The Overly Competent Junior Employee

“There’s no time for this.”

Dokyung had finished his investigation into DU, which the message had informed him about over the past month.

Currently, DU’s stock price was trading at around 7,600 won per share, lower than a month ago.

A week ago, the chairman of the DU Group had appeared for prosecution questioning, and there were rumors that the prosecution was moving to request an arrest warrant.

“This is the part Carl Sutton targeted, eyeing DU as prey.”

Dokyung muttered to himself, looking at a printout of the DU Group’s organizational chart and shareholding relationships.

Four months ago, when the prosecution investigation began, the DU Group had been in the process of restructuring, seemingly conscious of public opinion, saying they would dissolve their circular shareholding structure.

As a result, the link between the holding company and DU Chemical, which connected the holding company directly to each subsidiary, had weakened.

The corporate raider Carl Sutton hadn’t missed this point.

“Gathering volume from the market would be too noticeable, so…”

Carl Sutton had used his characteristic information network to wait for when other foreign companies were selling their DU shares.

And when those shares hit the market causing a shock, he gathered up all that volume.

“The disclosure states it’s for simple investment purposes.”

Owning 5% of DU’s holding company shares would make one the second-largest shareholder. The owner’s family held 3-4% each in separate portions.

However, it likely wasn’t for simple investment purposes as they had disclosed.

Many institutions were already quietly picking up DU shares, following Steellife’s lead, just enough not to cause the stock price to spike.

They were thinking the same as Dokyung.

Dokyung thought they were clearly testing the waters with DU and taking action.

After all, the purpose could be changed at any time.

“The most important thing is that foreign ownership is at 49%.”

If a full-fledged hunt for DU began and it came down to a showdown at the shareholders’ meeting, it would lead to a proxy fight, and the 49% foreign ownership would be a strong ally for Carl Sutton’s side.

Of course, DU had the National Pension Service and domestic institutions on their side, but individual investors were furious about the owner risk.

What if foreign investors and domestic individual investors sided with Carl Sutton?

“The stock price will definitely rise.”

Even if Carl Sutton didn’t win the war, he wouldn’t lose.

No, he would come out with a profit. His brilliant media play skills and ability to attack companies were excellent at boosting stock prices.

“Of course, not everyone is like that, but Carl Sutton…”

There were cases where other domestic companies’ stock prices fell when attacked by foreign capital compared to before.

There were certainly cases where they withdrew after taking losses, but Carl Sutton wouldn’t try to take a loss in any way.

“I need to get on board.”

Having organized his thoughts this way, Dokyung pulled out the list of clients he managed. Then he picked up the phone on his desk and started dialing.

“CEO, good morning. This is Yoon Dokyung. In today’s market…”

* * *

“It’s been a while.”

At Yuseong Investment Securities headquarters, there was a heavy atmosphere in Vice President Sim Ju-won’s office of the WM Division.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve visited. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. It’s not like I don’t know Team Ryu… no, Branch Manager Ryu’s personality.”

Ryu Tae-hwa had come to headquarters a few days ago to meet Sim Ju-won after making an appointment.

“Well, knowing your character, you’re not the type to catch up on old times or anything like that, so shall we hear the reason why you wanted to see me?”

There was a look of regret on Sim Ju-won’s face.

Ryu Tae-hwa had been a talent Sim Ju-won was grooming to lead the next generation of the WM Division.

However, company life isn’t structured so that everyone can rise to the top just because they have skills.

At least if someone could have helped when Ryu Tae-hwa ended up doing things against the company’s interests, he might not have been pushed out like this.

‘Ryu Tae-hwa only cares about himself.’

‘This is the result of all the things Ryu Tae-hwa has pushed through until now.’

‘Ryu Tae-hwa-sunbae is…’

If he had been a bit more amiable, engaged in what’s commonly called ‘office politics,’ there might have been someone other than Sim Ju-won himself to protect Ryu Tae-hwa.

