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77.26% Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King / Chapter 649: Chapter 649: Looks Like the Threat Had an Impact

Capítulo 649: Chapter 649: Looks Like the Threat Had an Impact

Hong Jin-woo spent a chaotic day after meeting Kim Mu-hyeok.

On the surface, he appeared calm as he continued his schedule, but his mind was racing with thoughts of Hong Seok-geun.

However, he couldn't act rashly. Without knowing the exact charges against Hong Seok-geun, contacting the U.S. was no easy task.

"Hey, you still awake?"

His wife asked as Hong Jin-woo struggled to find sleep. He couldn't even mention it to her; revealing the situation might make her collapse.

"Uh, I'm expecting an important call. You should go to bed first. I'll sleep in the study tonight."

Seeing her husband looking so worn out, his wife probed with concern.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, of course not. Have you ever seen me work from home because of outside matters? It's nothing; just go to sleep."

"Oh right. Seok-geun hasn't called today. Is he okay?"

As soon as Hong Seok-geun's name slipped from her lips, Hong Jin-woo paused for a moment. But that hesitation was brief, and he quickly smiled.

"Maybe he just forgot? He's an adult now. Probably out drinking with friends and overslept."

"Still, it's unsettling. He used to call every day. I felt a bit off sleeping last night…"

His wife's intuition was hard to ignore. While Hong Jin-woo was anxious, his unsuspecting wife murmured.

"I should've gone to America with him."

"Seok-geun lives in a dorm. Even if you went, there's not much you could do. Besides, he'll be back in Korea for the break soon. No need to worry."

His wife wasn't completely soothed, but she nodded nonetheless.

"Okay, then I'll go to bed first. Don't sleep uncomfortably in the study. Come to bed after finishing work."

Instead of responding, Hong Jin-woo simply nodded.

Once his wife closed the door behind her, the smile he wore vanished as if it had never existed.

He spent the night wide awake, waiting for contact from Park Hyung-soo.

It wasn't until dawn that the phone finally rang. As soon as he picked up, his voice rose in frustration.

"Park! Where have you been! Why didn't you call?"

"I apologize, Congressman. I just finished speaking with your son."

The anger that had been boiling over subsided mildly upon hearing that they had at least talked directly.

"Is Seok-geun alright? He isn't hurt?"

The image of Hong Seok-geun wailing from the photo Kim Mu-hyeok had shown hung heavily in his mind.

"Yes, he doesn't appear to be injured."

"That's a relief. What's the situation?"

"Things have become quite complex. The drug possession issue is the least of our worries. The problem is that this drug seems linked to Al-Qaeda's funding…"

Park Hyung-soo's voice came through the receiver, sounding troubled.

Instantly, Hong Jin-woo's face turned pale.

"What? Al-Qaeda? What kind of nonsense is this? How could my son be connected to a terrorist organization… Are you sure?"

"Yes. The DEA arrested him, and the Department of Homeland Security is currently investigating. Fortunately, this matter hasn't leaked to the public yet, but if the charges become clear, it may be impossible to stop. Given the climate in the U.S., being linked to a terrorist organization…"

Hong Jin-woo couldn't find words. He wished it were a cruel joke. Al-Qaeda.

His hand trembled around the phone.

"They've already found a positive test result, and you might want to acknowledge this part…"

Park Hyung-soo said something, but it fell on deaf ears for Hong Jin-woo.

"Park, you know Seok-geun. He wouldn't touch drugs! Come on, what's this? Al-Qaeda? He's just been studying since he was a kid, how could he get involved with a terrorist group?"

"I don't believe your son would do such a thing either. But I'm afraid, as long as the evidence points to him, we don't have many options in court."

"What do you mean there's no option? I hired you to ensure my son wouldn't face trouble in America! What is going on?"

"Just getting involved here could end my career in the U.S. The current landscape makes it dangerous to be linked to a terrorist group."

Hong Jin-woo felt a wave of anxiety wash over him.

"Are you saying you're going to back out?"

"Until the trial, I will defend him. But… there's no avoiding jail time. Perhaps we could lessen the sentence through some judicial bargaining, but with ties to Al-Qaeda, that won't be easy."

"Al-Qaeda? Are you certain? Why is Al-Qaeda coming up in a drug case?"

"I haven't confirmed it with my own eyes yet. However, it seems they have ample evidence. They received trustworthy intelligence and conducted a raid based on that intel, finding your son alongside major quantities of drugs."

