Scheme

Around the month of September, SamStar chairman contacted Shin.

Shin smiled as he knew what the SamStar Chairman was up to.

And sure enough, after talking on the phone, Han Jin-Sang was practically asking for KiShin's investment.

But Shin knew how to capitalize on the situation; he aimed to leverage the full potential of the patented technologies for mobile phones jointly owned by KiShin and SamStar.

Certainly, SamStar didn't agree immediately, as what KiShin sought to acquire were the pivotal assets of mobile phone technology patents, licenses, or even production facilities from SamStar, all at a discounted price due to their financial desperation.

In South Korea, at SamStar Headquarters, Han Jin-Sang felt intensely angered by KiShin's offers.

"Damn it. They knew we are in a tough situation and wanted to take advantage of it..." Han Jin-Sang muttered through gritted teeth.

"Maybe we should agree to their offer, Chairman."

Han Jin-Sang turned to his secretary in surprise before reprimanding, "Are you insane? Do you realize how crucial the technology patents for our company could be!?"

The secretary, unfazed by the chairman's anger, nodded and said, "I understand, but will those technology patents really help our situation, considering the risk of releasing and putting production into our mobile phone without neglecting other business sectors of the company? Is it not better to sell all the rights to KiShin, especially since the company needs funds, Chairman?"

Han Jin-Sang shook his head and said, "You don't understand. After we manage to pull through this situation, we can put the mobile phone into production, and once it hits the cellphone market, it will significantly profit us."

The secretary nodded in understanding and respect, then suggested, "If that's the case, Chairman, why don't we release the flipping phone to the market earlier than KiShin? If we are the first to introduce such an innovative product, we can not only survive but thrive in this crisis." He bowed after making the suggestion.

Han Jin-Sang was a bit surprised when he heard that, and he said, "But the cellphone is still in the middle of prototype refinement and testing. Although it's completed, it doesn't yet meet the expectations the experts want it to meet..."

The secretary nodded and said, "But this is a crucial moment for the company. KiShin's exact same flipping phone should also be in the same stage of refinement and testing as our company. It's still in progress, and although our company is confident in surpassing KiShin under normal circumstances, the current financial struggle changes the equation. KiShin might complete their refinement and testing of their flipping phone before us... So... I think it's only reasonable for us to directly mass-produce our flipping phone and introduce it to the market before KiShin."

Han Jin-Sang nodded, finding it sensible, but hesitated, "But... What if consumers complain about problems with our phone?"

The secretary adjusted his glasses and replied, "Consumer reactions don't matter. What matters is that we introduced an innovative cellphone, a breakthrough in the market. And most importantly, the company will profit immensely just from releasing the phone."

As Han Jin-Sang continued to listen, the more he found it compelling, and he could feel excitement coursing through his body.

"Even if KiShin releases a flippable design phone with almost the exact features and technologies as our flipping phone, the market will see them as mere copycats of the SamStar cellphone," the secretary said with a smile.

Han Jin-Sang was silent for a moment, gazing deeply at his secretary. He then remarked, "I must say, you are quite smart. I am fortunate to have you as my secretary."

The secretary smiled upon hearing the flattery and replied, "I am also fortunate to have you as my Chairman."

Han Jin-Sang smiled and patted the secretary on the shoulder, while the secretary looked extremely humble with a slightly lowered head.

From a third perspective, the two appear like a modern emperor and a modern eunuch, despite both donning black suits. The formal and overly respectful demeanor of the secretary contrasts with the arrogance of the chairman, giving the impression that they are following in the footsteps of their ancestors—a servant and a king.

---

In Tokyo, Japan.

At KiShin Rules Headquarters, in the Chairman's office.

Shin just received intel that SamStar was about to allocate a significant amount of money, despite the company's financial struggles, to mass-produce the flipping cellphone.

Their sole aim was to be the first to introduce the cellphone to the market.

Shin smiled; what SamStar didn't expect was that KiShin's flipping phone was already in mass production.

SamStar's plan to boost their stocks with a cellphone would not work. Moreover, they would be wasting a significant amount of money putting their cellphone into mass production since KiShin would release the phone in the market first.

Being a conglomerate company, SamStar had other business sectors to manage in this tough situation. Yet, the chairman's desire to focus the company's budget on the mass production of the cellphone in the hope of striking it rich was a rushed and imprudent move.

Before SamStar could realize it, it was already too late, and the chairman wouldn't even know that his secretary was actually a traitor.