Sim Ju-won had tried to protect Ryu Tae-hwa but ran into internal opposition, and he was able to take a step back and send Ryu Tae-hwa to be a branch manager.

It might have looked like a demotion to Ryu Tae-hwa himself and others, but Sim Ju-won saw it as a way to revive Ryu Tae-hwa.

“I’m only sorry that the branch’s performance has been very poor.”

At Ryu Tae-hwa’s first words, Sim Ju-won looked surprised.

“Ryu Tae-hwa knows how to say he’s sorry?”

“It’s true that the performance isn’t good, so…”

“Right. But you didn’t come just to apologize.”

“I was hoping you could give me a few months.”

Ryu Tae-hwa continued speaking with a stern expression, looking at Sim Ju-won.

“Of course, I know it’s a shameless request, given that the Seongnam Branch’s performance has dropped while under my leadership when it always performed well before.”

Sim Ju-won kept his mouth shut, listening to Ryu Tae-hwa’s words as if telling him to continue.

“However, our branch is currently undergoing a structural reform. If we previously raised performance by squeezing clients, now we’re moving in a direction where we can grow together…”

“Ryu Tae-hwa.”

Sim Ju-won, who had been listening, called out to Ryu Tae-hwa with a stern expression.

“I know what you’re thinking. But everyone has tried going in that direction.”

Growing together with clients, it sounded good. As Ryu Tae-hwa said, there might be a way somewhere for the two to grow in direct proportion.

However, in the field, meeting allocated performance targets took priority.

That’s why they were appointed as branch managers, and that’s why the company paid such high salaries and performance bonuses.

“I know. I know that everyone has tried and tasted failure. But just because of that, I don’t want to engage in actions that exploit clients without attempting to improve our fundamental approach.”

Sim Ju-won knew that Ryu Tae-hwa wasn’t the type to easily give up on his convictions.

“So you’re asking for time?”

“Yes. Please give me three months. If there’s no sign of performance recovery within three months…”

“Then you’ll follow the company’s policy?”

“That’s right.”

Sim Ju-won knew that people like Ryu Tae-hwa would only let go after experiencing things firsthand. He had seen many such individuals.

In this society, the only way to break someone’s convictions was to make them experience failure.

In that sense, giving Ryu Tae-hwa time wasn’t a difficult thing to do.

“The audit just finished yesterday, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“So, should I understand that you’re asking to postpone the re-audit scheduled for a month from now to three months later?”

Ryu Tae-hwa nodded at Sim Ju-won’s words.

“Yes. If you could do that…”

Sim Ju-won picked up the phone next to him and dialed an internal number.

“Oh, Department Head Jeon. Postpone the re-audit of Seongnam Branch by three months. I have my reasons. That’s all you need to know.”

Sim Ju-won hung up the phone and looked at Ryu Tae-hwa.

“Ryu Tae-hwa.”

“Yes, Vice President.”

“I really like you. Both as a person and professionally.”

At Sim Ju-won’s words, Ryu Tae-hwa looked at him with a stern expression.

“But if I had to choose between you and Jeon Seung-jae right now, I’d have to side with Jeon Seung-jae. Because Jeon Seung-jae is an employee who works diligently for the company’s interests.”

“…I understand.”

“Yet I’ve taken your side on something that Jeon Seung-jae opposes. Because you’ve accomplished difficult tasks before.”

Sim Ju-won spoke as if this was the last chance given to Ryu Tae-hwa.

“Don’t disappoint me this time. I want to see you around for a longer time.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. And thank you.”

Ryu Tae-hwa bowed his head sincerely to Sim Ju-won, who had granted his difficult request, and Sim Ju-won nodded with a stern expression.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

“The recent audit from headquarters has caused quite a stir.”

Three days later, at Yuseong Investment Securities Seongnam Branch.

The morning meeting atmosphere was more subdued than usual, due to the unusual pressure they had received from the headquarters audit.

Ryu Tae-hwa, seeming to recognize this mood, spoke to the employees.

