Unfinished Business 5
In the hospital parking lot, my father and Director Lee Hak-jae were waiting with anxious expressions.
Grandfather stepped out of the car, ignoring the wheelchair the doctors had brought.
“Why bring that when I can walk a few steps? Let’s just go up.”
He strode confidently to the elevator and turned back to us.
“I won’t say it again. Everyone go home. I want to be alone today.”
We could only watch as the elevator doors closed swiftly.
As my father got into another elevator, he said, “Dojun, you should get some rest. I’ll meet with the hospital director before I leave. Hak-jae, you should rest too.”
Once the elevator doors closed behind my father, Director Lee let out a long sigh of relief.
“Dojun, are you tired?”
“No, I caught some sleep on the way here.”
“Then how about we have a chat?”
We moved to a nearby café.
“How was Gunsan?”
“It felt a bit empty.”
“Empty?”
“Yes, for something that’s supposed to be the history of the Sunyang Group, it seemed lacking. Just a few photos and souvenirs.”
“Is that so? I guess those who didn’t experience it firsthand don’t feel much.”
“It felt more like Grandfather’s photo album.”
“A photo album? Haha, that might be more fitting. It’s a place filled with the chairman’s memories.”
Director Lee chuckled, observing me.
“Did he say anything else?”
“He talked about that accident.”
I noticed his eyebrows twitch. He hadn’t expected Grandfather to reveal that it was Grandmother’s doing.
“You knew, didn’t you?”
“Of course. I investigated it.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Does Grandmother have people helping her? It seems impossible for regular employees to carry out such things.”
“The world is full of people who’ll do anything for money.”
“It’s hard to imagine the wife of the Sunyang Group chairman associating with such people. It’s risky. Please, tell me.”
“Why do you want to know so much?”
“Grandfather said to forgive her, even if she tries something again. I need to be prepared for that.”
Director Lee looked me straight in the eye.
“Do you think you can forgive?”
“It’s Grandfather’s request. I should honor it.”
“Hmm…”
He took a sip of his coffee, and I waited for him to continue.
“You know she runs an art museum and a support center for the arts, right?”
“Yes, I’ve heard it’s a top sponsor.”
“It’s a world where high-value art moves around. Fakes are rampant, and even experts struggle to tell them apart. Shady deals are common.”
“Ah…!”
“If a shady deal turns out to be a fake, would you report it to the police?”
Shady deals, not quite above board… it all pointed to smuggling.
There were rumors once. North Korean antiques were flooding into South Korea via China. The Sunyang Gallery was said to be the place where these were stored, a feat impossible without smuggling.
“So there’s an organization that handles such unsavory tasks.”
Director Lee nodded instead of answering.
“Money and power… I should remember Grandfather’s words. The first time is hard, but the second time, you won’t feel much guilt.”
“Isn’t it the same for you? You have money and power. If you order, Woo Byung-jun will warn her without batting an eye. He’ll tell her that if she messes with you, she’ll get it back.”
“Really?”
“He doesn’t even take my calls anymore. Has he sworn loyalty to you?”
It wasn’t just for show. They really erased the second-in-command of Sunyang. Still, I shouldn’t trust everything he says. They could be conspiring to deceive me.
Haven’t I learned from death not to trust people easily?
“Woo Byung-jun is top-notch. He’s a well-honed blade, so use him wisely and carefully.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Well, family matters aren’t my concern… Did the chairman say anything about the group?”
It’s natural for him to be curious about what Grandfather and I discussed, given our agreement.
“He only asked if I was confident in growing Sunyang bigger. Nothing else.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes, Director. Actually, I wanted to ask you. Does Grandfather plan to give me more control over the group?”
Director Lee shook his head.
“Everyone thinks the chairman has a few aces up his sleeve… but they’re wrong. He doesn’t have any controlling shares left. All that’s left is real estate and savings. I don’t know much about his personal assets. His personal lawyer handles that.”
“Are you sure?”
“I divided it myself. There’s nothing left.”
Hearing his firm words, I felt a bit deflated. I had hoped for a secret weapon to deliver a final blow.
He’s a cold man. Is he saying the one who fights and wins to the end is his successor?
“You look disappointed. Haha.”
“Yes, I had high hopes.”
“If you hadn’t made any mistakes, the chairman wouldn’t have let you down.”
Mistakes? Me? What does he mean by that?
Seeing my wide eyes, Director Lee waved his hand slightly.
“Not that kind of mistake. I mean not understanding people’s hearts.”
“Me?”
“Yes. If you had understood your parents’ hearts a little better… You showed off too much. You should have shown a bit of vulnerability, something that would make them feel pity and sympathy. It might have been different. The saying ‘a crying child gets more rice cake’ is true.”
Could it be true? Did he give me just enough shares because he trusted me?
