Chapter 59: Model Answer Sheet

Kim, the secretary, spoke.

“I understand now why you called this a model answer sheet, Young Master. Thank you sincerely.”

Kim bowed politely.

“Master Sungjun will also be extremely pleased. In many ways...”

“Secretary Kim, I’d like you to keep this note a secret as well.”

Kim looked regretful.

No, but why?

“Then at least to the Chairman, maybe just a little...”

“No.”

No, seriously, why do you keep looking so disappointed that you can’t tell anyone, why!

I shook my head.

“I want to remain an anonymous benefactor this time too.”

“Young Master, the Chairman is very generous with rewards for those who’ve made contributions. Not just the map for Subway Line 2, but even sending out invitations to the big shots, all of it—”

“That’s enough.”

I raised both hands to stop him.

“For now, I still need more time and a stronger foundation. If I draw unnecessary attention, I’ll only limit my own freedom of movement.”

I still haven’t gotten what I want.

I’m only seven years old, and even my subordinates aren’t worth much.

‘Right now, my father should be the one in the spotlight. He needs to solidify his foundation first. That’s more advantageous for me, too.’

Compared to his siblings, Father’s foundation is pathetically weak and incomplete.

Never mind all the years he spent wandering around the provinces and overseas, but now he might even have to give up Taesung Chemicals, which Grandpa was going to set aside for him.

He has more than enough reasons to be disregarded by his siblings.

‘It’s a law of the jungle out there. Just as political strife is bloody, the battle for management rights in a chaebol family is every bit as brutal. Once a fight breaks out, there’s no such thing as mercy for parents or siblings.’

Power is not something even shared between parents and children.

As if I haven’t seen that kind of thing plenty of times.

If it weren’t for those chaebol and politicians, all the fixers and cleaners in the back alleys would have starved to death.

Who do you think they were living off all this time?

‘Attacking the weakest first is the basic rule of any fight. To eliminate a competitor, even just one, as soon as possible.’

Am I being overly sensitive about uncles and aunts I haven’t even met yet?

‘No, there’s nothing wrong with having a strong foundation. The more money and power, the better.’

The strong can afford to be merciful, but the weak are always at the mercy of the strong.

For that reason, I plan to focus on strengthening my father’s foundation for now.

‘But seriously, why does this man look so aggrieved? I told him I’m fine, didn’t I?’

Hmph. What can you do.

“Young Master, there’s a reason for the saying ‘a needle in a pouch will eventually poke through.’ No matter how much you try to hide it, your true value will eventually show.”

I’ll think about that when the time comes.

“I, Kim Younggeol, will make sure that someday, the sacrifice and effort you’ve put in for Taesung is properly rewarded. I promise you that.”

I’m not a man who refuses goodwill.

“All right. Actually, I was hoping to ask Secretary Kim a small, secret favor anyway.”

“Yes, as much as you need. I’ll do everything in my power to help you, Young Master.”

Now that’s reassuring!

The man who handles all of Taesung’s dirty and secret business is now eager to help me.

Things are about to get much easier.

‘For Secretary Kim, setting up a shell investment company that can’t be traced back to me should be a piece of cake, right?’

It’s important for Father to be recognized and strengthen his base, but...

That doesn’t mean I have to ignore my own share and pretend not to care, does it?

Whenever I get the chance, I’ll make sure to quietly claim my own slice.

“Ufufuf!”

Oops, that’s not the urgent thing right now.

“Secretary Kim. Shouldn’t you get that note to Father as soon as possible?”

“Yes.”

I waved my hand with a smile.

“Hurry along. I doubt Father will have much time to go over the note.”

“Yes, Young Master. I’ll handle the urgent business and return at once.”

Kim hurried away.

---

The Grim Reaper hovered near Father.

On the terrace, Father smoked one cigarette after another, alone.

Crumple.

Father crumpled the note.

“Unless someone crawled inside my head and back out, how could anyone prepare something like a model answer sheet...”

If he thought it was nonsense, he would’ve thrown it in the trash already.

“Incredible. What kind of person comes up with something like this?”

It was already the fourth time he’d let out a hollow laugh.

“...A genius, perhaps?”

Father stroked his chin.

Knock, knock, knock.

Kim the secretary tapped on the terrace window.

“Young Master, it’s time to go in. Your turn will be up soon.”

It was easy to see, just by observing the pecking order, that people were entering the room one by one.

“Give me the note.”

“Hm?”

Kim stuffed the note in his mouth and swallowed it whole in one gulp.

Father was left speechless, but Kim bowed deeply, at a perfect 90 degrees.

“I’ll escort you only this far. Good luck. I wish you fortune.”

Just as the Taesung Group’s bodyguards were not allowed into the banquet hall on New Year’s Eve, only Father was allowed to enter the Hyeonmu Hotel bar.

Father turned and headed to the Hyeonmu Hotel Bar.

---

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction, pacing nervously in front of the room, brightened when he saw Father.

“President Cha, over here! It’s almost our turn! Where did you go off to so fearlessly?”

“I stepped out for a smoke.”

In truth, he’d been reading and pondering the note, but, well, he did smoke, too.

Chain-smoking.

“You were nervous too, weren’t you? Whew, same here.”

President Oh rubbed his hands together.

“When have I ever met His Excellency face to face? Only from afar at ceremonies and openings—this is my first time drinking with him.”

In his hands was a file labeled  in big, bold letters.

Of course, it was a lovely shade of brown.

“I mean, I have to hand over the sponsor list for New Year’s Eve, but what are you here for?”

“I’m not sure. I honestly don’t know.”

“If it’s about Subway Line 2 construction, I doubt they’d call for you specifically. Maybe your chairman, but... Hmm.”

President Oh sidled up to Father and lowered his voice.

