Chapter 99: Suspicions

“I hear you’ll be visiting Gunsan the day after tomorrow at dawn.”

“Gunsan? Are you sure?”

“Yes. He didn’t even inform his secretary and plans to go quietly…”

“Is he going alone?”

“I’m not sure about that.”

Chairman Jin’s driver stood with his hands clasped together, assuming a respectful posture.

“When did he mention going to Gunsan?”

“He mentioned it when he returned from Yeouido.”

“Yeouido, so it was Oh Se-hyun?”

“Yes. It was when he returned after meeting Mr. Oh Se-hyun.”

“Was Do-jun there as well?”

“I’m not sure about that… I waited outside.”

“Alright, you can go.”

The driver picked up the casually tossed envelope and quietly retreated.

After the driver left, he paced for a while before finally picking up the phone.

He quietly informed two people of this fact and hung up.

The two people who received the call were startled by the name Jin Do-jun and didn’t forget to thank the person who gave them this information.

* * *

The origin of exit polls in South Korea dates back to the 1st National Simultaneous Local Elections in 1995. MBC and Gallup Korea announced their predictions around 6:15 PM based on telephone surveys, accurately predicting the winners of all 15 metropolitan mayoral races.

Interestingly, while pre-election polls relatively accurately predict the results of presidential and local elections, they are notoriously inaccurate when it comes to National Assembly general elections.

The election day on June 4th was quiet, in stark contrast to the noisy campaigning of the previous days.

The person most anxious today was probably Jin Seo-yoon.

For her husband’s mayoral candidacy, she did all sorts of things she wouldn’t have dreamed of doing normally.

She would unleash the stress on her husband after each grueling day, but as election day arrived, she regretted not doing even more.

She had scoffed when she heard that Go Kyung-yeol’s wife scrubbed backs at the neighborhood bathhouse, but now she felt like she could even do full-body scrubs.

In the afternoon, she steadied her nerves at the campaign office while waiting for the exit poll results.

Her husband, seemingly confident of winning, was patting the shoulders of campaign workers and party members, praising their hard work.

Jin Seo-yoon frowned, displeased by this sight. She had hoped he would maintain a tense attitude until the results were out, but her husband always relaxed too early. He was quick to have expectations but even quicker to give up. The thought of tackling bigger things together made her sigh.

Since there were many people around, she couldn’t nag him and could only offer a gentle smile, which only made her feel more frustrated.

“Candidate! It’s starting now!”

At the campaign worker’s shout, everyone began staring intently at the TV.

6:15 PM.

A countdown appeared on the screen, and as the number 0 disappeared, a person’s name appeared.

『Candidate Number 2, Choi Chang-je: 42.1%』

Instantly, cheers erupted in the office.

Jin Seo-yoon squeezed her clasped hands and closed her eyes.

Finally, the first hurdle was cleared.

* * *

“Congratulations, Aunt’s Husband.”

– Do-jun, I will never forget your contribution. Let’s continue to work well together.

“Wouldn’t Uncle take good care of me? I’m just happy that the Mayor of Seoul is my uncle. Haha.”

Still, he was one to remember favors. Less than 30 minutes after the exit poll results appeared on TV, a thank-you call came in. He wasn’t completely shameless, at least.

Of course, there was also the aspect of securing a solid source of funding for the next election.

Her uncle didn’t forget to express his gratitude to Oh Se-hyun. Given the contract for election funds, it was natural for him to act obsequiously.

Despite hearing the accolades from the Seoul mayor-elect, Oh Se-hyun’s expression didn’t brighten.

“Damn it, I won, but it doesn’t feel good.”

Oh Se-hyun irritably turned off the TV.

“What are you going to do? Follow what Grandpa tells you? Or are you going to push back?”

“I’ll try to persuade him one more time. Flatter him, brown-nose him… If that doesn’t work, I’ll push back.”

“When I casually mentioned it to the construction company executives, they backed down.”

“Those people are Grandpa’s lackeys, after all.”

Oh Se-hyun sighed deeply and bit his lower lip.

“It feels like we’ve been had. We reached out because we trusted Chairman Jin, but it looks like we’re going to hand over Dae-ah Construction entirely. It was a mistake.”

“At the time, it was the best choice. Without Soonyang Construction’s people, it would have been impossible to gain this much control.”

Thanks to those people, they recovered hidden slush funds and were able to withdraw from unprofitable businesses. They kept the profitable business units and cleanly cut off the ones that were just bleeding money.

They were indispensable for the initial setup.

“Uncle, it’s all in the past. Let’s reflect, but not regret. In the worst-case scenario, we can hand over the entire DMC project and attach Dae-ah Construction to Soonyang. Let’s consider the loss as tuition. We learn from this.”

“If you learned something, then I’m okay with it. But all I got was a slap in the back of the head.”

“I learned something too. Don’t trust anyone. Hehe.”

He said this, but he still trusted his grandfather. No matter how huge the DMC project was, his grandfather wasn’t the kind of person to snatch it entirely from his grandson without even taking a feather.

Perhaps he was planning to give it back to him after the project succeeded. If he thought positively, that is.

“The election results probably won’t differ from the exit polls… I’m going to go see Grandpa. I’ll contact you immediately if anything special happens.”

He stood up with a heavy heart.

