Chapter 277: Give It a Try

Chairman Song Young-ju had a simple wish.

He wanted all the projects he had initiated to continue seamlessly, even after his death, and for the name ‘Song Young-ju’ to be passed down to future generations.

To achieve this, he had chosen a puppet—Song Chan-woo.

Of course, beneath the surface, there might be a tinge of guilt for Song Chan-woo, who was the child of a concubine, but the greater concern was likely seeing Daehyeon fall apart, even in death.

“Chairman Song Chan-woo,”

I called out to Chan-woo, drawing everyone’s attention to him.

“The person chosen by Chairman Wang is you, Chairman Song Chan-woo. That won’t change. Additionally, all of my shares in Daehyeon will remain as supportive shares in your favor.”

“……”

Despite the supportive words, Song Chan-woo was clearly wary of his siblings’ reactions.

“Don’t worry about them. The owner of Daehyeon Group never hesitates because of others’ opinions. That’s the weight of the crown. If you don’t change that feeble nature of yours, one day it will choke you.”

Chairman Song Young-ju would have likely said the same. He always emphasized that the leader of Daehyeon should be bold.

Moreover, knowing Song Chan-woo’s future made me view his weakness as toxic.

Due to his delicate nature, Chan-woo could not withstand the weight of Daehyeon’s crown and ended up choking himself.

Since I had decided to intervene, such a scenario must never occur.

“And you, Chairman Song Chan-seong.”

I turned my gaze from Chan-woo to Chan-seong. His face, marred by unrestrained anger, was troubling to behold.

“Don’t be greedy. It would be wise to maintain your position under Chairman Song Chan-woo.”

“Why should I do that? What prevents me from being the owner of Daehyeon? I don’t know what you’ve promised my father, but I can offer more than that.”

It was laughable to hear someone proclaim they’d give me something that wasn’t even theirs. It certainly reminded me of someone.

Perhaps because of the smile that crept onto my face, Chan-seong’s voice grew increasingly hostile.

“Why are you laughing? Do you find me that ridiculous?”

“I recognize your abilities, Chairman. You turned the hearts of not only the founding figures of Daehyeon but also Chairman Wang’s brothers when he fell. That speaks volumes about your skills, doesn’t it?”

I also believed in Chan-seong’s abilities. He was essentially a watered-down version of Chairman Song Young-ju.

However, there was something he overlooked.

“But if the halo of being Chairman Song Young-ju’s second son disappears, do you think everyone would still make the same choice?”

“……”

“You need to let go of the idea that your abilities are unmatched. There are countless people in Korea more capable than you, Chairman Song Chan-seong.”

“I… I built Daehyeon Automotive. Though founded by my father, I learned everything from the ground up, starting as a mechanic! And now you want me to hand it over?”

Chairman Song Chan-seong firmly believed Daehyeon Automotive belonged to him.

It was disgraceful to exhibit such obstinacy over something that had never belonged to him.

“If the one who nurtured it is the owner, then that means your true owner is Chairman Song Young-ju.”

“……How can a person and a company be the same?”

“To Chairman Song Young-ju, Daehyeon is just as precious as a person. The family members present here should understand that better than anyone else.”

After glancing around, I continued, seeing that no one else, apart from Chan-seong, dared to speak up.

“I consider Chairman Song Young-ju the only true adult in this room apart from my grandfather. I cannot sit idly by while his final farewell is tainted.”

“……”

“So go ahead and give it your best shot. Say all you can. The more you struggle, the more you’ll realize how insignificant your possessions truly are and that what you thought was an impregnable fortress is merely a sandcastle that will crumble away with the wind.”

Song Young-ju, a friend of my grandfather and my advisor, was someone I wanted to honor.

“To sum it up, Chairman Song Chan-woo is the owner of Daehyeon, and Chairman Song Chan-seong should assist Chairman Chan-woo from the position of chairman of Daehyeon Automotive.”

Apparently unable to accept this easily, Chan-seong gritted his teeth.

“If I cannot accept this…”

“Then you must relinquish that seat as well.”

“Even if you and my father hold shares, you can’t force me out of the chairman’s position at Daehyeon Automotive!”

“Do you really think so?”

I responded to his obstinate claim with a chilling smile. Just then, a commotion erupted outside.

“Chairman Wang!”

Turning my gaze to Chairman Song Young-ju, he lightly nodded.

“Invite them in.”

Upon his permission, his secretary let those calling for him from outside into the room.

“No, board members!”

Chairman Song Chan-seong rose abruptly, his voice trembling as he called out to them.

It was evident he hadn’t expected their appearance.

Yet the newcomers ignored Chan-seong’s reaction and rushed directly to Chairman Song Young-ju, prostrating themselves before him.

“Chairman Wang, we lost our minds for a moment. Please forgive us just this once.”

“……”

Chairman Song Young-ju remained silent, his lips pressed tightly together as he coldly looked down on the back of the board members.

“Chairman Wang, how could we betray you? It’s all a misunderstanding. We only acted for your benefit…”

“Did you just say that you acted for me?”

“Yes! Yes! Everything was for you!”

Unlike the trembling board members, Chairman Song Young-ju spoke with a steady, piercing voice.

“How could those who claim to act for me defy my wishes? And then say that it is for me?”

“……”

The board members of Daehyeon Automotive were left speechless by his questioning.

“Why can’t you speak? Didn’t you say you acted for me? Have any of you ever disobeyed my wishes before? You only revealed your true feelings when I fell sick.”

“That’s not true, Chairman Wang!”

“Then speak. Why did you defy my wishes, attempting to make me a mere relic?”

Under the calm scolding of Chairman Song Young-ju, the board members buried their heads deeply into the floor.

Their appearance was reminiscent of guilty individuals seeking forgiveness, but Chairman Song Young-ju still showed no reaction.

