Chapter 161: Slim and Tight 1
This is no time to be lost in thought.
All I’ve done is expose my wife’s massive gambling debts and illegal money transfers to the world, without gaining anything in return. I need to fix this… The real problem is the prosecution.
Will they quietly cover it up, or will they launch a full investigation and dig into my overseas slush funds? My wife’s gambling scandal might blow over after some public scorn, but the carefully accumulated slush funds must remain hidden.
If the details of my overseas properties get leaked to the press, it won’t just end with finger-pointing. It could escalate to a special investigation, and I must prevent that at all costs. I need to erase everything as quickly as possible.
“Gather everyone from management support, planning, strategy, PR, and the secretarial office.”
Jin Young-gi dragged his heavy feet towards the meeting room.
“Report.”
The vice chairman’s weary tone made the atmosphere in the room even heavier.
“The prosecution has its pride, so they can’t just dismiss it as a junior prosecutor’s rash decision. The Korean newspapers have been buzzing, and the domestic dailies have picked it up too…”
The reporter cautiously checked the vice chairman’s expression before continuing.
“They say it’s inevitable for you to appear as a reference in the overseas gambling case…”
“Are they asking me to stand in front of the prosecution’s photo line?”
“Yes. If we can keep the media at bay, they promise to wrap it up with a fine after a formal charge.”
“Good. What’s the PR team doing?”
A man stood up abruptly where Jin’s gaze landed.
“Just sit and talk. This isn’t a press conference.”
As Jin Young-gi waved his hand, the head of PR awkwardly sat back down.
“They’ve agreed to take down the online articles, but they insist on running one or two follow-up stories. We’re still negotiating. We’ll make sure to stop it.”
Jin Young-gi felt slightly relieved. If they could control the media, dealing with the prosecution would be easier. His wife had brought shame upon them nationwide. At this point, he felt like throwing her in jail.
“Don’t spare any money on the journalists or editors. Give them whatever they want, but make sure the gambling articles disappear.”
“Yes, Vice Chairman.”
Now, the most difficult issue remains.
The overseas accounts and money transfers.
This won’t be easy to cover up. Diverting dollars during the national crisis of overcoming the IMF is akin to treason. Treason is a grave crime, one that could lead to the destruction of an entire family. Rumors are already circulating that the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office is on the move.
“Manager Choi.”
“Yes, Vice Chairman.”
“Open an account with $500,000 and throw it to the prosecution… tell them to end it with that.”
“Yes.”
Everyone in the meeting knew this wouldn’t be the end. The mention of $500,000 from the vice chairman meant someone had to shoulder that responsibility.
It would end with a suspended sentence, and the person would likely receive at least two promotions and a special bonus of around a billion won.
Everyone started to watch each other.
Jin Young-gi glanced around the meeting room and casually threw out a comment as he stood up.
“Decide among yourselves who will take a short business trip. It’s not a long-term assignment, so don’t overthink it.”
After Lee Hak-jae’s report, Chairman Jin frowned.
“So, the tail leads to Young-gi?”
“It seems that way. The tax office staff who entered Miracle’s headquarters withdrew like the tide. Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi apparently contacted them urgently.”
“Foolish boy. You have to respect the pride of public officials.”
Even if they follow orders, it’s not a good look to have them come and go at the whim of a corporation rather than the head of their organization.
If this continues, it will be no different from the boy who cried wolf. The influence over government organizations will gradually weaken.
“What about the prosecution’s press conference? Was it a real investigation, or did Miracle ask for it?”
“It started under the vice chairman’s orders, but they turned. Miracle must have offered a bigger gift.”
“Have you contacted them?”
“Yes. The head of the Southern District Prosecutors’ Office seemed troubled. He said it’s difficult to cover it up as if it never happened.”
Chairman Jin clicked his tongue in frustration.
“If I’ve stepped back from the front lines, I shouldn’t have to worry about this… What a mess.”
He shook his head lightly and said,
“Just make sure the scope is clear. If it reaches Sunyang, it will be troublesome.”
“Yes, I’ll convey that. And…”
“Why the long face again?”
“It seems Mayor Choi has managed to dig something up through the Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office.”
“Choi’s son-in-law?”
“Yes. What should we do?”
“Leave Mayor Choi alone. It’s a family matter; they’ll sort it out among themselves. At my age, I still have to mediate kids’ fights… What a pain.”
Chairman Jin picked up the receiver with a heavy heart.
“You all know why I’ve called you here, right?”
Jin Young-gi was tense, and Jin Seo-yoon wore a sullen expression. The second son, Jin Dong-gi, just stared at his father with a blank face.
“I’m too ashamed to step outside. Can’t you all just behave?”
“Father, it was big brother who started this. I’m about to end up in jail…”
“So? You asked Choi, who’s practically a stranger, to investigate your brother? Is that what you should be doing?”
As Jin Young-gi glared at his sister as if he could kill her, Chairman Jin spoke in a firm tone.
“Contact everyone you can and settle this quietly.”
“Father, I’m not involved in this…”
“Quiet. You’re just as guilty. You may not have been directly involved, but you hid behind your brother, didn’t you? That’s why you brought Young-jun to Seoul. Didn’t I tell you? Not to let him set foot in Seoul until he becomes a decent person?”
Jin Dong-gi tried to interject, hoping to show he hadn’t caused any trouble, but all he got was a scolding.
