episode_0014

The real step to soaring Bitcoin isn’t just about proper purchasing, but also about selling.

It wasn’t just about enjoying the high of buying and watching it rise; there was a need to sell at the right price and quickly move the money to another honeypot.

However, there was no need to rush.

Anyway, this was a problem that time would solve, and since I checked my money management daily, there was no great need to worry.

All I had to do was ensure that the valuable Bitcoin accumulated by the company wouldn’t leak internally.

Moreover, I still had one more ace up my sleeve.

A slightly risky, yet enormous investment using my personal assets, one that would make Bitcoin’s profits seem laughable.

Bzzzt! Bzzzt!

“Haa, really breaking my flow….”

Seeing displayed on my phone, I let out a sigh.

Among the middle-aged executives who resented me, he was one of the few who listened well and had high loyalty, but he was also a petty commoner who couldn’t stay still like a sparrow.

I wanted to chew him out for submitting an excessive number of reports related to the Bitcoin issue, but I touched the screen to answer, just in case something had happened at the company.

“What is it?”

『Boss! You need to come back to the company right away!』

“Ugh, what now?”

My true annoyance showing through.

I was in my car, about to go meet another woman after finishing work.

As I frowned deeply in annoyance, I heard a gulp from the other end of the line.

『It’s nothing else, but the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has dispatched a financial supervisor.』

“!”

As soon as I heard it, I felt that what was coming had arrived.

A supervisory agency gradually keeping an eye on this side’s movements.

Of course, it would seem strange.

Because right now, both my personal assets and the company’s assets were ballooning at an absurd rate through stocks and crypto.

Although it was a time when honey was pouring in, it must have seemed strange how I was only sucking up the delicious parts so maliciously.

In a way, it was a natural procedure.

However,

“Then Cheolsu-ssi, please go out and greet them.”

『Yes, yes?!』

“I’m busy right now. Just because an agency came to visit, there’s no real need for the company representative to meet them, is there?”

『B-but… they specifically said they wanted a personal interview with the CEO…』

“I don’t know~ I have nothing to hide and nothing to feel guilty about, so I don’t need to meet them.”

『Even so, the other party is the supervisory agency!

And talking to them, they seem to have a high position within the agency for their age. If we were to be seen in a bad light because of this matter, it could truly make things difficult for the company!』

“Haaah….”

He was truly the type who creates trouble for himself by always assuming the worst.

At most, the FSS’s means of tackling a company are fines or sanctions.

Even then, if they interfere with our work, all we have to do is complain loudly that they’re ruining a perfectly fine company that creates high-quality jobs.

It’s a simple matter of influencing civic groups to raise public outcry, and using acquaintances gained through lobbying in the media and political circles to smooth things over.

After all, it’s an agency swayed by power.

From the start, there was no dust to shake out from this side.

Because there were no circumstances indicating any illegal activities had been committed.

‘If the snowball starts rolling, it’ll be troublesome.’

Even as that thought crossed my mind, if the FSS were to latch on, they would be an annoying stray dog.

This prodigal son (referring to himself) had no political connections yet, and if they came directly to the company, they might dig in persistently.

Therefore,

“Could you perhaps take a picture of them?”

『……Huh?』

“The picture of the supervisor you said looked young. Try to take it if you can get their understanding.”

“………Ah, I understand.”

It was a strange order, but this executive knew my temper: I hated repeating myself.

Soon, the call ended, and five minutes later, a ‘Dding~♬’ message arrived, including a picture.

“…….”

I gazed down at it.

After touching it and examining every corner, I sighed.

“Turn the car around.”

“Yes.”

Annoyingly, she was beautiful.

I had no choice but to make time.

* * *

“Thank you for making the time. I am Ryu Sua, dispatched as an inspector from the Financial Supervisory Service.”

Her bright brown eyes should be described as honest and clear.

Her hair was a perfectly neat updo, not a single strand out of place.

Even her suit was neatly pressed and perfectly tailored.

In contrast to this, her necktie was tied a bit loosely, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes, as if she was swamped with work.

She gave off the impression of a busy, hard-working elite.

This woman, who looked barely in her late twenties yet had climbed to a considerably high position, was waiting quietly on the sofa in the CEO’s office.

The steam no longer rising from the tea placed before her indicated the time she had patiently waited.

“My apologies. The way back was long.”

“No, not at all. Meeting CEO Cha today made it a sufficiently worthwhile wait.”

“So, what business does the FSS have with me? To specifically come all the way to the company.”

I moved the conversation forward in one go, with no need to drag it out.

I gestured for the executive, who was buying time by serving tea, to leave, and I closed the blinds.

Once it became a perfect private room for just the two of us, the uninvited guest opened her mouth with more ease.

“It’s nothing else, but our agency has detected numerous suspicious movements in your, Cha Doyeon-ssi’s, financial transaction history and the overall activities of company.”

It was truly obvious what she would mention.

I sipped the instant coffee placed before me, then,

“What’s the conclusion?”

“I assume you already know by now.

Your capital movements are both swift and daring. Furthermore, there’s even a rumor circulating that the entire company has generated enormous profits from Bitcoin.”

“Are you saying that because I made an absurd profit in a short period, corruption is suspected?”

“…….”

A reply conveyed through silence.

I gave a faint smile.

I put down my coffee cup and leaned back comfortably on the sofa.

“So, what are you going to do about it?”

“Pardon?”

“This side legally paid taxes and even paid fees to profit through investment, so what are you going to do by suspecting us?”

“…….”

