Chapter 146: The Succession War

Protocol dictates that the first report after a territory dispute concludes must go to the Emperor. Hearing such news from a third party, rather than the involved parties, breeds resentment.

Grandfather listened to the outcome of the territory dispute in silence, finally letting out a long sigh as the report concluded.

“How’s your aunt holding up? This must be a significant shock for her.”

“She’s bearing it well. As I mentioned, I’ll ensure her lifestyle remains unchanged.”

“I appreciate that. You’ve worked hard.”

His words of appreciation were genuinely welcome, but Grandfather’s deep sigh still bothered me.

“I apologize for causing you concern.”

“It’s not that. Now I can finally relax. I’ve been uneasy since the separation from the main group, constantly worrying something might happen. But now I can rest easy. You’re not one to let go of what you’ve seized.”

“I’ll grow it further, make it even stronger.”

Grandfather glanced at my expression, then asked cautiously.

“But let me ask you one thing. About those shares… did you set a trap? One that Seo-yoon would fall into and struggle to escape?”

“No, sir. Who in our country doesn’t know about New Data Technology? My aunt is no exception. The only difference is that ordinary people broke their savings to invest, while my aunt used astronomical amounts of company funds.”

“You didn’t subtly ignite the flames?”

“No, sir. I simply didn’t miss the opportunity. I was lucky.”

He didn’t exactly look convinced. Though not certain, he seemed to believe I’d orchestrated some scheme.

Hence, this word of caution. Or was it a request?

“Do-jun.”

“Yes, sir.”

“There’s one thing I hope you don’t inherit from me.”

“I understand your concern, Grandfather. Such a thing will never happen in the future, so please don’t worry.”

“Thank you.”

He’s a man who ruthlessly discarded even his own siblings. He doesn’t even know how his sibling’s children, his own nieces and nephews, are faring now.

Ah, we don’t know, but perhaps Grandfather is fully aware of their current situations.

But to me, they’re more distant than siblings, relatives once removed. Easily disposable. My aunt, or my uncles.

Grandfather fears that I will treat his children with the same coldness.

With his worries about blood ties eased, Grandfather shifted his concern to the company.

“Selling goods is quite different from what you’ve done so far. Especially consumer goods. Are you confident?”

“If the landowner manages the tenants well, and the tenants manage the farmers well, the yield will increase. Isn’t inviting the farmers for some meat occasionally something I should do? More importantly, finding and acquiring fertile land is crucial.”

As I cautiously expressed my confidence, Grandfather offered a faint smile. A peculiar smile that seemed to look down on me, almost mocking.

“Seo-yoon managed the department store and hotel better than expected. Do you know why?”

“In my opinion… Aunt grasped the essence of VIP clients. She’s a step above them.”

“Exactly. Your aunt dealt with the wealthy. She naturally understands her customers. That’s why she occasionally offered useful insights, and the executives executed them perfectly. You need something like that.”

“I’m fine. Aunt will continue to play that role effectively.”

Grandfather understood the implication of my words. That I wouldn’t immediately cast Aunt out like a pariah but would allow her to maintain her position.

But that wasn’t the only meaning. Grandfather conveyed another point.

“I commend you for not sharing the usual desire to flaunt wealth. But there’s such a thing as discernment. Discerning quality. That comes from seeing, experiencing, and using things. Not mere vanity to show off, but the ability to recognize genuine value. Develop that.”

I nodded, listening to Grandfather’s words.

“It’s not just necessary for managing department stores or hotels, is it?”

“Aren’t you young? You have a lot of life left… it will become a useful tool to enrich your life.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Today, I showed the utmost respect. This must be a moment filled with mixed emotions for him. A complex moment shifting between an unreliable daughter and a trustworthy grandson, so I needed to soothe his feelings.

“Excuse me, Grandfather.”

“Enough. I’m feeling proud and so happy I’m barely holding back tears. Let me say it again… you’ve worked hard. Taking Ajin Group with just a few acres of land in the countryside and absorbing Soonyang Automobile. And now the department store and hotel. You might not know it, no one knows it, but you’ve now risen to the head of the 17th largest conglomerate in the business world.”

“It was all possible because you gave me gifts whenever I needed them, Grandfather. It’s not because of my own merit.”

17th?

Ah, everyone’s situation drastically shrank due to the IMF crisis.

As for me, I shed the excess and kept only the valuable parts… it’s like slipping into an empty house?

“Such uncharacteristic modesty. How much support did the Daehyun Group Chairman give his eldest grandson with money and companies? He squandered it all and now lives as a semi-unemployed loafer in the European branch. Does just anyone succeed with help?”

Grandfather stood up from his chair, placed his hand on my shoulder from behind.

“Just keep going like this. Slowly, step by step. Quietly and discreetly. Understand?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be more careful and considerate to avoid hurting anyone.”

I firmly grasped Grandfather’s hand on my shoulder.

“I appreciate that.”

* * *

“You finally did it. Congratulations.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Uncle. Thank you.”

“Don’t just pay lip service to that gratitude. Repay me handsomely.”

“Please handle this first.”

