When I opened the door and walked out, Myeong-soo did not ask me anything else.
"Want some ramen?"
At those words, a small smile escaped me without realizing it.
"Yeah, I should eat before I go."
"Wait here."
Myeong-soo put down the law book he was reading on the table, stood up, and went to the kitchen to boil water. Meanwhile, I cooled my swollen eyes with cold water. A moment later.
Myeong-soo brought the ramen, placed it on the table, and looked at me as he spoke.
"Sigh, look at your face. You crazy bastard. Hurry up and eat."
"Yeah. Thanks for the food."
Around the time I finished the ramen and drank some water, Myeong-soo, who was looking at his law book, glanced at me.
"Are you okay now?"
I gave a small nod and stood up.
"I am leaving. Tell the others let's all gather together once the first round results are out. Understand that I won't be able to contact you for a while."
At my words, Myeong-soo nodded and stood up.
"Got it. Do not waver, and do whatever you think is right. I will help you with whatever I can."
"Thank you."
When I opened the door and came out, Section Chief Ma stepped out of the driver's seat and bowed his head.
"Let's go home."
On the way driving to Pyeongchang District, I was lost in my own thoughts. 'Let's not tell Grandma. There is no need to pick at a healed wound.
Since I have eliminated the Cheon Su-man brothers, I will have to modify my plans a bit.' When I entered the house, Manager Ha was nowhere to be seen, likely having gone out to sort out Cheon Su-man's affairs. Passing through the chilly living room, I arrived in front of the study.
"Grandfather, it is Mu-hyeok."
"Come in."
It was Grandfather's powerless voice. As I opened the study door, Grandfather's lonely back caught my eye as he looked out the window.
"Grandfather."
Grandfather turned his body while remaining seated in his chair. His face had noticeably aged in just one day.
"Where did you go?"
"I went to clear my complicated thoughts."
I faced Grandfather, who was silently observing my expression.
"I have decided not to resent Grandfather. I plan to focus on my work for the time being. Also, I will not take any revenge against my cousins. In return, please do not tell us to get along. I do not think we will be able to smile while looking at each other's faces."
"That is enough. Yes, so what do you plan to do now?"
"I will tell you after I check all the documents first."
Grandfather nodded and said nothing.
"Grandfather, I am fine. Please do not worry about me."
"Haha."
I smiled at Grandfather, who was laughing emptily.
"I am trying my best to understand Grandfather. The desire to protect the family, the fear of losing everything. I will accept it all."
"Thank you."
"I will do my best so that the absence of my maternal uncles is not felt. Please watch over me."
I bowed my head in greeting and walked outside. It was impossible to know what Grandfather was thinking in the study, left alone once again.
The Ilseong Group Chairman's office. Chairman Seo Yong-geon's direct phone, whose number was known to only a few, rang. Chairman Seo picked up the cell phone, widening his eyes in slight surprise at the voice coming from the receiver. — Chairman Seo.
This is Cheon Tae-san.
"What brings you to call?" — Su-man and your daughter, they must get a divorce.
Stunned by the sudden topic, Chairman Seo was at a loss for words for a moment and could not answer. However, Chairman Cheon on the other end of the line did not care and continued speaking. — I am not doing this because I dislike your daughter. It is a family matter, so please understand.
Let us not complicate things with property divisions and such.
"Ha... What kind of nonsense are you saying out of the blue?"
Chairman Seo was dumbfounded, but he quietly reached out and wrote on the memo pad in front of him.
[What happened with Cheon Tae-san and Cheon Su-man?]
It was a simple memo, but Lee Seok-min, the chief of staff, hurriedly left the Chairman's office after receiving it.
"Look here, explain it to me. What is this ridiculous talk all of a sudden? What about the children?" — You take care of the children.
I plan to send Su-man abroad. I will take care of Ji-won and Ji-soo myself, so do not worry too much. Myeong-hun will visit you soon.
Call Hee-gyeong and have her stamp the papers. A frown formed on Seo Yong-geon's forehead at the tone that sounded like he was commanding a subordinate.
