Chapter 56: I’m Fine, Don’t Worry About Me

When I opened the door and left Myeong-su didn’t ask anything else.

“Want some ramen?”

His words made me smile without realizing it.

“Yeah, I should eat before I go.”

“Wait here.”

Myeong-su put down the law book he was reading on the table and got up to go to the kitchen to boil water.

Meanwhile I cooled my swollen eyes with cold water.

A moment later,

Myeong-su brought the ramen to the table and said to me,

“Geez, look at your face you crazy bastard. Hurry up and eat.”

“Yeah, I’ll eat well.”

As I finished the ramen and was about to drink some water, Myeong-su who had been looking at the law book glanced at me.

“You good now?”

I nodded slightly as I got up.

“I’m going. When the first results come out, tell everyone we’ll meet then. Understand if I can’t contact you for a while.”

Myeong-su nodded and stood up.

“Alright. Don’t waver and do whatever you think is right. I’ll help with whatever I can.”

“Thanks.”

When I opened the door and came out, Manager Ma got out of the driver’s seat and bowed his head.

“Let’s go home.”

On the way to Pyeongchang-dong, I was lost in thought.

[‘I won’t tell Grandma. No need to reopen healed wounds. Now that I’ve eliminated the Cheon Su-man brothers, I’ll have to adjust the plan a bit.’]

When I entered the house, Chief Ha was nowhere to be seen, probably out to take care of Cheon Su-man’s affairs.

Passing through the chilly living room, I arrived in front of the study.

“Grandfather, it’s Mu-hyeok.”

“Come in.”

It was Grandfather’s weak voice.

When I opened the study door, Grandfather’s lonely figure looking out the window caught my eye.

“Grandfather.”

Grandfather turned his body while sitting in the chair. His face looked much worse in just a day.

“Where have you been?”

“I went to clear my complicated thoughts.”

I faced Grandfather who was silently examining my expression.

“I’ve decided not to resent you, Grandfather. I plan to focus on work for now. And I won’t take any revenge on my cousins. But please don’t tell me to get along with them. I don’t think we can smile at each other when we meet.”

“That’s good enough. So, what are you planning to do now?”

“I’ll let you know after I check all the documents.”

Grandfather nodded and remained silent.

“Grandfather, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”

“Haha.”

I smiled at Grandfather who laughed dejectedly.

“I’m trying to understand you, Grandfather. Your desire to protect the family, the fear of losing everything. I’ll accept it all.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll do well so you won’t feel the absence of my uncles. Please watch over me.”

I bowed my head in greeting and went outside.

What Grandfather thought in the study left alone again was unknowable.

* * *

Il-seong Group Chairman’s Officee

Chairman Seo Yong-geon’s direct line, known to only a few, rang.

Chairman Seo picked up the phone and his eyes widened slightly in surprise at the voice on the other end.

– “Chairman Seo, it’s Cheon Tae-san.”

“What brings you to call?”

– “We need to divorce Su-man and your daughter.”

Taken aback by the sudden statement, Chairman Seo was momentarily speechless.

But Chairman Cheon on the other end continued regardless,

– “It’s not because I dislike your daughter. It’s a family matter, so please understand. Let’s not complicate things with property division and such.”

“Huh… What’s this all about, calling so suddenly?”

Chairman Seo was incredulous, but he quietly reached out and wrote on the notepad in front of him.

[What’s going on with Cheon Tae-san and Cheon Su-man?]

It was a simple note, but Chief of Staff Lee Seok-min who received it hurriedly left the chairman’s office.

“Look here, explain yourself. What nonsense is this all of a sudden? What about the children?”

– “You take the children. I’m thinking of sending Su-man abroad. Don’t worry too much about Ji-soo, I’ll take care of her. Myung-hoon will visit you soon. Call Hee-kyung and have her stamp the documents.”

Chairman Seo’s brow furrowed at the commanding attitude towards a subordinate.

“How amusing. It’s been a while since I’ve been this amused. Look here, Chairman Cheon. Do you still see me as the Seo Yong-geon who bowed his head to you under my father? Shouldn’t you give me a proper explanation?”

– “I apologize. I absolutely don’t mean to disrespect you. How could I disrespect the person at the pinnacle of the Il-seong Group? I’m just overwhelmmed right now. I’ll visit you sometime later.”

Just as Seo Yong-geon was about to open his mouth to rebut, Chairman Cheon’s words continued from the receiver as if he wasn’t finished,

– “But don’t ignore my words. Remember, I’m not dead yet. Even now, I could support your brother if I wanted to.”

