» The Youngest Son of Sunyang
The Youngest Son of a Chaebol Family - Chapter 247
[247] Five-Day Funeral 5
I struggled to maintain an indifferent expression, as if I already knew everything. It would be a disaster if the chief prosecutor felt he had said something he shouldn't have.
"He has a bit of that side to him. He can't easily give up anything. And in a way, I understand. It's a position he's held for a very long time, so it's natural he'd be reluctant to let go."
Fortunately, he didn't seem to catch on at all.
"Speaking of which, it must be quite a burden for you, Chief Prosecutor. You're not entirely unrelated to him..."
I watched Chief Prosecutor Kim Seokhwi's expression; he didn't seem particularly troubled.
"For me, it's just about finishing things up. Since the Ministry of Justice has stepped up as the enforcer, they'll be the ones in a difficult spot."
My uncles' scenario was clear: the Ministry of Justice would choke him, and the chief prosecutor would close the coffin lid.
Of course, before nailing the lid shut, if they got what they wanted, they'd let him out again.
What they wanted, I already knew: a readjustment of shares.
Look at these guys! They really used their heads.
Using the prosecution to catch Lee Hakjae, and Lee Hakjae becoming the tool to catch me...
"Is something bothering you?"
Seeing my hardened expression, the chief prosecutor's eyes changed. He seemed worried he'd said something he shouldn't have.
"No. I was just thinking of my grandfather, who cherished Chief Lee Hakjae."
The conversation had to end here. If it dragged on, unnecessary things were bound to surface.
"Well then, Chief Prosecutor. I'll contact you again after the funeral. From now on, we'll proceed at the usual location, like before."
"Oh dear, I hope I haven't kept such a busy person for too long..."
"Don't mention it. Oh, you left the car key with our staff in the parking lot, didn't you?"
"Yes."
Perhaps the chief prosecutor also wanted to quickly confirm the money in his trunk, as he immediately rose.
"Then please, go ahead. I'll leave a little later."
As Chief Prosecutor Kim Seokhwi departed, I quickly pulled out my phone.
But I couldn't inform Chief Lee Hakjae yet.
Rather than making a hasty judgment, I needed to think things through more carefully and turn the situation to my advantage.
I headed back to my grandfather's house.
I needed to talk, think, and plan while looking the person concerned in the face.
* * *
Mourners flocked day and night, and the mansion, with all its lights on, was so bright it was hard to tell day from night.
Important guests dined or had a drink in the guesthouse, while the makeshift tables set up in the yard were occupied by people grabbing a quick bite.
People who spotted me bowed their heads in greeting, but their expressions conveyed a sense of the prevailing mood.
They were clearly executives from the financial affiliates, yet they weren't making a fuss like before. They must have been anticipating my downfall now that my grandfather, who had solidly supported me, was gone.
"Where have you been? You were gone for a while."
My heart dropped.
Of all people, Chief Lee Hakjae appeared, patting me on the shoulder.
"Ah, Chief. I had some business to take care of, so I went out."
"Miracle?"
"...Yes."
"Indeed, the stock market has been turbulent lately. It must be because of the presidential impeachment, right?"
"Exactly. It's a temporary phenomenon, but since team leaders and managers were wavering, I went to steady them."
"Steady them? How?"
"Whether the impeachment motion passes or fails, recovery is only a matter of time. Even if it passes, the Constitutional Court will dismiss it."
"How can you be so sure? Politics is a living thing. No one knows how it will writhe."
It was a strange feeling to see him, completely unaware that the knife aimed at his throat was drawing near. What kind of figure would someone, who had only ever stabbed others while protected by the sturdy fortress of Sunyang and my grandfather, present when the tables were turned?
"Insight helps in accurately predicting such things. Hehe."
"You've completely shed all pretense of humility now."
Lee Hakjae stared intently at me as he spoke.
