Former Mastermind To Chaebol Son-in-Law

Chapter 37

This Goddamned Thing

In-hyuk stared intently at Jang Hyung-cheol, who looked doubtful.

In-hyuk had just told him to give up the company, so his reaction was only natural.

But to In-hyuk, the outcome that would follow was obvious.

He also knew exactly what choice Jang Hyung-cheol had to make if he wanted to survive.

In-hyuk let out a small sigh before answering.

"Anyone else might not, but I can do it. Of course, that is, if you trust me, sir."

"Are you, by any chance, trying to buy my company on the cheap...?"

"Of course, I'll make sure it gets sold at a fair price."

"So I heard you're in charge of M&A now. Are you making this offer with that in mind?"

In-hyuk gave a slight smile.

"I produce results, and you, sir, make money while also solving a troublesome problem. Isn't this a win-win for us both?"

"Haha... I worry whether I should trust you so easily."

"I'll go along with whatever you decide, sir."

A wrinkle formed on Jang Hyung-cheol's brow.

If In-hyuk's words were true, then Chulsan Capital didn't have much time left.

However, it felt wasteful to sell a company built up from scratch since his start as a moneylender in Busan, eventually being known as Mr. Jang of Haeundae.

Just then, an alarm rang on In-hyuk's phone—an unexpected employee appointment notification from the Taeshin Asset Management corporate app, despite it not being personnel season.

As In-hyuk checked the contents, his face hardened.

"This goddamn thing..."

At In-hyuk's sudden vulgar outburst, Jang Hyung-cheol looked puzzled.

"... Did something happen?"

"Sir, something urgent just came up, so I need to get going. And regarding what I just discussed with you, it would be best to make a quick decision."

"Y-yes, of course..."

Jang Hyung-cheol seemed completely bewildered by the sudden shift in In-hyuk's usually calm demeanor.

In-hyuk, in the meantime, went outside and got into his car. His destination was Taeshin Asset Management.

* * *

Tae Ju-ha was sitting in the CEO's office, handling some work.

At that moment, the intercom alarm went off and Heo Yu-rim, her secretary, spoke up.

Beep—

[CEO. Division Director Kang In-hyuk is here to see you.]

Since the visit wasn't scheduled, Tae Ju-ha tilted her head in curiosity.

"Ah... Please let him in."

A moment later, the door opened and In-hyuk came in and sat down.

"I just saw the appointment notice that was published earlier."

"Notice? Ah, did you come here because of the Division Director's secretary appointment?"

From the beginning, In-hyuk had no real need for someone to doggedly watch over him, as he had plenty of tasks outside his regular work.

However, he, who had refused from the start, was now suddenly issued a secretary assignment.

"That's right. I never agreed to that appointment."

"I know. But it was a directive from the higher ups. I wanted to speak with you in advance, but since it was handed down directly, I couldn't delay it."

A twitch crossed In-hyuk's brow.

"From Taeshin Trading? Did the chairman get involved?"

There were few who could issue direct orders within the group.

The first person In-hyuk thought of was Chairman Tae Gun-seung.

"No, it was Executive Vice President Tae Seok-ho of Taeshin Trading. Honestly, it's hard to see this as a gesture of goodwill, but given the group's controlling structure, I had no choice but to comply."

Most of Taeshin Asset Management's shares were held by Taeshin Trading and Tae Gun-seung.

"So you're saying you can't overturn this decision even as CEO."

"I'm sorry."

"Alright. I'll take my leave, then."

As soon as he left the CEO's office, In-hyuk pulled out his phone and checked the appointment notice again.

[Taeshin Asset Management Appointment Notice]

– Appointee: Deputy Baek Si-hwan, Taeshin Security Team 3

– Placement: Secretary to Taeshin Asset Management M&A/PEF Division Director (Manager)

– Effective Date: Sometime, 2025, mm, dd

* * *

The next day.

In-hyuk had arrived at his office and was standing before a person.

With a tidy appearance and tall height, he was the kind of person to leave a favorable impression at first sight. It was Baek Si-hwan, who had come due to the sudden appointment notice the day before.

"I'm Baek Si-hwan, assigned to assist the Division Director. I look forward to working with you."

In-hyuk glanced at him briefly, along with his résumé.

"Discharged as staff sergeant from the military logistics division of the Defense Intelligence Command, now five years with Taeshin Security. Promotion from deputy to manager with this posting. Specialities: boxing and karate."

"..."

Baek Si-hwan met In-hyuk's eyes in silence.

"Even though this is technically a promotion, you're moving from Team 3, which handled security for the main executives, to assisting a Division Director at a subsidiary that's not even a direct affiliate... Are you okay with that?"

"If I don't intend to resign, I believe I should follow the company's instructions."

His voice was emotionless and flat. Watching Baek Si-hwan, In-hyuk pictured breaking his neck hundreds of times in his mind.

Of course, as he couldn't display such feelings here, he suppressed the murderous intention threatening to burst forth.

"It seems you're quite loyal to the company."

"They pay my wages, after all."

It brought up a memory of the first time In-hyuk had met him in his previous life.

In the original timeline, Baek Si-hwan was his junior in the UID unit under the Defense Intelligence Command, later creating a connection at Taeshin Security as well.

Even then, Baek Si-hwan rarely expressed much about his disposition or opinions.

In fact, when In-hyuk was ousted after handing the Taeshin Group over to Tae Seok-ho, he'd doubted Baek Si-hwan's offer to help him.

