CH439 | Heir

Russ, the chairman of Novo Nordisk, visited Korea.

Since the matter was related to Centurion rather than the Taewoo Group, we welcomed him at Centurion’s headquarters.

“It’s a pleasure to see you in Korea. If you had contacted me, I would have gone to Denmark myself. My apologies.”

“How much longer do I have left to live? The older I get, the more impatient I become. Besides, dragging out this matter will only bring huge losses to both sides, won’t it?”

Losses if things are delayed?

In truth, neither the Taewoo Group nor Centurion stood to lose much.

Although they had been embroiled in gossip due to the lawsuit over Yugobin’s shares, the controversy worked as free publicity. Sales had actually increased.

“First of all, let me express my regret. Taewoo Group and Centurion do not agree with the lawsuit filed by Novo Nordisk. We paid a huge sum to acquire the technology for diabetes treatment. Furthermore, the contract clearly states that all rights to any new drug developed from that technology belong to Taewoo Group and Centurion.”

“But wasn’t the contract fraudulent to begin with! Director Eriksen has confessed. He admitted that there was external pressure behind the sale of Yugobin’s technology.”

Who was Director Eriksen again?

Ah, I remembered. He was Novo Nordisk’s sales director who had been persuaded by David.

Thanks to his cooperation, we had been able to cheaply purchase all rights to Yugobin’s technology with little resistance.

“And what exactly is wrong with persuading Director Eriksen? Novo Nordisk had already decided to halt research on the diabetes treatment. They were about to discontinue the project and dispose of all data. We merely stepped in, acquired the technology, and developed it into what became Yugobin’s breakthrough.”

“There are also allegations that you deliberately corrupted the research results using artificial intelligence.”

“Taewoo Group’s AI system ranks among the best in the world. If results were corrupted, it would only be because unauthorized individuals accessed and tampered with the AI.”

In short, it was all Novo Nordisk’s responsibility.

What was so wrong about persuading Director Eriksen?

It was not a crime to argue that a diabetes treatment on the verge of being scrapped should instead be sold.

There might be legal points to argue over, but the ones who signed the contract were not Director Eriksen—it was Novo Nordisk’s management and Chairman Russ himself.

And as for the matter of artificial intelligence…

If Novo Nordisk hadn’t been so greedy with AI, the results would never have been compromised in the first place.

“As for the matter of artificial intelligence, I will offer my apology. A bit of greed led to trouble.”

“Then, does it end simply if I apologize too? Should I just say, ‘Sorry for buying the technology Novo Nordisk threw away and turning it into a new drug’?”

“Chairman Kim! Must you respond so negatively when I’ve already spoken this far? You know very well that most of Yugobin’s technology was originally developed by Novo Nordisk!”

Had this been before my regression, he would have been right.

Back then, Novo Nordisk had indeed created the diet treatment drug in its entirety.

But in this life, Taewoo Group and Centurion had contributed significantly. I could no longer agree that most of the technology belonged to Novo Nordisk.

“Taewoo Group and Centurion also developed a substantial portion of the technology. And we paid a rightful price for what we purchased. Unlike Novo Nordisk, we didn’t seize the technology without spending a single penny.”

“For that, I’ll extend my apology once more. But for the sake of the researchers who dedicated themselves to developing the diabetes treatment, Novo Nordisk must be acknowledged with at least a partial stake in Yugobin.”

Chairman Russ made his demand for shares with striking boldness.

It wasn’t that I couldn’t understand his position.

He believed their technological efforts had created Yugobin, so naturally he was speaking this way.

But after signing the contract and receiving full payment, raising such demands was unacceptable.

“If you wish to claim ownership of shares, then it seems we’ll have to settle this in court. Even if Novo Nordisk wins in a Danish court, a complete victory will be difficult. The contract exists, and it’s undeniable that Taewoo Group and Centurion’s technology went into producing Yugobin.”

“If we win in Denmark, then Yugobin will be barred from being sold not only in Denmark but across the entire European market. Are you saying you’re fine with that?”

Of course, there was no way I could truly be fine with it.

But I had to pretend otherwise to maintain the upper hand. I nodded without a trace of expression.

“Then we’ll forgo the European market. But Novo Nordisk will also be blocked from selling its diet treatment drug in Europe.”

“You’re taking things to the extreme.”

“It was Novo Nordisk who first chose the extreme path of litigation.”

“We sent you multiple official notices. But with no reply whatsoever, we had no choice but to file a lawsuit.”

We had both said enough.

It was time to finally reveal the remaining cards in hand.

I took the initiative and brought up the issue of artificial intelligence technology theft that had been raised in the United States.

“The lawsuits filed by Google, Amazon, Facebook, Tesla, and others over stolen AI technology will result in damages of at least two billion dollars. If Novo Nordisk fails to properly defend itself, the compensation could soar into the tens of billions—over ten billion dollars in what might become a historic judgment.”

“…It seems you’ve dug a trap I can’t escape from.”

Chairman Russ wore an expression of resignation.

