Chapter 230: A Private Moment and Looming Threats

My father and Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae waited with anxious expressions in the hospital parking lot.

My grandfather, stepping out of the car, didn’t even glance at the wheelchair the nurses brought.

“It’s just a few steps. Why bring that? I’m fine. Let’s just go up.”

Grandfather strode towards the elevators and turned back to us.

“Not another word. Both of you, go back. I want to be alone today.”

We could only watch as the elevator doors quickly closed.

My father got into another elevator and said,

“Do-jun, you should go and rest. I’ll meet with the hospital director and then leave. Chief of Staff Hak-jae, you should get some rest too.”

As the elevator doors closed on my father, Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae let out a long, relieved sigh, as if a great weight had been lifted.

“Do-jun, are you tired?”

“No, sir. I managed to doze off on the way here.”

“Then, shall we have a little chat?”

He and I moved to a cafe near the hospital.

“How was Gunsan?”

“It felt rather empty.”

“What? Empty?”

“Yes. For a Soonyang Group history museum, it felt a bit lacking, don’t you think? Just a few photos and some memorabilia….”

“Is that so? It seems those who didn’t experience it firsthand can’t feel much emotion there.”

“It felt more like grandfather’s photo album.”

“A photo album? Haha, yes, that’s a better fit. It’s a place filled with Chairman’s memories, after all.”

Lee Hak-jae chuckled, observing me.

“Didn’t he say anything else?”

“He talked about the accident back then.”

I didn’t miss the twitch of his eyebrow. He clearly hadn’t expected grandfather to reveal that my grandmother was behind it all.

“You knew about it too, didn’t you, Chief of Staff?”

“Ahem… Of course. I investigated it.”

“I have a question. Would you mind if I asked?”

“Go ahead. What is it?”

“Does my grandmother have people who act as her hands and feet? To carry out something like that, it wouldn’t be possible with ordinary employees, would it?”

“Isn’t this world teeming with guys who would do anything for money?”

“It’s hard to imagine the Chairman’s wife of Soonyang Group associating with those kinds of people. It’s the kind of thing that could be used as leverage against her…. It can’t be that simple. Please, tell me.”

“Why are you so eager to know the details?”

“Grandfather told me. He said she might try to harm me again, but to forgive her for his sake. I need to be prepared for such times.”

Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae began to stare directly into my eyes.

“Are you sure you can forgive her?”

“It’s grandfather’s request. I have to honor it.”

“Hmm….”

He took a sip of his coffee, and I waited for him to speak.

“You know that Madam runs an art museum and an arts support center, right?”

“Yes. I’ve heard they’re the best patronage organizations.”

“It’s a world where expensive artworks change hands. Fakes are rampant, and it’s difficult for anyone but the top experts to distinguish forgeries from genuine pieces. And transactions often happen in the shadows.”

“Ah…!”

“What happens if an illicit transaction is proven to involve a forgery? Will they report it to the police?”

Shadows, illicit transactions…. He’s talking about smuggling.

There was a rumor once.

That North Korean antiques were pouring into Korea through China.

And the place where those antiques were collected and carefully stored in an underground vault was Soonyang Gallery. This too would be impossible without smuggling.

“So, there’s an organization that uses force to handle those unsavory tasks.”

Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae simply nodded instead of answering.

“Money and power…. I should heed grandfather’s words. The first time is the hardest, but the second time, they probably won’t feel much guilt.”

“Isn’t it the same for you? You have both money and power. Woo Byung-joon would warn Madam without batting an eye if you ordered him to, wouldn’t he? Telling her that if she messes with you, she’ll pay the price.”

“Surely not?”

“He doesn’t even answer my calls. Has he sworn allegiance to you?”

The dismissal wasn’t just for show.

He really did get rid of Soonyang’s second-in-command.

No, I shouldn’t trust everything this man says. If the two of them wanted to collude and deceive me, it would be easy enough.

Hadn’t I learned through death what happens when you trust people too easily?

“Someone like Woo Byung-joon is top-tier. He’s a well-honed blade, so use him carefully and cautiously.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Well, household matters aren’t really my concern…. Did the Chairman say anything about the group?”

Since I had made a promise to this man, it was only natural for him to be curious about what grandfather and I discussed.

“He only asked if I was confident in growing Soonyang even larger. Nothing else of particular note.”

“Really? That’s all?”

“Yes, Chief of Staff. Or rather, I should be the one asking. Is grandfather planning to give me more controlling shares of the group?”

Lee Hak-jae shook his head.

“Everyone thinks the Chairman has one or two trump cards up his sleeve…. But they’re wrong. The Chairman doesn’t have controlling shares of the group. All that’s left is real estate and savings. I don’t know much about his personal assets. His personal lawyer manages those.”

“Are you certain?”

“I divided it with my own hands. There’s nothing more.”

Hearing his firm words, I felt a little deflated.

The hope that he might give me some secret weapon to deliver a final blow vanished.

He’s a truly ruthless man. Is his philosophy that the one who fights and wins in the end is his successor?

“You look disappointed. Haha.”

“Yes. I had hoped.”

“If you hadn’t made mistakes, the Chairman wouldn’t have disappointed your expectations.”

Mistakes? Me? What is he talking about now?

Seeing my wide eyes, the Chief of Staff waved his hand slightly.

“Not those kinds of mistakes, but failing to read people’s hearts.”

“Me?”

