Chapter 132 – Recruitment – Part 3

Chapter 132 – Recruitment – Part 3

Woojin slowly nodded his head.

The momentary loss of taste meant he was focusing on his left and right brain rather than his sensory nerves.

To be precise, Woojin used his left brain for analysis and mathematical manipulation.

He used his right brain for thought, space, perception, and creativity.

This was just a few moments ago, in a situation that didn’t even last a few candles.

Woojin finished the steak cleanly, acknowledging himself in this way.

He didn’t forget to take a sip of fine wine to cleanse his palate.

“It’s sweet.”

Woojin wiped his mouth and turned his head to her.

Lee Hyerim, who had been resting her chin and smiling unconsciously, looked surprised and quickly opened her mouth.

“Are you telling me to meet the Professional Manager?”

“Yes. Since there’s only one year left on the contract, wouldn’t they want to renew it?”

Lee Hyerim nodded slightly and replied.

“They’ll want to renew it. Especially since Lee Yohwan caused trouble. The executives will probably feel the same way.”

Even though Lee Yohwan was responsible for the controversy and the crime, the blame would fall on those who failed to properly assist the Shinhwa Group’s bloodline.

It was a complete transfer of responsibility.

Lee Hyerim chuckled at this thought.

Common sense doesn’t apply in this world. Not just Shinhwa Group, but all the bloodlines of owner families would be like that.

“How about making the Professional Manager your person?”

“Would that person readily take my hand?”

“It’s possible if you become someone who can instill both fear and hope.”

People generally prefer to move up, not down.

Such is human nature.

“And Hyerim, you’ve already decided to become that kind of person.”

Lee Hyerim suddenly remembered Assistant Manager Cha Juhyeok.

She had held a shot glass at the bar and said to him,

“Pour it.”

She had spoken in a commanding tone, but deep down, it bothered her.

Woojin said,

“I want you to become that kind of person. Only then will you be at ease.”

Not only can she fulfill her desire for recognition, but she can also avoid being looked down upon by her brothers as a lowly girl.

“Because I don’t want you, Hyerim, to be treated that way either.”

Lee Hyerim swept back her hair and fixed her gaze on the seats where her older sister and brother had been sitting.

She let out a deep breath and smiled faintly, turning her head to Woojin.

Lee Hyerim said, as if reaffirming her resolve once more.

“What the heck, since I’m doing it anyway, I might as well do it properly. Someone’s pushing me from behind, right?”

Woojin replied.

“At worst, it’s just the original investment.”

“I’m used to being completely ignored anyway.”

“There’s nowhere to fall, either.”

“There’s nowhere to go back to.”

“Rather than doing nothing at all,”

“It’s not bad to try heading once.”

“Hyerim.”

“Yes?”

“How about we meet Young Master Lee Yohwan first?”

***

Lee Hyerim, after parting ways with Woojin, was sitting opposite Lee Yohwan.

It was Lee Yohwan who spoke first.

“What brings you here?”

“Is it unnatural for a younger sibling to visit her older brother?”

Lee Yohwan chuckled.

“Oh my! I completely misjudged this! I didn’t mention that you’re the first family member to visit me. This… I should take a commemorative photo or something. Shall we take one? Huh?”

Lee Hyerim spat out a short remark.

“Do you have a victim mentality?”

At those words, Lee Yohwan’s expression, which had been lighthearted, hardened.

“You…”

“It doesn’t matter what you think of me. But I’m the one who found the original scandal article and stopped the press, Big Brother.”

Woojin pretended to stop the article on purpose.

That way, it would create an opportunity for Father to see Lee Hyerim differently.

While establishing Lee Hyerim’s position, he threw Lee Yohwan, who could have been a competitor, to the police.

But that’s that, and he hasn’t used it yet.

Lee Yohwan chuckled.

“Did you come here to hear ‘thank you’? I already said it in front of Father, ‘thank you.’ But the result is….”

