Chapter 246: Ministry of Justice Bribes Select Mourners

“The Ministry of Justice bribed only the prosecutors among the mourners. They also had quite lengthy private talks with two bank presidents.”

“The prosecution and banks… That’s an odd combination. They probably discussed something else. Are you worried about the prosecution?”

“Yes. What Grandma said keeps bothering me. Isn’t the quickest way to get rid of me to find my weaknesses?”

Oh Se-hyun fell into thought, opening his mouth after a long pause.

“For now, just keep an eye on things. Even if the prosecution is targeting you, don’t make any rash moves. I’ll look into things on my end.”

“I apologize for dragging you into this after your retirement.”

“That’s why you shouldn’t have come to Korea. The polluted air alone makes my chest tight, but seeing your family situation makes it even more suffocating.”

As he was about to leave the house, he said with a hint of worry.

“The reason I’m looking into this isn’t just for you. I’m also worried they might be trying to find Yoon-ki’s weaknesses.”

“Father’s?”

“Yes. He’s involved in so many shady dealings. It’d be easy to find something to hold against him. Since you care so much about your parents, they might use Yoon-ki as bait to threaten you. That’s what worries me more.”

The moment he said this, a spark ignited in my mind.

It wasn’t anger that surged, but the possibility of a turning point.

“Uncle, don’t say anything to Father yet. Let’s confirm everything first….”

“Stop nagging. I’m not such an oblivious old man that I need you to tell me what to do.”

After Oh Se-hyun left, I waited for Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-suk.

Since the amount was significant, it took quite a while.

He must be visiting at least half a dozen places.

While waiting for him, the movie ‘The Taste of Money’ from my past life came to mind.

There was a secret space in the chaebol’s mansion where money was piled up, and it held stacks of cash large enough to fill three or four containers.

I remembered laughing as I watched them take money from there every time they needed to give a bribe.

Of course, the director probably staged it that way to portray the chaebol’s image in a fantastical way, but to me, it was utterly ridiculous.

Despite the real-name financial transaction system and all that, chaebols keep their slush funds in banks, not at home.

The financial sector always sides with the rich. No matter how tight the legal net is, they’ll use loopholes and illegal methods for the convenience of the wealthy. Financial services for the rich, especially chaebol-level clients, always go beyond the scope of ordinary people’s thinking.

But I did find myself wishing I had a space like in the movie to stash billions of won at home.

A secret space revealed when the bookshelf in the study opened… That would be interesting.

These pointless fantasies vanished when Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-suk and a few bodyguards came in carrying boxes.

“Thank you for your work. I have something to take care of here, so please head to Grandfather’s house first.”

After sending them away, I changed into a clean shirt to get down to real business.

“Is it alright to leave the bereaved altar empty like this?” Executive Director Woo Byung-joon, who had rushed over, asked with a touch of concern.

“Since there are so many descendants, no one will notice if one of us is missing. Besides, I haven’t received any calls looking for me yet.”

“It must be something urgent to leave the bereaved altar.”

“Yes.”

Woo Byung-joon glanced at the boxes stacked in a corner of the living room and gave a slight smile.

“The investigation into Madam is still in its initial stages, so there’s nothing to report… Is it related to this?”

“Yes. I need to make some deliveries today.”

Woo Byung-joon seemed surprised by my attitude.

“Are you perhaps planning to go yourself?”

“I have to. There are things I need to confirm while delivering them in person.”

“Who is it? Someone important enough for you to meet personally?”

“Kim Seok-hwi, the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office.”

Upon hearing the name, Woo Byung-joon pulled out his cell phone.

“Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, Kim Seok-hwi. Get me his cell phone number and home address. This is urgent.”

I didn’t ask who he was contacting.

Isn’t it common courtesy not to pry into each other’s business secrets?

A few minutes later, a text message notification sounded.

“Shouldn’t you contact him beforehand?”

“Of course. I can’t exactly hand over bribes at the Prosecutor’s Office, can I?”

“Just a moment.”

Woo Byung-joon took out his phone again.

“Bring up a phone. A new one.”

A phone? Is it a burner phone?

“This is a ‘laundered’ cell phone. Please use this when speaking with people like them in the future. Your current phone is registered under the Chief of Staff’s name, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Use that for official business only. A chaebol’s grandson talking to a high-ranking prosecutor will look suspicious to anyone.”

He’s incredibly detailed.

He takes care of these things without needing to be told, which makes his capabilities seem even more impressive.

When a bodyguard placed a cell phone down, Woo Byung-joon asked.

“How many boxes will you be taking?”

“Two boxes should be enough.”

At Woo’s gesture, the bodyguard took two boxes downstairs.

“I’ll step out for a bit. Please let me know when you’re done with your call.”

I stopped him as he was about to get up.

“You handle such matters, what’s the big deal about hearing a phone call? Just stay seated.”

“No. The less we know about each other, the better it will be for you, Chief of Staff.”

Whether he’s thorough or just stubborn, he’s a difficult person to figure out.

After he left the room, I took a deep breath and dialed the Chief Prosecutor’s number.

— Hello?

“Good afternoon, Chief Prosecutor. This is Jin Do-jun.”

— Who? Jin Do-jun? Could it be…?

His voice was full of suspicion.

