Chapter 88: Secrets

Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi’s hands trembled as he stared at the personnel changes clipped to the decision board.

He still had to follow his father’s decisions for appointments at the subsidiary president level, but the collective resignation of the construction executives without a single word to him was an unbearable blow to his pride.

“Did those people come to work today?”

“They haven’t come to the company.”

“Then?”

….

Seeing his nervous secretary hesitate, Jin Young-gi sighed softly and lowered his voice.

“Report what you’ve found out. It’s alright.”

“It seems President Hong Song-cheol received direct orders from the Chairman. President Hong was responsible for selecting people, including Executive Director Baek Jae-jin. And…”

“And what else?”

“The selected individuals are reporting to the Miracle Investment office in Yeouido.”

“Miracle, as in Oh Se-hyun, that bastard?”

“Yes. Both the Soonyang Automobile situation and this one… it seems Miracle definitely has a close relationship with the Chairman.”

“Miracle lent us a billion dollars. Maybe it’s just a business partnership that started then.”

The secretary’s use of “close relationship” implied that Miracle might be the Chairman’s slush fund.

Jin Young-gi shook his head.

He knew his father wouldn’t expose a slush fund like this if he had one.

“Don’t you know anything else?”

“I apologize. The Chairman told them to keep quiet for the time being, so they keep repeating that they can’t reveal any details. Wouldn’t it be better if the Vice-chairman met with them?”

“They’re all loyal to Father. None of them would talk just because I asked.”

“What about Director Kim Kyung-shik? He seems too young to be one of the Chairman’s inner circle.”

“Kim Kyung-shik?”

“Yes. You know him, don’t you? Executives get excited when they get promoted and try hard to latch onto someone powerful… If the Vice-chairman calls, he’ll drop everything to come.”

“Hmm….”

He barely remembered the guy’s face. He was the kind of guy whose executive position would be his last, so he might shed tears of gratitude if he called.

“Tell him I want to have dinner. Quietly.”

When he first saw the personnel file, he wanted to rush to his father and question him, but now he knew how to hold back.

At his age in his mid-fifties, he knew he had to rely on his own power to secure his share.

* * *

“Eat as much as you like. Congratulations on the promotion, even though it’s a bit late. Getting fired right after becoming a director.”

The fact that Director Kim Kyung-shik came running meant he hadn’t left Soonyang. The collective resignation of the construction executives was just a formality on paper.

“I apologize, Vice-chairman. I was in a hurry preparing, so I couldn’t even properly greet you.”

“No, no. Whether you work inside or outside the company, you’re still a Soonyang person.”

Jin Young-gi poured a drink while observing Director Kim Kyung-shik’s expression.

“How is it working with Representative Oh Se-hyun? Is it difficult?”

“It’s fine. He’s been abroad for a long time, so he’s very open-minded.”

It was clear that Kim Kyung-shik wasn’t wary of him.

Of course, wasn’t he the Chairman’s eldest son and the Vice-chairman? Kim Kyung-shik probably thought he knew everything and that this dinner was just to offer encouragement.

“Does that mean progress is fast?”

“Yes. The acquisition of Dae-ah Construction is imminent, and the Digital Media City project has a clear concept with well-defined details. We can finalize the construction timeline and total cost estimates by the first half of the year.”

Acquisition of Dae-ah Construction?

Digital what? City?

He tried hard not to show his surprise, but then an even more shocking name came up.

“And, Do-jun… no, I mean, Chief Jin Do-jun is also amazing. Sometimes, it feels like he’s leading the work rather than learning. Blood is thicker than water, I guess. Haha.”

It was clearly meant to be a flattering remark, but it didn’t make sense.

Jin Do-jun?

Jin Young-gi quickly downed a shot of liquor to hide his shock.

He slammed the glass on the table, chewed on a piece of sashimi, and then spoke.