"But while you were away, they changed the chairman's burial site. You couldn't predict that with your insight?"
"What? What do you mean...?"
"They changed it to the Sunyang Group History Museum in Gunsan. The madam insisted, and the children accepted it. The justification is plausible, after all. Gunsan is the birthplace of Sunyang, so he'll rest peacefully there... Of course, your father objected, but what could he do? The widow, eldest, and second sons pushed it through."
"Damn it all!"
An expletive burst out of me automatically.
Isn't this just saying they'll send him far away and ignore him?
My fingertips trembled, and I clenched my fists. As I was about to rush into the house, Chief Lee Hakjae grabbed my arm.
"Stop it. There's nothing you can do about this."
"Let go of me."
"A funeral is the business of the widow and children. Nothing will change if a grandson gets involved. A grandson can only follow the adults' decisions. Making a fuss will only make it harder for you."
He gripped my arm even tighter.
"Bear with it and endure. Later, if you have enough power to relocate the chairman's grave, this will be nothing. Even if you enshrined the chairman in the main Sunyang Group building, no one would dare utter a word. Save your strength for that time."
I unclenched my fist. Chief Lee's words were entirely true.
The tears I had held back suddenly poured out.
I had promised to visit him every day, but I couldn't even keep that promise now.
* * *
On the fifth day, I bid farewell to my grandfather on his final journey. The funeral procession left the house, stopped briefly at the Sunyang Group Head Office, and then headed for Gunsan.
As with anyone, when the coffin was lowered, it was a sea of tears. Even my eldest aunt, who had not a speck of affection, had glistening eyes, but I gritted my teeth and held back.
This was not the place for me to shed tears. I must shed the tears I've held back when his grave is relocated to the front yard of the Sunyang Arts Foundation in Yongin, not here in Gunsan.
After sending my grandfather off, I stayed indoors for two days.
"What? I thought you'd be living like a wreck, overcome by grief, but you look perfectly fine?"
Oh Sehyun, who had brought me coffee, wore a relieved expression as he saw me meticulously scrutinizing a notebook.
"I was at home organizing my thoughts."
"What thoughts?"
"Various ones. By the way, have you found out anything...?"
"Nothing. The prosecution is quiet. I checked all the Seoul and Gyeonggi district prosecutors' offices, and there are no investigations related to Sunyang. No one, either."
"Uncle. I've found something out."
"What? Hey! Why are you only telling me now!"
He roared, but his face was filled with curiosity.
"There wasn't an opportunity to tell you, was there?"
It was amusing to see someone who'd fled to Southeast Asia to avoid such matters now showing curiosity, but Oh Sehyun was the only one I could exchange opinions with right now.
"My uncles' target is Chief Lee Hakjae."
"What?"
"Funny, isn't it? They mobilized the chief prosecutor and high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Justice to crush a man who simply wanted to retire quietly."
"But why? Chief Lee isn't trying to build his own faction, nor does he covet Sunyang affiliates."
"They just don't like him doing nothing. It's a demand for him to become their ally."
"Loyalty to Sunyang until death? Are they crazy?"
Perhaps because he felt a sense of camaraderie with Chief Lee Hakjae? He erupted in anger as if it were his own affair.
"Not Sunyang, but the two sons. It's about turning my shares and Miracle's shares into waste paper. Chief Lee refused their orders to do that."
As I told him about the holding company conversion and the offer of the Sunyang Electronics CEO position, Oh Sehyun's anger vanished, replaced by worry.
"Can Chief Lee endure? That man has been involved in a lot of dirty work, hasn't he?"
"It'll be difficult, I think. Even if they only expose embezzlement, breach of trust, or bribery, it's a life sentence. Especially since they can tie him to National Assembly members, it's no different from a goldmine. It's impeachment season, and the general election is coming soon. Chief Lee Hakjae is the fuse of a powder keg. If the prosecution starts meddling with this, a massive backlash will sweep through."