Hong Jin-woo felt as if the ground had vanished beneath him.

"Where was he arrested? The dorm? Did they nab him on campus?"

"No, he was arrested in a hotel. According to him, he attended a party on a friend's invitation and claims he remembers nothing after drinking. He woke up in the hotel room."

The more he listened, the more he found it impossible to believe.

"He said he discovered a strange bag while looking for his phone, and it contained drugs. That's when the DEA burst onto the scene."

"Is there really nothing we can do?"

"For now, deny any ties to Al-Qaeda. But as for the drug charges, it would be better to acknowledge them and plead for leniency."

If Park Hyung-soo was saying this, it implied a prison sentence was a foregone conclusion.

"… Then how long a sentence are we talking about? The U.S. has bail, so even if I get sentenced, I wouldn't be completely stuck, would I?"

At this, Park let out a sigh.

"In the U.S., a drug offense equals prison time without exception. It's such a serious crime that probation and bail are limited. However, we might reach a plea agreement for a minimal sentence. Of course, that's provided the ties to Al-Qaeda can be firmly disproven…"

A migraine pounded in Hong Jin-woo's head as he asked in a shaky voice.

"… Can I speak with Seok-geun?"

"Please hold for a moment. I'll check with the person in charge on this end."

"Alright, I'll wait."

After hanging up, Hong Jin-woo hurriedly sought out headache medicine. Facing the sheer despair of the situation caused his hands to tremble painfully.

He swallowed the medicine dry and took a sip of water, exhaling heavily.

"I don't think you realize how serious this is. Once I assess the situation, I will contact you again. Then we can have a proper conversation."

He recalled the warning Kim Mu-hyeok had sounded before leaving. If this was all part of Kim's scheme, it implied his influence extended far beyond Korea.

"No way. A mere businessman can't possibly manipulate the Department of Homeland Security. That would be an overestimation."

No one in Korea could influence the Department of Homeland Security at will.

The Department of Homeland Security was established for national security after the U.S. mainland suffered an attack.

After ten tense minutes, during which he steadied his nerves, Park Hyung-soo's call resumed.

"Congressman, the person in charge here would like to have a word with you now."

"Oh? Right away, please."

At the mention of a person in charge, Hong Jin-woo perked up. He wanted to discover exactly what was going on.

"Hello, Congressman Hong Jin-woo. This is Jessica from the Department of Homeland Security."

A cheerful woman's voice came through the receiver.

"I understand you have questions regarding the circumstances of Hong Seok-geun's arrest. While I can't go into detail about the investigation, I reached out considering your status as a foreign congressman."

Hong Jin-woo realized that Jessica already knew everything about him.

"Isn't this a DEA issue? Why is the Department of Homeland Security involved in a drug case…?"

"As I communicated through your lawyer, we traced the origins of the drugs back to Al-Qaeda. Additionally, we confirmed that the profits from these drugs have been funneled into Al-Qaeda's coffers. If this is true, Hong Seok-geun becomes an accomplice to a terrorist organization."

"What do you mean by accomplice? My son wouldn't do something like that. Our country is outraged against terrorism, and we even deployed troops as allies. Yet…"

"Even among Americans, some betray their country and aid Al-Qaeda. Being an ally doesn't exempt you from this. We have already secured evidence. It's a serious matter."

Jessica's firm tone had Hong Jin-woo pleading with a heart full of despair.

"This must be a misunderstanding. Our son is neither a drug user nor a supporter of a terrorist group."

"I want to help you, but I'm afraid this goes beyond my capabilities."

"What can I do? Please guide me. I will do anything to get my son out. I have acquaintances in the U.S., I can reach out to them."

Suddenly, Jessica burst into laughter.

"You've got a sense of humor. You can't simply sweep this incident under the rug by mobilizing a few congressmen. Shall I remind you of the charges? Drug offenses. Ties to a terrorist organization. You seem to underestimate the severity of this case."

"…"

"Even if the President of Korea stepped in, this case wouldn't be buried. Don't think to escalate this; should that happen, we will have no choice but to release the evidence to the media, and then you can imagine the aftermath."

"Why are you doing this? What's the real reason? What have I done to deserve this…"

"Well, I can't say for sure. What I know is that the person who can save you now is not me."

"Wait a minute…"

Jessica ended the call after delivering her last enigmatic remark.

"Congressman, this is Park Hyung-soo. I'll hand the phone over to your son now."

"…Go ahead."

