Chapter 805: Betrayal and Secrets

Choi Woo-sik secretly summoned the Head of the Legal Department.

“Chief Park.”

Choi Woo-sik poured him a drink, then spoke.

“How many years have we known each other?”

“It must be about ten years now. Ever since you took over KS Group, Chairman, we’ve been working together.”

The Head of the Legal Department accepted the drink with both hands, then took the bottle and poured one for Choi Woo-sik as well.

“It’s been longer than I thought. So, no complaints with me?”

The Head of the Legal Department’s hand, which was pouring alcohol, paused at the sudden question.

“Excuse me? Complaints?”

“Yes. If you have any complaints, don’t keep them to yourself; you must tell me. Understood?”

The Head of the Legal Department, with a good-natured smile, continued pouring the liquor as he replied.

“Haha. I have no complaints, but if something does come up in the future, I’ll definitely let you know.”

Choi Woo-sik smiled at the Head of the Legal Department’s answer and held out his glass.

“Let’s have a drink first. It feels like it’s been ages since we’ve shared a drink alone like this.”

“That’s right, Chairman. It feels like it’s already been over three years.”

The Head of the Legal Department clinked glasses with Choi Woo-sik, his mind racing.

‘What’s going on? Why did he call me here without the Chief Secretary?’

The Head of the Legal Department knew this place. It was a bar Choi Woo-sik often used when meeting people secretly.

The Chief Secretary usually accompanied him to such meetings.

But today, unusually, he hadn’t brought the Chief Secretary, and called for him instead.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t find anything. Which made Choi Woo-sik’s intentions even more puzzling.

“Chief Park, you have some friends in the Prosecutors’ Office, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“What do you think will happen with the case that got indicted this time? They won’t go as far as jailing me, will they?”

The Head of the Legal Department quickly answered Choi Woo-sik’s question.

“The discussion to not detain you is already finished internally. Our Legal Team strongly argued that if the Chairman is detained, it could cause chaos in the national economy.”

“That’s my Chief Park. Thanks to you, I was able to avoid detention. And with those Sovereign bastards causing trouble too. It’s infuriating how our country has been dragged around by such financial speculators since when.”

Choi Woo-sik emptied his glass in one gulp and set it down. Then, he looked at the Head of the Legal Department and said.

“Let’s get to the main point.”

The Head of the Legal Department also set down his glass and swallowed nervously.

“Have you ever met my wife?”

“If you’re referring to your wife…”

“I’m talking about Yoon Hyun-joo. Do I have another person to call my wife? Anyway, I’m asking if you’ve met and talked with her separately.”

“Why would I meet with the Director separately? I swear to the heavens I’ve never met her, except at official events.”

Choi Woo-sik already knew this, but he asked just in case.

Choi Woo-sik slowly nodded and asked another question.

“Chief Park, are you my man?”

“Of course, I am Chairman’s man. The Chairman appointed me as the head of the Legal Department, and since then, I have done everything for you. Please do not doubt my loyalty.”

Choi Woo-sik stared into the Head of the Legal Department’s eyes for a long time before speaking.

“I heard my wife has been secretly buying up the group’s stock under a borrowed name.”

“What? The Director?”

“Yes. It’s speculated that she has already secured a large share. I want you to look into it.”

“Ah, I understand. I’ll get right on it. But why me instead of the Chief Secretary…”

Before the Head of the Legal Department could finish his question, they heard a knock at the door.

“The guest has arrived.”

“They’ve arrived. Let them in.”

The door opened, and a sly-looking old man entered.

Choi Woo-sik rose from his seat to greet him.

“Chairman Jo. You’re still as vigorous as the rumors said. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Choi Woo-sik.”

“Why did you want to meet an old man like me? Do I have any business meeting the Chairman separately?”

“Haha. Don’t say that. Please sit down first.”

The Head of the Legal Department, now sitting across from Chairman Jo, glanced around.

Who was this old man that Choi Woo-sik treated with such respect?

The Head of the Legal Department subtly observed Chairman Jo, trying to figure out his identity, but he couldn’t make heads or tails of it.

“Chairman Jo, please have a drink first.”

Choi Woo-sik poured liquor into a glass with ice for him.

But Chairman Jo just stared blankly at the glass and didn’t pick it up.

“Just get to the point. If the young lady finds out I met the Chairman, I won’t be safe.”

“What age are we living in, calling a much younger person ‘young lady’? Besides, as the largest taxpayer in Gangnam, you don’t need to demean yourself.”

