I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 386
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 386
The atmosphere turned frigid in an instant.
[Now this is something I’m good at!]
I shrugged my shoulders and turned my gaze back to the three parents.
All of them had their expressions hardened, and they seemed to be thinking about how to attack me with their words.
I crossed my arms with composure.
With the children present, it seemed I should save the parents’ weaknesses as a trump card for the worst moment.
Lee Sang-hee stepped in to mediate urgently.
“Everyone, please calm down. Haven’t you all even exchanged greetings yet? Let’s at least introduce ourselves first.”
The mothers of Kim Yu-jeong, Lee Seo-yeon, and Jung Ha-ri all kept their arms crossed and their faces cold, not even nodding their heads.
Then I would introduce myself first.
I cleared my throat briefly and looked at the three of them.
“You all seem to lack manners for your age, and since I appear to be the youngest here, I’ll introduce myself first. I’m Jeon Sung-guk, the older brother and guardian of Jeon Ji-hee.”
At that moment, Jung Ha-ri’s mother tilted her head.
“Jeon Sung-guk… I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere before….”
I immediately added to my introduction.
“I’m the CEO of FaceNote and YouTube.”
“No way….”
Jung Ha-ri’s mother’s eyes suddenly widened.
“Oh my… that Jeon Sung-guk…. No wonder you’re so handsome. Oh my, I… I’m a fan of yours, CEO Jeon!”
[So you finally recognize me?]
At Jung Ha-ri’s mother’s exclamation, Lee Seo-yeon’s mother next to her clapped her hands sharply.
“That’s right! Jeon Sung-guk… oh my… what a surprise. You’re much more handsome in person. Wow… but why did you break up with Emma Watson?”
Then she scolded her daughter.
“Seo-yeon, why didn’t you tell me that Ji-hee’s older brother is Jeon Sung-guk!”
The only one still regarding me coldly with her arms crossed was Kim Yu-jeong’s mother.
“Ah… so you’re that child actor who went to Harvard, the genius boy everyone talks about….”
[I guess a businessman seems trivial to someone from the Defense Minister’s family?]
But I nodded politely.
“I was a genius boy, but now that I’m over twenty, I suppose I should be called a genius young man instead.”
At my words, Ji-hee shook her head beside me. Then she whispered quietly.
“Oppa, this isn’t a place to brag about you.”
“You asked, so I answered. Incorrect information needs to be corrected.”
And I looked at the three mothers again.
“Since I’ve introduced myself, I’d like to hear introductions from the rest of you now.”
“I’ll do it on behalf of everyone.”
Kim Yu-jeong’s mother stepped forward.
It seemed that Kim Yu-jeong’s mother was the leader of this group.
“I’m Kim Yu-jeong’s mother. My daughter’s grandfather served as the Defense Minister.”
Could that even be called a self-introduction?
Kim Yu-jeong’s mother, openly flaunting her family background, pointed at Lee Seo-yeon’s mother with her hand.
“You know Matna Chicken, right? Currently the number one chicken franchise in the industry.”
At that moment, Lee Seo-yeon’s mother interjected.
“Sister, we dropped to second place last year.”
“We were number one at one point. Anyway, she’s from the Matna Chicken representative family. And the husband of Jung Ha-ri’s mother, sitting at the end, is the representative of a prestigious law firm.”
“I only introduced myself, but it seems all of you mothers are talking about your family backgrounds.”
At my words, Kim Yu-jeong’s mother let out a scoff.
“Your family must not be worth mentioning. Putting a child actor to work for money since childhood—well, it’s predictable without even looking.”
In that instant, both my fist and Ji-hee’s clenched simultaneously.
[Did she just insult our family?]
The feather-light pity that had lingered in my heart vanished entirely.
I forced a bitter smile, maintaining composure.
“It seems your family, despite being so prestigious and distinguished, neglected to teach proper manners at home.”
“Listen here, Jeon Sung-guk. Since you didn’t attend school in Korea, you might not understand. Your sister must have done something wrong to be bullied, right?”
“What wrong could my sister have done? Consistently maintaining first place in her entire grade? Studying well? Not being interested even when boys liked her? And while she may be the least impressive in our family, she’s clearly the prettiest student in this school? Are these things considered wrongs?”