"This is amusing. It has been a long time since I was so amused. Look here, Chairman Cheon. Do I still look like the Seo Yong-geon who used to bow his head to you under my father? Shouldn't you give me a proper explanation?" — I am sorry.
I am absolutely not doing this out of disrespect for you. Why would I ignore the man at the pinnacle of Ilseong Group? It is just that my mind is a mess right now.
Come visit me sometime later. Just as Seo Yong-geon opened his mouth to retort, Chairman Cheon's words continued from the other end of the line, as if he were not finished yet. — However, do not ignore my words either. I am not dead yet.
Do not forget that I could still raise your older brother's hand even now. In the end, it was Chairman Seo who was at a loss for words.
Although he had overcome the disadvantage of being the youngest to surpass all his brothers and become the second chairman, he knew that his eldest brother, Seo Yong-hyeon, was still eyeing his position. Just as Chairman Cheon said, if he raised Seo Yong-hyeon's hand even now, the outcome would be unpredictable.
"Ha! Are you threatening me now?" — It is not a threat.
I am saying this because even I do not know what I might do right now.
Listen carefully.
When Myeong-hun visits with the documents, do not make things complicated and just stamp the divorce papers. With those final words, Cheon Tae-san hung up the phone without even saying goodbye. Chairman Seo silently stared at the disconnected cell phone before throwing it against the wall.
"Why won't this damn old man die and just live so long! Is anyone out there?!"
A secretary waiting outside came in. Seeing the cell phone shattered and rolling on the floor, he bowed his head deeply. It was because he knew he should not provoke the Chairman's temper at times like this.
"Where is Manager Lee?"
"He just rushed outside."
"Clean that up first. Bring me a new one. Contact Manager Lee and tell him to come back in."
"Yes."
The secretary left, and Chairman Seo, left alone, continued to curse to himself as if his anger had not cooled down.
"Damn it. How much longer do I have to walk on eggshells around that man? I wonder what the hell that damn Cheon Su-man has done."
A moment later, Lee Seok-min, who had gone out holding his memo, entered the Chairman's office. Chairman Seo asked as soon as he entered.
"What happened?"
"We have not properly grasped the situation yet."
"You bastard! Does that make any sense? I told you to always keep an eye on that man Cheon Tae-san! And you call that a report?"
"I am sorry. We cannot find out what happens inside the house in Pyeongchang District. Cheon Su-man and Cheon Su-han have surveillance on them, but there has been no movement from their side yet."
Chairman Seo let out a sigh of disbelief.
"That man Cheon Tae-san is forcing a divorce on my daughter. He told me to call my daughter and stamp the documents, but does it make sense that we do not even know what is going on right now?"
At those words, Lee Seok-min, who had been bowing his head, looked up at him in surprise. Seo Yong-geon, who was huffing in anger, placed a hand on his forehead.
"First, contact Hee-gyeong and tell her to come."
"Understood."
"And find out what the hell is happening in that damn family. If you dare submit that kind of garbage as a report again, consider yourself fired."
Chairman Seo glared at Lee Seok-min as he bowed and left the office, then leaned back against the sofa and closed his eyes. A moment later, Seo Hee-gyeong entered the Chairman's office.
"For what reason did you call me?"
Seeing his daughter's face instantly flared his temper, and Chairman Seo shouted.
"What the hell did you do for Chairman Cheon to call and demand a divorce!"
Seo Hee-gyeong asked back with a surprised expression.
"Pardon? Father-in-law?"
"Father-in-law my foot, he said to stamp the divorce papers. He told us not to even think about property division and all that. What the hell is going on!"
Seo Hee-gyeong, who had taken a seat, seemed dumbfounded as she merely stared at her father in silence.
"Do you not know anything?"
Chairman Seo asked his daughter with a frustrated expression, but there was no way Seo Hee-gyeong would know anything.
"I do not. Just the other day, I heard he called Ji-won and handed over two buildings in Gangnam. They said he called Ji-soo too."
"What about that guy Su-man?"
"He went to meet Father-in-law last time, and ever since he came back, he barely speaks to me when he is home. You know how it is between the two of us."
As Chairman Seo and Seo Hee-gyeong were conversing for a while, the secretary announced that Ha Myeong-hun had arrived in the lobby.
