Chapter 179: Entrusting Bodyguards and Gathering Lawyers

Calling them bodyguards or security personnel sounds good, but in reality, they’re no different from organized crime that’s been brought into the light and given a salary.

Of course, they aren’t actually from gangs. Most are former bodyguards or military personnel, but aside from security duties, a significant portion of what they do is illegal.

Will there be times when I have to instruct them to do things beyond security?

“Why the surprised look?”

“It’s nothing, sir. Just that there are so many of them.”

“Don’t even think about adding more because you think it’s not enough.”

Seeing Grandfather’s meaningful smile, the temptation of illegality seems considerable.

Wasn’t it said that a fist is closer than the law?

When problems arise, a single word can resolve things discreetly and cleanly. With fifty well-trained enforcers by my side, how immense would the temptation to use them be?

“Executive Director Woo will prioritize your instructions above all else. He’ll be available by phone 24/7, so contact him whenever you need.”

“Will he handle anything?”

“Yes. He’ll handle anything you want. But don’t forget one thing. It’s best not to give those guys orders that’ll bruise their egos.”

“Like cleaning up after women, or petty things like drunk driving and hit-and-runs?”

“What are you talking about? You don’t even go near that kind of stuff. Even if you did, the Strategy Planning Department handles that, doesn’t it?”

I know, but suddenly, past memories flashed so vividly, I just said it for the sake of it.

“That’s right. I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of work I’ll be assigning to Executive Director Woo.”

“Good. If you have no reason to call Executive Director Woo, it means you’re doing well. But Do-jun.”

“Yes?”

“What if you’re driving safely, and some lunatic rear-ends your car? What will you do?”

“I’d call the insurance company and the police.”

“Exactly. Executive Director Woo will be that kind of presence for you. An insurance company.”

“Meaning he’ll prevent me from unfairly suffering losses.”

“Not only that. If used well, you can make someone else suffer so much they go crazy.”

Grandfather spoke with a casual smile, he truly is a villain.

“But Grandfather,”

“Why? Is there something else you want to ask?”

“Executive Director Woo Byung-joon… how much can I trust him?”

Grandfather answered without a moment’s thought or hesitation.

“He’s the kind of person who would keep your deepest, most disgusting secrets to himself until the day he dies. Does that answer your question?”

“I understand. I’ll make good use of him.”

“And you need to prepare something as well.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“Because the group is being divided, the legal team also needs to be split. What should we do? Should I send you some guys?”

The group’s legal team consists of people who used to be judges or prosecutors while receiving Grandfather’s scholarship funds. They are nothing more than money-grubbers who abandoned their conscience as legal professionals to work for Grandfather after resigning from their posts.

I haven’t seen any of those guys who are truly skilled.

So, the legal team mainly handles internal group matters; when a major case breaks out, they ultimately entrust it to a large law firm.

Since they aren’t scholarship students who benefited from my money, there’s a higher chance those guys will become spies for my uncles. They’re more likely to be a hindrance than a help.

“No, thank you. I am, after all, a graduate of Korea’s top law school. I’ll assemble the legal team myself.”

“Alright, do as you see fit.”

Grandfather had a surprised expression but didn’t say anything more.

“Okay, now go. You must have a lot to do….”

“It’s alright. I have plenty of time today. You’ve given me a great graduation gift; it wouldn’t be polite to just take the gift and disappear.”

“Oh? Then shall we have a drink?”

“You need to think about your health. I’ll have the car prepared.”

“You idiot. It’s your graduation today. Shouldn’t we have at least one celebratory drink?”

“Then just have one glass of wine. Just one.”

But one glass turned into a bottle, and we chatted until dawn before I returned home.

* * *

Vice President Jang Do-hyung presented three personnel cards.

These detailed the backgrounds of the individuals slated to take the president positions at the securities firm, the fire insurance company, and the credit card company.

I first examined the details of the candidate for the credit card company.

“Everyone knows that this company won’t last long. Would this person really want to take the president’s seat?”

“That’s why we carefully selected him. He’s the kind of person who can firmly keep things in order when the atmosphere is turbulent.”

He subtly glanced at me, indicating he was hiding something.

Is this the network Grandfather mentioned?

“If the card company is sold, will the other side accept this person? The day the sale contract is signed will be the day this person becomes unemployed, won’t it? I don’t think they’ll accept him….”

“So, we promised him a transfer to the vice president position at Soonyang Life Insurance after the sale. He readily agreed to that. He said he would work hard to maximize the company’s value until the sale.”

The picture became clear.

Vice President Jang Do-hyung likely chose someone with close ties to him and offered the position as a favor. The final position is the vice president of Soonyang Life Insurance, which is a guaranteed promotion.

By carrying out such appointments, he also demonstrates his power within the entire group—killing two birds with one stone.

Should I put the brakes on as Grandfather suggested? I need to dampen Jang Do-hyung’s excitement.

“That won’t work.”

“Yes?”

“Executives need to clearly understand that the CEO position is the end of the line. Make sure they always remember that. Moving from the president of the card company to the vice president of the life insurance company is essentially a promotion. In our company, Soonyang Life Insurance’s status is on par with Soonyang Electronics.”

“Chief of Staff, if that happens, appointing someone as the president of Soonyang Card is no different from immediately firing them. Everyone will submit their resignations the moment the appointments are made.”

“Excellent.”

“Yes?”

