Free Web NovelAs soon as Park Younggeun took office as the Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, he immediately mobilized the Investigation Bureau and began tearing Ilseong Group apart.
The Investigation Bureau, led by the Secretary-General, was a special division authorized to independently investigate conglomerates ranking within the top thirty of Korea’s corporate hierarchy.
Because of that authority, it was also the department that business circles most desperately wanted to see abolished.
The Bureau’s first target was Ilseong Semiconductor, a newly established subsidiary spun off from Ilseong Electronics.
“When Ilseong Semiconductor was divided through physical separation, shareholder approval wasn’t properly obtained. They held what they called a shareholders’ meeting, but participation was restricted. They even set up multiple buildings with similar names to confuse shareholders looking for the venue. This is a clear violation of shareholder rights.”
It wasn’t technically illegal, but the evidence of countless evasions and manipulations was undeniable. The Fair Trade Commission requested related materials from the Ministry of Industry and the Financial Services Commission.
Thanks to that, a mountain of data flowed into the FTC offices. From that moment on, the lights in the Banpo-dong building never went out—it became a literal lighthouse in the night.
“Wow, these bastards are something else. There’s even evidence that Ilseong Life Insurance illegally funneled funds to Ilseong Semiconductor.”
There was no such thing as a spotless corporation, but the more they dug, the more violations they uncovered.
“We also found signs of collusion between subsidiaries—supporting each other financially. And it’s not just one or two of them; the entire network is tangled together like a spider web.”
There was no hiding this anymore.
The FTC’s Investigation Bureau had spent years investigating conglomerates and was well accustomed to uncovering their filth.
Korea’s major corporations operated freely between the light and the dark—and naturally, they had plenty of dirt on their hands.
Once the Commission decided to dig, even the smallest speck of dust couldn’t escape.
To make things worse for Ilseong, the Financial Supervisory Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service were also monitoring the FTC’s moves, launching their own audits into Ilseong’s financial subsidiaries.
Even the National Tax Service began investigating Ilseong Group’s tax evasion.
It was, in every sense, a coordinated precision strike. Every government body was targeting Ilseong Group.
— Director, I’m sorry. Chairman Park Younggeun has decided to go all in on this. There’s nothing I can do.
“What? Director Ahn, the Chairman treated you well, didn’t he? How can you do this to us? There’s a limit to ingratitude.”
— I’m truly sorry. But if I make one wrong move, I’ll get dragged down too. This will be my last call, Director.
As Ahn spoke, Lee Seokmin’s expression hardened. He turned slightly, glancing at Seo Jaehun beside him.
“...How bad is it?”
— Chairman Park somehow got his hands on an X-file—records detailing Ilseong Group’s secret fund movements. He’s using that as a reference point for the investigation... Honestly, I don’t think we’ll make it out this time.
“What? X-file? Did you see it yourself?”
— Only Chairman Park and the Secretary-General managing the Bureau have access to it.
Lee let out a long sigh.
The Secretary-General Park had brought in was his personal confidant—someone who had followed him since his days at the Financial Supervisory Service.
If only those two people knew about it, bribery or negotiation was impossible.
And without knowing what exactly that document contained, Ilseong couldn’t even plan a countermeasure.
“So what then? Are we supposed to just sit here and say we don’t know anything? Director Ahn, do you want us all to die together?”
— Director, if I knew anything, I’d tell you. But there’s really no one else who knows. If Ilseong Group goes down, I go down too. Do you think I’d ignore that?
At that moment, Seo Jaehun, who had been silently listening, spoke up.
“Director Ahn, this is Seo Jaehun speaking.”
— ...
There was no answer. Seo called again.
“Director Ahn.”
— Yes, Vice Chairman.
“That X-file—does it really exist?”
Ahn answered without hesitation.
— It exists. If it didn’t, the FTC couldn’t have zeroed in so precisely on the most problematic areas right after taking office.
“Really? Then I want you to get it.”
— Excuse me? I just told you that...
Before he could finish, Seo cut him off.
“If you can get it, I’ll pay you ten billion won. And if you can find out who gave it to Park Younggeun, I’ll make it twenty billion.”
Ahn audibly swallowed on the other end. The offer was staggering.
“If you’ve eaten from us, you should earn what you’ve taken. How many years has my father supported you? Do you know how much Ilseong Group has done to keep you where you are? Now it’s time to repay that debt. An ungrateful man is worse than an animal, don’t you think? Unless you’d rather cough it all back up.”
It wasn’t a request—it was a command. Seo’s tone was sharp, domineering.
— ...I’ll do what «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» I can, Vice Chairman.
“‘Do what you can’? Who recognizes effort? Only results matter. Use any means necessary. This isn’t a request.”
— But...
“Make sure you get it. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
Without waiting for a reply, Seo hung up.
Then he turned toward Lee Seokmin, his tone flat.
“Director Lee.”
“Yes, Vice Chairman.”
“If this is true, it means there’s a traitor inside. Someone close to me. I wonder who it is. What kind of fool would dare something like this? You can find out, right? The Lee Seokmin I know can handle it. Or... are you the traitor?”
Seo’s cold gaze pierced into him like a snake staring down its prey.
“No! I could never betray the Chairman after all he’s done for me!”
Lee stammered in panic, but Seo’s expression didn’t change.
“I’ll find out, I swear.”
