Former Mastermind To Chaebol Son-in-Law

Chapter 57

Manager Baek

About 20 hours later.

Kang In-hyuk had arrived at San Jose Airport in California, USA.

However, unlike before, only Baek Si-hwan was accompanying him, dragging his luggage instead of Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester.

The two had received separate instructions from In-hyuk and had headed elsewhere from the layover point at Los Angeles Airport.

Of course, no explanation was given as to why they had to move separately.

"Division director, the group head office keeps contacting us."

"I've already given instructions to the other staff, so just ignore them."

"But..."

"That matter has been entirely delegated to me by the chairman. It's not our concern what anyone else says, so let it be."

As secretary and security guard, Baek Si-hwan's expression turned awkward.

Soon, as they entered the airport's arrivals area, people holding placards came into view.

【TAESHIN, Division Director, Mr. KANG】

It was a sign looking for In-hyuk.

When he walked towards it, a blond middle-aged man who looked to be in his 50s greeted In-hyuk in English.

"Are you Division Director Kang In-hyuk from Taeshin?"

"Nice to meet you, CEO Mark Campbell."

As In-hyuk replied fluently in English, the man's face relaxed.

He had been worried about what would happen if they couldn't communicate smoothly.

"I'm sincerely pleased to meet you as well! This way, please. We have a vehicle prepared. Will you be heading straight to your accommodation?"

Mark Campbell was currently running a company called Greenbyte Labs.

However, the company's management was not in good shape, and In-hyuk had come to conduct due diligence as part of considering an investment, so he maintained a low profile.

"No, let's go straight to the company and start the due diligence. How long will it take?"

"Right now? But we're not ready yet..."

Caught off guard by In-hyuk's sudden decision, mark briefly floundered.

"Do you need to prepare for due diligence, or am I only supposed to see what you've arranged?"

"N-no, that's not it! Please come to the vehicle."

"No, we'll rent a car ourselves. Manager Baek."

Baek Si-hwan, who had been momentarily confused, quickly regained his senses.

"... Excuse me? You want me to go rent a car?"

"Is there anyone else here but you who can do it, manager Baek?"

From some point, they'd switched to Korean, so neither Mark Campbell nor the people around him could understand the conversation.

Only an Asian-looking woman, here as an interpreter, seemed to understand a bit and wore a troubled look.

"Ah... Understood. Please wait at the entrance, I'll bring a car right away. It won't take long since it's just in front."

With those words, Baek Si-hwan nodded slightly and hurried off.

In-hyuk then headed toward the airport exit with the others.

When the interpreter relayed the situation to Mark Campbell, his expression also grew troubled.

"You could use our vehicle... Did I make you uncomfortable somehow?"

"No, I was recently in a serious car accident. Since it was related to something a little dangerous, I avoid using pre-arranged vehicles."

"A car accident? Don't tell me...!"

"Someone tried to kill me. Oh, I'm not suspecting you. I'm just being a bit more careful."

Before long, Baek Si-hwan arrived out front, driving the rented car.

In-hyuk got in, and they set off.

Greenbyte Labs was only about 10 minutes away by car.

The majority of the grounds were occupied by a wide, factory-like, three-story building.

As soon as they arrived, CEO Mark Campbell approached In-hyuk.

"Would you like to check the facilities and our products in production first?"

"Sure, let's take a look right away."

As he replied, they entered the building, and a passionate explanation followed.

Baek Si-hwan followed along, taking photos where permitted and making notes as necessary.

After about two hours of touring, they finally entered the conference room.

"How did you find it?"

The question came from Mark Campbell.

From his face, it was clear he had high hopes for an investment.

"My impression isn't bad. However, since I've only seen things today, I'll need about three more days to check."

"Three days?"

Baek Si-hwan, who hadn't known about this schedule, also looked surprised. He quietly approached In-hyuk and whispered,

"Division director, there's the head office TF schedule too. Staying here another three days is a stretch."

"I told you, I've left instructions for that matter."

"But..."

"If you're that worried, you're free to go back alone."

To an observer, it might have looked like Baek Si-hwan genuinely cared about the company.

But In-hyuk knew his real motives better than anyone.

Even now, he was pretending to be concerned for In-hyuk for his own benefit.

Mark Campbell, too, opened his mouth with a worried expression.

"If you want to check for three days... Was what we showed you today not enough to earn your trust?"

They had done their best to prepare for due diligence.

Of course, In-hyuk understood everything and had listened carefully. But there was another reason for his actions.

"I understand Greenbyte Labs' main business is developing eco-friendly technology and low-power systems. So you primarily handle power converters for smart devices, lighting, and HVAC equipment."

The explanation was precise, and Mark Campbell nodded.

"That's right. You know quite a lot. As long as electronic devices don't disappear, this is a valuable business."

"I agree completely. However, CEO Mark Campbell, you have poured your funds into further increasing the existing energy savings limits through converter R&D, leading to your current management crisis."

