A Lie Has Turned Into Reality

A charity auction is a method of selling goods or services where the proceeds are used for charitable purposes.

By definition, the revenue generated from a charity auction is intended to fund charitable projects.

This means that the items submitted to a charity auction are not for personal profit. They’re for charity—a philanthropic gesture.

The same principle applies to this charity auction.

According to the event announcement, all proceeds will be donated to the Hangak Welfare Foundation.

But what could possibly motivate someone to put 10% of their company’s shares up for a charity auction?

Is he so committed to charity that he’s willing to sell his company’s shares? Probably not.

“110 billion! 111 billion! 112 billion!…”

The bidding price skyrocketed.

What’s going on here?

Ever since my absurd circumstances became reality, my intelligence has increased exponentially.

But the more I question this situation, the deeper I find myself sinking into confusion.

“Oppa, is it even possible to auction off company shares?”

“Well, it’s possible. It’s happened before. But it’s extremely rare.”

If his goal was purely charity, he would’ve donated the money directly instead of auctioning off shares.

The reason is simple. Putting corporate shares up for auction comes with substantial risks and legal hurdles.

There are restrictions and regulations on internal share transactions within companies. There are also legal obligations regarding the liquidity of shares, discrepancies in market value, and other complications.

So, why endure all this trouble just to auction off his company shares?

Something smells fishy.

“115 billion! 116 billion! 117 billion!…”

Hangak Welfare Foundation.

The name lingered in my mind like a foggy memory.

Looks like it’s time to dig deeper.

Hangak Welfare Foundation… Hangak Welfare Foundation…

Grind—

The sudden, sharp pain that gripped me made me frown. Still, it wasn’t unbearable.

Taking a deep breath, I focused, and the cloudy memories started to clear.

Ah, now I remember.

Kim Hyunsook, the wife of Seoul’s mayor, Kang Minwook, runs the Hangak Welfare Foundation.

“Ah, so it’s all rigged.”

The proceeds from this charity auction are supposedly going to the Hangak Welfare Foundation.

But the exact “allocation” of those funds hasn’t been disclosed. In other words, they can use the money however they want.

What does that mean? It means the funds could be “donated” to projects or nonprofits with vested interests under the guise of philanthropy.

No wonder there’s such a large number of art pieces being auctioned.

Artworks are often paid for in cash and are difficult to regulate under financial oversight. They can even be stashed away in free ports, avoiding taxes entirely.

Do you think wealthy people collect art purely out of love for it? Absolutely not.

The highlight of the night, however, is the 10% stake in Unilabs, submitted by none other than Jang Dohyung.

Normally, selling shares would incur up to 42% capital gains tax. But with the label of “charity,” it becomes a tax-deductible transaction.

Bribery, tax evasion, and money laundering—all tied up in one neat little package. Talk about killing two birds with one stone.

And as for the investment proposal Jang left with me? A quick glance told me it was a classic Ponzi scheme.

What’s a Ponzi scheme? It’s a fraudulent investment operation where returns are paid to earlier investors from the funds of more recent investors, rather than profit earned.

Without a solid foundation for cash flow, it could collapse at any moment.

And he’s claiming that a 10 million won investment will get you 30 million Solar stablecoins, each valued at 1 won?

“What nonsense.”

He also bragged that Solar would soon be listed on a major international exchange, and that its value couldn’t drop below 1 won per coin. The pitch was so stale I almost yawned.

“150 billion! Any further bids?”

Jang Dohyung, now sporting a smug smile, locked eyes with me from across the room.

I wonder what his face would look like twisted in despair.

That might actually be entertaining.

This charity auction is significant in many ways.

The tangled web of vested interests and shady dealings only underscores its importance.

A charity auction to support the underprivileged? Please.

The art pieces being auctioned serve as tools for tax evasion and money laundering, while the proceeds are likely to be funneled into slush funds for the powerful.

Of course, I plan to get my cut as well. That 10% stake in Unilabs will be wrapped up in a shiny package labeled “charity” and quietly tucked away for my use.

Scanning the room, I spotted a man sitting in the corner, looking bored. His face was vaguely familiar.

I approached him naturally and extended my hand.

“I’m Jang Dohyung.”

