CH82 | MCT

Geumsan Hotel Banquet Hall (3)

Inside the Room

The room was thick with cigarette smoke.

Park Jeong-hwan and the heads of major conglomerates were smoking, filling the air with a pungent haze.

The acrid scent made Tae-soo feel momentarily lightheaded.

The first to greet him was Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan Group.

"Why so late? You should've come straight up as soon as you arrived."

"I apologize."

Tae-soo offered no excuses.

There was no need to mention the snow in Gangwon-do or the mistake that had led him to the lower floor.

Right now, such details didn’t matter.

Park Jeong-hwan stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and spoke.

"I don’t need to explain why I called you and these gentlemen together, do I?"

"No, sir."

They were here to claim their share of the oil supply rights.

Tae-soo glanced at the conglomerate heads seated in pairs around Park Jeong-hwan, who occupied the seat of honor.

‘Lee Byeongchun of Samcheong Group.’

Samcheong Group was the largest corporation in South Korea as of 1973.

A former landlord’s son, Lee had turned everything he touched into business success.

Not only that, but his ventures spanned multiple industries, each one thriving.

‘Gu Jakyum of Lucky Seven.’

Lucky Seven Group ranked second in the business world.

Gu Jakyum was the eldest son of the group’s founder, Gu Inho. After his father passed away a few years ago, he took over the reins.

The company had started with toothpaste and cosmetics, making a name for itself in the chemical industry.

Lucky Seven also pioneered plastic production in Korea and remained the dominant force in petrochemicals.

Furthermore, it was aggressively expanding into the oil refining industry, while focusing on white goods and heavy chemicals.

‘Kim Dongjo of Daehan Oil.’

Established in 1962 as a joint venture between the South Korean government and Gulf Oil, it was the country’s oldest refining company.

As a state-run enterprise, it was heavily influenced by Park Jeong-hwan’s authority.

‘And then there’s Geumsan.’

Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan had loaned oil tankers to transport water to Saudi Arabia.

There was no need to say more.

‘A gathering of South Korea’s most powerful conglomerate heads.’

Park Jeong-hwan raised his hand.

At his cue, Cha Kibum placed a document in front of each executive.

It was the Oil Supply Rights Certificate that Tae-soo had previously presented to Park Jeong-hwan.

"What’s this?"

"An oil supply rights certificate?"

"The seal of the Saudi royal family is stamped here."

The executives flipped through the documents with keen interest.

Then, upon reading the final note, they smirked.

"It seems Cheongil Group has fallen out of favor with the Saudi royal family."

"Well, what does it matter? I’m sure Chairman Han of Cheongil will handle it on his own."

Though they all feigned indifference, they couldn't hide their satisfaction.

Having a major competitor like Cheongil Group stumble was nothing but a welcome development.

Then, the executives noticed something unusual.

There was an oil supply rights certificate placed in front of Tae-soo as well.

"And who is this young man?"

"Why is he seated with us at a discussion about oil supply rights?"

It was a natural question.

Park Jeong-hwan responded casually.

"This young man is the one who secured those documents from Saudi Arabia."

His tone was indifferent, but the weight of his words was undeniable.

The executives all turned their gazes toward Tae-soo at once.

"And he handed those rights over to me."

What he said next was even more shocking.

In these turbulent times, an oil supply rights certificate was as good as a mountain of gold.

Park Jeong-hwan pulled out another cigarette and placed it between his lips.

"This young man plans to establish a refining company."

"A refining company? At a time like this?"

It sounded like a surefire way to go bankrupt.

The oil refining business required an enormous initial investment—it was a money pit even in stable times.

Yet, launching a refinery during a global oil crisis?

Was this bold ambition, or sheer recklessness?

"I told him to simply put up a new sign where Cheongil Refinery’s sign once stood."

With that, Park Jeong-hwan made his stance clear.

He would let Cheongil Refinery collapse.

And he would hand it over to this young man.

"Unbelievable."

"Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil is being abandoned?"

"Park Jeong-hwan has chosen to back this young man instead of Han Cheong-ho?"