“Good. I’ll trust you, then. In the meantime, have our journalists publish negative articles about this investigation.”
“There aren’t many friendly newspapers left, Vice Chairman.”
Ilseong’s media influence wasn’t what it used to be.
Even when they tried to pressure outlets with advertising money, Joongwoo Group and Taesan Finance quickly filled those gaps.
“That doesn’t matter. Use whatever’s left to steer public opinion.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Go do your job. You’re paid well—earn it.”
Lee rose, bowed, and left the room.
Seo watched the door close and murmured quietly,
“It’s not Ilseong Group... It’s the Chairman himself.”
A glint of cold light passed through his eyes.
* * *
The tightening around Ilseong Group progressed slowly but steadily.
Stock communities and online forums were ablaze with talk of the investigation.
As soon as the news spread that the FTC and Financial Supervisory Service were probing Ilseong Group, the stocks of all its affiliates began to plummet.
Shareholders holding Ilseong stocks started protesting, and the group tried to counter by using friendly media to sway public sentiment.
But public anti-chaebol sentiment remained strong. Most people blamed conglomerates for the financial crisis, and they welcomed and supported the FTC’s investigation.
While I was checking online reactions on my computer, a knock sounded on my study door.
“I have something to report, Boss.”
“Come in.”
At my permission, Chief Ma entered the room.
I asked as he bowed.
“What is it? There wasn’t anything else on today’s schedule, was there?”
“Cheon Suhan is dead.”
“What? Cheon Suhan is dead?”
I couldn’t help blurting it out. Dead? Out of nowhere?
“He was in a psychiatric hospital, wasn’t he? I never heard he was sick.”
I had kept him alive in prison—not to inflict physical pain, but to break his mind.
Eventually, he went insane and was transferred to a psychiatric ward.
I hadn’t killed him because of Cheon Jiyoung.
That was the last line I refused to cross as a human being.
Still, I hadn’t neglected surveillance on him.
I didn’t want him regaining his sanity and dying comfortably.
“What do you mean, dead all of a sudden?”
“He hanged himself.”
“...”
“He took advantage of a momentary lapse in watch and hung himself. By the time they found him, he wasn’t breathing.”
Could a madman really take his own life? It didn’t make sense—but that wasn’t the main concern.
“What about Jiyoung?”
I felt no emotion at Suhan’s death.
What worried me was Cheon Jiyoung, the one left behind.
“She’s likely heard the news by now.”
Well, better sooner than later.
I sighed and closed my eyes, considering how to handle it.
After a long pause, I opened them again.
“Make sure Jiyoung has all the support she needs for the funeral. She must be in complete shock.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“And... get updates on Cheon Jiwon and Cheon Jisoo as well.”
After speaking, I rubbed my face wearily.
For some reason, I felt hollow. A man who deserved death had died—so why did it feel so empty?
“Boss, will you be attending the funeral?”
I shook my head slightly.
“No. I’ll meet Jiyoung separately after it’s over.”
“Yes. Then I’ll send some of our people to help with the arrangements.”
“Do that.”
Sensing my subdued mood, Chief Ma bowed and quietly left.
Left alone, I fell into thought.
Now, everyone involved in my parents’ deaths was either dead or soon would be.
Cheongpunghoe had vanished into history, and Cheon Suman was gone.
Chairman Seo Yonggeon was alive, but barely. And now, finally, Cheon Suhan was dead.
“Mother... Father.”
I didn’t know how long I sat there before I reached for my phone on the desk. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
I pressed speed dial number one.
It only rang a few times before Grandma picked up.
“Grandma.”
— Muhyuk, what’s wrong?
“Nothing. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
— What’s that tone? Did something happen?
She read my emotions like a ghost. I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
“No. Nothing’s wrong.”
— Really? That’s good then. You’re eating well, right? Taking the medicine I sent you?
“Yeah, I am.”
— That’s all I wanted to hear.
Our conversations rarely changed.
Are you okay? Are you eating? Stay healthy. I wouldn’t mind if that was all we ever said.
“Grandma.”
— Hm?
“...Mother and Father. I’d like to move them to the family burial ground. What do you think?”
— ...
There was silence. I rushed to explain.
“We can’t leave them in the charnel house forever. I’ve been thinking about it for a while—it’s time.”
Originally, I’d placed them somewhere Grandma could visit easily. I could’ve moved them anytime, but I hadn’t, for her sake.
— Is that what you want?
“Yes. I want them beside Grandfather.”
— Then let’s do it.
Her consent came easily, almost too easily.
“It’s a long trip for you. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
— Don’t worry about me. If that’s what you want, do it. I’ll just take the car up.
The tightness in my chest eased slightly.
“Then I’ll start preparing.”
— Let me know when everything’s ready. I’ll come with you.
“Got it. I’ll call once the arrangements are done.”
It wasn’t something that could be finished overnight; it needed preparation.
— Muhyuk, you’re sure nothing’s wrong?
“There isn’t. Just take care of yourself, Grandma. Eat properly and take your heart medicine on time.”
— Don’t worry about me—take care of yourself. I’m fine.
“Alright. I’ll hang up now. Talk to you soon.”
I ended the call with a faint smile.
But the emptiness didn’t fade. If anything, the weight on my chest deepened.
I rose and walked to the window, opening it to let in the cool air.
“Yeah. It’s time to leave the past behind.”
