Chapter 327

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Chae Kyu-ho spread his arms wide, causing the canned coffee in his hand to spill and splash onto the back of his hand. His clumsy antics were something he often did back in middle school, so his friends just shrugged it off. Chae Kyu-ho sucked on the back of his hand and let out a sigh like an old man. “American students mess around in garages, invent stuff, and show off their creativity. Aren’t those suit-wearing guys just crazy? Ugh, why am I getting so worked up over something that’s not even my business?”

Watching his friend’s sudden outburst, Jin Hyuk couldn’t help but shrug his shoulders without making a sound. Even though his friend seemed harmless, his quirky behavior in unexpected situations made him oddly endearing. Back in middle school, this was the same guy who broke the rule of “a man’s word is worth a thousand gold pieces” and ran for class president. The predictable nonsense from education administrators still managed to draw a chuckle.

“It’s ridiculous.”

“The tech industry in America, which has seen so much success, all started in garages. Seriously, Chairman, where do we even begin to compare? They have garages attached to their houses, spacious enough to use as workshops. So, shouldn’t we create accessible and comfortable workspaces? That’s the conclusion we should be drawing, right?”

“Right. That’s a fair interpretation. The application is off. I’ll use this in a lecture I have scheduled with a subsidiary next week.”

“As a bad example?”

“Yep.”

Building a garage to learn creativity from American students? It seemed like a perfect example of misapplication.

“And no matter how much those Americans mess around in their garages, they can’t even come close to catching up to the Saein Research Institute. So why go to America when we should be studying Saein or schools partnered with Saein? Right?”

This guy, Chae Kyu-ho… he just came here to chat, didn’t he?

Though Jin Hyuk couldn’t guess how much stress his friend was under, he was glad to see his expression gradually brighten. Even though his eardrums felt like they were about to burst, Jin Hyuk endured it for the sake of his long-lost friend.

‘What’s the point of having friends? I’m just living my life being a good friend.’

After chatting for a while, Chae Kyu-ho looked as happy as someone who had just relieved their indigestion. Later, like other friends, he started eyeing Jin Hyuk, curious about the company’s inner workings. He wanted a tour, thanks to his CEO friend.

Jin Hyuk, being perceptive, knew what he meant. He took his friend around the Future Strategy Office and the research lab.

“Wow, the ladies here are really pretty…”

This guy?

Chae Kyu-ho’s eyes were more focused than when he was talking to Jin Hyuk.

“Chairman, don’t worry. I’ve already lined up over ten guys to throw into the grinder. There’s something we’re developing just for you. You’ll be amazed when you see it later.”

Even as he said that, Chae Kyu-ho’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the female employees. Guess he’s still a man at heart.

When it was time to leave, he put on the most regretful expression he had ever shown.

“If I ask for the contact info of that lady in the sky-blue blouse, are you going to hit me?”

“Yep.”

Jin Hyuk playfully swung his fist like a cat.

Personal information is precious.

Providing contact info without consent is… well, it’s just wrong.

“What about the lady in the beige skirt?”

“I’ll kill you, seriously.”

“The one with straight hair and horn-rimmed glasses?”

“Stop. I don’t want to kill my own friend.”

“Come on, you can at least tell me her age. The straight hair and horn-rimmed glasses are totally my style.”

Chae Kyu-ho seemed particularly fixated on Shim Dong-mi.

“She’s my colleague. She’s five years older than us. She’s a nice lady who treats us to meals.”

“Ah, a five-year age gap is just perfect…”

This guy, Chae Kyu-ho, likes older women.

As he watched Chae Kyu-ho board the bus, Jin Hyuk was suddenly overwhelmed by a strange emotion. It wasn’t the confusion of identity he used to struggle with.

‘Now that I think about it, she’s kind of pretty, like those ladies…’

Was it because he had matured, or had his mental age finally caught up to his actual age?

Either way, it was a surprising realization.

Just as the bus doors were about to close, Chae Kyu-ho leaned out and waved his hand high.

“Chairman! Let’s meet after graduation! Let’s finish this year strong!”

“You too!”

Jin Hyuk nodded quietly as he watched the bus drive away.

‘I’ve got things to wrap up this year.’

***

December 2001.

The snow fell heavily that night.

Seoul, viewed from a high-rise building, had turned into a white country.

Against the backdrop of snow pouring down, turning the night sky gray beyond the glass, Park Woo-jung exuded his usual intensity. His eyes stared at the items on the table.

