I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 141

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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141 – Sale
141.
Celeste was flustered.
The Del Rosario Insurance matter, which I had dismissed as trivial, had spiraled into something massive.
It was nothing serious, yet everyone was making such a fuss over it.
It was hard to understand.
Who said the money wouldn’t be paid?
They were raising hell just because there was no one to handle it and things were delayed slightly.
If they’d just wait a little longer, everything would be paid out.
I had both the ability and the willingness to disburse that money.
It was just that the procedure to verify whether the money could be disbursed was taking a bit longer, yet they were making such a commotion over it.
That’s why YouTube was the problem.
How wonderful it would be if, like broadcast or newspapers, they only reported what they were told to report?
Celeste made a vow that if she became president, she would definitely shut down YouTube.
Politics would be so much easier without YouTube.
.
.
.
Brian, the Team Leader of Del Rosario Insurance’s management division, ultimately submitted his resignation.
Just as he had watched his subordinates leave, Brian too ultimately decided to quit.
He couldn’t endure it anymore.
The executives hurled verbal abuse at Brian every single day.
Why weren’t you hiring staff?
Why wasn’t work getting done?
If it can’t be done, shouldn’t you at least outsource it?
Are you even a Team Leader? If you are, act like one.
Why are reports always late? We have to report too, so bring them quickly.
Stop making excuses about staffing. Anyone can do it when everything is in place. True excellence is performing well when you have nothing.
I had to handle tasks I’d never done before, and on top of the executives’ verbal abuse, it became unbearable.
The more I worked, the more tasks piled up instead of decreasing, and with the executives’ abuse added on top of that, I found myself wondering why I was putting myself through this for any kind of wealth or glory, and so I decided to resign.
When Brian submitted his resignation, the very words he had spoken to his subordinates came out of an executive’s mouth.
“Why don’t you hold on just a bit longer and endure it? If you just take one more step forward here, you’ll be an executive.”
“Promotion is coming soon. Look around. There’s no one else. You can move up.”
“I admit I’ve been harsh with you lately. But Brian, you know too. What’s the situation like right now?”
“This is when we need to unite and overcome this crisis together.”
“Do you think resigning will solve this situation?”
“Don’t do that. Let’s think about it again.”
Hearing those words, Brian let out a hollow laugh.
Brian had said the exact same things to his subordinates.
In other words, those words were not true at all.
It’s nothing but empty talk designed to buy time.
How do I know?
Because that’s the mindset Brian spoke with.
He was thinking: without that person, Brian will struggle, so let’s just keep him around for now.
There was never any intention to grant him a promotion.
Brian didn’t even have the authority to promote anyone.
The executive who promised Brian a promotion was thinking the same way.
Hearing the executive’s words, I could quit without any lingering regrets.
“Thank you for everything.”
Brian turned and walked out of the Office.
The funny part was that no one was even there to process Brian’s resignation letter.
The HR department was completely empty.
Eventually, the termination would be processed.
Stepping outside the Building, the familiar scenery looked different.
I felt anxious, but also thrilled wondering what kind of future awaited me.
I walked into the city.
My footsteps felt light.
*******
“It seems we need to take some action.”
“Why are you asking me? That’s something you should handle. Aren’t you the CEO?”
Francis came to find Celeste.
The situation had become so serious that it seemed necessary to take some measures.
But Celeste snapped back at Francis harshly.
Saying it was his responsibility as the representative.
My responsibility?
Me, the representative?
This is ridiculous.
Francis was technically the representative, but he had no actual authority.
Well, there was one thing.
The corporate card?
Other than using the corporate card externally, everything else required Celeste’s approval.
If he handled something unilaterally and Celeste found out, it would be a disaster.
That’s why he came today seeking orders.
Given how far the situation had progressed, she must have some plan in mind.
Francis just needed to receive the command and execute it.
He came believing Celeste would have a solution.
She was that kind of person.
