Chapter 195
There was no reason to delay now that I had decided to betray Wang Jin-hee.
I called Wang Jin-mi. “Hmm, hmm…” I cleared my throat and waited. Her clear and melodious voice finally answered.
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Hello?
“Greetings, is this Ms. Wang Jin-mi?”
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Yes, it is. Who is this?
I lowered my voice. “My name is Baek In-hwi. Have you heard of me?”
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…
“Ms. Wang?” I called her again, and she finally responded, – Yes, Baek In-hwi, you said? I don’t think I’ve heard that name before.
Baek In-hwi primarily operated in Korea, so he wasn’t well-known in China.
I had to introduce myself. “I’m a businessman in China…”
I began listing Baek In-hwi’s achievements, emphasizing his power and influence. I continued my self-promotion for a while, then suddenly heard her yawn. – Haaaawm.
Was she bored? My pride was slightly hurt. “I’ve been rambling. Let me get straight to the point. I want to help you, Ms. Wang.”
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Help me?
“Yes, I want to be your… associate, so to speak.”
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That’s kind of you, but I’ll have to decline. Goodbye. She was about to hang up.
“The collapse of Haixin Group!”
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…
That got her attention. “You’re trying to destroy Haixin Group, aren’t you? I can help you.”
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You’re saying I’m trying to destroy Haixin Group? That’s my father’s company. Why would I do that? She paused, as if considering her response. I pressed on, pretending to know everything, “You were in love with a commoner, someone your father wouldn’t approve of. And then a suitable match from a prominent family appeared. He was the perfect son-in-law for your father, a connection he couldn’t pass up.”
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Go on.
“You were forced into a marriage you didn’t want, and it created a rift between you and your family. You must resent them deeply.” I had considered mentioning her missing ex-boyfriend, but it was a sensitive topic. I didn’t want to provoke her. “You cut ties with your family, but you didn’t give up on your revenge. You’ve been planning Haixin Group’s downfall for years. Haven’t you? I can help you. Men, money, whatever you need.”
‘How about that? My information network is impressive, isn’t it?’ It was all based on my intuition and the information I had gathered, but I was confident in my assessment. I waited for her reaction, expecting her to be at least slightly flustered. But her response was unexpected. – Are you serious?
“…Excuse me?”
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I thought you were just testing the waters, but you seem genuine.
What was she talking about? As I was trying to understand her words, she suddenly asked, – One question, Mr. Baek.
“Yes?”
And then the bombshell. – You’re not doing this on Jin-hee’s orders, are you?
I froze, my blood running cold.
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I was going to dismiss you as a nuisance, but you seem serious. Hello? Are you still there?
Only a handful of people, including Wang Jin-hee herself, knew about Baek In-hwi’s involvement in her succession battle. It was a closely guarded secret. “What… what are you talking about?”
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You’re working with Jin-hee, to make her the successor.
‘Damn it!’ I had always been meticulous, always prepared for any contingency, but this was the first time I had been caught completely off guard. ‘Where did the leak come from?!’ Cold sweat trickled down my back. – Jin-hee can only become the successor if Haixin Group survives. If you’re helping me destroy the company, aren’t you betraying her?
Haixin Group’s survival… that wasn’t important right now. I had to find the source of the leak. “…How did you know?”
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Know what?
“How did you know that I’m helping Wang Jin-hee?”
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Oh, that? Hohoho, you seem surprised.
“It was a secret. How did you find out?”
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Hehehe, why don’t we save that for later?
I suppressed my anger. “I’m asking you seriously. If you don’t tell me, I’ll withdraw my offer and report this conversation to Chairman Wang. And I’ll use everything in my power to prevent Haixin Group’s collapse.”
I was so furious that I was threatening the very person I had hoped to use as a backer. Baek In-hwi was more than just a persona to me now. The thousands of heihaizi who followed him, the schemes and machinations, they were all a part of my second life, a life hidden from the world. “My only motive is profit. I don’t care about right or wrong, clean or dirty. But I won’t let this go, not even for money. I’ll show you why people in Korea are so afraid of Baek In-hwi.”
She chuckled at my threat. – Oh, I’m so scared. Are you worried about being exposed?
“Yes, I am.”
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Then you have nothing to worry about. I’ve never even heard your voice before. I don’t know who you are.
“Then how did you know I’m helping Wang Jin-hee?”
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Hehehe, I’ll think about it if you prove your willingness to betray her.
Nothing was more important than Baek In-hwi’s secrecy, not even Haixin Group’s fate. “I promise you, I’ll betray Wang Jin-hee and help you destroy Haixin Group.”
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Good. I’ll give you an address.
“An address? What do you mean?”
