Chapter 106: Do-jun, the Third Heir

“Do-jun!”

My perfectly healthy son being reported as seriously injured—no wonder he was so worried.

My father burst into the hospital room, already teary-eyed.

Anxious about my condition, he hesitated to embrace me, opting instead to grab my hand tightly.

Oh, this is awkward.

Should I be the one to pull him into a hug first?

Shyness held me back.

“Father, I’m fine. Just some scrapes and bruises. As you can see, I’m perfectly okay.”

“Really? You’re not hurt anywhere else?”

“Yes. I had a full check-up from head to toe, and everything’s normal. So, please stop worrying.”

Hearing that everything was fine, my father pulled me into a hug.

It was a little embarrassing, but what could I do? I patted his back gently.

“What on earth happened?”

I carefully omitted the suspicious details and explained what had happened.

Just a simple car accident. And my assistant manager, Kim Yoon-suk, happened to be near Grandfather’s car when the incident occurred.

The noble sacrifice of risking one’s life for their lord, a tale straight out of the Joseon era, was just the kind of embellished relationship my father despised.

He was sick of parents and siblings lording over others with insignificant amounts of money.

“Then, how is Mr. Kim Yoon-suk? Is he alright?”

“Yes, his surgery was successful, and he’s recovering quickly. Don’t worry about him either.”

Just as I reassured one person, another rushed in.

“Do-jun!”

When Oh Se-hyun barged through the door, the thought of having to reiterate that I was fine felt more exhausting.

After the tiring repeat performance, Oh Se-hyun looked back and forth between my father and me before finally speaking with difficulty.

“I heard something… Yoon-ki, you need to know this.”

“What is it?”

“Why on earth did the Princess go there, Do-jun?”

“Hey, take it easy and explain slowly,” Father interjected.

My father glared at Oh Se-hyun, who was speaking erratically between us.

“I was on my way to Gunsan. To the Joseon Grain Warehouse in Gunsan…”

As I explained why we’d left so early and the significance of the Joseon Grain Warehouse, Oh Se-hyun smacked his knee.

“I see. That ridiculous ritual was at the Joseon Grain Warehouse.”

“Hey! What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Goodness, an outcast son wouldn’t know, would he? Listen carefully. The Chairman is considering your son, Do-jun, as a successor to the Soonyang Group. Though not the only candidate.”

“What?”

My father was still clueless and shouting, but I had pieced everything together.

Of course! It wasn’t just some museum or a casual outing. I’m the third successor. After my two older uncles, it’s me.

Oh Se-hyun smiled at my lack of surprise.

“Look at this sly one. Doesn’t seem like he’s hearing news he’s been waiting for? No, it’s more like he already expected it. Hahaha.”

Oh Se-hyun’s laughter didn’t help calm my surprised father. It seemed he needed more time to process our conversation.

“But Uncle, how did you find out?”

“Your aunt asked to meet. I also had some things to discuss regarding the DMC project, but… when she mentioned the accident site was in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, she seemed to know what was going on.”

Oh Se-hyun glanced at my father and chuckled.

“Your father still seems lost. Hehehe.”

“I understand, but don’t get your hopes up.”

“What?”

“Huh?”

The tables had turned.

My father frowned slightly as he spoke, and we were left speechless with our mouths hanging open.

“Young-ki and Dong-ki were both appointed as successors there. It’s a truly childish ritual. They look at the history of the Soonyang Group, your history, and your father says, ‘Carry on this history.’ Haha.”

“You—how do you know? Could it be you too…?”

Oh Se-hyun stammered, and my father gave a bitter laugh.

“No. My older brother came back and proudly told me. He was so happy, saying he was Father’s successor from that day forward. I still remember it vividly.”

“But? Why shouldn’t we get our hopes up? It means Do-jun is also an heir. Maybe he’ll receive a third of Soonyang…”

My father shook his head at Oh Se-hyun’s hesitant words.

“Look at Soonyang’s current shares. Both your older brother and your younger brother inherited less than 10% of the shares. And that’s almost 20 years after being appointed as successors. Still don’t get it?”

My father’s question was directed at me.

“Do-jun, your grandfather… he has an enormous greed. A greed that ordinary people can’t even imagine. He absolutely hates giving away what he has. And his children are no exception.”

While there was some truth to that, it wasn’t entirely accurate.

The grandfather my father saw was different from the one I saw.

He might have named successors, but their actions might not have inspired confidence. He might be worried about whether they could continue Soonyang’s legacy.

Grandfather’s greed was indeed immense, just as my father said.

But he had an even greater desire: the prosperity of Soonyang.

Why had my two older uncles remained successors with less than 10% of the shares for nearly 20 years?

Because they offered only a less than 10% expectation for Soonyang’s prosperity. At least, that’s what I believed.

“Father, if you have no expectations, you’re bound to be grateful for anything.”

“What do you mean?”

“Perhaps my destiny isn’t to be Soonyang’s successor. Look, didn’t I get into an accident as if the heavens were rejecting it? So, even if the inheritance is minuscule, I’ll be grateful.”

Seeing my smiling face, the two men showed completely different expressions.

Oh Se-hyun, well aware of my ambition for Soonyang, clicked his tongue at my feigned humility, while my father, seeing my apparent lack of greed, nodded approvingly.

