Chapter 802: A Difficult Divorce

I calmed her down and guided her back to her seat.

“Manager Ma could you bring some cold water? I think that’s exactly what the Chairman needs right now.”

After asking Manager Ma for ice water I turned to her she was still panting.

“Are you saying that Chairman Choi Woo-sik demanded a divorce from you?”

“Yes. He unilaterally informed me this morning. He said he’s moving out today and it’s obvious he plans to go to that mistress’s place!”

It seemed Choi Woo-sik was planning to move into the actress’s house for good.

Now that he knew Yoon Hyun-joo had other plans he probably couldn’t find any reason to force their marriage to continue.

“It’s finally come to this. It was somewhat expected. If the two of you are going to fight over the management rights then it’s inevitable that you’d split.”

“I have no intention of getting a divorce. Why would I divorce for someone else’s benefit!”

Just then Manager Ma returned with the ice water placing the glass in front of the loudly complaining Yoon Hyun-joo.

“Please drink this first and try to calm down. You don’t look well at all.”

With gritted teeth Yoon Hyun-joo downed the entire glass of ice water.

The heater was on but the office was still quite cold due to the old building.

However she ignored the cold and finished her glass of ice water. Once the glass was empty she even chewed on the ice.

Seeing the color slowly returning to Yoon Hyun-joo’s pale face I asked.

“Do you feel a little calmer now?”

“I’m sorry. I made a scene. It was so unexpected…”

Looking at Yoon Hyun-joo nod I became lost in thought.

She intends to take control of the company away from Choi Woo-sik but has no intention of getting a divorce? That didn’t make any sense.

“Please explain in detail. How did the topic of divorce even come up?”

“Last night I had a small argument with that man Choi Woo-sik…”

She began to explain what had happened with Choi Woo-sik.

“It was just like any other typical married couple’s argument. There wasn’t even anything about Seung-woo. After the fight we went back to our own bedrooms and went to sleep.”

“Do you two fight often?”

“Can married couples not fight? Just because we’re chaebols doesn’t make it any different. We pretend to be a loving couple outside but we fight often. Even so he has never before mentioned divorce or leaving the house…”

Yoon Hyun-joo couldn’t bring herself to finish her sentence her voice full of sorrow.

The public considered Choi Woo-sik and Yoon Hyun-joo’s marriage a political one.

However the two of them had a love marriage which was rare in those days. They had even fallen in love at first sight during their studies abroad.

Of course Minister Yoon had opposed his only daughter Yoon Hyun-joo meeting Choi Woo-sik.

At that time the difference between Yoon Hyun-joo and Choi Woo-sik’s families was too great.

It was natural to want to form a relationship with a family of higher standing.

However Yoon Hyun-joo stubbornly insisted even running away from home and Minister Yoon finally gave his permission.

Minister Yoon wanting to secure a good match for his only daughter showered KS Group with favors.

Thanks to this KS Group which was barely even a large company rapidly grew and now proudly stands as one of Korea’s chaebols.

After hearing her story I nodded and asked again.

“I apologize but may I ask you something?”

She looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“A question?”

“Yes. It might be a bit rude but please consider it a question purely out of curiosity.”

After a moment of thought Yoon Hyun-joo nodded. Thanks to that I could ask what I had been curious about.

“Who cheated first? Unlike what the public believes you and Chairman Choi Woo-sik had a love marriage didn’t you? Who had the affair first?”

It was similar to the question of which came first the chicken or the egg but it was something I needed to know.

“You don’t have to answer if you feel uncomfortable.”

“…It’s not something I can’t answer. That man Choi Woo-sik had an affair first with that actress. After finding out I was so upset I started drinking. And that night Seung-woo was conceived.”

Yoon Hyun-joo said that Choi Woo-sik started the affair first.

I didn’t know if what she said was true.

However Choi Seung-woo born between Yoon Hyun-joo and her secretary was 5 years older than the child Choi Woo-sik had during his affair.

“I see. When did you find out that your eldest son wasn’t his?”

“Was it when he was three? As he grew older I would see the secretary’s face every now and then instead of his. That’s how I found out. But that man Choi Woo-sik never even suspected it. How loving of a father he was…”

I chuckled to myself. That couldn’t be.

