Impossible Alliance 4
“Director, being too certain can be dangerous. If the two vice-chairmen join forces, won’t they control over 51% of the shares?”
“That’s true, but…”
“This isn’t about greed or profit this time. It’s about eliminating a common enemy. Can’t they set aside their ambitions for that?”
A common enemy…
Am I their common enemy? Or perhaps the counterbalance that keeps them in check?
Vice President Jang Do-hyung has a point. But there’s something missing in his thinking.
“That’s possible. If they join hands, they could oust me. But once they start thinking about how to divide the spoils, greed will rear its head again. It’s one hurdle after another.”
“Director.”
I could see the concern in Jang Do-hyung’s eyes. I reassured him for now.
“Understood. I’m not underestimating their actions. I’ll need to look into it further.”
“Yes. I’ll meet with the executives as well. If anything new comes up, I’ll inform you immediately.”
After parting ways with Vice President Jang, I called in Deputy Manager Kim Yoon-seok.
“Check with the strategy team within the group. It seems the two vice-chairmen are up to something…”
“Are you referring to Chairman Jin Sang-ki?”
“How did you know?”
“I heard that after completing the succession process, the chairman hadn’t set foot in the main building, but suddenly he’s been coming and going frequently, always meeting with the two vice-chairmen. If there’s anything new, that’s it.”
“Do you know why he’s been visiting?”
“There’s talk that he’s returning to the group. But since that came directly from Chairman Jin Sang-ki, it’s hard to take it at face value…”
He’s known for his exaggerations, so many dismiss his words, but he’s not foolish enough to return after a long absence just to boast.
Even the boy who cried wolf was truthful once.
It’s almost certain that my uncles are plotting to seize the financial group.
Ah, taking over the financial group would be a side effect of ousting me.
Did that old hag instigate them?
“Chairman, it seems something unusual is happening.”
“Judging by your expression, it doesn’t seem too serious.”
Chairman Lee Hak-jae glanced at my face before returning his attention to the documents.
“No, I’ve just managed my expression.”
Chairman Lee closed the file and sighed briefly.
“Well, when have you ever had a moment’s peace? What’s the issue this time?”
“It seems my uncles have changed their target. Instead of the pheasant, they’re after the chicken—me.”
Chairman Lee initially took it as a joke but then adjusted his posture.
“I get that I’m the pheasant and you’re the chicken… but be specific.”
I relayed the news about Chairman Jin Sang-ki’s frequent visits and his public boasts.
“While it’s possible, I find it hard to believe the two vice-chairmen would join forces.”
After hearing me out, Chairman Lee’s expression turned more serious than mine.
“Do-jun, controlling a group means…”
“Having control over personnel decisions, right?”
He raised a hand to stop my hasty response.
“There’s one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“Something everyone takes for granted.”
“Take for granted…?”
Chairman Lee nodded and continued.
“When you took charge of the Sunyang Financial affiliates and made your first personnel changes… Did anyone question your qualifications? Your legal right to wield such authority?”
“Ah…”
“No one in Sunyang doubted your qualifications. You were Chairman Jin’s grandson, and he publicly entrusted the financial group to you.”
“Everyone in Sunyang takes my uncles for granted, so the conditions are met.”
“There’s no issue with the shares either. Even if those two replace all the executives and directors of the financial affiliates, you’d just have to watch.”
Chairman Lee suddenly burst into laughter.
“Ha, ha, ha. You must be really anxious. The idea of those two joining forces is unimaginable.”
“Do you find this amusing? There’s a chance I could lose everything my grandfather gave me.”
“Did you think your life would be a constant victory? Sunyang is a massive chessboard. There will be setbacks and crises. If you can’t handle a few pieces being taken, you won’t survive this game. Even if only the king remains, as long as you win, that’s all that matters.”
His words were cryptic. I sought clarification.
“Are you suggesting I step back this time?”
“Why ask me? You have the ability to decide for yourself.”
Even if the alliance between my uncles, which Chairman Lee deemed impossible, were true, I have a move that could break it.
“If I offer to back one of my uncles with Miracle and my shares, their alliance would end.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“You seem confident. Is it just bravado?”
“Confident? Inside, I’m burning up.”
Chairman Lee watched me for a moment, then tilted his head.
“If joining forces with you means they can eliminate a stronger rival, why would they ally with each other? Breaking their alliance might not be as easy as you think.”
Hearing my deepest concern voiced by someone else only heightened my anxiety.
Sensing the change in my expression, Chairman Lee gave a sly smile.
“Need a little help?”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“You have plenty of money, right?”
“Me?”
“I hear Miracle has quite a bit of cash. Plus, the funds Chairman Jin managed are in your hands, right? With that, you’re practically the cash king of the country.”
“I admit, I have a lot of money.”
“Then how about using that money to separate the financial group? You could drop the Sunyang name and rebrand it as HW Financial.”
Knowing Sunyang’s structure means knowing its weaknesses too.
“That would require a lot of time and money, wouldn’t it?”
