[144] One Down, Three to Go
“Why do you seem so wronged?”
“Excuse me?”
“Did Director Lee fabricate any of the mistakes or wrongdoings he found?”
“Well, it’s just that…”
Executive Director Lim stammered, unable to firmly deny it.
“If we’re going to help you, we need to know everything. What mistakes were made, what went wrong. Understand?”
“I really didn’t cause any major problems…”
“No, not you.”
“What?”
“Director Lee has already got a knife to your throat, and it’s too late to dodge. We need to draw our own blade and aim it at the real target—President Jin Seo-yoon. After all, Director Lee is just her pawn.”
Executive Director Lim looked at me in disbelief when I suggested going after my aunt.
Oh Se-hyun remained silent, watching me, signaling that he would let me take the lead in this matter.
“Director Jin, are you serious?”
“You must have suspected something, which is why you came running here, right? The possibility that Miracle might take over your aunt’s position. Isn’t that it?”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“Then tell me everything. The 140 billion won your aunt lost in stock investments. The source of that money and its flow. We need to use that to put the knife to her throat. Then Director Lee will be the one to propose putting down the weapons.”
Executive Director Lim glanced at Oh Se-hyun, who merely shrugged, still saying nothing.
I understood why Executive Director Lim hesitated. It’s a family matter, after all. He might suspect that I intend to bury him instead of my aunt.
Seeing his hesitation, I spoke up.
“I’m not asking you to frame her. Just tell me the facts you can prove. If you exaggerate, it will backfire. I’ll decide if the facts you provide can be used as a weapon.”
“Well, it’s just that…”
Executive Director Lim began to speak cautiously, but as he revealed the source of the 140 billion won, his voice grew louder until he was practically shouting.
“This is insane! It’s one thing for the rich to withhold payments, but this is too much. By tomorrow, all the suppliers will be protesting at the department store entrance.”
“So, you’re saying the 140 billion didn’t pass through President Jin Seo-yoon’s hands as it flowed into Myeongdong?”
“That’s correct. It went from the company account to a shell company, then to Myeongdong.”
“Who’s the representative of this shell company?”
“It’s a ghost, really. The company was set up under a missing person’s name. It’s been around for quite a while.”
“A slush fund channel, then.”
“Yes, they issued invoices under various pretexts to siphon money from the hotels and department stores.”
“Investigating that company should yield undeniable evidence, then.”
“Yes, President Jin won’t be able to escape.”
“Seems like someone handling money is a bit slow on the uptake.”
Executive Director Lim tilted his head, puzzled by my disdainful look.
“The ones who funneled money to the shell company were the CEOs. Department store presidents, hotel presidents. Isn’t that evidence of their embezzlement? Do you think you can find traces of your aunt there?”
“What are you saying? Everyone knows that shell company is President Jin’s wallet.”
“Everyone knows, but what about the courts? The prosecution? Do you know about the principle of legal evidence? Can you prove with documents that the shell company was your aunt’s wallet?”
“Testimonies are evidence too. The CEOs and executives are all witnesses.”
“Exactly.”
When I slapped my knee and nodded, Executive Director Lim’s eyes widened.
“Convince them to testify, and I’ll handle the rest.”
He must betray his master to accept a new one.
“Let them know that if things go south, all those CEOs will be in the same boat as you. Someone has to take responsibility for the vanished 140 billion. If you quietly take the fall alone…”
“How could I just sit back? I have no intention of going down alone.”
“Then it will get noisy, and the hotel or department store CEOs will be in trouble. What if they all point fingers at you?”
“That’s… that’s absurd!”
Executive Director Lim was startled, but he knew it wasn’t impossible.
Lying for a master isn’t unheard of, is it?
“So their fingers need to point at President Jin Seo-yoon. Convince them. You must!”
I held Executive Director Lim’s trembling hands firmly.
“Director, you need to make a choice. We’re running out of time.”
“Executive Director Lim! You need to make sense. How can you say such things after all the favors I’ve received from President Jin?”
“You have to survive first, don’t you?”
“My friend! You can’t do this. President Jin Seo-yoon trusts you so much, and you want to betray her?”
The director of the largest and most senior branch of Sunyang Department Store in Gangnam frowned at Executive Director Lim.
“Director, President Jin is trying to pin her mess on me. It’s 140 billion won. If I go to prison for this, I’ll be locked up for ten years. I’m not saying this for my own gain.”
The mention of a ten-year sentence made the Gangnam branch director uneasy.
It’s not something you can criticize or point fingers at. In ten years, he’d be nearing seventy, wouldn’t he?
Executive Director Lim watched the director’s expression closely, not missing his chance.
“Director, I’ll be honest with you… I won’t go down alone.”
“What?”