“She only studies and has terrible relationships with her peers, so she gets bullied!”
Kim Yu-jeong’s mother made an unreasonable argument.
“The students who bully someone for studying well and being pretty are committing a greater wrong. Where do you get off speaking so boldly?”
“Jeon Sung-guk. This is South Korea. Children fight over trivial things as they grow up. You’ve lived in the United States for so long that you seem out of touch.”
“I think it’s the parents who don’t understand what wrongs their own daughters have committed who are truly out of touch. That’s why I’m saying this—my lawyer also seems to have something to say.”
Kim Sung-taek bowed respectfully.
“Parents and fellow lawyers, hello. I’m Kim Sung-taek, an attorney at LN Law.”
At that moment, bewilderment flashed across the opposing lawyers’ faces.
[Why are they reacting like that?]
That question was answered soon enough.
“Judging by your expressions, you seem to know who I am. Since you’ve brought lawyers who rarely cross paths with me in court, it appears you didn’t know much about our former chairman coming here today. Haha.”
At Kim Sung-taek’s preemptive strike, the opposing lawyers’ confusion became unmistakable.
Then, Jung Ha-ri’s lawyer raised his hand slightly.
“Are you… perhaps Attorney Kim Sung-taek who handles the Samjeon Group at LN Law?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I’m not sure if you lawyers have heard the rumors, but at Samjeon Group, they know exactly who I handle.”
I looked at Kim Sung-taek again. He seemed to be quite an influential figure within LN Law.
The lawyers exchanged nervous whispers among themselves with grim expressions.
I quietly asked Kim Sung-taek.
“Attorney Kim, you seem more impressive than I expected.”
“I haven’t boasted in front of Chairman Jeon, but I graduated first in the bar exam and first in the judicial training institute. I also served as the youngest deputy prosecutor at Seoul District Court before joining LN Law. However, since you’re such an extraordinary person, I’ve kept quiet until now.”
While Kim Sung-taek recounted his credentials to me, the other side was furiously calculating their next move.
At that moment, Kim Yu-jeong’s mother slowly raised her hand.
“Chairman Jeon, could you give us a moment as well?”
Kim Yu-jeong’s mother’s voice trembled slightly.
An unexpected variable had emerged that they hadn’t anticipated.
It was a combination of me and Samjeon.
“Of course, I’ll give you time. In the meantime, Ji-hee, I, and Lawyer Kim Sung-taek will take a walk around the school.”
Lawyer Kim Sung-taek left behind a meaningful remark as he exited.
“Our former CEO only speaks facts and doesn’t say much else. I’d suggest you search for a few articles about him. Everyone’s children’s education is a mess, and he doesn’t seem interested in economic current affairs at all.”
* * *
After sending all the children back to their classrooms, Kim Yu-jeong’s mother, Lee Seo-yeon’s mother, and Jung Ha-ri’s mother sat across from the lawyers in the counseling room.
The first to speak was Jung Ha-ri’s lawyer, who recognized Lawyer Kim Sung-taek.
“The fact that Lawyer Kim Sung-taek came personally suggests this is related to the Samjeon family. Lawyer Kim Sung-taek handles the royal family accounts at LN Law.”
At that moment, Jung Ha-ri’s lawyer’s phone rang.
“I’ll take this call. I asked someone to investigate the relationship between Lawyer Kim Sung-taek and CEO Jeon Sung-guk earlier.”
As the parents nodded, Jung Ha-ri’s lawyer quickly answered the phone.
Jung Ha-ri’s lawyer’s expression suddenly darkened.
Jung Ha-ri’s lawyer hung up and looked at the parents.
“Lawyer, what did they say?”
Kim Yu-jeong’s mother urged him on.
“The reason Lawyer Kim Sung-taek is handling CEO Jeon Sung-guk’s case is because the Samjeon Group manages CEO Jeon Sung-guk at the royal family level. In other words, fighting against CEO Jeon Sung-guk means fighting against the Samjeon Group….”
While Jung Ha-ri’s lawyer paused, the other lawyers also received calls from their sources.
Suddenly, the counseling room was engulfed in an indescribable atmosphere.
Soon the other lawyers revealed the information they’d obtained from their sources.