“Appoint the executives who need to be removed one by one. It’s an easy way to get their resignations without much trouble, isn’t it?”

Vice President Jang Do-hyung couldn’t hide his perplexed expression. His plan had been completely derailed.

“The president’s seat at Soonyang Card becomes a guillotine. After we get rid of all the executives who are detrimental to us, Vice President Jang, you will oversee the sale.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Isn’t the sale of the card company the most urgent and important issue for us right now? Why? Are you not confident?”

“Ah, no. I will handle it.”

Did he get the message?

If he tries to be sly even a little, I’ll make him face a setback like today. If I repeat this a few times, being cautious will become a habit, and then I’ll loosen the reins.

“And about the candidate for the president of Soonyang Securities. Why did you choose a senior managing director? There’s a vice president too, isn’t there?”

“Ah, that vice president has spent a long time at Soonyang Corporation. Wouldn’t his relationship with Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi be deep?”

“If we consider it that way, wouldn’t we have to remove most of the executives? They’ve all gone through subsidiaries managed by my uncles at some point.”

“……”

“Didn’t I make it clear that there would be no parachuting? Looking at his career, he has successfully led more than one or two businesses and projects. We shouldn’t disrespect someone who has contributed so much. If he’s this capable, he’s more than qualified to lead the securities firm. Promote the vice president to CEO.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Jang Do-hyung’s deflated voice trailed off.

Have I tightened the reins enough?

* * *

When March, filled with the energy of spring, began, my older brother, Sang-joon, completely moved out. Mother kept worrying about Sang-joon not finding a decent job, but Father didn’t seem concerned at all.

Instead, he was busy getting assurances from Mother.

“Don’t worry about a grown son. He’ll survive no matter what he does. Don’t you dare send him money or anything like that. Promise me!”

But Sang-joon had already confided in me that he had found a job.

He kept quiet because he was worried that if he told our parents about his employment, Father, who pretends to be indifferent, would secretly investigate, and then the same thing would happen again if word got out.

“Have you found a place to live? I can arrange a studio apartment for you!”

“It’s okay. I found a one-room villa near the company’s recording studio. It’s not bad.”

“How’s the company? Is it okay?”

“It’s a new company, so it’s precarious. But the CEO of this talent agency really knows music. That’s why he hired me. He really liked that I studied producing and sound engineering in New York.”

“Knowing music well is different from running a business.”

“The direction is good too. Instead of exploiting and discarding fleeting idols, the goal is to nurture musicians who will sell for a long time, even if they don’t become huge overnight. It suits me.”

“Okay. You’ve made a good decision. By the way, what’s the company name?”

“Time Music. I heard they named it that because they pursue music that remains vibrant even as time passes.”

“Alright. Don’t cut off contact just because you moved out. Let’s call each other often.”

Sang-joon glared at me as if I were unbelievable.

“You better take care of yourself, you idiot. How can my younger brother have a secretary answer his calls? Do I need to schedule in advance even to call you?”

“Ah, sorry…. That won’t happen again. I was a bit busy back then.”

“Sure you were. I’m going.”

I saw my brother off as he disappeared into the distance and went inside. Father asked as if he had been waiting.

“When are you moving out?”

“I’ll be moving out soon. The interior work is underway. As soon as it’s finished….”

“Interior decoration? Where did you get a place?”

“I bought a luxury apartment in Seocho-dong.”

“Is it one of those penthouse things?”

“How did you know?”

“Really?”

Father’s eyes widened, and he began to probe with a hopeful expression.

“Don’t tell me it’s a super-luxury penthouse over 330 square meters? With a home bar inside and a Japanese-style mini garden… the kind that only appears in dramas?”

This time, I was the one surprised.

“Did you do a background check on me? How do you know so accurately? Oh, there’s no bar. But I can use part of the rooftop like a yard, so I’m setting up a garden….”

Now Mother joined in. She forgot her sadness about her youngest leaving home and only showed curiosity about the house.

“How big is it? 330 square meters?”

“The apartment is 400 square meters, and the rooftop garden is 230 square meters. Originally, there were four rooms, but I combined them all into a single room, so it’s taking longer than expected. Some of the materials haven’t arrived yet either.”

“Are you talking about imported materials?”

“Yes. I’m planning to live in this place for a long time, so I paid extra attention. I commissioned the interior design to a company in the US, and the garden is by a Japanese firm.”

Father’s expression brightened. He didn’t even ask how much it cost and suddenly clapped his hands.

“That’s great. Just listening to it, it sounds like an ultra-luxurious one-room. Right?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. You could say that.”

“When will the construction be finished? Can I take a look?”

“Of course. I was planning to invite you and Mother over to show you once the construction is done. But why are you asking?”

I started to feel uneasy. The reason Father makes that kind of expression isn’t because his son lives in a nice house. He definitely has other motives.

“Ah…. It’s nothing much, but when filming dramas, there’s always a scene that takes place in a house like that. Since they film a lot of stories about the sons of the wealthy, you know. I’m thinking of borrowing it from time to time. Since it’s an actual house and not a set, the realism will be better, and we’ll save money on building sets.”

Of course. It was suspiciously suspicious.

“Absolutely not.”

“What?”

I ignored Father’s gaze and said to Mother.

“I’ll only tell you the door lock password, Mother, so come alone.”

I want to end my tiring day and enjoy the comfort of being alone.