File folders, newspaper articles, CDs, cassette tapes, video tapes, and hundreds of photos.

He had aged.

His cheeks were sunken, and his philtrum was lined with wrinkles, proving he was well past his sixties. His dry eyes no longer held the sharpness they once did.

Across the table, those who looked at Park Woo-jung with indifferent eyes showed no trace of sympathy. The confrontation between the similar yet contrasting men created a bleak and dry scene.

Rumble—

Though they didn’t dare open their mouths, Richard Hammond, the fat one, spun around in Park Woo-jung’s CEO chair like a child, looking thrilled.

Park Woo-jung, still in the same position, rolled his eyes to scan the people sitting in front of him.

Hong Ki-jun, Chairman of Saein Group.

Yoo Jun-sik, CEO of Saein Electronics.

Son Jin-hyeok, Head of Saein Group’s Future Strategy Office.

The man who looked obviously Chinese was Michael Chen, CEO of Hong Kong’s global investment firm, Gold Diamond.

Larry Jones from the American investment giant, Wells Cape.

And that fat guy treating the CEO chair like a ride was the famous Richard Hammond from RB Investment.

The one currently explaining things was Shin Sang-yeol, Park Woo-jung’s right-hand man—or rather, former right-hand man.

“The consortium led by Alby, as the major shareholder, believes that without former Chairman Park Woon-chul, Daejeong Group’s cohesion and external prestige as an owner group have weakened…”

No one paid attention to Shin Sang-yeol’s explanation.

News reports had already surfaced over a month ago that the consortium, formed to acquire a major shareholder position, would demand Park Woo-jung’s resignation. There was no reason to be surprised now.

Park Woo-jung lowered his gaze back to the table.

Various headlines cast suspicious glances at Park Woo-jung.

“Park Woon-chul’s Funeral Attended by Political and Business Figures.”

“Daejeong Family Feud? Park Sa-rang, CEO of Daejeong Foods, Commits Suicide.”

“Daejeong Foods Continues Factory Operations Despite Worker Deaths.”

“Labor Dispute Unresolved, Daejeong Heavy Industries’ Fate in Limbo.”

When Park Woo-jung pushed the newspapers aside, a pile of vivid photos of his private life was revealed.

Most were photos of him entangled with young women, naked, though he couldn’t remember when they were taken. Some even featured famous actresses and singers.

Such things didn’t scare him.

He was used to the world pointing fingers at those who had what they couldn’t.

Park Woo-jung cleared away the photos filled with skin.

Beneath them was another photo.

His third son, Park Hyun-soo, who wouldn’t hurt even if you put him in your eye.

He was currently imprisoned in an American jail.

His eyes were swollen like he’d been stung by a bee, his nose was crooked, and some of his teeth were broken. What parent could remain calm seeing their child in such a state?

‘How dare they.’

Clenching his jaw, he let out a scream as if his teeth were about to shatter.

“…I also chose the bright and right path to survive. I hope you can understand, Chairman.”

Park Woo-jung shot a contemptuous look at Shin Sang-yeol, who was wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

A lackey who picked up scraps, now talking about the bright path?

After secretly collecting materials and hiding cameras, now he’s preaching about the right path?

‘Money is the bright and right path.’

Park Woo-jung waved his hand at Shin Sang-yeol.

Get out. I’ll deal with you later.

There was no point in arguing now.

That video tape undoubtedly contained bedroom scenes, and the audio tape surely had his voice calling politicians and scholarship students dogs or slaves.

After Shin Sang-yeol left with a bow, Park Woo-jung turned his gaze to Hong Ki-jun and his group.

There was no reason to lecture them about the power of money.

They had already amassed more power than Park Woo-jung.

“So, if I step down quietly, you’ll keep these materials private? And get my son out of an American prison?”

As Shin Sang-yeol had revealed, the process would be smooth, without a shareholders’ meeting, and he would step down gracefully. The evidence scattered before him said as much.

But Hong Ki-jun simply raised his hand heavily in response.

“There’s no negotiation. Just make your choice and decision. Give your answer to the consortium representative.”

Hong Ki-jun pointed at Jin Hyuk as he spoke.

After finishing his words, Hong Ki-jun stood up, and the group followed.

Richard Hammond, seemingly wanting to take the CEO chair with him, dragged it a few steps before Larry Jones grabbed his collar and pulled him away.

“Steve, buy me one of these! It’s better than the ones in New York!”

In the midst of it all, he didn’t forget to twist the knife in Park Woo-jung’s gut.

