Chapter 219: An Offer and a Promise

“That kind of look makes me uncomfortable. Stop being so suspicious.”

I chuckled at his incredulous expression. I was being completely serious.

“The second chairman of Soonyang Group will be Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae, and the third will be me. What do you think?”

He still didn’t answer, his glare only intensifying.

“Chief of Staff, you’re too young to retire, and your abilities are too great for anything else. I promise you, you can spend as much time in the Soonyang Group chairman’s office as you wish.”

He knew I wasn’t spouting nonsense. My sudden proposal had clearly complicated things for him. He remained silent, and I quietly sipped my drink.

When a new bottle arrived, Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae finally broke his silence.

“You’re very clever. And a wicked bastard.”

“Excuse me? Me?”

“Yes. When it comes to wickedness, you surpass even the Chairman. Trying to manipulate people by gently scratching at the desires hidden deep within their hearts? That’s not a good path. Once those hidden desires surface, you’ll have to discard what you’ve tried so hard to protect. And then you’ll despise yourself.”

“Why be ashamed of revealing your desires? What’s shameful is failing to fulfill them and ending up with nothing to show for it.”

“You brazen bastard. To say such things so casually.”

“By the way… May I ask what it is you want to protect, Chief of Staff?”

“Loyalty.”

“Loyalty? To Grandpa…?”

“Yes. The Chairman wants to pass on his legacy to his bloodline. I believed my role ended there. And I fulfilled it admirably.”

Was that the truth?

Had he never entertained any other thoughts?

No, he just confessed he had hidden desires.

“Then what about the desires you’ve kept buried deep in your heart? Was the chairman’s seat at Soonyang one of them?”

“I’m not sure. There was definitely something else, but it wasn’t concrete. You’re the one who presented a concrete picture.”

His demeanor was so relaxed. Had he accepted my offer? Or was he just thinking of it as idle chatter over drinks?

Regardless, the fact that he revealed his true feelings made me feel closer to him.

“The picture is quite appealing, isn’t it? I shed blood purging the two vice-chairmen, then take the chairman’s seat, and a few years later, you take over? After all, you need to be in your forties to carry the gravitas of a chairman. Let’s see… That’s more than ten years from now.”

“You misunderstand. I have no intention of using you as my blade. Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say I’ll be your blade?”

Judging by his expression, it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Was he really planning to dismiss it as just bar talk?

“The reason I called you clever is because you chose me as the means to fill that void. The elders around you have no interest in the Soonyang Group chairman’s position, do they? Your father has found the life he wants, and Oh Se-hyun isn’t blood-related and has no ties to Soonyang.”

He was no longer listening to me, rambling on like a drunk.

“I controlled the entire group, so everyone will nod and agree. Isn’t it similar to how Yi Bang-won installed Yi Bang-gwa, the second son of Yi Seong-gye, as king? The only difference is you’re entrusting it to me until you come of age.”

“You see me as a very wicked person, but I’m not that extreme. If you wish, I’ll ensure your children hold key positions in Soonyang. I could even give them core affiliates with the title of vice-chairman.”

Lee Hak-jae’s expression shifted at the mention of his children.

“You idiot. Is Soonyang North Korea? Do you expect generations of loyalty?”

“That sounds like a forced argument. You know I want a professional management system.”

“You wicked bastard. You know my sons are preoccupied with other things. Ha, unbelievable.”

Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae continued to chuckle as he refilled my glass.

“Drink that and get going. I think I’ve heard everything you have to say. Anything else?”

I’d have to postpone getting a sincere answer from him.

At least I confirmed that he viewed me favorably.

Despite knowing about my relationship with Miracle, he hadn’t told anyone. He had simply watched as I nibbled away at my two uncles’ shares.

He wasn’t entirely on my side, but he didn’t seem to have any intention of opposing me either.

“Thank you for hearing me out until the end. Then, I’ll take my leave. Oh, and please refrain from drinking any more. You’ve had quite a bit.”

“Don’t be cheeky. Get out of here.”

I bowed to Lee Hak-jae, who waved his hand dismissively, and stood up.

Perhaps because I drank too quickly, I felt a little unsteady.

* * *

“And he didn’t give you any definitive answer?”

“Yes. Several days have passed, and he’s pretending not to notice. I’ve run into him a few times when visiting Grandpa’s residence, but he won’t even make eye contact.”

“That man will consider it carefully. To be honest, I’m not sure. If it were me, I’d serve the Chairman for a few more years, and then retire once he passed away. From what you’re saying, he seems a bit different from me.”

Oh Se-hyun listened intently to the events of a few days prior but offered no judgment on my actions.

“But it’s quite impressive. He managed to dig up your secrets all the way in the US.”

“The fact that he’s kept quiet so far is a signal that he’s favorable to me, right?”

“From Lee Hak-jae’s perspective, it’s natural. Wouldn’t he be more comfortable with someone like his own son rather than the Chairman’s sons who disapprove of him?”

Oh Se-hyun nodded.

“Anyway, I hope he accepts your offer. That’s the only way you can protect your shares.”

“Yes. Actually, changing the holding company wouldn’t be that difficult. I just need to create a new shareholding structure and issue instructions to the presidents of the subsidiaries accordingly.”

“That’s right. When your grandfather was alive, the presidents of the subsidiaries would prioritize getting his approval and be cautious, but once he’s gone, they’ll have no choice but to follow the princes’ instructions.”

“Lee Hak-jae can prevent that, right?”

“Isn’t he the one who created the current circular shareholding structure?”

“Yes.”

