A Joke? By Who?
While the employee went inside, In-hyuk stood in front of the entrance.
Next to him, Hong Yu-geon cast his eyes beyond the wall and spoke.
"Son unos tipos muy pacientes." ("They're surprisingly patient guys.")
He purposely spoke in Spanish so that the passersby wouldn't understand. In-hyuk casually nodded in response.
"Lo harán hasta que encuentren el punto perfecto." ("They'll keep at it until they find the perfect spot.")
He was talking about the Warborn rcenary unit that had been tailing them for so ti now.
Then Van Hester joined the conversation.
"For now, they're moving at random to cause confusion, but I'm sure they have a set deadline—they can't keep this up forever."
"That's right. If we happen to step into one of those points they've secured as our escape route, bullets will be flying imdiately, won't they?"
It wasn't just a worry, but a completely plausible expectation. Naturally, In-hyuk knew this better than anyone.
"I'm almost finished preparing too."
"By the way, you ntioned 'fight poison with poison' last ti, didn't you? What exactly is that thod?"
Ever since then, In-hyuk hadn't shown any notable movent, though they had been moving together this whole ti.
"It's not a 100% guaranteed thod, so let's wait and see how it turns out. For now, we should handle things here first."
In-hyuk pointed at the Texcellence sign hung next to the entrance.
Since the two still hadn't heard the exact reason for coming here, they simply shrugged.
Just then, a man erged from the building, striding toward them harshly.
"Kang In-hyuk—!"
A familiar voice.
It was Kang Do-young from KQ Group, whom Kang In-hyuk had clashed with several tis before.
With his appearance, Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester stepped slightly to the side.
In-hyuk looked at him approaching and spoke with a calm expression.
"I didn't think Executive Vice President Kang would be here. What's going on?"
"I should ask you the sa—why are you here?"
"I'm here on company business. Oh, by the way, I heard rumors you were demoted from KQ Distribution to a subsidiary called Fabric... Don't tell it's true?"
Kang Do-young's face contorted in displeasure. Soon, a middle-aged man who seed to be following him greeted them.
"Are you Division Director Kang In-hyuk from Taeshin Group?"
"That's right. President Park Sung-hoon, correct? I'd like to discuss the new material fiber being developed here. Do you have so ti?"
At the direct ntion of business, Kang Do-young burst in.
"That's sothing we were already discussing first!"
In-hyuk cocked his head.
"So, has Texcellence signed a contract with KQ Fabric for the use of new materials?"
Park Sung-hoon hesitated briefly, then replied.
"... No. There hasn't been any contract signed yet."
The eting they had just finished in the conference room had been about an acquisition, but given the circumstances, Park didn't ntion that and glossed over it.
"The reason I'm here is that the investnt Hong Kong SGA made in Texcellence—handled as a bond—was acquired by AMK Partners, and I've been assigned due diligence."
"You an the investnt we received has been transferred to your side?"
"I believe they sent the relevant docunts over... have you not checked?"
Park Sung-hoon glanced at another employee who had co out with him.
A female employee cautiously spoke up.
"There was an email from SGA about a week ago, and I forwarded it to the president."
"Oh, did you? Now that you ntion it, I think I saw an email in English... but I've been so busy lately..."
The disappearance of Executive Vice President Choi Jung-mook and the technology leak, plus KQ Fabric's threatening acquisition proposal—all these complications were overwhelming.
"Just in case, I brought the original and translated docunts regarding the transfer of the investnt bond as well as copies of the contracts. If you're still uncertain, you can call SGA's head office right now to verify."
"Forgive , but since this is important, could you wait inside for a bit?"
"Of course."
In-hyuk, together with Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester, started heading inside.
anwhile, Kang Do-young, quietly observing the situation, tried to grab In-hyuk's arm, only to swipe at empty air instead.
"... Huh?"
"I don't like unnecessary touching. So, why did you co here from KQ Fabric?"
"That's what I should be asking you! Investnt bond acquisition? What is that supposed to an?"
"You heard President Park and talking about it earlier, didn't you? You still don't get it?"
"So! SGA transferred Texcellence's investnt to AMK Partners as a bond, and you're the one in charge now?"
"You've sumd it up well. Should I give you a 'Good Job' stamp?"
Kang Do-young's brow furrowed severely.
"Do you really think that makes sense?! Why would they hand it to you?"
Kang Do-young was aware that Texcellence had once received investnt from a Hong Kong private equity called SGA.
About six months ago, around 3 billion won had been invested, mostly used for new material developnt.
Although SGA had collateralized unlisted shares, this had not been a significant hurdle for KQ Fabric to acquire Texcellence—the KQ Group could easily handle SGA if necessary.
But the situation had changed now that the rights had transferred to AMK Partners.
Their forr plan was essentially scrapped.
"I don't see any reason I need to explain. Besides, it looks like your business here is finished, so why not head back? No need to make others uncomfortable by loitering here."
"What? You little...!"
At that mont, Ahn Min-gi grabbed Kang Do-young's arm.
"Division Director, there are a lot of eyes around."
"So we're just going to leave this guy alone?"
