Free Web NovelEven after jumping up and yelling, Seo Jaesang could not calm his anger and kept jabbing his finger at me.
“You’re just some loan shark playing around with money, so what makes you think you can hold your head up high!”
Seems the Seos and I really don’t mix. There was no reason to waste more words in the presence of someone like him.
Shaking my head, I rose from my seat.
“I came here only because of Chairman Song Youngjoo. He asked me, and that’s the only reason I came in person. Otherwise, you would never have had the chance to meet me until the day you crawled on your knees before me.”
At my cold words, Seo Maenggeon’s face showed undeniable embarrassment. Seeing that, I sneered.
“I don’t know if you still don’t understand the situation, or if you just think too lightly of me. Either way, this conversation is meaningless. I’ll be going.”
Humiliated, Seo Maenggeon’s face also flushed red.
I turned away from him and looked again at Seo Jaesang.
“And you—start learning who you’re dealing with before you act that way. Just because the people around you indulge your whining and the company employees tiptoe around you, you think the whole world lies under your feet, don’t you?”
“...What?”
“All of that can vanish in an instant. And I am someone who can make it happen. Because of you, JC Group will collapse.”
“You bastard, what are you—!”
His face twisted, but on the contrary, I felt refreshed.
“Manager, let’s go. The Seos really aren’t the kind of people one can hold a conversation with.”
“The car is ready, Boss.”
With Seo Jaesang reminding me of Cheon Jiwon, I frowned slightly and turned my body.
Consumed with rage, Seo Jaesang called after me in a trembling voice, but I ignored him and walked toward the front hall.
Then I stopped at the sharp sound behind me—like flesh striking flesh, loud enough to make me pause.
A moment later, the same sound again. Turning, I saw Seo Jaesang with a stunned expression, holding his cheek.
Despite his frail health, Seo Maenggeon was glaring fiercely at his son.
“F-Father...”
Seo Jaesang looked utterly shaken, as though he had never once been struck by his father.
Seo Maenggeon’s expression toward his son was as cold as the Siberian winter.
“Father... why...?”
“I’ve told you countless times. Get rid of that arrogant attitude.”
“But he spoke to you first—”
“You still dare!”
Seo Maenggeon raised his hand again, and Seo Jaesang squeezed his eyes shut. But the hand only trembled in mid-air, unable to strike down again.
What a ridiculous little farce.
Still, with a display like this, how could I just ignore it and leave?
“Chairman, that’s enough.”
At my words, Seo Maenggeon finally lowered his hand. He turned to me.
“My apologies. This is my fault for failing to raise my child properly.”
Unlike Seo Yonggeon, he at least knew how to apologize. Seeing his genuinely regretful face, I nodded.
“It’s fine. But if he keeps that up, he’ll cause real trouble someday.”
“He was never like this...”
Seo Maenggeon looked at his son, pity in his eyes, as Seo Jaesang rubbed his reddened cheek.
“Let’s sit back down.”
Seo Maenggeon and I sat, while tears welled in Seo Jaesang’s eyes as though he ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) were the wronged party.
“You sit too. Now!”
Startled by his father’s scolding, Seo Jaesang quickly dropped into his chair.
‘He’s just a brat in an adult’s body.’
In my memory, Seo Jaesang had inherited JC Group after Chairman Seo Maenggeon’s death and managed it decently.
People often said, unlike other third-generation chaebol heirs, he never caused scandals. But seeing him directly, he was nothing more than a spoiled child.
Glancing at his son’s flushed cheek, Seo Maenggeon spoke again.
“Once more, my apologies.”
“It can happen. Still, if the man meant to inherit a company lacks judgment like that, he’ll eventually cause something big.”
If things continued like this, he was bound to get crushed one day. Likely by Seo Jaehun.
“I spoiled him too much since he’s my only son. Thank you for your understanding, President Kim.”
“Let’s put that aside now and get to the actual negotiations.”
Hearing endless apologies would not smooth the negotiations.
Still, if not for Seo Maenggeon showing at least this much contrition, I would have walked out and immediately filed for an extraordinary general meeting.
