For several days, Koryeo Daily ran follow-up articles on its front page.
[Candidate Choi Seohyeon, Suspicion of Illegal Political Funds Worth 30 Billion Won... Who Is Behind This Fabrication Scheme?]
[Chief Secretary of Candidate Choi Seohyeon’s Camp Caught Receiving Cash Hidden Inside Apple Boxes.]
[The Mystery of Candidate Choi Seohyeon and 30 Billion Won. Where Did the Huge Sum Come From?]
Articles casting suspicion on Choi Seohyeon poured out one after another.
Other media outlets were busy copying and reprinting Koryeo Daily’s reports.
Choi Seohyeon’s camp immediately released a statement denying everything, but they failed to provide a proper explanation.
“What the hell happened? You said no one was following you! Hyukjin! Kim Hyukjin!”
The entire Choi Seohyeon camp descended into chaos. Overcome with anger and confusion, Choi Seohyeon could do nothing but shout.
“I-I don’t know. There really was no one following us. I checked carefully, and I spent a long time driving around before going to the officetel...”
“Then what the hell is this?!”
Choi Seohyeon picked up the newspaper lying on the table and hurled it at Kim Hyukjin’s face.
On the front page was an unmistakable photo of Kim Hyukjin carrying the apple boxes.
There was even a video posted on Koryeo Daily’s website.
Clear evidence had been released so that no one could claim the photos were fabricated.
“You’d better prepare to take responsibility. I don’t know anything about this. Understand?”
“...Yes.”
Kim Hyukjin tightly shut his eyes.
He had expected things to turn out this way, but now that it had become reality, it felt even more miserable.
He knew they would use him as a sacrifice to cut off the tail, yet he had still carried it out.
There was nothing he could do.
Ignoring Kim Hyukjin, who stood there with his head lowered, Choi Seohyeon called Choi Taeuk.
“President Choi, what happened? Did information leak from our side? Or from yours?”
Unlike their first meeting, Choi Seohyeon spoke down to Choi Taeuk without hesitation.
— Please calm down, Candidate. I’ll sort out the situation. Until then, don’t act rashly and wait.
“How can I wait? President Choi, every media outlet is tearing me apart already. And the materials you handed over are being suspected of being fabricated... Are they really solid?”
— I’ll clean things up. We still have cards left to play.
After being repeatedly restrained, Choi Seohyeon collapsed into his seat and muttered,
“...I can’t wait long. Not long.”
Exhaustion was deeply etched onto his face.
At that same moment, Lee Myungsoo held an emergency press conference.
Gathering reporters in the National Assembly floor leader’s office, he raised his voice.
“This incident goes beyond the simple acceptance of illegal political funds. It reveals the ugly side of political schemes. We demand a thorough investigation into the truth.”
Lee Myungsoo’s remarks caused a major shock in political circles.
Once he took the lead, senior lawmakers of the Centrist Party, who had remained silent until now, began speaking out with one voice.
At the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Oh Hyunwoo of the Special Investigation Division officially announced the launch of an investigation.
“In relation to the suspicions surrounding Branch Manager Kim Muhyuk and the allegations that Candidate Choi Seohyeon accepted illegal political funds, we will establish a special investigative headquarters and conduct a thorough investigation. We will examine every person and organization involved, both domestically and internationally.”
Oh Hyunwoo’s firm attitude drew the attention of both the media and the public.
He immediately requested an arrest warrant for Kim Hyukjin, who had transported the money for Choi Seohyeon’s camp.
His wife, Judge Han Minkyung, promptly issued both the arrest warrant and the search and seizure warrants.
Everything proceeded as smoothly as flowing water.
Though the investigation directly targeted a leading presidential candidate from the opposition, its progress was astonishingly fast.
Never before had a presidential candidate been investigated this quickly ahead of an election.
Yoon Jaeha prepared legal countermeasures on behalf of Kim Muhyuk.
He also gathered reporters and addressed the allegations raised by Choi Seohyeon concerning Kim Muhyuk.
