Chapter 253: Let’s Stop Talking About the Chairman

“Let’s drop the chairman talk. Next year they say we can set up the holding company, right? We’ll take the chairman’s office then, just like we agreed.”

“Dong-gi, it’s just a formality. Let’s just put on a show for appearances. I won’t touch the subsidiaries you manage.”

“Really? Then let’s flip it. What if I take the chairman title? I won’t even glance at your subsidiaries, including Electronics. How’s that sound?”

Jin Young-gi’s insides churned at his younger brother’s insolent words. This brat didn’t understand the profound significance of being the eldest son.

“Stop with the pointless chatter. Of course, I won’t touch your companies. Tell me what else you want. Just stop insisting on the chairman’s seat. The eldest son is the chairman, the second son is the vice-chairman – both survive. But the moment the second son takes the chairman’s seat, it’s a death sentence for the eldest. The moment Sejong became the Crown Prince, Grand Prince Yangnyeong was chased out of the palace. That’s how the world sees it.”

“More princes have been killed after the eldest son took the throne. Vice-chairman? Will I even keep that vice-chairman title? You’ll use the chairman’s position to kick me out, whether I want it or not.”

As the two brothers, unyielding, exchanged tense gazes, the door suddenly burst open.

“What in the world are you two doing? What about Yangnyeong? Sejong? You don’t even know your place, playing at being princes!”

“M-Mother!”

“What brings you here so suddenly….”

Startled by their mother’s unannounced arrival, the two sons immediately ceased their squabble.

Madam Lee Pil-ok scanned Jin Young-gi’s office and plopped down on the sofa.

“Seeing you two content in a place like this while the proper chairman’s office sits empty breaks my heart.”

“Mother, one of us brothers will eventually sit in that seat.”

“Enough noise!”

Though Jin Dong-gi spoke softly, his mother didn’t lower her voice.

“Didn’t I tell you at your father’s funeral? Get rid of that Jin Do-jun first! Bring back the financial subsidiaries he controls, and do it quickly, you fools!”

“Please stop, Mother. We’ll handle it….”

“Lee Hak-jae has gone over to their side. Don’t you even realize that yet?”

Madam Lee Pil-ok cut off her son, sighing deeply.

“The company Lee Hak-jae went to is owned by some fellow named Oh Se-hyun. Oh Se-hyun is friends with Yoon-ki. Lee Hak-jae, Oh Se-hyun… if those two stir up trouble with Do-jun, what do you think will happen? They’ll target our Soonyang’s financial subsidiaries first. Especially once the separation of affiliates begins.”

Both vice-chairmen felt like smacking their heads. Since their father passed away, they’d only been focused on each other.

They’d dismissed their mother’s dislike of Do-jun as an old woman’s petty grievance, not paying it much attention.

But what if Lee Hak-jae, clearly harboring a grudge against them, joined forces with Do-jun?

People only see things from their own perspective. Their mother, obsessing over her youngest grandson whom she loathed, always imagined the worst-case scenario, and now that scenario might actually be unfolding.

“I’ve always told you, that Do-jun is just like your father! Greedy, and a magnet for money. He won’t be content with his precarious minority stake; he’ll want to seize control as fast as possible. And if Lee Hak-jae encourages him? The financial group will break away before you even manage to create your precious holding company.”

The two sons stared at their aging mother, shaking their heads in disbelief.

Was this rapid assessment just fueled by obsession?

“If you still don’t understand that this isn’t the time to be fighting over the chairman’s seat, then neither of you deserves to be chairman!”

At their mother’s scolding, the two grown sons couldn’t even lift their heads.

“Dong-gi.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I’m not saying to put your brother in the chairman’s seat right now. But work together with your brother to reclaim the financial subsidiaries, Soonyang’s own vault.”

Even without his mother’s words, Jin Dong-gi understood how dangerous Lee Hak-jae was. He knew they needed to act quickly before the man made his move.

“And Young-gi.”

“Yes.”

“Even if you recover the financial group, don’t be greedy and try to keep it for yourself. I’d rather Sang-ki sit there, even if he’s just a figurehead. Wouldn’t that look better than you two fighting?”

Their mother’s words of persuasion went unheard. Now, the chairman’s seat was temporarily pushed aside as they both furiously strategized how to seize the financial subsidiaries.

* * *

Yang Woo-chan, former president of Soonyang Life Insurance, rushed to Jin Young-gi’s office with vague expectations.

He hoped to finally recover from the humiliation he suffered at the hands of that young kid.

He cautiously opened the door to Jin Young-gi’s office and was greeted by Jin Dong-gi.

“Welcome, President Yang. I didn’t even get to properly greet you at your father’s funeral, did I?”

“Oh, no, not at all. You must have been overwhelmed. My condolences on your great loss.”

“No need to stand here. Let’s sit down.”

Jin Young-gi patted his back and led him to the sofa.

Formal greetings and meaningless small talk about recent events were exchanged. Just as Yang Woo-chan began to wonder why he had been summoned, Jin Young-gi spoke.

“We’re planning to reorganize the Soonyang Financial Group. What are your thoughts on that, President Yang?”

“Reorganize? Are you perhaps talking about a merger?”

“Well… we don’t have a concrete plan yet, but it’s hard to just sit back and watch. It seems like an inexperienced kid like Do-jun is managing it, and I have doubts about his crisis management skills….”

Yang Woo-chan needed to discern the true intentions of the two vice-chairmen. Speaking carelessly without knowing their real goal could cost him an opportunity.

“Chief of Staff Jin Do-jun doesn’t interfere after setting up the new management. If there are problems, it’s with the management….”

Yang watched the two men carefully as he spoke.

“That’s the problem. When the entire financial group needs to move as one, they’re all playing their own games! Tsk, tsk.”

