Max-Level Son of a Chaebol Family - Chapter 59

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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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59. Expected Answer Sheet

 

Secretary Kim said.

 

“I understand why Young Master called this an expected answer sheet. I am truly grateful.”

 

Secretary Kim bowed politely.

 

“Young Master Seong-jun will be very pleased as well. In many ways…”

 

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

 

Secretary Kim looked disappointed.

 

No, why?

 

“Then at least just to the Chairman…”

 

“No.”

 

No, I mean why do you keep feeling disappointed about not being able to tell anyone? Why!

 

I shook my head.

 

“I’d like this to remain from an anonymous sponsor again.”

 

“Young Master, the Chairman gives generous rewards to those who achieve merit. Not just this Subway Line 2 route map, but also sending invitations to all those big shots…”

 

“That’s enough.”

 

I raised both hands to stop him.

 

“As I am now, I need more time and foundation. Drawing unnecessary attention will only narrow my room to maneuver.”

 

I haven’t gotten what I want yet.

 

I’m only seven years old, and even my subordinates are inadequate.

 

‘Right now, Father should receive attention rather than me. It’s time for Father to properly establish his foundation. That’s more advantageous for me too.’

 

Father has a foundation that’s utterly weak and inadequate compared to his other brothers.

 

Setting aside the years he spent wandering only in Provincial Areas and Foreign Countries, he’s about to give up Taeseong Chemical that Grandfather was trying to take care of for him.

 

There are more than enough reasons for his brothers to look down on him.

 

‘The world follows the law of the jungle. The fight for management rights in Chaebol Families is a bloody battle as brutal as political strife. Once a fight breaks out, they don’t spare parents or siblings.’

 

Power is something that’s never shared, not even between parents and children.

 

Have I only seen such things for a day or two?

 

If it weren’t for people from Chaebol Families and Political Circles, all the Back Alleys fixers and janitors would have starved to death.

 

Those bastards lived off someone else’s scraps.

 

‘Going after the weak first is the basic principle of fighting. To eliminate even one competitor ahead of time.’

 

Am I being too sensitive about my uncle and aunt whom I haven’t even met yet?

 

‘No. Having a solid foundation can’t hurt. The more money and power, the better.’

 

The strong can show mercy, but the weak have their fate decided by the strong’s mercy.

 

For that reason, I plan to focus on strengthening Father’s foundation for the time being.

 

‘No, why has this man been feeling so wronged since earlier? I said I’m fine.’

 

Huh. Well, this is something.

 

“Young Master, there’s a saying about an awl in a bag for a reason. Your true worth will eventually be revealed no matter how much you try to hide it.”

 

I can think about that when the time comes.

 

“I, Kim Yeong-geol, will definitely help ensure you receive proper compensation for your sacrifices and efforts for Taeseong someday. I promise you that.”

 

I’m a man who doesn’t refuse goodwill.

 

“Good. Actually, I just happened to have something I wanted to secretly ask Secretary Kim for help with.”

 

“Yes, anything at all. I will help you with all sincerity.”

 

This is very reassuring!

 

The man who handles all the secret and dirty work for the Taeseong Family is actively offering to help me.

 

Things are going to get much easier.

 

‘For Secretary Kim, setting up an investment company with no traces leading back to me would be a piece of cake, right?’

 

Father getting attention and strengthening his foundation is certainly important.

 

But that doesn’t mean I need to ignore my own share and pretend I don’t care, right?

 

Whenever I have time, whenever there’s an opportunity, I’ll take care of securing my own share bit by bit.

 

“Hehehe!”

 

Oh wait, that’s not what’s urgent right now.

 

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

 

“Yes.”

 

I waved my hand with a smile.

 

“Go quickly. I don’t think Father will have much time to study the note.”

 

“Yes, Young Master. I’ll handle the urgent matter first and then return.”

 

Secretary Kim hurried back.

 

* * *

 

The Grim Reaper hovered around Father.

 

On the terrace, Father was chain smoking alone.

 

Crumple.

 

Father crumpled the note.

 

“Unless someone went inside a person and came out, how could there be an expected answer sheet like this…”

 

If he thought it was nonsense, he would have crumpled it up and thrown it in the trash can long ago.

 

“This is ridiculous. What kind of person could come up with something like this?”

 

This was already the fourth repeated hollow laugh.

 

“…Is he a genius?”

 

Father stroked his chin.

 

Knock knock knock.

 

Secretary Kim tapped on the terrace glass window.