“Hey, pfft. Your son’s workplace is in shambles. Better get him out fast. Richard has the power to get him out anytime!”

Only one person, Son Jin-hyeok, sat at the end of the table, staring at Park Woo-jung with emotionless eyes.

Perhaps trembling with thoughts of his son, Park Woo-jung’s voice was unstable.

“Yeah, there were a lot of guys like you.”

Park Woo-jung started rambling, but Jin Hyuk showed no reaction.

He just focused on organizing his thoughts.

“Lackeys who make a decent living and, if they succeed, try to sit at the same table as their masters. They don’t even remember the favor of being raised…”

What was that old man lacking that he kept doing bad things?

“You’re the one who succeeded the most among them.”

Does that old man not see people as people?

Does he not know that nothing is more precious than life?

“You have the right to sit with me—”

“You must be curious about Park Sa-rang’s death.”

Finally organizing his thoughts, Jin Hyuk cut off Park Woo-jung’s words.

The content and the voice were too disgusting to listen to any longer.

“Your sister also met me before she died. You must know that much.”

Jin Hyuk had been investigated by the prosecution after Park Sa-rang’s suicide.

It was a formal investigation to appease the public eye.

As a shareholder of the group embroiled in a management dispute, his visit was seen as encouragement. At least on the surface, no one could deny that Jin Hyuk had no motive for murder.

“Are you saying… you’re connected to my sister’s death?”

“I’ll tell you. I killed her. I killed her because her lustful eyes scanning my face and body disgusted me. I killed her to avenge the crime of slandering my maternal grandfather with a single anonymous letter and destroying my mother’s family.”

As he spoke, Jin Hyuk pulled out a thick stack of documents from his bag and threw them in front of Park Woo-jung.

“That should add enough weight to the reason for jumping from the seventeenth floor. It’s a harsh punishment for anyone, but especially for a woman.”

Park Woo-jung, who had opened the folder Jin Hyuk threw, held his forehead.

More photos filled with skin—blood will tell, and a thief of seeds can’t hide.

Park Woo-jung quickly flipped over the photo of Park Sa-rang entangled with young men, her eyes rolled back.

“It’s only right that I do the same to you.”

Jin Hyuk delivered his final warning like a grim reaper.

One of Park Woo-jung’s cheeks twitched.

Shame is something only those who have nothing feel. How could a great man give up his life over such a thing? Park Woo-jung’s inner strength, forged by scandals, laughed at Jin Hyuk’s announcement.

“Go ahead, laugh. Park Sa-rang did the same. She said such things were trivial. She even said it was a way to show off her ability and charm. That’s when I realized. These are people who can’t be understood by conscience or common sense.”

“Huh—”

“Let’s make a deal. Like a businessman. Just like your sister did.”

Park Woo-jung, who had been exhaling in frustration, closed his mouth.

Was this what a tiger’s breath sounded like?

Though low and calm, it strangely sounded like a growl.

“A deal? Did my sister stake her life on a deal?”

“Tomorrow at noon, the prosecution will raid your place. Those scholarship students you worked so hard to raise.”

That can’t be possible, right? Park Woo-jung’s eyes seemed to say.

Thud—

This time, Jin Hyuk threw an even thicker stack of documents.

Naturally, the documents contained evidence of accounting fraud, violations of foreign exchange laws… all neatly organized.

“I got quite a bit of material through Shin Sang-yeol. Accounting fraud, foreign exchange violations… I sent a few minor ones as a taste. It’ll be good bait for the prosecution. It’s about time to shed the stigma of being a pro-business government. The prosecution, crying out for reform, will need a trigger.”

Park Woo-jung, who had half-risen, leaned back on the sofa again.

It was a collapse from fear. The documents were one thing, but that young man’s eyes seemed to pull his soul out of his body.

“My, my… you don’t seem like you’re twenty.”

“I’m twenty-three.”

A twenty-three-year-old who’s lived sixty years. Jin Hyuk muttered as he kicked the sofa.

He walked to the window where the snow was falling.

Standing tall, he muttered as if to himself.

“Let me ask you one thing…”

His jaw clenched tightly.

Park Woo-jung turned to glare at Jin Hyuk. Though exhausted, his eyes were filled with hatred.

Seeing that gaze through the glass, Jin Hyuk struggled to suppress his irritation.

“Do you have any intention of asking for forgiveness? From my grandfather, my grandmother, my father. Sincerely.”