Chapter 198:
-
W-What did you just say?
I responded to Wang Jin-hee’s bewildered question in a gentle and measured tone.
“I was surprised you knew I was attacking your husband’s company.”
-
That’s not what I’m asking!
Wang Jin-hee said, breathing heavily.
-
What are you doing? Why are you attacking my husband’s company?
“You know I’m not on good terms with Chairman Park of Chunha Group, don’t you?” I said with a smile. “This is just our usual quarrel. It’s just a bit more… intense this time.”
-
You call that an answer?!
Wang Jin-hee shouted,
-
Stop it! Now!
“What?” I feigned confusion. “Why should I?”
-
Why?! We’re supposed to be on the same side! I’m fighting against my brothers for the successor position, and you’re attacking my husband, my biggest supporter?! That’s not how an ally behaves!
I chuckled. “Hehehehehe.” The thrill of manipulating people, of controlling their fate… she thought she was in control, but she was just a puppet.
-
Are you laughing?! You think this is funny?!
When all this was over, she would be left with nothing but a ruined family and a shattered Haixin Group. And then, the only person she could rely on would be me, her loyal husband.
She might be inexperienced and manipulated by Wang Jin-mi, but she was a capable and intelligent woman. A valuable asset. And I was about to acquire her completely.
“I’m sorry. I just remembered something funny.”
-
Stop it, now. This is your last warning.
I responded politely, “No.”
-
…What?
“I said no.”
She wasn’t stupid. It wasn’t difficult for her to deduce the reason behind Baek In-hwi’s sudden change of heart. – Are you… betraying me?
I snapped my fingers. “Ding dong deng! Correct!”
Her voice trembled. – Who… who are you working with?
Baek In-hwi’s betrayal would be devastating for her. He was her confidant, her secret weapon, the one who had orchestrated the MG technology theft and ensured her projects’ success. If he sided with her brothers… The delicate balance of power would shift decisively against her.
– Are you… working with my brothers? Wang Hao? Wang Chen?
I paused dramatically.
“Who knows?”
She screamed.
– Tell me! Now! Her dream of becoming the successor was crumbling before her eyes.
“Calm down, you’re overreacting.”
-
Shut up! Tell me who it is!
I smirked. “Well, you might be relieved to hear this. I haven’t chosen a side within Haixin Group yet.” It wasn’t a lie. Wang Jin-mi wasn’t part of Haixin Group.
– …You’re not lying, are you? She sounded slightly relieved, the worst-case scenario averted.
– If you are…
“What will you do if I am? What can you possibly do to me?” I chuckled. “And what if I do side with your brothers?”
-
…Why? Why are you betraying me?
I smiled. “Why? Because I’m tired of investing time and money without seeing any significant returns.”
-
But if that’s the reason… She tried to persuade me to change my mind. I interrupted her. “It’s already decided. There’s no point in arguing. I’m just settling the score with your husband. You should be grateful that I’m even bothering with this petty squabble.” I smiled. “But… you should return the $400 million you borrowed to buy those worthless assets. I need the money.” It was the money I had lent her, as Baek In-hwi, to acquire the oil fields.
-
That much, so suddenly?!
“You weren’t planning to return it? I’ll give you a week. If you don’t repay the loan, I might actually side with your brothers.” She had no money of her own. She had been using my funds and Baek In-hwi’s.
-
I-I’ll send it as soon as I sell the oil fields to my brothers.
“And when will that be?”
-
I-I promise! It’ll be within a month or two! Please be patient.
“No, one week. I can’t wait any longer.”
-
Where am I supposed to get that kind of money?!
I smirked. “Your husband is rich, isn’t he? I promise you, if you return the money, I won’t side with your brothers.”
I returned home, putting on a tired and stressed expression. Wang Jin-hee was waiting for me, her face pale. “You’re home early.”
“Yes, I finished early today,” she said with a forced smile.
I feigned concern. “What’s wrong? You look unwell.”
She hesitated. “It’s nothing.”
I forced a smile, my face still expressing weariness. “You can tell me anything. We’re married, after all.” She probably wouldn’t tell me, though. From her perspective, Baek In-hwi’s attacks were just a petty act of revenge. It would be difficult for her to ask me, the person who was causing her so much trouble, for $400 million, even for a ruthless woman like her. I sighed. “I’ve been stressed lately.”