The executives all turned their attention to Park Jeong-hwan, quickly grasping the implications.

"This is his way of telling us to keep our hands off Cheongil Refinery."

Park Jeong-hwan’s voice carried a firm warning.

"If anyone tries anything foolish, you’ll pay dearly for that certificate you just received."

No one dared to speak.

With Park Jeong-hwan offering such strong protection, who would dare challenge him?

Any thoughts of snatching up Cheongil Refinery for a bargain were swiftly abandoned.

Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan let out a hearty laugh.

"Your Excellency, don’t worry. We have some sense of decency."

Jang Jun-yong glanced around at the other executives.

"We're not so foolish as to forget who made it possible for us to receive these rights. We know where we can and cannot step. Isn’t that right?"

The other executives had no choice but to nod in agreement.

"Just having a secure oil supply in these times is more than enough for us."

"We’ve been given a free meal—we’re not about to steal someone else's plate."

"Especially when that plate was set by Your Excellency. You have nothing to worry about."

Suddenly, noise erupted outside.

The murmurs of the people outside grew louder.

Then—

BANG!

The door burst open, as if it had been struck with force.

It was Han Cheong-ho.

On one side, Park Tae-jong held his arm.

On the other, Kim Bong-nam restrained him.

Through the open door, startled faces peeked inside, frozen in shock.

"Your Excellency!"

"How dare he?!"

Cha Ki-beom immediately stood up, his expression darkening.

Then, something unexpected happened.

"Your Excellency, I will surrender Cheongil Refinery!"

The room fell into stunned silence.

Park Jeong-hwan raised a hand.

At that, Cha Ki-beom stopped in place.

"Enough."

At his command, Park Tae-jong and Kim Bong-nam released Han Cheong-ho.

Han Cheong-ho straightened his rumpled clothes and stepped into the room.

"Close the door."

Without hesitation, Park Tae-jong shut the door behind him.

Now, the room was sealed.

Han Cheong-ho’s gaze was locked onto Park Jeong-hwan, his expression resolute.

"Your Excellency, please dismiss everyone. I request a private audience with you."

For Han Cheong-ho to say he was giving up Cheongil Refinery—

It was no wonder he had barged in uninvited.

After all, the discussion had already taken place without him.

And it had already been decided that Cheongil Refinery would be handed over to someone else.

But if Han Cheong-ho expected Park Jeong-hwan to be understanding, he was mistaken.

"A private audience? How arrogant."

"Your Excellency, you know very well that Cheongil Refinery is worth tens of billions. I am offering it to you in exchange for a few words."

Just what kind of words were worth that much?

But everyone in the room knew the truth.

If Park Jeong-hwan turned his back on Cheongil Refinery, its collapse would be inevitable.

And its new owner had already been decided.

Park Jeong-hwan didn’t even need to hear Han Cheong-ho out.

"I don’t mind saying it right here," Han Cheong-ho continued. "But given the nature of the discussion, Your Excellency, you might find it... uncomfortable."

It was clear now—

Han Cheong-ho had been pushed to the edge.

That was the only explanation for his boldness.

"Silence."

Park Jeong-hwan raised a hand again.

'There’s no way I can let him talk about this in front of everyone.'

A memory surfaced—something sent from the Saudi royal family.

‘There’s something between them that we don’t know.’

Otherwise, Park Jeong-hwan would have already thrown an ashtray at Han Cheong-ho’s face.

But today, for some reason—

He remained silent.

The four conglomerate heads seated at the table each wore different expressions.

Among them, only Tae-soo remained composed, gazing at Han Cheong-ho with an indifferent look.

Park Jeong-hwan, despite having a long cigarette still burning, crushed it into the ashtray.

"Everyone, leave."

The moment the words left his lips, the executives rose from their seats without hesitation.

Even Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan, the owner of this hotel, followed suit.

One by one, they passed by Han Cheong-ho and exited the room.

"Kang Tae-soo."

As Tae-soo walked past Han Cheong-ho, he heard his low snarl.