“Does separating ownership from management even suit Korea’s reality? They’re just imitating foreign companies. They’re at an age where they think that’s cool.”

“That’s why they brushed aside someone like you, President Yang. What does a kid know?”

Yang Woo-chan’s eyes gleamed.

Reorganizing the financial group was just a pretense. They were clearly trying to get rid of Jin Do-jun.

Just as he thought….

Now that the tiger-like Chairman Jin was gone, the wolf pups were baring their teeth. Of course, President Yang wasn’t blind to the opportunity this presented.

“That makes sense. But will an old-timer like me, who’s stepped away from the front lines, really be helpful in this reorganization?”

“An old-timer? What are you talking about, being so modest? You’re still going strong and in your prime.”

Yang’s face brightened.

He was certain they intended to use him to remove Jin Do-jun.

“Anyway, if you’re going to reorganize the company, shouldn’t you start by reorganizing the management? A company is its people, after all.”

Jin Young-gi said, seeking Yang’s agreement.

“Exactly. We need to place talented people, who will act like our limbs, in every corner to move in perfect unison. But….”

“Please, speak freely, President Yang.”

“If you’re thinking of replacing the management, shouldn’t you also get Chief of Staff Jin Do-jun’s opinion?”

“Why do you think so?”

Jin Dong-gi scrutinized Yang Woo-chan’s expression with a sharp gaze, trying to read his mind.

“The appointment of the CEO and executives is decided by the board of directors. Is that possible without Chief of Staff Jin Do-jun?”

“Isn’t the shareholders’ meeting above the board of directors?”

“Well, yes, it is.”

“Combined, my brother and I hold over 51% of the group’s shares. Do we still need Do-jun’s permission?”

Yang was about to burst with joy. With the two vice-chairmen’s shares alone, they could control the financial group. That young brat Jin Do-jun could only watch with his thumb in his mouth, unable to do anything.

“Ah, in that case… there wouldn’t be any problem even if you called a board meeting right away and filled it with your people.”

“That’s why we need your help, President Yang.”

“Anything. Just tell me what to do. I’ll do whatever I can.”

The two vice-chairmen exchanged glances.

“Make a list of the CEOs, executives, and even the department heads in key positions. Those who oppose Jin Do-jun. And his followers.”

“Ah, so it’s a purge list.”

“Exactly. But keep one thing in mind. Absolutely no personal feelings. Make your decisions coldly and rationally.”

“Of course.”

“Oh, and leave the CEO position at Soonyang Life Insurance vacant. That position is for you, President Yang.”

Yang Woo-chan’s face was filled with emotion, as if the deceased Chairman Jin had returned. He jumped to his feet.

“Thank you, Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi, Vice-chairman Jin Dong-gi. Giving me this opportunity again… I don’t know how to express my gratitude. I will never forget this kindness.”

Jin Young-gi patted Yang’s back as he bowed deeply.

“Let’s work together again like when your father was alive. I have high hopes. Haha.”

Yang bowed repeatedly to the two men as he left.

Watching him leave, Jin Young-gi chuckled.

“What do you think? Will he do a good job?”

“He’ll be meticulous. He’ll think they’re people he’ll be working with.”

“That old man, he’s made his money, shouldn’t he just relax and watch his grandchildren? He can’t let go of his greed even in his old age.”

Jin Young-gi frowned as if he’d seen a bug.

“What can you expect? Once they’re relegated to the back, all they can do is reminisce about the glory days, right? They miss those times.”

“He’ll be disappointed when he finds out compiling that list is his last mission….”

“Why? Do you feel sorry for him?”

“Sorry for him? Not a chance. I’ll buy him a meal and slip him some pocket money.”

As the two men sneered at the departed Yang Woo-chan, the door opened again and a man appeared.

“Oh, welcome, welcome. The new CEO of Soonyang Life Insurance.”

Jin Young-gi bowed deeply, exaggerating his greeting, but Jin Dong-gi only offered a bitter smile. Soonyang Life Insurance’s new CEO was clearly one of Jin Young-gi’s people.

“Come in, Sang-ki. Want some tea?”

Jin Sang-ki, who hadn’t visited the Soonyang headquarters in a long time, beamed at his eldest brother’s words.

“Brothers!”

* * *

“President Yang?”

“Yes. Rumor has it he’s been frequenting Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi’s office lately.”

Vice President Jang Do-hyung remained tense. This wasn’t the end of it.

“Chairman Jin Sang-ki is the same. He’s been showing up at the headquarters quite often, with a big grin on his face.”

No matter how hard they try to hide it, it’s impossible to conceal when they show up at the company. Especially on the executive floors, where a female employee meticulously monitors everyone who enters and exits, and those employees are quick to spread news.

“That’s not all, is it?”

Vice President Jang Do-hyung spoke with some difficulty.

“Chairman Jin Sang-ki has been openly declaring that he is the new head of Soonyang Financial Group.”

Ever since he heard about President Yang’s appearance, he had suspected that his two uncles were plotting something. But Jin Sang-ki?

Something felt off about this.

Considering the relationship between the three brothers, this plan had little chance of success.

“Our third uncle has a loose tongue. And he’s prone to exaggeration.”

“Isn’t it more dangerous than just boasting?”

Vice President Jang Do-hyung remained uneasy.

“No matter what they’re planning, they’re likely to fail. Do you know what’s most important when people try to work together?”

“Isn’t it a common interest? People will even join hands with their mortal enemies if they can benefit from it.”

“No. There’s something even more crucial before that. The willingness to accept a slight loss or a smaller share of the profits. You have to be able to give up some of your greed. That’s the hardest thing for the people in our family.”

But despite the words he spoke, he couldn’t shake off a nagging feeling of unease.