The Head of the Legal Department, hearing Choi Woo-sik say that the old man was the biggest taxpayer even in Gangnam where rich people gathered, once again examined Chairman Jo.

‘He doesn’t look like it at all? That old man is that rich?’

The rat-faced old man had a sharp gaze that gave off a sly feeling, but his overall aura was simple.

Moreover, his clothes and accessories didn’t look that expensive either.

But Choi Woo-sik wasn’t someone who spoke nonsense, so the old man being rich was definitely true.

“I don’t know where you heard such things.”

“Hahaha. Your humility is excessive, Chairman Jo.”

Choi Woo-sik laughed heartily and turned to the Head of the Legal Department.

“Ah, Chief Park, you can go now. Look into what I asked you as quickly as possible.”

He had been given the order to leave.

The Head of the Legal Department rose from his seat without a word and bowed his head to Choi Woo-sik.

Before leaving the room, he glanced one more time at Chairman Jo’s face and then exited.

“Now that the uninvited guest is gone, drop the pretense, Chairman Jo. How long are you going to live as our wife’s warehouse keeper?”

At that moment, the courteous Choi Woo-sik from before vanished completely.

“What…?”

“Do you know why a servant is a servant? It’s because he thinks it’s natural to be one. You’re already old, Chairman Jo so let’s say that’s that, but do you plan on making your children and grandchildren live as servants as well?”

…

Every word from Choi Woo-sik stabbed at Chairman Jo’s heart.

“Leave Korea and hide. Then I’ll quickly dispose of your real estate in Korea. I’ll help you take all that money and guarantee your safety.”

“What are you…? Are you asking me to betray the young lady?”

Chairman Jo asked, dumbfounded. Choi Woo-sik burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Do you still think we’re in the Joseon era? Chairman Jo. How many people do you think know that those are Yoon’s family’s assets held under a borrowed name? It was hard enough for me to find out, so nobody else would ever know. Decades have already passed, so figuring out that they’re held under a borrowed name will be pretty complicated. Furthermore, Yoon Hyun-joo can’t ever expose them as such. I guarantee it.”

Of course, it wasn’t that there was no way for Yoon Hyun-joo to find her hidden assets.

She could file a lengthy lawsuit and pay a huge fine and penalty, but if she could prove it, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to get them back.

However, Yoon Hyun-joo would never choose that option.

It would be an act of dragging her father’s reputation in the grave to the bottom.

Choi Woo-sik knew very well that it was something Yoon Hyun-joo, who thought very highly of her father, could never do.

“So leave Korea and live a new life. Don’t make your descendants live as servants for generations.”

…

“I know it’s hard to answer right away. I’m always ready, so contact me anytime. I’ll do my best to help you.”

Then, Choi Woo-sik, handing him a gold-plated business card with only a phone number on it, stood up from his seat without any lingering feelings.

“I’ll be waiting for your call. But remember, opportunities don’t come easily. If you refuse my offer, I plan on revealing your secret to the world.”

Choi Woo-sik, who had thrown both the carrot and the stick, left the room first.

Chairman Jo, left alone, picked up the glass in front of him and emptied it in one gulp.

Not satisfied, he picked up the liquor bottle next to him and started pouring it directly into his mouth.

“Damn it. That couple is a real piece of work.”

His face flushed, Chairman Jo cursed and glared at the door Choi Woo-sik had exited through.

* * *

Yoon Hyun-joo, who had slapped Chairman Jo’s cheek, seemed unable to control her emotions.

She was stomping her feet and pounding her chest as if trying to calm herself.

It would have been better for her if Chairman Jo had tried to run away because of greed.

The worst-case scenario she could think of had become a reality.

“You dirty betrayer! How could you do this to me?! I sent both Sun-joo and Sun-gyu to study abroad! And I even picked out their spouses myself and gave them grand weddings!”

When betrayed by someone you trusted, it feels like you’re denying your entire life up to that point.

I know Yoon Hyun-joo’s feelings better than anyone.

Because I died like that, and came back like this.

“I’m going to kill you! Not only you, but all of your children, I’m going to kill them all!!”

“Ah, young lady…”

“Shut your mouth! Who is your young lady!”

All the sophistication of a chaebol family’s mistress vanished. Yoon Hyun-joo was her raw, unfiltered self in front of me.

Even Yoon Jae-ha, who was reviewing the documents, was staring with wide eyes at such an enraged Yoon Hyun-joo.

“Why… why didn’t you just say you wanted the money? How could you join hands with that bastard? Are you even human? Huh?!”