“CEO Jeon Sung-guk is said to be on very close terms with Jeon Tae-guk, the heir to the Samjeon Group. They’ve been housemates since America and still live together. Moreover, Jeon Tae-guk, the heir to the Samjeon Group, even worked at CEO Jeon Sung-guk’s company.”
“Why are you all only finding this out now? Huh?”
Kim Yu-jeong’s mother rebuked the lawyers in an angry voice.
“Since this is a school violence issue, we didn’t realize the other party was such a major figure. That’s probably why the CEO just sent me out. And this article about CEO Jeon Sung-guk….”
Jung Ha-ri’s lawyer held up an article about Jeon Sung-guk that he’d searched for earlier on his phone.
– Even after North Korea’s Kim Jong-il’s death, the close cooperation between CEO Jeon Sung-guk and President Barack Obama appears to be continuing.
Unofficially, Cheong Wa Dae also appears to be in close communication with CEO Jeon Sung-guk.
Jung Ha-ri’s mother, who recognized Jeon Sung-guk first, let out a sigh.
“Sisters, I think we’re finished….”
* * *
“Ah, it’s freezing!”
Lawyer Kim Sung-taek made a fuss over the harsh winter cold.
“Oppa, why did you suggest a walk in the middle of winter like this?”
[I didn’t know it would be this cold….]
“This is exactly when you need to move your body.”
“If I can’t even speak my mind….”
“CEO, about thirty minutes have passed. Don’t you think we should head back inside? From what I can see, no matter how much time we give them, they won’t be able to come up with any countermeasures.”
Lawyer Kim Sung-taek stamped his feet.
I first grabbed Ji-hee’s shoulder.
“Ji-hee, go back to the classroom first and warm up. I’ll wait here and talk with your brother and Lawyer Kim for a bit.”
“Okay, oppa.”
Ji-hee hurried into the classroom in quick, short steps.
Lawyer Kim Sung-taek watched her retreating figure with a satisfied expression.
“The parents of Chairman Jeon must never go hungry. All their children are so accomplished… and they’re all so impressive in appearance too.”
“Lawyer Kim, I’ll ask you directly. What is your relationship with Samjeon?”
“Haha. What kind of relationship could I possibly have with Samjeon? I’m simply quite skilled in this field, so I do handle the Samjeon royal family—specifically Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung and his direct line.”
[In my previous life, I was the Samjeon royal family….]
What Kim Sung-taek said essentially meant he was a lawyer who never lost to anyone.
“By the way, Chairman, what do you hope will happen regarding Ji-hee’s current situation?”
“School bullying isn’t a problem unique to Ji-hee—anyone can fall victim to it. If the children who bullied her don’t receive proper punishment, there will certainly be more victims. Children will learn from an early age that bullying can be swept under the rug if they have enough power, and that’s the logic of force we must break.”
“Hmm, those are admirable words. But the punishment won’t be very severe.”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
Even with bullying issues, the school’s current regulations meant that suspension or transfer were the best possible outcomes.
“Still, I believe any punishment is better than no punishment at all. And that record will follow them forever.”
Just then, Lawyer Kim Sung-taek’s phone rang.
After hanging up, Lawyer Kim Sung-taek smiled slightly.
“Let’s resume our discussion. I was just about to lose feeling in my feet from the cold, so this timing is perfect.”
“Let’s head back inside.”
We made our way back to the counseling room.
* * *
Click—
The moment I opened the counseling room door, Jung Ha-ri’s mother came out and handed coffee to Lawyer Kim Sung-taek and me.
“Oh my, it’s so cold outside… please have some.”
During the time Lawyer Kim Sung-taek and I had stepped out, something had clearly changed among the parents.
“Thank you.”
The moment I accepted the coffee, Kim Yu-jeong’s mother threw a cushion onto the floor.
What was she doing?
In that instant, Kim Yu-jeong’s mother knelt down on the cushion she’d thrown, her expression grave and resolute.
“Ma’am, what are you doing?”
“Chairman Jeon Sung-guk, we have committed an unforgivable sin! We apologize on behalf of our incompetent children!”
At the same time, Lee Seo-yeon’s mother and Jung Ha-ri’s mother also threw cushions to the floor and knelt upon them.
“Chairman Jeon Sung-guk, please forgive us for our transgressions!”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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