More than anyone else the chaebols of Korea valued bloodlines.

There was no way Choi Woo-sik who was one of those chaebols wouldn’t have noticed anything strange.

He would have felt a sense of unease from seeing the unfamiliar features of his eldest son eventually leading him to a paternity test.

“Okay. Let’s leave the personal life matters here. Who cheated first and who is whose son is not important. You said you don’t want a divorce right?”

“Yes. I will never let that woman and her son take over the position of the KS Group’s mistress.”

I called for Manager Ma. Then I told him to contact Yun & Jang and ask them to come here.

I explained to Yoon Hyun-joo who was looking at me with suspicion.

“Yun & Jang will handle the divorce suit. You might not agree but Chairman Choi Woo-sik will not hesitate to file a lawsuit.”

“What? Yun & Jang is going to handle the divorce suit?”

Yun & Jang Law Firm which was the largest law firm in Korea had a principle of not taking on divorce lawsuits.

If they did take divorce cases they would only take on cases for chaebols or wealthy clients.

No matter which side they took they would end up losing a client.

That’s why they never took on divorce lawsuits no matter how much money they were offered.

“If I ask they will do it. Let’s talk about the divorce later and focus on the main issue. Have you considered it?”

At my words Yoon Hyun-joo fidgeted with the empty glass her eyes searching mine.

“You mean the part where I transfer all the real estate…”

“Yes that’s right. I’m not interested in the real estate under your name. But I do want all the real estate that Chairman Jo manages. Sell it all to me at the market price.”

“…I will transfer it. But promise me that you will help me get rid of Choi Woo-sik and secure the management rights.”

“Of course. I’m a businessman Madam Chairman. For a businessman trust is the most important value. As long as you keep your promise I will be on your side.”

At my resolute words she nodded her head with great difficulty.

“Then could you call for Chairman Jo? Now that the topic is out let’s make the deal today.”

“What? Right now?”

“Why would we delay it? I already know the location of all the real estate and I’ve already sent my employees to check the market price.”

“That’s what I was going to do once I secured the management rights…”

I shook my head cutting off her hesitant words.

“No. I don’t believe promises made with words. So please transfer the real estate first.”

“…What about the shares that the Sovereign Fund owns?”

“Eva the representative of Future Investment has flown to Morocco to negotiate the acquisition of the shares. I expect to hear news sometime today. Then the shares that are acquired will also be under your alliance. As soon as the real estate is transferred Eva will call for an emergency shareholder meeting.”

Her eyes widened when I said that I would even acquire the shares held by Sovereign Asset Management.

All the listed companies of KS Group were already at their peak.

She must have known how much money I was pouring in.

“You really don’t have to go that far…”

“It’s fine. There is still room for the KS Group stock price to go up. I don’t do deals that result in a loss. So don’t worry about me and just transfer the real estate and give us the production factory of KS Teletech immediately after securing the management rights.”

“I’ll do that. I’ll just go out for a moment to make a call.”

It seemed like she was going to contact Chairman Jo.

“Go ahead and call. Manager Ma please lead her to an empty office downstairs so that she can call in private.”

“Yes boss.”

Manager Ma called a staff member to guide Yoon Hyun-joo.

After she left I asked Manager Ma.

“What did Yun & Jang say?”

“They said they would send someone right away.”

I nodded in satisfaction.

If money didn’t work then I’d have to rely on my connections. Yun & Jang would treat any request from me as an exception.

“Oh and…contact the people who are monitoring Chairman Jo and tell them to keep a close eye on his movements. Things will get complicated if he tries to run away.”

There would be no problems if Yoon Hyun-joo contacted him and he came here without any complaints but there is always that what if.

“I already made contact as soon as I heard that Chairman Yoon Hyun-joo was coming here.”

“You’re amazing Manager Ma. You always know what I want. You did a great job.”

I looked at the closed office door and continued.

“Chairman Yoon Hyun-joo must be frustrated too. A divorce…”

I went back to the memories of my past life. There was never a time she went as far as a divorce.

KS Group also went through without any struggles over the management rights.

Of course the story of the mistress and her illegitimate child did come out as gossip but it was just a rumor given Choi Woo-sik’s age.

