Episode 188
“HAHAHAHA! Well done! I honestly didn’t expect much, but such a remarkable achievement! Splendid!” My father-in-law, Chairman Wang of Haixin Group, roared with laughter.
“Hahaha, our Jin-hee is truly something. I didn’t know she had such talent, not just in academics.” He turned to me, a big smile on his face. “Do you regret not bringing her into your company?”
I smiled. “I do. I had no idea she was so capable.”
Wang Jin-hee blushed. “Father, please stop. It’s embarrassing.”
“Nonsense, nonsense. I have to brag today. None of those high-flying experts could do it, and she achieved it in just one month! It’s a remarkable feat! I’m so happy I could burst.”
He was more than satisfied with the technology, even though it was a downgraded version. It also showed the significant technological gap between Korean and Chinese companies. ‘Good thing I downgraded it.’ His smile suddenly disappeared, and he looked at his two sons, Wang Hao and Wang Chen, who were sitting next to him. “Jin-hee is working so hard for the company, and you two…!”
Wang Chen, the younger son, had recently been involved in a scandal with an actress. And Wang Hao, the elder son, when questioned by reporters about his brother’s scandal, had made an outrageous statement: “So what if my brother played with a commoner?” Their combined antics had caused a major uproar.
Haixin Group had managed to suppress the scandal, but the damage to Chairman Wang’s reputation had been significant. The two brothers, whether out of genuine remorse or simply because their father was angry, sat there with their heads bowed, silently enduring his reprimand.
And the mastermind behind this whole incident… A smirk appeared on Wang Jin-hee’s face as she sat next to me.
She had been collecting dirt on her brothers and, seizing the opportunity presented by the technology acquisition, had leaked their scandals to the media, causing their father’s disappointment. And then she had subtly presented him with the CDs containing the stolen technology.
Naturally, he was overjoyed that his daughter, whom he hadn’t expected much from, had achieved such a significant victory, while his sons were causing trouble. And Wang Hao’s “commoner” comment had only amplified the effect.
“You fools. One gets entangled with actresses, and the other makes outrageous statements. Commoner? Commoner?! Our main customers are those ‘commoners,’ you idiot! Even if you think that, you shouldn’t say it out loud! Are you out of your mind?!”
Wang Hao, who had been pretending to be contrite, raised his head slightly and mumbled, “B-but the reporters were provoking me.”
But his weak excuse only fueled his father’s anger. “That’s no excuse! A manager has to be careful with his words! And you want to be the next chairman? You make such a reckless statement just because a few reporters provoked you?!”
He lowered his head again, silenced by his father’s outburst. Chairman Wang took a deep breath to calm himself and then turned to Wang Jin-hee with a smile. “You’ve worked hard, Jin-hee.”
“It’s nothing, Father.”
“And you too, son-in-law. You helped Jin-hee, didn’t you?”
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t help her at all.”
He looked at me, surprised. He had assumed I had helped her, as she had no connections in Korea. “You didn’t help her?”
“No, I didn’t even know about this project until today.”
He looked at his daughter in disbelief. “Is that true?”
She giggled. “Yes, it was a confidential company project, I couldn’t tell him. I only told him right before we arrived today, in case he felt left out.”
He looked at her with a mixture of pride and surprise. “Such discretion… you didn’t even tell your husband?”
“It was my project, I wanted to do it on my own.”
He said with a wistful expression, “If only you were a boy…”
His words, loaded with meaning, made us all tense up.
Her brothers were alarmed that their younger sister, whom they had underestimated, had gained their father’s favor. And Wang Jin-hee and I realized that his preference for sons was still a significant obstacle. ‘So the biggest enemy isn’t her brothers, but her father.’
This battle would be decided either by her demonstrating exceptional abilities or by her brothers’ complete and utter downfall. And the easier option was… ‘…to ruin them.’
That was my specialty. I had ruined countless lives with a wave of my hand.
“You deserve a reward for this achievement. You’re the head of Sales Department 5 now, right?”
“Yes, Father.”
“Good. The deputy director position at Sales Headquarters is open. You can take it.”
Her face lit up, but her brothers were shocked.
Wang Hao, who had been pretending to be contrite, said incredulously, “Father! Deputy director?! That’s too much!”
“Silence! This is already a small reward, considering we can’t publicly acknowledge her achievement! It’s the same position, just a higher rank! Why are you making such a fuss?!”
“Are you saying Sales Department 5 and Sales Headquarters are the same? This is excessive!”
He couldn’t let this slide. Wang Jin-hee, who had gained control of Sales Department 5 despite being ostracized, was now joining Sales Headquarters, the core of the company.
Sales was the most important division. And although she was just the deputy director, her ability to consolidate power was a threat. “How about… transferring her to Sales Department 1 instead?”
Chairman Wang frowned at his eldest son’s attempt to undermine his sister. “Do you just hate seeing your sister succeed, or are you just petty? Is she going to eat you alive? You’re a director, and you’re jealous of a deputy director position?! Why are you so pathetic?!”