But now she was saying this was something Francis should handle?
What authority did Francis even have?
Once, he’d casually changed insurance terms because someone said they were complicated, and he was called in by the audit department.
I changed a Christmas gift once and got scolded for three years.
I added sandwiches to the snacks the employees ate, and I got chewed out for spending money that wasn’t mine.
This is who I am.
Someone with no power whatsoever.
Someone who can’t even add sandwiches, yet I’m supposed to devise and execute plans that control the entire company?
It’s absurd, but it’s familiar.
Any office worker has experienced this kind of thing dozens, hundreds of times over.
It’s not like I’ve only seen people change their words right in front of me a few times.
There are plenty of people who lie without hesitation and make unreasonable demands.
Dealing with such people every day—that’s what it means to be an office worker.
There’s damage, but I can endure this much.
That’s why I, Francis, have climbed to this position.
“So what I’m suggesting is, what if we offered different compensation packages when hiring new employees?”
“Different compensation?”
Celeste seemed interested.
“Isn’t the current problem simply a matter of document overload causing work congestion, employee resignations, and operational paralysis? It’s a problem that can be solved anytime if we just fill the staffing gaps.”
“So how would you change it?”
“First, raise base salaries and incentives, and expand welfare benefits. Provide meal allowances or fuel stipends, implement self-development funds, condolence payments, holiday gifts, and housing loans. I believe better talent will flock to us if we do that.”
Celeste, who had been pondering Francis’s words, spoke softly.
“Francis. You’ve been running things like that all this time? Without any standards? If you give those benefits to new employees now? What about existing staff? You’re not raising their pay?”
“Of course we’d have to raise theirs too.”
“Then how much are we talking in fixed costs? Huh? You call that a suggestion?”
Celeste’s sharp voice erupted, and Francis shrank back, becoming the target of her ire.
Francis had believed that improving compensation was the most effective and best approach, but apparently Celeste didn’t see it that way.
It seemed she was concerned about the labor costs and fixed expenses that would result.
“Francis, when I leave here, I want to pass this place on to you. But if you keep showing me such disappointing ideas, won’t my resolve waver?”
Celeste manipulated Francis again with her gentle tone.
“Isn’t there a better method? You just can’t think of it?”
Francis, who had been thinking hard at Celeste’s prompting, carefully ventured a suggestion.
“What I’m about to propose works at other companies, but I’m not sure if it will work for you, Chairman.”
“What is it?”
“Sell Del Rosario Insurance.”
“What?”
“To be honest, if things continue like this for much longer, the government won’t be able to stay out of it. Of course, you’ve probably already taken precautions, but public opinion matters, doesn’t it? The atmosphere will force an inspection, and when it comes, we’ll inevitably face fines or business suspension. On top of that, there are already massive lawsuits pending. Your reputation has suffered too. In times like these, selling might actually be a viable option.”
“Francis. Do you know what Del Rosario Insurance means to me?”
“Of course I do. Didn’t you build the Del Rosario Group starting with this insurance company? I know you have deep attachment to it, but······”
“But?”
“I’m worried it might become an anchor dragging you down if you pursue something bigger later.”
Only then did Celeste understand what Francis was saying.
He was suggesting she sell it in case it became a problem when running for president.
Soon, I’ll need to prepare for the presidential election.
At that point, the Del Rosario Insurance payment suspension scandal could resurface and haunt me.
People might question how I can run a nation when I can’t even manage my own company properly.
Francis intends to preemptively block such criticism from arising.
By selling the company, I can transfer all legal liability to the buyer.
Once Celeste sells off Del Rosario Insurance, she becomes legally free of the burden.
Only then did a faint smile cross Celeste’s lips.
Honestly, it’s a shame to let it go.
While Del Rosario Insurance isn’t the industry’s top player, it’s been a reliable cash cow, consistently delivering profits.
Insurance premiums flow in every month, but that money doesn’t immediately go out as claims.
