Chapter 261: A Brief Alliance, Part 2
“President Yoon Ho-il of Sunyang Life.”
“Yes, Director.”
Unlike the others, President Yoon, whom I had appointed, wore a noticeably bright expression. He had sensed his dismissal the moment former President Yang Woo-chan entered the conference room.
However, when I appeared instead of the two vice-chairmen who were expected to lead the board meeting, he knew the tide had turned.
“Let’s proceed with the board meeting quickly.”
“Yes.”
President Yoon pushed back his chair and stood up.
“I ask for your understanding as we convene this joint board meeting for Sunyang Group’s financial subsidiaries for convenience. I will now present the agenda for this interim board meeting.”
He glanced around at the CEOs and continued.
“First, the dismissal and appointment of CEOs for Sunyang Life, Sunyang Card, Sunyang Fire & Marine, and Sunyang Securities. If anyone has any opinions, please speak up.”
Everyone remained silent, like mute statues, merely gauging the atmosphere. My presence in this room signified that the major shareholder had not changed.
Suggesting the dismissal of a CEO appointed by such a shareholder was akin to submitting a resignation. And no one wanted to resign.
President Yoon scanned the quiet room and confirmed once more.
“No comments? Then let’s move on to the second agenda item: the dismissal of directors from the same companies.”
I gave Vice President Jang Do-hyung a nod, and he quickly spoke up.
“I’d like to make a procedural suggestion.”
When Vice President Jang addressed President Yoon, he nodded in agreement.
“To save time, I propose that if there are no special opinions on today’s agenda, we conclude the board meeting.”
As everyone remained tight-lipped, merely exchanging glances, President Yoon spoke again.
“Since there are no opinions on today’s agenda, I declare it withdrawn. This concludes the interim board meeting.”
As soon as he finished speaking, people began to rise from their seats one by one, and Vice President Jang spoke again.
“Presidents of each subsidiary, please stay for a moment.”
At this signal, the executives hurriedly exited the conference room as if fleeing.
The four presidents, their faces slightly flushed with excitement and tension, knew well that my presence meant their positions were secure. They had resigned themselves to the humiliation of being ousted today, but my continued presence as their appointer meant their own stability.
Vice President Jang handed them a few sheets of paper.
“This is the newly organized personnel list. Let’s take this opportunity to clean out the people loyal to the two vice-chairmen. We can’t keep those who pledge allegiance elsewhere while drawing salaries from our company.”
“So, this list is…?”
“I’ve distributed it for you to review. Check if there’s anyone we’ve misjudged.”
They began to scrutinize the names, occasionally glancing at me for approval.
“Just to be clear, don’t worry about my opinion. Make accurate judgments.”
The conference room, which had hosted a failed board meeting, quickly transformed into a personnel committee.
After about ten minutes of careful review, they returned the list, with a few names marked in pen.
“These individuals may be aligned with the other side, but their skills and abilities are exceptional. Dismissing them seems a bit…”
President Yoon looked at me cautiously.
“The abilities you speak of might stem from the prestige of being a Sunyang executive. While I usually respect your judgment, this time, I can’t. Don’t consider their abilities; judge solely on their allegiance. And find talented individuals to fill those positions. Isn’t that a CEO’s job?”
Once the list was reorganized, it wasn’t much different from Vice President Jang’s assessment.
I pointed to the list and spoke firmly.
“Reassign all those people to regional sales offices. In the case of Sunyang Card, send them to the debt collection department. I’m also considering a complete overhaul up to the manager level. Don’t leave a single person from those executive lines; send them all to frontline offices.”
“Up to the manager level?”
“Yes.”
“Clearing out up to the manager level might cause some noise.”
“Do I have to worry about that too? Ensuring it’s done quietly is a basic requirement, isn’t it?”
The presidents erased their troubled expressions and bowed their heads.
I turned to Vice President Jang.
“Join them, Vice President Jang. Issue the personnel orders by tomorrow and report the results.”
“Yes, Director.”
As I stood up, the presidents quickly followed suit.
“Make sure the two vice-chairmen don’t even dare to demand another board meeting to seize the financial group. Build such a solid organization that they can’t replace you even if they want to. This mass dismissal isn’t just for me; it’s for you as well.”
Leaving them bowing behind me, I exited the conference room.
The major hurdle was over, but it was time to fortify the defenses even more.
”…We deeply apologize for the confusion caused by our hasty investigation, which failed to properly verify the reports and evidence. We also extend our apologies to those who were unnecessarily misunderstood due to this incident.
I intend to leave the prosecution, taking responsibility for tarnishing its honor due to my personal mistake…”
“What about that guy?”
“He’s joining my father’s legal team. We’re bringing him in at ten times a prosecutor’s salary, so it’s not a loss for him.”
“One press conference changed his fate.”
Vice Chairman Jin Dong-gi and I turned off the TV after watching the second press conference of the prosecutor who had first pulled the trigger.
“What about the Labuan money?”
“I’ll fly over to withdraw it myself once things are settled here. And I’ll destroy all the documents.”
“Don’t think about using it twice. You’re smart enough not to do something that foolish.”
