Chapter 47: The Price of Family

‘Hey, Guardian Spirit. Turn up the sound over there.’

[Quite a lot of people just came in. Which guy do you mean?]

‘The one with mischief plastered all over his face, looks the slyest and nastiest.’

[Ah, then this guy?]

The Grim Reaper pointed out the President of Wookwang Construction without a miss.

‘Bingo.’

Glancing quickly around, the President of Wookwang Construction whispered in a low voice.

“Boss, the atmosphere of this event seems quite different from usual tonight.”

“I know.”

“If I go and figure out the situation in advance—”

“No need.”

Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group laughed heartily.

“I didn’t expect everyone to welcome us so vigorously like this. Are you hinting that we should make a major donation?”

Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group held up three fingers.

“Thirty million won! We’ll donate in the name of Wookwang.”

That was enough to buy a couple of apartments in Gangnam. Normally, Wookwang would have just donated about ten million won for appearances. But seeing the mood was off, Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group called out a big number to turn the tide.

Clap clap clap clap!

Thunderous applause erupted in the hall. It was the customary response for those who gave generously.

But with a mood so different from usual, Chairman Kim’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Chairman Kim, I have something to ask you.”

“Ask away. Though I wonder what’s got you so urgent you have to jump straight to business without a breath.”

With a leisurely gesture, Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group raised his hand lightly. A server passing between the guests offered him a tray. He took a slow sip of champagne.

“The music has stopped, the gazes have stopped, the conversation has stopped.”

Chairman Kim’s sharp, cold eyes swept over the people staring at them.

“President Kim, you seem to be the problem.”

In an instant, Chairman Kim’s eyes turned to the President of Wookwang Construction.

“What happened here?”

The President of Wookwang Construction unconsciously took a step back. He must have sensed what was coming, especially with so many people glaring daggers at him.

“Well… actually, for the subway line 2 project…”

“The subway line 2 project. Later. In detail.”

“…Yes, understood.”

Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group shifted his gaze.

From among the crowd, Grandfather stepped forward.

“Chairman Kim, welcome. We’ve been waiting.”

Grandfather smiled and extended his hand. Chairman Kim shook hands with him.

“Chairman Cha, you arrived early? I was just thinking it’s been a while since we spoke. How have you been?”

“Same as always. Busy.”

“Take care of your health and pace yourself. Being a workaholic is an illness.”

“You, too—watch your health and take it easy.”

Grandfather and Chairman Kim seemed very close. Grandfather also called for a server and picked up a glass of champagne.

---

I cut off the connection with the Grim Reaper.

‘According to the Taesung Group report, Taesung and Wookwang are closely tied by marriage alliances. But it seems the leaders were friends even before that, huh?’

Thinking back, it was strange. In the past, Father died young in a plane crash, and up to now there were no marriage ties between Taesung and Wookwang.

So who connected Taesung and Wookwang so closely through marriage?

“I called the Wookwang Group’s secretary office, and they said you’d gone to the Middle East. What took you all the way there?”

“Yeah, I went to Saudi Arabia to raise some funds. I came straight from the airport. Thought I’d see Seongjun while I was there…”

Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group glanced our way, as Father approached with Mother and me.

“So Seongjun was here. It’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while, Chairman Kim.”

“If you were coming home, you should’ve called ahead. Nearly wasted a trip.”

The young people around Father quietly retreated. Between Grandfather, Chairman Kim, and our family, a clear space opened up.

“Seongjun, the Saudi royal family praised you to the skies. They say you’re going to build an entire city at Jubail Industrial Port? How many hundred million dollars is that project worth?”

“It’s a hundred-million-dollar contract.”

“Amazing. You’re sweeping in all the Middle Eastern oil money. That’s true national prestige—this is what brings honor to our country.”

The faint smile faded from Chairman Kim’s face, his gaze growing cold.

“There’s a young lady by Seongjun’s side I haven’t seen before. And a boy who looks exactly like Seongjun did as a child.”

