[230]Unfinished work 5
In the parking lot of the hospital, his father and Lee Hak-jae were waiting with anxious faces.
Grandpa got out of the car and didn’t even notice the wheelchair the doctors had brought.
“How many steps do you bring it? done. Let’s just go up.”
The grandfather strode to the front of the elevator and looked back and said,
“I won’t say anything. all go back I want to be alone today.”
We had to watch the elevator doors close quickly.
My father said as he climbed into another elevator.
“Do-joon. You can go and get some rest. I’m going to go see the hospital director. Hakjae-hyung go too and get some rest.”
When the elevator door where his father was riding closed, Chief Lee Hak-jae let out a long sigh, perhaps feeling relieved.
“Do-joon. Are you tired?”
“no. As I came up, I closed my eyes.”
“Then would you like to talk to me?”
He and I moved to a cafe near the hospital.
“How was Gunsan?”
“Are you sluggish?”
“what? cold?”
“yes. Isn’t it a bit poor to say that it is the history of the Sunyang Group? A few photos and a few memorabilia…”
“Is that so? People who haven’t experienced the scene don’t seem to be particularly impressed.”
“Should I rather call it my grandfather’s photo album?”
“A photo album? haha. Yes, that would suit me better. It’s because it’s a place that holds the president’s memories.”
Lee Hak-jae smiled and looked at me.
“Did you not say anything?”
“Then you told me about the accident.”
He didn’t miss the twitching of his eyebrows. It must have been that he did not expect that his grandfather would reveal everything about his grandmother.
“Did the manager know?”
“Uhmm… of course. Because I investigated.”
“Can I ask a question?”
“okay. what?”
“Are there people who help grandma too? Wouldn’t it be impossible for ordinary employees to put that into practice?”
“Isn’t it a world full of guys who will do anything for money?”
“It’s hard to think that the wife of the chairman of the Sunyang Group gets along with those guys, right? It’s about finding a weakness for them… but it won’t be that simple. Please tell me.”
“Why do you want to know so much detail?”
“My grandfather said so. I may hurt you again, but please forgive me for seeing you. I have to be prepared for that time as well.”
Chief Lee Hak-jae started looking straight into my eyes.
“Are you sure you can forgive?”
“It’s a request from my grandfather, so I have to listen.”
“Hmm…”
He took a sip of coffee and I waited for him to talk.
“You know that my wife runs an art gallery and an art support center, right?”
“yes. I heard that it is the best support organization.”
“It is a world where expensive artworks move. Fakes are common, and unless you are an expert, it is difficult to distinguish between counterfeits and genuine products. And it’s not uncommon to trade in the shadows.”
“ah…!”
“What if I made a dishonest transaction and it turns out to be counterfeit? Should I call the police?”
It’s a shameful transaction… It’s called smuggling.
There was once a rumor floating around.
North Korean antiques poured into South Korea via China.
It was rumored that the Sunyang Gallery was the place where all the antiques were collected and kept in the underground storage. This, too, is impossible without smuggling.
“There is a hand-and-hand organization that solves such unsavory things by force.”
Chief Lee Hak-jae only nodded his head instead of answering.
“Money and power… I have to engrave my grandfather’s words. It’s because the first time is difficult, but the second time you won’t feel any guilt.”
“Isn’t it the same for you? I have all the money and power. Woo Byung-jun wouldn’t blink an eye and warn his wife if you ordered it? If I touch you, I will repay you back.”
“No way?”
“You didn’t even answer my calls? Didn’t I swear allegiance to you?”
It wasn’t a show show.
I really erased the second factor of Sunyang.
No, you shouldn’t believe everything this person says. It is possible for two people to kiss and deceive me.
Didn’t you learn from death how you easily trusted and followed people?
“At least Woo Byung-jun is top-notch. It’s a well-forged sword, so use it carefully and carefully.”
“yes. I will keep in mind.”
“Well, family problems don’t seem to be my concern… Didn’t the president say something about the group?”
Since I made a promise to this man, it’s only natural to wonder what my grandfather and I were talking about.
“He only asked if I was confident in making the Sunyang bigger. Other than that, nothing special.”
“okay? Is that all?”
“Your boss. No, I would rather ask. Grandpa, are you thinking of giving me more of a controlling stake in the group?”
Lee Hak-jae shook his head.
“Everyone thinks that the president has a trump card or two, but… you’re wrong. There is no controlling stake in the group in the hands of the chairman. All that remains is real estate and deposits. I don’t know much about personal property. It’s managed by a private attorney.”
“Are you sure?”
“I split it with my own hands. No more.”
Hearing his affirmation made me feel a bit weak.
The hope that he would give me at least one secret weapon enough to deliver the final blow disappeared.
He’s a very cold person. The one who fought until the end and won is your successor?
“You look disappointed? haha.”
“yes. I was looking forward to it.”
“If you hadn’t made a mistake, the president wouldn’t have let go of that expectation.”
mistake? I? What else do you mean by this?
Looking at my wide open eyes, Chief Lee shook his hand slightly.
“It’s not that kind of mistake, I’m talking about not reading people’s minds.”
“Me?”
“okay. It would have been nice if I had known a little bit of my parents’ feelings… You only showed a very proud side of me. I should have shown a little lacking and weak side. So, it would have been a little different if I had made them feel sorry for them. The saying that you give one more rice cake to a crying child is true.”
