Max-Level Son of a Chaebol Family - Chapter 47
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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47. Year-End Night (2)
‘Hey, Guardian Spirit. Turn up the volume on that side over there.’
[There are quite a lot of people who just entered. So which one?]
‘The one with cunning plastered all over his face, who looks the most sly and despicable.’
[Ah, then is it this guy?]
The Grim Reaper pointed out the Wookwang Construction President precisely.
‘Bingo.’
The Wookwang Construction President quickly surveyed his surroundings and spoke quietly.
“Hyung, the atmosphere of today’s event seems very different from usual.”
“I know.”
“Should I go ahead and assess how the situation is unfolding before you…”
“Forget it.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group laughed heartily.
“I didn’t know everyone would welcome us so enthusiastically. Are they telling us to make a big donation?”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group raised three fingers.
“30 million won! I’ll donate in the name of Woo-gwang.”
It was an amount that could buy two Gangnam apartments.
Normally, Woo-gwang would have just put out about 10 million won to save face.
But since the atmosphere wasn’t good, Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group made a generous offer to reverse the mood.
Clap clap clap clap!
Thunderous applause erupted from the hall.
It was a courtesy shown to those who generously donated large amounts.
But Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group’s eyes narrowed slightly at the distinctly different atmosphere from usual.
“Chairman Kim, I have something to ask you.”
“By all means. I don’t know what’s so urgent that you’re getting straight to business without even giving me a moment to breathe.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group casually raised his hand with a relaxed attitude.
A server passing through the crowd extended a tray.
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group leisurely took a sip of champagne.
“The music stopped, the gazes stopped, the conversations stopped.”
Chairman Kim turned his eyes and swept over the people looking at them.
His eyes were cold but sharp.
“President Kim, it seems you’re the problem.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group’s eyes immediately turned to the Wookwang Construction president.
“What’s going on here?”
President Kim of Wookwang Construction unconsciously took a step back.
He must have had some idea what this was about.
Because the people glaring at him so fiercely were quite specific.
“That is… actually, for this Subway Line 2 construction…”
“Subway Line 2 construction. Later. In detail.”
“…Yes. Understood.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group smoothly turned his eyes away.
Grandfather walked out from among the people.
“Chairman Kim, welcome. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Grandfather extended his hand with a smiling face.
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group clasped Grandfather’s hand and shook it.
“Chairman Cha, were you here first? I haven’t heard from you lately, so I was actually curious. Have you been well?”
“I’m always the same. Been busy.”
“Take care of your health and take it easy. Your work addiction is also a disease.”
“You should take care of your health too and take it in moderation.”
The relationship between Grandfather and Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group seemed quite friendly.
Grandfather also called a server and picked up a glass of champagne.
* * *
I cut the connection with the Grim Reaper.
‘According to the Taeseong Group report, Taeseong and Woo-gwang are tightly bound through marriage connections. It seems the chairmen had been exchanging friendship from even before that, right?’
Come to think of it, it was puzzling.
In the past, Father died young in a plane crash, and until now, Taeseong and Wookwang have had no marriage ties.
Then who and how did Taeseong and Wookwang become connected to create such strong marriage ties?
“I called the Wookwang Group Secretary Office, and they said you went to the Middle East. What business took you all the way there?”
“Yes, I went to Saudi Arabia to try to secure some loans. I’m actually on my way straight from the airport. While I was in the Middle East, I thought I might visit Seong-jun briefly…”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group’s eyes turned toward us.
It was because Father was walking over with Mother and me.
“So Seong-jun was here. It’s been a while.”
“It’s been a while, Chairman Kim.”
“If you were planning to return to Korea, you should have contacted me in advance. I almost made a wasted trip.”
The young people who had been near Father quietly stepped back.
A clear space opened up between Grandfather, Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group, and our family of three.
“Seong-jun, the Saudi Royal Family spoke very highly of you. I heard you’ve decided to build an entire city that will enter Jubail Industrial Port? Just how many hundreds of millions of dollars worth of construction did you win?”
“It’s a 100 million dollar construction project.”
“Impressive. You’re going to sweep up all the Middle Eastern oil money. What better way to enhance national prestige? This is exactly what enhancing national prestige means.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group soon stopped his faint smile.
His eyes turned cold.
“There’s a young lady I haven’t seen before beside Seong-jun. And even a child who looks exactly like Seong-jun when he was young.”
“Yes, they’re my daughter-in-law and grandson. Say hello, this is Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Su-jin.”
