Free Web NovelFortunately, the result of the U.S. presidential election did not change. To be exact, it changed a little.
Bush achieved not an incomplete victory, but a perfect one.
The news article said that due to the Nasdaq’s collapse, Clinton’s approval rating had plunged, which had greatly influenced the outcome of the election.
I lowered the internet window showing the election results and smirked. Since the election had ended safely, it was time to move on.
I picked up the phone beside me and called Han Kyungyeong.
― Hello.
His voice was hoarse, as if he had just woken up.
“Hyung, sorry. Did I wake you up?”
― Uh, uh... Muhyuk? What time is it now? It’s fine. It’s about time to get up anyway.
I heard rustling and then a loud yawn.
― Oh! The weather’s nice today.
“Really? It’s gloomy here.”
Outside my office window, sheets of rain were pouring down.
I stood up from my chair, walked toward the window, and continued the call.
“Did you hear from the Bush camp?”
― Yeah. In a few days, I’ll be meeting Bush directly.
“You said you’re meeting Bush himself?”
I asked again, surprised at something I had not expected.
― I was surprised too when I got the call. I thought at best I’d get to meet Dick Cheney. Maybe it’s because, under your orders, a large amount of money went into the Bush campaign.
“Still, it’s astonishing that the president himself asked to meet.”
There wouldn’t be many investors who could meet the newly elected president of the United States. Not even after donating a huge amount of money.
“Then my name might come up.”
― Probably. Without a doubt, it will.
I stared at the rain pounding heavily against the window and fell into thought. The sound of raindrops hitting the glass grew louder.
“Call the Bush camp and ask if it’s okay for me to come directly. Then call me back.”
― You want to come yourself?
“Who knows when I’ll have another chance to meet Bush? I should take the opportunity.”
Han Kyungyeong agreed quickly.
― All right. I’ll check. Bush’s side would probably rather meet the boss—you—than me anyway.
“They haven’t mentioned me directly, have they?”
― Not a single word about you.
Bush’s advisers were rigid, conservative hardliners with narrow thinking.
People like that were bound to dislike someone like me, who used money as a weapon to steadily siphon off America’s wealth.
“What about closing the contracts?”
― Most of them are settled. We’re gradually buying up the stocks you mentioned whenever they hit the market. Ah! And Qualcomm—we’ll soon be entering acquisition negotiations with their management.
“Really?”
That was good news. It seemed I would be able to acquire Qualcomm faster than I had expected.
― Yeah. Their stock already crashed, more than halved, completely smashed. How much longer could they hold out? As soon as they realized we were interested, they reached out to meet.
“Good. Secure management rights no matter what.”
― Got it. Then I’ll put off returning to Korea and stay in the U.S. for now. If you want to meet Bush, you’ll have to come next week.
I gave a short answer and hung up. A sigh escaped me.
It hadn’t been long since I returned from Russia, and now I had to go to America. Just thinking of the long flight made my body ache already.
I shook my head and looked out the window again. Watching the raindrops that showed no sign of easing, I slowly sorted out my thoughts.
I didn’t know how much time had passed when Manager Ma knocked and entered.
“Boss, it’s time to depart.”
“It’s raining a lot today.”
“Maybe because it’s the last rain before winter?”
“Right?”
I smiled as I turned my body. I had too many things in motion to leisurely enjoy the rain.
Together with Manager Ma, I headed to Chairman Song Chanseong’s house. Once in the car, I asked him from the passenger seat.
“Did you check on what I asked last time?”
“It turns out such a woman really did exist.”
“Is that so?”
They said Chairman Song Youngjoo’s attachment to Song Chanwoo was because Chanwoo was the son of the woman he truly loved.
An illegitimate child, but with his wife’s permission, he had entered the boy into his family register. Outside the Song household, no one knew this secret of Song Chanwoo.
“She has already died, though.”
“Hmm...”
Even if adultery was common back then, could that really be dressed up as love?
And was it really right to hand over control of a giant company like Daehyeon out of mere guilt? To me, it was incomprehensible.
“But her death seemed suspicious. She supposedly died instantly in a traffic accident back when cars were rare.”
“She died in a car accident?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The number of cars in Korea only exploded from the 1980s. But to die in a car accident in the 1960s...
“Chairman Song Youngjoo surely didn’t stay quiet.”
“That’s what’s strange. The investigation was suddenly dropped. There are no records left.”
Just as Manager Ma said, it was strange. I nodded slightly.
It reminded me of when my parents died. Someone in the family must have been involved.
So instead of digging deeper, Chairman Song Youngjoo likely settled for bringing in his son Song Chanwoo.
I could roughly piece together what had happened.
“Any other notable points?”
“Most of the founding members who built Daehyeon with Chairman Song Youngjoo support Chairman Song Chanseong.”
“From their perspective, Chanseong is as good as the eldest son. And he’s the most capable.”
After the firstborn died, Chanseong had effectively acted as the family’s eldest son.
He had ability, and his looks and personality resembled Song Youngjoo so much that it was understandable the executives supported him.
In the past, I hadn’t bothered to look into it. But now, I might really have to intervene in Daehyeon’s succession struggle.
Song Chanwoo, or Song Chanseong...