“Indeed.”
“Before that, my uncles might oust me in one swift move.”
“That’s true. Controlling a company means controlling people. If they fill the board with their people, it’s over. One meeting is all it takes. Because…”
“There’s no resistance. As you said, everyone sees my uncles as the rightful owners of Sunyang.”
“Even if the vice-chairmen control the people, you can still gather shares. Once you secure enough, you can turn the tables.”
Buying the entire group might be impossible, but acquiring Sunyang Life could be feasible. And since Sunyang Life is essentially the parent company of the financial affiliates, there’s a clear opportunity for a comeback.
But I shook my head.
“I won’t do it. I’ll just consider it temporarily entrusted. Why waste precious time and money to gain only a part? I’ll eventually take it all. No need to make them overly cautious. That would only make taking the bigger piece harder.”
Chairman Lee also shook his head.
“Keeping a foothold is crucial. Taking over Sunyang Group isn’t something you can achieve in a year or two. If you’re away from the group for too long, you’ll become an outsider with no ties to it.”
He pointed a finger at himself.
“Look at me. After the chairman passed and I announced my retirement, those who used to bow to me turned their backs in an instant. If you’re away from the group for too long, even those who took you for granted will change their minds. Even if you take over Sunyang, they’ll see you as an invader rather than the rightful owner.”
The conclusion is that I must prevent the vice-chairmen’s conspiracy. It’s far more challenging than letting things unfold naturally.
A headache began to throb.
“I need to maintain the current state. Separating the affiliates would make me an invader… And I don’t want to remove the Sunyang name from my grandfather’s legacy.”
“So, it’s settled. Stop those two from joining forces.”
“Won’t you help?”
“Me?”
He waved his hand dismissively.
“I can help with the separation, but I can’t do anything about the brothers joining forces. That’s for you to handle.”
Chairman Lee ended with a final piece of advice.
“Don’t hide your weapons too much. Show them when needed and use them when necessary. There’s an old saying that’s always true. Don’t forget it.”
“What saying?”
“If you hoard, it turns to waste.”
“Is this satisfactory? If you have anything to add, say it now. Don’t complain later.”
“You’re quite ruthless. Do we really have to do this as brothers?”
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki frowned as he looked over the papers his brother handed him.
“Are you going to bring up personal relationships now? This is about management rights. Even if we were father and son, it would be necessary. Why the sudden sentimentality?”
The documents Jin Dong-ki presented detailed the conditions for managing and controlling the personnel of Sunyang Financial Group.
He wanted to prevent his eldest brother’s influence from growing too large.
“Honestly, it’s so fair there’s nothing to add.”
Jin Young-ki waved the contract-like papers.
“You’re thorough. I often think how great it would be if you became Sunyang’s second-in-command for my sake.”
“I’ve never once thought of you helping me to become Sunyang’s second-in-command. What can I say? Disappointed?”
Though his brother’s words were insulting, dismissing his abilities entirely, he didn’t react. The complex of being the second son always manifested in such sharp words.
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki shook his head and signed the papers Jin Dong-ki handed him.
With that, Sunyang Financial Affiliates were under joint management. All that remained was the board meeting of the affiliates. The thought of ousting his young nephew was a bit unsettling, but once the affiliates were in his hands, any unease would melt away like snow.
However, not everyone was pleased with this arrangement.
As the two men were gathering their documents, the door swung open with a bang, and Jin Sang-gi stormed in, fuming.
“Isn’t this too much? Am I just a piece of furniture to you? What on earth is this?”
He waved a few sheets of paper in his hand, his frustration evident.
“Keep your voice down. There are plenty of ears around here,” one of the brothers cautioned.
But Jin Sang-gi paid no heed to their reprimands.
“You want me to take charge of the financial subsidiaries, right? But you’ve already filled all the executive and even manager positions? What about me? How am I supposed to manage my own people? What am I, exactly?”
His complaints poured out like a waterfall, but his brothers didn’t lend an ear.
“Are you saying you don’t want to be a figurehead?” Jin Dong-gi asked, glaring icily at his younger brother.
“This is too much!”
“Even a scarecrow has a role. It keeps the sparrows away. You probably can’t even manage that. What else can you do besides puffing up your chest? That’s why we gave you a title that matches your abilities. Know your place.”
“Brother!”
“I said keep it down, didn’t I?” Jin Yeong-gi interjected, his voice firm, causing Jin Sang-gi to fall silent.
“We’re giving you a nice office, a salary, a car, and a credit card with no limit. There are plenty of people who would bow down for that position. We’re only giving it to you because of Mother’s request. You should be grateful, not complaining.”
Jin Yeong-gi approached his brother, whose face was flushed with anger, and patted him on the shoulder.
“This is just the beginning. Even if they’re not your people, they’re all talented individuals. Work with them and build your achievements step by step. Then you’ll earn the title of vice president in name and reality. Don’t be in such a hurry.”
The two brothers, who had been at odds over the contract, found common ground in dealing with their exasperating younger sibling.