Free Web NovelIf the end of my revenge was the downfall of Ilseong Group, then the beginning of my true plan was making Yoon Changho president.
No matter how favorably Kim Hakgwon treated me, it could never compare to raising Yoon Changho to the presidency with my own hands.
This was rewriting history entirely.
But if I left things as they were, I would always live with the fear that political power could take everything from me at any moment.
So I decided to change it all.
And today, it was finally time to receive the result of that decision.
Winter nights come early. The sun had already set, and in thirty minutes, the exit polls would be announced.
“Nervous?”
Han Kyungyeong, who had returned to Korea a few days earlier, asked.
“This is an election I can’t possibly lose. So no, not nervous. I’m only concerned because I’ll need to adjust the plan depending on how big the margin of victory is.”
“Oh, confident as ever!”
His playful tone lightened the tension just a little.
“If Heo Taemin and Song Chanhyuk had managed to unify, that would be one thing—but now their votes are split. There’s no way we lose.”
If they had unified, their support bases would have merged, but now they were locked in mutual destruction, tearing each other apart.
Yoon Changho’s victory in the presidential race was a foregone conclusion.
The question was how large the margin would be—because the greater the mandate, the easier it would be to push for constitutional reform afterward. That was what I cared about.
Han Kyungyeong nodded in agreement.
“You said you’re even planning to push for constitutional amendment, right?”
I nodded, raising the glass of liquor on the table.
“You think that’s possible? A parliamentary system in Korea... Public opinion of the National Assembly is too low. You think people will agree to it?”
“They’ll have to be made to agree.”
“You always manage to pull things off once you decide on them, but politics is unpredictable. I’m not sure about this one. You really think you can do it?”
“I’ll try anyway.”
As we talked, the voting time ended and the exit poll announcement approached.
At last, the time came. The three major broadcasters began to release their exit poll results.
The smile on my face deepened.
* * *
5 p.m. — At the Centrist Party headquarters in Yeouido, every major figure had gathered.
Starting with the floor leader, the entire party leadership was present, along with members of the election committee, campaign staff, and former conservatives who had defected from the opposition.
Behind the television that everyone was watching, rows of broadcast cameras were set up, and reporters from nearly every outlet filled the back of the room.
A seat at the center was left empty for Yoon Changho. To his left sat Song Daechul, the new floor leader appointed during the recent merger with the Conservative Party. The rest of the party leadership filled the seats beside him.
On the right sat the conservative figures. Closest to Yoon’s seat was Yoo Nakhyun, the former Speaker of the National Assembly, who was designated as the new party leader, with the conservative delegation seated nearby.
But Lee Myungsoo was nowhere to be seen. Looking around in puzzlement, Yoo turned to Song Daechul.
“Representative Song.”
Song turned his head, interrupting a quiet conversation.
“Where’s Secretary General Lee? Haven’t seen him yet.”
“I heard he’s with the candidate. They’re watching the exit poll results together over dinner at his residence.”
Yoo nodded and smiled faintly.
“So Secretary General Lee really is the power behind the power.”
“Haha, well, they’ve known each other since their prosecutor days. Naturally, the candidate gives him special attention. He’s also close with the candidate’s wife.”
“I see...”
Yoo trailed off, scanning the room. The first row was balanced evenly between Centrist and Conservative members, but from the second row on, nearly everyone was from the Centrist Party.
The difference in strength was glaring. Yoo frowned slightly and leaned toward Han Jiho to whisper.
“The imbalance is too obvious. You sure you can handle this road ahead?”
Han Jiho answered firmly.
“Once you take over as party leader, we’ll be able to realign everything. In the end, all power will flow to you.”
“True enough... though I’m worried it won’t go as easily as that.”
To Yoo Nakhyun, the most dangerous person in this entire room wasn’t any of the visible party figures—it was Lee Myungsoo.
The fact that he was with the soon-to-be president, privately, spoke volumes about where real power lay.
But his thoughts didn’t linger long—the exit polls were about to be announced.
When the numbers appeared on-screen, everyone in the hall stood up and shouted in celebration.
At that same time, Yoon Changho and Lee Myungsoo were sitting across from each other, sharing dinner at Yoon’s home.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, Yoon set his chopsticks down.
“It’s almost time for the exit polls.” frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
“Nervous, sir?”
Lee also set his chopsticks down.
“The results are already decided, aren’t they?”
“Yes. I believe they’ll reflect exactly that.”
Neither needed to see the numbers—they both knew.
“And yet, I can’t help feeling nervous.”
Even with a certain victory, nerves were inevitable.
As the moment drew nearer, Yoon’s clenched fists grew slick with sweat.
Lee, however, remained calm. Taking a sip of water, he said,
“The outcome’s already clear. The only question is how overwhelming the margin will be. That will determine how smoothly things go afterward.”
“You don’t seem nervous at all.”
Yoon shook his head at how detached Lee sounded.
“By the way, are you sure it’s all right to hand over the party leadership to Yoo Nakhyun? Once I move to the Blue House, most of my inner circle will follow me there.”
“I plan to revise the party name, platform, and charter. We’ll also redistribute some of the excessive powers concentrated in the leader’s position. You needn’t worry too much.”
Lee spoke firmly, but Yoon still looked uneasy.