I handed him the contract I’d signed with my aunt.

“Fill the company coffers with eleven hundred billion won before the year ends and transfer all the shares under my aunt’s name to Miracle. Quickly.”

“Hey!”

“One more thing, this is a VIP membership to Soonyang golf courses nationwide, exclusively for executives. Tee-off anytime you want, with expenses automatically paid by the company. And this is a membership to hotels and condos. Only ten were issued, a higher grade than the golf membership. Includes access to royal suites. How does that sound?”

“Is this your way of settling things for now?”

“I said ‘for now.’ This is just the first step of a hundred.”

“My wife will be pleased with me. Hehehe.”

Oh Se-hyun took the envelope I offered, grinning broadly.

“Shall we proceed with the tasks assigned by our major shareholder then?”

Oh Se-hyun called for several documents and the staff who would handle the matter, then put on his coat. As he was about to leave the office, he paused and casually tossed out a remark.

“You’ve worked hard.”

* * *

After settling all the maturing promissory notes and completing the share transfer, I met with my aunt again. In just a few days, she’d lost a lot of weight, her face gaunt.

“So, what are you going to do with me now? Will you keep your promise? Or will you kick me out?”

“Of course, I’ll keep my promise. I’m not that shallow.”

The sharpness in her eyes softened slightly.

“Aunt, just continue as you have been. There’s only one difference. You will become the official Vice-chairman and will be integrated into the company system. I own it, but you will still control it. In return, you’ll share the responsibility.”

“Vice-chairman? And you’re the chairman?”

“No. As I said, I only own it. Ownership and management are completely separate. I only look at performance. And the chairman position is vacant. You could take it, or someone else could. Perhaps someone from the department store or hotel CEOs who delivers outstanding results.”

“If my performance is bad, you’ll fire me?”

“Of course. Performance is everything for a manager. Sales, profit, and vision. That’s all I’ll be looking at.”

My firm stance made her appear quite nervous.

“The hotel suite will remain my office…”

“That won’t do. We’ve prepared a Vice-chairman’s office at the Soonyang Distribution headquarters. Come to work and do your job. However, you can continue using the suite as your home.”

I gave her half of what she wanted. Now she needs to learn what she lacks. If she learns, she won’t reject the hand I’ve offered. If she remains a clueless chaebol housewife, I’ll just make her a moderately wealthy housewife.

But she’s changed a little. She doesn’t demand more.

“Aunt.”

“Yes.”

“As you’ve probably guessed, I will continue to strive for the Chairman position of Soonyang Group. If you help me and stay by my side, you will become the sole Vice-chairman of Soonyang Group. I’ll keep that position open.”

“To be your subordinate forever?”

She still couldn’t shake her sarcastic tone.

“Take it one step at a time.”

“What is there to take one step at a time? What do I have left? I’ll rot away with the fancy title of Vice-chairman of the department store group.”

“The road ahead is long. It will take quite some time. Prepare yourself in the meantime.”

“Prepare for what?”

My aunt’s eyes began to sparkle with interest.

“Prepare to climb over me. While I’m wielding the sword, eliminating my uncles and dealing with my cousins, prepare thoroughly to stab me in the back… You’ll have many opportunities.”

“Once you’ve cleared the path, all I need to do is overcome you? Like a rat riding on an ox?”

“That’s right. But it won’t be easy. As you know… I’m not ordinary.”

Hope is cruel.

They know it’s impossible, but they endure all kinds of hardships and wait desperately because of hope.

Pandora’s Box was filled with all sorts of disasters, but the greatest disaster of all is hope. Because of hope, they have to endure all the calamities within the box.

A glimmer of expectation and hope flickered in my aunt’s eyes.

She will be dragged along by my side, clinging to a hope that will never come to fruition.

* * *

“Please continue to dedicate yourselves to the company’s growth, as you have been.”

The expressions on the faces of the CEOs gathered at the Soonyang Distribution headquarters weren’t particularly bright. I’m Miracle’s representative, but in their eyes, I’m just another member of the CEO family.

The reason is that Jin Seo-yoon still reigns above them as Vice-chairman. I need to dispel their misunderstanding.

“Miracle holds your personnel authority. Vice-chairman Jin Seo-yoon has no influence over personnel matters whatsoever.”

“If the Vice-chairman has no personnel authority, isn’t she just a scarecrow? Why is she in that position?”

Someone voiced their dissatisfaction, and I had to provide a reasonable answer.

“She is Chairman Jin of Soonyang Group’s beloved only daughter. Rather than treating her harshly, please take good care of her. That will be of great help in the future. And isn’t it true that she’s quite helpful in management? Her network of connections maintains hundreds of VIPs for the department store and hotel.”

Once they understood my aunt’s role within the company, their dissatisfaction lessened to some extent. Their expressions revealed it.

Now, I need to give them hope and make them follow me.

“Miracle will continue to only own the company. Management is your responsibility, and the Chairman position for the department store group is still vacant. Anyone can take that seat. It’s reserved for someone who delivers excellent management performance.”

The possibility of climbing higher, that hope, changed the look in their eyes.