“Then he should be able to. If necessary, he could threaten to create a massive loophole in the structure itself.”

To shake off my anxiety, I kept focusing on the positive possibilities.

But the opposite choice was also possible.

What if Lee Hak-jae decided to help my uncles and wanted compensation for it?

If he joined forces with me, the reward would be in the future, but if he sided with my uncles, he could receive immediate compensation.

As these complex scenarios swirled in my mind, there was a knock at the door, and it opened.

“Representative, you have a guest….”

Before the secretary could finish, a man strode in—none other than Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae.

“Chief of Staff!”

“I hope I’m not intruding by coming here unannounced.”

“Not at all.”

Oh Se-hyun also stood up and gave a slight bow.

“It’s been a while, Chief of Staff.”

“Indeed. Quite a long time, hasn’t it?”

The two men shook hands and sat down.

“Representative Oh, you look well. You seem comfortable?”

“I have this guy to thank for my easy life. All I do these days is go back and forth like a loafer, so my belly is the only thing growing.”

Oh Se-hyun joked, grabbing a handful of his stomach.

“It seems you have no further ambitions. Is this the end of the road for you?”

His intuition was remarkable. Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae immediately understood the meaning behind Oh Se-hyun’s banter.

Oh Se-hyun, his smile fading, spoke slowly.

“I’m just waiting for the right moment to leave. I’m busy trying to figure out how to spend all the money I made thanks to Do-jun.”

“I misjudged you. Perhaps it’s because you’re Yoon-ki’s friend, but you lack ambition.”

“Lack ambition? You’re mistaken. If you knew how much wealth I have, you wouldn’t say that.”

“You know that’s not what I meant… Well, let’s just say that.”

Enough with the pleasantries.

The only thing left was to see who would bring up the main topic first.

“Chief of Staff, please help our Do-jun. Frankly, you know Do-jun is far superior to the two vice-chairmen, don’t you? Make him the chairman of Soonyang Group and then retire. I’ll arrange a place with a beautiful view for you. Something you won’t regret.”

He was like an old man making a friendly proposition over a glass of makgeolli.

Oh Se-hyun had created a casual and comfortable atmosphere.

“Thinking about the future of Soonyang Group, Do-jun is the perfect fit. He’s on a different level from other chaebol heirs. He’s not the type to embezzle company funds, and he accurately implements a professional management system.”

“Not embezzling company funds is probably because he already has so much money, right?”

Lee Hak-jae glanced at me as he spoke, and Oh Se-hyun stepped in to answer.

“Even with all taxes paid, his personal wealth is in the trillions of won. Company funds are just pocket change to him.”

Lee Hak-jae’s eyes widened at the mention of trillions.

He had grasped Miracle’s structure but not my personal wealth, so it was understandable that he was surprised.

“Do-jun.”

“Yes.”

My back straightened involuntarily as I corrected my posture. I resolved not to betray my emotions, no matter what he said.

“I will protect your shares.”

That was it. At least I wouldn’t suffer the fate of a dog chasing a chicken only to see it fly onto the roof because of my uncles’ meddling.

“I have dozens of boxes of documents in my possession. They contain the entire history of managing the shares, down to the last speck of dust.”

Evidence of illegal activities. That’s what he meant by having it all.

Had this man been planning something else all along?

“Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t keep them with the intention of betraying the Chairman. It was to avoid becoming a hunting dog thrown into the pot after the Chairman’s passing. I’ve dedicated my life to Soonyang. I deserve an honorable end.”

“Of course. That’s why I….”

Lee Hak-jae raised his hand, stopping me from speaking.

“I can’t help you remove the two vice-chairmen. That’s my loyalty to the Chairman. However, I will also prevent the two vice-chairmen from trying to remove you.”

Lee Hak-jae picked up the teacup in front of him and downed it in one gulp.

“Does that answer your question?”

Huh? Was that all? Wasn’t he going to mention his thoughts on other matters?

“You have to be careful with alcohol. It’s tough to take responsibility for things you carelessly blurt out while drunk.”

Lee Hak-jae chuckled as he stood up.

“Are you leaving already? Why don’t you stay for a meal and talk some more?”

I tried to stop him as he got up, but it was no use.

“Is there anything else to say? You got the answer you wanted, didn’t you?”

“Aren’t there other things we should discuss?”

“What? Oh, you mean installing me as the second chairman of Soonyang Group?”

My face flushed with embarrassment.

“That’s a conversation for when you have that kind of power. The journey is long. Trying to find scorched rice water in a well is a foolish endeavor.”

People’s minds are not constant.

Lee Hak-jae was implying that my mind might change once I had the power to appoint him as chairman.

“I’ll be watching. Seeing how you handle your two uncles should be quite entertaining. Heh heh.”

Lee Hak-jae was about to leave when he turned back at the door.

“Oh, and Kim Yoon-suk.”

“Yes.”

“Take him with you now. He’s learned all he’s going to learn. He should be more than capable to have by your side.”

“Thank you.”

I bowed my head, and I heard another chuckle.

“Don’t get your hopes up too high. He’s useful, but nothing more. He’s not qualified for important tasks.”

“That’s more than enough, Chief of Staff.”

Lee Hak-jae flicked his hand dismissively and left.

“Whoa! That guy is something else.”

The moment the door closed, Oh Se-hyun collapsed onto the sofa.

“He’s going to set up a fair playing field and let the contenders fight it out themselves, huh?”

Even this much was enough. Now it would be difficult for the two vice-chairmen to join forces and oust me.

Maintaining the three-way power struggle alone was a relief.