“Trust me. We’re partners with joint decision-making rights.”
We each gathered our signed documents.
“As a partner, I must say, this time you went too far. Pruning up to the manager level disrupts the entire group’s atmosphere. It’s not good for the ownership family’s disputes to affect regular employees.”
“You don’t understand. For salarymen in ties, life is a tightrope walk. With all the managers gone, assistant managers and section chiefs will be thrilled at the promotion opportunities. Surviving managers will be eager for executive positions. It’s probably a festive atmosphere right now.”
My uncle gave a bitter smile and subtly changed the subject.
“You’re not too late for your own tightrope walk. Convince Miracle to draw a big picture. If we both curb our greed a bit, dividing Sunyang Group isn’t impossible.”
“I’ll consider it when I’m a bit older. Being young is a handicap in management.”
“I can’t wait too long. I can change my mind anytime.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Uncle. Haha.”
As I was about to leave with a laugh, the door opened, and a sharp voice rang out.
“Dong-gi! What are you doing with that boy?”
“Oh, Mother.”
Startled by the sudden appearance of my grandmother, my uncle jumped to his feet.
Seeing her made my irritation rise, but I couldn’t remain seated alone, so I slowly stood up. My grandmother shouted at me.
“Do you not even greet your grandmother anymore?”
I kept my mouth shut and gave a slight bow.
“Uh, uh…”
As my grandmother glared at me for my lack of courtesy, my uncle gestured for me to leave and stepped in to calm her.
“Mother, please sit down. There’s no need to get upset, so please calm down.”
With no reason to hesitate, I bowed to my uncle and slipped out.
I carried the burning gaze of my grandmother, who watched me leave, in my heart.
Suddenly, I missed my grandfather and pulled out my phone.
“I’m heading to Gunsan. Now! Get ready.”
“Why Gunsan all of a sudden?”
“Director, you haven’t visited the grave yet, have you? I thought I’d create an opportunity for you since you never know when you’ll go.”
Director Woo Byung-jun gave a slight smile.
“Is that really the only reason?”
“Are you saying you don’t trust me…?”
“Of course not. Haha.”
In the moving car, we exchanged smiles.
“Well… I feel like I might need to ask for forgiveness, so I’m going to apologize in advance. But the main reason is for you, Director.”
Suddenly, Director Woo’s smile vanished.
“Is it because of Mrs. Lee Pil-ok?”
No one could match this man’s intuition.
“Is there any progress on the task I assigned?”
“Yes. I was going to report it anyway. I thought you were busy with the board meeting, so I waited.”
“It’s not clean, is it?”
“No. But there’s no evidence at the level you want. I’ve heard the general situation from those in that field, but they won’t testify.”
“If they handled it cleanly, there should be a ‘madoguchi,’ right?”
Director Woo hesitated slightly. His demeanor suggested he had an idea of who it might be.
“Someone like you, Director.”
“Yes. Someone who has worked by Mrs. Lee’s side for a long time. Known for being very competent.”
“Then, if we probe someone who worked under that person, might we find something?”
Director Woo shook his head briefly and spoke to the employee in the passenger seat.
“Hey, what would you do if someone approached you?”
The employee in the passenger seat replied without turning around.
“I’d pretend to be fooled until I confirmed who sent them and what their purpose was.”
“And then?”
“If it’s beyond my capacity, I’ll report it to you, Director.”
“What if they tempt you with tens of billions?”
“Oh, Director, why are you saying that? I want to live a long life.”
Director Woo turned to me.
“It’s the same on their side. Approaching recklessly would ruin everything.”
Not tens of billions, but hundreds of billions. Even with the promise of safety, would such an answer come out?
Ah, right.
The person who killed me said it.
‘We’re a bit foolish, but not foolish enough to covet a cake we can’t swallow.’
The person who killed me refused thousands of billions.
People are different. I must abandon the thought that everyone can be bought with money.
“Well… let’s find a way. No matter how strong a fortress is, there’s always a small crack somewhere, right?”
The car sped towards Gunsan.
As the Sunyang Museum came into view, a change flickered in Woo Byung-jun’s eyes.
Surely, he wasn’t going to burst into tears, was he?
They got out of the car and walked towards the sunlit park behind the museum, stopping in their tracks.
“Why don’t you go ahead, Director? I’ll grab a coffee and catch up with you.”
Director Woo hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
After Director Woo disappeared with quick steps, I enjoyed a coffee at the café by the museum entrance.
About thirty minutes later, I left the café.
When I reached my grandfather’s grave, Director Woo was there, pulling out weeds with swollen eyes.
I paid my respects to my grandfather and slowly began to speak.
“I couldn’t keep my promise. But it’s not that I haven’t forgiven Grandma for her past mistakes. I have to make a choice for my future, not the past.”
Director Woo slowly approached me and asked, “Can you tell me what choice you’re going to make?”
“I’m going to send Grandma back to the Swiss villa. I’ll make sure she has a peaceful retirement, doing nothing but breathing.”
Woo nodded lightly.
“That’s the kind of comfortable retirement most people dream of. I don’t think you need to ask for the chairman’s forgiveness.”
We exchanged smiles once more.