Chapter 116: The Perils of Profiting: When Family Secrets Surface

But could things really go so smoothly when trying to have your cake and eat it too?

Just as the land purchase in Susaek-dong was in full swing, Jin Young-jun, receiving a summons from his father, Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki, tossed aside his drink and hurried home.

The chillingly cold expression on his father’s face made his heart pound.

He was almost grateful he hadn’t drunk too much; the atmosphere was that ominous.

His mind raced, trying to recall any recent mistakes, but nothing came to mind.

The ominous sign was his wife sitting primly beside his father in the living room.

‘Surely she hasn’t been complaining to Father about my frequent nights out?’

No, his wife wasn’t that clueless. Hadn’t she said it herself? She would never interfere in his private life.

“What have you been up to lately?”

His father’s voice was low and heavy—this was serious. When angry, he usually started by shouting.

“Nothing special, Father. Why do you ask?”

“I hear you’ve been running around buying land. Is that true?”

In that instant, the faces of everyone involved in this land deal flashed through Jin Young-jun’s mind.

‘Which bastard ran their mouth?’

“Why aren’t you answering? Is it true? Or just a baseless rumor?”

“Ah, Father. Let me explain.”

“Explain? Aha. So, it’s not a baseless rumor then?”

Jin Young-jun had never considered his marriage such a blessing as he did in this moment.

Before the wedding, his father would have started the conversation with a slap. But with his daughter-in-law watching, his father’s hand, though trembling, stayed put.

“Alright then, explain. I’ll listen and decide if it sounds plausible.”

“I told you I met with Do-jun and smoothed things over, didn’t I?”

“Yes. Said the kid was practically fawning over you? Like two peas in a pod.”

“Yes. This came up during our conversation.”

Jin Young-jun recounted the events of that night in detail once more. The difference this time was the inclusion of the Digital Media City and the land deal, details he had conveniently left out before.

As the explanation concluded, Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki’s expression seemed even colder.

“So, according to your explanation, you’re pouring money into land based solely on what Do-jun blabbered about? Is that right?”

“No, sir. I did my own due diligence. My uncle mentioned it during his inauguration, and Do-jun confirmed it. Finally, I double-checked with a Seoul City official. The development is definitely happening.”

Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki suddenly turned to his daughter-in-law.

“Daughter-in-law, when did you learn about this?”

“Pardon?”

This was the first time Hong So-young had seen her father-in-law this angry. It was too late to feign ignorance. She could tell her face was ashen even without a mirror.

“Did you buy land too, after securing funds?”

“…Yes.”

“Trusting that guy?”

Her husband was biting his lip at the end of his father’s pointing finger.

“Yes. But I confirmed it myself, Father.”

“You used your family’s reporters? They confirmed it for you?”

“Yes. Everyone who’s in the know already knows. Mapo Sangam-dong, Susaek-dong in Eunpyeong-gu. Those two locations are confirmed. Land prices are already starting to rise.”

“Where did you get the money? Did you borrow it from your family?”

“…Yes.”

She didn’t borrow it, she was given it, but she nodded.

“So, your family knows now too. Your in-laws must have bought up a huge amount of land as well.”

She hadn’t confirmed it, but she knew her father-in-law was right, so she couldn’t meet his gaze.

How was this any different from secretly taking money from her husband’s family and giving it to her own?

Information was as good as money in this day and age.

“You two are quite the pair… a match made in heaven. Tsk, tsk.”

Feeling his father’s disdainful gaze, Jin Young-jun’s suppressed defiance surged.

“Father, the information is accurate. Besides… it’s not like making money off development information is anything new. I don’t understand why you’re so upset.”

“You, you little…! Still!”

Slap!

Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki’s restraint snapped. His resolve to not lay a hand on his adult, married son was useless against the idiot.

“You little bastard. What money did you use to buy that land? You took out loans using your personal assets as collateral? Fine, it’s your money, you can squander it if you want. If it had ended there, I would have let it slide.”

Jin Young-jun squeezed his eyes shut, wincing.

‘Damn it, he knows everything.’

“You even dipped into company funds… skimming from dozens of subsidiaries? And you even pulled in advance payments from Construction? Are you out of your mind?!”

Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki barely managed to keep his voice down.

Everyone in this family had taken company money like it was their own pocket change more than once or twice.

He himself had done it dozens, hundreds of times, and still did.

But his son’s case was different. He should have only taken what he could manage, but the amount he’d taken was hundreds of billions of won.

If things went south and that money disappeared, the worst-case scenario was embezzlement charges.

However, his son’s sullen expression only infuriated Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki further. The pouty look on his face made his feelings clear.

‘The land prices are going up, and the profit from the sale will cover it. What’s the problem?’

“Listen carefully. Do you think your grandfather doesn’t know what I know? But why do you think he hasn’t said anything?”

“G-Grandfather too?”

Seeing his son fear his grandfather more than him stung his pride, but he couldn’t show it. Fearing the one in power was only natural, wasn’t it?

“He’s the kind of man who doesn’t make an issue if the outcome is good. He turns a blind eye to dirty processes, doesn’t he?”

Seeing the hope dawn on his son’s face, it was clear he was confident the speculation would succeed.

“The die is cast, so I won’t say any more. But if things don’t go well, don’t come crying to me to save you. You’ll be responsible.”

“Don’t worry. This will have a spectacular ending.”

Watching his son thump his chest with confidence, a sigh escaped him.

He saw his younger self standing before him.

* * *

The ‘New Seoul Town Development Plan,’ also known as the Digital Media City project, was announced quietly by Seoul City, but the reaction in the construction industry was anything but.