“Yes. If you had understood your parent’s feelings a little better… You only ever showed your capable side. You should have shown a little more of your vulnerable and weaker side. If you had made them feel sorry for you, things might have been different. There’s truth to the saying, ‘You give an extra rice cake to a crying child.'”

Could that be true? Was it because my grandfather had so much faith in me that he only gave me that much in shares?

“Ah, don’t think about it too deeply. It’s just my opinion. Anyway… the conversation keeps going off track. By the way, I heard you stopped by somewhere on your way here?”

“Yes. I think you know him, Chief of Staff. A Mr. Joo Byung-hae….”

“Huh? President Joo?”

Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae looked surprised, as if it were unexpected.

“Yes. He told me to ask for his help if I ever face difficulties. And to visit him occasionally to say hello. Do you know him well?”

“Of course.”

Seeing the faint smile on his face, he must have many good memories of him.

“He’s a remarkable man. If he had held on a little longer, he could have had half of Soonyang. To give it all up and walk away without regret… he’s a true man.”

“But judging by his lifestyle, he doesn’t seem to be struggling financially.”

“Compared to what he gave up, he is struggling. The Chairman takes care of him, so he lives that well. Oh, and the reason he introduced you to him is also so you would take care of him if the Chairman isn’t around.”

“Ah, I see. I shouldn’t forget that.”

“He’s a wise man, so it wouldn’t hurt to seek his advice from time to time. I call him occasionally too.”

Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae emptied his coffee cup. He seemed ready to reveal the real reason he asked to see me.

“Now, brace yourself. Once they know the Chairman is in this condition, everyone will reveal their true colors. Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi will be the first to start. You might be the first target, or it might be Vice-chairman Jin Dong-gi, but they’ll start the ousting process soon.”

“Will you help me?”

“Didn’t I say? I’ll uphold the Chairman’s wishes. I’ll block any share transfers. But nothing more than that. Don’t think about putting me in the forefront.”

“Understood. I need to prepare myself thoroughly.”

“Especially since the two vice-chairmen might join forces to try and drive you out first. You need to navigate that hurdle carefully.”

“You wouldn’t happen to have something I could use to fight back?”

When I teased him with a smile, Lee Hak-jae also smiled.

“Look for it yourself. There are dirt and flaws to attack a second-generation chaebol everywhere you look, aren’t there? Heh.”

This man is definitely holding onto something too.

* * *

In 2003, the prosecution investigated allegations of widespread illegal funds during the 2002 presidential election, and the close aide of the opposition party’s presidential candidate was arrested. This news dominated the end of 2003.

When the Central Investigation Department announced a full-scale investigation into major corporations involved in the so-called ‘caravan’ funding scheme, everyone was on high alert.

My two uncles were busy erasing their traces in the election fund transfer process and finding someone to stand in their place at the prosecution’s photo line.

“Chief of staff, what’s the status of the people from Miracle Investment?”

“Oh Se-hyun is practically retired, and the two employees who delivered the money back then left for the US a while ago. They took their families with them, so we can consider those traces gone, right?”

Executive Director Woo Byung-joon nodded.

“Then that’s settled. The guys who delivered your money to Vice-chairman Jin Dong-gi’s side have also been sent on vacation to Southeast Asia until the prosecution’s investigation is over.”

“Have you found the trail of my money?”

“No. Representative Oh Se-hyun handled it cleanly. It’s impossible for me to find it on my own, and even the prosecution would struggle even if they were determined. They’d have to secure all the US accounts and compare them one by one.”

“Even if they did, they wouldn’t find it. Billions of won go back and forth between New York and Yeouido every day.”

As I said confidently, Executive Director Woo Byung-joon shrugged in acceptance.

“You two are extraordinary.”

“I’m only twenty-seven years old. I can’t afford to get my hands dirty with such filth already.”

Woo Byung-joon slowly lost his smile and said,

“Rumors are circulating that the Chairman remains hospitalized. Are you aware of this?”

“Where did these rumors start?”

“The Chairman’s residence’s bodyguards. Since he hasn’t been going in or out, they’re bound to find it strange. Is it true?”

Although my trust in this man wasn’t absolute, I thought it was enough to confirm the rumor.

“Yes. It’s been about a week.”

He didn’t seem surprised and spoke calmly.

“The reason for keeping it a secret…?”

“It was grandfather’s wish.”

“I see. Then, please contact Chief of Staff Lee and request a rotation of the Chairman’s residence’s bodyguards. It’s standard procedure for the security detail to rotate after a certain period, so they won’t see it as anything unusual.”

How long can we keep this a secret?

If grandfather doesn’t appear at any official events, it’s only a matter of time. Perhaps my two uncles have already noticed.

“Understood. I’ll inform Chief of Staff Lee.”

“I hesitate to ask, but has the Chairman’s health deteriorated significantly?”

“Yes. The hospital says he doesn’t have much time left.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Woo Byung-joon pulled out his cell phone.

“Tell all the staff to gather. Except for the one driving Chief of Staff Jin Do-jun.”

He ended the short call and stood up immediately.

“It would be best if you kept your external schedule light today and went home. And I’ll increase the level of security starting tomorrow.”

His sudden actions felt excessive and somewhat uncomfortable.

Seeing my expression, his tone became even sterner.

“I’ve seen people with both physical and financial power become irrational when they get desperate. Until the succession within Soonyang Group becomes clear, I wouldn’t be surprised if all sorts of incidents and accidents happen one after another. You need to be on your guard, Chief of staff.”

Thinking about what my grandmother had done, Woo Byung-joon’s words weren’t wrong. Grandfather’s death was starting to feel very real.