“It’s unpleasant to corner a businessman who simply made good investments. Do you have any clear evidence that I earned money illegally?”

In response to my leading question, the other party maintained a poker face.

However, no matter how seriously she acted, not a speck of dust would come out.

Because I simply ‘clicked’ and invested, knowing the future.

It was an achievement that could be accomplished with the simplicity of copying an answer sheet attached to a textbook.

Still, Supervisor Ryu Sua responded stiffly.

“Even if you, Cha Doyeon-ssi, are not involved in any illegal activities, if numbers this abnormal are recorded, our agency has no choice but to take action.”

“You won’t be satisfied unless you do it?”

“No matter how good an investment it is, such short-term results are simply unreasonable.”

She was truly stubborn.

Was it because of performance metrics, or a conviction that something would definitely come out if they investigated? Or both?

“Well… if you insist on being stubborn, I have nothing to hide, so I’ll fully cooperate.”

At that, I finally raised the white flag.

To her surprise, as the conversation progressed, Ryu Sua looked surprised.

The awkwardness of the rope being pulled sharply towards one side during a tug-of-war.

However, she soon hardened her expression, like an elite working for a public institution, and then,

“Thank you. Then—”

“Ah! In return for my cooperation, I’d like to make a personal proposal to you, Ryu Sua-ssi,”

Supervisor Ryu Sua had risen from her seat but stopped abruptly.

She was about to leave, but she listened to my proposal while standing.

With a sly smile, hands clasped together,

“How about we become close?”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s exactly as I said. Rather than becoming enemies, I meant, how about we try to become close?”

Supervisor Ryu Sua wore a vague expression, as if she had been soaked in lukewarm water, at this proposal.

“So, you still have something to hide, even now?”

Her eyes sharpened, wondering what absurd suspicion I was implying.

At that, I leisurely waved my hand.

“No, continue with your work.

Feel free to investigate whether there was insider trading, illegal kickbacks, or even a group chat where prices were manipulated or organized instructions were given.”

After drawing the line again, stating I had no connection with illegal activities,

“I merely want to become close with you, Ryu Sua-ssi.”

“Friendship with me… why?”

“Honestly, don’t you want to know? How such an absurdly daring investment succeeded? Why I’m acting so confidently?”

“!”

A fraudulent ability that knew the future, to the extent that it would be suspected of being 100% illegal.

Even if the FSS stepped in to audit, since everything was done under my direct instructions, no significant information or circumstances would be found.

But I needed people.

While talent would naturally gather if there was money, I needed trusted aides with whom I could build long-lasting connections.

Because the power of human resources is indispensable if one wants to climb to the top of the business world while managing money.

The more colleagues who can walk this path with me, while also getting a taste of the honey I produce, the better.

Especially if they are young and capable women.

Brushing off my suit jacket, I rose with Ryu Sua.

I got up from the sofa and approached even closer, close enough for my breath to reach her, and whispered.

“May I ask, Ryu Sua-ssi, do you have a family?”

“……I have a husband and a child.”

“Is that so? You still look so young, that’s surprising.

Well… in today’s world, it’s common to have a marriage and a separate lover, isn’t it?”

My words added with a loaded meaning.

Subsequently, Ryu Sua didn’t purposely pull away from my blatant overtures, pressing my body closer.

“…….”

A smirk.

Even if my reputation had somewhat plummeted, I was still the CEO of a large corporation.

I was the son of a chaebol family, and Ryu Sua must have roughly estimated the scale of my assets.

Moreover, this woman had witnessed my ability.

If the absurd profits I was about to earn weren’t due to illegal information, she would naturally be filled with intense curiosity and drool with anticipation.

Rather, I was the kind of connection she would immediately want to line up for.

Press.

“…….”

I took half a step closer, clandestinely coming right up to her face.

Since she still didn’t run away, I took it as a sign of interest and enjoyed the clandestine meeting with a woman I had just met in the private room.

“To maintain a beautiful family, financial comfort is, of course, necessary.”

“…That’s true, I suppose.”

“In this rough world, if we can share good information and both win, that would be ideal, wouldn’t it?”

Saying that, I leaned closer to her ear.

Fully inhaling the scent of the woman who revealed herself to be married, I whispered a few words into her ear.

As soon as she heard it, she foolishly closed and opened her eyes, like a goldfish silently moving its mouth.

“……………What was that?”

“Don’t even you, Supervisor-nim, know?”

“It’s the name of a stock I’ve never heard of in my life….”

“Then go back and investigate it separately.

Even if you just put in a little out of curiosity based on information you happened to hear, you wouldn’t lose anything, would you?”

“…….”

After that, I rummaged through my pocket and pulled out a business card.

I put a business card with my hotline number on it into the front pocket of her suit.

I lightly tapped her slightly protruding chest as if playfully, and smiled.

“I look forward to your call.”

Ryu Sua still had a face that showed she wasn’t convinced yet.

Then she slightly bowed her head and left.

For now, I only proceeded this far.

‘Good.

Asset growth, planting spies in rival companies to crush them, even FSS connections… I’m acquiring quite a few weapons.’

Even though I hadn’t received a definitive answer yet, I was certain Ryu Sua would return.

Because there would be no one who could resist after picking up this top-secret information.

Crisis, into opportunity.

Annoying enemy, into ally.

Grow it even bigger by rolling both capital and connections.

A smirk.

If things go according to plan, reclaiming the top spot in the business world will be laughable.

South Korea itself will become my playground.

As if to prove this, Ryu Sua’s personal contact came back soon.

It was a clean report stating that there were absolutely no problems with my personal and company investments.