Chapter 1
Jae-ho Cho, the president of HW Motors, gave a reassuring pat on the shoulder of a visibly tense Hak-jae Lee, the director of operations, and chuckled.
“Why so nervous? It’s not like this is your first press conference.”
“Well, I’ve never been the subject of one before. This time, it’s all about me, isn’t it?”
“But it’s good news, right? You’re becoming the chairman. That’s a positive change, isn’t it? Up until now, your press conferences were all about apologies or excuses… or mostly just denials, weren’t they? ‘No secret accounts,’ ‘No political slush funds,’ ‘It was an independent action by the company, and Chairman Jin knew nothing about it.’ Ha!”
“Why are you bringing that up, sir? I’m already worried sick about those kinds of questions coming up…”
Hak-jae grumbled, lowering his voice.
“But sir…”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Are you really okay with this?”
“With what?”
“With me becoming the group chairman. I’m technically your junior, yet I’ll be above you…”
Jae-ho Cho raised a hand to stop him.
“Junior? What nonsense! Back in the Sunyang days, were you ever really beneath me? You were like a terrifying mother-in-law!”
“Sir, I wasn’t that bad…”
“Weren’t you the one who kept the affiliate presidents in line, riding on Chairman Jin’s coattails? They say the overseer is scarier than the landlord, and you were exactly that. Even though I was on friendly terms with the chairman, I still had to watch out for you.”
Hak-jae was at a loss for words, and Jae-ho burst into laughter again.
“That’s all in the past. Let it go. And personally, I hold you in high regard. You were too talented to be stuck handling Sunyang Group’s dirty work. This is a great opportunity for you to show your true potential. Everything’s worked out well.”
Encouraged by Jae-ho’s words, Hak-jae’s expression brightened.
“But aren’t you disappointed?”
“About what? I never wanted the chairman position in the first place.”
“No, I mean about Sunyang Group.”
“What do you mean?”
“Honestly, Chairman Jin handed over the automotive division so easily, it was almost unbelievable. I thought it was temporary and that we’d soon bring it back to Sunyang. I’m sure you thought the same.”
“Oh, that?”
“Now that the chairman has passed, our ties with Sunyang Group are severed. Aren’t you sad about that?”
“Not at all.”
His immediate response left no doubt about his sincerity.
“At first, I was anxious about when I’d have to return. I was always on edge about who the real owner of Sunyang Motors was. Was it Chairman Jin, Miracle, or was it meant for Do-jun, the chairman’s secret favorite…?”
“So, who does it belong to?”
Hak-jae asked with curiosity, but Jae-ho just gave a short laugh.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. With the chairman gone, it’s either Miracle or Do-jun. But whoever it is, they’re just shareholders. If the business doesn’t perform well, I’ll have to step down, but that’s on me.”
Hak-jae could see the clarity in Jae-ho’s thoughts.
“How many Sunyang Group presidents have stepped down because of poor performance? It was always about getting caught with slush funds, falling out with the second generation, or defying the chairman’s orders. But here, I can just focus on work, and it’s incredibly freeing.”
“Things might change once I become chairman.”
Jae-ho shook his head.
“You’ll change. But HW Group’s structure isn’t so weak that one person can alter it.”
Hak-jae saw the confidence in Jae-ho’s eyes.
“It’s time to start. Shall we go?”
A secretary entered the waiting room to announce that it was time for the press conference.
“Let’s go. Just relax and be yourself.”
The two men left the waiting room and headed to the conference hall.
As they entered, the room was filled with the sound of camera flashes and shutters.
“Wow, why are there so many reporters?”
Hak-jae muttered to himself, and Jae-ho leaned in with a grin.
“Today and tomorrow, we need to make a splash. The news of your appointment as HW Group’s chairman should overshadow the president’s impeachment.”
The two sat side by side and began the press conference.
After the formal announcements, Jae-ho spoke up.
“Now, we’ll take questions from the press.”
Predictable questions were asked, and well-rehearsed answers were given.
“You were the second-in-command at Sunyang. Isn’t moving to another company as its head a breach of corporate ethics? You know many of Sunyang Group’s secrets, don’t you?”
A reporter, perhaps not fully briefed, asked a sensitive question.
As Jae-ho reached for the microphone, Hak-jae spoke first.
“Corporate ethics isn’t about that. It’s about exploiting a company’s competitive edge, like technology or know-how, which is indeed condemnable. But I was the chief secretary to the chairman of Sunyang Group.”
Hak-jae scratched his head lightly.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t know Sunyang Group’s technology even if I saw it. What I’m bringing to HW Group is my experience. A chairman is just a salaried employee, hired for their experience, nothing more, nothing less. Experience isn’t a company secret.”
Jae-ho interjected with a chuckle.
“Even if Chairman Lee’s salary is high, he doesn’t own a single share of HW Group, so he’s just an employee. Haha.”
“What’s going on here?”
“What do you mean? Can’t you see? He’s found a new nest and fled!”
Dong-ki Jin angrily turned off the TV, while Young-ki Jin bit his lip.
“That bastard! Why are you yelling? And… didn’t you say Hak-jae Lee was as good as surrendered? You said everything was settled!”
As Vice Chairman Young-ki Jin shouted, Dong-ki clammed up like a mute.
Young-ki, displeased with his brother, picked up the phone.