“As always, our branch’s policy prioritizes client interests. Of course, I’ll leave that judgment to you. I mean I’ll respect whatever you choose, whether you prioritize profits or work hard for your own performance bonuses.”

The employees nodded at Ryu Tae-hwa’s words.

“Regarding the branch’s performance, it’s my responsibility to think about it and propose solutions. I’ll give it more thought and discuss any improvements with you all if I find any. Let’s begin. First, Yoon Dokyung-ssi.”

As the meeting proper began and Ryu Tae-hwa called his name, Dokyung displayed his performance on the screen.

“Currently, I’m managing assets of around 2.2 billion won, and two days ago, there was a portfolio adjustment for all the clients I manage.”

At Dokyung’s words, Ryu Tae-hwa’s brow furrowed.

“A portfolio adjustment?”

“Yes. We liquidated some of the profitable positions from the stocks we were holding and moved into new stocks…”

“Yoon Dokyung-ssi.”

Dokyung looked at Ryu Tae-hwa, who called him in a somber voice.

“Did the recent interview with headquarters influence you?”

Dokyung’s trading turnover rate shown on the screen had increased from the previous week.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Did you do this for performance due to pressure from headquarters…”

“Ah, no, that’s not it. As I said, it was just a portfolio adjustment.”

Dokyung knew what Ryu Tae-hwa was worried about.

However, Dokyung wasn’t paying any attention to what Jeon Seung-jae had said in the interview.

“If you’re worried about something, feel free to come see me.”

But Ryu Tae-hwa seemed to have seriously misunderstood something. Dokyung thought he had no choice but to demonstrate through actions to Ryu Tae-hwa as well, so he nodded.

“Yes, I understand.”

Ryu Tae-hwa looked at Dokyung as he responded. He had thought there should be more employees like Dokyung.

However, he kept thinking it would be truly sad if Dokyung’s convictions about clients were broken due to pressure from headquarters.

The meeting continued, and as the morning meeting ended, Ryu Tae-hwa nodded.

“Good work, everyone. I’ll say it again, but if anyone has any concerns, please come talk to me.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

All the employees greeted him this way and left the conference room, heading to their own offices.

Dokyung was also about to head to his room after tidying up the conference room when the door to Choi Woojin’s room, right next to his, opened.

“Dokyung-ssi.”

“Yes, Assistant Manager Choi Woojin.”

“You’re not really doing this because of pressure from headquarters, are you?”

Choi Woojin also seemed to be worried about Dokyung.

“You can tell me…”

“Assistant Manager, I’m really fine. I told you before, remember?”

“You told me? Oh… Don’t tell me it’s DU?”

“Yes. I thought the timing was right, so I explained to the clients and adjusted their portfolios.”

“You didn’t actually tell the clients about corporate raiders, did you?”

At Choi Woojin’s question, Dokyung smiled and nodded.

“I just persuaded them that it’s extremely undervalued due to a series of events, so we should get in. The clients agreed.”

“That’s a relief. I hope things go according to your thinking…”

Bzzt-

At that moment, both Dokyung and Choi Woojin’s phones vibrated simultaneously, and without hesitation, they both took out their phones and checked the screens.

“[Exclusive] Steellife announces increase in DU holdings to 6.33%, declares ‘management participation’ purpose.“

“U.S. asset management firm Steellife declares war on DU management participation.“

“Steellife: “We will participate in management to restore shareholder value. We will hold a shareholders’ meeting soon.”“

“Steellife: “We will increase our stake further.” Considering public tender offer.“

“Is global corporate raider Carl Sutton behind Steellife?“

“D-Dokyung-ssi…”

Choi Woojin looked at Dokyung in surprise after checking the breaking news notifications from the app, and Dokyung nodded.

“It looks like it’s starting now.”

“We’re not too late, are we?”

“No. I think it’s good to get in now. It’s about to catch fire.”

“Thank you.”

At Dokyung’s words, Choi Woojin went into his room and started calling clients, and seeing this, Dokyung smiled and headed to his own room.