Chapter 156: Give and Take 4
“So, how did it go? Did you get a read on them?”
“They like to act tough, don’t they? What about you, Uncle?”
“They just went through the motions. It was obvious they were only doing it because Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki asked them to.”
“Then it’s just Aunt left.”
Oh Se-hyun shook his head with a serious expression.
“They’re pretending to go after Vice Chairman Jin Seo-yoon, but… it feels like a fake.”
“A fake?”
“Jin Young-ki isn’t targeting his sister. He’s after his nephew.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. He wants to dig into Miracle’s background.”
“He wants to know if I’m the real owner of Sunyang Motors and the distribution group.”
“Exactly.”
“Then the Financial Supervisory Service should be busy by now…”
“I’ll look into that. I’ll also warn New York to be cautious, so nothing should happen. They can’t investigate a legitimate company without evidence.”
His expression still showed traces of worry. Public authorities don’t always wait for evidence before they act. They can start an investigation based on suspicion and circumstances alone.
It seemed inevitable that we’d have to weather a storm at some point.
And it felt like my uncle would need to get a bit dirty himself to feel satisfied.
Oh Se-hyun, sensing a hint of threat, spoke cautiously.
“Do-jun, maybe you should ask your grandfather…”
“No, I can’t do that. I can’t do something that would disappoint him.”
“Disappoint him?”
“Isn’t it like coming home after a fight and asking your big brother to step in? The moment I ask for that kind of favor, my grandfather would just look at me with disappointment. It’s a family matter, isn’t it? He’ll only care about the results.”
Even Oh Se-hyun had his connections, didn’t he?
No, all the high-ranking officials at HW Group could pull some strings with the prosecution. But Sunyang reigns over all their networks.
If I suggested going after Jin Young-ki, the eldest son of Sunyang Group, everyone would back off.
In the face of the power that controls the mainstream, the only thing to rely on is the united strength of the non-mainstream. A direct confrontation is difficult, but a guerrilla war might be possible.
Wasn’t it Prosecutor Lee Kang-sik?
He seemed tenacious, surviving and working in Seoul. If I wasn’t mistaken, he’d contact me before the business card I gave him loses its effect… Is he a timid guy?
“I apologize for the other day, Chief Jin.”
“No need. It was official business, after all. I was rude too. Let’s just call it even and forget about it.”
“But this place…?”
Prosecutor Lee Kang-sik looked around the room before sitting on the sofa.
“Oh, I bought it recently. There wasn’t a suitable place to avoid prying eyes. It’s a bit cramped, isn’t it? I hope it’s not too uncomfortable…”
“Cramped? It seems bigger than my apartment.”
I had acquired a large officetel in Yeouido, thinking it would be useful in many ways.
They advertised thorough security and perfect privacy, which caught my eye. I suspect it might have been built for the members of the National Assembly in Yeouido.
“But since there are no beds or living furniture, you don’t live here, do you?”
“No. Just think of it as a café. Would you like some coffee?”
“Oh, yes, please.”
I brewed a cup of coffee with the machine and placed it on the table.
“You’re quite impressive. Still a college student… Are all people from chaebol families like this? Do they start learning management from a young age?”
“You know that’s not true. As long as a third-generation chaebol doesn’t cause trouble, they’re considered filial. I’m just a bit diligent for someone with a silver spoon. A bit unusual, right?”
“Very unusual. Enough to make your uncles wary.”
Lee Kang-sik subtly revealed his intentions to show he was genuinely on my side.
“How’s the progress? It seems like it’s time to wrap things up… Nothing particularly noteworthy, right?”
“The orders were to just assess the situation with you and President Oh Se-hyun. The only one left is Vice Chairman Jin Seo-yoon.”
Stopping at that point confirmed that the prosecution’s actions were a fake.
“Have you summoned my aunt as a witness?”
“Not yet. They’re investigating the financial transactions of the paper companies, but it’s not my jurisdiction, so I don’t know the details.”
The way he scratched his head suggested he knew he wasn’t very useful at the moment.
But whether it’s a person or a tool, it all depends on the user, doesn’t it?
“Prosecutor Lee Kang-sik.”
“Yes.”
“How many close colleagues do you have at the Southern District Prosecutors’ Office?”
“Close colleagues…”
He seemed to understand my question about how many prosecutors would help me.
“There are a few.”
“Are you and your colleagues aiming for the Prosecutor General position? Or are you planning to make a big splash and jump to Yeouido?”
“Aiming for…”
Prosecutor Lee Kang-sik gave a bitter smile. I understood the meaning behind that smile.
Who doesn’t dream of success when they pass the bar exam, go through training, and become a prosecutor?
But as they get pushed around by reality, dreams fade, and only reality remains. Becoming a chief prosecutor and then opening a law practice in their hometown probably seemed like the most realistic goal.
“Can’t you change that goal?”
“Change my goal?”
“How about this? A high-paying lawyer position.”
His eyes lit up as he asked.
“When you say high-paying, what kind of figure are we talking about? I imagine the scale is different for a third-generation chaebol.”
“When someone who served as a chief prosecutor or a high-ranking prosecutor starts a law practice, the first year’s fees. Wouldn’t that be considered a high salary?”
Considering the preferential treatment for former high-ranking officials, it would be at least 5 billion won. His eyes sparkled even more. Plus, he had thoroughly investigated my accounts.