“Yes, my daughter-in-law and grandson. Greet Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lee Sujin.”

“Hello, I’m Cha Junghyuk.”

Chairman Kim didn’t return our greetings, but simply stared at Grandfather.

“Hm…”

A heavy silence fell over the hall. Not only Grandfather and Chairman Kim, but everyone present held their tongues. Grandfather spoke calmly.

“Our Seongjun is now in charge of everything related to the subway line 2 project. He’ll be officially appointed President of Taesung Construction soon. You’ll be seeing him often from now on.”

Chairman Kim stayed silent, but the President of Wookwang Construction couldn’t hold back.

“Then what happens to President Cha, who was running Taesung Construction?”

Grandfather had already seen his brother’s written confession. He now knew exactly what had happened, and the cold look he gave the root of the problem that caused him to part ways with his brother was icy.

“He’s retired.”

“So suddenly? Even when I met him a few days ago, he said nothing, and there was nothing at Taesung’s annual meeting—”

“Who do you think is to blame?”

The President of Wookwang Construction shut his mouth.

“He may be incompetent, but he’s still my beloved brother. Yoonseong nearly ended up spending fifteen years in prison because of someone who coaxed him into the subway project.”

“Th-that’s…”

“Just know I’m keeping quiet for your brother’s sake. Move aside!”

“…Yes.”

Left with nothing to say, the President of Wookwang Construction stepped back. At that, Chairman Kim’s gaze fixed on him again. The President of Wookwang Construction just sweated silently, lips sealed tight.

“I don’t think we need to explain Taesung’s situation in detail. But I’d like a clear explanation about your side.”

Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group pointed at us, his cold, sharp gaze like a knife.

“That woman and child. They’re quite an eyesore.”

“I’m sure they are.”

Grandfather nodded without resistance.

“It is what it is. So the marriage between Seongjun and your daughter is off.”

“A mistress and an illegitimate child, then. Isn’t that not really a problem?”

Chairman Kim curled up one side of his mouth.

“In this field, it’s a common thing. How many people here have never had this sort of issue? As long as there’s no business problem, this kind of thing doesn’t matter.”

“This is about the kids’ lives. Not just my child, but your daughter’s life is at stake.”

“Exactly. I’m saying I don’t care.”

Chairman Kim struck his cane down with a thump.

“But bringing them here so openly to an official event like this is a problem, I’d say.”

“That’s why I’m saying it clearly. Wookwang, let’s break off the engagement!”

“On whose say-so?”

“You start a relationship with mutual agreement, but you end it with a unilateral notice! For your daughter, it’s better to have a broken engagement than the label of a divorcee.”

“That stuff doesn’t matter. What matters is business.”

Chairman Kim snorted.

“What about Taesung Chemicals?”

“We’ll settle that too!”

“Settle?”

One of Chairman Kim’s eyebrows shot up. Grandfather was unfazed.

“It was all based on the marriage. If we’re ending the marriage, business ties have to end, too. Let’s not drag this out, let’s end it cleanly!”

“You’re going to keep five out of the ten billion we jointly invested, and eat up Taesung Chemicals for yourself?”

“I’m not saying you should lose out. I’m the one breaking off the engagement, so I’ll take responsibility. Let’s settle shares taking that into account.”

Chairman Kim clicked his tongue.

“Cha Taeseong, you’re coming to a foolish conclusion. When it comes to your kids… tsk.”

“What can I do? My family’s everything to me. I’m really sorry, Wookwang. Let’s leave it at this…”

“Enough.”

Chairman Kim raised his hand to cut off Grandfather’s words, then turned to Father.

“Seongjun, what’s your decision? Answer carefully.”

“I agree with Father. I’ll break off the engagement.”

“I’m offering to overlook your mistress and illegitimate child, and still?”

“Yes. My decision doesn’t change.”

“You’re going to let your father’s hard-earned three hundred billion won Taesung Chemicals slip away, even so?”

“I can’t face him for that, but it’s no reason to abandon my family.”