Though his mind was in chaos, the safety of his son took precedence.

"Ah, Father."

Hong Seok-geun's voice reached him through the receiver, almost making Hong Jin-woo burst into tears.

"Seok-geun, are you okay? You aren't hurt, are you?"

"Father, I swear I didn't do any drugs. Please believe me. Al-Qaeda? That's ridiculous! I would never… Please…"

Hong Seok-geun's voice trembled with emotion. Hearing it weighed heavily on Hong Jin-woo's heart.

He bit his lip, forcing a calm facade to comfort his son.

"You'll be alright. I'll handle this, just don't admit to anything and stay quiet. Don't say anything, understand?"

"…"

The conversation between Hong Jin-woo and Hong Seok-geun extended for quite some time.

* * *

It had been four days since Hong Seok-geun was taken into custody.

"Any news from your side?"

I sipped coffee instead of breakfast as I asked Manager Ma, who sat before me.

"I'm keeping to the schedule with no unusual developments to report."

He was pushing through even while in a daze.

Could he really be considering giving up on his son?

No, the Hong Jin-woo I had met was not the type.

If he were that kind of person, he wouldn't have revealed his true self to me.

The operation Jessica described was flawlessly orchestrated.

Linking it to Al-Qaeda, huh?

Had this been a straightforward drug issue, Hong Jin-woo would have found a way to deal with it. However, the accusation of aiding a terrorist group was far too severe, even for a president to contend with.

While he knew how to deal with crises, Jessica certainly had a ruthless edge to her.

"Looks like the threat had an impact."

I remember being warned to avoid escalating the matter.

If Hong Jin-woo made contact with the U.S. State Department, it would complicate Jessica's position as well, which wouldn't be bad for me.

Setting my coffee cup down, I wiped my hands, just as a ringtone echoed from the phone on the table.

Checking the caller ID, I couldn't help but smile.

"Looks like this guy isn't as gentlemanly as I thought."


Capítulo 650: Chapter 650: It’s Difficult, But I Can Do It

I summoned Congressman Hong Jin-woo to my office in Myeong-dong.

"He should be arriving soon," I thought.

As the appointment time approached, I turned off my computer and moved towards the window.

Below the spacious window, Myeong-dong's streets were clearly visible, bustling with people and a steady stream of cars. I found myself lost in thought.

'Will Hong Jin-woo truly surrender? Or will he cling to his pride until the end…?'

If he were to declare his surrender, I would find it quite disappointing.

The reason I made a bold request of Jessica was that I couldn't find a significant weakness to shake him.

It wasn't exactly pleasant to think that a politician who had pushed me to this point would kneel before me because of his son.

Well, I'd be even more disappointed if he abandoned his son…

My thoughts were interrupted by Manager Ma.

"Boss, he's here," he announced.

"Ah, really? Tell him to come in. I heard Congressman Hong likes Pu-erh tea… didn't it just arrive recently? Prepare two cups with that."

Once Manager Ma stepped out, Congressman Hong Jin-woo entered soon after.

"Welcome, Congressman," I greeted him with a smile, though his face was etched with worry.

In this situation, smiling wouldn't exactly be sane. I naturally took my seat at the head of the table and gestured for him to sit.

"Please, have a seat for now."

Hong Jin-woo glanced around my office before settling into a chair.

Surprisingly, his first words weren't about his son.

"This is unexpected."

"What do you mean?"

"Your office location and decor are quite sophisticated for someone so young."

"Ah, it used to be my grandfather's office. I just haven't felt the need to change it."

"So this was the place used by Chairman Cheontae?"

I looked around my office, which still bore traces of my grandfather, and nodded.

"Everything started from my grandfather's time. Like him, I began as a loan shark and have come this far."

Hong Jin-woo nodded, curious.

"Is that so? I hear you operate quite a few lending businesses."

"Looks like you've done your research. Indeed, I haven't forgotten my roots."

But why the grandiose introduction? What serious matter was he dancing around?

I continued answering his queries while subtly observing Hong Jin-woo.

He didn't falter under my gaze, continuing to speak.

"The loan sharks I know are ruthless, yet the loan business connected to Kim Mu-hyeok controls over 90% of our industry without seeming unfair. You've even prevented Japanese lenders from making significant moves."

Just then, Manager Ma entered through the door again. Hong Jin-woo glanced at him and fell silent.

Manager Ma set a teapot and cups on the table, then stood behind me.

