[056] Win-Win 3.
The moment I stepped into the study, my resolve not to be intimidated crumbled. I could see Osuhyun’s fingers trembling, a clear sign that his nerves were at their peak.
“Uncle, just focus on Grandpa, not the Sunyang Group behind him. It’ll make things easier.”
Osuhyun gave me a reassuring pat on the back and a thumbs-up.
“Let’s go.”
As we entered the study, Grandpa stood up, removing his glasses.
“Nice to meet you. Are you Osuhyun?”
“Yes, Chairman. It’s an honor.”
Osuhyun bowed deeply, and Grandpa waved him off.
“Come, sit down. Make yourself comfortable.”
Grandpa scrutinized Osuhyun with sharp eyes.
“How old are you this year?”
“Fifty.”
“Still in your prime.”
“Thanks to Dojun, I feel young again.”
Wow, even flattery? I didn’t know Osuhyun had it in him.
“I’ve heard a lot about you. They say you increased Dojun’s money a hundredfold? That’s quite a feat. Haha.”
When Osuhyun shot me a puzzled look, I gave a slight shake of my head.
“Oh, that was… just luck. I’m just relieved I didn’t lose the principal.”
“This guy, so modest. I was thinking how great it would have been if you’d used that talent for me.”
“You’re too kind.”
After praising Osuhyun for a while, Grandpa pulled out a document.
“I hear this is the money that can be salvaged.”
“Yes, it’s a total of 270 billion won. Once the grace period for the debt moratorium ends, it’s certain to go into court receivership. We need to divert it before that happens. If we’re caught, Chairman Song of Ajin and several executives won’t escape imprisonment.”
“In simple terms, you’re asking for money laundering?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Hmm…”
Grandpa tapped the document, lost in thought.
“Grandpa, shouldn’t that money be set aside for the retirement funds of Ajin Motors’ executives?”
I spoke cautiously, but Grandpa didn’t seem to hear me.
“Why are you worrying about their retirement? Do you know what kind of people they are? They’ve probably secured their own futures.”
Grandpa turned back to Osuhyun.
“Are any of them going to jail?”
“Chairman Song suggests sending three or four as a formality. He’s proposed to the bank creditors to settle it at that.”
Grandpa’s eyes darkened, a look of greed I’d seen countless times before.
“Mr. Oh, how about we stash this money in Miracle in the U.S.?”
“All of it?”
“Why? Can’t we?”
“It’s not that we can’t, but retrieving it later would be…”
“Why not reinvest all of it back into Ajin Motors? Then pay those who want the money through salaries, bonuses, or special incentives. That should solve the problem.”
Osuhyun’s mouth fell open. How much would they have to set salaries or bonuses to use up 270 billion won?
But it was the most legitimate way.
I was sure Grandpa had found a way to ensure that money would never be given away. The look he showed earlier, full of greed, was his true intention.
“But they want a lump sum. Most of them plan to resign and leave, so they’re asking for a payout.”
Osuhyun still didn’t know Grandpa well enough to realize how futile his words were.
Grandpa began to look at Osuhyun with a hint of pity.
“You seem more suited to being an investor. Management doesn’t seem to be your thing.”
Seeing my uncle’s face turn red, I almost burst out laughing.
“Why give money you don’t have to, especially when you’re already making excuses to delay paying what you owe?”
Osuhyun was visibly flustered, unsure how to respond to such blatant logic.
“If you give them all the money now, from that moment on, they’re strangers. They might even join forces with your enemies to attack you. To them, you’re the villain who took over their precious Ajin Motors.”
“Ah…”
Osuhyun, who was used to dealing with numbers, had never truly seen the cowardly side of people swaying like reeds.
“Money is both a whip and a carrot. Hold onto it. When you need to tame them, give it out little by little, as if you’re doing them a favor. Remember, you used my billion won to order Director Lee around, didn’t you? That’s the power of money.”
“No, Chairman. That’s a misunderstanding. It was legally impossible…”
As Osuhyun hurriedly tried to explain, Grandpa waved him off with a laugh.
“Mr. Oh, I’m not blaming you. Just giving an example. Watch closely. Once they know this 270 billion won is reinvested in Ajin Motors, those Ajin guys will be licking your boots.”
Osuhyun was probably shocked by how blatant Grandpa was. Even after Grandpa finished speaking, he couldn’t find the words to respond.
I wanted to show Osuhyun more of Grandpa’s true nature. After all, we’d be seeing a lot of each other in the future.
“Grandpa, that’s not the only reason, right? You’re planning not to give them the money, aren’t you?”
I grinned as I spoke, and Grandpa burst into laughter.
“You cheeky brat. Are you trying to make your grandpa out to be a scoundrel who swindles money? Haha.”
His gaze shifted back to Osuhyun.
“What about you? Do you want to give them all the money, or just make it look like you do?”
“If I could, I’d rather not give it.”
“Exactly. No one gives away money they don’t have to.”
Grandpa turned his eyes back to me.
“See? I’m not the only bad guy here. Haha.”
After enjoying a moment of pleasant laughter, Grandpa handed over the document.
“Convince Chairman Song that this is the best way. I’ll handle the hidden funds of Ajin. Before it goes into court receivership, I’ll clean it up and stash it in Miracle’s vault.”
“Thank you, Chairman.”
“Thank me for what? I’m doing this for my own kid.”
As Osuhyun and I stood up, Grandpa gestured for me to stay.
