I’d Rather Live as a Villain - I’d Rather Live as a Villain chapter 45

“I’d Rather Live as a Villain – Episode 45”

(Just curious)

It had been a week since the temporary shareholders’ meeting, where Kang Moon-jung was named as the summoner, was notified about the matter of her appointment as president of Daeyoung Distribution.

Before long, the season had fully transitioned into winter.

A figure from the group’s headquarters visited the vice president’s office at Daeyoung Chemicals.

In his hand was an envelope containing secret documents that had leaked from the group’s audit office.

“Is this it?”

“Yes.”

The headquarters had initiated a personal audit against Executive Director Kang Moon-jung as part of the necessary procedures for the president’s inauguration.

During the process, a suspicious transfer record of 5 billion won was discovered, which necessitated an explanation from the involved party.

The recipient of the 5 billion won was none other than her husband, Yoon Tae-sik, the head of the European division at Mulsan.

However, Vice President Kang Young-jin’s reaction to the confidential document was unexpected.

“Ah…”

Thud.

As if losing interest the moment he saw the document, Kang Young-jin casually dropped the papers onto the table with a thud and said,

“If it was just about this, you could’ve told me over the phone. Then we could’ve had lunch together after such a long time, why ask me to come here?”

“Were you aware of this?”

“How could I be? Do you think Executive Director Kang would discuss such matters with me?”

The effort to secretly inform Vice President Kang Young-jin of the matter seemed futile now.

The figure from headquarters had thought this information would be a useful weapon for the current Vice President Kang Young-jin, but his reaction was lukewarm at best.

“5 billion?”

“Vice President. It’s not about the amount…”

“Why wouldn’t the amount matter?”

Kang Young-jin’s lips began to curl into a smirk.

“Do you have so much money that this seems like a small amount to you?”

“That’s not what I mean…”

“From what I see, the only issue within this content is the 5 billion. Just that amount. 5 billion isn’t the name of someone’s pet dog.”

With a look that seemed to read the other’s mind, Kang Young-jin let out a light laugh and continued,

“The audacity to transfer 5 billion in cash directly from one’s own account to a personal account. I don’t even have that much cash on hand right now. What I do have are stocks, affiliate shares, real estate… things with no promise of when they’ll be used. It’s because he’s Executive Director Kang that he can flex like this.”

The figure from headquarters, still unaware of why Vice President Kang Young-jin had suddenly lost interest in the matter, was caught off guard.

Vice President Kang Young-jin, still in a competitive stance for succession against Executive Director Kang Moon-jung, displayed his political savvy as he spoke.

“Director. Do you know how much my annual salary is here at the chemical division? 270 million won. I’m the one without a separate performance bonus. Probably the lowest among the executive directors above the level of managing director across all of Daeyoung’s affiliates, right? I’m receiving far less than the basic vice president salary at the affiliate companies.”

Young-jin Kang hastily stuffed the documents he had just flung onto the table back into the envelope and pushed it across to the figure from the group’s headquarters.

He continued speaking.

“Executive Kang, I started my life at Daeyoung after being educated and coerced in Pyeongchang-dong. They taught us to fear the public eye. It didn’t matter if my own body was scarred, but I was never to tarnish the name of Daeyoung. And yet, you, Executive Kang, are doing exactly what you shouldn’t? And so blatantly?”

After tapping the envelope he had pushed forward with the tip of his finger, Young-jin Kang said,

“If this 5 billion won was problematic, do you think Executive Kang would have used his personal account? Would that meticulous Executive Yoon have received money into his personal account?”

“Then this money is…”

“I don’t know. It must have been given and received because it was worth it. It’s money I don’t need to know about. But what surprises me more than the fact that such a large sum of money was exchanged between Executive Kang and Executive Yoon is how loosely our director has been keeping tabs on Executive Kang, reporting in such a sporadic manner. I’m truly grateful for the thoughtfulness towards me…”

With a frustrated click of his tongue, Young-jin Kang straightened up.

“If you’re going to do it anyway, could you perhaps do it with a bit more sincerity from now on? Like, the specific details of what the 5 billion won was used for, things like that.”

In an instant, Young-jin Kang’s gaze sharpened.