"Send him in immediately."
A moment later, Manager Ha entered the Chairman's office and bowed his head in greeting.
"It has been a while, Chairman. It has been a while for you too, Madam."
Ha Myeong-hun greeted them and raised his head. Chairman Seo scrutinized him as if searching for clues, but he could glean nothing from Ha Myeong-hun, whose expression showed absolutely no change.
"I received a call from Chairman Cheon. What exactly is the reason he wants a divorce? Tell me."
"I do not know the reason myself. I am merely following the Chairman's orders."
Chairman Seo disliked the stiff Ha Myeong-hun, but he hid his discomfort and spoke to him.
"Have a seat first."
"Thank you, Chairman."
Sitting face to face with Seo Hee-gyeong, he placed the briefcase he was holding onto his lap.
"As you must have heard from Pyeongchang District, I have brought the divorce papers for Boss Cheon and Madam."
Ha Myeong-hun took out an envelope from the briefcase and handed it to Chairman Seo. Chairman Seo accepted it with a displeased expression.
"Look here, Manager Ha. Am I someone who must do whatever Chairman Cheon orders? Why are you being so stiff?"
"I apologize."
"Ha... What can I even say to you. Hee-gyeong, stamp it. Stamp it and give it to Manager Ha."
"Father!"
"Are you going to ignore my words too?"
Seeing Seo Yong-geon's cold gaze, Seo Hee-gyeong had no choice but to stamp the documents.
"I apologize, Madam."
"Manager Ha, is Boss Cheon going abroad?"
Ha Myeong-hun, who was checking the documents, turned his gaze to Chairman Seo.
"I merely follow the Chairman's will. I do not know."
After verifying that all the stamps were placed, Ha Myeong-hun put the documents in his briefcase and stood up.
"I shall take my leave now."
Chairman Seo glared at Ha Myeong-hun as he bowed in greeting and left the office.
"What do I do now?"
"What do you mean what do you do? Pack your bags and move out. Bring Ji-won and Ji-soo out with you too."
Receiving an uncalled-for scolding glare, Seo Hee-gyeong looked like she was about to cry.
"Please keep a close eye on the movements of the Myeon District bosses. It is obvious that Cheon Su-man will lash out in desperation. Unless the Blue Wind Association plans to start an all-out war with Grandfather, they likely will not help Cheon Su-man this time."
"Do you mean all three of them?"
"Yes. Please figure out in detail who they meet and where they go."
"Understood."
"Things will get very busy now. You will have to take over the tasks Manager Ha used to do, one by one, Section Chief."
Section Chief Ma's gaze and mine met in the air. Looking at his unwavering eyes, I gave a faint smile.
"I will entrust my back to you, Section Chief."
"Thank you."
"I will rest a bit and then go meet Park Dong-soo. Get things ready."
I left the house after talking with Park Dong-soo on the phone. Coincidentally, the place we promised to meet was somewhere that had fallen into my hands but I had never visited in person. It was none other than Geukseong Construction.
Receiving greetings from the gang members who recognized me, I arrived at the boss's office on the top floor.
"Little brother!"
Park Dong-soo, who was conversing with Lee Sang-geun, saw me, stood up from his seat, and smiled.
"How is it? Is it manageable?"
Following me as I naturally took the seat of honor, Park Dong-soo and Lee Sang-geun sat facing each other.
"What do I know? Sang-geun does everything. Still, thanks to you, little brother, I get to be a construction company boss, so it is nice."
Nodding my head, I looked at Park Dong-soo and spoke.
"Do you have gang members in prison?"
"Prison?"
"Yes, trustworthy people."
"If you mean trustworthy guys, I do have a couple."
"I will have them transferred to Yeongdeungpo Prison. I need them to do a job for me."
"What is it? Just say the word."
"My youngest uncle will be transferred to Yeongdeungpo Prison. Isolate him completely. You must never inflict direct harm. Make sure no one there exchanges a word with him. And occasionally threaten him too."
At those words, Park Dong-soo looked at me with surprised eyes.
"You can do that, right?"
My gaze as I looked at Park Dong-soo was cold.
< I am fine. Please do not worry about me. > The End