“Ah, yes. I’m Kim Sungwoo.”

Kim Sungwoo.

The legend of the securities world. An individual private investor who manages a fortune in the trillions. In this industry, everyone knows the name.

And isn’t he also a direct heir of Taewoong Group, the economic heart of South Korea?

He’s so elusive that rumors have always surrounded him, but now he’s stepped into the public eye for the first time.

What could he be up to?

“May I join you?”

“Sure, feel free to sit.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Smug bastard.

His “polite” demeanor barely concealed his smugness, and I couldn’t help but find his overly confident face grating. But what could I do?

With a composed smile, I handed over my business card.

“This is who I am.”

He looked at me with a puzzled expression.

However, the woman accompanying him seemed shocked, her reaction almost exaggerated.

“Oppa, isn’t this about cryptocurrency?”

“Haha, that’s right. I’m the creator of a cryptocurrency called Solar.”

Finally, a hint of recognition flickered across his previously indifferent face.

“Have we met before?”

“Oh, no. This is our first meeting.”

“Then, what brings you here?”

“I’ve wanted to meet you at least once.”

“Me?”

He’s certainly cautious. As if there’s anyone in the securities world who hasn’t heard the name Kim Sungwoo.

That surprised expression of his? It’s probably just a calculated act to gauge my intentions.

I can’t let my guard down.

“In the securities industry, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t know the name Kim Sungwoo.”

“Excuse me?”

“And more importantly, as a member of Taewoong Group—”

“Please, just get to the point.”

Huh?

The atmosphere froze instantly.

This brat, cutting me off the moment I mentioned Taewoong Group? How audacious.

“Haha, I seem to have made you uncomfortable. My apologies.”

“It’s fine.”

“This is an investment proposal for the cryptocurrency Solar. If you’re ever interested, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

“…”

Suppressing my irritation, I handed him the proposal along with my contact information.

Someone of his stature wouldn’t pass up this opportunity.

The absurdly high returns guaranteed by Solar aren’t supported by a solid cash flow.

It’s a textbook Ponzi scheme: new investors’ money is used to pay returns to earlier investors.

It’s a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment. But until it does, its impact will grow exponentially, like a snowball gaining momentum.

And when it finally detonates at the peak of its influence… boom!

Countless individuals will be devastated. But what can you do? It’s their fault for not being cautious.

Kim Sungwoo, infamous for his greed, won’t miss out on this opportunity.

I can already see him actively joining in this orchestrated massacre.

The auction proceeded smoothly.

The earlier art pieces were mere appetizers.

I glanced at Kim Sungwoo from time to time, but he simply leaned on his hand with a bored expression, showing no signs of interest.

“And now, the highlight of the evening! The final auction item!”

“The pride of South Korea’s blockchain technology! A genius entrepreneur leading the blockchain industry!”

“Mr. Jang Dohyung has put up 10% of Unilabs’ shares as the final auction item!”

The finale had begun.

The bidding started at 10 billion won. At first glance, it seemed outrageous, but in reality, it wasn’t.

If executed properly, the returns could easily multiply tenfold.

“10 billion, 100 million! 10 billion, 200 million! 10 billion, 300 million!…”

“11 billion, 500 million! 11 billion, 600 million! 11 billion, 700 million!…”

The bidding soared sky-high without hesitation.

Yet, Kim Sungwoo showed no reaction.

Did I misjudge? I thought for sure he would make his move.

“15 billion!! 15 billion has been bid!!!!”

A smirk crept onto my face.

He finally took the bait.

With a casual expression, Kim Sungwoo raised his hand from his seat.

The legend of the securities world, the undefeated super-investor, Kim Sungwoo, purchasing 10% of Unilabs’ shares at a premium through a charity auction?

The news alone would send Unilabs’ stock price skyrocketing overnight.

And when that happens, the value of Solar will naturally follow suit.

The weight carried by the name Kim Sungwoo is greater than people realize.

“If there are no further bids, the item will be sold!”

Bang!

Everything was perfect.

The final piece of the puzzle had fallen into place.

“Sold!”

As our eyes met, Kim Sungwoo smirked coldly.

What was this unsettling feeling?

Ha… it must just be my imagination.