Chapter 44: Convening the Board Meeting

As soon as Han Yeri entered the bedroom, she faced Han Kangseong lying on the bed.

Han Kangseong, extending his life relying on machines, looked like he could pass any moment.

However, his eyes had not lost their sharpness.

Meeting his gaze felt like his pupils pierced through the brain.

“Hehe, who is it but Yeri?”

Contrary to the fierce eyes, his voice was gentle.

That gentleness slightly eased Han Yeri’s breathing.

“Yes, grandfather. Have you been well?”

“Well, my ass. Barely holding on to breath.”

“You need to live long.”

“Long, what long, kheup, keheup.”

As she approached Han Kangseong, who kept coughing dryly, he raised his hand to stop her.

“Talk from there.”

He wouldn’t allow casual approach.

He didn’t easily yield his side even to family.

Especially in this dangerous situation.

Thus, Han Yeri stood awkwardly.

“Kheuu, huuu, you, didn’t come here for nothing. You hate your uncle terribly, don’t you.”

“…Yes.”

“So speak quickly. It’s because of that young man, right?”

As Kang Jisung’s name was mentioned immediately, Han Yeri was rather flustered.

From meeting until now, there wasn’t a single clue to mention Kang Jisung.

Yet grandfather immediately realized she came because of him.

“You seem to read minds, grandfather.”

“Hehe, is that so surprising?”

“Anyone would be surprised?”

“Live long, and you see much.”

Is it simply insight?

That worry vanished with Han Kangseong’s urging.

“What interesting proposal did that young man make?”

“Ah. Grandfather, I have a request.”

“What.”

“I want to exchange the shares of Kangseong Foods held by Kangseong Group with hotel shares.”

“Hehe, that guy is trying to eat Kangseong Foods. Right?”

“Similar feeling.”

“Yes, that’s it.”

Han Kangseong closed his eyes.

Watching him exhale slowly, Han Yeri grew anxious.

Even lying like that, he was the head of Kangseong Group, Han Kangseong.

If “no” came from his mouth, this plan was scrapped entirely.

She saw all initiative in this situation held by Han Kangseong.

“What did that guy say.”

“Eh?”

Han Kangseong asked without opening his closed eyes.

“While setting the board, he must have said something for me.”

“There was… ah.”

There was something similar.

“Do it.”

“But, that… grandfather.”

“Enough, speak comfortably. I won’t ask more.”

Recalling Kang Jisung’s rude words, Han Yeri hesitated briefly.

But pulling back here would ruin everything, she was sure.

Thus, closing her eyes tightly, she said.

“He said even if you take a loss, you’ll gain something bigger.”

“Gain something bigger. Kheukheu, yes, he said that.”

Han Kangseong slowly opened his eyes then.

The intense gaze that pierced heads earlier was gone.

Instead, a childlike innocent smile filled the spot.

“That guy has good eyes.”

“Good eyes?”

“Yes, he alone pierced my heart that others don’t know. Good eyes.”

Read Han Kangseong’s mind that others don’t know.

Kang Jisung met Han Kangseong only once briefly.

Unbelievable that he read what Han Kangseong wanted.

Whether Han Yeri believed or not, the important was Han Kangseong’s next words.

“If it fails, bring that guy’s company shares.”

“…Really?”

“Why, did that guy say this too?”

“Yes.”

“Hahahaha, that guy’s head works well. Kheup!”

Han Kangseong coughed dryly a few times then regulated his breath slowly.

He looked at Han Yeri in his frail old man appearance and said.

“Exchange the shares. And Yeri.”

“Yes, grandfather.”

“Hold that guy tight before some other bitch takes him.”

“…Grandfather, that….”

“Even if he says no no, no man hates women.”

Han Kangseong was firm.

“That guy will cause storms in the world beyond Kangseong Group. Stick by him, and you can withstand most worldly flows.”

“Grandfather’s words sound like President Kang’s company will grow bigger.”

“That’s it.”

He firmly believed.

“That guy’s company will swallow the country. Then a big bloodwind in the business world. And he won’t stop. He’ll go out to the world and swallow one by one. Greedy guy.”

Kang Jisung’s serious dream.

Han Kangseong could imagine it coming true.

Because he saw it in his eyes.

“Hold him tight.”

The conversation with Han Kangseong ended there.

With the eviction order saying he needed rest, Han Yeri had no choice but to leave the bedroom.

What world are grandfather and President Kang seeing.

Felt like seeing a world beyond ordinary people like her.

Brain whirring to glimpse that fragment, the door opened and Han Daehyuk came out.

“What, Han Yeri. Why are you here.”

“…Asked grandfather for some advice.”

“Hmm, yeah?”

“Why?”

“Nothing.”

He left without more words.

But seeing his back felt oddly uncomfortable.

In some ways, more awkward than uncle Han Kyungsook.

Like seeing a beast hiding claws.

Those tightly hidden claws would reveal the moment he took Kangseong Steel presidency.

Need to prepare.

Immediately after this ends, prepare.

