CH165 | Heir

Thanks to the iPad and iPhone S, the audience was more than satisfied.

With their expectations already met, they watched the next product unveiling with a sense of ease.

[The final product we’d like to introduce today is a TV. You might be wondering—Apple making a TV? If it were just a regular TV, that would indeed be surprising. But this isn’t just any TV; this is a smart TV. Just as the iPhone revolutionized the mobile market, Apple TV is set to redefine television!]

A large LCD TV was brought onto the stage.

The cameras zoomed in to showcase different angles of the TV, and at that moment, the head of planning let out a gasp.

“Vice President, the Taewoo Group logo is displayed at the center of the Apple TV!”

“That should be obvious. Since Apple and Taewoo Electronics co-developed this TV, it makes sense that both companies' logos are present.”

A TV bearing both the Apple logo and the Taewoo Electronics logo.

Perhaps it was the impact of the earlier iPad and iPhone presentations, but the TV already felt like an innovation.

[The official name is Apple-Taewoo TV. Combining Taewoo Electronics' technological expertise with Apple's innovation, we've created an entirely new kind of television. It can play music, stream videos, and even browse the web. And, of course, it’s fully compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.]

The audience was already impressed by the fact that it seamlessly integrated with Apple products.

To further illustrate the convenience, Steve performed a short demonstration.

[Many of you watch videos on your iPhone while commuting on the subway or bus. When you get home and open your iPad on your bed, you can resume watching exactly where you left off. And if you move to the living room and turn on your TV, you can pick up right where you left off again.]

Steve even acted out lying on a bed and then sitting on a sofa to watch TV, bringing his vision to life.

[Apple is here to give you the perfect day!]

The presentation finally concluded.

The crowd erupted, chanting Steve’s name in excitement.

After watching Steve exit the venue, the head of planning turned off the TV.

“What time is it now?”

“It’s 7:50 AM.”

“The stock market is about to open.”

“I’ll monitor Taewoo Electronics’ stock chart in real-time.”

The head of planning opened his laptop, navigated to Taewoo Securities’ website, and pulled up the stock chart.

Time passed quickly as the market buzzed with activity.

“Vice President! Taewoo Electronics' stock price is rising sharply!”

“CES is proving to be highly effective. Having Steve introduce our product is far more impactful than running dozens of TV commercials.”

The advertising effect was enormous.

Steve had become an iconic figure after the iPhone’s success.

His direct endorsement of the Apple-Taewoo TV was a priceless marketing opportunity.

“Vice President! Taewoo Electronics just hit the daily price limit!”

The head of planning raised his voice in excitement.

Just then—knock, knock, knock!

With a few hurried knocks, Taewoo Electronics’ president, Woo Sung-il, entered the vice president’s office.

“Vice President! I was so eager that I came straight here before you even called.”

“Good call. What do you think of the reception to the Apple-Taewoo TV?”

“The response has been explosive! We’re already receiving an overwhelming number of inquiries about purchasing the Apple-Taewoo TV at Taewoo Electronics stores!”

And this was just the beginning.

The Apple-Taewoo TV was available for purchase at both Apple and Taewoo Electronics stores.

Naturally, this would also lead to an increase in sales of other Taewoo products.

“With Apple making a full-scale entry into the Chinese and European markets, demand for the Apple-Taewoo TV will skyrocket. Make sure there are no supply disruptions.”

“Even if I have to stay at the factory 24/7, I’ll ensure production keeps up with demand.”

We spent quite some time discussing the Apple-Taewoo TV.

With both the stock price and product outlook looking perfect, we could talk with smiles on our faces.

While some were celebrating


At the Prosecutor’s Office, the president of Foreign Exchange Bank sat in a somber mood, engaged in a tense conversation with the investigators.

“The evidence proving you manipulated the BIS ratio is crystal clear. Why are you still denying it?”

“I have never manipulated any data. Errors may exist, but the report submitted to the Financial Supervisory Service was a projection for this year’s BIS ratio. Naturally, there could be discrepancies. I’m not a god—how could I predict the future with absolute accuracy?”

Like all financial figures, even a small error in the denominator could result in significant fluctuations in the final ratio.

The prosecution had been tipped off by a whistleblower about the discrepancies in the denominator, and they relentlessly pressed the bank president on the matter.

Yet, he adamantly refused to admit any wrongdoing.

The battle of words dragged on for hours.

But with no further breakthroughs, and no legal grounds to detain him any longer, the prosecution had no choice but to let him go.

“We will summon you again soon. If you fail to comply, we may escalate this to an arrest investigation. Please be advised.”

“Understood. I will cooperate fully with the investigation.”

At last, the bank president was able to leave the Prosecutor’s Office.

Thanks to the help of a top law firm, his case had been downgraded to a non-custodial investigation.

Still, the situation was tangled far too messily for him to see a clear way out.

“Get some rest today. I’ll visit you first thing tomorrow morning. I assure you, we will prove your innocence—so try not to worry too much.”

“I’m placing all my trust in you, counselor!”

The bank president arrived home in his lawyer’s car.

All he could think about was washing up and going straight to bed.

But as he approached his house, he noticed someone waiting for him.

His expression twisted in anger.

“How did you find me? What nerve do you have to show up at my home, Il-Seop Lee?!”

Standing before him was Il-Seop Lee, a team leader from the Financial Supervisory Service.

He was the whistleblower who had set this entire ordeal into motion.

Blood rushing to his face, the bank president jabbed a finger at him.

“What could we possibly have to talk about?! And why should I be the one worried? You’re the traitor—your career is over. But me? I’ll be just fine.”

