Chapter 180
Sure enough, Goo Yangmo, who had been listening beside me, raised his voice in surprise.
“Senior, what are you talking about?”
“You’re saying you actually want to go to trial?”
At that moment, something suddenly clicked in my head.
“Don’t tell me...”
“The reason you want us to keep the lawsuit going is so you can drag Executive Director Bang Seongsik into court as the source?”
Lee Kyungsuk gave a bitter smile.
“If Hanshin won’t put Bang Seongsik on trial...”
“Then I’ll have to do it myself.”
[Exclusive: Allegations of ‘Financial Statement Manipulation’ in Mega Cinema Sale Proven False]
[Apology: Regarding the Incorrect Report on the Mega Cinema Sale - Reporter Lee Kyungsuk]
[...I acknowledge that the article was written without sufficient fact-checking procedures and relied too heavily on the unilateral claims of a source.
After publication, I learned that the source’s claims were false... (omitted)
As a journalist, I neglected my duty to properly verify the facts, causing serious reputational and emotional damage to Hanshin Media and its employees... (omitted)
I sincerely apologize.]
The next day.
Inside Han Taesung’s office at Hanshin Media headquarters.
Han Taesung smiled with satisfaction as he read the articles on his laptop.
“You worked hard.”
“Really. Getting both a correction and an apology published in such a short time...”
Kim Eunkyung, who was there with us, looked at me proudly.
“You did an incredible job.”
“It’s not over yet.”
I shook my head.
“We still need to see how Quantum reacts.”
“I already emailed them as soon as the article went up, so we should hear something soon.”
Kim Eunkyung turned toward Han Taesung.
“By the way, how is Chairwoman Han reacting?”
Han Taesung leaned back.
“So far, she’s quiet.”
After I informed Han Taesung that Bang Seongsik was the one who had leaked Mega Cinema’s financial statements and provided the false tip, he immediately reported it to Chairwoman Han Myunghee.
But all she had said was that she understood.
She had taken no visible action afterward.
“Well, I suppose the Chairwoman must be shocked too.”
Kim Eunkyung sounded concerned.
“Her trusted brother-in-law stabbed her in the back.”
Han Taesung smirked.
“That’s probably not it.”
“You know what my sister is like.”
“She’s probably quiet because she’s busy figuring out how to use this situation to her own advantage.”
“Ah...”
Kim Eunkyung awkwardly picked up her tea.
Then Han Taesung suddenly seemed to remember something.
“Oh, right.”
“That reporter, Lee Kyungsuk.”
“I heard he asked us not to drop the lawsuit?”
“Huh? Ah... yes. Ahem.”
I hadn’t told Han Taesung about Lee Kyungsuk’s plan.
There was no point in making things even bigger by explaining it to him.
Seeing me hesitate, Han Taesung tilted his head suspiciously.
“There’s another plan, isn’t there?”
“Well...”
“Reporter Lee seems to have something in mind.”
“It involves Executive Director Bang.”
As expected.
Han Taesung had unusually sharp instincts when it came to things like this.
When I hesitated, he continued.
“So you don’t know the exact details either?”
“I’m waiting to see what happens.”
Just then, my phone vibrated on the table.
I quickly picked it up.
An international number appeared on the screen.
“I think this is Quantum.”
At the word Quantum, Han Taesung and Kim Eunkyung immediately gestured for me to answer.
“Hello?”
Sure enough, a familiar voice came through the receiver.
It was Quantum Vice President Richard.
“Director Min, this is Richard from Quantum.”
“Yes, Vice President.”
“How have you been?”
“Isn’t it nighttime in the United States right now?”
“It’s evening here in San Francisco.”
“I’m working late, though. Hahaha.”
Richard sounded cheerful.
“We reviewed the email you sent.”
“You resolved the issue much faster than expected.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“And once again, I’m sorry for causing you concern over something like this.”
“For now, headquarters has approved resuming the contract process.”
The moment he said the agreement was moving forward again, I couldn’t stop myself from letting out a breath of relief.
“Ha... that’s really good to hear.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me.”
“If anything, I should be thanking you for resolving it quickly.”
“I was worried about what would happen if things went wrong. Hahaha.”
“The person in charge will send the detailed points by email again.”
“But I wanted to tell you this directly.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, and if possible...”
Richard continued.
“For the final signing, how about you come to our headquarters in the United States with CEO Han Taesung?”
“Of course.”
“I’d definitely like to visit San Francisco too.”
After asking me to pass along his regards to Han Taesung, Richard ended the call.
Kim Eunkyung, who had been listening to every word, immediately leaned toward me.
“He said the contract is back on, right?”
I nodded, then let out a short sigh.
“Yes.”
“They’ll send the detailed contract-related points by email.”
“And...”
I looked at Han Taesung.
“He said that if possible, he’d like you and me to come to Quantum headquarters in San Francisco for the final signing.”
“Quantum headquarters?”
Han Taesung laughed.
“That doesn’t sound bad at all.”
Kim Eunkyung let out a relieved breath.
“I’m surprised they contacted us this quickly.”
“It hasn’t even been that long since you sent the email.”
“I think they were closely watching our situation the whole time.”
While we were celebrating the restart of the Quantum deal, Han Taesung’s phone rang.
It was Chairwoman Han Myunghee.
Han Taesung drew a slow breath before answering.