“You stay a bit longer. I have something to discuss.”
“Then I’ll head back first.”
Once Osuhyun left, Grandpa’s smile faded.
“I heard you submitted a leave of absence?”
It was something he’d find out eventually, so I hadn’t planned to keep it a secret. But it was too soon. I had just submitted the leave this morning and came straight here.
“Yes, I submitted it today.”
“Why?”
“Why do you ask when you already know? With everything starting, I don’t have time for school…”
“You fool. Who said you had to attend every class? Just keep your enrollment. Tear up that leave of absence.”
“Grandpa.”
“Just do as I say. I know what you’re worried about.”
“What?”
“You want to maintain your student status to avoid the prying eyes of your relatives, right?”
”…”
I couldn’t say anything in front of Grandpa, who saw right through me.
“It’s a problem you’ll have to face eventually. You can’t keep putting it off. You need to fight when it’s time to fight and extend a hand when it’s time to make alliances. When that time comes, being a student will be a disadvantage.”
“Why is that? Aren’t you the one holding the reins, Grandpa?”
It was a rather blunt statement, but it was an issue that could no longer be postponed or ignored. Grandpa had brought it up first.
“You fool. Do you think the Sunyang Group is a neighborhood grocery store? There are many places my influence doesn’t reach. If a few key executives side with your uncle, the Sunyang Group could split in two overnight.”
I knew it was unlikely, but I didn’t argue. It wasn’t an incorrect statement.
When the real succession battle begins, the executives of Sunyang will see me, with my student label, as a child. Starting the succession means Grandpa has passed away, and power will quickly shift to my uncle.
“Understood. I’ll follow your wishes, Grandpa.”
As I quietly bowed my head and left the study, I couldn’t help but smile.
I had once again confirmed that Grandpa’s heart was leaning towards me.
“To Yeouido, please.”
Driver Kim, who had been waiting for me, took the wheel and picked up speed. Watching me through the rearview mirror, he spoke up.
“Sir, there’s something I need to tell you, if that’s alright.”
“Go ahead.”
“It might just be my imagination, but I think someone has been tailing us lately.”
My hand, which had been fiddling with the Motorola StarTAC, froze.
“Since when?”
“I’m not sure when it started, but I’ve only noticed it in the past few days.”
“Tell me more.”
“I haven’t seen anyone, but there’s always a car following us. It seems like they’re just tracking our movements…”
Driver Kim had mentioned he worked at the guesthouse. He wouldn’t have received training to notice someone tailing him.
How did he know?
When our eyes met in the rearview mirror, Kim seemed flustered and explained.
“Oh, Team Leader Shin warned us. He said there’s been an unusual amount of tailing lately.”
“Team Leader Shin?”
“Yes, he’s the head of our Strategy Team 1.”
“Could it be reporters?”
For tabloid journalists hunting for gossip, a third-generation chaebol is prime prey, and being tailed is common. A photo of a chaebol entering a hotel with a celebrity is worth a fortune.
“There are no reporters following us from the morning.”
Could it be? Did my uncle send someone?
My unease must have shown on my face because Kim spoke cautiously.
“Team Leader Shin is trying to find out who’s behind it. And… it seems like they’re following us now. If you’re not too busy, could we check?”
“Sure. Let’s go for a drive.”
“Buckle up. I’ll speed up a bit.”
The car sped past the riverside road, heading towards the Freedom Road.
“You don’t need to worry much about the third son, Jin Sang-gi, or the fourth son, Jin Yoon-gi. Jin Sang-gi just sticks to the eldest, Jin Young-gi, wagging his tail. Jin Yoon-gi has already made a name for himself in the film industry and has no interest in the family business.”
“So, the problem is the second son, Jin Dong-gi?”
“Yes. If we’re talking about performance, Jin Dong-gi is far ahead. He’s the one who elevated the heavy chemical sector to the top in the country. Plus, he has a good reputation among the company presidents and executives.”
“He’s lower in the succession line, but he’s got the support of the subordinates?”
“Exactly. At this rate, it’s likely that Jin Dong-gi will take over the chemical and heavy industries division.”
In the dimly lit conference room, the projector displayed the Sunyang Group family tree, filled with detailed notes about each member.
“What about the only daughter, Jin Seo-yoon?”
“She’s ambitious, but the consensus is that she can’t overcome the limitations of being a woman. She’ll probably end up with the department stores, golf courses, hotels, and the cultural foundation.”
“Hmph! Who says so?”
“So-young, just listen quietly.”
Chairman Hong of the Hanseong Daily glared at his granddaughter, Hong So-young, who promptly closed her mouth.
“Continue.”
“Yes. However, during our investigation, we discovered an unexpected dark horse: the grandson, Jin Do-joon.”
“Jin Do-joon? The youngest?”
The Hong family members widened their eyes in surprise.
“Yes, he’s the second son of Jin Yoon-gi.”
“Why him? Isn’t he just a bookworm at Seoul National University’s law school?”
“He barely attended classes for a semester.”
“Then what?”
“He practically commutes to Yeouido every day and often visits Chairman Jin’s house.”
“Yeouido?”
“Yes. It seems he has close ties with Miracle Investment, a foreign investment firm. According to our findings, he has amassed quite a personal fortune.”
“How much?”
“At least several billion won, possibly approaching a hundred billion.”
The mention of a hundred billion left the Hong family members speechless.
A college freshman with a hundred billion won?