How a Salaryman Became an Underworld Boss

Unable to resist my persistent urging, the sommelier finally raised the °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° glass I had poured for him to his lips. After savoring the wine for a long while, he spoke with deep respect and gratitude.

“Sir, thank you very much for allowing me to taste such a rare wine.”

“Consider it a retirement gift.”

“Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.”

As soon as the sommelier left the private room, Isabella turned to me with unconcealed curiosity in her eyes.

“Intern Cha, didn’t you feel bad pouring such wine for the sommelier?”

Assuming one glass held about seventy milliliters, a bottle yielded roughly eleven servings. That meant a single glass cost around forty-five thousand dollars. In other words, I had poured into that glass an amount equal to most of my annual income. Naturally, anyone would have felt immense regret. Strangely enough, I didn’t feel the slightest bit of it.

“Not at all,” I answered.

During her time with Cha Jiham, Isabella had noticed one of his habits. Whenever he hesitated or was about to lie, he always paused slightly before answering. But this time he had responded instantly. That meant he wasn’t pretending and was speaking from the heart.

“I’m extremely curious. Why did you treat the sommelier without even a moment’s hesitation?”

“I suppose it was my way of paying respect to a master who is retiring after years of hard and diligent work.”

“Oh my, I didn’t realize Intern Cha was such a considerate person.”

“Haha, really?”

Soon, the waiters began bringing out the appetizers. As though they knew exactly who they were serving, they moved with flawless precision and professionalism. Thanks to their expertise, dinner progressed smoothly in a relaxed atmosphere.

After taking a sip of wine, Woo Changhun impatiently whispered in Korean so that Isabella wouldn’t understand.

“Shouldn’t we start trying to fish some information out of Isabella?”

But I had other thoughts.

“I tried while you were in the restroom, but she’s clearly very cautious.”

“Intern Cha is right,” Yun Sola added, reinforcing my words.

“Hm, is that so? Then when should we ask?”

“I think after dinner, during dessert.”

“All right. Let’s do that.”

Knock, knock, knock.

There came a knock, and the door opened slightly. The sommelier entered. Approaching me with dignity, he bowed and whispered quietly.

“Sir, I have something I’d like to discuss with you. Could we speak outside?”

“Yes, of course.”

I rose from my seat and followed him to a quiet corner.

“Do you know who Miss Isabella really is?”

“All I know is that she’s my colleague’s graduate school senior.”

“I thought as much. Please keep what I’m about to tell you strictly between us.”

“You have my word. Go ahead.”

“Miss Isabella currently works in Endivia’s chairman’s office and is Chairman Hudson’s niece.”

The news turned my insides upside down.

Judging from her clothes and luxurious handbag, I had assumed she came from an unimaginably wealthy family, but it had never occurred to me that she was Chairman Hudson’s niece.

“Now that’s truly shocking. But how do you know this?”

“Chairman Hudson’s family members dine at our restaurant regularly.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Chairman Hudson has a younger sister named Amelia, and Miss Isabella is her only daughter. Miss Amelia is a major shareholder of Endivia and is currently divorced.”

That meant Amelia would eventually pass on Endivia shares worth tens of billions of dollars to Isabella.

“Thank you very much for such valuable information.”

“Consider it my gratitude for that rare wine you treated me to.”

“Haha. Fair enough.”

“And to continue, Miss Isabella herself already owns Endivia shares worth several billion dollars.”

“So Isabella herself is incredibly wealthy?”

“Exactly. If these rumors spread, she could face serious trouble.”

I placed a finger over my lips and winked.

“My lips are sealed. Don’t worry.”

“I’d be most grateful. Enjoy your evening.”

In less than an hour, the generosity I had shown returned to me many times over.

When I returned to the room and sat down, Woo Changhun immediately asked,

“Why did the sommelier call you?”

’I wonder how Deputy Manager Woo would react if I told him the truth about Isabella.’

“He said one bottle obviously wasn’t enough and hinted whether we’d like to order another.”

“Oh, we were just talking about that! What do you think, Intern Cha?”

“Personally, I don’t think we even got to appreciate the flavor with just one bottle.”

At that moment, Isabella suddenly joined in.

“Intern Cha, I’ll pay for all the wine we drink from now on.”

I had absolutely no desire to refuse. After all, a real billionaire was sitting right in front of me. Still, agreeing immediately would look bad, so courtesy demanded that I refuse at least once.

“Miss Isabella, we agreed from the beginning that dinner was our treat.”

“Since you insist, I’ll gladly accept your invitation.”

’Eh... Wait, that’s not what I meant!’

But words once spoken couldn’t be taken back.

“Shall we continue with the same wine?” I suggested.

“Intern Cha, I’ve already realized you’re a man of means, but perhaps we should choose something simpler this time?”

’Phew... At least she has some conscience.’

“As you wish, Isabella.”

“Ho-ho. Excellent. There’s a bar I frequent nearby. Let’s continue the party there, and this time I’ll treat everyone.”

“Will they let me order the most expensive drinks?”

“Of course.”

Smiling lightly, Isabella called over a waiter and modestly ordered a thirty-thousand-dollar bottle of wine.

As conversation flowed, dinner came to an end. When coffee was served, Woo Changhun whispered again.

“Shouldn’t we talk business now?”