He had pinpointed the real issue at Greenbyte Labs.

This information hadn't yet spread externally and hadn't come up in Mark's own explanations, so he was understandably shocked.

"... You knew about that?"

"There's no such thing as airtight information. I was just a little disappointed you tried to blame Greenbyte's management problems on the rise in defective rate for low-power memory and transistor production equipment."

Sweat beaded on Mark Campbell's brow.

"I'm sorry about that. With new technologies, it's so hard to nail down a development timeline..."

"If you cover up those facts and still get the investment, were you just going to pour those funds in without any countermeasures?"

"No, absolutely not! My first priority would be to use the capital to fix the problems and revamp our production lines! New R&D would have come afterward."

It was a flustered, rambling explanation.

In response, In-hyuk glanced at him and the other staff.

"The amount I'm considering for investment is $50 million, as a first round. Do you think what you've shown me so far is worth that?"

Mark Campbell exclaimed in shock.

"Fifty million dollars?! Is that real? But I thought your initial proposal was for ten million..."

Even that was a huge sum for Greenbyte Labs, and it was why Mark had been doing his utmost to impress In-hyuk.

"That's the value I placed on Greenbyte after personally seeing it. But if this is how it's going to be from the start..."

Mark's face hardened instantly.

He was reminded of past investors who promised verbally and then played games with the actual numbers.

Some had even tried to use investment talks as a way to steal Greenbyte's critical technology.

So to Mark, In-hyuk's talk felt like poison rather than honey.

"If we'd explained everything properly, would you really have invested $50 million?"

"Why? Do you not think Greenbyte is worth that much?"

"Absolutely not. But we're sick and tired of empty promises called investments. And I know it's our fault for not being clear from the beginning. But isn't it also wrong for you to test us like this, director Kang?"

It was a volley of questions rather than answers.

In-hyuk hadn't expected Mark Campbell to be completely subservient regarding the investment, either.

Of course, he also understood why Mark was reacting this way.

"I'm very interested in Greenbyte's new low-power, high-efficiency transformer project, which aims for a 90% reduction in power consumption. I'm thinking of $50 million as the first investment, and another $50 million in a second round—a total of $100 million."

That was roughly 140 billion won. Mark Campbell and his staff were dumbfounded.

And not just because of the amount.

They were equally astonished by how In-hyuk knew exactly what kind of new technology they were developing.

"How, and from where, did you find out about that?"

"My information network is pretty good. In any case, I'm highly interested in that technology. So, in the next two days, I'll check if there are any other problems before making my final investment decision. Any objections?"

Mark Campbell, brow furrowed, glanced at the executives in charge of finance, management, and technology.

Their eyes said, "Let's trust him this one time."

"What you saw today is most of what we have at Greenbyte Labs. What more do you want to see? You're not... wanting to check our technical blueprints or such, are you?"

But In-hyuk cut him off.

"I'll need the last three years' expenditure reports, financial statements, audit reports, tax return documents, debt and bond records, proof of R&D activities, defect audit reports for in-house and outsourced parts, purchase orders and approval documents for sales, import-export certificates, and all personnel evaluation documents for staff. I'll give you a separate list for other materials."

The expressions of the CEO and staff were even more shocked than when they had heard the investment figure.

"... All of that?"

"These are basic documents required for investment due diligence. I'll check thoroughly starting tomorrow, so please prepare them. And I'm not testing you here. I believe in this company's value and want a solid reason to invest."

Mark Campbell hesitated for a moment, then steeled himself.

"Understood. We'll prepare as much as possible so you can start checking tomorrow morning. Three years is a lot, so we can't get everything ready immediately."

"I'll review them in sequence. But there can't be any hidden information, like today."

"I'll keep that in mind."

With the conversation finished, In-hyuk left with Baek Si-hwan.

There was nothing more to check at Greenbyte Labs for now, so they headed straight to their accommodation.

Baek Si-hwan cautiously approached In-hyuk.

"This company has a lot of problems... You really intend to waste three days here?"

"Why? Do you think it's reckless for me to invest in this company?"

"To be honest, I don't understand. And $100 million for investment... The company will use profitability and other excuses to try and block you."

In-hyuk well understood what he was worried about.

But he was even more aware of what would unfold from here.

"I didn't bring you for your opinions, so just keep a good record of everything that happens here. Ah, and bring the car, too."

As soon as In-hyuk cut him off, Baek Si-hwan fell silent and headed to the car.

Soon, they arrived at a five-star hotel about 15 minutes away.

"I'm going to rest. You won't be needed, so do as you like."

"Aren't you going to eat?"

"I'll take care of myself."

Once in his room, In-hyuk shut the door promptly.

Baek Si-hwan sighed, then entered his own room across the hall.

After thoroughly checking the room and window for anything suspicious, he pulled out a phone hidden under the sofa by the window.

Someone had hidden it there in advance.

He turned it on naturally and called somewhere.