“Typically, the second son is selfish and cunning, but you’ve taken it too far. When you need to step up, do it yourself, and when you need to step back, draw a clear line. If you keep acting sly, you’ll end up paying dearly.”
Faced with blatant criticism, Jin Dong-gi avoided his father’s gaze.
“Are you not going to answer? You need to do everything you can to calm this situation down!”
“Yes, I understand.”
He answered loudly, almost involuntarily, to Chairman Jin’s stern command.
“I’m afraid to read the papers or watch the news. Make sure nothing more comes out. If the name Sunyang is mentioned in the media after three days, be prepared. Mobilize all the executives if you have to, but silence it.”
Chairman Jin’s sharp gaze turned to his daughter.
“Tell Mayor Choi to stop as well. You might think he’s your last lifeline, but if you’re going to hold onto something, make sure it’s a strong rope, not a flimsy string.”
”…”
“Even the party finds him troublesome. With his mind elsewhere, how can he succeed in politics? There’s no future for him.”
When Jin Seo-yoon didn’t give a clear answer, Chairman Jin’s eyes narrowed.
“If you don’t stop him, I will. Should I let the whole nation know how much money he took from Daehyun Group?”
“No, I’ll handle it today.”
Hearing the firm responses from his three children, he let out a long sigh.
He knew this wouldn’t be the last time, but once the subsidiaries were sorted out, he planned to truly let go.
Chairman Jin began his final words of advice to his children.
“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say. There’s a reason I passed on the department stores and hotels to Seo-yoon.”
Jin Seo-yoon perked up, her eyes shining with interest.
“When I started Sunyang, my mind was filled with the idea of ‘industrial patriotism’—building industries to repay the nation. I believed it was the duty of a company to produce goods and sell them. Back then, even the most common items were so rare that we couldn’t use them.”
It was a noble beginning, but things are very different now. Chairman Jin hadn’t forgotten those early days, even if he no longer adhered to them.
“Hotels and department stores are just money-making ventures. They don’t align with the idea of industrial patriotism. That’s why I separated them. But you couldn’t even hold onto them for a year before losing them. Do you think Seo-yoon was foolish?”
Chairman Jin shook his head.
“Get rid of the notion that Sunyang is invincible. Out there, like a pack of wolves, many are waiting for a chance to pounce on us. A single mistake can lead to irreversible regret.”
His words carried an unusual emotional weight, as if he considered this his final advice.
“And the same goes for Sunyang Motors and Miracle. The IMF crisis broke the country’s defenses. I had to protect Sunyang. That’s why I practically gave it away for free. If I hadn’t, it would have started crumbling overseas and eventually shaken the headquarters.”
Chairman Jin looked at his two sons as he continued.
“You two need to reclaim the automobile business. Sunyang Motors has now merged with Ajin Motors, doubling in size. It won’t be easy, but you must bring it back.”
Jin Dong-gi, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. With Woosung Group now defunct, the merged automobile company is the only one that can rival Daehyun.
He hadn’t given up on his ambitions.
“Did you have any other agreements with CEO Oh Se-hyun?”
“Agreements?”
“Like a promise to return it someday…”
“No.”
The short answer made Jin Dong-gi’s facial muscles twitch. No matter what his father said, it was practically given away for free.
“Don’t underestimate him. Don’t assume you can buy the company back just by offering a lot of money. He’s someone who entered the top ranks of the business world in just a few years.”
Chairman Jin looked at Jin Dong-gi as he spoke.
“You meet Oh Se-hyun often because of the Woosung Shipbuilding acquisition, right?”
“Yes.”
“Make the most of that opportunity. Figure out what he wants. That’s the priority.”
“Understood.”
Chairman Jin gave his final words to his two sons.
“If you think of yourselves as kings, you’ll never get it back. You need to become a pack of wolves. You need the patience to wait for a tiny crack to appear and the strength to sever the leash in one swift move when the opportunity arises.”
“How have you been? Are you keeping well?”
“Because of you, I might not live to see my old age. Take it easy, will you?”
“Well, I’m just doing my best to stay alive. Haha.”
“I’ve told your uncles to wrap things up today. You shouldn’t push things too far either. We don’t want Sunyang to get hurt.”
I had a feeling when Grandpa called me. He wouldn’t forget to remind me to keep things in order so that no more issues arise.
“Well, that’s a relief for me. I don’t have the resources to do more anyway.”
“Good. In return, I’ll give you a little gift. I’ve put in a word here and there, so there shouldn’t be any issues with the duty-free shop permits at Incheon Airport. The downtown Seoul duty-free shop too.”
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
“The permits would have come through anyway. There’s no other company like ours among the applicants. I just hammered in one more nail for good measure.”
“I was anxious enough to need that nail. I was worried the prosecution might investigate Aunt, and that could have been a negative factor.”
“Well, I’m glad it helped. Anyway, it must have been a good learning experience for you… How do you feel?”
“Things went as planned. My goal was to ensure this never happens again.”
“So, did you achieve your goal? Do you think your uncle will stop bothering you now?”
“Yes. I used the weapon you gave me wisely.”
“The weapon I gave you? What was that?”
“The 17% stake in Sunyang Group that the car company holds.”
“What…?”
“When I threatened to throw it to my cousin uncle, it worked like a charm.”
Grandpa blinked for a moment, trying to process my words, then burst into a hearty laugh.