Lee Yohwan lightly raised both hands to his shoulders.

“This is what it looks like.”

“You being caught for drugs is another matter.”

Lee Yohwan crossed his arms and leaned back deeply against the chair.

“So why are you here? Did you come to take over?”

“I hope you don’t think that way too much. Aren’t you the one who brought the situation to this point, Big Brother?”

“Let’s say that’s true.”

“The important thing is why you’re here, Big Brother.”

Lee Yohwan uncrossed his arms, moved his back from the chair, and leaned his upper body towards Lee Hyerim.

“Are you saying you have a hunch?”

Lee Hyerim almost chuckled.

This is how the blood relatives of Shinhwa Group are.

Even if they make a mistake, it’s not their fault. They think it’s wrong because of someone’s scheme and ulterior motives.

The idea that they would collapse if they lost to that plot seemed to be ingrained in their DNA.

Of course, she also has Shinhwa Group’s blood flowing through her.

So she decided to do the same.

“I know you’ve been secretly collecting hotel shares under a borrowed name, Big Brother.”

Lee Yohwan’s expression instantly soured.

“Chief Choi said that!?”

It was Cha Juhyeok from SH Strategy who told him.

“It doesn’t seem important who leaked it. What’s important is who has as much interest in the hotel as you, oppa.”

Suddenly, Lee Yohwan gnashed his teeth.

“Lee Siyoung…”

Lee Siyoung always talked about the hotel, hotel, hotel, in front of the Chairman of Shinhwa Group, his grandfather.

Seeing her act so cute, it felt so infuriating…

Of course, she also had a small stake in the hotel.

Because of this, Lee Yohwan and Lee Siyoung’s relationship could not be good.

They smiled at each other, but there was always an invisible, sharp blade in their eyes.

“I’ve thought about it. If you get arrested, will those shares under a borrowed name safely stay where they are? I don’t know whose name they’re under, but I know you used a borrowed name, so wouldn’t others know? I think they would, especially someone who has a lot of interest in the hotel.”

Lee Yohwan closed his eyes tightly and muttered a curse.

“Fuck…”

If he really ended up in jail, there’s no telling what would happen to those borrowed-name shares during that time.

While he was confined, they would either sweet-talk him or thoroughly blackmail him to recruit him.

It was a stake he had subtly and gradually acquired, walking a tightrope with embezzlement.

The thought that it could just disappear made him want to rush out of there immediately, grab Lee Siyoung by the collar, and shout.

Asking if this was her doing.

Just then, Lee Hyerim stood up from her seat.

“I thought it would be better for you to know than not to know, oppa. I’m done talking, so I’ll be going now. Make sure to eat well, even if you don’t have an appetite.”

Lee Hyerim turned around and left.

Just then, Lee Yohwan’s voice stopped her.

“Hyerim, I think I need your help.”

After their father apologized to the press, the lawyers’ words took an ominous turn.

‘There is not only evidence, but also too many statements and witnesses. Furthermore, there’s a very high possibility that the prosecutor in charge will link it to assault resulting in death or injury…’

I thought I might actually go to prison, even if my sentence was reduced, after hearing the story.

If Father’s influence wasn’t at play, it really could happen.

And Father was the kind of person who would easily stand by, considering his own position.

At that moment, Lee Hyerim turned around again and looked at Lee Yohwan.

“Me?”

It was as if the words ‘Why?’ were written on her face.

“Hyerim, for the first and last time, your older brother has a favor to ask.”

“What favor?”

“Bribe them generously. So much that they can’t utter a single word.”

“Brother, I looked into it, and the prosecutor in charge is rumored to be a relentless hothead. He’s very ambitious about entering politics, so he’ll try to use the media to keep you from escaping.”

Bang!

Lee Yohwan slammed the table and shouted.

“So pressure that bastard! Meet his superior and recruit him! Those who are leeching off our group…”

As Lee Hyerim’s brows furrowed slightly, Lee Yohwan ran his hand through his hair and changed his expression.

