Dozens of eyes were watching, and hundreds of ears were eager for gossip.
When it became impossible to hide the fact that Grandfather was staying in the hospital, he collapsed again.
The first news of the new year hit like a bolt from the blue, but I couldn’t rush to the hospital.
“Sir, I’ve checked who’s gathered in the hospital room. Only the vice-chairmen, their wives, and the chairman are there. None of your cousins have shown up, so perhaps it’s best to wait?”
It was Deputy Kim Yoon-seok who stopped my hurried steps. He continued, gauging my reaction.
“If you show up alone now, you’ll only draw unnecessary attention. The chairman will ask for you when he wakes up. It might be better to meet him then, just the two of you.”
For the first time, he offered his own opinion instead of just following orders, pointing out what I needed to be cautious about in my flustered state. Had he learned this from watching Director Lee Hak-jae?
“Is there a way to stay in close contact with the hospital?”
“You’ll be informed by the hospital director or your father, the chairman. Plus, I’ve made some arrangements.”
“What kind of arrangements?”
“The security team at the hospital is made up of Director Lee’s men. I’ve built a rapport with them over the years, sharing meals and drinks. I’ve asked them to keep me updated, so we won’t miss any critical moments.”
Managing people in advance? Is this an unexpected strength of his?
“Alright, let’s wait for now. But don’t miss a single moment. Make sure I’m not caught off guard by anything happening in that room.”
“Understood. I’ll keep you updated regularly.”
Confidence radiated from Kim Yoon-seok’s expression.
With four sons, four daughters-in-law, and one daughter, even the largest room in the special ward felt cramped.
“Please, keep your voices down and discuss this outside. Father is recovering.”
His sister was fussing, the eldest brother was badgering the hospital director, and the second brother was bombarding the doctors with questions. Jin Yoon-gi wanted them out of the room as quickly as possible, practically pushing them out.
“Director Lee! You come too. We need to talk!”
Vice-Chairman Jin Young-gi shouted at Director Lee Hak-jae, who was standing awkwardly, and headed out of the room. Director Lee’s cheek twitched as he glared at Jin Young-gi’s retreating back.
Anger surged at being treated like a subordinate, but he relaxed his expression when he saw Jin Yoon-gi holding his hand.
“When he gets worked up, he forgets his manners. Please bear with him.”
“He’s still the superior, isn’t he? He’s the closest to the Sunyang Group chairman’s office, while I’m just waiting to be ousted.”
“Brother! What are you talking about?”
“Never mind. Let’s go. It seems everyone has something to say to me. Heh.”
Lee Hak-jae patted the worried Jin Yoon-gi on the shoulder and moved on.
The hospital director, sweating nervously, explained Chairman Jin’s condition. When he concluded that the future was uncertain, a low sigh escaped from the children.
“How much time does he have left? You’re not saying it’s just a couple of months or half a year, are you?”
Vice-Chairman Jin Young-gi snapped at the hospital director.
“It’s not a predictable illness. It’s due to aging, so estimating the remaining time is beyond a doctor’s ability.”
The third son, Jin Sang-gi, scowled and shouted.
“What? Is that something a doctor should say? This is ridiculous…”
Finally, Vice-Chairman Jin Young-gi exploded.
“I’ve had enough of this nonsense! We pay you an enormous salary to save lives, not to spout useless drivel! If this were a company, you’d be out on your ear for such incompetence!”
“Brother!”
As Jin Yoon-gi tried to stop his brother’s harsh words, Jin Young-gi turned on him too.
“You’re just as bad! You should have informed us first. And you should have fired these incompetent doctors and brought in proper ones from the US or Japan!”
Unable to withstand Jin Young-gi’s finger-pointing, the hospital director bowed his head and left, followed by the other doctors.
Once the doctors were gone, Vice-Chairman Jin Dong-gi let out a derisive laugh.
“Let’s be honest. It’s not about their incompetence. You’re more upset because you don’t know how much time is left, right? There’s a lot to prepare if you want to take the chairman’s seat.”
“You little…”
As the two men’s eyes locked, Jin Seo-yoon stood up abruptly.
“You’re all doing a great job. Aren’t you embarrassed to be acting like this at your age? You’re all so eager to tear each other apart.”
“What?”
“Hey!”
Ignoring her two brothers, she gathered her coat and handbag.
“Do whatever you want. I’m going to stay by Father’s side and at least massage his arm.”
Without looking back, Jin Seo-yoon left.
She was no longer a player on the field, not even a benchwarmer. Just a staff member, so no one stopped her.
Her departure left an awkward silence in the room.
It was Director Lee Hak-jae who broke the silence.
“Vice-Chairman, I don’t have anything specific to say, but if you have something to discuss, go ahead.”
His somewhat provocative tone made Jin Young-gi’s eyebrows twitch.
“Why did you hide Father’s illness? Why did only you and Yoon-gi keep it a secret?”
“Brother, that’s a misunderstanding.”
“Keep quiet. I’m asking Director Lee. I have questions for you too, so wait.”
When Jin Yoon-gi intervened, Jin Young-gi shouted.
“That’s also a misunderstanding. Director Jin Yoon-gi is in a position where the hospital staff must report to him. An ultra-VIP was brought to the hospital; the hospital director can’t be unaware. We didn’t coordinate, nor was there a reason to.”
