With everyone in agreement with Kang Chan’s condition, Kang Chan began to explain what happened again, starting with his business with Huh Geuk and Yang Bum, so that Kim Tae-Jin could properly understand. Afterward, he told them about his meeting with Yang Bum and Lanok at the embassy, then about Xavier’s death.

Kim Tae-Jin just listened intently.

“I have two cards up my sleeve—one of them is an announcement that Russia will make about having decided to collaborate with South Korea for the development of their oil fields. I was told that they will be announcing it along the lines of, ‘it’s a shame that the Prime Minister has decided to resign, considering he has been collaborating with us in the development of our oil fields,’” Kang Chan said.

“Can we really have that announced whenever just because we asked Russia to?” Kim Hyung-Jung asked, his eyes sparkling. “I can report this directly to the director. If you’re uncomfortable with that, then I’ll report it to the Prime Minister instead.”

“Listen to the rest of what I have to say first, Manager Kim,” Kang Chan responded. He felt as if he had just made a mistake,...