I shook my head.

“Better to do it in the bar.”

“Why?”

“Alcohol relaxes people and lowers their guard.”

Once we finished our coffee, the manager brought the bill.

I was genuinely surprised.

Including the wine, steaks, and a fifteen to twenty percent tip, dinner should have cost no less than six hundred thousand dollars.

Yet the bill read five hundred and thirty thousand.

“Manager, I think there may be a mistake.”

“The profit margin was already included in the wine price, so everything is correct.”

“Thank you very much for your generosity.”

I took out my credit card and handed it over.

After paying for the outrageously expensive dinner, we headed to the bar in the neighboring hotel. Apparently, Isabella had informed the staff beforehand. We were warmly welcomed and escorted to the best table by the window.

Then something unexpected happened.

For some reason, Isabella casually ordered four bottles of whiskey.

I couldn’t help but remark that it seemed excessive.

“Oh, come on. That’s only one bottle per person.”

She insisted, and the manager left to fulfill the order.

As soon as he disappeared, Isabella fixed me with a meaningful gaze and smiled.

“Now then, tell me. Why did you spend so much on such an outrageously expensive dinner?”

The main event had begun.

Since I had prepared for this, I answered without hesitation.

“We came to America to secure a contract for manufacturing high-bandwidth semiconductors for Endivia. Unfortunately, we’re severely lacking information about our competitors.”

“I completely understand, Intern Cha, but unfortunately I know almost nothing.”

’Come on. You’re Chairman Hudson’s niece and a major Endivia shareholder. There’s no way you know nothing about Micron, TMSC, and BK.’

While I desperately considered how to draw information out of her, Woo Changhun whispered in Korean.

“Did we just throw away five hundred and thirty thousand dollars?”

“Isabella works directly in Chairman Hudson’s office. The idea that she knows nothing makes no sense.”

“Hm, you’re right. So what do we do?”

“We’ve only just started drinking. An opportunity will definitely come.”

“All right. Let’s outdrink her and make her talk.”

Leaving his fighting spirit uncommented on, I turned back to Isabella.

“Well, if that’s the case, then let’s simply enjoy ourselves.”

Soon, the waiter brought four bottles of whiskey and some snacks.

Woo Changhun, Yun Sola, and I launched a determined assault, intending to get Isabella drunk.

But then something happened that no one had expected.

Yun Sola was the first to collapse spectacularly.

There was no way we could just leave her unconscious at the table and continue the operation.

I quickly spoke to Woo Changhun in Korean.

“Our hotel is nearby. I’ll take Intern Yun to her room and come back. Keep Isabella entertained.”

“Got it. Hurry back.”

After apologizing to Isabella, I supported the heavily intoxicated Yun Sola and left the bar.

After watching us leave, Isabella turned to the remaining man.

“My, Isabella, you really can hold your liquor,” Woo Changhun said.

“Oh, not at all. I’m only enduring through sheer willpower.”

“Willpower?”

The moment he said that, Isabella’s gaze became languid, and she moved closer.

“I just really wanted to spend time alone with Intern Cha. I’m completely drunk... Why don’t we go upstairs and rest?”

’Ooh! What a sweet deal!’

“It’s a little embarrassing to say this, but in certain circles I’m known as the Mad Bull. I’m not sure you can handle it, Isabella.”

“Oh, don’t underestimate me. I’m no pushover either.”

“Well then, shall we see who has greater stamina?”

***

After delivering Yun Sola to her room, the panting Woo Changhun wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Whew! Nearly broke my back. I shouldn’t keep Intern Cha waiting.”

Buzz.

His phone vibrated.

Taking it out, he saw a message from Cha Jiham.

Cha Jiham: No need to come back.

[Woo Changhun]: What? It’s already over?

[Woo Changhun]: Ah, what a shame...

Cha Jiham: See you tomorrow morning.

[Woo Changhun]: Wait, don’t tell me...

Cha Jiham: I’m about to show our American guest the power of Korean spirit.

“Ah... The kid sure is lucky,” Woo Changhun muttered enviously as he headed to his room alone.

***

“P-please... Spare me!”

Isabella gasped weakly, exhausted.

“But it’s only been an hour.”

“Only... an hour?! And that’s ’only’ to you?!”

“Normally, once I get into the game, the first round lasts at least three or four hours.”

“L-let me rest for a bit...”

I got out of bed, took a bottle of mineral water from the refrigerator, and handed it to Isabella.

Panting heavily, she emptied it in one gulp.

I sat on the edge of the bed across from her and asked with a gentle smile,

“You understand why I’ve been treating you so well, don’t you, Isabella?”

“I’m not stupid. Of course I do.”

“I promise nobody will ever know where the rumors came from. Tell me about our competitors.”

“Oh, you’re really sly... Fine, Jiham, I’ll trust you. Listen. Micron hired former Vice President John Addams as a lobbyist. He’s practically living in our office, and...”

Without holding anything back, Isabella revealed everything, including possible ways to solve our problems.

I absorbed every word, carefully organizing the information in my mind.

“Thank you, Isabella. This information is priceless.”

“It’s nothing...”

“Well then, shall we continue our game?”

“Again?!”

For a brief moment, genuine fear flashed across her eyes.

But the corners of her lips soon curled upward into a smile.