Once the territorial dispute was settled, the first order of business was to report to the Emperor. It was a matter of protocol and respect. After all, there’s nothing more disheartening than hearing such news from a third party.
As I quietly relayed the outcome of the territorial conflict, my grandfather let out a long sigh once I finished.
“How’s your aunt holding up? She must be quite shaken.”
“She’s managing well. As I mentioned, I’ll ensure her life remains unchanged.”
“Thank you for that. You’ve done well.”
His words of appreciation were comforting, yet his deep sigh lingered in my mind.
“I’m sorry for causing you concern…”
“No need. I can finally breathe easy. Ever since you separated from the main branch, I’ve been on edge, worried something might go wrong. But now, I can rest assured. You’re not one to squander what you’ve gained.”
“I’ll grow it further and make it even more robust.”
My grandfather glanced at me cautiously before asking, “Just one thing. About those stocks… did you set a trap for Seoyun to fall into?”
“No, not at all. Who in this country hasn’t heard of New Data Technology? My aunt was just one of many. The difference is, while the average person might have invested their savings, she went in with astronomical company funds.”
“So you didn’t give it a little nudge?”
“No, I simply seized the opportunity. I was lucky.”
He didn’t seem entirely convinced, suspecting I might have orchestrated something.
And so, he offered a piece of advice—or perhaps a request.
“Dojun.”
“Yes?”
“There’s one thing I hope you didn’t inherit from me.”
“I understand your concern, Grandfather. Rest assured, such a thing will never happen.”
“Thank you.”
He was a man who had ruthlessly cast aside even his own brother. We had no idea where his brother’s children were or how they were faring.
Perhaps my grandfather knew their whereabouts, but to me, they were distant relatives, easily severed ties—like my aunt or uncle.
He feared I might treat his children with the same coldness.
With his worries about family set aside, he turned his attention to the company.
“Selling goods is quite different from what you’ve done before, especially consumer goods. Are you confident?”
“If the landlord manages the tenants well, and the tenants manage the farmers well, the yield increases. Sometimes, you have to treat the farmers to a good meal. Isn’t that my job? But more importantly, it’s about acquiring fertile land.”
As I cautiously expressed my confidence, my grandfather gave a subtle smile, one that seemed to mock or perhaps belittle me.
“Seoyun managed the department stores and hotels better than expected. Do you know why?”
“I think… my aunt understood the essence of VIP customers. She’s a step above them.”
“Exactly. She dealt with the wealthy, naturally understanding her clients. She’d occasionally drop useful insights, and the staff executed them perfectly. You’ll need that too.”
“I’m fine. My aunt will continue to excel in that role.”
My grandfather understood the implication. I wasn’t casting her aside but allowing her to maintain her position.
But there was more to it. He imparted another lesson.
“I admire that you don’t find joy in frivolous spending like others. But there’s something called discernment. The ability to see the true value of things. You develop it by seeing, experiencing, and using them—not for vanity, but to recognize genuine worth. Cultivate that.”
I nodded at his words.
“It’s not just for running department stores or hotels, is it?”
“You’re young, with plenty of life ahead. It’ll be a useful tool to enrich your life.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Today, I was as respectful as possible. It was a moment filled with mixed emotions. A complex moment between a disappointing daughter and a trustworthy grandson, and I needed to ease his mind.
“Grandfather…”
“That’s enough. I’m so proud and moved that I’m holding back tears. Once again… well done. From a few plots of land in the countryside, you’ve taken over Ajin Group and absorbed Sunyang Motors. Now, even the department stores and hotels. You might not realize it, but you’re now the head of the 17th largest conglomerate.”
“It was all possible because you provided gifts whenever I needed them. It wasn’t because of my own abilities.”
Seventeenth?
Ah, the IMF crisis really shrank everyone’s fortunes.
I managed to shed all the excess and keep only the best parts… slipping into an empty house, so to speak.
“Don’t be so modest. The chairman of Daehyun Group supported his eldest grandson with money and the company, yet he squandered it all and now lives as a semi-retiree in Europe. Not everyone can make use of help.”
My grandfather stood up, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“Keep going as you are. Slowly, one step at a time. Quietly and discreetly. Understand?”
“Yes. I’ll be more careful to ensure no one gets hurt.”
I held his hand firmly on my shoulder.
“Thank you for that.”
“You did it. Congratulations.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Uncle. Thank you.”
“Don’t just thank me with words. Pay me back generously.”
“First, take care of this.”
I handed him the contract I’d signed with my aunt.
“Fill the company’s funds with 140 billion won before the year ends and transfer all the stocks in my aunt’s name to Miracle. Quickly.”
“Hey!”