“Sorry, sorry, I’m sorry, Hyerim. I shouldn’t be angry at you.”

Not a single person had visited him until now.

To Lee Yohwan, Lee Hyerim was a straw to grasp. No, she could be a lifeline.

“It’s okay. I understand.”

“Hyerim, if you just help your brother one time…”

“What power do I have…”

“You’re better off than me, stuck in here.”

“Brother, I don’t have any shares or anything. What can I do?”

Lee Yohwan frowned as if he had a headache.

He soon rubbed his forehead and spoke.

“30%! I’ll give you 30% of my hotel shares! You’re the only one who can help me now. We’re family! We have to help each other!”

It was better than Lee Siyoung taking action and evaporating like a mirage. Also, even if he gave a small portion of his shares to Lee Hyerim, who has nothing, she wouldn’t be able to do anything.

More importantly, the higher-ups in the Prosecution would only meet with Lee Hyerim if she had a significant enough stake.

Lee Hyerim sighed deeply and opened her mouth.

“Brother, Father…”

“40%! I’ll save your face. 40% of the 2 million shares you hold is over 50 billion won. 50 billion! Hyerim, you know it’s not easy to hold shares even if you have money, don’t you? You have to be mindful of everyone, huh? Even if you act against Father’s wishes, it’s over with just one scolding. Don’t you trust your brother? Huh?”

As Lee Hyerim showed signs of hesitation, Lee Yohwan said as if to drive a nail in.

“For now, I’ll transfer 50% immediately. Let me borrow your cell phone.”

Lee Yohwan snatched the cell phone from Lee Hyerim’s hand.

And he made a call somewhere.

“Managing Director Kim, it’s me. Right now, the hotel shares…”

Lee Yohwan shouted loudly, conveyed his message, and hung up the phone.

“You know Managing Director Kim of SH Construction, right? I’ve talked to him, so all you have to do is meet him tomorrow morning. Then Managing Director Kim will take care of it.”

Lee Hyerim ran her hand through her hair and sighed.

“I don’t know if this is okay, really…”

“Hyerim, it’s just between family. Huh?”

“Ha… Alright. I’ll try my best.”

Only then did Lee Yohwan’s expression brighten.

“Good. Thank you. Hahaha! I’m getting a bit hungry now. Hyerim, your brother is counting on you. Got it?”

“I’m going to be busy.”

“People should live busy lives.”

“I’ll get going.”

“Oh, alright! Hyerim, please!”

“Make sure to eat well. You’ve gotten thinner.”

Lee Hyerim, who had stepped outside, looked back at the door she had just exited.

Suddenly, Woojin’s words came to mind.

It will be so.

There was not a single error.

It was like watching a mouse moving around in a jar.

The attitude towards him also changed in an instant.

The sound of Lee Hyerim’s high heels echoed faintly in the hallway as she walked.

She checked the number Lee Yohwan had dialed on his cellphone, then made the call.

Hello, this is Lee Hyerim.

Click. Clack. Click.

***

Woojin, in Deputy Department Head Kim Cheolung’s office, was reviewing case files as usual.

Prosecutor Kim Cheolung was away, and although there was an Investigator, he didn’t stop Woojin’s actions.

This was because Kim Cheolung had also given permission, and the Investigator was accustomed to Woojin’s behavior.

And well, the way he lightly flipped through the documents, it seemed like he wasn’t even properly looking at them.

The Investigator suddenly asked,

Have you been somewhere nice?

His attire had changed from before.

He was dressed to the nines and looked incredibly luxurious.

I just had a meal.

You must have eaten at a nice place.

Steak.

Steak is ve~ry good.

Can I have a candy?

Of course.

There’s no red ginseng flavor?

Woojin picked up a candy from the basket.

Just then, Kim Cheolung entered the office.

Woojin, who had rolled the candy in his mouth, spoke.

“Prosecutor, the game has begun.”