Chapter 153: Did You Hear the Rumor, Dong-ki?

“Dong-ki, did you hear the rumor?”

“About Do-jun?”

“Yeah.”

“The women are buzzing about it. They say he’s handsome, well-mannered, never caused trouble, and got into Seoul National University – the perfect son-in-law material.”

Jin Dong-ki wasn’t thrilled about his older brother’s call to grab dinner. But when his brother mentioned wanting to discuss his eldest nephew, Young-joon’s, situation, it wasn’t easy to refuse outright.

“The industry is in an uproar over the department store’s VIP Spring/Summer collection, which achieved record-breaking sales. Daehyun Department Store is reportedly in tears, unable to even think about competing.”

“All because of Do-jun?”

“Apparently so. The matriarchs of chaebol families with daughters were throwing money around like water to get on his good side.”

Jin Dong-ki had no interest in continuing this chatter that only excited women.

“You said you wanted to talk about Young-joon, but all you’re doing is talking about Do-jun.”

“Do-jun’s issue needs more discussion, so I’m bringing it up first. It’ll take longer.”

“What about Young-joon?”

“Since I’m asking, it’ll be quick.”

“Then let’s do the quick one first.”

“Alright. Our Young-joon… he’s served his time in exile. Let him come back.”

“Exile?”

Jin Dong-ki scoffed.

“He’s been sneaking back to Seoul all the time. You know better than anyone what he’s been up to here… And in Geoje Island? Last year, he brought down five or six Supermodel contestants to Geoje Island, supposedly to cheer up the employees. And you know what happened after that? You’re the one who worked hard to keep that out of Father’s ears.”

“So? You want to keep him locked up?”

“If I let him go, and our nephew causes trouble in Seoul, I’ll be in a bind too.”

“If that brat is released, his wife will be too. I’m asking this for her sake.”

Jin Dong-ki’s face brightened instantly.

“What? Is she pregnant?”

But Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki looked bitter.

“If that were the case, I wouldn’t be asking, I’d be demanding.”

“Then?”

“Whether you know it or not, Lee Sang-soo will be investigated soon.”

“Lee Sang-soo? Who’s that?”

“The president of New Data Technology.”

The company that shook the nation from last year to early this year. He remembered.

“Ah… But why him?”

“Trillions of won vanished in an instant. There are countless people who lost everything and are now on the streets.”

“Idiots. They were so greedy for money that they even touched their security deposits. But still, arresting the president of a company whose stock plummeted?”

Jin Dong-ki clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“The election is right around the corner. The Democratic Justice Party needs to manage its votes. No, both parties are trying to manage things, so they’re arresting him. They need to create a scapegoat, a notorious conman bastard, to appease those who lost their money.”

“Putting that aside. Why are you bringing that up?”

“I’m thinking of including a few more names in his investigation.”

“Whose?”

“Oh Se-hyun, Do-jun, and our one and only younger sister.”

“What?”

Jin Dong-ki was dumbfounded by his brother’s smile. What was he trying to do? It was obvious nothing would come of it, and it would all fizzle out anyway…

“Let’s poke them a bit. See what comes out. Who knows? We might find out who’s funding them in the US, or even catch a lead.”

“Do you really think that’s possible? Our people in the New York branch have been digging for months without any significant results.”

“That’s why I said ‘maybe.’ Also, if the media reports that Seo-yoon has been freely using company funds, and she’s going back and forth to the Prosecutor’s Office, it will be disadvantageous for the duty-free shop selection, right?”

“Duty-free shop? Incheon Airport?”

“Yeah. We’re putting a lot of effort into that… Let’s see how she handles the pressure.”

Jin Dong-ki still didn’t like it, watching his brother smile slyly.

“If the prosecution moves, will Father just sit still? If those kids’ names are even on the witness list, the Chief Prosecutor will personally call to report it.”

“So?”

“What? Don’t you understand what that means? The prosecution won’t move.”

“Just because they report it doesn’t mean the prosecution can cover it up. They can’t.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Hanseong Ilbo will break the story.”

For a casual probe, this was escalating too quickly. Once the media got involved, it would be difficult to contain.

“Hah. You know the current situation, right? The group’s shares are being transferred. We’re in the final stages. Soonyang Group will be in our hands soon. Why are you trying to stir up trouble?”

“Because, as you said, Soonyang Group will be in our hands soon.”

“Stop playing word games.”

“I’ve had people looking into things in Myeong-dong and Yeouido. No matter how angry Father gets, he can’t turn back now. The current situation is like a car speeding down the highway. Slamming on the brakes will cause a major accident.”

“You seem confident.”

“I wouldn’t have brought it up if I wasn’t.”

Jin Dong-ki pondered for a moment before getting up from his seat.

“Then you handle it, Hyung-nim. I’ll stay out of it. But I’ll send Young-joon back to Seoul. I’ll get his resignation and send him, so you find him a suitable position.”

“Alright. That’s enough.”

“Anyway, I won’t know anything about Hanseong Ilbo or anything else, so take care of it. My only responsibility is bringing Young-joon to Seoul.”

As Jin Dong-ki left, washing his hands of the matter, Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki gritted his teeth and muttered.

“That sly bastard. He thinks he can stay clean, huh?”

* * *

Articles filled with allegations against Lee Sang-soo surged, claiming his venture capital success was a sham.

Just as Oh Se-hyun said, the process of making someone a scapegoat had begun. Because the election was just around the corner.

The intensity of the articles increased daily. Suspicions turned into certainties, and certainties morphed into concrete facts, revealing even Lee Sang-soo’s private life in detail.