“Because our client’s reputation has been severely damaged by fabricated evidence from Candidate Choi Seohyeon’s side, we will file a defamation lawsuit. This will apply equally to Candidate Choi Seohyeon and all related parties. Furthermore, having been entrusted by Representative Kim Muhyuk, we have secured evidence that can prove his innocence.”
Kim Muhyuk’s inner circle moved simultaneously.
* * *
Xavier summoned people to his residence.
“Things in Korea aren’t going very well.”
David replied anxiously.
“At this rate, our identities will be exposed.”
“Don’t worry about that. We won’t be exposed. Kim Muhyuk doesn’t want an all-out war with us either.”
Xavier spoke with confidence.
Marx, who had been listening quietly, asked,
“What do you intend to do about Lorenze?”
Xavier’s eyes turned toward Marx.
Meeting his gaze without avoiding it, Marx said,
“Weren’t we the ones in the wrong?”
“What exactly did we do wrong?”
“Weren’t you trying to kill Lorenze without any evidence? If you become suspicious of me, will you kill me too?”
“Marx!”
David and Nace called out simultaneously.
But Marx did not stop.
“It was clearly wrong to corner Lorenze without solid evidence.”
“How strange... Weren’t you the one who insisted on summoning Lorenze and questioning him?”
“I wanted an explanation. I never said we should drive him out.”
After pondering for a moment, Xavier lightly pointed his chin toward Marx.
“Hm... Then, Marx, tell me your thoughts.”
“We should talk with Lorenze. The head of the family should apologize where necessary and return things to how they were before...”
“What nonsense. You expect me to apologize to Lorenze? Hahaha!”
Interrupting him, Xavier burst into loud laughter.
After laughing for quite a while, he suddenly stopped.
Then, with eyes and voice filled with anger, he said,
“Marx. I’ll warn you. Never mention that name in front of me again. This is your final warning.”
Marx, who had been about to say more, firmly shut his mouth.
Seeing this, Xavier returned the conversation to its original subject.
“For now, we’ll withdraw from the matter in Korea. And prepare to recover our investments in XPI immediately.”
“...The losses will be severe.”
At Nace’s words, Xavier spoke firmly.
“If you fear losses, you can never move forward. Do as I say.”
At the resolute order, Nace nodded.
“Cut off every connection to us as quickly as possible. And David.”
“Yes, Head of the Family.”
“We must tie down Kim Muhyuk in America. How far has the plan progressed?”
David lowered his head.
“We still haven’t found concrete evidence. At this rate, it’ll be difficult to trap him.”
“If we can simply reveal that Kim Muhyuk was behind Bear Stearns’ crisis, we can pin everything that follows on him.”
“I’ll do my best. But his influence is greater than expected. Even the Secretary of State is favorable toward Charlie.”
Xavier swallowed a groan and spoke again.
“This time, we must set a solid trap. Honestly, I’m satisfied with the results in Korea alone.”
He knew that Kim Muhyuk could not be brought down by something at this level.
If Kim Muhyuk had been that kind of man, he would never have cornered them this far.
Still, their objective had already been achieved.
“While his attention is fixed on Korea, we must finish all preparations. Hurry.”
* * *
I let out a sigh while listening to Manager Ma’s report.
Though I was in New York, I was receiving real-time reports about everything happening in Korea.
“I’m grateful to everyone.”
Taking direct action in matters like these was a double-edged sword.
But my friends willingly stepped forward for my sake.
“How’s public sentiment?”
“Public opinion toward Choi Seohyeon is very negative. But regarding the suspicions surrounding you, Boss, there are still many voices demanding the truth.”
I nodded.
That was exactly why I had thrown out the bait.
The deeper the suspicions against me became, the better.
Because once it was revealed later that everything had been fabricated, no one would dare raise such suspicions again.
Even if they had proper evidence.
“It’s about time. Tell Choi Taeuk to hold a press conference. That will be the direct hit. Connect the call.”
After some time, I was connected to Choi Taeuk.
Manager Ma handed me the phone.
“Hello. This is Kim Muhyuk. I believe this is our first direct conversation.”