It involved building massive buildings on a site of approximately 560,000 square meters. A construction bonanza that would last for over a decade.

Coincidentally, Chairman Jin’s son-in-law held the reins, so construction companies couldn’t readily throw their hats in the ring.

Only Daehyun Construction was actively campaigning and lobbying to secure a piece of the pie.

“I had brain surgery and you didn’t even visit, but now that there’s money to be made, you’re calling me for a meal? Aren’t you being a bit obvious?”

“The old geezer’s got a long lifeline. Should’ve kicked the bucket in the operating room. What a shame. Ha ha.”

“What if I go first? How will you bear the loneliness of your remaining years? I need to be around to keep you from getting bored. Ha ha.”

Chairman Jin raised his glass, and Chairman Joo Young-il of Daehyun Group looked at him with a questioning gaze.

“Are you allowed to drink?”

“I’ll have to be content with watching you drink, Chairman Joo. As you can see, I’m not in the best shape.”

“Just keep it covered. My appetite will disappear if I have to look at that gruesome sight.”

Chairman Jin was about to take off his hat to show his surgery scar, but Chairman Joo recoiled, waving his hand frantically.

“By the way, about that car accident. Did they catch the real culprit?”

Chairman Joo, who was about to bring his glass to his lips, asked casually.

“You have sharp ears. How did you hear about that?”

Chairman Jin frowned. Even though the police had been silenced, Daehyun’s intelligence network hadn’t missed it.

“Just cut it up and distribute it evenly. That’s the easiest way.”

Chairman Joo pretended not to hear and changed the subject, but Chairman Jin understood perfectly. Just as he suspected his own children, Chairman Joo seemed to suspect the cause of the accident.

“So, you’ve already split everything up?”

Chairman Joo Young-il had almost completed the inheritance process for Daehyun Group. He had spun off the subsidiaries smoothly, considering his children’s birth order and abilities. Of course, the name Daehyun would remain.

“Don’t I have a lot of sons?”

“That’s something to brag about! You should have stuck with one woman. Why were you so obsessed with women?”

Chairman Joo had seven sons, all from three different women.

“When you go from having nothing to suddenly having money, women tend to appear. Ha ha.”

Chairman Joo gave a sheepish laugh, but he didn’t seem embarrassed.

“It’s right to give it all to one son. If you divide it, they’ll inevitably fight over it after you’re gone. You’ll be making your children turn on each other just to make your own passing easier.”

Chairman Jin clicked his tongue in disapproval, but Chairman Joo didn’t seem to mind.

“That’s their problem. It’s not like I’ll be looking down from the afterlife. What do I care if they fight?”

“You nasty old man. Ugh.”

Chairman Joo sipped his drink, and Chairman Jin ate his sashimi. A silence lingered for a while before Chairman Jin spoke.

“Don’t set your sights on what our son-in-law is handling. That’s not for us.”

“Really? Are you out of the game too?”

“Yes. We have to be mindful of the current administration. This time, it’s the smaller, struggling companies’ turn. We can survive without it, but there’s a line of companies hoping this project will save them. They’re the ones who will get it. The Blue House is aware of this, which is why the approval came so easily.”

Chairman Joo emptied his glass with a disappointed expression.

“So, if I want to pick up any scraps, I need your permission, is that it?”

“If you know that, don’t try anything foolish and wait patiently. I’ll make sure you get your fair share, so don’t cause trouble.”

Chairman Jin said magnanimously, and Chairman Joo put down his glass with a pleased smile.

“I’ll pay for the drinks today.”

“Of course, you will.”

Chairman Joo studied Chairman Jin’s expression before speaking.

“By the way, about your son-in-law. There are rumors that he’ll run for president after his four years as Seoul mayor. Are you backing him?”

“President? Nonsense! That man is his wife’s puppet. He can’t even feed himself without her. Running for the Blue House is out of the question!”

“What does that matter? The people are the ones who vote. If he gets some media attention and his popularity rises, it’s not a pipe dream. If he starts preparing now, his chances are quite high.”

Chairman Jin shook his head.

“That will never happen. His political career will end after his four years as mayor. But why is our Chairman Joo so interested in other people’s family matters?”

“Just wondering. If the Soonyang Group’s son-in-law becomes president, wouldn’t that be a disaster? If he starts targeting our Daehyun Group, we won’t be able to do anything.”

“Hmph. If he becomes president, Daehyun will be second on his list. Soonyang will be the first.”

“I see. Your daughter’s ambition is quite something.”

“I spoiled my only daughter too much. Her desires are too great.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to split it up and distribute it!”

Chairman Jin could only offer a wry smile at Chairman Joo’s nagging.

“Stop talking nonsense and let’s get going.”

“Oh dear. I’ve kept an old man who isn’t in good health for too long. You go ahead. I have someone else to meet here.”

“If you’ve given all your possessions to your children, just live like a retired old man. Don’t meddle.”

“As long as I’m alive, I have to work, don’t I? Have to earn my keep.”

Chairman Joo stroked Chairman Jin’s back as he headed towards the door.

“It’s hard when you’re old and sick. Take good care of yourself.”

Chairman Jin glanced at Chairman Joo offering pleasantries and nodded.

After confirming that Chairman Jin had left, Chairman Joo Young-il opened the door to the adjacent room where he had been dining with Chairman Jin.

“Mayor Choi, I apologize for making you wait so long. I’m sorry.”

Choi Chang-je, the mayor of Seoul, remained still with a stern expression despite Chairman Joo’s greeting.