Wang Hao, who usually just kept quiet, couldn’t contain his anger. The thought of losing control of Sales Headquarters to his younger sister was too much to bear.
“It’s not about that! It’s about fairness! We can’t even publicly acknowledge her achievements! Think about the other employees! They’ll feel demoralized!”
Chairman Wang looked at him incredulously. “Fairness? Demoralized? You became a director in just one year! And you’re talking about fairness?!”
But Wang Hao was adamant. “I’m a man! And Jin-hee is a woman, even if she’s my sister. She said she didn’t tell her husband, but how can we be sure? She only has her husband in Korea. I’m sure she asked him for help and is now pretending she did it on her own. It doesn’t make sense for her to achieve this without his help! Be honest, tell us the truth!” He suddenly turned to me.
I said with a straight face, “I wasn’t involved.”
“Don’t lie!”
I looked at Chairman Wang. “Do you also think I was involved, Chairman?”
“Well… I thought you might have introduced her to some people or offered some advice, even if you didn’t tell her about the project itself.”
I said firmly, “Absolutely not. I’m the chairman of Chunha Group. We own Daehoo Electronics. And Daehoo Electronics is practically a rival of MG Electronics.” I smiled slightly. “Well, Daehoo’s position has weakened, but that’s not the point. What I’m saying is that I would be the last person to help someone steal technology from MG. And MG knows everything about my associates. If I had helped her, she would have failed.”
Chairman Wang listened intently, and I continued, “Daehoo Electronics was locked in a fierce battle with MG Electronics and Saseong Electronics. If you were in my position, Chairman, would you help your daughter steal technology from Huai Group?”
Huai Group was Haixin Group’s main competitor.
He frowned at the mention of Huai Group and thought for a moment. “It would be impossible. They’re watching our every move. And we’re watching theirs.”
I smiled, hearing the words I had been waiting for. “Exactly. It was possible precisely because she acted alone. If I had been involved…”
“She wouldn’t have succeeded,” he finished my sentence. He thought for a moment and then declared, “Jin-hee will be the deputy director.”
“Father!” Wang Hao protested.
But Chairman Wang said firmly, “That’s my decision. She deserves to be the director, not just the deputy director. She’s achieved something no one else could, she deserves to be rewarded.”
Wang Hao, realizing it was futile to argue, said, “Stealing some technology isn’t that big of a deal!”
Chairman Wang looked at him sternly. “Did you hear anything I just said?”
“It’s just MG! They’re second to Saseong! Their technology isn’t that valuable! Fine, I’ll steal Saseong’s technology!”
Everyone, including his younger brother, Wang Chen, who had been quietly observing the situation, stared at him, wide-eyed. “What? Saseong?”
“Yes! I’ll infiltrate Saseong!”
His father looked at him skeptically. “You’ll infiltrate Saseong?”
“Yes!” He said confidently, “If Jin-hee can do it, so can I! Those who failed before were just incompetent! I’m Wang Hao, your son! The son of the founder of Haixin Group! Trust me! I’ll redeem myself!”
He had scolded him for his lack of patience, but he was still his eldest son, his firstborn. He had always given him second chances, hoping he would eventually mature. And despite his recent mistakes, he couldn’t refuse his plea to redeem himself. His love for his eldest son was too strong. “Are you sure you can do it?”
“Yes!”
“Alright, I’ll give you the resources you need.”
“And if I succeed…” He glared at his sister and me. “…Jin-hee’s promotion will be cancelled.”
Chairman Wang frowned at his jealousy but decided to tolerate it. Maybe this was the opportunity he had been waiting for, a chance for his eldest son to finally prove himself. “Jin-hee’s promotion is final.” “But!” He interrupted his son. “If you succeed, I’ll promote you to managing director.”
Wang Hao smiled brightly and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Father!”
On our way home, Wang Jin-hee said with a disgruntled expression,
“I’m not sure about this.”
“About what?” I asked nonchalantly.
“My brother,” she grumbled. “I don’t think he can do it, he’s too stupid. But what if he actually steals Saseong’s technology?”
I chuckled. “Him? That idiot?”
“Don’t laugh, I’m serious. You never know.”
I waved my hand dismissively. “Don’t worry.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Do you know something?”
“Know something? I just learned about this project today.”
She looked apologetic. “I’m sorry about that. It was a company secret. Are you upset? I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I said ‘don’t worry’ because I know the situation in Korea.”
“What do you mean?”
I smirked. “Saseong and MG’s security is tighter than ever.”
She thought for a moment. “Ah! Are they on high alert because of us? Because we stole their technology?”
“That’s part of it.” I looked out the window at the night view. “And you know how people check their own locks after their neighbor’s house is burglarized? There’s a madman on the loose inside MG’s research lab, and the situation is escalating. Saseong must be on high alert too.”