Leaving the tiger den swarming with tigers, Han Yeri suppressed future anxiety and moved her steps.

Anyway, perfectly tying this matter was priority.

***

Time flowed quickly, and meanwhile the world changed as I wanted.

[Ribbon Corporation’s malicious posts, turns out ordered by Kangseong Foods.]

[Why did Kangseong Foods check Ribbon Corporation.]

[Kangseong Foods, stock down 3.8%p.]

As Hwang Hyejin’s words were tipped to media, negative articles about Kangseong Foods poured out consecutively.

Since text history remained on Hwang Hyejin’s burner phone, articles were even more provocative.

“Atmosphere good.”

“They must be dying over there?”

“Wouldn’t they?”

“Good things should happen at once for joy. Reveal our prepared cards one by one.”

When public opinion rode the wave, we also released prepared materials to media one by one. 

Materials prepared with Yuha from the moment planning to eat Kangseong Foods.

[Kangseong Foods, evidence of pressuring union revealed.]

[20s woman died in Kangseong Foods factory. Manager busy covering up.]

[Sales built on fatigue, reality of capitalism.]

Consecutive exploding articles moved more public opinion than we thought.

Even articles we didn’t tip appeared, feeling like suppressed articles from Kangseong Foods were bursting.

Digging one by one, a company with considerable ethical issues.

Impressive it held until now.

[People who went into Kangseong Foods no-show.]

[Many alternatives. Not buying Kangseong Foods.]

Thanks, Kangseong Foods’ image fell to rock bottom rapidly.

Stock price also dropped little by little, accelerating.

Because of this, one person cursing me appeared.

– Damage is no joke now, you know?

“Exchange 1 to 1?”

– That was the best.

Han Yeri who exchanged Kangseong Hotel and Kangseong Foods shares.

Two stocks were equal, but with Kangseong Foods going to hell, unintentionally taking loss.

“Don’t worry, I’ll overhaul everything when I take president seat.”

Won’t be easy? 

Losing trust is easy, gaining hard.

“There are many ways to do it.”

Actually, making company image good is simple.

Sell good products cheap, contribute to society, effort to make everyone live well.

No need to look far.

Our company, quitting time 3 PM.

Employees rarely fight red-faced.

Rather, only those saying good about our company.

Fantasy company. 

Companies exist to make money, contributing to society.

“Lower greed a bit.”

Hmm.

“Why?”

No, reminded of grandfather’s words.

Han Kangseong?

What did he say about me?

Curiosity rose from the business world No.1’s words.

“What did he say?”

If I answer, will you tell what grandfather gains?

“Still couldn’t find the answer?”

Hearing that hurts pride, but yes. Couldn’t.

Said hint, but felt like told the answer.

Thought different standing positions made her miss it.

“Good. I’ll tell. But grandfather’s words first.”

Said you’re very greedy? Not enough even swallowing the world.

Uh, um….

Well.

Whether he saw right, or saw as that bad a guy.

Now answer.

“Yes, yes. Not hard question. Something all elders that age think.”

What.

“Family peace and my company’s safety.”

…Yes?

Han Yeri repeated my words several times.

What does that mean.

Like hearing alien language impossible to understand.

So, grandfather gave Kangseong Foods to President Kang to gain our family’s peace.

That’s it?

“Right.”

That old man, greed was immense.

Wanted everything in the world, hoped his things remain forever.

“The world is changing fast, heavy industry was big national business supporting Korea, but flow gradually changing.”

Kangseong Construction’s position remained, but sales gradually decreasing.

“IT companies growing fast, expanding unseen areas.”

<Spectrum>’s growth unseen anywhere.

Comparable only to Ribbon Corporation.

“Judged Kangseong Group affiliates will face crisis soon. By new domestic companies or foreign affiliates entering Korea.”

Kangseong Group’s No.1 built as No.2.

Building piled with shoddy construction.

“In that situation, look at the family. War starts right after chairman passes, right.”

…Yes.

“From chairman’s view, dismal. In this part, words won’t be heard anyway.”

After Han Kangseong chairman dies anyway.

His words buried in the past.

“But then I appeared.”

That, was a boon to grandfather?

“Yes, brilliant head. Laid the board right upon seeing me.”

From old, internal problems divert external.

Like North-South fighting but uniting against Japan interfering.

“If I take Kangseong Foods and gradually expand influence, emergency in Kangseong Group too.”

Will try to protect somehow.

“Yes, unite.”

That’s what Han Kangseong wanted.

“Create external enemy to maintain Kangseong Group. That’s grandfather’s big picture.”

Even in death, unable to let go of what he built, the grudge-filled old man’s scheme.

Han Yeri, who would have mouth agape if in front, stammered on.

How did President Kang know that?

“Well, just see and know.”

Rather, amazing not knowing after seeing that greed-boiling face until now.

“Anyway, that’s it. Answer good?”

Yes, grandfather said you’d know too. That must be the answer.

“Then put this aside, focus on our matter.”

Han Kangseong’s big picture or whatever.

For now, eat Kangseong Foods first.

“Prepare to convene the board meeting.”