Refining (16)
"Isn't this crossing the line? Hasn't this become a one-sided situation where Hansan suffers all the losses?"
Many people had united for the same goal.
Inevitably, someone had to sacrifice and take losses. Those who found themselves on the discarded side spewed out fiery anger.
"This happened because of Han Sanwoo's unilateral decision. How else would we counter the new bill if not by holding Hansan responsible?"
"Weren't we cooperating in this matter precisely to prevent such things from happening!"
They had different dreams for the same bed. Jeong Chansu, along with Hansan executives and businesspeople outside of Hansan, had ultimately different objectives.
The fact that they had united to block the bill was undeniable. It was also clear that the new labor law would harm businesses overall.
But when examined dispassionately, the damage businesses would sustain from the new bill wasn't particularly severe.
Ronald was a relatively capable congressman. He had anticipated that corporations would try to kill his bill, but that was because he understood their mindset—they didn't want to spend a single penny on anything they deemed unnecessary.
The bill he had proposed wasn't unreasonably anti-business or absurd. He was a politician, and to practice politics in Stella City, he needed corporate support.
"It wasn't Hansan who brought in Enzo."
"But Hansan was the one who pressured him! And now you're trying to abandon us like a used tool!"
They had created sympathetic public opinion through Enzo's dismissal. They had manufactured the narrative that Hansan was using the Macheonpa gang to pressure Enzo.
Recently, Han Sanwoo had shown concern for public opinion. Previously, he wouldn't have bothered with interviews or gone around spreading materials that exposed corporate misdeeds.
Considering how reckless a person he was, all of this might just be hypocrisy and deception.
But if there was even the slightest possibility that it might bend his will, it was worth trying.
Other city senate members would waver too. No politician would stake their fate on a project that could secure neither corporate nor public support.
"Didn't you say you could pressure Ronald?"
"We did our best! We just didn't expect such a monster of a mercenary to appear in the central district!"
"Han Sanwoo was probably behind it."
The mercenary's strength itself wasn't particularly surprising. There were plenty of people in Stella City covered with implants and countless mercenaries with the ability to overwhelm that kidnapper.
But the fact that a mercenary wearing combat implants had entered the central district without any issues and then escaped police and security company pursuit wasn't something to take lightly.
"Still, this isn't right. Do you really want to stop that law?"
"Of course."
"Or are you just trying to damage Hansan moderately and then end this affair?"
Regardless of the actual scale of damage businesses would suffer from the labor law, they had no choice but to remain vigilant.
The problem was Han Sanwoo's intention. His purpose of playing a game of chicken was obvious.
Even decent-sized corporations couldn't win a war of attrition against Hansan. No matter how small the damage might seem, after a few years and with Hansan's other countermeasures deployed, it could eventually bring down a company.
"...For now, just focus on making this plan succeed."
As long as Han Sanwoo was around, no matter how much damage Hansan's companies within Stella City suffered, local companies couldn't possibly respond effectively. The power gap would never disappear.
But Hansan was also a corporation. Without the certainty of victory in a war of attrition, they wouldn't move.
If Hansan suffered significant damage, they couldn't simply ignore those losses.
"Don't change the subject."
Then among the people here, those outside of Hansan might choose options other than 'directly confronting Han Sanwoo.'
They could prepare to fight under the new law, then drag down Hansan's weight class to create a fair fight.
"Don't be so anxious. All you did was threaten one worker with the Macheonpa gang, right? As if that's such a big deal..."
Jeong Chansu was well aware that the people here could betray him at any moment.
His words weren't wrong. What Jeong Chansu had done couldn't be considered a major violation of the law.
Jeong Chansu, who had been handling both Hansan's dirty work and external dirty work, knew this better than anyone.
The problem was that his actions were 'clearly harmful to Hansan.'
Han Sanwoo might vaguely suspect something, but if he heard about Jeong Chansu's betrayal from the mouths of other businesspeople, he could eliminate him with a smile.
The illegal activities Jeong Chansu had committed were overlooked only because he was under Hansan's protection.
