» The Youngest Son of Sunyang
Chaebol's Youngest Son - 230
[230]Unfinished Business 5
In the hospital parking lot, my father and Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae were waiting with anxious expressions.
My grandfather, who had gotten out of the car, didn't even glance at the wheelchair the doctors brought.
"Why bring that for just a few steps? It's fine. Let's just go up."
Grandfather strode briskly to the elevator, then turned back and said,
"I won't say it twice. Everyone, go back. I want to be alone today."
We could only watch the elevator doors close rapidly.
My father got into another elevator and said,
"Dojun. You go and get some rest. I'll leave after meeting the hospital director. Hakjae Hyung-nim, you should go and rest too."
As the elevator doors closed on my father, Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae let out a long sigh, as if a weight had been lifted.
"Dojun. Are you tired?"
"No, I'm not. I caught a little sleep on the way up."
"Then, shall we talk for a bit?"
He and I moved to a cafe near the hospital.
"How was Gunsan?"
"It was rather uninspiring."
"What? Uninspiring?"
"Yes. Isn't it a bit lacking to be called the Sunyang Group History Museum? It was just a few photos and a handful of souvenirs."
"Is that so? Perhaps those who didn't experience that era firsthand don't feel much of an impression."
"Or perhaps, Grandfather's photo album?"
"A photo album? Haha. Yes, that fits better. After all, it's a place that holds the Chairman's memories."
Lee Hakjae smiled and observed me.
"Did he say anything else?"
"He spoke about that accident back then."
I didn't miss his eyebrows twitching. He clearly hadn't expected Grandfather to reveal that it was Grandmother's doing.
"Chief, you knew too, didn't you?"
"Hmm... Naturally. I investigated it."
"I have something I'm curious about. May I ask?"
"Yes. What is it?"
"Does Grandmother also have people who do her bidding? To carry out such a thing, it wouldn't be possible with ordinary employees, would it?"
"Isn't it a world crawling with people who'll do anything if you just give them money?"
"It's hard to imagine the Sunyang Group Chairman's wife associating with such people, isn't it? It would be allowing them to get leverage over her... It wouldn't be that simple. Please tell me."
"Why do you want to know in such detail?"
"Grandfather told me. He said she might try to harm me again, but to forgive her for his sake. For such a time, I also need to prepare."
Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae began to stare directly into my eyes.
"And do you have the confidence to forgive?"
"It's Grandfather's request, so I must grant it."
"Hmm..."
He took a sip of coffee, and I waited for him to speak.
"You know the Chairman's wife runs an art museum and an art support center, right?"
"Yes. I heard it's the best sponsorship organization."
"It's a world where high-priced artworks change hands. Fakes are rampant, and it's difficult for anyone but a true expert to distinguish between forgeries and genuine pieces. And transactions in the shadows are commonplace."
"Ah...!"
"What if an illicit transaction was made and it turned out to be a forgery? Would they report it to the police?"
Shadows, illicit transactions... That immediately points to smuggling.
At one time, there was a circulating rumor.
That North Korean antiques were pouring into Korea via China.
The rumor was that the Sunyang Gallery was the place that had quietly collected all those antiques and stored them in an underground vault. This, too, would be impossible without smuggling.
"So there's an organization that acts as her hands and feet, resolving such unsavory matters by force."
Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae merely nodded his head instead of answering.
"Money and power... I'll have to keep Grandfather's words in mind. The first time is difficult, but the second time, they won't feel any particular guilt, will they?"
"Aren't you the same? You possess both money and power. Woo Byungjun, if you give the order, wouldn't he warn the Chairman's wife without batting an eye? That if she touches you, he'll repay her in kind."
"Surely not?"
"He didn't even answer my calls. Isn't he pledging loyalty to you?"
It wasn't just a show.
He truly erased Sunyang's second-in-command.
No, even so, I shouldn't believe everything this person says. It's entirely possible for two people to conspire and deceive me.
Hadn't I learned through death what happens when one easily trusts and follows people?
"Woo Byungjun is top-tier. He's a well-honed blade, so use him carefully and cautiously."
"Yes. I will keep that in mind."
"Well, family matters don't seem to be my place to interfere with... Did the Chairman say anything about the group?"
Since I had made a promise to this person, it was natural for him to be curious about what Grandfather and I had discussed.
"He only asked if I had the confidence to make Sunyang even bigger. Other than that, there was nothing special."
"Really? Is that all?"
"Yes, Chief. No, rather, I want to ask you. Does Grandfather intend to give me more controlling shares of the group?"
Lee Hakjae shook his head.
"Everyone thinks the Chairman has one or two trump cards... but they're mistaken. The Chairman doesn't hold any controlling shares of the group. All that's left are real estate and deposits. I don't know much about his personal assets either. His personal lawyer manages those."
"Are you sure?"
"I divided them myself. There are no more."
Hearing his definitive words, I felt my strength drain a little.
My expectation that he might give me at least one secret weapon for a final strike disappeared.
He's truly a cold-hearted person. Is he saying that the one who fights to the end and wins will be his successor?
"You look disappointed, huh? Haha."
"Yes. I had expectations."
"If you hadn't made a mistake, the Chairman wouldn't have abandoned those expectations."
A mistake? Me? What does that mean?
Seeing my wide-open eyes, Chief Lee waved his hand slightly.
"Not that kind of mistake, but failing to read people's hearts."
"Me?"
