Chapter 144: Evidence

“What’s got you so upset?”

“Huh?”

Of all the crimes and mistakes Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae dug up, was there anything fabricated?

“That… that’s…”

Director Im could only stammer, unable to offer a clear denial.

“If we’re going to help you, Director, we need to know everything. What mistakes were made, what wrongdoings occurred. Do you understand?”

“I really didn’t commit any major offenses….”

“No. Not you, Director.”

“Yes?”

“Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae has a knife to your throat, and it’s too late to dodge. We need to draw our own swords and aim them at our opponent. That would be President Jin Seo-yoon. After all, Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae is just President Jin Seo-yoon’s proxy.”

Director Im looked utterly incredulous at my suggestion to attack my aunt.

Oh Se-hyun remained silent, merely observing me. Since I’d volunteered to take the lead, he was clearly stepping back entirely.

“Director Jin. Are you serious?”

“You must have already suspected it, Director, which is why you rushed here. The suspicion that Miracle might take over your aunt’s position. Am I right?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Then tell us everything. The 140 billion won your aunt gambled away on stock investments. The source of that money and its flow. We’ll use that to put a knife to her throat. Then, Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae will be the first to propose that we both lower our weapons.”

Director Im glanced at Oh Se-hyun, who merely shrugged, still saying nothing.

I fully understood Director Im’s hesitation. Wasn’t it a matter of family ties? He’d likely suspect my real intention was to bury him, a complete stranger, rather than threaten his aunt, a blood relative.

Seeing his hesitation, I spoke.

“I’m not asking you to frame your aunt. Just tell us the facts you can prove. Exaggerating will only backfire. Whether those facts can be used as your weapon, Director, is for me to decide.”

“So, that’s….”

Director Im began cautiously, his voice gradually growing louder. By the time the full source of the 140 billion won was revealed, he was practically shouting.

“It’s insane! I know rich people are notorious for delaying payments, but this is beyond the pale. The store tenants will be wearing headbands and staging protests at the department store entrance any day now.”

“So, you’re saying that President Jin Seo-yoon didn’t handle the 140 billion won as it left the company and flowed into Myeong-dong?”

“That’s correct. It went from the company account to shell corporations, then to Myeong-dong.”

“Who is the representative of these shell corporations?”

“They’re literally ghosts. Companies created under the names of missing persons. It’s been going on for quite some time.”

“A slush fund channel, then.”

“Yes. They’ve been issuing false tax invoices under various pretenses, siphoning money from the hotel and department store.”

“So, just investigating those companies would be enough to uncover irrefutable evidence.”

“Yes. President Jin will be trapped.”

“Someone who handles money isn’t very sharp.”

Director Im tilted his head, looking puzzled at my scornful gaze.

“The CEOs wired the money to the shell corporations. The presidents of each department store, the hotel presidents. Isn’t this proof they embezzled funds? How can you find any trace of your aunt there?”

“What are you talking about? Isn’t it common knowledge that those shell corporations are President Jin’s personal piggy bank?”

“Everyone knows it, but what about the court? The prosecution? This is about legal evidence. Don’t you know that? Can you prove with documents that the shell corporations were your aunt’s piggy bank?”

“Testimony is evidence too. The CEOs, the executives, they’re all witnesses.”

“That’s the key.”

Director Im’s eyes widened as I clapped my knees and nodded.

“Director, you need to persuade all of them to testify. I’ll take care of the rest.”

You have to betray the master you serve to accept a new one.

“Tell those CEOs that they’ll be in the same boat as you if things go south. Someone has to take responsibility for the vanished 140 billion won anyway. If you quietly take all the blame, it might just blow over….”

“How could I possibly stand by? I have no intention of dying alone.”

“Then things will get noisy, and the fallout will hit the hotel and department store CEOs. What if they all point the finger at you?”

“T-that’s absurd!”

Director Im was startled. But he knew it wasn’t absurd; it was highly likely.

Wasn’t it common for people to lie for their loyal masters?

“So, you need to make sure their fingers point at President Jin Seo-yoon. Persuade them. You must!”

I firmly grasped Director Im’s trembling hands, which were still shaking with fear.

* * *

“President, you need to choose. We don’t have much time.”

“Director Im! You need to talk sense. How can you say such things after all the favors I’ve received from Chairman Jin?”

“You have to be alive to appreciate those favors. Don’t you think?”

“My friend! You shouldn’t be like this. How much does President Jin Seo-yoon trust you? And you’re suggesting betrayal?”

The CEO of the Gangnam branch, the largest and most senior among the Soonyang Department Stores, frowned at Director Im.

“President, President Jin is trying to pin her mistakes on me. A whopping 140 billion won. If I go to prison for that, I’ll be behind bars for ten years. I’m not saying this for personal gain.”

The mention of ten years in prison made the Gangnam branch CEO uncomfortable.

He couldn’t curse or point fingers. Ten years meant he wouldn’t breathe fresh air again until he was nearing seventy.

Director Im watched the Gangnam branch CEO’s expression, seizing the opportunity.

“President, I’ll be frank… I will absolutely not die alone.”

“What?”