“Yoo Nakhyun isn’t an easy man. The party could end up under his thumb instead. You know that, don’t you?”
“I do. I learned that all too well while handling the merger talks myself.”
“And you’re confident you can manage him?”
Lee answered with conviction.
“I’m confident. Once you become president, we’ll already have the upper hand.”
“If you’re that sure, then I’ll trust you. It’s about to start—let’s move to the living room.”
“Yes, sir.”
They moved to the sofa. Yoon called out to his wife in the kitchen.
“Two coffees, please. Come join us—we’ll watch together.”
“Okay, I’ll bring them.”
Yoon and Lee sat side by side on the couch. Yoon turned on the TV and switched to KBC’s election broadcast.
As six o’clock neared, the anchor began to speak.
― “Ladies and gentlemen, the sixteenth presidential election has concluded. At exactly six o’clock, we will announce the exit poll results predicting who will lead our nation for the next five years.”
Kim Misun entered with two cups of coffee. As she set them down, Yoon gently took her hand.
“Sit here with me.”
Her hand trembled slightly as she sat beside him, and Yoon held it tight, turning his gaze back to the TV.
A countdown began—and then the results appeared on-screen.
― Sixteenth Presidential Election Exit Poll Results!
[Yoon Changho: 59.7%]
[Heo Taemin: 25.3%]
[Song Chanhyuk: 9.7%]
KBC’s exit poll showed Yoon approaching 60%.
His hands trembled. Kim Misun clutched them tightly and began to cry.
“Congratulations, President-elect.”
Lee Myungsoo rose and bowed.
“C-could you turn to another channel?”
Yoon’s voice shook as he spoke. Lee sat back down and switched channels.
The other networks showed nearly identical results.
Yoon Changho’s landslide victory. All three major broadcasters reported a projected vote share around 60%.
“Honey...”
Kim Misun called softly, voice trembling. Yoon closed his eyes and squeezed her hand.
It was still shaking slightly.
When Lee switched back to KBC, regional breakdowns appeared.
Jeollanam-do leaned toward Heo Taemin, Jeollabuk-do was neck and neck, and all other regions overwhelmingly favored Yoon.
The contrast between the Centrist and Progressive headquarters was stark—one side cheering, the other hanging their heads.
“You’ve... done well,” Kim Misun whispered.
Opening his eyes again, Yoon smiled faintly and turned to her. She nodded repeatedly, tearful.
He # Nоvеlight # looked toward Lee Myungsoo, still smiling faintly.
“You too—thank you for your hard work.”
“No, sir. You’re the one who endured the most. Congratulations once again.”
“Haha, where’s my phone...”
Yoon looked around, and Kim Misun quickly handed it to him.
He dialed a number. The line rang, and soon someone picked up.
Yoon’s excited voice rang out.
* * *
As the exit poll results appeared, a wide smile spread across my face.
“He won. Congratulations, Muhyuk.”
Han Kyungyeong raised his glass. I laughed, clinking mine against his.
“With results like that, he’s guaranteed a majority. If he really surpasses 60%, we can push through almost anything.”
I took a pleased sip and set the glass down.
Just then, my phone buzzed on the table. The caller ID was familiar.
“Yoon Changho.”
I glanced at Han Kyungyeong and pressed a finger to my lips. He grinned and mimed zipping his own mouth.
Playful as always. Smiling faintly, I answered.
“Yes, Mr. President.”
― President Kim!
Yoon’s loud laughter came through the line—clearly elated.
“Congratulations on your victory.”
― It’s not official yet.
“With numbers like these, it’s as good as done. Congratulations, sir.”
― Haha, it’s all thanks to you. I never imagined I’d be president someday. It’s because I met you. Thank you, truly.
His voice trembled with gratitude. I only hoped that feeling would last.
“Where are you right now?”
― At home, with Secretary General Lee. We’re watching the results together. As soon as I saw the exit poll, I thought of you. Things will get hectic soon, so I wanted to call while I could.
“When do you plan to head to headquarters?”
― Once the count progresses a bit. Around ten, I think. Reporters are already camped outside.
I chuckled aloud. Of course—they wouldn’t be reporters if they weren’t waiting outside the likely president-elect’s home.
“Congratulations again.”
― We should get together soon, have a drink.
“No, it’s best if we avoid meeting for now. I’ll see you at the inauguration.” fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
― Still... we should share a drink sometime.
“When you’re in the Blue House, we’ll drink there.”
My tone was firm. Yoon sounded faintly disappointed.
― All right. Such a pity. But thank you again—for making me president.
“It’s nothing. Once you form the transition committee, I’ll send my requests through Myungsoo. Also, have the prosecutors begin summoning Seo Jaehoon for questioning.”
― Understood. I’ll take care of it.
“Good. I’ll see you at the inauguration, then.”
I ended the call. Han Kyungyeong spoke up.
“He sounds deeply grateful to you. You think he’ll stay that way? Won’t he change like Kim Hakgwon did?”
“Yoon watched firsthand what happened to Kim Hakgwon. He won’t change easily. But still—I don’t completely trust him. There’s nothing more foolish than trusting people. If he betrays me, then he’ll learn what hell really is.”
I raised my glass again, the corner of my mouth curling into a smile.