“I’ve already secured a job at an American financial firm. They’ve offered me a salary far higher than yours.”

At those words, the bank president’s hand, which had been pointed accusingly at Il-Seop, slowly lowered.

Until now, he had always thought of Il-Seop Lee as nothing more than a justice-obsessed lunatic.

But now, he had landed a job at an American financial firm? With an enormous salary, no less?

It was clear now—Il-Seop Lee was no different from himself.

And someone like that was worth having a conversation with.

“So, you were a fox pretending to be a bear. This wasn’t about justice, was it? You blew the whistle under someone’s orders.”

“Let’s discuss the details somewhere quieter. I’ve arranged for a vehicle.”

A high-end German luxury sedan pulled up slowly.

The moment the bank president saw the car, his suspicions turned into certainty.

If Il-Seop had access to such an expensive vehicle, then there was undoubtedly someone powerful backing him.

“Hmm
 Now I’m really curious about what you’re up to. I look like a mess, but fine—I’ll come along.”

“I can assure you, this will be a very worthwhile meeting.”

The luxury sedan smoothly exited Seoul and headed toward the outskirts.

It wasn’t until they arrived at a secluded villa that the car finally came to a stop.

Seeing more than ten security guards stationed around the property, the bank president swallowed hard.

This was bigger than he had imagined.

Whoever was waiting for him inside was no ordinary figure.

“CEO Lee Young-Han? And
 the elders? What are you all doing here?”

The moment he stepped inside, he was shocked to see familiar faces.

Sitting before him were the so-called “Myeong-dong Trio,” the undisputed rulers of Korea’s third-tier financial sector.

And in the highest seat of honor sat a foreigner he had never seen before, watching him intently.

“My friend! You’re old enough to know better—why put yourself through such hardship?”

“I had no choice. If Foreign Exchange Bank collapses, it could trigger another financial crisis in Korea.”

An elderly woman, known as Baek Halmae, gently stroked the bank president’s hand as if comforting a grandchild.

Anyone who worked in banking had set foot in Myeong-dong at least once.

And the more troubled a bank was, the more frequently it sought out Myeong-dong’s financial networks.

“Enough with the noble excuses. Introduce yourself properly—this man is here to save you, so show some respect.”

The bank president hesitated, then straightened himself before speaking.

“I-It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Lee Soo-Hyun, President of Foreign Exchange Bank.”

“Since you work in banking, I assume you speak English? Nice to meet you. I’m Dimon. This is our first time meeting in person, but I feel like I already know you quite well.”

Dimon knew all about Lee Soo-Hyun.

After all, Dimon had been the mastermind behind the acquisitions of Hyundai Construction and a semiconductor firm.

And as the head of Hyundai Group’s creditor committee, Lee Soo-Hyun had played a major role in those transactions.

Foreign Exchange Bank was struggling primarily because of Hyundai Group’s financial troubles.

And Dimon himself had contributed significantly to this crisis.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t believe we’ve met before.”

“Many people on Wall Street know my name, but it seems you’ve never heard of me.”

“
Are you Dimon, the one they called the heir to Whale, the founder of CitiGroup?”

Dimon’s expression briefly darkened.

Hearing Whale’s name had soured his mood—after all, it was Whale who had once brought him into Wall Street, only to discard him later.

But he was well aware that Whale’s reputation far outshone his own.

The Citi Group that Whale had built had risen to become the top financial institution in the United States.

Rather than closing the gap between them, Dimon had only fallen further behind, to the point where comparison was meaningless.

Still, with his plan to acquire Foreign Exchange Bank, he was determined to start narrowing that gap. Regaining his composure, he spoke.

"Yes, I am the Dimon you're referring to."

"When the heir to the world's greatest bank suddenly disappeared, I remember the financial world being in shock."

"I left before Citi Group was even fully established, so I wouldn't really call myself an heir. And even if I had stayed, there was no chance Whale would have handed Citi over to me."

Lee Soo-Hyun's demeanor immediately shifted—his tone more respectful, his posture more formal.

After all, before him stood the man once considered the successor to the legendary Whale, the mastermind behind the world’s leading bank.

"So, what is it that you wanted to discuss with me?"

"I hear you've allied yourself with Lone Star. But from what I understand, things have taken a bad turn. There’s now a strong possibility that Lone Star will lose its eligibility to acquire Foreign Exchange Bank."

"I have no idea where those rumors are coming from. Without Lone Star, the bank cannot be sold. They’re the only eligible bidder—who could possibly take away their qualifications?"

"What if they weren’t the only bidder?"

Lee Soo-Hyun’s eyes narrowed.

"Are you saying you intend to enter the bidding?"

Dimon responded with a faint smile.

Then, gesturing toward the men from Myeong-dong, he continued.

"Lone Star may have significant assets, but they won’t be willing to spend more than 1 trillion won to acquire Foreign Exchange Bank. We, however, can invest far more than that."

"You’re working with Myeong-dong?"

"That’s a strange way to put it, don’t you think?"

Dimon glanced at Lee Young-Han, the undisputed leader of Myeong-dong.

Lee Young-Han immediately bowed his head.

"If Dimon desires it, all of Myeong-dong’s financial resources will be at his disposal."

Lee Soo-Hyun’s breath caught in his throat.

"Are you telling me
 that Dimon has been the true power behind Myeong-dong all along?"

It was all an act.

A carefully orchestrated performance to make Dimon appear as the ultimate force behind Myeong-dong’s vast financial empire.

And thanks to their impeccable acting, Lee Soo-Hyun had fallen for it completely.