Chapter 4: The Serpent’s Head
“Why? Does it feel like you’re sneaking around behind your mother’s back?”
Jin Young-ki chuckled softly as he observed the stern expression on Cheon Sang-pil’s face.
“Do you not know who I am? I’m the eldest son of the person you used to serve. The eldest of the Sunyang family. Do I look like some scoundrel trying to steal my mother’s wealth?”
“No, sir. It’s just that this is all so sudden…”
“You know the situation we’re in. One of the family’s black sheep is about to cause a major incident. I’m just trying to sort things out before that happens. Of course, my mother is aware. I even arranged for the private jet.”
“But this involves a transfer of assets. The other family members should be informed before you change the ownership to your name. Otherwise, it could lead to inheritance issues later…”
“Oh, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not asking to transfer it to my name. I want to switch the management from your alias to one managed by the group. You don’t need to worry about inheritance or donation issues.”
Cheon Sang-pil realized that the family was trying to strip him of his only leverage.
Even without Jin Do-jun’s suggestion, he couldn’t afford to lose his grip in this situation. He might step back, but he couldn’t allow himself to be discarded.
“Understood. I’ll prepare for the change and get back to you.”
“Good. I appreciate your effort.”
As Cheon Sang-pil stood up, Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki raised a hand to stop him.
“Hold on a moment.”
Jin Young-ki pressed the intercom.
“Come in.”
Two young men entered, bowing their heads.
“Move with these guys. They’re from the secretarial office, sharp and reliable. Have them run errands and handle the dirty work. In urgent times, an extra pair of hands is always useful, right?”
It was too blatant.
Wasn’t this essentially saying they’d be watching him 24/7?
Finally, Cheon Sang-pil snapped.
“Vice Chairman, what is the meaning of this?”
“What?”
“Do you see me as some fool who needs to be monitored while cleaning up after Madam Lee?”
“What are you talking about? Monitored?”
They both knew each other’s intentions. There was no point in pretending otherwise.
“I’ll manage the alias stocks. If your family’s troublemaker causes issues, deal with it. Once everything is settled and Madam Lee returns, I’ll handle the alias transfer. I’ll do whatever you want then. But not before.”
Jin Young-ki stroked his chin at Cheon Sang-pil’s firm words.
“You’re quite bold, holding onto those stocks, aren’t you? Heh.”
Jin Young-ki picked up the phone, leaving Cheon Sang-pil standing.
“Ah, Chief Prosecutor. It’s me. I have a question.”
The mention of the chief prosecutor made Cheon Sang-pil’s heart sink. It was clear things were heading towards the worst-case scenario Jin Do-jun had warned him about.
“If a foundation employee secretly disposes of foundation assets… Yes, exactly. Embezzling billions. Quite the audacious fellow, right? What? Life sentence? No, that’s too much. Fifteen years should suffice, don’t you think?”
Was he really revealing his true intentions like this?
This family never failed to meet expectations.
That was the power of Sunyang.
They didn’t need to use unpredictable methods. They used predictable ones, but with such overwhelming power that no one could resist. At this rate, he’d be branded a thief who sold off expensive art.
As he recalled the unexpected proposal from that one person, Jin Young-ki’s warning came through the phone.
“Listen, Cheon Sang-pil. Follow my script from now on. You’ll be out in three years. Once you’re released, lay low and live quietly. I’ll take care of your living expenses, so don’t worry.”
“Do you think it’ll go your way? Jin Do-jun has a secret contract with your mother’s signature. It’s the most solid evidence.”
“You haven’t seen my script yet, have you? It features a dozen extras. All foundation people. They’ll testify that you coaxed an elderly woman into selling paintings, claiming you handled all the foundation’s affairs.”
The idea of an elderly woman meticulously reading an English contract was laughable. And it wasn’t far-fetched to claim that the matriarch of Sunyang would sign a contract handed by a trusted employee without thorough verification.
Jin Young-ki’s confidence wasn’t just bravado. It was a plausible, no, a solid scenario.
“This isn’t the end. The stage is set. We’re digging into your past. If you’ve lived without a speck of dust, you can relax. Oh… or maybe we’ll create a past for you. You’ll probably see the news before a prosecutor’s summons. Scandals, affairs… How about we fabricate an illegitimate child for you?”
Watching Cheon Sang-pil turn pale, Jin Young-ki smiled victoriously.
“Take those guys and get to work. I promise you, three years.”
At Jin Young-ki’s gesture, the two young men escorted the defeated Cheon Sang-pil out.
Jin Young-ki felt almost grateful to Jin Do-jun. Thanks to him, he was securing the precious shares his mother had hidden away.
His only problem was that he intended to keep it all to himself, without sharing with his siblings.
“Did you hear everything?”
“Yes. I don’t know if you’re prepared for this, but you’re now an enemy of our family.”
Vice Chairman Jin Dong-ki’s face was flushed, likely from a few drinks.
“Were we ever family? In our household, family doesn’t exist. It’s all about who holds more shares. That’s what determines whether you’re treated as a master or a servant, isn’t it?”
