Chapter 56: A Matter of Money and Loyalty

My resolve to remain calm upon entering the study for the first time proved useless. Seeing Oh Se-hyun’s trembling fingertips, I realized his tension had reached its peak.

“Uncle, try not to see the Soonyang Group behind Grandfather. Just focus on him. It’ll be easier for you.”

Oh Se-hyun patted my back and gave a thumbs-up.

“Let’s go.”

As we entered the study, Grandfather took off his glasses and stood abruptly.

“Welcome. You must be Oh Se-hyun?”

“Yes, Chairman. It’s an honor.”

Oh Se-hyun bowed deeply, but Grandfather waved his hand dismissively.

“Alright, alright, sit down. Make yourself comfortable.”

Grandfather scrutinized Oh Se-hyun with sharp eyes.

“How old are you this year?”

“Fifty, sir.”

“Still in your prime, then.”

“Thanks to Do-jun, I feel like I’ve regained my youth.”

Huh? Flattery, too? I wondered if Oh Se-hyun had always been like this.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. They say you multiplied our Do-jun’s money a hundredfold? That’s quite a talent. Ha ha.”

When Oh Se-hyun shot me a questioning look, I subtly shook my head.

“Ah, that was… just luck. I’m always relieved that I didn’t lose the principal.”

“This fellow is too modest. I was just thinking how great it would be if you could use that talent for me.”

“You flatter me, sir.”

After praising Oh Se-hyun for a while, Grandfather pulled out a document.

“I hear this is the money we can salvage.”

“Yes, sir. A total of 270 billion won. Once the moratorium period ends, it’s obvious they’ll enter court receivership. We need to siphon it off before that happens. If we’re caught, Ajin’s Chairman Song and many of his executives will face inevitable arrest.”

“So, you’re asking me to launder money?”

“I’m afraid so, sir.”

“Hmm…”

Grandfather tapped the document, lost in thought.

“Grandfather, shouldn’t that money be set aside as retirement funds for Ajin Automobile’s executives?”

I spoke cautiously, but Grandfather ignored me.

“Why are you worried about those guys’ futures? What kind of people are they? They’ve probably secured their own retirements quite well.”

Grandfather turned to Oh Se-hyun.

“Will any of these guys go to jail?”

“Chairman Song believes we should send about three or four as a token gesture. He said he’s proposed that level of compromise to the creditor banks as well.”

Grandfather’s eyes darkened. It was a look I’d seen countless times—pure greed.

“Representative Oh, how about we put this money in Miracle Investments in the US?”

“All of it, sir?”

“Why? Can’t we?”

“It’s not that we can’t, but the method to withdraw it again…”

“Can’t we just reinvest all this money into Ajin Automobile? Then, we can legitimately pay those trying to get their hands on it through salaries, bonuses, or special incentives. Wouldn’t that solve the problem?”

Oh Se-hyun’s jaw dropped. If they were to use all 270 billion won, how high would the salaries and bonuses have to be?

But it was the most legal way to do it.

I was certain Grandfather had found a way to avoid paying out any of this money. The look he’d just given, filled with avarice, revealed his true intention.

“But what they want is a lump sum. Most of them will be resigning, so they’re demanding a hefty payout.”

Oh Se-hyun was still naive about Grandfather’s ways to make such a statement. It was falling on deaf ears.

Grandfather was already looking at Oh Se-hyun with a hint of pity.

“You’re cut out to be an investor. Management doesn’t seem like your forte.”

I almost burst out laughing at the sight of my uncle’s face flushing red.

“Why give money in advance that you don’t have to, when we’re already finding excuses not to pay what we owe?”

He stated this blatant absurdity as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Oh Se-hyun was visibly flustered, unsure how to respond.

“If we give them all this money upfront? They become strangers the moment they get it. They might even turn on you and attack you. In their eyes, you’ll be the villain who stole their Ajin Automobile, their castle.”

“Ah…”

Oh Se-hyun, who only dealt with numbers, had never truly witnessed the cowardly and treacherous side of people swaying like reeds in the wind.

“Money is both the whip and the carrot. Hold onto it. Dole it out bit by bit as you tame them. Like you’re doing them a favor. Speaking of which, didn’t you also use my billion won to summon Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae at your beck and call? That’s the power of money.”

“That’s not it, Chairman. You misunderstand. That was legally impossible…”

As a flustered Oh Se-hyun began to stammer out an explanation, Grandfather chuckled and waved his hand.

“Representative Oh, I’m not blaming you. I’m just giving you an example. Keep a close eye on them. Once those Ajin guys know this 270 billion won has been reinvested in Ajin Automobile, they’ll be licking your boots.”

Oh Se-hyun likely hadn’t expected such blatant greed. He seemed deeply shocked, unable to speak even after Grandfather finished.

I wanted to show him more of Grandfather’s true colors. We would be seeing each other often, after all.

“Grandfather, that’s not the whole reason, is it? You’re actually planning not to give them the money at all.”

When I said this with a smirk, Grandfather burst into laughter.

“You rascal! Are you trying to paint this old man as a shameless swindler? Ha ha!”

His gaze returned to Oh Se-hyun.

“What about you? Do you want to give them all that money? Or just pretend to?”

“If I could get away with it, of course I wouldn’t give it.”

“See? No one gives away money they don’t have to.”

Grandfather glanced back at me.

“See there? I’m not the only bad guy here. Ha ha.”

Enjoying a moment of self-amused laughter, Grandfather handed over the document.

“You go and persuade Chairman Song that this is the best way. I’ll take care of the money Ajin has stashed away. I’ll launder it clean and put it in Miracle’s vault before the court receivership.”

“Thank you, Chairman.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s all for my boy.”

As Oh Se-hyun and I got up, Grandfather pointed at me and shook his head.