“Hello. I’m Cha Jeong-hyeok.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group did not acknowledge our greetings.
He only stared silently at Grandfather.
“Hmm…”
A heavy silence descended upon the hall.
Not only Grandfather and Chairman Kim, but even the people gathered here did not easily open their mouths.
Grandfather spoke calmly.
“Our Seong-jun has decided to take charge of handling all matters related to the Subway Line 2 construction. He’ll soon receive an official appointment as president of Taeseong Construction. We’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”
While Chairman Kim remained silent, the Wookwang Construction President couldn’t hold back.
“Then what happened to President Cha who was in charge of Taeseong Construction?”
Grandfather had already seen his younger brother’s confession letter.
Thanks to that, he understood very well how things had turned out.
His gaze was cold as he glared at the root cause of the problem that had separated him from his younger brother.
“That bastard has retired.”
“So suddenly? When I met him a few days ago, he didn’t say anything, and even during Taeseong’s regular shareholders’ meeting, he said nothing…”
“Who do you think caused it?”
President Kim of Wookwang Construction shut his mouth.
“Even though that bastard was inadequate and lacking, he was my cherished younger brother. Yoon-seong almost spent at least 15 years in prison. Because of someone who tempted him with talk about subway projects.”
“Th-that was…”
“Do you even realize I’m keeping my mouth shut right now out of respect for your hyung? Get out of the way!”
“…Yes.”
President Kim of Wookwang Construction, who had no good answer, stepped back.
Then Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group’s eyes immediately turned to the Wookwang Construction President.
President Kim of Wookwang Construction kept his mouth tightly shut and only broke out in cold sweat.
“I don’t think I need to explain Taeseong’s situation in detail. But I’d like you to clearly explain this side’s situation.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group pointed at us.
His cold, sharp gaze pierced like a blade.
“That woman and child. They’re quite bothersome.”
“I suppose they would be.”
Grandfather nodded his head obediently.
“That’s how things turned out. So the marriage between Seong-jun and your daughter will have to be called off.”
“A mistress and an illegitimate child, is it? That shouldn’t be much of a problem, should it?”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group raised one corner of his mouth.
“It’s common in this business. How many people gathered here do you think have never had such problems? As long as there are no business issues, something like this is no big deal.”
“The kids’ lives are at stake. It’s not just my brat’s life on the line, but your daughter’s life too.”
“Exactly. And I’m saying it’s fine with me.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group struck his walking cane with a thud.
“But bringing them to an official occasion like this and flaunting them before my eyes is problematic.”
“That’s why I’m telling you clearly right now. Woo-gwang, let’s call off our kids’ engagement!”
“Who says you can?”
“Originally, when dating, it starts with mutual agreement, but when breaking up, it ends with unilateral notification! For your daughter too, breaking off the engagement would be better than getting a divorcee label.”
“That stuff doesn’t matter. What matters is business.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group snorted dismissively.
“What about Taeseong Chemical?”
“Let’s settle that too!”
“Settle?”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group’s eyebrow shot up high.
Regardless of that.
Grandfather spoke confidently.
“It was a venture pursued on the premise of marriage. If we’re settling the marriage, how can we leave out settling the business? Let’s not be messy about this and end it cleanly!”
“Are you saying you’ll only return 5 billion out of the 10 billion we jointly invested and devour Taeseong Chemical?”
“I’m not telling you to take a loss. Since I’m the one calling off the engagement, I should take responsibility. I’m saying let’s settle the shares with that in mind.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group clicked his tongue.
“Cha Tae-seong, you’re reaching a foolish conclusion unlike yourself. Anyway, when it comes to your brat’s affairs. Tsk.”
“What can I do? My wife and children are everything to me. I’m truly sorry about this. Woo-gwang, let’s end this matter here······.”
“Stop.”
Chairman Kim raised his hand to stop Grandfather’s words.
Instead, he looked at Father.
“Seong-jun, what are your intentions? You’ll need to answer carefully.”
“They’re the same as Father’s intentions. I will break off the engagement.”
“Even though I’m saying I’ll overlook your mistress and illegitimate child?”
“Yes. My decision won’t change.”
“Even if it means watching your father’s carefully nurtured 30 billion won Taeseong Chemical get taken away?”
“I’m ashamed before Father, but that’s not a reason to abandon my wife and children.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group glared at Grandfather.