The premiums received are converted into reserve funds and accumulated within the company.
Those reserve funds aren’t left idle.
I use that money to create and sell protection-plus-savings insurance products.
With the revenue generated that way, I’m now establishing an investment company.
I pour the reserve funds into the investment company.
This was possible because monthly insurance premiums flowing into the insurance company remain steady, while insurance payouts aren’t particularly large.
The investment company used that capital to secure real estate development, M&A deals, overseas resources, and logistics systems.
That money then cycles back to the insurance company, acquiring other insurers, securing media stakes, and expanding influence.
Through this method, I grew.
The Del Rosario Group was born this way.
Now, whether it’s the investment company, real estate, or private equity funds, each operates independently with considerable power, but it all started with Del Rosario Insurance.
For me, selling Del Rosario Insurance wasn’t easy.
But if becoming president is the goal, there’s nothing I can’t sell.
And if I sell the company now, I can overcome this current crisis without getting my hands dirty.
If I structure the contract to include the current debt, perhaps I can pull off the ultimate deal—transferring all the risk while keeping all the assets.
To be honest, I don’t even want to pay out that small insurance claim.
I don’t want to return money that came into my hands.
If I can transfer that part entirely to the buyer, it wouldn’t be bad at all.
“So, do we have interested buyers?”
“There are several interested parties. Shall I look into them a bit more?”
“Find me the person willing to pay the highest price.”
******
I’m at Del Rosario Insurance Company.
After hearing rumors that Del Rosario Insurance was being sold, I was able to meet Celeste as a potential buyer.
Of course, my identity was somewhat disguised.
I kept the name Alex, but I had to pose as someone who made substantial money through business in China.
Celeste couldn’t possibly be unaware of who in the Philippines could afford to buy Del Rosario Insurance.
Thinking that she’d also know all the successful businesspeople from China, I had to become a nouveau riche who suddenly made money through cryptocurrency.
I had to be a fool with too much money but no company experience—a reckless spendthrift.
Fortunately, since I’ve never appeared publicly, there’s no one who knows me, and that’s been incredibly fortunate.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Alex.”
“Lovely to meet you too. I’m Celeste.”
“I’m honored to meet someone of your renown.”
“Haha. Thank you for saying so. I hope this meeting becomes a wonderful connection for both of us.”
“Whether this becomes a good meeting or not will depend entirely on what we discuss today.”
My somewhat awkward response caused Celeste’s expression to twist slightly, but she recovered to her composed self in an instant.
“Of course. Let’s make this a good meeting through our conversation.”
Celeste offered a subtle smile.
Who would ever guess that this woman controlled the Philippines with an iron grip?
She came across as nothing more than a successful CEO.
She was remarkably skilled at packaging herself.
“I hear you’ve made considerable wealth from cryptocurrency?”
“Yes. I invested in something called Candy Coin, and it skyrocketed so dramatically that when I came to my senses, I’d become wealthy.”
“Haha. Congratulations. That’s not easy to accomplish.”
“I was fortunate.”
“So you came here wanting to purchase Del Rosario Insurance with the proceeds from liquidating your coin holdings?”
“That’s correct. I heard Del Rosario Insurance was being put up for sale, so I came to inquire.”
“I’m sorry? Are you saying we put Del Rosario Insurance on the market? That’s not the case at all. We simply heard that someone was interested in our insurance company and wanted to see what kind of offer they might make.”
Celeste answered with a serious expression.
I understood perfectly well what was happening here.
Was she really trying to inflate her asking price that much?
“Ah, I see. I must have been misinformed. My apologies. I came because I heard it was being sold and thought I could purchase it easily. I really dislike complicated matters. I assumed I could simply hand over money and buy it, like with cryptocurrency.”
I drew upon every ounce of naïveté I could muster, positioning myself as easy prey for Celeste.
