After the Divorce, I Found a Thousand Bitcoins - Chapter 45

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

I Got Divorced and Found a Thousand Bitcoins Episode 045

 

Pop-!

 

The champagne cork flew off.

 

Whoooosh-!

 

Soon champagne poured out through the opening like a fountain.

 

“Oh my! This expensive champagne!”

 

Watching Cha Tae-hun Vice President hurriedly bring over a glass, Choi Byeon burst into hearty laughter.

 

“Hahaha! Vice President! The champagne is overflowing anyway!”

 

“Ah, right! Still, it’s a waste!”

 

And like a true man, Cha Tae-hun Vice President downed the champagne in one gulp.

 

“Hahahaha! That’s a man! A real man!”

 

Choi Byeon seemed to like Cha Tae-hun Vice President, putting his arm around his shoulder and looking at Kang Hyeon sitting on the sofa.

 

“President! You should have a drink too!”

 

“Sounds good.”

 

He had no intention of missing out on this celebration party either.

 

They had landed a project worth 1.3 trillion won.

 

And it was a solo bid, not a joint venture or consortium bid.

 

“Let’s celebrate the largest contract in KH Construction’s history!!”

 

“Great work everyone!!”

 

“You all really worked hard!!”

 

The three men who had flown to this distant foreign country and worked hard had developed something like camaraderie.

 

But Kang Hyeon had no intention of ending things with just this camaraderie.

 

“You both worked very hard to secure this project.”

 

“Not at all! Actually, I wonder what I even did.”

 

Cha Vice President brought up the topic.

 

“Wasn’t Choi CEO’s skill decisive in securing this project?”

 

“I agree. Where on earth did you get Barma Group’s internal data?”

 

Choi Byeon asked what he was most curious about.

 

At his words, Kang Hyeon smiled.

 

“I bought Barma Group’s stock.”

 

“Stock? When?”

 

“After our first meeting, I contacted Lim Manager in South Korea, established an SPV in Singapore, and immediately began purchasing. Surprisingly, there was quite a bit of volume available in the market, so there was no difficulty in buying.”

 

“Wow…”

 

Of course, he hadn’t only purchased on the open market.

 

He processed the final volume through block deals before disclosure.

 

After that, he was able to access internal information.

 

“When you buy stock like that, doesn’t the other side try to block you?”

 

Cha Vice President, who had been listening, asked.

 

Though he traded stocks, he was at an amateur level.

 

Naturally, he had questions about Kang Hyeon’s methods.

 

“Of course they try to block it, but I bought quantities that weren’t disclosed from the beginning, and finished with a block deal that bought all the volume at once. So even if they noticed, there was nothing they could do.”

 

“Wow…”

 

“Moreover, since the President established an SPV in Singapore for the purchase, the other side never could have dreamed of it.”

 

“What’s an SPV…?”

 

“It’s a Special Purpose Vehicle. Simply put, the President and KH Capital hid behind the scenes while a new company took the front stage.”

 

“Ah…! So the other side got hit without knowing this side was the President.”

 

“Exactly. They probably only realized the SPV was the President when he showed the materials in the meeting room.”

 

Since Choi Byeon knew M&A well, he explained the related details in simple terms.

 

Thanks to this, Cha Vice President could understand immediately.

 

“But in the end, it was the Prime Minister’s Office that pressured them.”

 

Kang Hyeon smiled bitterly.

 

He had cornered the opponent, but couldn’t deliver the decisive blow.

 

Power held that strong decisive punch.

 

He had no choice but to ask the Prime Minister’s Office for help to finish off the opponent.

 

Choi Byeon said to Kang Hyeon.

 

“Your choice was right, President. To secure projects like this, relying on power is also an ability.”

 

That was true.

 

The more money was involved, the more often power was entangled.

 

“Even with great capital, power is a different story. It’s the same reason why America’s big tech companies kiss President Goldwin’s ass.”

 

The wealth held by big tech company leaders was no exaggeration to call 1 percent of the world’s wealth.

 

Tesla’s CEO Musk alone holds assets worth over 1,000 trillion won, doesn’t he?

 

Yet the reason they can’t move against Goldwin is simple.

 

Money can’t buy power, but power can crush money.

 

“Moving the Prime Minister’s Office was also your ability, President, so don’t worry too much about it.”

 

At Choi Byeon’s comfort, Kang Hyeon nodded.

 

“Thank you for the kind words.”

 

“Come on! Let’s celebrate! To KH Construction’s great future!!”

 

Cha Vice President lifted the mood by raising his glass.

 

Choi Byeon and Kang Hyeon also raised their glasses, continuing the victory toast.

 

* * *

 

A 1.3 trillion won project.

 

The securities industry’s evaluation of KH Construction, which had secured it, skyrocketed.

 

Naturally, it became a hot topic in internet communities where securities industry people gathered.

 

-What is KH Construction?

 

└It’s where JS Construction rebranded.

 

└JS Construction? That place with messed up financial statements? And they specialized in apartments. Suddenly highway construction?

 

└I heard rumors they were aggressively recruiting talent during the rebranding.