“Get me President Cho.”
Dong-ki was startled by his brother’s sudden action.
“What are you doing? Why President Cho?”
“Just keep quiet.”
Dong-ki turned away, knowing it was best not to provoke his brother when he had that look. He knew from experience that it was best to let him vent his anger.
“Ah, President Cho. It’s been a while.”
He greeted, but there was no response. Young-ki checked the phone and spoke again.
“Hello? President Cho?”
— I’m listening. Go ahead.
Young-ki’s face flushed with anger. How dare he speak so informally?
But he knew that acting on his temper would get him nowhere. Even Young-ki had that much self-control.
“I just watched the press conference. What on earth is going on?”
— You saw it, didn’t you? It’s exactly as it was presented. We scouted Director Lee to HW Group. It’s not unusual for employees to change companies, is it?
“President Cho! This isn’t just any job change. It’s practically an exile!”
— Exile? Haha. Is Sunyang Group a country now? That’s quite the delusion.
“President Cho!”
— Don’t shout. I’m not deaf. And where did you learn to call someone and start meddling in another company’s affairs?
“What?”
Young-ki’s hand trembled as he gripped the receiver.
— Look, Young-ki. Didn’t you know I was on friendly terms with the late chairman? Now that my ties with Sunyang are severed, I’m not going to take informal speech from you. Goodbye.
Young-ki slammed the receiver down.
“Why? What’s going on?”
Dong-ki asked his fuming brother, but he only shouted back.
“Pressure the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution. Push for Hak-jae Lee’s immediate arrest and investigation.”
Young-ki began throwing everything within reach, unable to contain his anger.
“So, this is all about a power struggle over shares?”
“Exactly. Otherwise, why would Vice Chairmen Young-ki and Dong-ki Jin go to such lengths to persecute Chairman Lee, who was so close to Chairman Jin?”
Se-hyun Oh, the representative, spoke politely to the Minister of Justice, who was holding a teacup.
“I see.”
The Minister of Justice, looking awkward, set down his teacup.
“It seems our people misunderstood. We thought Chairman Lee was trying to blackmail the owner family for a hefty sum by holding onto Sunyang Group’s weaknesses.”
“That’s impossible. Chairman Lee was like a son to the late Chairman Jin. That’s why he decided to retire immediately after the chairman’s passing.”
“But Representative Oh, what exactly is the share structure that has Vice Chairmen Young-ki and Dong-ki Jin in such a frenzy?”
“You might recall, during the IMF crisis, our Miracle provided dollar support to Sunyang Group.”
“Yes, I vaguely remember. Without Miracle’s dollars, Ajin Group and Dae-A Construction would have collapsed. Sunyang Group would have lost several affiliates too.”
“It was more than that. They were on the brink. It’s no exaggeration to say they survived because of us. That’s why Chairman Jin made the bold decision to transfer group shares.”
“Oh… Miracle holds shares in Sunyang?”
“Yes. That’s why the two vice chairmen are trying to drastically change the share structure. They want to render Miracle’s shares worthless.”
“I see. Now the picture is becoming clear.”
Se-hyun nodded as the minister spoke.
“Minister, if it becomes known that a government agency is involved in internal group matters, it could become quite a scandal, don’t you think?”
“Of course. I’ll sort it out before it escalates. Our Ministry of Justice could have been disgraced, but thanks to you, Representative Oh, we’ve been spared. Haha.”
The minister chuckled.
“But may I ask why you invited Director Lee to become the group chairman? It’s such a big issue, and I’m curious.”
“He was with Sunyang during its later years, a period when the company experienced remarkable growth. HW Group aims to emulate that history.”
“Miracle has immense financial resources, so I assume you’ll be making significant investments.”
“Yes, we’re committed to expanding HW with all our might. I hope you’ll take an interest and keep an eye on us, Minister.”
“Oh, I’m just living on borrowed time, aren’t I? I brace myself every day, ready to leave this position whenever the political winds change.”
The minister feigned humility, but his eyes gleamed with a knowing look that Oh Se-hyun couldn’t miss.
“Minister, isn’t this just a temporary stop for you? You should be heading to a bigger port. Feel free to reach out anytime. I’d be happy to help, even if it’s just a little.”
“Just hearing that gives me strength. Haha.”
“As you know, Chairman Lee Hak-jae is a man of integrity. He never forgets a favor.”
Oh Se-hyun’s flattery kept a broad smile on the minister’s face.
“Congratulations, Chairman.”
“Relax and have a seat. I won’t bite.”
The head of the Ministry of Justice’s Inspection Bureau cautiously perched on the edge of the sofa, glancing around the spacious HW Group chairman’s office. Two orchids at the forefront of the room made him uneasy. They were gifts from the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General.
“You didn’t have to come all the way here just to congratulate me. Or are you here to deliver another message?”
The mention of a “message” made the inspector’s face turn crimson.
“I was out of line before. Please forgive me.”
“I told you, I won’t bite.”
“Thank you, Chairman.”
“There’s no need for thanks. You’re a prosecutor, so you know how it is. When a murder happens, you catch the culprit, not the knife. I have no reason to wrestle with a knife.”
Prosecutors might be called “knife-wielders,” but to big players like these, they’re just tools. Caught between these giants, the inspector felt like he was suffocating.