In the end, it was Chairman Seo who was left speechless.

He knew that despite overcoming his disadvantageous position as the youngest and rising to become the 2nd generation chairman, surpassing all his brothers, his eldest brother Seo Yong-hyun was still eyeing his position.

As Chairman Cheon said, if he were to support Seo Yong-hyun now, the outcome couldn’t be guaranteed.

“Hah! Are you threatening me now?”

– “It’s not a threat. I’m saying this because I don’t know what I might do right now. Heed my words. When Myung-hoon brings the documents, don’t complicate things. Just stamp the divorce papers.”

With those final words, Cheon Tae-san hung up without eveying goodbye.

Chairman Seo stared at the disconnected phone for a moment before throwing it against the wall.

“Why won’t this damned man just die already! Is there no one outside?!”

The secretary waiting outside came in.

Seeing the broken phone on the floor, he bowed his head deeply.

He knew not to disturb the chairman’s mood at times like this.

“Where’s Chief Lee?”

“He just rushed out urgently, sir.”

“Clean that up and bring a new one. Contact Chief Lee and tell him to come back in.”

“Yes, sir.”

Left alone, Chairman Seo continued cursing to himself, his anger unabated.

“Damn it, how long do I have to keep watching that man’s face? What the hell has Cheon Su-man done? Geez.”

A moment later, Lee Seok-min, who had left with his note, entered the chairman’s office.

Chairman Seo asked him as soon as he entered,

“What’s going on?”

“We haven’t been able to ascertain the situation properly yet.”

“You bastard! Is that what you call a report? Didn’t I tell you to always keep an eye on Cheon Tae-san? Is this what you creporting?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Hah… What’s the point of talking to you? Hee-kyung, stamp it. Stamp it and give it to Chief Ha.”

“Father!”

“Are you saying you’re going to ignore my words too?”

Seeing Seo Yong-geon’s cold gaze, Seo Hee-kyung had no choice but to stamp the documents.

“I’m sorry, Madam.”

“Chief Ha, is Cheon going abroad?”

Ha Myung-hoon, who was checking the documents, turned his gaze to Chairman Seo.

“I only follow the chairman’s will. I don’t know.”

After confirming all the stamps were in place, Ha Myung-hoon put them in his briefcase and stood up.

“I’ll be going now.”

Chairman Seo glared at Ha Myung-hoon as he bowed and left the chairman’s office.

“What do I do now?”

“What do you mean what do you do? Pack your things and come out. Bring Ji-soo and Ji-soo too.”

Seo Hee-kyung made a sullen face as she received an unnecessarily scolding look.

* * *

“Please keep a close eye on the movements of the Myeong-dong bosses. Cheon Su-man is bound to struggle, but the Cheongpung Group won’t help him this time unless they plan to go to war with Grandfather.”

“All three of them, sir?”

“Yes, please track in detail who they meet and where they go.”

“Understood.”

“Things are going to get very busy now. Manager Ma, you’ll need to take over Chief Ha’s work one by one.”

Manager Ma’s and my eyes met in the air.

Seeing his unwavering gaze, I smiled faintly.

“I’ll entrust my back to you, Manager.”

“Thank you for your trust.”

“I’m going to rest a bit and then go meet Park Dong-su. Please get ready.”

After my phone call with Park Dong-su, I left the house.

Coincidentally, the meeting place was somewhere I had never been to personally, even though it had come into my possession.

It was Geukseong Construction.

Receiving greetings from organization members who recognized me, I arrived at the top floor president’s office.

“Little bro!”

Park Dong-su, who was talking with Lee Sang-geun, smiled as he saw me and stood up.

“How is it? Manageable?”

As I naturally took the seat of honor, Park Dong-su and Lee Sang-geun sat facing each other.

“What would I know? Sang-geun does everything. But thanks to you, little bro, I even got to be a construction company president. It’s great.”

I nodded and looked at Park Dong-su as I spoke,

“You have men in prison, right?”

“Prison?”

“Yes, trustworthy ones.”

“If you’re talking about trustworthy guys, I’ve got a couple.”

“I’ll have them transferred to Yeongdeungpo Prison. I need you to do some work for me.”

“What is it? Just say the word.”

“My younger uncle will be transferred to Yeongdeungpo Prison. Isolate him completely. You must not cause him any direct harm. Make sure no one there talks to him, and give him occasional threats.”

Park Dong-su looked at me with surprised eyes at those words.

“Can you do it?”

My gaze towards Park Dong-su was cold.