“Of course we haven’t put it on the market, but since you’ve come all this way, perhaps we can compare our cards…”
Celeste quietly wrote a number on the paper before her.
[200,000,000]
“Pesos?”
“Haha. Just joking. Dollars, of course.”
I understood.
I’d had the same thought.
Two hundred million pesos would be roughly five billion won.
But two hundred million dollars amounts to three hundred billion won.
Honestly, it’s not an unbearable price.
I have plenty of money.
I could afford it.
But buying this would make me a fool.
No matter how much I played the fool, I didn’t actually want to become one.
“Hmm…”
As I paused, Celeste added her explanation.
“Originally, this asset could fetch three hundred million dollars. It’s the Philippines’ third-largest insurance company. Things are a bit turbulent right now, but that’s just personnel-related trouble that will pass quickly. Once we weather this period, you’ll never have to worry about money again. Wouldn’t it be better to receive steady monthly payments like a salary rather than anxiously watching your money in cryptocurrency? You can keep cryptocurrency as a hobby.”
Three hundred million dollars.
This woman’s exaggeration is getting out of hand.
Del Rosario Insurance, even at its best, never exceeded two hundred million dollars.
Yet here she is, spouting such a figure while the company faces mounting crises on all fronts.
Does one need such audacity to become a power broker in the Philippines?
“There’s quite a gap between what I had in mind and your asking price. I thought with all the recent turmoil, I might negotiate something lower, but it seems not.”
“It’s such a quality asset precisely because of that. It’s the third-largest in the Philippines, after all.”
“Third-largest, with barely any difference from fourth or fifth place.”
At those words, a crack appeared in Celeste’s mask-like expression.
“We’ve prioritized customer service over rapid expansion, which slowed our growth, but now that we’re prepared, we have nothing but growth ahead of us.”
“I see. Well, let me shop around at other insurance companies first. Would that be acceptable?”
“Technically yes, but I can’t guarantee it won’t be sold by then. Quality assets move quickly.”
“But you said it wasn’t for sale?”
“If the price is right, it becomes available.”
Celeste flashed a brazen smile.
“The gap in our valuations is simply too large. I don’t think this will work out.”
“What figure did you have in mind?”
“One hundred million dollars.”
“That won’t do.”
“That’s what Del Rosario Insurance was worth during its peak. Now, with system failures, staff shortages, lawsuits piling up, and your reputation—the most critical asset for an insurance company—in ruins, one hundred million is already generous. I’d say seventy to eighty million dollars is fair. Of course, you’d assume full responsibility and compensation for all incidents that occurred before the sale.”
“Seventy to eighty million? That’s amusing. Who in their right mind would agree to such an absurd price?”
Celeste’s tone shifted.
She seemed to think the deal had collapsed.
There was no need to maintain appearances anymore.
“Does that price not suit you?”
“The price I’ve set is two hundred million dollars. I won’t go below that.”
“What about seventy million?”
“Are you joking?”
Celeste’s voice turned sharp.
I no longer needed to hide my true self either.
No more playing the fool.
“Who’s joking? You’re going to sign that contract. I saw how you handled mergers with other companies—forcing them to stamp their seals through sheer force and coercion. I thought I’d try the same approach.”
“What are you saying? Francis, what are you doing? Get these bastards out of here.”
Francis, who had been sitting like a scarecrow beside her, stood up.
“Scott.”
“Yes, yes~ I’m coming. On my way.”
Scott waddled over to Francis and delivered one solid punch, sending Francis crashing to the ground without a word.
No amount of training could prepare someone to face Scott.
“Now, let’s sign that contract. You said you were busy, didn’t you?”
“I can’t. I won’t.”
“So should I write a will? Would that be better? Honestly, I have no interest in Del Rosario Insurance.”
“What?”
“I came to buy the position of leader of La Camara, not Del Rosario Insurance.”
Celeste’s expression turned grave upon hearing my words.
Through my Inventory, I had become a magnate of the black market.
141 – Sale
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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