"Mark my words. I will repay this debt. Han Cheong-ho will not go down like this."

A debt?

If there's a debt to be repaid, I have more to collect than you do.

We’re far from being even.

A faint smirk crossed Tae-soo’s lips.

"Making such a fuss over Cheongil Refinery…"

An invisible spark crackled between them.

Without another glance, Tae-soo kept his indifferent expression and left the room.

For security, Cha Ki-beom remained by Park Jeong-hwan’s side.

"You too. Wait outside."

"Your Excellency, Han Cheong-ho’s demeanor seems… dangerous."

"Do I need to say it twice?"

"…Understood."

Even Cha Ki-beom left.

Park Jeong-hwan placed his cigarette pack on the table with a sharp snap.

"Now—what do you want?"

* * *

The moment Tae-soo stepped out, Park Tae-jong approached him.

"It’s been a while."

"It has indeed. Have you been well?"

Tae-soo greeted him politely.

"I regret not being able to attend the Pohang Steel completion ceremony."

"I heard the road construction His Excellency entrusted you with has only just been completed. With such a heavy responsibility and tight deadlines, it’s understandable."

"Thank you for your understanding."

Hearing this, Jang Jun-yong let out a quiet chuckle.

He knew the truth.

'That guy flew back to Korea just to pin a carnation on his parents’ chests for Parents’ Day.'

And not only that—

Despite overseeing a new road project in Saudi Arabia, he had still boarded a plane to attend the launch of Geumsan Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries.

Standing next to Park Tae-jong, Jang Jun-yong couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

“Cheongil Refinery’s collapse is already decided. No matter what Han Cheong-ho says, His Excellency won’t budge.”

Once Park Jeong-hwan says something, he follows through.

And this time, he had declared it in front of some of the most powerful business figures in the country.

The fact that Cheongil Refinery was being handed over to Tae-soo wouldn’t change.

Tae-soo knew that well, so he wasn’t worried about that. But…

'Something feels off. That wasn’t the look of a man in despair.'

Han Cheong-ho’s eyes burned with intensity.

There had to be a reason—why he came here at this hour, insisting on a private conversation.

Even at the cost of humiliating himself in front of everyone.

That meant there was something he absolutely had to say to Park Jeong-hwan.

'But what? What is he planning?'

Tae-soo sifted through his memories of the past life.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

‘In my past life, Cheongil Refinery and Cheongil Chemical wavered briefly due to the oil shock, but thanks to their connections, they secured crude oil from Saudi Arabia and survived.’

But this time, things are different.

Not only did Saudi Arabia’s supply get cut off, but every major oil-producing country was blocked as well—by me.

Cheongil Refinery won't survive like before.

Because I made sure of it.

'He himself offered to give up Cheongil Refinery. That means he’s already made up his mind… but then why…?'

Before Tae-soo could dwell on the thought further, Park Tae-jong handed him a whiskey glass.

Hidden beneath it—was a small note.

* * *

Inside the room, Han Cheong-ho’s voice was solemn.

“Your Excellency, I offer Cheongil Refinery as a token of my loyalty. I only ask that you acknowledge that.”

His fists clenched tightly.

“I don’t know why you suddenly changed your mind, but I can only assume you must have a greater vision.”

He knew someone had clouded His Excellency’s judgment.

And he had a strong suspicion who had manipulated things to steal Cheongil Refinery out from under him.

“If it stands in the way of your national heavy industry policy, then yes, I will give it up. After all, wasn’t it you who nurtured Cheongil Refinery from the very beginning?”

But just because he was surrendering it…

Didn’t mean he would go down without a fight.

"Enough. I’ve heard what I need to hear. Now leave."

Park Jeong-hwan’s tone was final.

Under normal circumstances, a statement like that would mean he had softened a little.

But not today.

The room still felt like ice.

And that told Han Cheong-ho everything he needed to know.

His mind raced—there was only one explanation.

“…Your Excellency, please look at this.”

With a determined gaze, Han Cheong-ho reached into his inner coat pocket.