The moment he stepped even slightly away from that umbrella, numerous enemies would use law and justice as fangs to tear at his neck.
It would be problematic even if the plan proceeded as expected. They were elevating Enzo to a much more significant figure than Jeong Chansu had anticipated.
People felt something was off, but they couldn't express it. The overwhelming "fake opinions" of business people were burying reasonable questions.
If Enzo sent out negative opinions about Hansan, the undeniable reality was that Hansan would suffer damage.
'This wasn't what I set out to do...'
He had acted for everyone's benefit. Although Han Sanwoo had ruined Jeong Chansu's business, he harbored no personal grudge.
He had orchestrated this for Hansan's sake. He had thought his actions would harm Hansan.
Though he had doubts about Han Sanwoo's abilities and choices, his loyalty remained unchanged.
Jeong Chansu hung his head helplessly. But he couldn't give up now.
Whether the plan succeeded or failed, he needed to formulate the next one.
***
Enzo put on a clean set of clothes. Though old and shabby, it was a suit that had been washed clean in a paid washing machine for a hefty price.
"...Dad?"
Rick spoke feebly.
"What you're about to do, is it related to Hansan?"
"It might be."
"Well, this might sound strange, but... you mentioned yesterday that you escaped with that Hansan daughter, right?"
Enzo slowly nodded. When he heard that Rick and Yuni had disappeared from the restaurant, he thought the world was ending.
Although his clothes got a bit dirtier, he could finally breathe when he saw his son and the Hansan manager's daughter return safely.
"At that time... some nasty kids were chasing us..."
"I understand."
Enzo already knew this information. After all, Rick had returned from outside carrying an old Hansan-made pistol.
"I've already decided what to say. It's too late to change it now..."
Rick nodded as well. Enzo could feel a bit relieved.
Once outside, Enzo was surrounded by men in suits and transported to the broadcasting station. A clean and comfortable car, the likes of which he had never ridden in his life, carried him.
After the interview, all these people would turn against him. Enzo steeled himself.
Sitting in the studio, a reporter spit out various words in front of him.
Enzo sighed and then organized his thoughts one last time.
He didn't know how things were going to play out. He didn't know who his enemies were or who his allies were.
If he gave an anti-Hansan interview, he might face Hansan's retaliation, and if he gave an interview that pleased Hansan, he might face retaliation from the suit-wearing men.
In that case, he had no choice but to speak the truth.
"Mr. Enzo. I heard there was an unfortunate incident after your last interview; is that true?"
"I was attacked by a gang. It's a common occurrence in White Mountain Street."
"I see. That's truly unfortunate. Some people have suggested that a certain corporation retaliated against you for criticizing the newly created labor law. What do you think about that?"
The men in suits were watching Enzo.
"I don't think that's the case."
"Really? It was said that you were ambushed by the Macheonpa gang."
"The person who saved me was from Hansan. I'm truly indebted to them."
People froze. Enzo could painfully feel that he had uttered words that were 'not agreed upon.'
"B-but there are rumors that Hansan has close relationships with the senate members who proposed the bill that caused this issue. Are you still affirming that?
One of the broadcasting station staff threatened the interviewer with a hand gesture. She was startled into silence.
Enzo slowly nodded. It seemed that the word 'Hansan' shouldn't be mentioned directly.
"I think it's unavoidable. Well, it might have been applied unfavorably to me... but won't my other colleagues benefit from that law?"
Enzo's heart grew cold. He had said everything he needed to say.
Considering Stella City's public security, it wouldn't be strange if the suit-wearing men buried him on the way back.
Still, he strangely didn't want to yield. He wasn't a noble person who had never told a lie, but he didn't want to utter deception in such a precious venue.
He wanted to strike back at the suit-wearing men who thought he would naturally do 'as told.'
He wanted to repay the manager who had protected him while spewing all sorts of curses and her daughter, who had sheltered his foolish son.
"But—"
"There were people who asked me to provide responses unfavorable to Hansan."
The next question didn't follow. The studio was noisy, but he and the interviewer didn't say anything.
Silence descended upon the studio.
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