» The Youngest Son of Sunyang
The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate - Chapter 246
[246] Five-Day Funeral 4
"Bribes were handed out only to mourners from the Ministry of Justice and the prosecutor's office. He also had quite a long private conversation with two bank presidents."
"The prosecutor's office and banks, huh... That's not a fitting combination. They probably talked about other things. What you're worried about is the prosecutor's office, isn't it?"
"Yes. My grandmother's words keep weighing on my mind. Isn't the fastest way to get rid of me to find my weakness?"
Oh Sehyun fell into thought, then spoke after a long while.
"Just confirm for now. Even if the prosecutor's office targets you, don't act rashly. I'll make some inquiries myself."
"I apologize for unnecessarily involving someone who's retired."
"That's why I shouldn't have come to Korea. The stuffy air alone makes my chest feel tight, but seeing how your family operates is even more suffocating."
As he was about to leave the house, he spoke with a hint of worry.
"My inquiries aren't just for your sake. I'm doing it because they might try to find a weakness in Yoonki."
"My father?"
"Yes. There are so many murky dealings on his side, you know. If they want to find something to pick on, they can find plenty. Because I know how much you care for your parents, they might use Yoonki as bait to threaten you. That's what I'm more worried about."
The moment I heard those words, a spark ignited in my mind.
It wasn't anger that surged. It might even be an opportunity to turn the tables.
"Uncle. Don't say anything to Father right now. After confirming everything..."
"Stop nagging. I'm not yet such a clueless old fogey that I need to be lectured by you."
After Oh Sehyun left, I waited for Assistant Manager Kim Yoonseok.
Since the amount was large, it took quite a while.
It seemed he was going around to at least five or six places.
While waiting for him, I was reminded of a movie I'd seen in my previous life, 'The Taste of Money'.
In the chaebol family's mansion, there was a secret space where money was hoarded, and an enormous pile of cash, enough to fill three or four shipping containers, was stacked there.
I remembered how much I had chuckled while watching scenes of them pulling out wads of cash from there every time they handed out bribes....
Of course, the director might have set it up to portray the chaebol's image in a fantastical way, but to me, it was utterly pathetic.
Even with the real-name financial system and all that, chaebols keep their slush funds in banks; no one keeps them in their homes.
The financial sector is always on the side of the rich. No matter how tight the legal net is, they mobilize loopholes and illegal methods for the wealthy, moving to suit their convenience. Financial services for the rich, especially chaebol-level clients, always operate beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
However, I did think it would be nice to have a space in my home, like in the movie, where I could stack a few billion won.
A secret space revealed by a sliding bookshelf in the study... That would certainly be interesting.
Such useless fantasies vanished when Assistant Manager Kim Yoonseok and a few bodyguards entered, carrying boxes.
"Good work. I have something to do here, so please go to Grandfather's house first."
After sending the others out, I changed into a clean shirt to get to the real work.
"Is it really alright to leave the mourning hall like this?"
Executive Director Woo Byungjun, who had rushed over, spoke with a hint of worry.
"Because there are so many descendants, if one of us isn't seen, it won't be noticeable. Given that no one has called looking for me yet."
"It must be urgent enough to leave the mourning hall."
"Yes."
Executive Director Woo Byungjun glanced at the boxes piled in one corner of the living room and smiled slightly.
"My investigation into the Madam is just beginning, so there's nothing to report... Is this related to that?"
"Yes. I'll have to make some deliveries today."
Executive Director Woo seemed surprised by my demeanor.
"Are you perhaps going yourself?"
"I must. I need to deliver them personally and confirm a few things."
"Who is it? Someone you need to meet in person?"
"Chief Prosecutor Kim Seokhwi of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office."
As soon as Woo Byungjun heard the name, he took out his cell phone.
"Chief Prosecutor Kim Seokhwi of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office. Confirm his cell phone number and home address for me. It's urgent."
I didn't ask who he was contacting.
Isn't it polite not to pry into each other's trade secrets?
A few minutes later, a text message notification sounded.
"You'll have to contact him in advance, right?"
"Of course. We can't very well deliver bribes at the prosecutor's office, can we?"
"Just a moment."
Woo Byungjun took out his cell phone again.
"Bring up a phone. A new one."
A phone? A burner phone?
"It's a 'clean' phone. Use it when you talk to people like this in the future. Your current phone is registered under your name, isn't it, Director?"
"Yes."
"Use that only for official business. Because a call between a third-generation chaebol and a Chief Prosecutor would look suspicious to anyone."
How meticulous.
He took care of such things perfectly, even without me having to worry about them, which once again made his abilities seem extraordinary.
As the bodyguard set down a cell phone, Woo Byungjun asked.
"How many will you take?"
"Two boxes will be enough."
At Executive Director Woo's signal, the bodyguard took the two boxes and left.
"I'll step out for a moment. Please let me know when you've finished the call."
I had him sit down as he was about to stand.
"You handle tasks like these, so what's the big deal about hearing a phone conversation that you're trying to leave? Just sit there."
"No. The less we both know, the more comfortable you'll be, Director."
Whether he was simply thorough or rigidly principled, he was truly a difficult person to figure out.
After he left the room, I took a deep breath, then dialed the Chief Prosecutor's number.
— Hello?
"Good evening, Chief Prosecutor. This is Jin Dojun."
— Who? Jin Dojun? Could it be...?
It was a voice full of suspicion.
"Yes. I am the grandson of the late Chairman Jin Yangcheol. And I am the very Jin Dojun who is in charge of Sunyang Financial Group."