“Oh, right, Do-jun was there too? But chief? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Didn’t you know? It’s nothing much. Representative Oh just made some business cards to introduce him when he takes him around.”

Learning the ropes, taking him around.

Red flags went up in Jin Young-gi’s mind.

“This is the first I’ve heard that our youngest nephew is learning under Representative Oh… What’s he learning there?”

“Oh, dear… I shouldn’t have said anything….”

“No, it’s fine. Everyone’s so busy, we haven’t had time to pay attention to what our nephew’s doing… It’s okay. Speak freely.”

“Even if the Chairman hadn’t said anything, I could guess. He seemed to be aiming to become an investment and M&A expert.”

“Like Representative Oh Se-hyun?”

“Yes.”

The alarm bells faded. If he was directing investments and M&A outside of Soonyang instead of joining the company, he would only be a general for Soonyang, not someone vying for the throne.

“I was hoping for a prosecutor nephew, but I guess blood will tell, huh? Heh.”

Relieved for the moment, Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi cautiously probed Kim Kyung-shik.

“And I’d like to hear your thoughts….”

“Yes, please tell me, Vice-chairman.”

“Will Dae-ah Construction be able to carry out that project smoothly? I heard it’s large-scale.”

“It is. Very…”

Kim Kyung-shik suddenly stopped talking. Wasn’t it taboo for any construction company to talk about projects? It was common sense to keep it secret even from your wife.

And judging by his tone, the Vice-chairman didn’t seem to know the details.

Seeing Kim Kyung-shik’s troubled expression, Jin Young-gi immediately spoke.

“I know it’s huge. That’s why I’m asking. I vaguely heard about it from Father, but I haven’t paid much attention since it’s an external project.”

“Ah, I see. Don’t worry. As I mentioned, it’s proceeding without any issues. It’s a multi-trillion won project, so even the smallest mistake is unacceptable.”

Jin Young-gi felt like he’d been hit on the head with a hammer, but he nodded without showing it.

Multi-trillion won?

Companies were collapsing left and right across the country. How could they be proceeding with a multi-trillion won project?

To make matters worse, if such a massive project existed, Soonyang Construction should be the one in charge, so why was it being outsourced?

Doubts lingered, but he didn’t ask further. If he pressed too much, even this seemingly clueless director might realize he knew nothing.

“But even if that project goes smoothly, wouldn’t it be difficult to merge back with Soonyang? Since Miracle will have acquired it.”

“Is that so? The Chairman’s words were a bit different….”

“Situations always change.”

Seeing the worried look on Kim Kyung-shik’s face, as if he’d crossed a point of no return, Jin Young-gi was sure this was all the man knew.

Jin Young-gi refilled Kim Kyung-shik’s glass and asked about other things, but nothing more came out.

The only person who could answer his questions clearly was his father.

* * *

“Hyung-nim. What brings you to my office…? I would have come if you’d called.”

President Jin Dong-gi was genuinely surprised to see Jin Young-gi suddenly walk into his office.

Their offices were exactly fifteen steps away from each other, but as they grew older and the competition between them became commonplace, the two brothers felt uncomfortable even seeing each other’s faces.

“I have something to discuss. Why, is it inconvenient?”

“Ah, no. Please, have a seat.”

As they sat facing each other on the sofa, the awkwardness intensified.

Jin Young-gi looked around the office, taking it all in, before speaking.

“It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve been here. Nothing’s changed. Why don’t you replace the desk or sofas? They’re too old.”

Jin Young-gi ran his hand over a cracked part of the sofa’s armrest.

“Didn’t Father give me this desk when I was promoted to president, and you gave me this sofa, Hyung-nim? I can’t just change them.”

“Did I? I don’t even remember.”

Another silence descended as they drank the tea brought by the secretary.

Eventually, the younger brother spoke first. Since his older brother had made the rare trip, he must have something important to say. Cooperating was the least he could do.

“Hyung-nim, I doubt you came just to say hello… Feel free to say what’s on your mind.”