“And one more thing, here’s a VIP membership for the Sunyang Golf Club, exclusive to executives. You can tee off anytime, and expenses are automatically covered by the company. And this is a hotel and condo membership. Only ten of these were issued, and it’s a higher grade than the golf club membership. It includes the Royal Suite. How does that sound?”
“Is that enough?”
“I said it’s just the beginning. It’ll go from one to a hundred.”
“My wife will love me for this. Haha.”
Oh Sehyun took the envelope I handed him, beaming with joy.
“Now, shall I go take care of the task our major shareholder assigned?”
Oh Sehyun gathered a few documents and called in the staff who would handle the task, then put on his coat. As he was about to leave the office, he paused and casually tossed a remark over his shoulder.
“Well done.”
After covering all the outstanding promissory notes and completing the stock transfer, I met with my aunt again. In just a few days, she had lost a lot of weight, and her face looked gaunt.
“So, what are you going to do with me now? Will you keep your promise, or are you going to kick me out?”
“Of course, I’ll keep my promise. I’m not that shallow.”
Her eyes softened a little.
“Just continue as you have been. The only difference is that you’ll become the official vice-chairman and integrate into the company system. I’ll own it, but you’ll still manage it. However, you’ll also share the responsibility.”
“Vice-chairman? And you’ll be the chairman?”
“No. As I said, I’ll only own it. Ownership and management will be completely separate. I’ll only look at performance. The chairman’s position is vacant. You could fill it, or someone else might. Perhaps someone from the department store or hotel with outstanding results.”
“If my performance is poor, you’ll fire me?”
“Of course. For a manager, performance is everything. Sales, profits, and vision. That’s all I’ll consider.”
My aunt seemed tense at my firm stance.
“Can I still use the hotel suite as my office…?”
“No. We’ve set up a vice-chairman’s office in the Sunyang Distribution building. You’ll need to come in and work. But you can still use the suite as your home.”
I gave her half. Now she needed to learn what she lacked. If she learned, I wouldn’t let go of her hand. But if she remained the same frivolous chaebol lady, she’d just become a moderately wealthy woman.
Still, she had changed a bit. She didn’t demand more.
“Aunt.”
“Yes?”
“As you might have guessed, I’m aiming for the chairman’s seat of Sunyang Group. If you help me and stay by my side, you’ll become the sole vice-chairman of Sunyang Group. I’ll keep that position open for you.”
“Are you telling me to remain beneath you forever?”
Her tone was still sarcastic.
“One step at a time.”
“What do you mean, one step at a time? Do I have anything left? I’ll just rot with the fancy title of vice-chairman of a department store group.”
“There’s a long way to go. It’ll take quite some time. Prepare yourself in the meantime.”
“Prepare for what?”
Her eyes sparkled with interest.
“Prepare to step over me. While I wield the sword at the forefront, removing uncles and dealing with cousin brothers, prepare thoroughly to strike at my neck… There will be plenty of opportunities.”
“Once you clear the path, I just have to get past you? Like a mouse on an ox’s back?”
“Exactly. But it won’t be easy. As you know, I’m not ordinary.”
Hope is cruel.
Even knowing it’s impossible, hope makes one endure all hardships and wait patiently.
Pandora’s box was filled with all sorts of calamities, but the greatest calamity was hope itself. Because of hope, one must endure all the calamities within the box.
In my aunt’s eyes, a glimmer of expectation and hope flickered.
She would now be tethered to me, driven by a hope that would never come.
“Everyone, please continue to work hard for the company’s growth, just as you have been.”
The expressions on the faces of the CEOs gathered at the Sunyang Distribution headquarters were far from cheerful. Although I represent Miracle, to them, I’m just another member of the family dynasty.
The reason for their discontent is that Jin Seo-yoon, as Vice President, still holds sway over them. I need to clear up this misunderstanding.
“Miracle holds the authority over personnel decisions. Vice President Jin Seo-yoon has no influence in this regard.”
“Isn’t a vice president without any say in personnel matters just a figurehead? Why should she even hold that position?”
Someone voiced their dissatisfaction, and I had to provide a reasonable answer.
“She is the only daughter cherished by Chairman Jin of the Sunyang Group. Instead of treating her harshly, I suggest you look after her well. It will be beneficial in the long run. Besides, isn’t she quite an asset to the management? Thanks to her connections, we have hundreds of VIPs at our department stores and hotels.”
Once they understood the role my aunt played within the company, their complaints subsided somewhat. Their expressions said it all.
Now, I needed to give them hope and get them on my side.
“Miracle will continue to own the company, but management is your responsibility. The position of chairman of the department store group is still vacant. It’s open to anyone who delivers outstanding management results.”
The possibility of rising higher, that hope, changed the look in their eyes.