Free Web NovelThe topic that Chairman Song Youngjoo threw at the FKI meeting shook the entire business ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) world.
The chaebol who had run their companies since the days of Cheon Taesan had already decided where to stand before anyone else.
But those who had newly entered the ranks of conglomerates through the IMF and the IT bubble still did not know the fear of Myeongdong. Perhaps that was why they were testing the waters, watching the mood.
And this news soon reached the ears of Chairman Song Chanseong.
“That old man has lost his mind. Just what kind of nonsense is he pulling, joining hands with Kim Muhyuk? Do you know anything?”
Song Chanseong, speaking in irritation, turned to his son beside him.
“Nothing.”
“You never met Kim Muhyuk separately?”
“I tried to arrange a drinking appointment, but he kept refusing every time. That bastard is harder to meet than the President.”
“Phew...”
Song Chanseong let out a deep sigh as he looked at Song Hyunsoo. He could read the defeat clinging to his son’s words.
“I told you to find out what that brat wants.”
“Father, what do you want me to do if he won’t even meet me?”
“You fool! You still think of him as the kid who used to call you hyung when you were young, don’t you? What’s more important, your pride or the group? What good is pride?”
“...That’s not it.”
Of course, Song Chanseong could understand Hyunsoo’s feelings. But right now, the one holding the joker card was Kim Muhyuk.
Clicking his tongue in frustration, Song Chanseong closed his eyes and sank into thought.
Having persuaded most of the board of directors and executives, he could already strip away most subsidiaries from Chanu.
The only stumbling block left was Daehyeon Group’s Chairman Wang himself—his father, Honorary Chairman Song Youngjoo.
Song Chanseong was on his way with Hyunsoo to the family residence after receiving Song Youngjoo’s summons to gather everyone.
When they arrived, they quickly got out of the car and entered the house.
The living room was already filled with his other siblings.
“Sorry we’re late.”
“Never mind. Hyunsoo, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Sit. Today may well be our last family meeting before I die.”
“Father, what are you...”
“Sit down!”
At Song Youngjoo’s roar, Song Chanseong sat on the sofa with a sullen expression.
The sight of Song Chanu’s face across from him once again stirred his anger, but he could not let it show.
For now, Chanu was still the heir of Daehyeon.
“Looks like everyone is here.”
As Song Youngjoo’s eyes swept over his sons and daughters, his brow furrowed. But when he looked at his grandchildren, his face softened kindly.
“The reason I called you all here is simple. It’s time to settle things, isn’t it? You may each have your own thoughts, but I’d like you to follow my will.”
“Father.”
Song Chanseong spoke.
Never once had he interrupted when Song Youngjoo was speaking. In fact, none of them had ever imagined such a thing.
Everyone else looked at him in shock.
“We are not puppets to move exactly as you command. Of course, I respect you. You made Daehyeon the greatest company in Korea. But times have changed.”
Song Youngjoo only smiled at his words without replying.
“If you want Chanu to be the successor, I will accept that. But pass me the automotive affiliates. Then I will step aside cleanly.”
“Hand over Daehyeon Motors and its affiliates?”
“Yes. Then I will be a strong ally to Chanu, even after you pass away.”
Song Chanseong already knew he had no further ground to retreat.
If he could not give Kim Muhyuk what he wanted, he would have to forfeit Daehyeon entirely. He could always take it back later.
“My elder brother is dead. That makes me the de facto eldest son of this family. I believe I deserve at least this much.”
“Is that so? That’s what you think?”
“Yes, Father.”
Song Youngjoo nodded, then turned to his other children.
“Do none of you have anything to say? Either you have thoughts like Chanseong, or you follow my will.”
“...”
But apart from Chanseong, the others only watched Youngjoo in silence.
“Am I to take it that the rest of you will follow me? Why are you all suddenly mute?”
His voice was gentle, yet it sent chills through them.
“Perhaps Chanseong is right?”
“Father.”
Song Chanu opened his mouth, but Youngjoo raised a hand to silence him.
“The Chairman of Daehyeon must always have weight. Do not waver because they are your brothers and sisters. The position of Daehyeon’s Chairman is one that requires standing firm without glancing at their feelings.”
“...”
Feeling as if those words were directed straight at him, Chanu closed his mouth again.
Youngjoo looked at him with pity, then turned back to Chanseong.
“You want what is yours?”
“Yes. I made Daehyeon Motors the largest automaker in Korea. From my twenties until now, nearly sixty.”
“Yes, you did. Back then I was proud to see how much you resembled me.”
But the words were in the past tense. Catching that, Chanseong’s face hardened.
“But with what right do you claim it as yours? Daehyeon was mine, I raised it. With or without you, Daehyeon Motors would have grown naturally.”
“Father!”
Chanseong raised his voice, but Youngjoo’s eyes only grew colder.
“I cannot say you hold that position simply for being my son. You have proven capable enough. But do you think you can defy my will and still remain there? It is not yours. It is mine.”