“Ah, don’t think too deeply about it. It’s just my opinion. This conversation keeps going off track. By the way, you stopped somewhere on the way up, right?”
“Yes. I think you know him. Mr. Joo Byung-hae…”
“Huh? President Joo?”
Director Lee looked surprised.
“Yes. He told me to seek his help if I ever needed it and to visit him often. Do you know him well?”
“Of course.”
Seeing the faint smile on his face, it seemed he had fond memories.
“He’s an incredible man. If he had held on a little longer, he could have owned half of Sunyang. But he walked away without regret… a true man.”
“Still, he doesn’t seem to be living poorly.”
“Compared to what he gave up, he is. The chairman keeps an eye on him, so he lives that way. By the way, showing him to you means the chairman wants you to take care of him when he’s gone.”
“Ah, I see. I won’t forget.”
“He’s a wise man, so seeking his advice occasionally wouldn’t be bad. I call him sometimes too.”
Director Lee finished his coffee, seemingly ready to reveal the real reason he wanted to talk.
“Brace yourself. Once they know the chairman is out of commission, everyone will show their true colors. Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi will be the first to make a move. Whether his first target is you or Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi, they’ll soon start the purge.”
“Will you help?”
“I told you, I’ll uphold the chairman’s wishes. I’ll block any share transfers. But that’s it. Don’t expect me to lead the charge.”
“Understood. I’ll prepare thoroughly.”
“Especially be wary of the two vice chairmen teaming up to oust you. Get through that hurdle.”
“Is there anything you can give me to fight with?”
I asked with a smile, and Director Lee chuckled.
“Find it yourself. There are plenty of flaws in the second generation of chaebols to exploit, aren’t there? Heh.”
This man must be holding onto something too.
In 2003, the prosecution investigated allegations of rampant illegal funds during the 2002 presidential election, culminating in the arrest of a close aide to the opposition candidate. This news capped off the year.
When the Central Investigation Department announced a full-scale investigation into conglomerates involved in the so-called “car trunk method,” everyone was on high alert.
My two uncles were busy erasing their tracks in the election fund delivery process and finding someone else to stand in the prosecution’s photo line.
“Director, what happened to the Miracle Investment associates?”
“CEO Oh Se-hyun is practically retired, and the two employees who delivered the money left for the U.S. early on. They took their families, so we can consider that side covered.”
Executive Woo Byung-jun nodded.
“That’s good. The people who delivered your money to Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi’s side have been sent on vacation to Southeast Asia until the prosecution’s investigation ends.”
“Have you traced the flow of my money?”
“No. CEO Oh handled it cleanly. It’s impossible for me to find it, and even the prosecution would struggle unless they go all out. They’d have to secure all the U.S. accounts and compare them one by one.”
“Even if they do, they won’t find it. Tens of billions flow between New York and Yeouido daily.”
When I spoke confidently, Executive Woo shrugged in agreement.
“Neither of you are ordinary.”
“I’m only twenty-seven. I can’t get my hands dirty with muddy water yet.”
Woo Byung-jun slowly withdrew his smile.
“There’s a rumor that the chairman will remain in the hospital. Are you aware?”
“Where did such a rumor start?”
“The security guards at the chairman’s residence. Since he hasn’t been coming and going, they must have found it odd. Is it true?”
I didn’t trust this person completely, but I thought he was reliable enough to confirm the rumor.
“Yes. It was about a week ago.”
He spoke calmly, without a hint of surprise.
“Why keep it a secret?”
“It was my grandfather’s wish.”
“I see. Then please contact Director Lee Hak-jae and request a rotation of the security guards at the chairman’s residence. It’s standard procedure for the security team to rotate after a certain period, so they won’t see it as anything unusual.”
How long can we keep this under wraps?
If Grandfather doesn’t make a public appearance soon, it’s only a matter of time. Perhaps even my two uncles have started to suspect something.
“Understood. I’ll inform Director Lee.”
“I hesitate to ask, but has the chairman’s health deteriorated significantly?”
“Yes. The hospital says he doesn’t have much time left.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Woo Byung-jun pulled out his phone.
“Gather all the staff. Everyone except the driver for Director Jin Do-jun.”
He ended the brief call and stood up immediately.
“It would be best to keep today’s external schedule short and head home. Starting tomorrow, we’ll increase the security level.”
His sudden actions felt a bit excessive, making me uneasy.
Seeing my expression, his voice grew more serious.
“I’ve seen it many times—when someone with both power and wealth becomes anxious, they often act irrationally. I wouldn’t be surprised if a series of incidents occur until the succession within the Sunyang Group becomes clear. You should be on your guard as well.”
Considering what Grandmother has orchestrated, Woo Byung-jun’s words aren’t entirely off the mark. The reality of Grandfather’s impending death is starting to sink in.