abcnovels
Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Chapter 29. For Some, It’s Damn Unfortunate
MH Group Headquarters.
It was lunchtime.
A woman with golden bobbed hair, dressed in a black crop top, red pantsuit, and heels, stepped out of a taxi. She was Lillian Foster, coming to resolve the uneasy feeling she had after speaking with Myung Un-seok.
Her walk through the lobby from the entrance of the building was so captivating that she drew the attention of everyone around her.
Lillian arrived at the information desk, took off her sunglasses, and spoke in fluent Korean.
“I’m Lillian Foster. I have an appointment with Director Myung Un-seok from the Strategic Investment Planning Office.”
The receptionist stared blankly at her for a moment before quickly contacting the Strategic Investment Planning Office.
Not long after, Myung Un-seok, who was dressed more neatly and formally than usual, came down from the elevator.
“Thank you for coming. You could have called directly instead of stopping by the information desk.”
“I didn’t feel like doing that. Besides, what exactly did you want to show me by asking me to come all the way here?”
“To recruit talent like yourself, I have to show you what this company is all about. What do you think?”
With her sunglasses back on, Lillian scanned the three-story-high lobby with its open centre.
She could also see the many busy employees moving around.
“The building is massive, unlike anything in Silicon Valley. Does MH Group use the entire building?”
“That’s right. MH Group is one of the top five companies in Korea. Shall we head upstairs?”
After receiving a temporary visitor’s pass, Lillian and Myung Un-seok got on the elevator.
As they went up, Myung Un-seok explained the company. Eventually, they arrived at the 32nd floor, where he began showing her around the Strategic Investment Planning Office.
“This is where MH Group puts its full support. All strategic investment planning happens here.”
“So, it’s the foundation of the investment subsidiaries.”
“Exactly. You catch on quickly.”
“Is that section over there part of a different department?”
Lillian asked, having only seen about a quarter of the floor.
“That area belongs to the Strategic Investment Operations Office. It’s the department that executes the projects planned by our office.”
“I’ve heard that the Strategic Investment Headquarters has been performing very well lately.”
“We’re doing alright.”
Myung Un-seok showed a hint of modesty, but his expression stiffened at Lillian’s next words.
“I heard that the revenue generated by the Strategic Investment Operations Office’s independent investments is enormous.”
For a moment, Myung Un-seok’s face twitched slightly.
“…It’s more of a test project. However, it does involve high risks, and there have been quite a few problems.”
“High risk, high return. It’s a simple yet attractive principle.”
“Do you like danger?”
“I don’t dislike it.”
As they continued their conversation, they entered Myung Un-seok’s private office.
“Since this is the company headquarters, there’s not much more I can show you.”
“It wasn’t bad.”
“So, has your opinion changed from before?”
“…I still don’t find it particularly appealing.”
Lillian had seen only limited areas, so it was difficult to determine what connection Jang Man-soo had with MH Group.
“Forgive me for the intrusion, but I did some research on you. I see you studied chemical and materials engineering at Stanford University.”
“…I don’t like being investigated.”
“To recruit someone of your calibre, I had to look into it. If you’re interested, I can also arrange a position for you in MH Energy or one of our related subsidiaries.”
“You think I’m that valuable?”
At her question, Myung Un-seok smiled.
“To succeed, one must have a good eye for talent. And you, Miss Foster, are certainly someone worth scouting.”
Knock, knock—
As their conversation continued, there was a knock at the door.
It was Na Jung-hyun, the team leader of Planning Team 1.
Na Jung-hyun had met Lillian with Myung Un-seok in the U.S., so he entered with a slight nod of acknowledgment.
“What is it?”
“The Strategic Investment Operations Office has finalized its revenue report.”
For a moment, Myung Un-seok’s eyebrows furrowed deeply.
“…We have a guest. I’ll hear the details later.”
“I’m curious too. Can’t I hear it together?”
“I’m sorry, but it’s difficult to discuss departmental profits with outsiders.”
“If I were to join this company, I’d find out about it anyway. And the sales figures will be publicly disclosed later on, won’t they?”
She wasn’t wrong.
But what worried Myung Un-seok wasn’t that.
Just by looking at the uneasy expression on Na Jung-hyun’s face, he could tell what kind of report had come in.
Realizing he couldn’t avoid it, Myung Un-seok nodded at Na Jung-hyun.
“…The total number of investment stocks is 13. The confirmed net profit… is 427%.”
“427%? Is that even possible? That’s based on the total investments of the Operations Office, right?”
“No, this is the return generated solely by the team led by the Director of the Strategic Investment Operations Office and Team 3.”
At that moment, Myung Un-seok clenched his teeth.
“How could the profit be that high…?”
Baek Shin-woo had managed an investment of 5 billion won. At 427%, the profit—excluding the principal—would amount to 21.3 billion won.
Even if someone was highly skilled in the stock market, such a return was impossible, which made it even more shocking.
“…I’ll leave you now.”
“Wait. Is Director Baek Shin-woo in the office today?”
At that moment, Lillian, who had been quietly listening, flinched.
However, Myung Un-seok, seemingly unaware, waited for Na Jung-hyun’s response.
“When I stopped by the Operations Office this morning, I heard that he was visiting the hospital regarding some KITE matters and would come to work afterward.”