 

“Young Master, I think you should go in now. Your turn seems to be approaching.”

 

As a result of the visible power hierarchy, it was easy to confirm that people were entering the private room in order.

 

“Please give me the note.”

 

“Hm?”

 

Secretary Kim stuffed the note into his mouth and immediately swallowed it whole.

 

Whether Father looked bewildered or not.

 

Secretary Kim bowed 90 degrees and politely saw him off.

 

“I’ll see you off only this far. Have a safe trip. I wish you good luck.”

 

Just as Taeseong Group Security Guards weren’t allowed to enter the banquet hall during Year-End Night, Father was the only person who could enter the Hyeonmu Hotel Bar.

 

Father soon turned around and headed toward the Hyeonmu Hotel Bar.

 

* * *

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction, who had been pacing anxiously in front of the private room, brightened up when he spotted Father.

 

“President Cha, hurry over here. It’s almost our turn! Where have you been wandering around so fearlessly?”

 

“I went out for a cigarette.”

 

In reality, it had taken time because he was reading the note and mulling over its contents.

 

Oh, of course he had smoked too.

 

Chain smoking, puff after puff.

 

“You must have been quite nervous too, huh? Phew, I’m the same way.”

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction rubbed his hands together.

 

“When would I have ever met His Excellency privately? I’ve only seen him from a distance at events like groundbreaking ceremonies or opening ceremonies. This is my first time sharing drinks too.”

 

The documents that President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction was holding clearly had the title 【Year-end Night Sponsorship List and Donations】 written on the cover.

 

Of course, it was shit-colored.

 

“I at least have to hand over the Year-End Night Sponsor List. But why exactly were you called here?”

 

“Well, I’m not really sure either.”

 

“If it were about the Subway Line 2 construction, there wouldn’t really be a reason to summon you specifically. It would make more sense if they had called Chairman Cha instead. Hmm.”

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction moved close to Father and lowered his voice.

 

“Do you know how many people have been kicked out so far? At a rough estimate, about twenty people, no, maybe thirty.”

 

“As many as thirty people?”

 

“Be careful. It’s common for people to get mercilessly thrown out just minutes after going in.”

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction sighed deeply.

 

“If I had known it would be like this, I should have rushed my staff to prepare an Expected Question Sheet in advance. That way I could have answers that wouldn’t get me in trouble…”

 

Just then, the private room door burst open and two people tumbled out as if they had been shoved.

 

Crash!

 

“Oh my!”

 

They were the Vice Minister of Construction and Assistant Vice Ministers.

 

The Blue House Security Chief threw down the four document bags he had brought out.

 

His eyes looking down at the expelled people were extremely cold.

 

Soon the Blue House Security Chief turned his eyes toward this direction.

 

“President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction, search him.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The Blue House Security Operations Chief searched President Oh’s body.

 

“Nothing unusual. He’s clean.”

 

Both I, who was watching, and the Grim Reaper clicked our tongues simultaneously.

 

The thought ‘This isn’t an airport security checkpoint, what’s with body searches at a private drinking gathering?’ was brief.

 

I recalled that the person inside the private room was the President.

 

If Secretary Kim hadn’t retrieved the note in advance, Father might have found himself in quite a difficult position.

 

Secretary Kim indeed! How thoroughly meticulous!

 

“Come in.”

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction gripped the Year-end Night Sponsorship List tightly and entered the private room.

 

Now only one person who hadn’t been called remained here – just Father.

 

“Seongjun!”

 

“…Father?”

 

Grandfather hurriedly walked toward us, carrying something wrapped in golden wrapping cloth.

 

He had volunteered as reinforcement to help his son.

 

Grandfather looked around the surroundings.

 

“Sorry, but I’m an uninvited guest.”

 

Grandfather positioned Father behind him and approached the Blue House Security Operations Chief, holding out the golden wrapping cloth.

 

“This is premium grade Deodeok Wine. Some fine liquor just came in, so I thought I’d bring some fine wine to serve His Excellency.”

 

Grandfather also discreetly slipped in a thick envelope.

 

The Blue House Security Operations Chief who received and pocketed the envelope quietly whispered a tip.

 

“Please take back the liquor you brought before you hear talk of attempting to poison His Excellency. I can’t overlook this.”

 

“Can’t be helped. I can’t trouble you. Understood.”

 

“Thank you for understanding, Chairman Cha.”

 

“Then you all can share this among yourselves. It’s the finest grade Deodeok Wine that’s hard to find in the market. You’re always working hard serving His Excellency.”