"Yes. It would have been better if you had understood a little of a parent's heart... You only showed off your capable side. You should have shown a slightly lacking and weaker side. If you had made them feel pity and sympathy, it would have been a little different. The saying, 'Give a crying child another rice cake,' that's true."
Could that be true? Did he only give me that much stake precisely because his trust in me was so great?
"Ah, don't think too deeply about it. It's just my thoughts. This... the conversation keeps straying. Oh, by the way, you said you stopped somewhere on the way up?"
"Yes. I think you'd know him, Chief. Mr. Byeonghae Ju..."
"Hmm? Mr. Ju?"
Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae looked surprised, as if it was unexpected.
"Yes. He told me to ask for help if I encounter difficulties in the future. And to visit him often and greet him. Do you know him well?"
"Of course."
Seeing a faint smile form on his face, he must have many good memories.
"He's a great man. If he had just held on a little longer, he could have had half of Sunyang. But he threw all that away and turned his back without regret... He's a true man."
"Still, seeing how he lives, he doesn't seem to be in straitened circumstances, does he?"
"Compared to what he gave up, he *is* in straitened circumstances. He lives that comfortably because the Chairman looks out for him. Oh, by the way, showing him to you also implied that if the Chairman isn't around, you should look after him."
"Ah, I see. I shouldn't forget that."
"Since he's a wise man, it wouldn't be bad to seek his advice sometimes. I also call him occasionally."
Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae emptied his coffee cup and spoke. It seemed he was about to state the real reason he had wanted to see me separately.
"Now, steel yourself. If they find out about the Chairman's condition, everyone will show their true colors. Vice-Chairman Jin Younggi, in particular, will be the first to act. I don't know if you'll be the first prey or Vice-Chairman Jin Donggi, but the expulsion process will begin immediately."
"Will you help me?"
"Didn't I tell you? That I would uphold the Chairman's will. I will block any share transfers. But nothing more than that. Don't think of putting me forward."
"I understand. I'll have to prepare thoroughly."
"Especially, the two Vice-Chairmen might unite and try to kick you out first. Overcome that critical moment well."
"And you're not thinking of giving me something to fight with, are you?"
When I jabbed him lightly with a smile, Lee Hakjae also smiled.
"Find it yourself. Aren't there plenty of flaws to attack a second-generation chaebol with? Heh heh."
This man, too, must be holding onto something significant.
* * *
The year 2003 saw prosecutors investigate suspicions of rampant illegal funds throughout the 2002 presidential election, urgently arresting a close associate of the opposition party's presidential candidate. This news capped off 2003.
When the Central Investigation Department's announcement broke, stating they would conduct an all-out investigation into large corporations involved in the so-called 'car-loading' method, everyone was on high alert.
Both of my elder uncles were frantically busy erasing their traces from the election fund delivery process and searching for someone to stand in the prosecutor's photo line in their stead.
"Chief. What happened to the Miracle Investment associates?"
"CEO Oh Sehyun is practically retired, and the two employees who delivered the money at that time also left for the U.S. early. Since those two employees left with their families, we can assume their traces have been erased, right?"
Managing Director Woo Byungjun nodded his head.
"Then that's settled. I also sent the men who delivered your money to Vice-Chairman Jin Donggi's side on vacation to Southeast Asia until the prosecutor's investigation is over."
"Did you find the flow of my money?"
"No. CEO Oh Sehyun handled it very cleanly. It's impossible to find it with my own power, and even if the prosecutors were determined to pursue it, it would be difficult. They would have to secure all U.S. accounts and cross-reference them individually."
"Even if they do that, they won't find it. Billions of won move between New York and Yeouido daily."
When I spoke with confidence, Managing Director Woo Byungjun shrugged and accepted it.
"You two are not ordinary people."
"I'm only twenty-seven years old. I can't get my hands dirty in the mud already."
Woo Byungjun slowly dropped his smile and said.
"A rumor is circulating that the Chairman is still in the hospital. Are you aware of it?"
"Where did that rumor start?"
"It's the security guards at the Chairman's residence. Since he hasn't been going out at all, they'd think it's strange. Is it true?"
My trust in this man wasn't a hundred percent, but I thought it was enough to confirm the rumor.
"Yes. It was about a week ago."
He spoke calmly, without showing any surprise.
"The reason for keeping it a secret...?"
"Grandfather wished it."
"I see. Then contact Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae and ask him to rotate the security guards at the Chairman's residence. Since it's standard procedure for the security team to rotate shifts after a certain period, they won't consider it anything out of the ordinary."
How long could it be kept a secret?
If Grandfather doesn't appear at official events, it's only a matter of time. Perhaps both elder uncles have already noticed?
"I understand. I will tell Chief Lee."
"I'm careful to say this, but has the Chairman's health deteriorated significantly?"
"Yes. The hospital says there isn't much time left."
As soon as my words ended, Woo Byungjun took out his cell phone.
"Tell all the staff to gather. Everyone except the one who drives Chief Jin Dojun."
He ended the short call and immediately stood up.
"Today, I recommend you keep your external schedule short and go home. And starting tomorrow, we will increase the level of security."
His sudden actions seemed excessive, which made me a bit uncomfortable.
Seeing my expression, his voice became even sterner.
"When a person who wields both physical and financial power becomes anxious, I have seen them commit acts beyond common sense many times. Until the next Sunyang Group structure becomes clear, even if all sorts of incidents and accidents occur consecutively, I wouldn't find it strange at all. Chief, you also need to be vigilant."
Considering what Grandmother had done, Woo Byungjun's words weren't wrong. Once again, Grandfather's death began to feel like a reality.