The fact that Baek Shin-woo was also serving as the CEO of KITE didn’t sit well with Myung Un-seok. Hearing his name again only soured his mood further.
“I understand.”
After Na Jung-hyun left, Myung Un-seok turned back to Lillian.
“In any case, the Strategic Investment Headquarters of MH Group holds endless potential for growth.”
“…By the way, the name you mentioned earlier, Baek Shin-woo, you said he’s the Director of the Strategic Investment Operations Office, right?”
This time, Myung Un-seok’s expression hardened slightly.
“Yes, Baek Shin-woo is the Director of the Strategic Investment Operations Office. Why do you ask?”
“The position of director isn’t low… Has he been with MH Group for a long time?”
Lillian had come to find out if Jang Man-soo was connected to MH Group. However, hearing the name Baek Shin-woo, who she knew as the leader of Triad Eye, left her momentarily confused.
Of course, given the position of director isn’t low, there was the possibility that it was just a coincidence that Baek Shin-woo, who had lived his entire life in combat, shared the same name.
“That’s not it, there’s some… background to this parachute situation.”
“…Background?”
After a moment of hesitation, Myung Un-seok spoke.
“It’s not a big secret; you’d find out quickly if you looked into it a little… Have you seen the recent articles about the MH Group owner family? It’s about the chairman’s illegitimate daughter.”
That was something Lillian had already confirmed under Dale Becker’s orders before LIVIO SOFT signed an investment contract with MH Group.
“I know. She’s the head of the Strategic Investment Headquarters, right?”
“Correct. And the Director of the Strategic Investment Operations Office, Baek Shin-woo, is her son. Completely out of nowhere, the headquarters director pushed him into the company using her connections.”
Lillian, who had been slightly hopeful, felt disappointed. The leader of Triad Eye, Baek Shin-woo, had been abandoned in an orphanage as a newborn, a true orphan.
“…I see. It sounds complicated. Still, wouldn’t he need some ability even as a parachute?”
“It’s not his ability that matters. It’s the person supporting him from behind. His mother is the head of the Strategic Investment Headquarters, after all.”
Myung Un-seok found it unpleasant that Lillian was showing interest in Baek Shin-woo. So, he subtly tried to undermine Baek Shin-woo while steering her interest away from him.
“I suppose that’s possible. Anyway, if there’s nothing more to discuss, may I leave now?”
Lillian’s interest in MH Group, which had been growing, rapidly waned.
“What do you think about my recruitment offer?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“I’ll send the details via email. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
“I’ll escort you to the lobby.”
Lillian exited the office with Myung Un-seok and headed toward the elevator.
A short while later, the elevator arrived on the 32nd floor, and someone inside was about to step out.
At that moment, Lillian was startled.
Standing before her was Shin-woo, the comrade she had been most eager to see since her return to the past.
Simultaneously, Myung Un-seok, standing next to Lillian, spoke as he looked at Shin-woo.
“I heard you visited the hospital to check on the injured guards. Did everything go well?”
“…More or less. But who is this next to you…?”
Shin-woo was also surprised to see Lillian but refrained from acknowledging her since he was standing next to Myung Un-seok.
“This is the person I’m trying to recruit. Today, I invited her to introduce our company.”
“I see. Good luck with that.”
“Oh, by the way, I heard about your recent profits. Quite a success… congratulations.”
His tone was slightly sarcastic.
Of course, Shin-woo picked up on that immediately.
“It wasn’t bad. By the way, I heard that your Livio Soft contract got cancelled. You might wanna try a little harder next time.”
“Hmm…”
As Shin-woo passed them and entered the office, he glanced back slightly.
He saw Lillian’s silhouette disappearing as she boarded the elevator.
‘What’s Lillian doing here? And getting scouted?’
Feeling confused, Shin-woo quickly walked toward Team 3’s office.
There, Jang Man-soo, who had finished most of his work, had his feet up on his desk while reading a fantasy novel.
“Hey, Jang Man-soo!”
“Huh? When did you get here?”
“I just saw Lillian. Did you know she was here?”
At that, Jang Man-soo also looked up in surprise.
“Lillian?! Why is she here? Where did you see her?”
“Just now, in front of the elevator on the 32nd floor. She was with Myung Un-seok. Anyway, I’m going back down.”
“I’m coming too!”
Jang Man-soo stood up immediately.
“You stay here. If this is related to Myung Un-seok, you’ll only draw attention.”
“But still…”
“With your flashy outfit, the whole staff will notice you. Just stay put.”
Lately, Jang Man-soo had been into matching flashy outfits, wearing a sparkly blue jacket, pants, tie, and a black shirt. Though it was relatively tame compared to his usual style, he still stood out more than anyone else in MH Group.
Reluctantly, Jang Man-soo sat back down, pressing his lips together.
Watching him, Shin-woo left the office.
He quickly got into the elevator and headed down to the first floor, stepping outside the building. People were moving around in all directions.
But Lillian was nowhere to be seen.
‘Could it be that Lillian didn’t return to the past like us? If she did, I thought she’d be waiting.’
He wasn’t sure what Lillian had been doing during this time.
In the original timeline, she might have had experience working with MH Group.
As various thoughts crossed his mind, Shin-woo started walking in a chosen direction.
Just then, he felt a sharp gaze piercing the back of his head.
‘From five o’clock?’
Shin-woo quickly turned to see who it was.