“Taeseong, you’re about to ruin your business thanks to your son.”
“Thanks to my son, I saved your daughter’s life. Not only that? Your company is about to get breathing room thanks to my son too. Wooguang has been running at a loss due to the steel business and was short on money.”
Grandfather said.
“What will you do? Will you take Taeseong Chemical since I’ll transfer my shares to you, or will you transfer your shares to me and take money instead?”
“Cha Tae-seong!”
“Good. Business arrangements take time. But remember this one thing. This matter is already concluded. Since positions change when circumstances change, the sooner you negotiate, the more advantageous it will be for you.”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group turned his back.
“Cha Tae-seong, you will definitely regret today’s events.”
“Still, it can’t be helped! Since I started this, I’ll take responsibility!”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group walked out, leaning on his walking cane.
Grandfather silently watched his retreating figure.
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group, who had been limping as he walked, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Chairman Kim shouted loudly without even turning around.
“Tae-seong, let’s put aside the kids’ marriage and business matters for now and have a drink together after so long!”
“Let’s do that.”
“I’ll head up to Hyeonmu Hotel Bar first. You’re buying today!”
“Of course! Let’s drink until our noses are crooked today! I just got some very good Deodeok Wine, so let’s open a bottle of that too!”
Chairman Kim of Wookwang Group walked away, his long coat fluttering.
Grandfather turned around.
“Taeseong will donate 30 million won! Plus another 20 million won in the names of my son Seong-jun and his wife, and grandson Cha Jeong-hyeok!”
It was confirmed as the highest donation amount at today’s Year-End Night event.
Grandfather had officially established Mother and me on the Year-End Night donor list.
This was like a warning that no one should dare speak nonsense to Mother and me from now on.
Clap clap clap clap!
People applauded according to the courtesy shown to donors.
Grandfather raised his hand.
“Since I caused an unpleasant disturbance at such a good event, I won’t accept the applause. President Oh, I’m sorry about this.”
“It’s not like there were any punches thrown. How could this level of disturbance even count as a disturbance? Don’t worry about it since I don’t mind.”
“Good. Then I’ll take responsibility for boosting Hyeonmu Hotel’s liquor sales today! Bring out the finest liquor this hotel has. As you know, I’m planning to drink with Woo-gwang until our noses are crooked.”
Grandfather patted Father and Mother on the shoulders a couple of times.
“You’ve been through a lot. I’ll go ahead first. Don’t worry about appearances and just make your rounds greeting people. If anyone talks nonsense, remember it well and let me know.”
The presidents of Taeseong Group’s affiliated companies gathered behind Grandfather.
“Chairman, are you really planning to part ways with Woo-gwang like this?”
“That’s how it turned out.”
“Taeseong Chemical is a business that you, Chairman, have carefully nurtured for a long time.”
“If we liquidate it now, the losses will be enormous!”
Grandfather raised his hand.
“In life, there are businesses where you invest small and grow big, and there are businesses where you invest big and mess up small. Let’s consider Taeseong Chemical a business we grew and then messed up.”
“Chairman!”
“I’m telling you it’s no big deal. Does Taeseong collapse just because we don’t have Taeseong Chemical? We’ll focus on the subway construction.”
Grandfather spoke decisively.
“It’s a project with an estimated bid of 180 billion won. It’s incomparably bigger than the 30 billion won Taeseong Chemical. The losses from Taeseong Chemical will be more than covered.”
“That’s right.”
“If we just win the subway construction contract, Taeseong Construction will solidify its position as our country’s top construction company. You all know what that means, right?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t assume that just because we’re handing over Taeseong Chemical due to the broken engagement, we’ll quietly hand over the subway construction too! I have absolutely no intention of going easy on Wookwang Construction! So everyone keep that in mind and actively support Sung-jun!”
“Yes, understood!”
The presidents of Taeseong Group subsidiaries shouted vigorously.
Clap clap clap!
Even though Grandfather said he wouldn’t accept applause from supporters, the sound of clapping could be heard.
But President Kim of Wookwang Construction snorted dismissively.
“Are there people who don’t know that Taeseong Construction’s available funds have hit rock bottom? With what money are you going to liquidate Taeseong Chemical, and with what money are you going to pursue the subway construction?”
I checked the invited guests who were quietly entering the hall.
Master, Maljuk Intersection Horse Head, Jongno’s Gold Tooth, and even Kkachi Mountain Lady Bang.
Everyone had completed their entrance.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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