He had become a notorious swindler overnight, but the prosecution investigating him focused on embezzlement. Since fraud charges didn’t exist from the start, the prosecution made their move.

The infamous conman Lee Sang-soo, and the media’s conclusion that South Korea had been fooled by his scam. The finale was his indictment on charges of breach of trust and embezzlement. No one questioned this strange turn of events.

All that was needed was someone to take the blame and go to prison.

“This is a bit strange, isn’t it?”

“What is?”

“Take a look at this article.”

Oh Se-hyun snatched the newspaper I offered. He frowned after staring at a specific article for a while.

“This is a blatant attack.”

“Doesn’t it seem that way? Anyone can see it’s about Aunt.”

“The daughter of a prominent South Korean business founder, managing a department store, but investing in stocks through shell companies… huge losses… Anyone with sense will catch on.”

“I was hesitant at first, but since it’s Hanseong Ilbo, I have an idea. What do you think?”

“Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki?”

“Yes.”

Oh Se-hyun tossed the newspaper away.

“Is your brother selling out his own sister?”

“She’s not someone who would just hand over the department store. He’ll keep trying to shake things up whenever he gets the chance.”

“President Jin Seo-yoon, no, Vice-chairman. What should we do? We can’t just stand by.”

“We have to stop it. It would be a disaster if Aunt ended up standing in front of the Prosecutor’s Office’s photo line. The duty-free shop permit is just around the corner.”

“Alright. Let’s start by making sure no in-depth articles appear in other newspapers.”

“Yes. I’ll go see Aunt.”

* * *

Aunt was already in the middle of a battle.

“Stop it right now. Do you think I don’t know you have a few paper companies you use as your piggy bank too? Should I expose them and have us both disgraced?”

Aunt glanced at me as she noticed me, gesturing for me to come closer, but she didn’t put down the receiver.

“If we fight with money, your wounds will be much deeper. Let’s see who screams first!”

Aunt slammed down the phone and continued to seethe for a while.

I poured her a glass of water and handed it to her.

“Uncle?”

Aunt nodded slightly as she drank the water.

“You saw the article and came?”

“Yes. Don’t worry too much. Our side is blocking the speakers at other newspapers. Hanseong Ilbo will be shouting alone and eventually stop.”

Aunt didn’t look relieved.

“It won’t end there. If Hanseong Ilbo serves, the prosecution has to spike.”

“We can mobilize a fair number of defenders too. It’s crucial that Aunt doesn’t stand in the photo line at this point.”

“I know what you mean. I have my limits too.”

I asked cautiously as Aunt bit her lip.

“Do you happen to know anything about Uncle’s paper companies?”

“I know about them, but I don’t have proof. Well… I never thought about getting my hands on any evidence. But since your brother is coming at me like this, I can’t just stand by.”

“Do you have a plan?”

“When we were just estranged siblings, I pretended not to know, but if he’s pointing a knife at me, I have to draw mine too, right?”

Seeing the small smile on Aunt’s lips, I had an idea who that knife might be aimed at. Someone who could influence the prosecution, Mayor Choi Chang-je?

Had the two of them not completely severed their ties?

Now, I was more intrigued than worried. If the family started fighting amongst themselves, wouldn’t they drop a few useful handles?

But…

I momentarily forgot that I was also part of this family. And the person who reminded me of that fact was Father.

I rushed to Father’s office after a frantic call, and he couldn’t hide his nervousness.

“Take a look at this. Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

The document Father handed me was a witness summons.

Well, look at this!

Was I the target instead of Aunt? Or was it Miracle?

“Father, just a moment.”

I immediately called Oh Se-hyun, and his annoyance was clearly conveyed through the phone.

It was certain. They were casting a net, hoping to catch multiple fish.

“The housekeeper who works at home called, surprised. So I brought this here before your mother saw it.”

“You did the right thing. It’s nothing, so don’t worry.”

“It’s nothing? It’s a summons!”

“It’s a witness summons, isn’t it? I don’t have to go.”

It was natural that Father wouldn’t be easily reassured. It was his son’s дело, after all.

“Tell me everything that’s going on. I know you’re thinking of handling this on your own, so don’t try to give me some vague explanation!”

“I need to check to know what’s going on. Uncle Se-hyun will probably look into it, so let’s find out then.”

“Is that so?”

Judging by his expression, he wouldn’t let it go easily.

“Let’s go. As you said, let’s ask that bastard.”

Father dragged me to Yeouido.

* * *

No matter how hard I gestured and tried to cover his mouth with my hands, it was no use.

“That brilliant Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki threw the first stone at Hanseong Ilbo and gave bait to the prosecution. He’s desperate to take over the department store.”

“What?”

“Look at him trying to bite now that Chairman Jin has stepped back from the front lines. Impressive, really.”

Oh Se-hyun was chattering away excitedly, like a class president snitching to the teacher.

“Are you sure? Did the eldest brother start this?”

“It’s a strong feeling. Where’s the hard evidence for something like this? If it’s not the eldest brother, it’s the second eldest… But who else would come in so aggressively like this if not the eldest?”

Father’s expression grew increasingly stern.

“This… son of a bitch…!”

He seemed certain that it was Uncle’s doing as well.

“Father, please calm down. This is just a probe. It’ll probably end with giving Aunt or me a little scare.”

It was no use.

The truth is, parents don’t think rationally when someone threatens their child, no matter how strong that person is.

“Don’t you move, whether it’s the prosecution or anyone else. Refuse the summons and wait. Seriously, this has gone too far……”

Father left before I could stop him.

“Uncle! Why did you have to tell Father everything?”

Even when I snapped at him, Oh Se-hyun just grinned.