“Are you okay?” she asked, startled.
“Those attacks are becoming more frequent.” I gritted my teeth. “That Baek In-hwi… he was quiet for a while, and now he’s back. I should have crushed him completely.”
“Hmm…”
“Are you worried I won’t be able to support you because of the attacks?” I said with a confident expression, “I’m Park Sol, chairman of Chunha Group. I started from nothing and built this empire. These petty threats don’t scare me. Don’t worry.”
But she still looked worried and uncertain.
If she couldn’t repay the $400 million within a week and Baek In-hwi sided with her brothers, her dream would be over. And the only person who could lend her that much money was me, the very person Baek In-hwi was targeting. It was a catch-22. “Thank you for your concern.” I deliberately said things to make her feel guilty. And that guilt would eventually turn into unwavering trust. “I’m going to take a shower.”
When I came out of the shower, she was sitting at the table. “I… have something to tell you,” she said. “Come and sit down.”
Had she made up her mind? I sat down across from her. “What is it?”
She poured herself a glass of strong liquor. “Let’s have a drink first. I can’t say this sober.” She poured me a glass as well and then downed hers in one gulp, without even a toast. “Ugh.”
The strong liquor must have burned her throat. I took a sip. “It must be difficult to talk about.”
“It is.” She poured herself another glass and downed it.
Her cheeks flushed.
“Slowly… slowly… have some snacks…”
She continued to drink, ignoring my words, and finally, after a few more glasses, she said, slightly slurring her words,
“Park Sol…”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be honest. Can you… lend me some money?”
I smiled. “Of course, is it for a new project…?”
She interrupted me. “No, no, it’s not related to Haixin.”
“We’re partners. I’ll help you.”
She bit her lip. “It’s a large amount.” She lowered her head slightly. “How much…?”
“$400 million.”
I feigned surprise. “$400 million?”
“Yes. Is it possible?”
I pretended to consider it. “Hmm, Baek In-hwi’s attacks are costing me a fortune, but… I can probably manage it. What do you need it for?”
She lowered her head further. “I can’t tell you.” She couldn’t tell me she needed the money to repay Baek In-hwi, as Park Sol and Baek In-hwi were supposed to be enemies.
“And I can’t use… official funds.” Since it was an under-the-table deal, she needed untraceable funds. “Slush funds?” I asked. She was asking me to lend her $400 million in slush funds, a businessman’s last resort, without even telling me the reason. It was an outrageous request, even for a married couple. I said hesitantly, “That’s a bit difficult, even for me.”
She hung her head, ashamed. “I know. It’s too much to ask.” It was indeed too much to ask, borrowing $400 million in untraceable slush funds from the very person Baek In-hwi was targeting, without any explanation. “I know… how absurd this must sound…”
“You should at least tell me why you need it. Then I can consider my options.”
She closed her eyes. “Just this once… please help me. Just this once. I won’t ask again. You can think of me as a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum, I don’t care.”
I looked at her silently. A long silence followed. She stood up abruptly.
“I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. Forget about it. I shouldn’t be burdening you with my problems. You must be tired. Get some rest.”
She forced a smile and walked towards her room.
I watched her go and then said,
“$400 million, you said?”
She stopped in her tracks.
“You really need it, right?”
She nodded without turning around.
“It’s for our benefit, right?”
This time, she didn’t nod. She probably thought I, as Baek In-hwi, was trying to drain her resources. And even though she was driven by her ambition, asking for money from the very person she was harming must have weighed heavily on her conscience.
I smiled. “Alright. I’ll lend it to you. No questions asked. I trust you won’t waste it.”
I trust you, Wang Jin-hee, not your plan or your motives. That was my message. “But I’d like to know the reason next time. I have a right to know how my money is being used, don’t I? Hahaha.”
She was asking for help from the person she was harming, and that person was not only helping her but also expressing his trust in her, even teasing her.
It was a touching scene. She said softly, her back still turned to me, “Th-thank you.”
“You’re welcome. We’re partners, and…” I smiled. “…we’re also married.”
“Thank you… so much…” She entered her room without turning around.
“Did it work?”
My kindness, amplified by her guilt and her perceived betrayal by Baek In-hwi, would undoubtedly have a profound effect. And her voice had trembled slightly before she left the room. I smirked. “I’m the perfect husband, aren’t I?”