It seemed like he would be the first grandson to present a lavishly prepared table to his grandfather.

* * *

“Did you talk to your uncle?”

“Yes. He called me as soon as the poll results came out.”

“Immediately? How long after?”

“About 30 minutes?”

His grandfather chuckled.

“As soon as the results came out, your uncle called me in less than a minute. He kept thanking me, saying it was all thanks to me. But I didn’t do anything. Haha.”

Since he hadn’t done anything, he quickly offered his thanks. If he had wanted to, making his uncle lose would have been as easy as eating a piece of cake.

Just as pulling someone down into the water requires only one person, but rescuing them requires many, it’s a relief when someone who could tackle you out of the race steps aside.

Especially if that person has tremendous power.

“Grandfather.”

“Yes.”

“He’s already scared enough, you know? Your uncle moving according to your will—I know that without you having to say it.”

“You’re quick-witted. So, will you do as I say?”

“Before I tell you my thoughts, can I ask you one thing?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Are you really interested in the Mapo project? Or do you have other intentions?”

He was out of options, so asking directly was the only way.

“Other intentions? What other intentions?”

“I don’t know either.”

“See? You’re overthinking it, that’s why you can’t find the answer. There are no other intentions. Because of the IMF, even Soonyang is running out of money. We have to do whatever we can.”

“So, you’re taking away your beloved grandson’s livelihood?”

“And you?”

“Yes?”

His grandfather rested his chin on his hand and began to watch him with an amused expression.

“You lent 1 billion dollars… no, you didn’t lend it. You changed it to won and swallowed the automobile company whole, didn’t you? Even if I considered the exchange rate, wasn’t that a brutal takeover?”

He was speechless with disbelief. Could it be that he hadn’t forgotten what happened back then and was trying to repay the favor?

“Grandfather!”

“You idiot. You’ll make my ears fall off.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course? I’m serious. The automobile company, the group’s controlling shares… the losses were enormous. I need to replenish them this time.”

He couldn’t think of a good counterargument.

Using the power of the dollar, he had gained a lot. Of course, it was also possible because of his grandfather’s great concessions and consideration.

Now it was his grandfather’s turn.

His grandfather’s influence, their weaknesses as amateurs in the construction industry—wasn’t it natural for him to try and make a lot of money using these?

“Don’t feel too wronged. Even if Soonyang Construction becomes the main operator, I’ll make sure you get a good share.”

“How much is a ‘good share’?”

“Hmm, let’s see… enough for Dae-ah Construction to pay off some debt and settle overdue salaries.”

“Specifically.”

“I’ll ensure Dae-ah handles at least 30% of the total construction.”

The overall scale was already known. 30% was enough to be considered a decent amount, if not a fortune.

Judging by the reasonable figure that came out of his grandfather’s mouth, Dae-ah Construction’s executives must be reporting to him regularly.

He felt betrayed, but he had no intention of kicking them out. They were the people he would need when he took over Soonyang Construction.

“You won’t give any more than that, will you?”

“Stop being greedy. You know 30% is enough, don’t you?”

If he backed down here, the media empire his father was building would fall apart. Since the goal wasn’t to make money, he couldn’t accept the offer even if 30% was substantial.

Looking at his grandfather’s condescending gaze, he no longer hesitated.

“Grandfather. I’m really sorry, but….”

“You’d better think carefully before you say those words.”

His grandfather raised his hand, cutting him off with a firm warning. But it was too late to back down.

“I’ve been thinking about it since yesterday, but my mind hasn’t changed. I can’t concede on this matter. Even if my decision goes against your wishes, Grandfather, I’ll try. I’m sorry.”

“Are you serious? Are you confident you won’t regret it?”

He could feel sparks flying from his grandfather’s glaring eyes. It felt like all the blood was draining from his body, but he steeled his resolve.

“I won’t regret it even if I don’t get a single penny from DMC. And I won’t blame you, Grandfather. After all, I’ve come this far thanks to you.”

“Are you serious about that too?”

“Yes. But… if I lose everything, please understand if I don’t contact you for a few days. I might be a little sulky. Hehe.”

He wanted to show a relaxed demeanor, even if it was forced.

A man had to save face, didn’t he?

“My, my, for a threat, that sounds a little petty. You won’t even call to check in? Haha.”

“Yes. But I’ll try not to let it go over a week.”

His grandfather’s laughter eased the tension.

He got up from his seat. He had to start moving busily from now on. First, he had to get his aunt and uncle on his side. He wasn’t sure if it would work.

“Do-jun.”

“Yes.”

“Come again early tomorrow morning. Let’s go for a drive before we fight.”

What kind of hidden agenda was this?

His grandfather burst into hearty laughter as he saw him blinking in confusion at the door.

* * *

Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki stared intently at the chart that resembled a complex blueprint, rubbing his forehead.

“Currently, am I the largest shareholder?”

“Excluding the Chairman, yes.”

“If I secure friendly shares? Can I oppose Father?”

“It would be difficult. Securing management rights is impossible without inheriting the Chairman’s shares.”

The head-shaking indicated that it was absolutely impossible.

Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki cautiously opened his mouth towards the two lawyers standing beside him, giving their report.

“If, just if, Father were to pass away, what would the share structure look like?”

The two lawyers’ faces turned pale at the completely unexpected question.