“What can I do with just the details of 5 billion won changing hands? They could easily align their stories and be done with it. Would that be a problem for those two? Even if I don’t do anything, I’ll naturally come to know about it in Pyeongchang-dong. Are you asking me to be the scum who digs up dirt on his brother-in-law? Should I take this to the newspapers? Would I tarnish the name of our Daeyoung with my own hands?”

“…”

“Even if there’s a problem with the 5 billion won, shouldn’t I be in a position to try and cover it up together? Even from the perspective of Pyeongchang-dong.”

And then, as if he had never glared sharply, he began to smile.

Young-jin Kang knew well how to handle people who were desperate to show their loyalty.

It was about throwing them both the disappointment of the present and the anticipation of the future.

Then they become the beings who will strive on their own.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I’ll pass on content that only the privileged or interested would care about in the future. Since you’re here, let’s go have a meal together. Last time I saw, the director seemed to like Chinese cuisine, so let’s order a few dishes and you can tell me about the latest happenings at the group’s headquarters.”

5 billion won?

And six months ago.

So, just before the marriage announcement, that large sum of money went from Moon Jung to Yoon’s side?

Should I consider my wife’s suspicion to be correct?

A light laugh escaped Young-jin Kang’s lips once again.

***

The Gold Line franchises across the nation began to stir.

Marco Machine.

What the brand headquarters had been pressing as a hard sell was suddenly being recognized by the franchise owners as the best marketing they had ever seen or heard of.

“Why are you telling me to change the machine?”

-The content mentioned is not a mandatory requirement for replacement. We contacted you to ask you to check the official document regarding this matter.

Most franchise owners initially showed overt resistance.

“Headquarters always talk like that. There’s no need to bother. It’s not mandatory. But if you don’t do it, the system is rigged so that the non-compliant stores suffer. They only create promotions based on such systems. Isn’t this too much? I’ve just started my business a little over a year ago. And now you’re telling me to replace a coffee machine that’s as good as new? We need to survive too.”

We will take back the machine currently in use as a second-hand product.

Furthermore, we will provide the top-grade premium three-group machine, which costs over 30 million won each, at half price, and the difference can be paid in installments for up to 36 months.

In addition, we will provide home-use coffee machines that can be sold in stores on a consignment basis, without any cost, so train your staff well to help increase sales…

Most franchise owners reacted negatively to the proposal from the brand headquarters.

But just one week.

In just one week, the situation completely reversed.

“Huh? Why don’t you have it here? Excuse me.”

“Yes, customer.”

“Don’t you have the Marco machine here?”

“…”

Today, for the fourth time, customers entered the store and immediately checked the display stand used for interior decoration, not the order counter, and asked about the Marco machine.

“This promotion is only available in select stores.”

“Then, which stores are running the promotion? Please tell me the stores with the promotion.”

The promotion, aggressively pushed not by Goldline brand headquarters but by Daeyoung Distribution headquarters, started to catch fire.

Even the community board where coffee shop entrepreneurs gather began to buzz with talk of the promotion.

An anonymous member, who runs a Goldline franchise, floated the idea that they had traded in their old machine for a Marco machine, resulting in a payment difference of about 8 million won.

However, the main content of the post was that the promotion was extremely generous from the franchise owners’ perspective.

When the 8 million won difference was spread over 36 months, it resulted in a little over 200,000 won in additional operating costs per month, but the daily average sales of the home-use Marco machines, introduced as ETC products in the store over the past week, were significantly exceeding 200,000 won in store revenue.

A simple calculation showed that the difference could be offset within a month, and from the next month, it would be pure operating profit.

“This is Gwangmyeong Store No. 3.”

-Yes, owner.

“When can I get the Marco machine replaced if I apply now?”

-Ah, you’re going for the replacement?

“I think I was a bit short-sighted. It seems like a promotion worth trying.”

-But, owner.

“Yes.”

-The Marco machine-related content is not a promotion. Other owners also thought it was a promotion, but it’s an ETC product that headquarters plans to provide continuously.

“Is that so…?”

-And as I mentioned during the initial explanation, for new franchisees, it’s an inclusion without exception.

“So if I apply now, when can the replacement be done?”