“All the ledgers for Soonyang Department Stores and Hotels have passed through my hands. I have records of all the slush funds embezzled. If I expose that, all the department store group executives, and even the presidents, will be summoned for questioning.”

“You little punk! How dare you!”

It was natural for such blatant threats to elicit a loud outburst. But Director Im had no intention of stopping there.

“President, this is an opportunity for a new beginning. A chance for us to break free from President Jin Seo-yoon’s shadow.”

“What are you talking about now?”

“You were there too, President, when the contract was signed.”

“Miracle?”

“Yes. As you know, Miracle is just an investment firm. They’re eager right now; do you think they’ll let this chance slip? If that company becomes the majority shareholder, our department store group will have a truly ideal structure, with ownership and management completely separated.”

“Since it’s an investment firm, we’ll operate under a professional management system?”

“Isn’t it always a professional management system for companies owned by investment firms? We’ve already separated from Soonyang Group. Even Chairman Jin can’t do anything about it.”

What salaryman president wouldn’t want a professional management system?

Breaking free from the control of an owner’s family that engaged in tyranny and independently managing a completely separate business was a more tempting proposition than mere threats.

* * *

As the large discount mart was in the final stages of preparation for its grand opening, I entered the building standing next to it.

The 20-story building was still quiet, but it would soon be bustling with activity.

This was to become the headquarters of Soonyang Distribution.

Guided by an employee, I entered the main conference room. The smell of new furniture and a faint scent of paint created an exciting atmosphere.

While I was sipping a drink and looking at the view outside, my aunt entered, draped in a glossy, snow-white fur coat.

“You’ve arrived?”

My greeting was somewhat stiff and dry, and my aunt looked around the conference room.

“Where’s Representative Oh? Not here yet? Or is he in the restroom?”

“Representative Oh won’t be coming today. I’m here in his stead, so you can discuss things with me.”

My aunt’s face brightened.

“Really? That’s a relief. It’ll be easy then, right? Having a comfortable chat with my nephew?”

Instead of answering, I offered a quiet smile and sat down.

“Do-jun, what did Representative Oh say?”

“We need to confirm whether you can faithfully fulfill your obligations regarding the bonds. It’s common knowledge in this industry that you’ve suffered significant losses on your stock investments, so please don’t try to hide it.”

“Don’t be like that. You’re making me nervous.”

My aunt tried her best to appear relaxed and ease the tense atmosphere, but I had no intention of playing along.

“It must be tough, isn’t it? Let alone fulfilling your debt obligations, you need to secure over a hundred billion won immediately… What are you going to do?”

“Right, now that we’re talking about it, I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor?”

“Yes. Lend me a little more money. 150 billion won. I’ll pledge the stocks as collateral for this too. The interest rate will be the same as before. Please put in a good word with Representative Oh.”

My aunt still couldn’t grasp the situation and just kept asking for what she wanted.

“Should I interpret that as an admission that you cannot repay the principal or the interest?”

“Why are you being so harsh? It’s not that it’s impossible. I’m just asking for a little more time.”

“Aunt. Please be precise. Is it possible within this year, with only a few days left? Or is it impossible?”

Sensing the change in my tone, my aunt finally seemed to realize the gravity of the situation, her voice trembling.

“D-Do-jun….”

“I’ll take that as impossible.”

I placed a copy of the contract on the table.

“As per the contract, we will begin transferring the ownership of the pledged shares in distribution, department stores, and hotels to Miracle Investment. No objections, I presume?”

“Do-jun! Why are you doing this?”

“Please don’t shout. My hearing is fine.”

“Did Oh Se-hyun order you to do this? Is he trying to take over my company?”

Faced with an unwelcome reality, harsh words continued to spill from my aunt’s lips.

“You took Soonyang Automobile for a pittance with dollars, and now you’re coming for me? You thieving bastard. Do you think I’ll just stand by and let this happen? Not a chance. You go back and tell that bastard. The price for underestimating Soonyang Group will be steep. Now go!”

My aunt’s ranting was no different from any middle-aged woman’s outburst. The elegant and refined facade she usually put on vanished without a trace the moment she hit rock bottom.

“Do you really think yelling and making demands will solve anything? No, I won’t convey such useless words. You need to get a grip. The department store group you once owned is leaving your grasp today! Even though it’s just a company, you must have poured a lot of affection into it… Tears would be a normal reaction.”

The nephew who usually acted so affectionately was gone, replaced by a perfect proxy for Oh Se-hyun, causing my aunt’s voice to drop.

“Do-jun, please. Let’s persuade Representative Oh together. If you just help me a little….”

“Aunt.”

“Yes?”

“Why would we need to persuade Representative Oh? He doesn’t really have any interest in department stores.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

When will she realize the smile on my lips is one of mockery?

“Once Soonyang Distribution and the entire department store group leave your hands, whose do you think they’ll fall into? Oh Se-hyun’s? Absolutely not.”

“……?”

My aunt blinked, her eyes fixed on my lips. Soon, her face would twist into an expression of shock.

“I’m going to take it all. Do you understand? Following the automobile company, the department store group will also fall into my hands. And I have absolutely no intention of showing you any leniency.”

Is the shock too great for her to grasp reality?

She still doesn’t understand the meaning of my words.