Unfinished Business 2

Seeing the earnest expression on my grandfather’s face, I moved instinctively. I couldn’t let him waste any more of his precious time because of me.

I quickly approached and supported his frail body.

“If we’re not going somewhere nice, I’m turning the car around.”

“It’s a place I’ve put off visiting for too long. You’ll love it, I’m sure. Haha.”

Grandfather gripped my hand tightly, his dry lips parting into a bright smile.

We made our way past the security guards, who had completely blocked off the area, and descended into the underground parking lot. Three cars were already idling, ready to go.

Seeing the ambulance waiting at the back gave me some peace of mind.

“What do you think of this car? I heard a new model came out, so I had them bring it.”

A BMW 7 Series stood proudly between the lead car and the ambulance, its low engine hum welcoming us.

“Once I use it today, I doubt I’ll have another chance. You should take it.”

“I have plenty of nice cars, Grandfather. You should keep using this one. You need to visit many more beautiful places and enjoy the breeze.”

“Don’t be silly. You know my condition. I appreciate the sentiment, but if a grandson’s comfort could make me young again, wouldn’t that be something? It’s pointless. Just take it.”

It pained me to see that Grandfather had already accepted his fate. It seemed he wouldn’t even try to extend his life by a single day.

Perhaps this moment was the only one we would have alone together. Time was running out. Damn it…!

The burly security guards climbed into the lead car.

“Take care, Chairman.”

Mr. Lee, the chief of staff, bowed his head. It seemed he wasn’t planning to join us.

The three cars slowly set off.

“You must be tired. Try to get some rest. I’ll let you know when we arrive.”

“How many days do I have left to rest forever? While I’m still breathing, I want to see my grandson’s face as much as I can.”

My grandfather, the iron-willed man, should I change his nickname? Every word he spoke pierced my heart.

“Well, a grandson as remarkable as you is hard to come by. Haha.”

I wanted to entertain him with some antics, as the youngest often does, but all I could manage was this lame joke.

Still, if he could smile at my feeble attempts, I suppose that was something to be grateful for.

“By the way, I heard you gave up on acquiring Daehyun Card?”

He’s a hard man to dissuade. Talking business at a time like this?

I was about to suggest changing the subject but then reconsidered. Perhaps the only time he felt truly alive was when he was working or discussing work.

“Yes. I’m sorry to disappoint you. LG Card caused such a big stir that Daehyun quickly came to their senses. They dangled bait in front of me, but I didn’t bite.”

“So? Have you completely given up on Daehyun Card?”

“No. I’ve changed my approach.”

“How?”

“I’m planning to go head-to-head and crush them. I’m going to lure away all their profitable customers.”

At the mention of a fight, Grandfather’s eyes sparkled with interest.

Indeed, it wasn’t my antics that brought him to life. It was the thrill of business.

“That might cost you a pretty penny.”

“It’s my only weapon, isn’t it?”

“The spoils might not be worth the cost.”

“Perhaps. But this isn’t the time to worry about profit and loss.”

“Why not? A businessman shouldn’t start a venture unless it promises a profit.”

“But I feel it’s time to make a statement. They keep underestimating me, trying to use me as a tool.”

“That rascal, Joo Kwang-sik?”

“Yes.”

“Once you’re underestimated, it’s over. Crush him so thoroughly that he wets himself at the mere sight of your shadow. Haha.”

In the moving car, I shared even the trivial details of the company. Seeing Grandfather’s contented smile as he listened made me feel increasingly at ease.

“Oh, by the way, President Oh Se-hyun has left the company and gone to Kota Kinabalu.”

“What? How old is he to be living like a playboy already?”

“Exactly. He’s living the good life now. It’s a shame you couldn’t visit the resort there, Grandfather.”

“Resort? No need. My home is a hundred times better and more comfortable. Why would I fly to a hot country? I only travel abroad for business. Why do you think I spent so much on a big house? To rest comfortably, of course.”

Even as a courtesy, he wouldn’t say he regretted not seeing the resort I built. That’s just like him.

We left late at night, so the roads were clear. Before I knew it, we had left Seoul and were heading south. The signs along the way gave me a clue about our destination.

“Pull over for a moment.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

With the hazard lights on, we stopped by the side of the road, and Grandfather rolled down the window.

“Do you remember that place?”

He pointed to a spot where the traffic light was glowing red, just like back then.

“Yes.”

It was where Deputy Kim Yoon-seok had driven the BMW for us, nearly sending us to the afterlife.

“Why don’t you step out for a bit? You’ve been driving for a while, so stretch your back and have a smoke.”

It wasn’t for the driver’s benefit. It was to keep him from hearing what Grandfather was about to say.

The driver understood the intention.

“Thank you, Chairman. I’ll wait outside.”

Once the driver stepped out, Grandfather rolled the window back up.

“It’s been quite some time since that accident, hasn’t it?”