While I was debating, we arrived at Song Chanseong’s house.
“Welcome, President Kim.”
As soon as I stepped inside, Song Chanseong greeted me warmly at the entrance. I returned his broad smile with one of my own.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
“Come in, let’s sit.”
He patted my shoulder and led me into the living room. From the kitchen, a maid brought coffee.
“It’s instant mix coffee, that’s all right? I just can’t drink that dark bitter stuff.”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
It had been a while since I’d had mix coffee. Watching him offer it with such an open smile, I could sense his straightforward nature—free of pretension. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Chairman Song Chanseong drained his cup in one gulp before speaking.
“The reason I asked to see you today is because I wanted to ask something. Father asked you to support Chanwoo, didn’t he?”
I froze with the cup still in my hand and looked at him. It was refreshing—he didn’t beat around the bush, just came straight at me.
“I won’t talk about family matters, nor will I ask you to support me. Just... could you watch?”
I set down my cup. Chanseong continued.
“Father already transferred most of the management rights to Chanwoo. But I cannot accept that.”
“Couldn’t you be satisfied with Daehyeon Motors?”
“Ha ha ha! Daehyeon Motors? At this point, even if Father tried to take it from me, it’d be impossible. Well, maybe possible if you helped.”
After taking over Daehyeon Motors, Chanseong had proven his ability by boosting market share dramatically within a few years, overtaking competitors.
“I won’t be satisfied with just Daehyeon Motors. No—I won’t give Chanwoo a single company.”
His hostility toward Chanwoo was clear.
“I hear you’re waging war against Ilseong. Surely you don’t want me as an enemy too.”
“Well. What’s one or two more enemies? It doesn’t scare me.”
“What?”
Hearing that, Chanseong burst out laughing loudly.
“Meeting you in person, you’re not what Hyunsoo described.”
“What did Hyunsoo say about me?”
I recalled Song Hyunsoo’s smiling face turning cold just before the elevator doors closed.
“He said you were just like a younger brother to him. Who could have imagined you’d rise like this? Even I didn’t expect you to surpass your uncles and become Chairman Cheon’s heir.”
“...That’s not a subject I want to discuss.”
Hearing family matters suddenly put me in a foul mood. I frowned unconsciously and glared at him.
“Sorry if I offended you.”
Instead of making excuses, Chanseong apologized right away. I rubbed my brow and spoke.
“Well. Whether I make enemies or not is my decision. The basis of any deal is give-and-take, isn’t it? Chairman, you have to tell me what you can offer first. Otherwise, there’s no conversation.”
“What? Just for you to remain neutral...”
“Out of respect for Chairman Song, I do intend to follow his wishes. But you’ll have to offer me something worthwhile to make me abandon that.”
Crossing my legs, I spoke. The smile vanished from his face. With a cold expression, he said stiffly:
“What do you want? Tell me.”
“That’s for you to figure out. What you must give me to keep me neutral.”
“...”
I raised the corner of my lips as he glared at me, unable to speak. Should I provoke him a little more?
“I’ll be meeting Chairman Song Chanwoo as well. I’ll make the same offer to him.”
“...President Kim.”
His face flushed red as he clenched his fist.
“If I can’t follow Chairman Song’s wishes, I at least need to weigh what benefits me. I’m an investor. I’m not a philanthropist, am I?”
Biting his lip, Chanseong glared at me in silence.
“And is this really the time to worry about succession? Chairman Song Youngjoo’s heart has stopped. As his son, as his eldest son, shouldn’t you be worrying about him first?”
I remembered when Grandfather had been hospitalized. Just like then, when Chairman Song Youngjoo was in the hospital, his family worried less about him and more about preparing for after his death. The memory was disgusting.
“Don’t scatter ashes on Chairman Song Youngjoo’s passing. This is a warning. If you make foolish moves before he dies, I will be your enemy.”
“...”
“That’s what I came to say today.”
I still hadn’t made any decision. And even if I did, I planned to act only after Chairman Song Youngjoo passed away.
“Please. Of all people, you should know how much Chairman Song cared for his family.”
“Yes... but there are circumstances you don’t know—”
Before he could go on, I cut him off.
“That means nothing to me. At least let him leave this world with a smile. Discussions can wait until after.”
“...So until then, {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} I can take it you’ll remain neutral?”
I met his eyes and nodded.
“I’ll tell Chairman Song Chanwoo the same.”
“All right, then let’s leave it at that.”
“Next time we meet, I expect you’ll have something prepared for me.”
He gave no reply. Not wanting to stay any longer, I rose to my feet.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
I gave a slight bow and turned away.
Unlike when he came to greet me at the entrance, now he remained on the sofa deep in thought as I left through the front door.
Outside, Manager Ma was waiting. As soon as he saw me, he opened the umbrella he was holding.
“Have you finished your talk?”
I nodded as I stepped under the umbrella.
Even inside the car, my mind was tangled. Learning why Chairman Song Youngjoo had felt uneasy after Grandfather’s death left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I let out a deep sigh and leaned my head against the seat.
The car sped down the road away from Chanseong’s house.
The fierce rain pounding against the window felt somehow like Chairman Song Youngjoo’s tears.