— Yes, Branch Manager Kim Muhyuk. Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Taeuk.
“I tried several times through others to discuss investment opportunities with you, but you rejected me every time. Frankly, I was rather disappointed.”
An awkward laugh came from the other side.
“Well, that’s all in the past. Let’s work together from now on.”
— Thank you, Branch Manager.
“Now it’s your turn to step forward, President Choi. Go before the reporters and tell them the truth.”
— ...I’ll become a target of the investigation as well.
“I can’t make you innocent, but there won’t be imprisonment or a prison sentence. The prosecution has already finished preparing.”
— Hmm...
“It’ll be better for you in the long run to cleanly sever your relationship with Baltice through this opportunity.”
Choi Taeuk hesitated, sighing instead of answering immediately.
I spoke firmly.
“We keep our promises. We’ll take responsibility for your business and your safety. You only need to step forward yourself. My employees should have already conveyed this.”
— Ha... Understood. I’ll arrange the press conference immediately.
Now that was the answer I wanted.
My voice softened slightly.
“Whatever happened in the past, let’s work well together from now on. I’ll be of help to your business. Let’s have a meal together sometime. Goodbye.”
After ending the call with Choi Taeuk, I smiled slightly.
“Can Choi Seohyeon stop this attack?”
“If he can, then we’ll have to acknowledge him.”
“Haha, that’s true. Then let’s see what he does.”
Still smiling broadly, I looked down at the phone that had just disconnected.
* * *
Choi Taeuk entered the press conference hall.
Normally, there would not have been so many reporters.
But with the topic involving Choi Seohyeon’s illegal political funds, there was barely any room to stand.
Reporters, supporters of Choi Seohyeon, and his opponents all crowded together, making the place resemble a marketplace.
Police were trying to maintain order, but it was not easy.
In the end, Choi Taeuk appeared thirty minutes later than scheduled.
His nervousness was obvious.
Though he had been interviewed many times before, he had never stood before such a large crowd.
“I have called this press conference today because I have something to confess to the people.”
His voice trembled as it echoed through the hall.
“I am the person who delivered illegal political funds to Candidate Choi Seohyeon. However, this was not my decision.”
The conference hall erupted.
Boos and angry shouts came from the area where Choi Seohyeon’s supporters had gathered.
“Stop slandering the candidate, you bastard!”
“Hey! You’re Kim Muhyuk’s puppet! Get down, you son of a bitch!”
The commotion lasted briefly before order was restored.
“Please watch the video material I’m about to show you before making your judgment.”
An employee who came with Choi Taeuk played a video.
It showed Choi Taeuk and Choi Seohyeon meeting at a villa in Gyeonggi Province.
The edited video lasted only about five minutes.
After it ended and the screen went black, the hall fell silent.
“You may misunderstand because it’s edited, so let me make this clear. The original footage is very long, so I only edited it for length. There has been absolutely no manipulation. I will submit the original to the prosecution.”
The footage clearly showed the conversation between Choi Taeuk and Choi Seohyeon about burying Kim Muhyuk, Choi Seohyeon personally handing over the car keys, and the apple boxes being loaded into the trunk.
“I am not asking for forgiveness. I had no choice either. My own will meant nothing. The investment company backing us wanted this...”
Naturally, the name Baltice was never mentioned directly.
But his statement made it obvious that someone stood behind Choi Seohyeon.
“I deeply regret participating in that plan. From now on, I will reveal everything and cooperate fully with the investigation.”
Choi Taeuk stepped aside and bowed deeply.
When he raised his head again, reporters immediately began shouting questions.
But he could not answer a single one.
Because the prosecution had just stormed into the press conference hall.
“I’m Prosecutor Oh Hyunwoo. President Choi Taeuk, you are being placed under emergency arrest in connection [N O V E L I G H T] with Candidate Choi Seohyeon’s violation of the Political Funds Act.”
Naturally, it was a performance arranged in advance.
Without saying a word, Choi Taeuk left the press conference hall together with the prosecutors.