He knew I had made over 80 billion won from New Data Technology stocks. That money was still in my account, so there would be no doubt about the funds.
“To earn that kind of salary, I’d have to be willing to take on some tough jobs.”
“The tougher and riskier the job, the faster the promotion. A swordsman shines when wielding a sword, and a hunting dog is respected when it bites fiercely. If you’re too compliant, you’ll be taken advantage of. Just like you are now.”
I subtly pricked his pride, but he only bit his lip without getting angry. He knew he had been compliant because he lacked courage.
As long as a comfortable future was guaranteed, stabbing and biting wouldn’t be difficult. After all, he was a prosecutor.
“Who is the target for the sword?”
“You know, don’t you?”
“Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki of Sunyang. Is that right?”
“Yes. But you don’t need to bite. He has a few paper companies in his pocket. Investigating those should be enough.”
“Discreetly, if possible?”
“A few useful pieces of evidence will do. I’ll handle the stabbing.”
Prosecutor Lee Kang-sik remained silent for a short while before speaking.
“As you know, I’m being transferred to Cheongju in a month.”
He was asking me to solve his personnel issue. Asking me meant he was willing to meet my demands.
“A month is plenty of time. Find some useful evidence by then. You’ll stay at the Southern District Prosecutors’ Office.”
He needed to prove he was useful. The deadline was a month.
Prosecutor Lee Kang-sik finished his coffee in one gulp and stood up.
“Time is short, so I’ll take my leave. Oh, and I’ll bring some colleagues to visit you soon.”
“Sure. Let’s have a drink in a nice place then.”
Though still unripe, the basics for the hunt were in place.
How many non-mainstream members are there in the Southern District Prosecutors’ Office?
And among them, how many are capable swordsmen?
“Thank you, Father.”
“You did well.”
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki patted his son’s sunburned shoulder.
“Did you greet your uncle?”
“Yes. I visited him as soon as I arrived in Seoul.”
“Good. Have you moved your things?”
“I only took what I needed and gave the furniture to the staff. I bought it when I went to Geoje Island, and I never want to see it again.”
“Then start work tomorrow. We’ve prepared a spot for you in the Electronics Strategy Office. Building the Brand Identity for our mobile phones is a top priority, so learn a lot and prepare well.”
Jin Young-ki’s heart lightened as he saw his son’s bright expression, but his secretary cautiously opened the door.
“Vice Chairman, you have a visitor.”
“Tell them to wait!”
Jin Young-ki shouted, frowning. He had specifically instructed not to be disturbed while spending some rare quality time with his son.
But without waiting, the door swung open, and in walked none other than Jin Yoon-ki.
“Ah, Uncle.”
Jin Young-jun quickly stood and bowed, but Jin Yoon-ki didn’t even glance at him.
“Sorry to interrupt your father-son reunion, but could you step out for a moment?”
“Hey! What’s with you?”
Jin Young-ki glared at his brother, but Jin Yoon-ki showed no sign of backing down.
“Actually, it might be good for you to hear this too. Sit down.”
Jin Yoon-ki plopped down on the sofa and gestured for Jin Young-jun to sit.
“Big brother, you know why I’m here. Let’s stop this. Call the Southern District Prosecutors’ Office or the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office right now and tell them to drop everything.”
Jin Young-jun, clueless about the situation, shrank back, glancing between the two older men.
“Our youngest has grown up. Your demeanor has changed. You really look like a boss now.”
Jin Young-ki felt his anger rising at his insolent younger brother’s attitude, but he tried to maintain a composed appearance in front of his son.
“Using your in-laws’ media connections isn’t a bad move, but using it against family is a bit underhanded, don’t you think? The same goes for the prosecution. Who doesn’t have skeletons in their closet? I’m probably the only one without any. Are you trying to boast about who has more dirt?”
“That? It’s just the beginning. I’ll say it again—if you don’t stop now, I’ll make sure our big brother can’t show his face anywhere. I’m not just saying this for fun.”
Jin Young-gi’s face hardened at his younger brother’s warning.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but… you think you can take me on? Just because you’ve dabbled in some film company and people call you ‘boss,’ you think you’re some big shot? Enough with the nonsense.”
“Uncle, I don’t know what’s going on, but maybe you should calm down…”
Jin Young-jun, who should have kept quiet, interjected, and Jin Yoon-gi shot him a glare.
“I heard you booked a suite at the Hyatt as soon as you got to Seoul. A six-month stay, no less. Who’s staying there? An announcer? A girl group member? Or… oh, is it Lee Kyung-hee, the one you’re so smitten with these days?”
Jin Young-jun’s face went pale in an instant.
“You should be careful with her. Everyone calls her the next big innocent star, but she ran away from home in high school and has been through it all. She’s not as pure as she seems. Her management company is shady too—the boss is an ex-gangster. Oh, and she’s dabbled in drugs before. Did you know that? Are you involved too?”
Jin Yoon-gi’s words poured out like a waterfall, relentless and overwhelming.
“Watch out. They might have hidden cameras in that hotel room, recording everything you do together.”
“U-Uncle…”
Jin Young-jun stammered, visibly shaken as his uncle’s words crossed a line he never thought would be breached.
“There’s not much money to be made from a rookie actress. By now, that gangster boss is probably laughing, imagining how much cash he can squeeze out of you.”
“Enough! You bastard!”
Jin Young-gi couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted, but his brother, already in full battle mode, was unstoppable.