Instantly, his voice changed.
— Oh, I see. I visited the mourning hall today, but I didn't get to greet you.
Huh?!
It was difficult to judge solely from the voice heard through the phone, but there was no hint of confusion.
If the person I'd targeted just today were to call as if he knew everything, such a welcoming voice wouldn't come out, no matter how calm a person might be, would it?
Did I think wrong? Was it just a simple conversation, without any talk of targets or anything?
That couldn't be the case. My uncles aren't the kind of people to spend a long time with someone of a Chief Prosecutor's rank just to exchange greetings.
"No, not at all. I heard you met my uncles. I apologize for not greeting you first, Chief Prosecutor."
— Oh, don't mention it. I heard the Chairman's affection for you was immense. You must be deeply grieved, there was no need to specifically call just for funeral condolences.
The idea that I wasn't the target grew stronger. Not a hint of wariness could be felt in this person's voice.
"You're mistaken, Chief Prosecutor. I didn't call to greet you, but because of the Chairman's dying wish."
— Dying wish?
"Yes. I'd like to meet you in person and tell you, would you perhaps be able to make time?"
It was natural to be suspicious if someone suddenly asked to meet, and there was no answer. I needed to make him feel more at ease.
"Ah, what Grandfather entrusted to me wasn't just the financial group. He also entrusted a special task that the financial group must carry out."
— And that task is...?
"He told me to take good care of it 'quarterly,' so that trivial personal matters wouldn't interfere with official duties, but..."
By this point, he should have understood what Grandfather's 'dying wish' truly meant....
Instantly, his voice changed to one filled with welcome.
— Ah, I see. Hold on... Then I'll see you in an hour, at that usual place.
That place?
I quickly checked my notes, and it said 'parking lot'. I couldn't very well ask questions in a parking lot, so I quickly changed the location.
"Since we also need to properly greet each other, how about a more comfortable place? I'll tell you the location."
— Shall we do that?
"Oh, and don't forget that as few people as possible should know about this, including my own 'family'."
— Of course.
I gave him the address of my Yeouido officetel and ended the call.
Now I need to confirm who his target was, as assigned by my uncles.
* * *
"Nice to meet you. This is Jin Dojun."
I bowed lightly towards Chief Prosecutor Kim Seokhwi, who was looking around the room as he entered.
"Ah, perhaps because I've seen you a few times on TV, you don't feel like someone I'm meeting for the first time; your face is quite familiar. Haha."
As soon as I saw his expression, I was convinced. I was not the target.
Countless faces flashed through my mind. Who could my uncles possibly want to get rid of?
After a brief exchange of greetings, he asked. He must have been quite curious himself.
"The Chairman's dying wish... Am I guessing correctly?"
"Perhaps. Grandfather chose a few individuals and told me to take care of them like family. He said my two uncles, the Vice Chairmen, lack a bit of meticulousness. And of course, they are very busy with group affairs."
"Well, I'll be. The Chairman was truly a remarkable person, after all. Frankly, after the Chairman passed away, I had given up on that idea."
"Nothing changes. As always, I'll make sure family matters don't affect official duties. Only..."
I subtly glanced at him, and he smiled, saying.
"Please speak freely, it's alright."
"It's just that I'd like you to keep this matter a secret from the Vice Chairmen as well. In fact, Grandfather entrusted this task to me for another reason too."
"Another reason?"
"Yes. The two Vice Chairmen are very particular about efficiency. Well... Grandfather also taught them that way in their business training. So, they are people who would only offer appropriate compensation when they need something or ask for help."
Chief Prosecutor Kim Seokhwi's expression wasn't good. It meant they would only give money when a task was done. And there were many prosecutors who could handle tasks. In other words, it was perfectly predictable that he would be reduced to a tool used only occasionally.
"But please think of it as a division of roles. Just like the division of roles in the group's management right now."
After my explanation, the Chief Prosecutor smiled.
It meant he now clearly understood who was more essential to him.
Someone who only gives money when needed.
Someone who always gives money without fail.
It goes without saying who the connection one shouldn't miss is, doesn't it?
"Since you're paying such close attention, I can't help but express my gratitude."
"Well, I'm just doing what Grandfather entrusted to me. You don't need to feel burdened."
I had clearly informed him of my position and role; all that remained was to confirm.
"By the way, Chief Prosecutor."
"Yes."
"Please handle the task my uncles requested today well. Because it's an important matter for the group."
I needed to choose my words carefully. I needed to give the impression that I was in league with them and already knew what the request was about.
I nervously waited for his reaction.
"Of course. Generational change is a crucial matter that will determine the next 30 years."
Generational change?
When Grandfather divided the shares, the generational change was already over. Who else was left? Couldn't even those still in their positions be replaced at any time?
"Yes. Especially since Grandfather has passed away, it can no longer be delayed."
As I subtly agreed, the conversation went a step deeper.
"Even if he was the second-in-command, now that the Chairman has passed away, he should have stepped down himself to avoid burdening those remaining. Isn't that a person's duty?"
Second-in-command!
Exactly two people came to mind.
President Hunjae Son of Sunyang Electronics and Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae.
From Vice Chairman Jin Younggi's perspective, to firmly seize control of Sunyang Electronics, the group's core, he needed to quickly get rid of President Hunjae Son.
But the true second-in-command was none other than Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae.
Chief Prosecutor Kim Seokhwi is an outsider. From an outsider's perspective, the second-in-command is only Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae.