I’m Here Too. 4
“So, you’re saying you heard it straight from your uncle’s mouth?”
“Exactly. He practically shouted it loud enough to shake the house. It’s true.”
On our way to work that morning, Kim Yoon-seok started talking to me like a waterfall.
“Jin Kyung-joon and Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi had a private meeting in the study, and it’s as if he declared everything would go to the eldest son. Not even a subsidiary, let alone an affiliate, would be given to him. Just help your brother out… Isn’t that what it means?”
“The people who overheard must have been the staff outside the study…”
“The Vice Chairman has been sending them on so many errands lately… Oh, sorry. Old habits die hard.”
Kim Yoon-seok scratched his head sheepishly.
Under the guise of the strategy team, they were essentially personal errand boys. They called them “servants.”
Just when I’m about to forget I was once one of those “servants,” I get reminded like this.
“The strategy team heard it from the housekeeper?”
“Yes. You know how chatty they get with a little prodding.”
“So, what did Kyung-joon do?”
“He stormed out of the study and left the house.”
“Looks like Young-joon is thrilled.”
“Apparently, his wife was even happier. She’s been unusually friendly with the housekeepers. Heh.”
Is it because of what happened with me? My uncle was too harsh.
Instead of giving him something to hold onto, he told him to serve under his brother. No wonder he left.
“Have you figured out where he went?”
“Yes. One of the strategy team members followed him quickly.”
Kim was getting more meticulous by the day.
“Where did he stay?”
“The Suyang Hotel in Gangnam.”
“Really?”
Of all the hotels, he chose Suyang?
There’s no way the hotel staff wouldn’t recognize the name Jin Kyung-joon. It’s like he’s advertising his whereabouts.
Who’s he advertising to?
“Let’s head there.”
“What? Oh, okay.”
The car sped towards the hotel.
Upon arrival, a manager was waiting for us.
“Welcome, sir.”
“I hope I didn’t trouble you this early in the morning.”
“Not at all. You called ahead, so it’s no trouble. I’ve prepared everything as you requested, though I hope it’s to your liking.”
“It’s just breakfast. There’s nothing to like or dislike.”
We followed the manager to the top-floor restaurant.
It was only open for dinner, so it was empty, but the smell of spicy stew wafted through the air. I confirmed once more as we sat down.
“Did he drink a lot last night?”
“According to the room service staff, when they brought up a bottle of wine and some food, it looked like he’d already emptied the minibar.”
“He must be feeling rough. Got it.”
The manager bowed and left, and I called the room.
It took a while for him to answer, probably passed out from the alcohol.
“Come up for some hangover soup. I’ve got something spicy ready.”
― Where are you?
That must’ve sobered him up.
“Take the elevator to the top. Let’s have breakfast.”
― How did you know I was here?
“Everyone at Suyang Group knows. Did you think it wouldn’t get out? You practically advertised it. Hurry up.”
About ten minutes later, a disheveled Jin Kyung-joon walked in slowly.
“Did you put a magnet on me?”
“What magnet? Were you expecting me to wait for you?”
“Should I leave then? Want to eat alone?”
“Can’t you even get breakfast? Why eat here?”
Jin Kyung-joon plopped down across from me.
“We don’t have staff. We just make do with cereal or toast. Min-young isn’t skilled enough to make breakfast yet.”
“Newlyweds, huh? Don’t try to be romantic. Hire someone. You can’t go around skipping meals. We all work to eat, after all.”
“At least I won’t be drowning my sorrows in alcohol like you.”
Jin Kyung-joon glared at me briefly before pulling out a cigarette.
“So you did put a magnet on me. You know everything.”
He smoked silently until the food arrived.
Seeing the hangover soup and soybean paste stew, Jin Kyung-joon eagerly started with the broth.
Once his stomach settled, he lit another cigarette.
“Looks like you had a showdown. The outcome wasn’t great, was it?”
“Is that why you rushed over this morning?”
“No. I wanted to say, don’t hesitate if you need my help.”
“Tell me what you can help with first. I’ll decide.”
“Only those with options can make choices. You don’t have any left. If Uncle gives you nothing, and everything goes to Young-joon, you’ll just have to watch.”
Jin Kyung-joon stared at me for a while before speaking.
“I have nothing to offer you. Like you said, I have nothing. My father’s weaknesses? Young-joon’s flaws? There’s plenty. But it’s all personal. It’s not enough to cause any real trouble.”
He’s still full of himself.
Or maybe he doesn’t really want the company.
He’s Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi’s son. Born with a silver spoon. And he says he has nothing. He doesn’t even know what he has.
“Then we’re done talking. I have no intention of giving you anything for free. Oh, enjoy this breakfast. It’s the last free meal from me.”
I left the restaurant without looking back.
“Hey! Do-joon! Jin Do-joon, you jerk!”
He called out desperately, but I didn’t turn around.
He needs to fully understand his situation now. Only then will he realize what he truly has.
Kim Yoon-seok kept me updated on Jin Kyung-joon’s movements. He spent a few days drinking at the hotel, had a huge fight with Jin Young-joon when he visited, and even broke down in tears in front of his father, Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi.
One thing became clear.
Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi’s decision was firm, and everything would go to his eldest son, Jin Young-joon.
He must have decided that splitting the electronics and trading divisions would leave them vulnerable to my advances.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. They’re pushing ahead with the succession plan.”
“Suddenly, I feel a bit sorry for Kyung-joon.”
Chairman Lee Hak-jae’s face showed no sympathy. Instead, he looked intrigued.
“Now that he knows he’s got nothing, he’ll have no choice but to rely on me.”
“Oh, come on, really?”
A son betraying his father and brother. It’s a common story in dramas and novels.
But…!
In an ordinary family, that might happen.
A younger brother who loses everything to his older brother might grit his teeth.
But this family is different. Even if the older brother takes everything, the younger brother is left with at least a few hundred billion.
An unimaginable amount for ordinary people. They start with that as a basic safety net. There’s no need to stand by a father or brother who’s grinding their teeth.
“No, really. Kyung-joon met with me as soon as he returned to Korea. Of course, I did provoke him a bit… Anyway, he wanted to know if the succession plan had started.”
“Wow. Greedy, aren’t they?”
“It’s not just our family. The world’s changed.”
They say there are mountains of civil lawsuits over a single apartment, the only asset parents have.
People fight over rural plots worth next to nothing.
Even these people claim priority as the eldest or hope for an equal share as siblings.
We’re just dealing with different numbers.
The size of greed isn’t different between commoners and conglomerates.
“So, what’s your plan?”
“If Kyung-joon gives me what he has, I might make him a salaried CEO. If he’s not up to it, he’ll be fired.”
“What does he have to offer? If Young-joon takes everything, he’s got nothing.”
“He’s got something useful. He’s Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi’s son.”
“What?”
Chairman Lee Hak-jae tilted his head, puzzled.
“Not right now, but there will come a time when it’s crucial.”
“I have no idea what you’re plotting… Well, that’s your business. From what you’re saying, it seems you’re going to let Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi’s succession plan proceed…”
“I wanted to discuss that. The current share structure isn’t exactly a fortress, is it?”
“The decision is simple. You can call an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders for the electronics and trading divisions right now. With your shares, you can convene it. Then propose an agenda: dismiss the CEOs of the electronics and trading divisions. Will it pass?”
“Not right now.”
“Then it’s a fortress.”
“What if, hypothetically, Young-joon becomes chairman?”
“Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi’s friendly shares might waver a bit. Young-joon isn’t fully trusted yet.”
“Exactly. The fortress might weaken a bit, right?”
“Hmm…”
The biggest issue is that they’re rushing the succession plan. They should take their time, gradually increasing the number of affiliates and subsidiaries to build a solid share structure, but they’re rushing after seeing the collapse of Jin Dong-gi.
They’re trying to handle the division and succession simultaneously. It’s bound to be more vulnerable.
“They’ll definitely try to finish by next year, so we need to watch closely.”
Next year is the presidential election.
No one knows what will happen if the government changes.
If a non-pro-business administration comes in, they’ll likely interfere with the succession plan at every turn. They might even impose hefty taxes.
Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi knows he needs to wrap things up quickly under the current pro-business administration.
“Yes. We need to monitor any changes in the share structure closely. Of course, we’ll continue to secure shares.”
Chairman Lee Hak-jae looked relaxed.
He seemed to think he already had the upper hand.
The side that panics and runs always gets caught.
Rushing means being chased, and in a chase, the pursuer always wins. As long as they don’t get complacent.
Saying they’ll focus on securing shares shows they’re not getting complacent.
“The only thing I can promise you is this: you’ll definitely get a chance.”
Jin Kyung-jun looked worn out, as if he’d been through hell and back.
“Even if you can’t make the most of that chance, at the very least, you’ll end up with a couple of mid-sized subsidiaries. You can still play the role of a father who leaves a few companies to his kids.”
“Is that chance even fair?”
“Of course not. If you can show even half the competence of others, I’ll hand you the CEO position.”
“And that position, it’s with Electronics or Trading… at least one of the main subsidiaries, right?”
“Absolutely. We’re cousins, after all. Do you think I’d just give you a token role for appearances?”
He took a long, contemplative breath.
Not that it would change anything.
“Fine. So what do I have to do?”
“Absolute obedience.”
“What?”
Jin Kyung-jun’s eyes flared with anger as he shouted.
“I’m sorry to put it this way. I tried to think of a more palatable way to say it, but nothing else fits. The only word that truly captures what I mean is obedience.”
“You… you little…!”
But it was already too late.
Sitting at the same table with me again meant he was ready to abandon his brother and father in exchange for something more tangible.
Would he spend his life as his brother’s lackey, always watching his step? Or would he bow to his cousin and secure something entirely his own?
Running Sunyang Electronics for about five years, then taking a couple of subsidiaries to strike out on his own. It’s a tempting offer, isn’t it?
To soothe his wounded pride, I dangled another temptation.
“I’ll make sure no one calls you a traitor to your family. Instead, you’ll just be seen as the pitied, abandoned second son. That’s my way.”
The venom in Jin Kyung-jun’s eyes slowly faded as he glared at me.