A desperate rage poured from her tearing voice.

Her anger was justified. It was like being betrayed at the same time by two people she trusted.

“Director. Please calm down. Let’s take a breath and then listen to the rest of the story. Then we can kill them or let them live, right?”

As I calmly tried to calm her, she looked at me for a moment, wiped her tears, and nodded.

She slumped onto the sofa as if she had collapsed. Manager Ma’s subordinate brought her some ice water.

After drinking a large glass of cold water, she seemed to have finally calmed down. She forced a smile as she spoke.

“…I’m embarrassed. I showed you an unpleasant sight.”

“No, it actually makes you seem more human and better. You don’t need to worry about it. Isn’t that right, Jae-ha?”

“Huh? Well, I’ve seen all kinds of people while working, so this isn’t really anything.”

Yoon Jae-ha, who had responded to my words, advised Yoon Hyun-joo.

“Director. Chaebols and politicians are all just people. They also cry, get angry, and get hurt. So, there’s no reason to be embarrassed about something like this. At least Mu-hyeok and I aren’t the type to laugh at you for this.”

Yoon Hyun-joo gave a faint smile at Yoon Jae-ha’s words. It was a real smile, not a fake one from forcing her lips upwards.

“Thank you. That’s comforting.”

Leaving the calmed Yoon Hyun-joo behind, I chuckled to myself as I looked at Chairman Jo, who still hadn’t come to his senses.

“I told you not to lie, and in the end, you lied, Chairman Jo. Did I look like such a pushover…”

As I trailed off and looked at Yoon Hyun-joo, she nodded her head with a struggle.

This time, I asked Yoon Jae-ha.

“How are the documents? Is it okay without Chairman Jo?”

“Yeah, I think it’ll be fine with this much.”

After confirming Yoon Jae-ha’s positive response, I spoke to Manager Ma.

“Take him away. I don’t think there’s any more need to talk to him.”

“Yes, Boss.”

At my order, the subordinates dragged him away. Chairman Jo, with one cheek red and swollen, struggled.

“Ah, young lady! Please. Please spare me. I’ll tell you everything! Everything!”

However, Yoon Hyun-joo ignored Chairman Jo.

The subordinates gagged his mouth, who kept blabbering and left the office.

“If we wait, the experts will find out everything. Everything that Chairman Jo is hiding. So don’t think about anything and just wait. Shall we do the deal now?”

“…Okay. Take all the land and buildings under Chairman Jo’s name, not just the real estate in Gangnam.”

All I wanted was the real estate in the Gangnam area.

Yoon Hyun-joo continued to speak when I didn’t answer immediately.

“But I’ll give you a huge discount. It’s not as much as the real estate in Gangnam, but I have land in good areas throughout Seoul and the metropolitan area as well as the nation. Take it all. I can’t take it anyway.”

It’s not a bad deal. After considering it for a moment, I nodded.

“Okay, let’s do that. Do you know all the assets that Chairman Jo owns?”

“Yes, of course. Would the owner not have the key just because there’s a warehouse keeper? But I can’t remember everything, so I have to go to the vault.”

“Then, let’s only do the deal for Gangnam today, and trade the rest later.”

She nodded faintly, looking exhausted from pouring out her emotions, and added a condition.

“But please pay in cash for the deal today, and pay with KS’s stock for the deal later.”

“Stock? You’re talking about all the stock of KS Group?”

“Yes. It’s probably around the same value as the stocks held by the investment companies related to Boss Kim. No, I guarantee that my real estate has even more value.”

It made sense that she was so confident, as she only possessed premium land.

However, instead of immediately agreeing, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Let’s talk about that later since I haven’t been able to ascertain the full value of the real estate.”

“Okay. I’ll send the documents first. Please review them and then tell me.”

It seemed like the story was coming to a close. I spoke to Yoon Jae-ha who was organizing the documents.

“Jae-ha, please take the Director to the Law Firm and finalize the sales contract. Call me when you’re done. I need to transfer the deposit.”

“Got it.”

Yoon Hyun-joo got up to follow Yoon Jae-ha and asked me.

“And Boss Kim…please tell me everything you find out about that bastard. Please.”

“Of course. I’ll be sharing information. But what are you planning to do with Chairman Jo?”

At my question, Yoon Hyun-joo hesitated and then said in a small voice.

“…For now, let him live.”

With those words, Yoon Jae-ha and Yoon Hyun-joo left the office.

“It’s a real mess, isn’t it?”

It was a complete mess, where a couple was using every possible card to kill each other.