Really? Was it because he trusted me so much that he only gave me that much?
“Oh, don’t think too deeply. Because it’s just my opinion. This… the story keeps leaking somewhere else. Where did you stop on the way up?”
“yes. The manager seems to be someone you know. Mr. Joo Byeong-hae…”
“Huh? The principal?”
Chief Lee Hak-jae looked surprised, perhaps unexpectedly.
“yes. He told me to ask for help if I have any difficulties in the future. And he told me to visit often and say hello. Are you familiar?”
“of course.”
Seeing the faint smile on his face, he must have had many good memories.
“He is a great person. He could have had half of the sun sheep if he had been patient. Throwing it all away and turning around without any regrets… He’s a real man.”
“Still, seeing how you live, you didn’t feel awkward, did you?”
“Compared to what was thrown away, it’s a pity. The president cares about it, so we live to that extent. The fact that I showed him to you also included the meaning that if the president is not around, you will take care of him.”
“Oh, I see. I must not forget.”
“Since he is a wise man, it wouldn’t hurt to seek advice from time to time. I call sometimes too.”
Chief Lee Hak-jae said as he emptied his coffee cup. I think I will tell you the real reason why you wanted to see me separately.
“Now make up your mind. Chairman, if they knew you were gone, everyone would show their true colors. In particular, Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki will be the first to start. I don’t know if the first prey will be you or the vibrator vice president, but I’m going to kick it out right away.”
“Will you help me?”
“Did you tell me? I will accept the will of the president. Don’t block stock transfers. But nothing more. Don’t even think about putting me ahead.”
“All right. You must be prepared.”
“Especially, the two vice-presidents might unite and try to oust you first. Get over that hurdle.”
“Wouldn’t you like to put something in my hands to fight for?”
Lee Hak-jae smiled as he smiled and stabbed him.
“Look for yourself. It’s a flaw that can be attacked by the second generation of chaebol. Isn’t it widespread? Hehe.”
This man must be holding on to something.
* * *
In 2003, prosecutors investigated allegations that illegal funds were rampant throughout the 2002 presidential election and urgently arrested an aide of an opposition presidential candidate. This news marked the end of 2003.
Everyone was in an emergency when the Central Investigation Department announced that it would conduct a full-scale investigation into conglomerates involved in the so-called car-leaning scheme.
The two uncles were busy trying to erase their traces in the process of delivering election funds and finding someone to stand in the prosecutor’s photo line instead.
“Chief. What happened to the person in charge of Miracle Investment?”
“CEO Se-Hyeon Oh is almost retired, and the two employees who delivered the money at that time also left for the United States early. Since the two employees went out with their families, it can be said that the traces over there have been erased, right?”
Managing Director Woo Byung-jun nodded.
“That’s it. The guys who delivered the manager’s money to Vice Chairman Vibrator’s side also went on vacation to Southeast Asia until the prosecution’s investigation was over.”
“Did you find the flow of my money?”
“no. Representative Oh Se-hyun handled it neatly. It is impossible to discover it on your own, and it will be difficult even if the prosecution decides to attack. We have to secure all of our US accounts and compare them one by one.”
“Even if I did that, I couldn’t find it. There are billions of dollars going back and forth between New York and Yeouido every day.”
When I said it confidently, managing director Woo Byung-joon shrugged his shoulders and accepted it.
“You two are not normal.”
“I am only twenty-seven now. I can’t put my hands in the dirty water already.”
Woo Byung-jun smiled slowly and said.
“There are rumors that the president is still in the hospital. Do you know?”
“Where did that rumor start?”
“These are the bodyguards at the president’s house. If you don’t go in and out, they’ll think it’s strange. Is it true?”
My belief in this person wasn’t 100%, but I thought it was enough to confirm the rumors.
“yes. About a week ago.”
He said calmly, not surprised.
“Why did you keep it a secret…?”
“Grandpa wanted it.”
“okay. Then contact Chief Lee Hak-jae and ask him to rotate the bodyguards at the president’s house. It is a rule for the security office to work shifts after a certain period of time, so even those guys won’t take it as a special task.”
How long can you keep it a secret?
It’s only a matter of time before Grandpa doesn’t make an official appearance. Maybe the two uncles didn’t notice either?
“All right. I will tell this manager.”
“I’m careful to say this, but has your health deteriorated a lot, President?”
“yes. The hospital says there is not much time left.”
Woo Byung-jun took out his cell phone as soon as I stopped talking.
“Invite all the staff to gather. Chief Jin Do-jun, everything except the driver.”
He stood up immediately after a short phone call.
“Today, it would be better to shorten the outside schedule and go home. And starting tomorrow, we will raise the level of security a bit more.”
I felt a bit uncomfortable because his sudden action seemed excessive.
When he saw my expression, his voice hardened even more.
“I’ve seen people with both physical and financial power do things beyond common sense when they’re nervous. I don’t think it’s strange at all even if all sorts of incidents happen one after another until the future plan of the Sunyang Group is clear. The manager needs to be nervous too.”
Considering what his grandmother had done, Woo Byung-jun’s words were not wrong. Grandpa’s death is starting to come closer to reality.
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