The department head cautiously tested Seo Seung-hyun’s reaction.
“But did you really not bring Manager Park with you…”
“I sent that bastard back.”
“You… sent him back? You mean you fired him?”
Seo Seung-hyun nodded dryly, and the department head jumped up.
“What about the forensic work?! He’s the only one here who can do it!”
“Does he do anything else besides reading webtoons?”
Seo Seung-hyun retorted dismissively and extended his hand towards the aluminum door panel, surrounded by an MDF partition, enclosing the “executive office.”
The opaque glass window attached to the aluminum door panel trembled as if it could shatter if given even the slightest push. Seo Seung-hyun gripped the handle and pulled the door open, revealing the scent of sweet mixed coffee and a faint fragrance of perfume.
Seo Seung-hyun smiled mischievously.
“Executive Director, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Then, without moving his narrow eyes hidden within his slightly half-closed eyelids, he swiftly shifted his gaze to the side.
“Your secretary is also here after a long time, isn’t she?”
A sleek woman dressed in a conservative dark suit. Seo Seung-hyun’s eyes briefly scanned her. It was a momentary, monotonous exploration between Alpha male instincts. Of course, it was rare for the predetermined outcome to be reversed. The secretary meekly lowered her head in response.
Seo Seung-hyun’s eyes flickered briefly. He casually walked to the center of the room and pulled out a wobbly plastic folding chair.
“Well, normally I would make small talk about the weather, but let’s not waste time today, Director Kwon.”
Kwon Shin-woo, who was sitting elegantly on the folding chair, responded with a perfectly polished smile. There was not a trace of his lips on the paper cup in front of him.
“Very well.”
Kwon nodded, and at the same time, the secretary, who had been sitting stiffly, stood up. She politely bowed her waist towards them and pushed the creaking aluminum door, exiting the room.
The quietness settled in the room, leaving only the two alphas, who had a strong bond. The incandescent light bulb flickered once. In a fleeting darkness, the two pairs of eyes expanded their pupils, absorbing light and briefly shimmering with a bluish hue.
“It looks like the bulb needs to be changed.”
“Yes, it seems so. This humble office can be embarrassing when you’re accompanying Director Kwon.”
Kwon reacted to those words. His eyes narrowed, his mouth opened, and he let out a chuckle.
“Oh no, it’s not like that. Isn’t it a splendid place? The business registration number is legitimate, taxes are properly paid, and surprisingly, the work seems to be going smoothly…”
“Yes, that’s true. I’m making an effort to never lose sight of our initial intentions.”
After saying that, Seo Seung-hyun playfully folded one corner of his eye into a wink.
Of course, that ‘initial’ didn’t mean a scrapyard disposal. Kwon Shin-woo, who knew that well, simply smiled.
For them, it was a fine start.
Seo Seung-hyun leaned back on the precarious backrest. He made up his mind to change the chair and brought up the main topic.
“What’s the matter?”
If they needed to have a conversation, there were various means. The easiest way would be their individual cell phones equipped with anti-eavesdropping devices. If they wanted to meet face-to-face, they had SH headquarters, or they could use Seoran’s Gwanghwamun office as an excuse for an external meeting. And if that wasn’t feasible, they could search for a third location under the pretext of entertainment.
Choosing the Pohang workshop was the worst option.
It wasn’t like Kwon Shin-woo didn’t understand Seo Seung-hyun’s short question.
He quietly opened his mouth.
“Sir, I arranged for a private jet to undergo inspection. It shouldn’t take long. I personally came to visit you today because of that. Anyway, after today, it will be difficult for you and me to see each other for a while.”
“So you personally arranged for the inspection…”
Seo Seung-hyun sensed vaguely that there were some little bastards sniffing around, trying to catch even a small tail and whimpering. Of course. Among the dogs infatuated with their downtown friendships, there were a few with genuine interest. Of course, there weren’t many worth for Kwon Shin-woo to personally get involved.
“Sir, next month, we will receive an audit from the automotive side.”
Seo Seung-hyun’s speculation was confirmed by Kwon Shin-woo’s words. Seo Seung-hyun’s eyes momentarily narrowed and then returned to their original state.
“Unexpectedly, right before our national holiday? Is there something bothering Chairman Park?”
“The car is just an excuse.”
“Surely you’re not avoiding me again?”
“No. It’s the Financial Supervisory Service.”
“Hmm. So the 100 billion won that Executive Director provided as a down payment is the purpose. Executive Director, how did you acquire that money?”
“It went through Panama and Gibraltar. I believe there won’t be any traceable transactions since it was money that had been in Macau for quite some time…”
In that moment, Seo Seung-hyun’s mind quickly spun. Panama. Wasn’t that where Jang Young-hee was currently located? Although it had nothing to do with the 100 billion won down payment he received from Kwon Shin-woo, it would have been more than enough to attract the attention of financial authorities and be seen as an opportunity to investigate the movements of Seoran and SH.
Switzerland, Panama, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Cayman Islands, Marshall Islands, the Caribbean.
Tax havens were just that, and financial authorities were not inept. Their surveillance was meticulous, and their tracing abilities were relentless. Large sums of money had moved through Macau, Gibraltar, and back to Panama, and shortly after that, Jang Young-hee, who was Seo Seung-hyun’s accomplice, left for Panama City. Financial authorities had been keeping a close eye on Seoran and SH’s movements even before that.
The quick calculation was complete.
Seo Seung-hyun gently folded his eye corner and smiled deeply.
“I understand roughly. I will take care of that money, so Executive Director, you don’t need to worry about it anymore. This is my job, isn’t it? By the way, is Chairman Park doing well? Can I be of any assistance?”
“That matter is our responsibility, so you don’t need to worry about the Chairman.”
Kwon Shin-woo replied with a composed face.
“More importantly, if you’re going to remove the 100 billion won, is our financial situation stable?”
“Hahaha!”
Seo Seung-hyun burst into laughter.
“That’s not something you need to worry about, Executive Director. Isn’t my job all about handling cash? Don’t worry.”
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