"Hey! But what if Lee Hakjae refuses to die alone? If he drags Sunyang down with him, wouldn't it backfire?"
"No. The only one Chief Lee can implicate is my grandfather, not Sunyang. But my grandfather has passed away. He'll take all the blame. No one in Korea is bold enough to tarnish the honor of a deceased grandfather."
Oh Sehyun frowned, finding my calm tone strange.
"What are you thinking right now? Did you warn Chief Lee Hakjae that the prosecution is targeting him?"
"No. I have to pretend not to know."
"What?"
"Just watch. See how far the prosecution will drive Chief Lee to the cliff. It would be even better if they push him right off the cliff."
Oh Sehyun's eyes gleamed.
"You wouldn't be thinking of abandoning him, since you'd have to protect him for your own sake... So you'll appear with a dramatic 'Ta-da!' at a critical moment?"
"Yes. The prosecution can tear into Chief Lee Hakjae because his backing has disappeared. We'll become his backing."
"HW Group?"
"If I lower a rope to someone dangling on a cliff, about to fall, what choice do they have but to grab it? He'll take the position of HW Group Chairman, which he vehemently refused before. With gratitude towards me, and gritting his teeth at my two uncles."
Oh Sehyun's jaw dropped.
"Wow... This kid, you've become even more cunning in just a few months. To think of something like that."
"A sturdy shield to protect HW Group and my shares, and a sharp spear to attack my two uncles. Wouldn't he be capable of playing both roles?"
"More than capable. Anyway, you're truly ruthless. To know someone is about to fall into a swamp and just watch. Hehe."
"I'm still far from it. I need to become even more ruthless and stronger. My grandfather suffered all sorts of humiliations because I lacked power, didn't he? I need to quickly gain power so he can finally close his eyes peacefully, even in the afterlife. If Chief Lee helps, it'll be even faster."
Seeing my eyes filled with resolve, Oh Sehyun sighed deeply.
"It seems I won't be going back anytime soon, after all."
"My uncles are in a hurry, so it will end quickly. Please stay until you see Chief Lee Hakjae inaugurated as HW Group Chairman."
* * *
"Manager Jang. What brings you here? What wind blew you my way that you're contacting me first?"
"Have you been well? I wasn't able to visit during the Chairman's funeral."
"It's fine. Plenty of high-ranking officials came to pay their respects. A chief prosecutor like you wouldn't even be noticed whether you came or not. Let's just say you dropped by. Haha."
Lee Hakjae chuckled pleasantly but then immediately stopped. Manager Jang's expression was unusual.
He seemed nervous, perhaps trying to gauge the situation. He must have wanted to meet to discuss something difficult.
"Is something wrong, Manager? You don't look well. Financial trouble, perhaps..."
"Oh, no, Chief. I have some shame; how could I contact you first for money? Just for taking care of me since I was a junior prosecutor, I owe you a debt I can never repay."
Manager Jang hastily waved his hands.
"Then?"
"I am sorry to say this, but... the 'players' from the Ministry of Justice line in the Central District Prosecutors' Office are moving."
"Ministry of Justice?"
"Yes. As you know, prosecutors seconded to the Ministry of Justice are the frontrunners whose career advancement is guaranteed, aren't they? That's why prosecutors who follow them are planted throughout the district offices."
"Cut out what I already know! Who is it? Who's the enforcer?"
"It seems the Prosecutor Affairs Manager and the Criminal Planning Manager from the Prosecution Bureau are at the center of it. They're mobilizing the district office line and sharpening their knives..."
"The key players are moving."
"Yes."
"The target? Who are they making a sacrifice of? Surely not our Sunyang?"
"That..."
As Manager Jang bowed his head and couldn't speak properly, Chief Lee Hakjae's heart plummeted.
"Me?"
Manager Jang gave a very subtle nod.
Chief Lee Hakjae's fingertips also began to tremble subtly.