“Yes. If we hadn’t come here today, I might not have remembered. I’m grateful to Deputy Kim Yoon-seok all over again.”

“Oh, bring that fellow by sometime. I never properly thanked him. I think I just scolded him, worried he’d cling to you. Haha.”

“No need. Didn’t you send him to Chief Lee Hak-jae? He’s always grateful for what he learned.”

“Still, bring him by. He’s a lifesaver.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Grandfather silently gazed at the accident site for a while.

“Do-jun.”

“Yes.”

When Grandfather spoke again, his voice trembled slightly.

“Have you ever thought there was something strange about that accident?”

What should I say? Should I admit that the curiosity was driving me mad and that I had my suspicions?

But I gave a simple answer.

“It was an accident. Didn’t they say it was the truck driver’s fault?”

“Do you truly believe that?”

“Yes.”

I answered without hesitation. I couldn’t bring myself to voice suspicions about family.

“You’ve become quite the liar, haven’t you? Not even a change in expression. Haha.”

For some reason, Grandfather laughed heartily, slapping the armrest.

“Grandfather.”

“Yes?”

“If it’s difficult to talk about, you can just leave it be. Didn’t I already say that if we hadn’t come here today, I wouldn’t have remembered? I’ve already forgotten all about it.”

I meant it. It was obvious who was behind it. It had to be a family member, right? Digging up a buried incident and sending someone to prison was impossible. It was truly over.

“I’m sorry.”

Grandfather suddenly grasped my hand.

“It all happened because of me. It’s my responsibility.”

“Why are you saying this all of a sudden…?”

He raised a hand to stop me.

“If I had paid a little more attention to your grandmother, none of this would have happened. We started living like strangers at some point, so she clung to her son instead of me.”

It was Grandmother.

I had thought it might have been one of my uncles… or all of them together. But a grandmother trying to harm her grandson? That was too cruel.

“She must have thought I intended to leave the entire Sunyang Group to you instead of her son. She would have been blinded by rage. If you took over Sunyang Group, she would lose everything—her husband, her inheritance, her son. So she tried to stop it before it happened.”

I didn’t want to hear any more. But I couldn’t interrupt Grandfather. He still had things he wanted to say, and there were things I needed to hear.

“She hated your mother because she felt she had lost her son to her. I felt the same way once. But for a different reason. I was disappointed in your father for not living up to my expectations, and I took that anger out on your innocent mother.”

“Father told me yesterday. He said he regrets the ten years he spent resenting you in his youth now that you’ve fallen ill. Please don’t blame yourself too much.”

“Yoon-gi really said that?”

“Yes.”

Grandfather’s fingers trembled slightly, and his eyes shone with joy.

I was immensely glad to have conveyed my father’s true feelings.

Wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, Grandfather spoke.

“They say old age makes you weepy, and I guess that’s true for me. His words have pulled out a deeply embedded nail from my heart.”

“I’m glad. So, Grandfather, you don’t need to say any more.”

“No, I’m not done yet.”

Grandfather steadied his trembling voice.

“Your grandmother might hate you for as long as she lives. It might only be after she’s gone that her hatred will fade. That immense resentment is because of me. So, for my sake, be generous and forgive her.”

This was what I needed to hear.

“Don’t worry. I’m just intimidated by Grandmother, not angry. And there’s nothing to forgive. I’ve already forgotten it all.”

“No. I’m telling you firmly, she might still try to harm you. Even if that happens, forgive her.”

The hatred directed at me was really aimed at Grandfather. It was so intense. No matter how much she resented her husband, hadn’t she lived a life of luxury because of him?

Perhaps it’s not hatred, but desire. A desire to claim everything her husband built as her own and not lose a single thing. This perspective makes it easier to understand.

The thought of harming her grandson is easier to accept as desire rather than hatred. Desire can be powerful enough to transcend blood ties.

“I promise, no matter what happens, I won’t hold it against you, Grandma. Please, let’s stop this.”

Grandfather looked into my eyes, trying to gauge my sincerity.

“Alright. If I can’t trust you, who can I trust?”

He nodded and rolled down the window.

“It’s cold out here. Let’s get going.”

The driver quickly signaled and got into the car.

The car headed south once more.

“Grandfather, aren’t we going to Seoul?”

“No, we just stopped by here on the way. We’re heading to Gunsan.”

Gunsan, huh.

Could it be that he’s pushing himself despite his frail health because of what he couldn’t do back then?

“Grandfather, I understand your intentions. Is it really necessary to go all the way to Gunsan? You’re not well, and it’ll only wear you out. Let’s just go back.”

“You fool! This is where the history of the Sunyang Group began. You think we can just pass by such an important place? Nonsense! Sometimes, the form is more important than the content.”

There’s no way to change his mind. I’ve decided to follow his wishes without complaint until the very end.

“And it’s not just for that reason. There’s someone you need to pay your respects to.”

Pay respects? To whom?

Surely… it can’t be the secret second wife he’s hidden away, can it?