Choi Gichul could feel the change in the atmosphere at the meeting. Daeyang was no longer in power. Everyone was focused on one man, and it wasn’t him.

Kang Woosung.

Choi Gichul shook Kang Woosung’s hand rigidly.

“It has been a while.”

“Haha, I was hoping to see you sooner. We should get together with Jung Jinsup for a drink.”

“He told me much about your Bitmain company. I hear it is a Coconut Coin exchange center.”

Woosung smiled brightly. “More specifically, it is a cryptocurrency dealership. If you are interested, please let me know. Your involvement is always welcome.”

Choi Gichul was ordered by Choi Gitae to befriend Woosung, so he asked, “Could I hear the details?”

Woosung nodded and took Choi Gichul to a private room.

Woosung poured him a drink and said to him, “I heard you took over Daeyang Appliances department. I think we will be working together a lot in the future.”

“Actually, we are discussing a new Android TV project. If it happens, we may need Coconut’s help in installing apps.”

“I thought Daeyang had its own Daeyang OS project, but I guess you chose to go with an android TV instead?”

“We are considering all of the options.”

Their conversation was mundane. This was not the Choi Gichul Woosung knew in his previous life. Choi Gichul was outgoing and cunning, but this man in front of him now was acting very passively.

‘What made him change so much?’

Woosung asked Choi Gichul, “Work must be hard for you.”

“Haha, most of the work is done by my employees so it’s not bad.”

“Well, I do hear that Daeyang has great employees. I am envious.”

“I don’t think we can compare to Coconut.”

Something was very different. Woosung couldn’t figure out why Choi Gichul changed.

Choi Gichul asked Woosung, “Could you explain to me about the cryptocurrency?”

“To understand it, you need to first know what blockchain is. It is…” Woosung explained in detail for 20 minutes using technical terms. “And this will become the leading technology for the future.”

“I am not a programmer so I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.”

Woosung nodded. “I understand, but just remember, you need to move fast when it comes to technology.”

When Woosung explained seriously, Choi Gichul nodded. Woosung thought in secret.

‘I need to have him learn about the blockchain very slowly and get him to invest his wealth in bitcoin when it is at its highest price.’

This was Woosung’s ultimate goal.

He said to Choi Gichul, “I think that’s enough for today.”

Choi Gichul nodded quickly. He looked like he wanted to leave.

They left the room, and everyone turned to Woosung again.

Shin Semi’s eyes followed Woosung.

‘What did they talk about in the private room?’

Shin Semi felt frustrated. How could he not come to her? She was the one who introduced him to the club.

She saw Woosung taking Lee Sunghyun to the private room. After 20 minutes, they came out with smiles. As soon as Woosung became available, people approached him. There was no space for Shin Semi to get to Woosung.

***

Choi Gichul got into his car.

“Go to Nonhyun.”

When Choi Gichul laid back, his phone vibrated. The caller ID indicated that it was Choi Taemin’s assistant.

“Hello, this is Choi Taemin’s assistant.”

“What do you want?”

“If you look in the trunk, you will see a bag. You need to use it when you meet CEO Choi Gitae today.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Suddenly, the car stopped abruptly.

“What’s with the bad driving today!?”

Choi Gichul kicked the driver’s chair but there was no response. The assistant on the phone continued darkly.

“It’s finally time for you to make a choice. Your life depends on it. It’s easy. Tell Choi Gitae that it’s a new drug. You know he loves taking new stuff. The mess afterward will be taken care of. It will be simple.”

“How about the chairman?”

“We are taking good care of him, so don’t worry. Make your choice.”

Choi Gichul swallowed hard.

It was time.

***

The next day.

A piece of breaking news shocked the country.

“Daeyang Group’s chairman Choi Gunwon has been hospitalized due to stroke. No official heir has been decided, so the fate of Daeyang is uncertain at this point. Vice president Choi Taemin is currently at the hospital by his father’s side.”

Woosung knew this was it.

“This must be why Choi Gichul changed.”

Woosung remembered this incident, but in his previous life, it happened two years later. The future was changing.

“But why would this change Choi Gichul?”

Woosung called Choi Gitae but there was no answer.

He called Choi Gichul next. Choi Gichul answered quickly.

Woosung said to him, “This is Kang Woosung. I am calling you about the news.”

“What about it?”

“I just wanted to give you my condolences…”

“It’s fine. I’m busy, so bye.”

Choi Gichul hung up.

Woosung could feel it even during such a short call.

“His voice was trembling.”

Something was definitely happening.

Choi Gichul was surprised at how calm he was. He actually felt free.

“This was easy.”

He was still at the place where Choi Gitae frequented.

However, Choi Gitae was no longer there. A few hours ago, the masked men ambushed them and took Choi Gitae,

In the morning, the news of Choi Gunwon’s stroke was announced.

He was impressed at Choi Taemin’s planning.

“But why did they leave me here?”

Choi Gichul tried to come up with a reason for it.

“No one knows about what has happened to Choi Gitae yet…It would look strange if two members of the family got involved in a medical emergency at the same time…so that must be it.”

Choi Gichul didn’t regret what he did. It was Choi Gitae’s fault for doing drugs.

***

Choi Taemin’s office.

Choi Taemin was having a private conversation with his assistant.

“He did it.”

“So what should we do with Choi Gitae, sir?”

“Wait a few days, then make an announcement that he overdosed after hearing the news of our father.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How is the board of directors feeling?”

“They are ready to accept you as their new leader.”

“Spread the rumor about the father’s will, but don’t announce anything officially yet.”

“Yes, sir.”

Choi Taemin walked to the window and enjoyed the view.

“Find Choi Gitae’s replacement. Ask Gichul if he needs anything. Don’t offer him, just ask, and after I become the new chairman, I want my first new business to be the mobile carrier.”

“I will make sure it happens.”

“We need to show that Daeyang is still the best in the country. We can’t lose to a small business like KND.”