“Oh that’s right. Tell them to keep watch on Chairman Choi Woo-sik’s mistress as well.”

“Understood boss.”

I spent some time talking with Manager Ma.

Although quite some time passed Yoon Hyun-joo still hadn’t returned.

Then an attorney sent by Yun & Jang arrived at the office.

But the attorney was a surprising person.

“What’s this?”

I looked at Yoon Jae-ha with a questioning face.

Why was someone who was so busy with his succession training out here and not at the law firm?

At my words Yoon Jae-ha shrugged and smiled playfully.

“You asked for a lawyer didn’t you?”

“Yes but I didn’t call you so you must be surprised. Aren’t you busy? You’re in the middle of succession training.”

“Well it’s called succession training but it’s not about digging into law books it’s about learning how to manage people. Ugh it’s killing me.”

Half of Yun & Jang’s power came from their connections with those who had previously worked in law.

They spent a lot of money to recruit high-ranking officials who were retiring from the Prosecutors’ Office and the court. Those people worked hard for Yun & Jang and the money they invested was not wasted.

The other half was the litigation experts from the law firm who had spent their time in the field.

Even with the power of their connections it was hard to maintain a high winning rate if you didn’t accurately pinpoint the weaknesses in the law.

In the end Yun & Jang was a law firm that was maintained by its people.

“It’s great training. Managing people is hard and difficult. Do you finally understand how amazing your father is?”

“Oh whatever. I came out using you as an excuse so don’t think of kicking me out. Kim Mu-hyeok requested this case and I’m at least someone who needs to be here. Don’t you think so? And we have a guest here and you haven’t offered me a cup of tea? Why are you so heartless?”

Yoon Jae-ha said with a sly smile.

He’s become more and more sly as he’s gotten older. Or is it because he hangs out with Myeong-su so much?

I chuckled at the sight of Yoon Jae-ha reminding me of someone and nodded.

“What do you want to drink?”

“A hot Americano. There’s a Starbucks nearby. Could you order an Americano from there?”

I nodded and gestured to Manager Ma.

While Manager Ma went out to ask a staff member to get the coffee Yoon Jae-ha asked.

“So what’s this all about?”

“Do you know Madam Chairman Yoon Hyun-joo?”

“Huh? You mean the mistress of KS Group? Choi Woo-sik’s wife. Why?”

“Do you also know Minister Yoon?”

“Is there anyone in Korea who doesn’t know that old hag? Why would you ask that…”

I cut off Yoon Jae-ha who was starting to add unnecessary details and make the conversation longer.

“You talk too much. Anyway Minister Yoon bought real estate in Gangnam under a false name. I’ve agreed to buy it all at the market price.”

“What? What do you mean real estate under a false name?”

“You know Chairman Jo right?”

When I mentioned Chairman Jo’s name I saw Yoon Jae-ha think for a second about who it was.

“That Gangnam real estate tycoon. He is Minister Yoon’s caretaker. After Minister Yoon died he’s been taking care of his assets. I’ve decided to acquire all of that and we’ll be making the deal today.”

Yoon Jae-ha was shocked to hear that Chairman Jo the best real estate tycoon in Gangnam was actually Minister Yoon’s servant.

“So that’s what happened. Was I really the one who needed to come? I’m terrible with real estate.”

“Don’t make it so difficult. All you have to do is transfer ownership. I’ll be paying for it all today and transferring the ownership to me.”

At my words Yoon Jae-ha nodded with a serious expression.

“And…”

Just as I was about to mention the divorce lawsuit Yoon Hyun-joo returned.

Yoon Jae-ha immediately stood up from his seat and greeted her.

“I’m Yoon Jae-ha an attorney from Yun & Jang.”

“Oh my goodness aren’t you Chairman Yoon’s son?”

“You know me? I’m honored Madam Chairman.”

“I didn’t expect you to come here for this.”

“For this? I only heard about the real estate transaction.”

Yoon Jae-ha quickly turned to look at me.

I didn’t expect her to come back before I could even finish speaking. I said to Yoon Jae-ha with a troubled expression.

“It seems Chairman Choi Woo-sik is going to file a divorce lawsuit. You guys will have to represent Yoon Hyun-joo in the lawsuit.”