sobered by his father’s words. His father’s anger was his greatest fear. He would do anything for him, but he knew there would be no blood or tears for him once he took his eyes off him. Cha Myunghwan bit his lip and averted his eyes. His father regained his composure.
***
“If the stock price plummets, Cha Myunghwan’s side will buy up shares to defend management rights. We’re the ones doing the manipulating, but all the arrows point to the old man and Cha Myunghwan. Once the truth comes out, the ant shareholders will attack out in droves. The presidential election has begun, and there’s nothing more appetizing to the hero wannabes than the Taeryung family’s corruption, and we’ll finish it off by blaming the old man and Cha Myunghwan for the stock price manipulation.”
Sungjae planted his butt on the couch across from Cha Yiseok.
“He’ll go to prison instead of a grave.”
“Let’s improve Cha Myunghwan’s taste for side dishes so he can enjoy his prison meal. While the old man and Cha Myunghwan are being called to the prosecution, it’s our turn to shine.”
Sungjae stroked his chin.
“If we add this stock price manipulation to Chairman Cha and CEO Cha’s fraudulent accounting and tax evasion, they’ll be hit with a double whammy: a huge fine on top of prison meal. Of course, they’ll be out of jail soon, they’re the ones with the money. We’ll have to give the media something to eat.” Sungjae said.
“Anyway, when the stock price goes down, he has to buy it, regardless of whether there is evidence left or not. In what spirit can a gentleman who has just completely recovered buy stocks?”
Cha Yiseok rubbed the back of his neck and replied.
“Is there really a need for Cha Myung-hwan himself to buy it? His aide or his wife can buy it in his name.”
“Sister-in-law? There’s no way she would secretly buy it in her husband’s name, even if I asked her to. If he finds out later and says you made her do it, you’re out of luck.”
Cha Yiseok twitched the corner of his mouth.
“Well, I’ll give it a try….”
Let’s see how far she could go for her brother-in-law.
He picked up his phone and dialed somewhere. There was a beep and a woman’s voice came over. Cha Myunghwan’s wife could only hear his breathing. After being in the hospital, the woman was afraid for herself. It seemed to have been a shocking push for the innocent antelope.
— Young master, what happened?
There was a trace of water at the end of her stiff voice. Cha Yiseok sent his candy to the other side. The sound of sucking was heard without filtering into the woman’s ear hole.
“I was thinking about a gift for my brother’s discharge, and I thought I’d ask for your help, since you know his tastes best.”
— Oh, he’s greedy for classic LPs; he’s always complaining that it’s hard to get these days because it only comes out on CD.
“I’ll have to order it right away.”
Cha Yiseok blew a breathy laugh into the woman’s ear. If a Hong Kong fund demands the removal of the CEO, it is impossible unless there is an objective justification. So from now on, he would create that objective justification.
“Isn’t the LP version too small of a gift? Let’s give him something else.”
— What is it?
“How about buying some more shares for my brother?”
He didn’t bother to beat around the bush. She wasn’t the kind of woman who would get it.
“The Hong Kong fund will demand his dismissal.”
— What? What did that person do wrong…! What happens to him then?
He could tell she was terrified.
“If he does anything wrong, he’ll be stripped of his position as CEO.”
— …….
“The Hong Kong side will be waiting for the issue of dismissal of the CEO, and even with the friendly stakes we have now, you’re at a disadvantage. Even 1% can make or break a company, and you’d better secure a stake in advance in case there’s a traitor from within.”
— So… Are you saying we should do it without him knowing? But… I don’t know what’s going on right now, but considering the time, shouldn’t I tell him?
“Since this is a surprise, let’s keep it between you and me for now.”
Cha Yiseok pushed his upper body up and spoke lowly.
“We don’t have much time to spare, because sooner or later, the Hong Kong side will hold a formal shareholders’ meeting and it will be voted on immediately. Even as you’re hesitating, the Hong Kong side is probably working hard to accumulate Taeryeong stocks.”
The woman was quiet for a while. Then her voice broke through.
— So… what can I do?
“You just need to do as I say.”
— Yes… young master.
The woman took the bait easily, and not just for her husband’s sake.
“When my brother finds out about this later, he’s going to jump for joy.”
He set up a time to meet with the woman and ended the call.
My discord server for chatting! — Link