“Alright, I came because I felt we needed to talk frankly. Are you aware of the collective resignation of the Soonyang Construction executives?”

“Yes. Isn’t the company in an uproar because of it?”

“I’m asking if you know the reason.”

“I’ve only heard rumors, so I don’t know for sure….”

“That it’s related to Miracle’s Oh Se-hyun?”

“Yes. I heard they’re all reporting to Yeouido.”

His younger brother also had many informants acting as his eyes and ears. He probably already knew this was for the acquisition of Dae-ah Construction.

“Shouldn’t we figure out the relationship between Miracle Investment, Oh Se-hyun, and Father?”

“Why? Are you worried?”

Seeing Jin Dong-gi speak with a slight smile, something inside Jin Young-gi flared up again.

His younger brother’s attitude of looking down on him, the older brother and eldest son of the family, always created a barrier between them.

“Aren’t you?”

“Not yet.”

“Why?”

“I’m guessing it’s because of Yoon-ki. Father dotes on Do-jun so much, so he probably sees Yoon-ki favorably too. And Yoon-ki is capable of providing for himself now. Maybe Father just wants to give something to his youngest son.”

“And that something is Miracle?”

“I heard Oh Se-hyun is Yoon-ki’s friend. Father invested some money there and is coaching him, planning to give it to Yoon-ki as his share.”

Jin Dong-gi took a sip of his tea before continuing.

“If he gave a few pieces of Soonyang Group, you and I would try to take them back anyway, wouldn’t we? Haha.”

“Is that why he’s also giving away the automobile company and fostering another construction company? Doesn’t that seem like too much for Yoon-ki’s share?”

“Are you talking about Dae-ah Construction?”

Indeed, his younger brother knew about the acquisition of Dae-ah Construction.

“How can you be so nonchalant about it when you know that?”

“Dae-ah Construction’s size is only half of our Soonyang Construction. It’s not like he’s splitting Soonyang Construction. It’s just adding another affiliate. There’s no need to worry.”

“You don’t know what Dae-ah Construction’s first project this year is. If you did, you wouldn’t say that.”

Jin Dong-gi was speechless.

He hadn’t yet figured out what their first project was, just as his older brother said.

Seeing his younger brother’s wide eyes and closed mouth, Jin Young-gi felt a surge of smugness. He was always acting like he knew everything, his gaze constantly looking down on him, but now his younger brother was watching his every move.

But he didn’t press for answers. It was because he didn’t want to admit that things were happening without his knowledge.

‘Such a smug bastard.’

How should he put that know-it-all in his place?

“You’re curious, but your pride won’t let you ask. Hehehe.”

Mocking him even once made him feel better.

Enough with the power struggle!

Right now, the more important thing was to find out what their father was planning behind their backs.

“Dae-ah is involved in a multi-trillion won project. If it succeeds, it might rival Soonyang Construction. Shouldn’t we find out why he’s giving away such a gold mine?”

“Are you saying it’s a trillion-won project?”

Jin Young-gi simply nodded. Now it was his younger brother’s turn to ask questions.

“Aren’t you mistaken? There’s a financial drought across the country. How can there be a multi-trillion won project? It’s impossible.”

Jin Dong-gi shook his head.

“Besides, Dae-ah Construction is on the verge of bankruptcy. If they had that kind of money, they should be paying off their debts first.”

“Logically, it doesn’t make sense, right? But isn’t making the illogical logical our father’s specialty? What if Father is the one orchestrating and directing this whole thing?”

Jin Dong-gi was speechless again.

“Giving Yoon-ki the automobile company, which was just for show, is one thing. But pushing a multi-trillion won project? Does that also look like a gift for Yoon-ki?”

Vice-chairman Jin Young-gi looked at his younger brother’s tightly closed lips, hoping he felt the same sense of crisis.

Only then would he take the hand he was offering.