* * *

The VIP ward at Myungin University Hospital was as luxurious as a hotel.

Although it was a private university, its medical school was renowned, attracting wealthy patients who didn’t hesitate to pay for special treatment.

The VIP ward lived up to its reputation, charging even higher rates than a hotel’s special suite.

Chairman Jin entered the ward discreetly, greeted personally by the hospital director.

“Director Woo Yong-gil, at your service. It’s an honor to have you here, Chairman.”

“Honor, my foot… You’re the one who’s going to look inside my head, so take good care of me.”

“It’s not me, but our Professor Jang who will be examining your head in detail, Chairman. While I can’t see corporate information, he’ll meticulously check the tumor, down to its roots. Haha.”

Professor Jang Joon-hyuk, standing beside Director Woo Yong-gil, bowed.

“I’ve reviewed the CT scans sent from Gongju Medical Center. It was a difficult thing to find; there must be someone exceptional there. You were fortunate.”

“I’ve always been lucky. But let me ask you something.”

“Please, Chairman.”

“When do you think that nasty tumor started growing in my head?”

“It’s difficult to say before the biopsy results. It varies from person to person, so estimating based on size alone…”

“Just give me your best guess, Professor Jang. I’m not trying to pin you down.”

He hesitated for a moment, seemingly troubled, but had no choice but to speak cautiously. It was just a simple question, after all.

“It’s been over a month but less than two.”

…

Chairman Jin didn’t show any particular reaction, so Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae spoke up.

“Will there be a recurrence after the surgery?”

“I will take full responsibility to remove it cleanly. I will also minimize any post-operative side effects so that the Chairman can return to his office as soon as possible.”

“Thank you. If you’re not averse to Soonyang Medical Center, let me know discreetly when the director’s away. I’ll bring you in as the head of surgery. Ehehehe.”

The unexpected recruitment offer from Chairman Jin left the director and Professor Jang speechless with embarrassment.

“I’ve heard rumors that our Professor Jang is the best surgeon around. You know I’m a firm believer in being number one. The best surgeon shouldn’t be at a university hospital. I’ll give you the best treatment in the country. And of course, I’ll donate to Myungin Medical School. I’m not the type to poach people and then act like I have no face.”

It’s difficult to hide emotions, whether it’s good news or bad news.

Professor Jang Joon-hyuk bit his lip, trying to suppress the smile that threatened to break out at the words ‘head of surgery’ and ‘best treatment,’ while Director Woo Yong-gil bit his lip, contemplating the mass exodus of VIP clients if the star surgeon Professor Jang left the hospital.

Chairman Jin’s donations could cover the financial losses, but the damaged reputation wouldn’t be so easily restored.

“Well, think about it slowly.”

The two men bowed to the smiling Chairman Jin and left the ward.

Once they were alone, Lee Hak-jae spoke.

“Chairman.”

“Yes?”

“The presidents and executives are becoming agitated.”

“Has the news already leaked?”

“No. It’s not the car accident that’s public knowledge…”

“My sons are stirring things up, then.”

“Yes. They are frantically trying to figure out the shareholdings of other subsidiaries held by each company.”

“This is a good opportunity to see exactly who is lining up behind my two sons.”

Once Chairman Jin’s surgery was over, it seemed a storm of blood would follow. What Chairman Jin wanted wasn’t his two successor sons but presidents who were loyal only to him.

He believed that only loyalty to him would ensure that loyalty was passed on to the successor he eventually named.

“Has anyone reached out to external investors?”

“Not yet. They tend to be cautious about making things public.”

Lee Hak-jae carefully gauged Chairman Jin’s reaction before cautiously continuing.

“It seems your two sons are not involved in this accident.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I overheard their conversation.”

“What were they saying? Were they hoping I’d die soon?”

“No. At the very least, they both knew that the succession structure would be shaken if you were to pass away in your current state.”

“So, they’re not complete idiots if they know the group’s governance structure is on thin ice. That’s a relief. Hehehe.”

“While it’s suspicious, there’s a high probability it was just an accident.”

“We can investigate that further. But more importantly, Chief of Staff Lee.”

“Yes?”

“Dig into that Professor Jang Joon-hyuk.”

Lee Hak-jae immediately understood Chairman Jin’s intentions.

The earlier offer to scout Jang Joon-hyuk wasn’t a joke.

“Investigate his background and find his weaknesses. If he’s too principled to be swayed by money, then exploit his weaknesses to bring him to Soonyang Medical Center.”

“Judging by his expression, it seems he’d readily join Soonyang for money and a position.”

“That may be so. But someone like that will fly away faster than he came if someone else offers him more money and a higher position. If we want to keep him, we need to have a knife to his throat.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll dig deep and find some dirt.”

The corners of Lee Hak-jae’s lips curled slightly.

“And bring the director of Soonyang Medical Center tonight.”

“The director?”

“Yes. There’s something I need to check.”

“Is it about the tumor?”

“Yes. If the provincial hospital found the tumor but Soonyang Medical Center missed it, then heads will roll.”

“Yes, Chairman. I’ll bring him quietly.”

Chairman Jin’s stern expression suggested there was more to it, but Lee Hak-jae nodded silently.