Thanks to Elder Jang Daeho, I had more than enough shares to fight that way, but it would take time. I preferred to push them into surrender.
My shares weren’t going anywhere, and eventually their Ilseong stake would fall into my hands.
“...Before that, may I ask one question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Even if you acquire our Ilseong affiliate shares, won’t it still be difficult to seize Ilseong’s management rights?”
He wasn’t wrong. I nodded.
Seeing doubt on his face, I spoke.
“You can think that way. But I don’t intend to take Ilseong. I intend to destroy it.”
To erase Ilseong’s name from Korea—that was my goal.
“I may not be able to take control, but I have more than enough shares to throw wrenches into their operations.”
At that, Seo Maenggeon stiffened. He bit his lip and asked again, disbelieving.
“Destroy it? You mean to erase Ilseong from Korea? Truly?”
“Yes.”
“...”
His reaction was understandable. I nodded firmly, filled with certainty.
His eyes trembled.
“You don’t even know exactly how much of JC Jeongdang we own, do you?”
“To be honest, I am unsure. But I am no longer one to gamble. I’ve failed once before, and I won’t...”
I cut him off.
“Chairman, you just need to decide. Either you fight us for shares, or you hand over all of JC Group’s Ilseong stake. There’s no other option.”
At my confident words, Seo Maenggeon let out a faint groan and slowly shut his eyes.
I decided to give him time.
“On the tender offer’s closing date, I’ll apply for a shareholders’ meeting. Give me your answer before then. But once I file, negotiations will be impossible.”
If JC Jeongdang were taken, all of JC Group could be shaken.
They were in the middle of transitioning into a holding company structure centered on JC Holdings, consolidating affiliates. JC Jeongdang was the linchpin. If it fell, their plans would collapse.
“...I can’t give an answer right now.”
“I understand. Still, I hope you answer soon. And this will be our last direct meeting. From now on, you’ll speak with Representative Eva of Future Investment.”
Even saying he would consider it was no different from surrender.
“If you side with us, all the JC shares we hold will count as friendly stake.”
I glanced at Seo Jaesang, who sat clutching his swollen cheek, eyes lowered.
“It will also make the transfer of management rights to Vice Chairman Seo much smoother. And likewise with converting to a holding company.”
You can’t just give the stick—so I offered a carrot with a smile.
For a chairman unable to buy up all the shares, it was a tempting offer.
“I’ll take my leave. It’s been a good meeting.”
I stood first after the farewell.
Seo Maenggeon also rose, and Seo Jaesang followed.
Extending his hand, Seo Maenggeon spoke quietly.
“There are ways you resemble Chairman Cheon Taesan, and ways you differ. I’ll give you my answer soon.”
I grasped his hand with a small smile.
I had never heard such words in my previous life, but somehow they reminded me of my grandfather even more.
“I hope we can maintain good relations.”
After shaking hands with Seo Maenggeon, I turned to Seo Jaesang. His face still full of resentment.
“Vice Chairman, though our first meeting wasn’t pleasant, it was still good to meet you.”
“...”
Seo Jaesang kept his lips tightly shut. Still hasn’t come to his senses.
His pride wouldn’t let him answer my farewell, so I cut off my attention altogether.
After finishing the meeting with Seo Maenggeon and leaving his residence, I got into the car heading back to Myeongdong.
Manager Ma, seated in the passenger seat, turned around and asked.
“Boss, why did you hold back?”
“You mean about Seo Jaesang?”
“Yes.”
I scoffed and crossed my legs. Even remembering it again, Seo Jaesang’s appearance was laughable.
“What’s the point of fighting with a brat? He may have age, but mentally he’s still stuck at the level of a spoiled child.”
As I spoke, I pictured Seo Jaesang and Seo Jaehun’s faces. A spoiled brat with power—that description suited them perfectly.
Outside the window, as the car quickly entered Seoul, a massive billboard advertising Ilseong came into view.
The dice had already been cast. All that remained was to wait for Seo Maenggeon’s choice.
* * *
Inside Seo Maenggeon’s residence after Kim Muhyuk had left, an uneasy silence lingered.