 

-More importantly, I heard KH Construction’s financial backer is KH Recovery. What do they do?

 

└It’s a holding company. Choi Kang-hyeon from KH Capital created it to acquire KH Construction.

 

└So ultimately Choi Kang-hyeon is the financial backer?

 

└Yeah. He seems to be the money guy.

 

└What does he do?

 

-Who exactly is Choi Kang-hyeon?

 

└This guy used to work at our company. Why is he suddenly so hot?

 

└He worked at your company?

 

└Yeah. He wasn’t that good at work. Suddenly quit and now he’s flying high.

 

-I heard rumors he secured initial funding with Bitcoin and then hit jackpots with every investment after?

 

└KH Construction was hot before in that Yeongjong Island rental scam incident.

 

└Ah, they got the Yeongjong Island theme park project from that incident.

 

└Wow… So they secured two major projects in a row?

 

└That’s crazy.

 

Securities industry people showed high interest in KH Construction, which had good recent performance.

 

Moreover, when it became known that Choi Kang-hyeon was originally from Yeouido, interest grew even hotter.

 

Naturally, stories about his past also circulated.

 

-But did you hear that story? About President Choi Kang-hyeon. His ex-wife had an affair with some trader from Yeouido?

 

└Really?

 

└I heard it too. That’s why they divorced. Right after, Choi Kang-hyeon found Bitcoin and started living it up.

 

-Details on the affair story. The ex-wife’s affair partner is a German equity prop trader from foreign firm ClXXX. I heard DeXXX’s performance got crushed recently.

 

└Wow lol What’s so good about a married woman that he’d have an affair?

 

└There are perverted bastards who like forbidden things they can’t have.

 

└Anonymous Blind Choi, I heard he lost at least 5 billion won during this Arkon incident?

 

└Crazy lol A cheating bastard with no ability either.

 

-This is why you should filter out guys from securities firms.

 

What people loved most was gossip.

 

As Choi Kang-hyeon was mentioned, stories about the people around him also became the talk of the town.

 

Especially stories about his ex-wife Han So-ye and Choi Chang-wook, who had an affair with her, circulated around internet communities.

 

The problem was that Yeouido’s securities district wasn’t very large.

 

Everyone knew each other within one degree of separation, and naturally the stories reached Cleverus as well.

 

“Good morning.”

 

Choi Chang-wook came to work, unaware of this fact.

 

People whispered as he entered the office with a Starbucks coffee in hand and a refreshing smile.

 

“Wow… look how thick-skinned he is.”

 

“How can he mess around with a married woman?”

 

“And he still walks in so confidently like that.”

 

“If it were me, I’d be too embarrassed to even lift my head.”

 

Though they whispered quietly, Choi Chang-wook could tell they were talking about him.

 

Just as he wondered what had happened while he was sleeping.

 

“Manager Choi!! Are you here?! Ah, you just arrived. Come to my office right now!”

 

The manager called for him.

 

Standing there with a bewildered expression, he put down his coffee and bag at his desk and headed straight to the manager’s office.

 

As he closed the door and entered, the manager asked.

 

“Is the rumor true?”

 

“Excuse me? What…?”

 

“Did you really have an affair with a married woman?!”

 

Choi Chang-wook’s expression hardened.

 

How did they know that fact?

 

“Ha! Looking at your expression, it must be true. My goodness! What were you thinking, having an affair with a married woman?!”

 

“No. I officially started dating after she got divorced…”

 

“It doesn’t matter! The rumor has already spread all over the internet!”

 

“The internet…?”

 

“Don’t you even use Blind?! You, your current girlfriend Han So-ye, and even CEO Choi Kang-hyeon are all tied together causing a huge commotion!”

 

Blind, the office worker community.

 

Though he knew such a place existed, Choi Chang-wook didn’t visit it often.

 

Since he believed such places were used by inferior people, he had even less reason to visit.

 

Seeing Choi Chang-wook standing there dumbfounded, the manager spoke as if frustrated.

 

“That’s not the important thing. The higher-ups are taking this matter very seriously.”

 

“The… higher-ups too?”

 

“Yes. But you’re a capable trader. They won’t fire you immediately. However, you need to prove that you have ability.”

 

Prove that he’s a capable trader?

 

Who did they think he was?

 

He was a trader who had worked on Wall Street…

 

“You say you once worked as a trader on Wall Street, but wasn’t that only for six months? In fact, you were practically kicked out for not adapting.”

 

The manager delivered a sharp blow.

 

“I thought you were doing well since coming to Korea. But looking at you lately, it’s ridiculous that we haven’t terminated your contract.”

 

Since his recent performance had indeed been poor, he had nothing to say.

 

Seeing him clench his teeth, the manager waved his hand dismissively as if he couldn’t stand the sight.

 

“Anyway, I’ve said everything I needed to say. Now get out.”

 

“Yes…”

 

He bowed lightly and left the manager’s office.

 

Behind Choi Chang-wook’s back, the manager’s quiet voice could be heard.

 

“Tsk, no wonder he fell for a married woman, being so stupid.”

 

That wasn’t it.