Yet, with Baek's cooperation, he'd been able to bring down Taeshin Group and even rise as the head of Bluewall, eventually relying on him as a right-hand man.

He'd never dreamed he'd learn Baek's true intentions just before drawing his last breath...

"That's a good mindset. However, I don't take a secretary along for outside business. So, manager Baek, you'll only need to handle my schedule management here at the office."

Baek listened quietly, before expressing his first opinion.

"... But my role here is both as your assistant and your bodyguard. And not long ago, you were in an accident as well, were you not?"

The traffic accident in Andong.

And after that, standing before him now was Baek Si-hwan.

Staring at this brazen man, the corners of In-hyuk's eyes twitched very slightly.

'If Taeshin Trading sent him, then the most likely person behind this is Tae Seok-ho. That would also mean Tae Seok-ho has been involved with those guys from the beginning...'

At the same time, it was clear what his purpose was.

Having rejected Tae Seok-ho's recent proposal, it was natural that closer monitoring was deemed necessary.

"I don't need a bodyguard."

"I'm afraid it's unavoidable. Furthermore, it signifies that the Organization considers your position important..."

"I've already arranged my own security."

"... Excuse me?"

Knock, knock—

As a knock sounded at the door, In-hyuk spoke, looking that way.

"Come in."

The door opened and two stocky men entered.

They were Charybdis mercenaries Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester.

Their imposing, brawny presence made Baek Si-hwan's expression stiffen a little.

"You're here just in time. These two will be handling my personal security from now on. So, like I said, please focus solely on your office secretarial duties."

"But...!"

"This was also approved by the CEO. It's a directive from the company you belong to, so you have to follow it."

With In-hyuk's resolute answer, Baek could only close his mouth.

"Well, now that the introductions are done, go ahead and get started. In the shared folder, you'll find materials and manuals for all the tasks I've assigned, so check those first."

"... Understood."

Baek Si-hwan, still with no discernible expression, bowed silently and then left.

Once the door closed, Hong Yu-geon approached In-hyuk.

"Why did that guy get assigned to you, boss?"

"Why else? To keep watch on me."

"Was it that guy behind Daemyung who gave the order?"

Having experienced war zones themselves, they didn't believe Baek Si-hwan was the mastermind behind the Daemyung incident.

At that, Van Hester, who had been silent, spoke up.

"If he came here to spy on the boss, is it okay for us to talk like this in here?"

He was worried about bugs or hidden cameras that could have been planted.

Of course, In-hyuk hadn't ignored that possibility.

"I already checked. Even installed bug detectors."

Hong Yu-geon looked at him, impressed.

"Knew you'd be thorough. So, do we just pretend to be your bodyguards from now on?"

"Right. And when you're with me outside, make sure you never let your identities be exposed."

At first, In-hyuk had considered hiring another security team, not Charybdis.

However, with Baek Si-hwan on the scene, there was no telling how he'd try to make contact.

Rather than keep someone liable to waver nearby, it was better to have people he could trust absolutely, even if caution was needed.

"No worries there. But that guy's going to dig up our backgrounds, too... Is that alright?"

"What, are you wanted by Interpol or something?"

"Hey! Of course not. But if you look at the Daemyung job, those guys behind it aren't exactly the polite type, are they?"

"If there's trouble, just leave it to me. I'll handle it, one way or another."

At that, Hong Yu-geon frowned.

"Just what are you, boss? Even when you grabbed me last time."

He was referring to the time at Go Mi-ah's house when he'd been forced to swallow food by In-hyuk after eating some of Go Mi-ah's cookies the wrong way.

"I keep in good shape because I want to live a long life, that's all."

"Exercise does all that? Am I really supposed to believe that?"

At that, Van Hester, who'd been silent, tilted his head.

"That time... you didn't let go on purpose, did you?"

"On purpose? No way—! It was stuck like it was in a vise. I even tightened my elbow joint so you couldn't yank out my other arm."

"... It was that bad?"

Both were mercenaries, with strength and reflexes far beyond those of the average person.

Especially when caught by someone, they always had ways to escape.

Of course, Van Hester had assumed Hong Yu-geon's inability to break free from In-hyuk was just play-acting.

"You know everything about me. Orphan raised alone, Taeshin Group's son-in-law. That's all there is."

"So you, who's got Go Mi-ah and even us at your command, can also hatch all sorts of schemes behind the scenes?"

"Nothing's impossible. By the way, you're getting the stuff you dug up over to Go Mi-ah, right?"

Because, per In-hyuk's orders, Charybdis was tailing the people who'd be important in the future.

"I sent her the files on everyone we watched through yesterday... Now that I think about it, how did you know those targets would be up to shady stuff?"

The targets under surveillance were anything but ordinary.

At the timing In-hyuk indicated, strange stories and suspicious items were exchanged.

In most cases, it involved cases of boxes full of cash being loaded into car trunks.

Unless someone received such info regularly from elsewhere, there was no way of knowing.

"Just my own sources. Nothing you need to concern yourself with."

"Seriously, what are you, boss..."

"For now, just get going..."

Beep—

Just as he was getting up, the intercom sounded and Baek Si-hwan's voice came through.

[Executive Vice President Kang Do-young of KQ Group is here. He wants to see Division Director Kang In-hyuk.]

There had been no prior appointment or contact.

On top of that, it wasn't Tae Ju-ha, but himself Kang Do-young wanted to meet.

In-hyuk thought for a moment, then replied:

"Show him in."