Seo Maenggeon sat with his eyes closed, rubbing his chin in thought. Meanwhile, Seo Jaesang kept stealing glances at his father, still rubbing his sore cheek as if to elicit sympathy.
Clicking his tongue, Seo Maenggeon called to him.
“Jaesang.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Why did you act like that?”
“He was too arrogant. Just a loan shark, yet he dared to speak that way to you. I couldn’t stand it, so I stepped in.”
“Arrogant? That looked arrogant to you?”
Disappointment filled Seo Maenggeon’s face as he slowly shook his head.
“What you did was arrogance. What Kim did was confidence. And you still can’t tell the difference?”
“I... I’m not arrogant. Father, you know I’ve never once disappointed you, haven’t I?”
Seo Jaesang’s voice rose, full of grievance. The deepening wrinkles on Seo Maenggeon’s brow showed his displeasure.
Right now he could maintain his seat, but without him, who knew what would become of the group?
Thinking of JC Group’s future, Seo Maenggeon spoke softly, almost coaxingly.
“What do you think would have happened if I hadn’t slapped you today? If Kim had just walked out? Do you still not understand the situation?”
“In a share battle, we wouldn’t necessarily lose. He’s just a loan shark. If we exposed him and rallied shareholders, we could gain their support.”
Seo Maenggeon clicked his tongue and asked again. Jaesang, inexperienced with the storms of the world, thought everything was simple.
“Do you really believe that? I slapped you for the first time, and you still don’t see how serious this is. Did you even try to understand what kind of man Kim is? Or did you just cling to the idea that because he’s a loan shark, he must be beneath you?”
“...”
His son clammed up, his thoughts laid bare. Seo Maenggeon’s eyes softened with pity.
“I was like that too, Jaesang. That’s why it pains me. Do not judge people with prejudice.”
“...I understand.”
But his face showed nothing of understanding.
Instead of pressing further, Seo Maenggeon said quietly.
“You don’t get it now, but one day you will.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Call in Jang Baekhyeon.”
Seo Jaesang summoned him, and soon Jang arrived, bowing as he entered the living room.
“You called for me, Chairman?”
“Sit.”
Jang sat. He noticed Seo Jaesang’s red cheek but showed no reaction, focusing instead on the serious-faced chairman.
“I met Kim Muhyuk. Just as you expected, his goal is Ilseong’s shares.”
“So it is as I thought?”
“Yes. What do you think?”
Without hesitation, Jang answered.
“You should accept his proposal.”
“What? Uncle!”
Startled, Seo Jaesang called out sharply, but Seo Maenggeon waved his hand to silence him.
“Your reasoning?”
“While I don’t know every move Kim has made, Representative Eva of Future Investment would never fight a battle she cannot win. They must have secured far more shares than we anticipate.”
Never fight a losing battle—so entering a share war meant the group itself could be endangered.
Letting out a long sigh, Seo Maenggeon spoke again.
“That means you know some of our friendly shares have already shifted to their side, don’t you?”
“Yes, Chairman. That is my judgment.”
Jang’s voice carried certainty, deepening Seo Maenggeon’s dilemma.
Meanwhile, Seo Jaesang asked, uneasy.
“Uncle, are you sure?”
“Yes. That is my assessment.”
“...”
Seo Jaesang knew Jang’s abilities well. Since leaving Ilseong, he had stood by Seo Maenggeon as his strategist, helping JC Group grow.
If Jang said so, it must be true. Seo Jaesang fell silent, looking crestfallen.
“What are the odds of Kim taking Ilseong?”
“Less than 30%.”
“Thirty percent?” freewebnσvel.cѳm
“That is our office’s assessment.”
Not a high probability. But Seo Maenggeon’s curiosity turned elsewhere.
“And if... if instead of taking management control, his intent is to destroy it?”
“What? Destroy Ilseong?”
“Yes. If that were his aim, what then?”
The unexpected words startled Jang, but soon he calmed himself and thought it through.
Seo Maenggeon let him take his time.
Finally, Jang spoke.
“If the government does not intervene—more than 50%.”
“What? Can that be true?”
Seo Maenggeon’s cry of shock echoed through the residence.