-You said Gwangmyeong Branch No. 3, right? If you apply now, the replacement can be done by Friday at the latest.

“Do I have to wait that long?”

-It’s not just about replacing the machine; you have to consider about an hour for training on how to use the new machine, during which time we ask the store owners to vacate the premises.

“Then please make sure the replacement is done as soon as possible since I’m applying now.”

-Yes, understood. I’ve put in the request for Gwangmyeong Branch No. 3, and I’ll send you the technician’s contact details via text right away. You can coordinate the specific time with the technician.

***

I was reviewing the newly submitted business proposals.

Knock. Knock.

Joo Dong-jin entered and spoke from the doorway.

“Director.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Team Leader Son Jung-hyun from the group’s secretariat is here.”

“Already? Oh, please invite him in.”

“Yes.”

I had received a call in the morning.

Asking if I would be available after lunchtime.

A temporary shareholders’ meeting for the distribution company is scheduled for a few days later regarding Mr. Moon Jung’s appointment as president.

I was informed that my grandfather intended to send me as his proxy to that meeting, and that Team Leader Son would come with the power of attorney.

“It’s been a while, Team Leader.”

“Has it? I hear about you so often at the group’s headquarters that it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long. Haha.”

“Please, take a seat here.”

Team Leader Son Jung-hyun handed me an envelope containing the power of attorney that my grandfather had sent.

“While handing over the envelope, Team Leader Son said this:

“My grandfather said to attend with the mindset of gaining experience. There can’t be any opposition to Executive Director Kang Moon-jung’s appointment as president, and even if there is, it wouldn’t have much influence, so just attend as a proxy with ease and vote in favor.”

“Yes.”

In my case, I’m currently registered as an unregistered executive at the trading company.

The Director of the European Division at Daeyoung Trading.

A position that must be appointed through the board of directors.

However, since the position was assigned according to the will of Pyeongchang-dong, under the authority of President Min Byung-jin, there are currently no shares held in any of Daeyoung’s affiliates.

Naturally, this also means there is no eligibility to attend the temporary shareholders’ meeting for distribution.

“That’s as far as the chairman’s words went.”

“Yes.”

“It seems a sensitive issue has arisen from the personal audit of Executive Kang Moon-jung.”

“A sensitive issue?”

That was the chairman’s statement?

A clear line is being drawn.

From now on, it means that what follows is entirely unrelated to the thoughts or stance of the chairman, but rather the subjective opinion of Team Leader Son.

“Since it’s a matter related to the division head as well, I thought you should know before attending the shareholders’ meeting.”

“Please speak comfortably.”

“Before your wedding, it was discovered that 5 billion won was transferred from Executive Kang Moon-jung’s account to the division head’s account.”

What am I hearing?

I thought it was a sensitive issue, but…

From noble mtl dot nete

“This matter will surely be mentioned at least once at the shareholders’ meeting for the president’s inauguration, separate from the audit.”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s mentioned, but is it included in the audit content?”

“The amount is significant, isn’t it?”

Seeing that he too seemed cautious about the matter, I intended to end the conversation with a simple acknowledgment and thanks for the heads-up.

But then.

“The chairman and the president are both aware of this matter.”

“I thought you knew already. If not, I assumed you would find out eventually.”

“It’s reassuring to hear that I don’t need to worry too much.”

Not really reassuring at all.

“More importantly, Team Leader.”

“Yes.”

“Is the great-aunt, Vice Chairman Kang Soon-im of Yuseong Cosmo, also attending the distribution shareholders’ meeting?”

“Having been with distribution for over three years, haven’t you experienced a shareholders’ meeting yet?”

“Isn’t this what grandfather sent me to try out? Haha.”

“No, what I mean is, even if you haven’t been inside the meeting hall… Ah, I see.”

The shareholders’ meeting was one occasion where protocol was not followed.

The owner herself.

And yet, Moon-Jung is still at the executive level.

Usually, personal secretaries are assigned from the director level as a principle.

She had always waited in the underground parking lot, never once having gone up to the shareholders’ meeting hall together.

“Yes, Vice Chairman Kang Soon-Im will certainly attend. But why do you ask…”

To that, I simply smiled lightly and brushed it off as nothing.

“Just curious.”