 

He didn’t fall for a married woman because he was stupid.

 

‘I was trying to drag that bastard Choi Kang-hyeon to hell…! Why!’

 

The bad blood with Choi Kang-hyeon went back to their school days.

 

Because of that tedious grudge, he had seduced and stolen Han So-ye.

 

She was all that remained for him.

 

‘But why am I the one in this mess?’

 

Everything was puzzling.

 

According to plan, Choi Kang-hyeon should have been ruined.

 

The one who got ruined was.

 

“Looks like he got thoroughly beaten down.”

 

“Is he going to get fired like this?”

 

“Since there’s time left on his contract…”

 

He sighed looking at his whispering colleagues.

 

‘I was the one who got ruined…’

 

He faced reality.

 

* * *

 

Incheon Airport.

 

Many reporters had gathered.

 

Passengers using the airport looked at the reporters and thought.

 

“Is some celebrity departing?”

 

“I don’t see any celebrities at all?”

 

“Besides, those reporters aren’t entertainment reporters, they’re economic media.”

 

“Why would economic media come all the way to the airport?”

 

While passengers were puzzled, the gate doors opened and a group of people walked out.

 

And one of the reporters who spotted their target among them shouted.

 

“There they come!”

 

“It’s CEO Choi Kang-hyeon!”

 

Reporters swarmed over and began photographing three men in suits.

 

“Who is that? An actor?”

 

“Doesn’t look like an actor?”

 

“Still, that man in the middle is quite handsome.”

 

“But really, who is he?”

 

“Oh? I know who that man in the middle is. Isn’t he the CEO of KH Capital who caught that jeonse fraud case?”

 

“KH Capital? What, a loan company?”

 

“No way, it’s not that kind of place, it’s an investment company.”

 

“How does an investment company catch jeonse fraud cases?”

 

The Yeongjong Island jeonse fraud case was an incident known nationwide.

 

Thanks to that, some passengers recognized Kang Hyeon.

 

Then reporters poured out questions toward the three men.

 

“CEO Choi Kang-hyeon, you’ve secured a 1.3 trillion won construction project with India. Please share your thoughts!”

 

“We understand you have a personal relationship with the Indian Prime Minister. How did you meet?”

 

“There was reportedly a clause for full cash payment in this deal! Is that true?!”

 

“How did you beat the competition from Indian domestic companies to secure the contract?”

 

Listening to their competitive questions, Choi Byeon quietly said.

 

“Do economic media normally come all the way to airports for coverage like this?”

 

“This is my first time seeing it too.”

 

“Still, unlike when we departed, receiving such an enthusiastic welcome upon return feels good.”

 

At his words, Kang Hyeon smiled and replied.

 

“I feel the same way.”

 

Just then, familiar faces pushed through the reporters and approached.

 

“President!!”

 

“Oh? Did you all come out?”

 

They were employees of KH Capital.

 

“Of course! You’ve returned after signing such a major contract. We naturally had to come out to greet you.”

 

Kim Seong-won said.

 

“President! Please accept this bouquet!”

 

Kim Ha-ryul handed over a bouquet.

 

A reporter who had been waiting for the right timing captured that moment.

 

Click!

 

The two-shot of Kim Ha-ryul handing over the bouquet and Kang Hyeon receiving it was turned into an article and spread nationwide.

 

[KH Recovery CEO Choi Kang-hyeon receiving a warm welcome from his employees.]

 

Netizens who saw the article poured out various comments.

 

-Wow… landing a 1.3 trillion won construction project in his 30s?

 

-Your skills are seriously insane lol

 

-That suit looks amazing on him.

 

-So what? He’s divorced anyway.

 

└For real?

 

└He’s already famous in Yeouido.

 

-That woman giving the bouquet is pretty.

 

└Are they dating?

 

└I’m jealous.

 

-has it all, fuck… so damn jealous.

 

Kang Hyeon was unknowingly attracting envy.

 

* * *

 

After returning to South Korea, Kang Hyeon spent a busy month.

 

Even though he had secured the contract, there were many things to handle afterward.

 

Still, thanks to his busy work, he was able to send the initial personnel to India within a month.

 

-President, starting today we plan to set up a proper base camp and inspect the construction site.

 

After receiving the report from Vice President Cha who was stationed on-site, Kang Hyeon brought up something he had been preparing.

 

“Vice President, I’ll send you a map via email. Please inspect that area as well.”

 

-Ah, yes. Understood.

 

After hanging up, Kang Hyeon immediately checked the map he had prepared.

 

It was that red hill he had confirmed through Google Maps.

 

‘What’s hidden here. Now I’ll be able to find out.’

 

Originally, he had considered sending someone to check it out first.

 

But if he took such unnecessary action and the Indian Government noticed, it could complicate things later.

 

So he waited until he officially secured the contract and the inspection team could move.

 

Most importantly, it was best for our people to be the first to discover this fact.

 

‘I wonder what’s really there?’

 

In a few days, he would know the result.

 

[Email has been sent.]

 

After sending the email, Kang Hyeon leaned back in his chair and calmly waited for the time to come.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————