“I’ve handled all the books for Sunyang Department Store and Hotel. I have records of all the slush funds siphoned off. If I release that, all the executives and presidents will be summoned.”
“You scoundrel! How dare you!”
A loud voice was expected in response to such blatant threats, but Executive Director Lim had no intention of stopping there.
“Director, this is an opportunity for change. A chance to break free from President Jin Seo-yoon’s shadow.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You were there, weren’t you? The contract.”
“Miracle?”
“Yes. As you know, Miracle is just an investment firm. They’re waiting for this opportunity. If they become the largest shareholder, our department store group will have the ideal separation of ownership and management.”
“An investment firm would go for a professional management system?”
“Is there any company owned by an investment firm that doesn’t have a professional management system? We’ve already broken away from Sunyang Group. Even President Jin can’t do anything about it.”
What salaried president wouldn’t want a professional management system?
Breaking free from the tyrannical control of the owner family and running an independent business was a more tempting offer than any threat.
As the first large discount mart was busy with final preparations for its opening, I entered the building standing next to it.
The 20-story building was still quiet, but it would soon be bustling.
This would be the new headquarters of Sunyang Distribution.
As I entered the conference room, guided by an employee, the smell of new furniture and faint paint made me feel excited.
While sipping a drink and looking out at the view, my aunt entered, wrapped in a shiny white fur coat.
“You’re here?”
I greeted her a bit stiffly and formally, and she glanced around the conference room.
“Where’s Director Oh? Not here yet? Or in the restroom?”
“Director Oh won’t be coming today. I’m here on his behalf, so you can discuss things with me.”
Her face brightened.
“Really? That’s a relief. It’ll be easy then, right? Just a simple chat with my nephew?”
I responded with a quiet smile and took a seat.
“Do-jun, what did Director Oh say?”
“First, we need to confirm whether you can fulfill your obligations regarding the bonds. It’s already well-known in the industry that you’ve suffered significant losses in stocks, so don’t bother trying to hide it.”
“Don’t be so harsh. It makes me nervous.”
She tried to maintain her composure and ease the chilly atmosphere, but I wasn’t in the mood to indulge her.
“It’s tough, isn’t it? You have over a billion won to cover immediately, let alone fulfilling your debt obligations. What are you going to do?”
“Well, since we’re on the topic, let me ask for a favor.”
“A favor?”
“Yes. Could you lend me a bit more? 150 billion won. I’ll use stocks as collateral again, under the same interest conditions as before. Please put in a good word with Director Oh.”
She still hadn’t grasped the situation, only listing her demands.
“Does that mean you can’t repay the principal and interest?”
“Why are you speaking so harshly? It’s not impossible. I’m just asking for a little more time.”
“Aunt, be precise. Can you do it by the end of the year, or not?”
Sensing the change in my tone, she finally seemed to realize the gravity of the situation, her voice trembling.
“D-Do-jun…”
“I’ll take that as a no.”
I placed a copy of the contract on the table.
“According to the contract, we’ll begin transferring the stocks set as collateral for distribution, department stores, and hotels to Miracle Investment. You have no objections, right?”
“Do-jun! Why are you doing this?”
“Don’t shout. I’m not deaf.”
“Did Director Oh tell you to do this? To take over my company?”
Faced with the harsh reality, she couldn’t stop the harsh words from spilling out.
“You snatched up Sunyang Motors for a pittance with your dollars, and now you’re after me? You thieving bastard. Do you really think I’ll just roll over and take it? Not a chance. Go tell that scoundrel this: he’ll pay dearly for underestimating the Sunyang Group. Now, go!”
My aunt’s shrill outburst was no different from any other middle-aged woman’s. The elegant, aristocratic facade she had maintained so carefully vanished without a trace the moment her composure slipped.
“Do you really think I’m going to pass on such nonsense? There’s no need. Get a grip. Do you honestly believe that throwing a tantrum will solve anything? The department store group you once owned—today, it leaves your hands. I imagine you poured quite a bit of affection into it… It’s only natural to shed a tear.”
The usually affectionate nephew was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a perfect proxy for Oh Se-hyun, and my aunt’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“Do-jun, please. Let’s persuade Mr. Oh together. If you just help a little…”
“Aunt.”
“Yes?”
“Why would we persuade Mr. Oh? He doesn’t even care about the department store.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
When will she realize that the smile on my lips is one of mockery?
“When the entire department store group, including Sunyang Distribution, leaves your hands, who do you think will take it? Oh Se-hyun? Not a chance.”
”…?”
My aunt blinked, staring at my mouth. Soon, her face would be frozen in shock.
“I’m going to take it all. Do you understand? Just like the car company, the department store group will be mine. And I have no intention of showing even the slightest bit of mercy for your situation.”
Does a big shock make reality harder to grasp?
She still doesn’t understand the meaning of my words.