I poured Pu-erh tea into an empty cup and pushed it toward Hong Jin-woo.

"I heard you like Pu-erh tea. This was a gift from a Chinese friend. Try it; there's no better tea for calming your mind."

Hong Jin-woo stared at the cup, but didn't lift it.

He looked calm but lacked ease.

I raised my steaming cup and said, "Please, finish your thoughts."

At that moment, Hong Jin-woo hesitated, glancing at Manager Ma.

"It's fine. Just consider him a non-entity."

Apparently, he recognized who I was but didn't grasp who Manager Ma was.

I couldn't help but wonder how he'd react if he realized the information he gathered about me was merely crumbs I had purposely scattered. I chuckled softly as I brought the cup to my lips.

Savoring the pleasant aroma of the Pu-erh, I waited for Hong Jin-woo to continue.

After a moment, he finally spoke again.

"I've come to doubt my understanding of Kim Mu-hyeok."

"Doubt? What do you mean?"

"I used to think you were cold-hearted, devoid of empathy. Everyone who knew you seemed to fear you."

If he's interacting with known figures, then…

It would make sense that only those I have leverage over would fear me. After all, they had every reason to be afraid of me.

"But the more I find out about you, the more I feel you're not that ruthless."

This introduction is lengthy. I lowered my cup and asked, "Congressman, what exactly do you want to say? I'm not a fan of beating around the bush."

"…"

99% of what politicians say is a lie.

Out of a hundred words, they might only express what they truly want to say in one. Last time we met, he got straight to the point, but now he is playing it long because he's in a tough spot. Just like any politician.

"It's not like you called me here just to tell me what sort of person I am. You don't seem in a hurry. If you need more time, feel free to come back later."

"…I wanted to express that I see you as a rational person, Mr. Kim. Very well. I'll ask directly without sidestepping anymore."

At last, we were getting somewhere. I nodded for him to continue as he swallowed hard.

"Can you save my son?"

"To save your son…"

Rather than provide an outright answer, I trailed off, causing Hong Jin-woo to rush to clarify.

"What I mean is, can everything that has transpired be reversed?"

"Well, it really depends on what you do."

"Mr. Kim, please don't dodge the question…"

"I heard the Department of Homeland Security has stepped in. That'll require quite a bit of convincing from my end. Money isn't the issue. I have more than enough to spare, even billions. But to persuade the Department, I might need to yield some things. I may need to make significant concessions."

"From what I'm hearing, it sounds like you're implying it's difficult yet possible to change things back."

Of course, he knew. I shrugged and replied, "It's challenging, but I can make it happen."

My indifference seemed to stiffen Hong Jin-woo's demeanor.

"…Is this all part of your plan? To ensnare me?"

He said it with his own mouth but couldn't quite believe it, which only made me chuckle.

He must think I'm making absurd claims.

"You think I could be the one moving the Department? President Yoon Chang-ho would struggle with that. It's too far-fetched, Congressman. While I do have some connections with the head of this case, it's no more than acquaintanceship."

"…"

"So you think I instigated the Department to corner your son?"

Hong Jin-woo, who had been grinding his teeth, silently nodded in response.

"No, I have no connection to your son's situation whatsoever. I have only done one thing: prevented this crisis from leaking to the media. One of the projects in my pipeline is the reconstruction contracts in Iraq. But if it's exposed that the son of a prominent opposition figure, particularly one with significant influence, is embroiled in drug crimes and is connected to a terrorist organization like Al-Qaeda, there's bound to be issues for my business. It could even harm diplomatic relations between Korea and the United States."

I paused for a moment, locking eyes with Hong Jin-woo.

Hearing about drug crimes and Al-Qaeda sucked the color from his face.

"If that got out, my plans would be jeopardized. It could even damage diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Korea. So I stepped in to persuade the person in charge to prevent any media leaks. But I don't know how much longer I can keep that up; the person in charge is already under significant pressure."

After finishing, I lifted my cup to hide my smile.

Honestly, it's a rushed operation and has several gaps in it.I was fortunate thanks to Jessica's diligent help to navigate this safely…

But even if Hong Jin-woo caught wind of this opportunity and tried to poke at me, I doubt he could escape the pit I dug deep.

"…What must I do? How can you save my son?"

"Does your son have worth to violate your beliefs for?"

"There's a saying, 'To cultivate oneself is to govern the family, to govern the family is to rule the nation.' It prioritizes taking care of oneself and family before politics. I will not abandon my family for my political ambitions."