“Do you know how many people have already been kicked out? At least twenty, maybe thirty.”

“Thirty?”

“Be careful. People are being thrown out barely minutes after going in.”

President Oh sighed deeply.

“If I’d known, I would have had my staff prepare a set of anticipated questions in advance. Then at least I wouldn’t get caught off guard...”

At that moment, the room door burst open, and two people were practically thrown out.

Crash!

“Oh my!”

It was the Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Minister of Construction.

The Blue House Security Chief tossed out four briefcases.

His gaze, as he looked down at those expelled, was icy.

Then, he turned his eyes in this direction.

“President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction, search him.”

“Yes, sir.”

The Blue House Security Operations Chief frisked President Oh.

“All clear. He’s clean.”

Even I, and the Grim Reaper, clicked our tongues at the sight.

‘This isn’t an airport security checkpoint—what’s with the body search at a private drinking party?’ The thought barely had time to form before I remembered the President was inside that room.

If Secretary Kim hadn’t collected the note in advance, Father could have been in serious trouble.

Secretary Kim, thorough as ever!

“Come in.”

President Oh clutched the New Year’s Eve sponsor list and entered the room.

Now, only one person had yet to be called—Father.

“Sungjun!”

“...Father?”

Grandfather came hurrying over, carrying something wrapped in a golden cloth.

He’d volunteered as reinforcements to help his son.

Grandfather looked around.

“Sorry, but I’m not on the guest list.”

Grandfather stepped past Father and approached the Blue House Security Operations Chief, offering the golden-wrapped bundle.

“This is the highest quality Deodeokju. I just happened to acquire a fine bottle and thought to present it to His Excellency.”

He also slipped a fat envelope into the Chief’s hand.

The Security Chief, accepting the envelope, whispered,

“Please take the alcohol back before anyone says you tried to poison His Excellency. I can’t let this slide.”

“Fair enough. No need to trouble you. Understood.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Chairman Cha.”

“Well then, share this among yourselves. It’s a top-grade Deodeokju, hard to find on the market. I know you all work hard looking after His Excellency.”

Grandfather handed the Deodeokju to the Chief.

At his signal, the Blue House guards who’d tried to drag Grandfather out withdrew.

Grandfather leaned in close to Father and whispered,

“Sungjun, remember—if you don’t know, just admit you don’t. It’s better than pretending to know when you don’t.”

“Yes.”

“He’s not the type to go easy on the old, and he won’t spare a brash youngster either.”

“Yes.”

“If anything comes up that might send you to jail, pass the blame. Yoonseong caused the trouble at Taesung Construction—he should take the fall.”

That was the reason Grandfather had come this far, and the advice he’d purchased with a show of sincerity.

“You just got back from the Middle East; you know nothing. Yoonseong already agreed to that. Got it?”

Grandfather swallowed dryly.

“If all else fails, call out for me loudly. If I kneel beside you, maybe, just maybe, His Excellency will...”

At that moment, the door burst open.

“I’m sorry! I’ll fix it! Next time, I’ll do my best—urk!”

Less than a minute after entering,

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction was tossed out, face ashen.

The Blue House Security Chief had dragged him out by the arm.

The way he looked at Grandfather was as cold as ice.

“Chairman Cha of Taesung Group, learn when you’re supposed to be here and when not. Lost your mind? Get out!”

The Security Chief flicked his finger at Father.

“Next. Taesung’s... you. The young one.”

---

Inside, the room was thick with cigarette smoke, like a badger’s den.

Soft incandescent light glowed in the closed space.

“That’s far enough.”

The Blue House Security Chief blocked Father’s path with his arm.

“That’s as close as you’re allowed. Back up. Further back.”

Father stood at the entrance, scanning the surroundings.

The person on the seat of honor was, of course, the President.

To his right sat the Seoul Mayor; to his left, the Blue House Chief Secretary.

But the only one receiving a drink was Mayor Gu.

The rest of the ministers, who’d entered earlier, weren’t even offered a glass, but were lined up along the wall.

On the table, three copies of the Subway Line 2 map were laid out side by side, while next to the President sat a trash bin stuffed full of documents.

Among them was a file labeled .

Tap, tap.

The President tapped the Subway Line 2 route map with his finger.

“The Line 2 route map drawn by Taesung. It’s very similar to the one Gu drew.”

He flicked the red pen–drawn map with his finger.

Taesung’s version fluttered to the floor.

“Did you bribe a senior city official to leak state secrets?”

The President’s voice was cold.

“I’d say the odds of two identical route maps being made by coincidence are far lower than the odds you obtained the answer sheet through bribery and illegal solicitation. What do you think?”

Tsk tsk, just as I thought!

There isn’t a single person in a high position who doesn’t have a case of paranoia, huh?

I had a feeling, knowing how long this man had wielded absolute power, and sure enough—

‘That’s literally Question 1 from the anticipated list! I was just waiting for this to come up!’

I’m feeling lucky already!

But the first to react to the President’s words wasn’t Father, but Mayor Gu.

He jumped up in alarm.

“That’s not true, Your Excellency! Absolutely not!”

Bribery and illegal solicitation—from the President’s own mouth.

Those terms usually come as a pair.

If there’s a giver, there’s a receiver.

And even if he didn’t directly accept a bribe or a request, he’d still be responsible for any state secret that leaked under his watch.

“The suggestion to draw the Subway Line 2 map was my own impulsive idea!”

That’s why Mayor Gu was so desperate to defend Father.

But the President didn’t even glance at him.

“I asked what you think. Answer.”

“I am innocent.”

“That’s all the explanation you have?”

“Excuses are made to cover up one’s wrongdoing. I’ll prove my innocence with results.”

The President tilted his head.

“How?”