Chapter 126

Han Chae-won’s farewell method. Senator Bill Karen. A conversation with him, a Republican senator, worked. “I feel like I got to know CEO Kim Shin much better after reading the book.” “In what way?” “I was also divorced. My wife is cheating on me.” “ah… … .” I didn’t know there would be a link like this. “Have a drink.” “She was a woman I loved. It was love at first sight in high school, and he called me every day even while attending medical school. On weekends, I drove 1,100km to my hometown to meet them.” “Don’t cry.” “Big. I couldn’t tell anyone. When I saw her in bed with another man. Feeling guilty and resentful of how much she would have cheated on me if I hadn’t been enough… … .” “Have another drink.” I have distrust or hatred towards politicians in my bones, but seeing him crying sadly after divorcing his wife made me want to be human. “Where did you go to medical school?” “I left Johns Hopkins. Before politics, I worked as an endocrinologist in a hospital.” “I see.” Having worked for a pharmaceutical company, I knew roughly how to get along with doctors. Pretending to know a little about your major subject, listening to their experiences. Endocrinology was a field that mainly dealt with hormonal or metabolic abnormalities. “I think endocrinology is an important department that protects people’s lives. Even a small change in the amount of hormones that start in the brain can have a big impact on the human body. Diabetes, thyroid, stroke, etc. It has been linked to many diseases.” “You also know me well. Hormones are really important. It is an indispensable subject in the field of medicine.” After talking about the Department of Endocrinology for a while, the topic naturally shifted to vaccines. Senator Bill Karen was a person who knew very well how great the K-vaccine was doing in America. “The investment in BioLife has been impressive. I don’t know about other politicians, but I do. If Corona had not occurred, the investment would have been completely wasted.” “Yes. It was a just-in-case investment.” “It is a foresight. Pharmaceutical companies in the US and Europe say that if something happens, they can do it. New drug development costs a lot of money and has a high probability of failure, so we invest only where it makes money. I am aware of what a great decision Mr. Shin Kim’s investment is, and I am talking to people around me. Even taking the risk to speed up vaccine production.” “I just wanted to be of little help to the world.” “It’s really hard to make an investment that is prepared for failure.” A conversation in which each acknowledges the other’s merits and gives and takes. “Arcor. Working as an employee at a pharmaceutical company has honed my sense of investing; it’s amazing.” “It was just a corporate life. I didn’t know much at the time.” Despite telling the truth, Bill didn’t believe it. “In Asia, there is a story about a politician who waited for his time while fishing. I think CEO Kim Shin was that kind of person.” “Ah. Yes.” After making so much money, humility was impossible. Vice President of Arcor’s Korean branch. Jung Soo-man was in trouble both inside and outside the company. Han Chae-won, who was in charge of the team leader of the support team, suddenly resigned. “I didn’t expect Han Chae-won to quit like that.” “Yes. President. My body is in bad shape because of the stress.” “So why are you leaving the company like this? Because of Mr. Han Chae-won, the name of our company often comes out badly in the media. And over the past two years, there has been a lot of talk about the support team being uncooperative.” Reprimand from the president or other directors in the boardroom. Since he was the one who forcibly raised Han Chae-won to the position of team leader, he could not avoid criticism at every meeting. “Whoa. I will die.” Jung Soo-man finished the meeting and went up to the roof. “Vice President.” “Yes. Okay. You were drinking coffee. Rest in peace.” “No. I drank it all.” Young employees went down from the rooftop with coffee cups that were more than half full. He knew that company employees didn’t like him very much, but after Han Chae-won’s book was published, he blatantly avoided him. Kim Shin was treated as a hero who almost saved the country, and he was tied up with Han Chae-won and became an object of avoidance. ‘Does it have 1 or 2 years left?’ There was something that felt like a long working life. I guessed that if the German president changes, there will be a water change together. A fate that even hard workers cannot avoid. ‘It’s just a few more months. To think I would just quit.’ Arcor was the job I wanted to go to until I died. Even so, I thought that since Han Chae-won had become rich, life would be comfortable even if he quit the company. ‘It’ll be fine if I travel abroad and live a leisurely life.’ It was Han Chae-won who received criticism from the public. I thought that in the future, I would be able to cherish and love more diligently. That evening, in an apartment in Gangnam. Jeongsuman pressed the password for the wall pad. [Invalid number.] [Invalid number.] [Invalid number.] The front door of the apartment Han Chae-won bought did not open. ‘Am I misremembering my password?’ Jung Soo-man thought it was strange and called Han Chae-won. ―Due to the circumstances of the customer…. ‘It’s strange.’ ―Jeong Soo-man: Honey. What was the password to the front door of the house? ―Suman Jeong: The door doesn’t open. Having lived a social life for a long time, I have not noticed. Even so, I sent a text message just in case. ‘Maybe not. You lived together for two years. How well Chaewon’s family took care of her.’ If something happened to Han Chae-won’s family, she immediately ran to it. On weekends, I washed the dishes for my mother, who runs a restaurant in Myeonmok-dong, and drove a car for my father. He was giving pocket money every month to Han Chae-won’s younger brother, who was still unable to find a job. He said that he was studying for civil servants, and he supported the cost of the entrance examination, the academy, and textbooks. KakaoTalk! ―Han Chae-won: Why do I have to tell you that? “Ha.” Worst answer expected. It was a letter that darkened Jung Soo-man’s eyes. ―Jeong Soo-man: There is affection from the past. Are you going to do this? ―Han Chae-won: What is Jeong? You said you gave me some money? So you lived together? ―Jeong Soo-man: You…. Jung Soo-man trembled with anger and a sense of betrayal. ―Jeong Soo-man: Did you rot like me? I knew it was childish, but I had no choice but to ask. He had a lot of misunderstandings about Han Chae-won. Living together for two years, I remembered the moments that I felt but passed by without looking deeply. -Han Chae-won: I used to like you. ―Jeong Soo-man: Really? But why is this -Han Chae-won: Only when giving money. Jung Soo-man felt as if he had been hit hard in the back of the head. ―Suman Jeong: What do you mean? Why are you doing this to me now? -Han Chae-won: You can do this. After all, no one doesn't know my personality. ―Jeong Soo-man: Chae Won-ah. It’s not like that. Even if people curse, it will all pass with time. It seemed that Han Chae-won couldn’t hold back his anger because of the severe stress. I wanted to comfort you somehow. ―Han Chae-won: I hope the public will continue to curse at me. ―Jeong Soo-man: What? ―Han Chae-won: You don’t have to curse to get interested in my book and keep selling it. -Han Chae-won: Think simply. You don’t have to pretend to be nice to him anymore. ―Jeong Soo-man: Mister? -Han Chae-won: Then you are a man. Are you my brother? -Han Chae-won: It’s annoying. Let’s break up. Don’t even think about coming home. I want you to delete my number, too. I’m telling you not to have regrets on purpose. It was a disastrous farewell notice. If you were in your 20s, you would cry and knock on the front door, but Jeongsu didn’t. I didn’t want to show the tears flowing to the woman I loved for two years at the age of mid-40s. ―Jeong Soo-man: I understood what you meant. That I’m no longer needed ―Han Chae-won: It’s good that you understand quickly. ―Jeong Soo-man: Yes. I get it. ‘Cause it’s night now, I’ll come pick up my luggage during the day. Luggage such as laptops, watches, and suits was in Han Chae-won’s apartment in Gangnam. It was he who called the moving center at her Gangbuk villa and moved in with her. Even if we broke up, I wanted to have a last conversation during the day and say goodbye. ―Han Chae-won: Go to the house where you live with your parents. ―Jeong Soo-man: Huh? ―Han Chae-won: I sent them all by courier. Are you done now? ―Bill: It was a good time. For the sake of the United States, I will listen to your candid opinions at any time. ―Kim Shin: Thank you for coming in person. I hope to hear more stories next time I get a chance. Senator Bill Karen drank late into the night and then went to sleep in another hotel room. I feel like I have strong connections in Washington. ‘How much power would a senator with about four terms have?’ I could understand the atmosphere of Washington. Members of the Senate and House of Representatives did not care at all about what they said in front of Biden-elect. Although the administration and Congress were divided, the impact of the Earth channel and the coronavirus vaccine felt incredibly strong. Business competence and influence were considered more important than money earned through investment. ‘busy. really.’ I did a lot of work while I was in New York. I met numerous financiers, met politicians, and strengthened my connections. ‘Now, if there’s anything I can do, all I have to do is make a phone call.’ It was already mid-December. “Jong-yeop. Let’s rest a little.” “Yes. older brother.” I was much more tired of meeting people than when I was working at Earth Resources. When I sold stocks, I had to constantly look at the computer to see even a little more profit. Even if his entire fortune exceeded 120 billion dollars, money was still precious. $100,000,000,000,020,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,020,020,020 2.20 200 220 220 220 222020,0,0,0,0 2,200,0” comes down in a short time. I had to go through a tedious negotiation process while meeting large investors and making block deals. It was difficult to harm a company that had multiplied its profits by disposing of stocks that could affect management rights. ‘Tesla is a filial son.’ Tesla had so many investors that it was all sorted out through market sales. After disposing of the stocks I had over a month, I was full of thoughts of wanting to take a break. “Let’s go to Los Angeles.” “Yes. older brother.” After telling Oh Myung-woo that he wanted to rest for a few more days, he headed to Los Angeles. Laguna Beach. I thought to cool my head and take a good rest while looking at the beautiful sea. “Let’s go while looking at the sea.” I turned the car around to look at the beach rather than the mansion. A car drives slowly along the waterfront, and a woman is walking on the beach. Watching her, it felt like time was passing slowly. “Jason, please stop the car.” “Yes.” I stopped the car and walked over to her, walking on the beach. It felt like from afar, no one else was visible, only her. The closer I got to her, the more my heart trembled. ‘Have you had too many things to worry about? Did you hallucinate while selling stock?’ I wondered if he had gone insane. One step, one step. ‘There’s no way Jo Soo-ah would be here. Did I get mental illness after reading Han Chae-won’s book?’ As she was walking along the beach, she looked to the side to see if she felt strange. Looking at her, her eyes widened in surprise., I picked up my phone, trying to stay calm. [Sooah Jo] When I called Jo Soo-ah, the cell phone in her hand rang. “Joshua?” -Yes. It’s me.