“Yes. I’m the grandson of the late Chairman Jin Yang-cheol. And I’m the Jin Do-jun in charge of Soonyang Financial Group.”

His voice changed instantly.

— Ah, is that so? I visited the bereaved altar today, but I didn’t get a chance to offer my condolences.

Huh?!

It’s difficult to judge based solely on the voice over the phone, but he didn’t sound flustered.

If the person you were targeting called you out of the blue as if they knew everything, wouldn’t even the most composed person sound a little surprised?

Am I wrong? Was it just a simple conversation without any targeting involved?

That’s unlikely. My uncles aren’t the type of people to spend a long time with a Chief Prosecutor just to exchange greetings.

“No, I heard you met my uncles. I apologize for not greeting you first, Chief Prosecutor.”

— Oh, don’t mention it. I heard the Chairman held you in high regard. You must be devastated, there was no need to call just for condolences.

The idea that I was the target was starting to fade. There wasn’t a hint of wariness in his voice.

“You misunderstand, Chief Prosecutor. I didn’t call to offer my condolences, but because of Chairman’s last instructions.”

— Last instructions?

“Yes. I’d like to meet in person to discuss them. Would you be available?”

It’s natural to be suspicious of a sudden meeting request; he didn’t answer. I needed to make him feel more comfortable.

“Ah, the financial group isn’t the only thing Grandfather entrusted to me. He also tasked the financial group with some special responsibilities.”

— And what might those be…?

“He told me to take good care of you ‘quarterly’ so that trivial personal matters wouldn’t interfere with your official duties….”

At this point, he should have understood the meaning of Grandfather’s ‘last instructions.’

His voice instantly shifted to one of delight.

— Ah, I see. Hold on… Then let’s meet at the usual place in an hour.

The usual place?

I quickly checked my notes and saw ‘parking lot’ written there. I couldn’t ask about it in the parking lot, so I quickly changed the location.

“Since we need to exchange greetings, how about a more comfortable place? I’ll let you know the location.”

— Would you?

“Also, please remember that only a few of my ‘family’ should know about this.”

— Of course.

I told him the location of the Yeouido studio apartment and ended the call.

Now I needed to find out who was on the target list he received from my uncles.

* * *

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Jin Do-jun.”

I lightly bowed to Chief Prosecutor Kim Seok-hwi as he entered, looking around the room.

“Ah, I’ve seen you on TV a few times, so you feel familiar even though this is our first meeting. Haha.”

The moment I saw him, I was certain. I wasn’t the target.

Numerous faces flashed through my mind. Who exactly did my uncles want to eliminate?

After a brief exchange of greetings, he asked, clearly curious.

“These last instructions from the Chairman… am I right in my assumption?”

“Most likely. Grandfather selected a few individuals and asked me to take care of them like family. He said my two Vice-chairman uncles were a bit lacking in attention to detail. Of course, they are incredibly busy with group matters.”

“This is truly… the Chairman was an extraordinary man. To be honest, I had given up on the thought after the Chairman passed away.”

“Nothing changes. As always, I will ensure that family matters do not interfere with your official duties. However….”

As I subtly gauged his reaction, he smiled and said.

“Speak freely, it’s alright.”

“However, I’d like this matter to remain confidential from the Vice-chairmen. The truth is, there’s another reason Grandfather entrusted this to me.”

“Another reason?”

“Yes. The two Vice-chairmen are very focused on efficiency. Well… that’s how Grandfather trained them in management. So, they’re the type to end things with appropriate compensation only when they need something done or ask for help.”

Chief Prosecutor Kim Seok-hwi’s expression darkened. He understood that they would only pay for services rendered. And there were plenty of prosecutors who could perform those services. In other words, he could easily be reduced to a tool used occasionally.

“But think of it as a division of roles, like how the group’s management is divided now.”

After my explanation, the Chief Prosecutor smiled.

He clearly understood who he needed more.

Someone who only gives money when needed.

Someone who always provides money without fail.

Isn’t it obvious who he should hold onto?

“I must express my gratitude for your consideration.”

“I’m simply carrying out the duties Grandfather entrusted to me. There’s no need for you to feel burdened.”

I clearly stated my position and role; all that was left was to confirm.

“By the way, Chief Prosecutor.”

“Yes?”

“Please handle the matter my uncles asked you about today thoroughly. It’s an important matter for the group.”

I had to choose my words carefully. I needed to give the impression that I was also on their side and already knew the nature of their request.

I anxiously awaited his response.

“Of course. This generational shift is a critical matter that will determine the next 30 years.”

Generational shift?

The generational shift was already over when Grandfather divided his shares. Who else was left? And couldn’t those still in their positions be replaced at any time?

“Yes. Especially since Grandfather has passed away, there’s no more time to delay.”

I subtly agreed, and the conversation delved deeper.

“Even if he was the second-in-command, now that the Chairman has passed away, shouldn’t he have stepped down on his own accord, so as not to burden the remaining members? Isn’t that the right thing to do?”

Second-in-command!

Two people came to mind immediately.

President Son Hoon-jae of Electronics and Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae.

From Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi’s perspective, he needed to get rid of President Son Hoon-jae quickly to secure control of Electronics, the core of the group.

But the true second-in-command was Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae.

Chief Prosecutor Kim Seok-hwi was an outsider. From an external perspective, Lee Hak-jae was the only second-in-command.