Chairman Kim glared at Grandfather.

“Taeseong, thanks to your son, you’re about to ruin your business.”

“Thanks to my son, your daughter’s life is saved. And more than that—your company’s about to get some breathing room, thanks to my son. Wasn’t Wookwang desperate for cash because of constant losses in the steel business?”

Grandfather spoke up.

“So, what will you do? Will you take my shares and keep Taesung Chemicals, or will you hand me your shares and take the money?”

“Cha Taeseong!”

“Fine. Business settlements take time. But remember this: it’s already decided. If things change, your position will too, so the quicker you negotiate, the better for you.”

Chairman Kim turned his back.

“Cha Taeseong, you’ll regret today’s decision.”

“Even so, I can’t help it! I’ll take responsibility for what I’ve done!”

Chairman Kim walked off, leaning on his cane. Grandfather silently watched him go.

Just as he limped along, Chairman Kim stopped in his tracks. Without looking back, he shouted loudly.

“Taeseong, let’s forget about the marriage and business for now and have a drink together—it’s been ages!”

“Let’s do that.”

“Go up to the Hyunmu Hotel bar first. Tonight, you’re buying!”

“Of course! Let’s drink till we drop! I just got some great deodeok liquor, let’s open a bottle!”

Chairman Kim shrugged on his long coat and strode out. Grandfather looked back.

“Taeseong will also donate thirty million won! And another twenty million in the names of my son Seongjun, his wife, and my grandson Cha Junghyuk!”

That was the highest donation of tonight’s year-end party. Grandfather had officially written my mother and me into the list of year-end donors. It was a warning for everyone not to speak nonsense about us ever again.

Clap clap clap clap!

As was customary, people applauded the donors. Grandfather raised his hand.

“We’ve caused an unpleasant commotion at a fine event, so I won’t accept applause. President Oh, sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s not like there was a fistfight. Is this little ruckus even worth mentioning? Don’t worry about it.”

“Good. Then I’ll make up for it by running up the hotel bar tab tonight! Only the best liquor, got it? You know I’m planning to drink Wookwang under the table.”

Grandfather patted Father and Mother on the shoulder a couple of times.

“Well done. I’ll go on ahead. Don’t worry about appearances—just make the rounds and greet people. If anyone talks nonsense, remember who and tell me later.”

Following Grandfather, the presidents of Taesung Group’s affiliates gathered.

“Chairman, are you really planning to split with Wookwang like this?”

“It’s done.”

“But Taesung Chemicals is a business you built up over many years—”

“If we let it go now, the loss will be huge!”

Grandfather raised his hand.

“In life, sometimes you invest little and gain a lot, sometimes you invest a lot and lose it all. Taesung Chemicals is one of the latter.”

“Chairman!”

“It’s nothing. It’s not like Taesung will collapse without Taesung Chemicals. Our focus is the subway project.”

Grandfather spoke decisively.

“It’s an eighteen billion won project just for the expected bid. It’s way bigger than Taesung Chemicals. The loss from giving up Taesung Chemicals is nothing in comparison.”

“That’s right.”

“If we win the subway project, Taesung Construction will become the top builder in the country. You all know what that means, right?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t think that just because we’re giving up Taesung Chemicals over the broken engagement, we’ll easily give up the subway project too! I have no intention of going easy on Wookwang Construction! Keep that in mind and support Seongjun with everything you’ve got!”

“Yes, understood!”

The presidents of Taesung Group’s affiliates shouted vigorously.

Clap clap clap!

Even though Grandfather said not to, applause sounded out again.

But the President of Wookwang Construction snorted.

“Doesn’t everyone know Taesung Construction’s coffers are empty? How do you plan to settle Taesung Chemicals, and with what money will you push forward the subway project?”

I checked the special guests quietly entering the hall.

Master, the Maljukgeori Horsehead, the Gold Tooth from Jongno, and even Lady Bang from Ggachisan.

They were all here.