“Chairman Wang,”

I called out to him as he fixed his icy gaze on the board members.

His expression was enough to make even me shiver.

“Let’s give them a choice.”

“Those who betray once are likely to betray again.”

“But they are still founding figures, aren’t they?”

“Tch…”

Chairman Song Young-ju clicked his tongue with a displeased expression as he looked down at the board members.

“Hey, Executive Director Jang.”

“Yes?”

Executive Director Jang immediately perked up when his name was called.

“Are you going to follow my orders?”

“Yes! Of course! I’m someone who always follows Chairman Wang’s will!”

“Good… So that’s how it is. What about the others?”

“Yes!”

All the other directors answered without hesitation.

“Then all the Daehyeon stocks you hold must be transferred to Boss Kim right now.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“What, do you disagree? It hasn’t even been a minute since you said you’d follow my orders. Is that just a lie?”

When Chairman Song Young-ju’s voice became colder again, Executive Director Jang quickly bowed his head.

“N-No, I’ll do it!”

“I’ll pay them a fair price, so don’t worry. Right, Boss Kim?”

“Of course. I’ll add a premium as well.”

“Then that’s settled.”

Watching the farcical scene unfold in front of him, Chan-seong’s expression soured like a piece of spoiled fish.

“You were the ones who built and nurtured Daehyeon Automotive alongside me. Executive Director Jang, you’ve only risen to become Executive Director thanks to me.”

“Yes, I know. I will never forget your kindness.”

“And you, Executive Director Hong, are the same.”

Chairman Song Young-ju recounted his past with each director, clearly exerting pressure on them.

“I am Daehyeon, and Daehyeon is me. Don’t forget it. My successor is Chan-woo. That will never change.”

“Yes, Chairman Wang.”

“That’s all. You may leave now.”

All the directors stood up, bowing deeply before turning to leave.

But that was not the end. One by one, those who had shown their support for Chan-seong returned to the mansion.

Once the same event repeated itself, Chan-seong’s face turned pale as he finally grasped reality.

Thanks to Chairman Song Young-ju, all the Daehyeon stocks held by the directors were now in my grasp.

It was enough for me to secure a stake large enough to replace Chairman Song Chan-woo if I desired.

“Do you now understand the reality?”

“……”

I asked teasingly, but Chan-seong only glared at me with a gaze filled with outrage.

“If you want more, feel free to do whatever it takes.”

In the end, Chan-seong kept his head down, unable to respond.

I turned my gaze from that broken will and issued a warning to the other family members.

“Everyone else, heed my words. After Chairman Wang passes, I will not forgive anyone who opposes Chairman Song Chan-woo.”

“……”

A stifling silence fell over the spacious living room. Perhaps this was the sight Chairman Song Young-ju had envisioned.

In this way, it meant that I was the one truly holding Daehyeon, not Chan-woo.

Even in such a pitiful state, I couldn’t help but wonder if Chairman Song Young-ju was satisfied with his name remaining in Daehyeon.

“I will support Chairman Song Chan-woo in any endeavor he undertakes. As long as I uphold Chairman Song Young-ju’s legacy. So please, everyone else, lend your assistance in your capacities. If you do so, you shall continue to enjoy all that you currently have.”

It was time to wrap things up. That responsibility lay not with me but with Chairman Song Young-ju.

“Chairman Wang, I will take my leave now. I believe the final touches should be handled by you personally.”

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks.”

I bowed my head slightly and left Chairman Song Young-ju’s residence.

As soon as I got in the car, I loosened my suffocating tie and sighed.

“This isn’t how a person should act.”

Secretary Ma seamlessly picked up on my mood.

“But you did well.”

“Do you really think so? It was the right thing to do, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, you did well.”

The car gradually drove out of sight of Chairman Song Young-ju’s residence.

The hues of the sunset against the stained sky outside the window mirrored my feelings.

Days passed following the conclusion of the Daehyeon Group family meeting.

The incident marking the failure of the Daehyeon Group’s princely turmoil quickly spread through business circles.

Chairman Song Chan-seong retained his position at Daehyeon Automotive, but he could only sit there, having lost all substantial power.

“Always keep an eye on Chairman Song Chan-seong for the unexpected. You never know what he might do.”

“Yes, I will maintain the surveillance.”

Chairman Song Young-ju finished the family meeting and returned to the hospital.

I had no idea what he said afterward. I felt it was something I shouldn’t know.

“By the way, did you gather more information about the article from The Sun?”

This mattered to me more than Daehyeon.

Thus, while managing Daehyeon’s affairs, I ordered our branch in the UK at Black Bear to investigate.

I instructed them to find out how much The Sun had reported on me and how close they had gotten to my true identity.

“We confirmed they are investigating the Boss.”

“Have you found the journalists who entered Korea?”

“Yes, we are checking their movements. One is researching the Boss’s childhood in Busan, and another is in Seoul.”

If it weren’t for Jessica’s words, I would have been blindsided and my identity might have been exposed.

“How close did they get?”

“They are focusing on the owner of Dream High Investment, the relationship with Russian Putin, and the dark ties with the American mafia. Dream High is already known, so it isn’t a significant issue.”

“Even if its name isn’t mentioned, it’s information well-known enough due to the articles on Pomosji.”

I couldn’t hide my existence forever. However, having everything revealed would only hinder my movements.

“Have you made contact with The Sun’s management?”

“They have probably experienced this scenario before, as they are firmly rejecting any attempts at dialogue.”

“Hmm…”

The magazine The Sun largely focused on gossip pieces. They would cover stories about anyone, even the British royal family if it involved gossip.

“I guess it’s time for a trip to the UK.”

If I was curious, I should find out who they were in person.

They also needed to understand that their previous manipulations wouldn’t work with me.