"Let's go back and check the situation first. If President Park values his position, he won't make any rash moves."
He said this in a very low voice. Kang Do-young exhaled sharply, sending In-hyuk a piercing glare.
"I an it—if you play dirty this ti, I won't let it slide."
In response, In-hyuk put on an expression of complete innocence.
"Play dirty? Who?"
"I'm talking about those entertainnt companies you sold last ti! Do you know what kind of trouble I went through because of that?"
"Ah—You an the idol group drug scandals, school violence, mber bullying, power abuse, and all that? But why is that my fault? All I did was transfer the deals—I didn't do anything else."
"It was the companies you selected! None of those things ever happened at the companies you kept!"
On the contrary, the artists and albums from those retained companies had gone on to huge success, generating massive profits to this day.
"I'm no prophet. How could I have known things would turn out that way?"
"That's..."
Lost for words, Kang Do-young clenched his fists tightly, his face twisted up.
anwhile, In-hyuk's security guards approached on either side radiating an intimidating aura.
"That's enough nonsense. Like your secretary said, you should go—unless you want to embarrass yourself by picking a pointless fight."
Kang Do-young glanced at the KQ Fabric employees standing behind Ahn Min-gi.
Today, he had intended to overwhelm Texcellence's President Park Sung-hoon, force an acquisition, and seize a chance to return to the head office.
But everything unraveled as soon as In-hyuk showed up.
"Khh..."
In the end, he headed for the parking lot with Secretary Ahn Min-gi.
The other employees followed, surrounded by a tense atmosphere.
Their goal was to return and get a clear grasp on Texcellence's situation.
Watching them go, In-hyuk followed an employee into the conference room.
Before long, Park Sung-hoon returned as well.
"I checked with Hong Kong SGA, and the docunts you showed were accurate."
"I'm glad there are no issues."
"Still, may I ask what business brought you here today without an appointnt?"
There was anxiety in his eyes.
He worried that because of Choi Jung-mook's disappearance and the technology leak, AMK Partners might request return of their investnt fund.
"You don't need to worry."
"... Sorry?"
"We're aware of the allegations regarding an internal technology leak."
"Ah, that..."
"Now that an important conversation is about to take place, wouldn't it be better if the others left?"
In the conference room were Park Sung-hoon, several key executives, and a few staff mbers from Texcellence.
Everyone was on edge, not knowing what would beco of the company overnight.
"Do you an we should talk one-on-one?"
When In-hyuk nodded, Park Sung-hoon dismissed the others. Then In-hyuk spoke slowly.
"Executive Vice President Choi Jung-mook... was found dead on the outskirts of Silicon Valley."
"What? Vice President Choi is dead? Is that true?!"
"In their ti zone, it was yesterday at around 3:20 in the afternoon. He was found dead below a cliff near the observatory east of San Jose. He appears to have been shot and then fallen to his death."
"Who would do such a thing to Vice President Choi... No, more importantly, how do you know about this, Division Director Kang?"
"I heard from AMK Partners. I'm just passing the ssage along. And you can rest assured—the new material technology files that Choi Jung-mook leaked don't seem to have made it to Refiber Works."
Park Sung-hoon's eyes widened further.
"You knew everything...?"
"That's why I'm here to propose a deal."
As he answered, In-hyuk pulled out a docunt and handed it over.
"What is this?"
"I want to initiate a rger and acquisition."
Instantly, Park's expression darkened. He had just heard the sa pitch from Kang Do-young.
Since the situation was no different, he couldn't help but feel disheartened.
"Are you saying Taeshin wants to acquire us?"
In-hyuk gave a slight smile.
"No. I'm proposing that Texcellence acquire RSK. Naturally, AMK Partners would provide the necessary funds as an investnt."
Park Sung-hoon tilted his head in surprise.
"You an, us acquiring RSK? Do you really think that's possible?"
RSK, which had essentially monopolized the defense uniform business for years, was an unlisted company valued at over 1 trillion won.
Given Texcellence's experience dealing with RSK, they knew more than anyone what that ant.
It would make sense if RSK were acquiring Texcellence—not the other way around.
"AMK Partners will make it possible. What do you say? If you refuse, we'll withdraw here and now."
"So you an..."
He was asking whether they would recall the investnt fund he had been so worried about.
"The investnt fund given to Texcellence won't be touched for now. But if things continue as they are, you can guess where that will lead."
That was, being acquired by KQ Fabric.
"Could I have ti to think about this?"
It was too difficult a matter to decide imdiately. But In-hyuk firmly shook his head.
"No. This is too important—this decision must be made right now."
"But... it's too much to decide so quickly."
"Timing is everything. If we don't decide here, we'll miss the ti window for the things I have prepared. Naturally, my offer would then beco aningless."
Feeling the pressure, Park Sung-hoon swallowed hard.
He honestly thought it was still impossible, but rembering the moves AMK Partners and Taeshin Asset Managent had made like knights in news articles, he had to concede it wasn't entirely impossible.
"Well then..."
Once again, Park Sung-hoon swallowed hard and slowly opened his mouth.
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