Look at that? His words made me chuckle unexpectedly. Although calm, they hinted at his aspirations.

He doesn't want to remain just another ordinary politician; it seems he dreams of becoming president.

"What must I do to save him? Do I need to kneel before you, Mr. Kim?"

Hong Jin-woo stood, almost as if he were going to kneel right then and there. Although it sounded like a declaration of surrender on the surface, it was anything but.

His voice cracked bitterly, sounding torn between anguish and determination, each glance sharper than ever.

"You're too agitated, Congressman. Relax with a cup of tea."

"…"

"Come on. If you talk while agitated, it'll ruin everything. Let's finish that cup of tea before we continue our discussion."

Reluctantly, Hong Jin-woo lifted his cup at my insistence.

I poured another cup for myself while observing him drink the cold tea.

During the brief moment it took him to drink, I collected my thoughts on what to do next.

He must also be clearing his jumbled thoughts just like I am.

I soon rested my empty cup down and locked eyes with Hong Jin-woo.

"Congressman, I will be asking you three questions. There's no option to refuse. And you mustn't lie."

The biggest issue was not just about the drugs. It was the accusation of being a money source for a terrorist organization.

Regardless of its truth, it didn't matter. If Jessica got involved, a guilty verdict was inevitable.

She wasn't someone who would carelessly plan something with foreseeable losses.

That meant I had to extract information from Hong Jin-woo myself.

"Do I just need to answer your questions?"

His voice trembled, strange with anxiety as I nodded and said firmly, "Don't lie. If there's any falsehood in your answers, there will be no salvation for your son. Keep in mind that lying will earn you nothing in our deal."

"…"

He didn't respond, but I shot my question at him.

"Is becoming president your goal?"

I was curious to know his ultimate ambition.

Hong Jin-woo furrowed his brows, paused for a moment, then replied.

"Is there a politician who wouldn't dream of becoming president? Yes, that's my dream. Whether that opportunity will come, I don't know. Is that a sufficient answer?"

It's a tired answer, yet certainly, it's the dream of every politician.

Nodding slightly, I then asked my most burning question.

"What's the reason behind your animosity toward me?"

Seemingly expecting it, he answered without hesitation.

"As I mentioned last time, I think you, Kim Mu-hyeok, are a danger to Korea. You might be a help in the short term, but if you persist in being an influential authority behind the scenes, it won't be beneficial to the country's interests. You skillfully balance between carrots and sticks. Even if I were to attain power, I'd refuse to be your puppet."

Ah, now I see. It's clear why he harbors hostility toward me. He's afraid that if he ever becomes president, I could manipulate him like a puppet.

He has big dreams but is also quite deluded. Simultaneously, it was evident he views himself like a frog in a well.

I've never considered Yoon Chang-ho my puppet. I helped him become president merely because we saw eye to eye. Our business relationship remains sound even now.

This meant that if our ideals aligned, I wouldn't mind seeing Hong Jin-woo become president either.

"Final question. If you become president, will you consider changing the ownership of Hoseok Construction?"

I watched as he inhaled sharply at my question.

While he easily answered the previous questions, this one seemed to leave him stuck in hesitation.

"Is this question exceptionally challenging for you? You swiftly answered whether you wished to become president and why you oppose me, yet you can't respond to this? Is this one tougher for you than the previous two?"

Despite my prodding, Hong Jin-woo only continued to mull over his response and remained silent.

He was probably hesitant because I had said not to lie to me.

He might not fully trust that he was only telling the truth, but he definitely wouldn't lie about his son.

So, this silence stemmed from his careful consideration.

After contemplating for a long while, he finally tossed a question back at me instead of answering.

"…Can I ask why you think that?"

"Because if I were you, I would choose to be the owner of a strong company like Hoseok Construction rather than just being a politician. Especially since your eldest son, Hong Jin-seong, isn't exactly competent. Yet you seem to act as if you've completely given that up, almost wanting someone to think you have no interest in Hoseok Construction. That puzzled me. Why would a politician based in Honam want to distance himself from Hoseok Construction?"

A politician of the Progressive Party based in Honam would be foolish to forsake the benefits that come with Hoseok Construction's prestige.

The company's executives, as well as those connected to it, would surely support him.

Yet Hong Jin-woo's actions suggested the complete opposite, and that struck me as curious.

I continued to watch the still silent Hong Jin-woo.

"Are you perhaps intending to destroy something because you feel I could take it from you?"


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