“Even so, did you have to do that to an elderly woman?”
My second uncle poured himself another drink.
Even if there’s no affection, it’s unsettling how calm he is when his own mother is facing imprisonment. It seems he already has a plan…
“Has Grandma boarded the plane?”
“She should be airborne by now.”
“I see. You’re quick.”
“No matter how hard you try, this is as far as you go. You can’t touch Grandma.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
When I bowed my head, my second uncle put down his glass.
“What do you mean?”
“I never intended for Grandma to end up in prison. She’s the matriarch of Sunyang, after all. My goal was to ensure she never sets foot in Korea again. To live out her days doing nothing but breathing. You’ve expedited that for me… She’s probably sobbing on the plane, feeling like she’s been exiled.”
Jin Dong-ki downed his drink in one go.
“You’re quite ruthless. And very pragmatic.”
“I know my place.”
“Now that you’ve achieved what you wanted, stop casting a shadow over Sunyang Group.”
“It’s too late. And if I stop, Grandma will return immediately, won’t she?”
“What? Too late? What have you done?”
“The person I just had dinner with is the sniper. Now that he has the ammunition, he’ll fire.”
“You’re a vicious one…”
I spoke to him as he raised his glass again.
“Think back. Who has been the most vicious to me and my family? Consider what Grandma did to my mother and to me. If I’m ruthless, then Grandma was downright malicious.”
“I was foolish to hope for a peaceful resolution. Fine. Let’s see how this plays out. This time, my brothers and I will join forces to stop what you’ve started. Just as you think of your mother, we must think of ours. We’ll have Grandma back home before the year ends.”
I emptied my glass as well.
“Think carefully. Grandma is a troublemaker who despises our family. It might be better for her to live out her days abroad, just breathing.”
“She’s still our mother. We can’t do that.”
I bowed to him as he smiled at me.
“I’ll take my leave. I have a lot to do.”
“Let’s go together. I don’t have time to waste either.”
My second uncle tapped my shoulder and led the way out.
It would take at least two days for the opposition to act on the information I provided. They’re not fools. They’ll at least verify the facts through someone connected to the New York consulate.
In the meantime, my uncles will be making calls, but they’ll be out of sync. The difference between smuggling cultural assets and selling art buys me some time.
The crucial factor is Cheon Sang-pil’s decision within those two days.
Judging by my uncle’s actions today, it seems they’ve already contacted Cheon Sang-pil. They likely demanded a replacement for Grandma, but what they truly want is the alias stocks. They’d want to transfer the stocks quickly before things escalate.
There are two ways to expedite matters.
Let things flow naturally without obstruction.
Or use every means to ensure there’s no obstruction.
Usually, “every means” isn’t normal. I was waiting for Cheon Sang-pil to come running to me, escaping my uncle’s abnormal pressure.
The condition I offered wasn’t just a refuge but a dreamland, an Eldorado.
And I didn’t have to wait long.
He called in the middle of the night, seeking assurance.
“Do you trust people? I’ll first take you to a safe place. Once you claim the insurance money, transfer the alias stocks to me.”
There was a brief silence. He was trying to grasp the true meaning of my words.
“You seem to have forgotten. I’m also a member of the Sunyang family. Do you think I’d let someone who ran off with my money get away? Unless they have two lives.”
Another pause.
When he spoke again, it was something unexpected.
“So, you’re saying you’re being watched.”
“Yes, Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi has assigned two people to keep an eye on him. They’ve been watching since he left the company. Attorney Cheon Sang-pil went straight home from the office, and they’re monitoring the entrance to his apartment.”
Executive Director Woo Byung-jun didn’t seem particularly worried.
Just two people. This isn’t confinement, just surveillance. Getting him out should be easy.
“Do we only need to bring Attorney Cheon?”
“No, it’s better to take the whole family.”
“Alright, I’ll arrange for them to be sent to a resort in Southeast Asia.”
“Please do. Oh, and bring Attorney Cheon to my office in Yeouido. We have unfinished business.”
“Understood. I’ll give them a heads-up so they won’t be too shocked. I’ll head out now.”
After Woo Byung-jun left, I picked up the phone.
“Attorney Cheon Sang-pil.”
“Yes, what’s happening?”
“Our team is on their way. Just grab your ID and passport. Cut up your credit cards and destroy your phone. Just bring yourself.”
“What? Where are we going…?”
“Your family will be taken to a resort in Southeast Asia. Let me stress again, don’t bother packing or taking valuables. You’re disappearing, just bring yourself.”
“But… shouldn’t I at least take some money…?”
“Attorney Cheon Sang-pil.”
“Yes.”
I cut him off before he could stammer further.
“You’re about to come into a fortune of one trillion won. I don’t know how much you have now, but do you really want to hold onto it? Compared to a trillion, it’s just a few ten-thousand won bills. I’ll handle any necessary expenses, just bring yourself.”
“Oh, okay.”
I ended the call and headed to Yeouido in advance.