“...It is time you let go. I have already persuaded other directors and shareholders. Even without your consent, we can split the affiliates. I am telling you this out of respect, as my last courtesy.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll just cut off all those directors’ heads. Good. I am near death, and at last I can see the traitors.”
His voice carried no emotion, only chilling finality.
“You think I wouldn’t know? Asking only for Daehyeon Motors? No. You’ll never be satisfied with that. Once I die, you’ll take piece by piece from Chanu until you own Daehyeon entire. Because you are my mirror.”
“...Father, that’s not true.”
“And you’ve already swayed the executives to your side, made them yours? To turn me into a puppet?”
His eyes gleamed, fierce and sharp—not like those of a dying old man.
“....”
“Do you think I wouldn’t know? Daehyeon is me, and I am Daehyeon. Today, all those traitors will be stripped of their positions.”
“It will not be as easy as you think. I already hold more friendly shares than you do.”
Their gazes clashed in the air, fierce and unyielding.
Youngjoo almost admired it. If anyone resembled him most, it was Chanseong.
But he was a rebel. The king of Daehyeon was Youngjoo, and even in death, he had to remain the king.
This brat would erase him. As that thought ran through his mind, his secretary quietly approached.
“President Kim Muhyuk has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
“Father, this is a family meeting.”
“It is also the meeting that will decide Daehyeon’s future. To choose the owner of Daehyeon, of course President Kim must be here. He will be the witness.”
The secretary bowed and left, soon returning with Kim Muhyuk, who entered the crowded living room.
* * *
I had received word that today Daehyeon’s future would be decided. The message also came with Chairman Song Youngjoo’s request—that I personally come to settle it before his death.
“Hmm...”
“You seem troubled, Boss.”
“To be honest, I’m not sure if this is the right path. But a promise is a promise. And since Chairman Song asked me, I want to settle things before he passes.”
If I combined my shares with his, we held over 50%. That meant no one could strip management rights from Chanu, not even Chanseong.
Daehyeon itself, as well as core affiliates like Daehyeon Motors and Daehyeon Construction, would all remain intact.
“I believe your mind is already made up.”
“You’re like someone who’s crawled out of my heart, Chief Ma.”
I smiled at his resolute words. He was right. My mind was already set.
“Yes. I’ve already decided. I even know exactly how I’ll deal with it. Whether they accept it or not—Song Youngjoo or Song Chanseong—that’s on them.”
When I arrived at Song Youngjoo’s house, I found it unchanged from before.
“Please wait a moment. I will report to the Chairman.”
“Go ahead.” freewebnoveℓ.com
I nodded and looked around. My eyes fell on the garden chair where I used to sit and organize my thoughts.
Sitting there, calmly taking in the garden, I soon saw Chief Ma returning.
“He asks you to come in.”
Following the secretary, I entered the house.
The living room was packed with Song Youngjoo’s sons, daughters, and grandchildren.
Their eyes all turned toward me. I walked forward slowly under their stares until I stood before Song Youngjoo.
“Chairman.”
“Yes, President Kim. You came?”
“Isn’t the atmosphere too stiff? This might be the last gathering.”
“Haha, that’s how it turned out. But you know, don’t you? In our world, it can’t be helped.”
“....”
His words carried a hint of regret.
I let my gaze sweep coldly across Chanseong, Chanu, and the others.
It naturally came to rest on Hyunsoo and Hyunji.
“Hyunsoo, Hyunji—it’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has.”
“Oppa! Long time!”
Hyunsoo had hardened, but Hyunji was still the same. I had heard she was somewhere in Europe, but she must have flown back for this meeting.
“I’m sure all of you know me. Some of you may think of me only as a loan shark from Myeongdong. Others may think of me as an investor. Today, I am here as Daehyeon’s major shareholder to decide its future.”
“...Why should you decide Daehyeon’s future?”
Song Chanseong gnashed his teeth, unable to hide his emotions.
I gave him a cold smirk.
“Didn’t you once come asking me for help yourself? And now you’re not desperate? Chairman Song called me here. Mind your words.”
“What!”
Unable to endure, Chanseong jumped to his feet.
I answered with icy disdain.
“I am different from Chairman Wang. I can pull you down from that seat anytime. And it wouldn’t even be difficult. Don’t provoke me further.”
“...President Kim, you...”
“Sit. I won’t say it twice. If you have complaints, leave through that door now. But then you will also step down from the chairmanship of Daehyeon Motors.”
My taunting words chilled the entire room.
“You...”
His face flushed red, but he could say nothing more. I ignored him and turned to Youngjoo.
“Chairman, you said I could act as I wished, even if it went against your will?”
“Do as you see fit. If my successor is Chanu, then I am content.”
“Understood.”
Standing beside him, I addressed the room.
“Chairman Wang’s will is clear. Chairman Song Chanu will inherit Daehyeon. And anyone who opposes it, even family, will not be forgiven.”
“....”
Even I found my own voice chilling.
Even the ever-optimistic Hyunji looked tense now.
“Everyone here must promise one thing. Not a single affiliate of Daehyeon will ever split away from the group.”
At my words, every throat in the room went dry.