“Fine. Then why was it hidden from me, the eldest son? Is there a reason I shouldn’t know Father collapsed?”
“Well, it was the chairman’s directive. I don’t know his mind.”
“What?”
“He instructed us to keep quiet even if there were health warnings. He said he didn’t want to see his children’s faces when he woke up in the hospital. He intended to tell you himself, so I followed his wishes.”
Director Lee spoke with a blank expression and a dry tone.
Since it was the chairman’s directive, there was no room for further argument.
Even seeing the embarrassed expressions of the second generation, Director Lee’s expression remained unchanged. His voice turned businesslike again.
“I called Madam in Switzerland, but she just acknowledged it and hung up. I think it would be good for you to contact her.”
Director Lee addressed Jin Young-gi.
Despite her hatred for her husband, Madam’s affection for her eldest son was unmatched. She believed she should witness Chairman Jin’s final moments, whenever they might come.
Jin Young-gi nodded.
“I’ll call her. And… Director Lee, could we talk privately? I’d like to discuss something quietly.”
At that moment, both Jin Dong-gi and Jin Sang-gi’s eyes lit up.
Noticing their sharp gazes, Director Lee smiled slightly.
“Vice-Chairman Jin Young-gi, I’d prefer to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. Let’s discuss it here with everyone present.”
Seeing his brothers’ piercing looks, Jin Young-gi sighed briefly.
“Shouldn’t we send the daughters-in-law home? The doctors said the critical moment has passed, so they can come back when Father wakes up. You should go home too.”
The daughters-in-law hesitated, glancing at their husbands, who nodded in agreement.
Once they left, Jin Yoon-gi also stood up.
“I’m not interested in what you brothers have to say, so I’ll leave. Do as you please. Oh, and if the hospital contacts us, I’ll come running. The message will go to all of us, so don’t blame me anymore.”
With Jin Yoon-gi gone, only the three brothers and Director Lee remained. As Jin Young-gi glared at Director Lee with a sour expression, Jin Dong-gi spoke first.
“I’ll ask what you’re curious about, Brother. I’m very curious too.”
Jin Dong-gi’s gaze turned to Director Lee.
“Director, is there anything unusual in Father’s will? Any specific instructions about the remaining shares or a designated successor?”
Director Lee smiled as he looked at the three brothers.
“Since you’re all curious, I’ll tell you what I know. First, I’ve never seen the chairman’s will, so I have nothing to say about it. Second, the chairman doesn’t have any controlling shares left in the group. The succession process is complete.”
The news that there were no remaining shares left some relieved and others dismayed.
Jin Young-gi’s expression brightened instantly, while Jin Sang-gi’s turned ashen.
Despite being the third son of Sunyang, he held only a few powerless foundations. And it seemed it would remain that way forever.
Jin Dong-gi’s expression wasn’t much better.
If things continued as they were, he would have to concede the chairman’s position to Jin Young-gi.
“Are you sure? There are no more shares?”
Jin Sang-gi found it hard to accept this hopeless situation. It was difficult to acknowledge that even the slightest hope had vanished.
“It’s impossible to leave shares that would affect the group’s control as ‘inheritance.’ How would you handle the inheritance tax? There might be some leftover stocks from affiliates, but those are managed by the chairman’s personal lawyer.”
Jin Sang-gi let out a long sigh and kicked a chair in frustration.
“So, all that’s left is Father’s personal assets, is that it?”
“Yes, but don’t get your hopes up too high. Haven’t you always said it yourself? That you’ve owed so many people throughout your life, and you plan to share with them.”
Lee Hak-jae shook his head at Jin Young-gi’s insatiable greed.
He had already inherited the core subsidiaries. Despite receiving an inheritance so vast it was impossible to calculate, he seemed to covet even the smallest personal assets as if they were nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way.”
“Hold on a moment.”
It was Jin Dong-gi who stopped Lee Hak-jae as he was about to leave.
“What about you, Director Lee?”
“Sorry?”
“I’m asking what you plan to do with Sunyang Group now that Father is no longer with us.”
Lee Hak-jae hadn’t anticipated such a question. He hadn’t even begun to think about life after Chairman Jin’s passing.
“New wine should be put into new wineskins, as they say. Since both vice-chairmen have their own teams, I’ll quietly step aside. However…”
He addressed the two men with a respectful tone.
“Please take good care of the staff I’ve been working with. They’re hard to replace and losing them would be a loss for the group.”
“Wouldn’t it be a loss for the group if you left as well, Director Lee? Why not stay on for Sunyang’s sake?”
Jin Dong-gi’s suggestion was unexpected.
What was his true intention?
The phrase “another place” crossed Lee Hak-jae’s mind.
Did they think he would go to another company and spill Sunyang’s secrets? If that was the implication, it was an insult.
He had dedicated his life to this company, receiving the highest regard and trust from Chairman Jin. He wouldn’t take that lightly.
“Moving to a new nest should be worth it. If it were the chairman’s position at Sunyang, I might consider it, but nothing else interests me. As I said, I’ll quietly retire from active duty. Well then…”
With a slight bow, Lee Hak-jae left the room.
The thought of leaving them a bit bewildered brought a smile to his face.