In America, damages of over ten billion dollars were entirely possible.

If the lawsuit had been filed in Korea, the payout would have been no more than a billion won at best. But in the U.S., the compensation could easily climb into the tens of trillions of won.

“I never set a trap.”

“You could have enforced stricter security, couldn’t you?”

“Even if someone nearby is careless with their valuables, that doesn’t give anyone the right to steal them.”

This negotiation had to focus not on gains, but on losses.

Even if Yugobin’s sales in Europe were restricted, revenues would simply decrease somewhat—there would still be profits.

But in Novo Nordisk’s case, a massive judgment would mean nothing but losses.

The difference between falling from 100 to 50, versus falling from 0 to –30.

In absolute numbers, the former was worse.

But the distinction between reduced future revenue and outright diminished present revenue was significant.

“I never intended to demand a stake without offering something in return.”

“That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear. If you had said so earlier, this unnecessary debate could have been avoided.”

Finally, Chairman Russ laid his card on the table.

What was he holding?

Not a negative card like the theft allegations, but something that would serve as compensation to us. And my prediction proved correct.

“I heard that Taewoo Group recently established a shipping company. And I also know you’re working to join a shipping alliance.”

“I didn’t realize Novo Nordisk’s intelligence network was so capable. You’ve even obtained information about such a closed circle as the shipping alliances.”

“How could I possibly know otherwise? Maersk, a cornerstone of the 2M Alliance, is a Danish company after all.”

The card Chairman Russ revealed was truly unexpected.

Who would have thought he would come prepared with something as significant as the shipping alliance?

I knew that both Novo Nordisk and Maersk were based in Denmark, but since their industries were completely unrelated, I never anticipated such a move.

“Are you saying you’ll help us join the shipping alliance? Is that something Novo Nordisk can actually do?”

“With the Danish government’s support, it’s entirely possible. In fact, I’ve already spoken with the highest levels of government about it.”

“So, you’re suggesting an exchange—shares in Yugobin for entry into the alliance.”

“It’s not even a large portion. Just recognize 20% of the shares, and I’ll guarantee your admission into the 2M Shipping Alliance—not as a temporary or strategic partner, but as a full and permanent member.”

Although Maersk was a multinational company, it was still essentially a Danish enterprise.

If the Danish political establishment decided to intervene, it was indeed possible for Taewoo Shipping to be accepted into the alliance.

At this moment, joining a shipping alliance was critical.

But that didn’t mean I could trade away 20% of Yugobin’s shares.

Yugobin was worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Even a 20% stake carried a value in the tens of billions.

Was membership in a shipping alliance worth that much?

Absolutely not.

If viewed solely from the present situation, perhaps it could look like a fair deal.

But taking the future into account, it would be nothing short of a one-sided loss.

“Twenty percent is far too much. Here’s what Taewoo Group can offer instead. We’ll grant Novo Nordisk the production and sales rights for the European region. On top of that, we’ll charge royalties at a rate lower than the industry average.”

“So, you’re saying we’d still pay royalties. Compared to shipping alliance membership, that’s a meager form of compensation. Even if you waived royalties altogether, such terms are unacceptable.”

Chairman Russ flatly rejected the offer.

But rather than feeling disappointed, I was actually pleased.

It was clear that Chairman Russ and Novo Nordisk still didn’t fully grasp the true value of Yugobin.

A modest compensation compared to a shipping alliance?

In reality, my offer had been overly generous. And yet, he refused it.

“Then how about this instead? In exchange for dropping all lawsuits related to Yugobin and the AI dispute, I’ll donate 100 million dollars to the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Consider it compensation for the researchers who dedicated themselves to the project.”

“I agree to dropping the lawsuits, but a mere 100 million dollars won’t be enough to sway the shipping alliance.”

“How much would it take, then, to move the alliance?”

“At least five billion dollars. Without that, the Danish government won’t be able to save face.”

You want fifty trillion won as compensation?

Actually, it was an amount we could have paid. Compared to Yugobin’s value, six trillion won wasn’t that large.

But I would decline if they expected six trillion won as a joining fee for a shipping alliance.
Yes, joining the alliance was important—but not so urgent that I’d pay a six-trillion-won donation to get in.

Even if we ran deficits for several years, it wouldn’t total six trillion won.

“First, we need to think more about the shipping-alliance matter. Let’s agree to withdraw our lawsuits for now. And add a clause that neither side will raise the same issue again.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to say. I hope the matter of AI technology theft never comes up again. And if you want to inquire about the shipping alliance, contact me anytime.”

And so we reached an agreement.

The promised donation to the Foundation was scrapped as if it had never been discussed. We simply closed the meeting by withdrawing the suits.

Chairman Russ rose from his seat. He gave me a faint, inscrutable smile as he looked at me—probably the smile of someone imagining I’d call soon about joining the alliance.

Does he think I’m the one left disappointed? Not a chance.

Donate five billion dollars and join the shipping alliance? With that kind of money, I’d sooner build my own shipping cartel.