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Are we going to keep talking on the phone? It’s better to meet in person. It’s a safe place. Come alone. Well, I don’t expect you to come personally, so send a trusted associate who can make decisions. I’ll tell you everything.
A trusted associate who can make decisions.
Kim Min-sik, accompanied by Yong-seok, the head of his security detail, and 30 bodyguards, arrived in China. The address Baek In-hwi had given him was a quiet village on the outskirts of Beijing.
“Hmm.” It was a rural village with dilapidated houses, none taller than two stories. “This reminds me of the first time I met CEO Baek.”
Their first meeting had also taken place in a small restaurant in a similar rural village. Outside major cities, where infrastructure was still underdeveloped, these small villages were isolated and secretive, ideal for clandestine meetings. “Have the others arrived?” he asked Yong-seok.
“Yes, 200 men are waiting outside the village.”
As one of Baek In-hwi’s closest associates, privy to his secrets, he needed maximum security. As they approached their destination, Yong-seok took something out of his briefcase and handed it to Kim Min-sik. “What’s this?”
“A bulletproof vest.”
“A b-bulletproof vest?”
“Put it on. Safety first.”
“I never thought I would have to wear one of these.” He put on the vest, and Yong-seok took out a pistol and checked it. “A gun too? CEO Baek mentioned it, but this is serious.”
Yong-seok said with an impassive expression, “It shows how seriously he’s taking this. The 200 men outside are also heavily armed.”
Park Sol, having built a secret base, wanted to ensure its security, and the easiest way was to arm his men. “Shouldn’t I have one too?” Kim Min-sik asked, looking at the pistol.
Yong-seok smiled. “You don’t need one, CEO Kim.”
“It’s dangerous. I need to be able to protect myself.”
“Don’t worry, sir. We’ll protect you.”
His words were reassuring, but the heavy security also suggested a high level of risk. “A Standing Committee member’s daughter-in-law… What’s her equivalent in Korea?”
“Think of her as the president’s daughter-in-law. China officially has a president, but it’s a collective leadership system. The president is the most powerful among the seven Standing Committee members, but the others are also incredibly influential. Wang Jin-mi is married to the son of one of them.”
Kim Min-sik sighed. “The president’s daughter-in-law… This is a big deal.” But then he smiled. “Well, I’ve challenged the Korean president before. A daughter-in-law is nothing. I’m not afraid.”
Yong-seok smiled. “That’s the spirit, sir. You’re as bold as CEO Baek.”
“Bold? It’s not about being bold, it’s about having nothing to lose. CEO Baek will take care of my family if I die. I have nothing to fear.”
“Hahaha.”
“We’re here,” the driver said, turning around.
Kim Min-sik looked out the window and whistled. “I think I see them.” Several men in black suits were guarding the entrance to a small restaurant. “Let’s go.” Just as he was about to get out, Yong-seok stopped him. “Wait. The driver will open the door for you. You’re representing CEO Baek. Behave with dignity and authority. Don’t be intimidated.”
“Alright.”
The driver opened the door, and he stepped out, striking a pose, followed by his 30 bodyguards. He approached the guards. “I have an appointment. Can I go in?”
Yong-seok translated, and they shook their heads.
“They’re saying you have to be searched,” Yong-seok said with a serious expression.
“Searched?”
Yong-seok and the bodyguards were heavily armed. They wouldn’t be able to pass a search. “This is a problem.” He stroked his chin, thinking. “Should I go in alone? You can wait outside and come in if there’s trouble. The restaurant is small, it should be fine.”
“I can’t leave your side, sir. I have strict orders from CEO Baek.”
“Ugh, what should we do?”
“Let me try talking to them.” Yong-seok approached the guards, but the conversation quickly escalated into an argument. The bodyguards’ expressions turned grim as the atmosphere grew tense. One of the guards suddenly reached inside his jacket. Some of Kim Min-sik’s bodyguards surrounded him, while the others also reached inside their jackets, ready to draw their weapons. The situation was escalating rapidly.
“What’s going on?” Kim Min-sik asked.
Yong-seok, his hand also inside his jacket, his eyes fixed on the guards, said, “They’re saying we have to be searched. And they’re being disrespectful. Sir, I think we should leave. The situation is getting dangerous.”
Kim Min-sik shook his head resolutely. “No, nothing is more important than CEO Baek’s safety. Time is of the essence.”
“But we can’t go in unarmed.”
After a moment of thought, he shouted,
“Hey! Mrs. Wang! Come out!”
Yong-seok said in alarm, “What are you doing?!”
“What do you think I’m doing? I’m calling her out. This isn’t going anywhere, so let’s have the leaders talk.”
“You might provoke them!”
He shrugged. “You’ll protect me, won’t you? I’ll just die if things go wrong. Hey! Hey!”