“You stay a bit longer. I have something to say to you.”

“Then, I’ll head back first.”

Once Oh Se-hyun had left, Grandfather’s smile vanished.

“I hear you’ve filed for a leave of absence?”

It was something he’d find out eventually; I had no intention of keeping it a secret. But this was too fast. I’d submitted the request this morning and come straight here.

“Yes, I submitted it today.”

“Why?”

“Do you really need to ask? I’ve started something big, and I don’t have time for school…”

“You rascal. Who told you to attend every single class? Just keep your name on the rolls. I told you to tear up the leave of absence.”

“Grandfather.”

“Just do as I say. I know what you’re worried about.”

“Yes?”

“You want to avoid the scrutiny of your relatives by maintaining your student status, don’t you?”

“…….”

I was speechless before Grandfather, who saw right through me.

“These are problems you’ll have to face eventually. You can’t keep postponing them. You have to fight when you need to fight and extend your hand when you need to. When that time comes, being a student will be a disadvantage.”

“Why is that? Isn’t the one holding the reins you, Grandfather?”

It was a rather blunt question, but it was an issue that couldn’t be delayed or ignored any longer. Grandfather had brought it up first.

“You idiot. Is Soonyang Group a corner store? There are many places my authority doesn’t reach. If a few key subsidiary presidents side with your uncle, Soonyang Group will be split in two that very day.”

I knew the chances of that happening were slim, but I didn’t say anything. He wasn’t wrong.

When the full-scale group succession begins, Soonyang’s executives will see me, still clinging to my university student title, as a child. The start of succession means Grandfather has passed away, and power will instantly shift towards my uncle.

“Understood. I’ll follow your wishes, Grandfather.”

As I quietly bowed my head and left the study, a smile crept onto my face despite my attempts to suppress it.

I had once again confirmed that Grandfather’s heart was leaning towards me.

* * *

“Let’s go to Yeouido.”

Assistant Manager Kim, who was waiting for me, got behind the wheel and sped off. He glanced at me through the rearview mirror before speaking.

“Excuse me, sir, there’s something I need to tell you, if it’s alright?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“It might just be my imagination, but it seems like someone’s been tailing us lately.”

My hand, which had been toying with my Motorola StarTAC, froze.

“Since when?”

“Well, I’m not sure when it started exactly. I only noticed it a few days ago.”

“Tell me the details.”

“I haven’t seen anyone specifically, but it seems like a car has been following us. It’s probably just tracking our movements…”

Assistant Manager Kim had mentioned working at Yeongbin Gwan. He shouldn’t have received any training in detecting surveillance.

How did he know?

Catching my suspicious gaze in the rearview mirror, Assistant Manager Kim seemed flustered as he spoke.

“Ah, Chief Shin warned me. He said there’s been an unusual amount of tailing recently.”

“Chief Shin?”

“Yes, the team leader of our Strategy Team 1.”

“About the tailing… could it be reporters?”

For tabloid reporters always chasing gossip, a third-generation chaebol heir is prime prey, so being followed is common. A photo capturing them entering a hotel with a celebrity is as good as a check for tens of millions of won.

“Reporters don’t start following you from the morning.”

Could it be the people my uncle hired?

My unease must have shown on my face. Assistant Manager Kim spoke cautiously.

“Chief Shin is looking into who’s behind it. And… it seems like they’re still with us. If you’re not too busy, would you like to confirm?”

“Sure. Let’s go for a drive.”

“Please fasten your seatbelt. I’m going to put my foot down.”

The car sped along Gangbyeonbuk-ro, heading towards Jayuro.

* * *

“We don’t need to worry too much about the third son, Jin Sang-ki, and the fourth son, Jin Yun-ki. Jin Sang-ki sticks close to his eldest brother, Jin Young-ki, just wagging his tail. Jin Yun-ki has established himself in the film industry. The group is of no interest to him.”

“So, the problem is the second son, Jin Dong-ki?”

“Yes. If we’re looking at performance alone, Jin Dong-ki is far better. He’s the one who brought the chemical and heavy industries sector to the top domestically. His reputation among subsidiary presidents and executives is also excellent.”

“He’s lower in the succession order but has the support of his vassals?”

“Something like that. If things continue this way, Jin Dong-ki will likely take over the chemical and heavy industries divisions.”

In the dimly lit conference room, illuminated by the projector, the Soonyang Group family tree was densely filled with each member’s characteristics.

“What about Jin Seo-yoon, the only daughter?”

“She’s ambitious, but the general consensus is that she can’t overcome the limitations of being a woman. She’ll likely take over the department store, golf course, hotel, and cultural foundation.”

“Humph! Who decided that?”

“So-young! Be quiet and listen.”

Chairman Hong of Hanseong Ilbo glared at his granddaughter, who had scoffed, and Hong So-young shut her mouth.

“Continue.”

“Yes. But after starting the investigation, we found an unexpected dark horse. It’s Chairman Jin’s grandson, Jin Do-jun.”

“Jin Do-jun? The youngest?”

The Hong family members’ eyes widened at the unexpected information.

“Yes. The second son of the fourth son, Jin Yun-ki.”

“Why him? Isn’t he just a bookworm at Seoul National University’s law school?”

“He’s barely attended classes this semester. You can count the days he’s been on campus on one hand.”

“Then what is he doing?”

“He’s practically at Yeouido every day. He also visits Chairman Jin’s residence frequently.”

“Yeouido?”

“Yes. It seems he has a close relationship with the foreign investment firm, Miracle Investments. Our investigation shows he has considerable personal wealth.”

“How much?”

“At the very least, several tens of billions of won, possibly close to a hundred billion won.”

The Hong family members gasped at the mention of a hundred billion won.

“A college freshman with a hundred billion won?”