 

Grandfather gave the Deodeok Wine to the Blue House Security Operations Chief.

 

At the Operations Chief’s signal, the Blue House Security Guards who had been about to forcibly drag Grandfather out stepped back.

 

Grandfather approached Father and whispered quietly.

 

“Seong-jun, remember this. If you don’t know something, honestly say you don’t know. That’s better than pretending to know when you don’t understand anything.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Just as he’s not someone who’ll go easy on you for being old, he’s also not someone who’ll leave a reckless young fool alone.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“If it’s something that should send you to prison, push it off. Since that bastard Yoon-seong caused Taeseong Construction’s problems, he should take responsibility for them.”

 

This was the purpose of Grandfather coming here, and the opportunity for advice he had obtained in exchange for his sincerity.

 

“You knew nothing because you were away in the Middle East. Yoon-seong already promised to handle it. Do you understand?”

 

Grandfather swallowed dryly.

 

“If things really go badly, call for me loudly. If I prostrate myself and plead with you, His Excellency might at least once…”

 

Just then, the private room door burst open.

 

“I’m sorry! I’ll correct it! From now on, I’ll do my best… Ugh!”

 

Less than a minute after entering the private room.

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction was thrown out, his face pale as death.

 

The Blue House Security Chief had grabbed President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction’s arm and dragged him out.

 

The Blue House Security Chief’s eyes looking at Grandfather were cold as ice.

 

“Chairman Cha of Taeseong Group, you should know when to butt in and when not to. Are you senile? Drag him out!”

 

The Blue House Security Chief flicked his finger toward Father.

 

“Next. Taeseong’s… you there. Young punk.”

 

* * *

 

The inside of the private room was thick with cigarette smoke, like a badger’s den.

 

The enclosed private room was softly lit by incandescent lighting.

 

“That’s far enough.”

 

The Blue House Security Chief stretched out his arm and blocked Father’s path.

 

“The distance permitted to you ends here. Step back. Further back.”

 

Father stood at the entrance of the private room and surveyed the surroundings.

 

The person sitting on the head sofa was naturally the President, with the Seoul Mayor on the sofa to his right and the Blue House Chief of Staff on the sofa to his left, but the only person who had received a drinking glass was Mayor Gu alone.

 

The other Ministers who had entered first were all pushed toward the wall, let alone receiving drinking glasses.

 

On the table, three subway route maps were spread out side by side, while the metal trash can placed next to the President was stuffed full of documents.

 

Among them was included a document bundle titled 【Year-End Night Sponsor List and Sponsorship Funds】.

 

Tap tap.

 

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

 

“The Subway Line 2 route map that Taeseong supposedly drew. It’s remarkably similar to what Mayor Gu drew.”

 

The President flicked away the Subway Line 2 route map drawn with a red marker with his fingertips.

 

Taeseong’s Subway Line 2 route map fluttered and fell to the floor.

 

“Did you bribe a high-ranking City Hall official to steal state secrets?”

 

The President’s voice was cold.

 

“I think the probability of stealing the answer key through bribery and illegal solicitation is higher than the probability of the same route map appearing under heaven. What do you think?”

 

Tsk tsk, I knew this would happen!

 

After all, there’s no person who sat in a high position who didn’t suffer from paranoia, right?

 

Since he was someone who had wielded absolute power for a long time, I had some hopes, but it turned out as expected!

 

‘He got caught on practice question number 1? I was eagerly waiting for when he would ask this!’

 

Somehow I’m lucky from the start!

 

But it wasn’t Father who immediately reacted to the President’s statement, but Mayor Gu.

 

Mayor Gu jumped up in shock.

 

“No, Your Excellency! That can’t be!”

 

The words bribery and illegal solicitation that came from the President’s mouth.

 

Such words are usually used in pairs.

 

If there’s someone who gives, there’s bound to be someone who receives.

 

Moreover, even if he didn’t directly receive bribes and solicitation, he couldn’t avoid responsibility for failing to properly manage state secrets and allowing them to leak outside.

 

“The suggestion to draw the Subway Line 2 route map was my spontaneous whim!”

 

This was exactly why Mayor Gu was desperately defending Father.

 

But the President didn’t even glance toward Mayor Gu.

 

“I asked what you think. Answer.”

 

“I am innocent.”

 

“Is that the end of your excuses?”

 

“Excuses are made to cover up committed sins. I will prove my innocence through results.”

 

The President tilted his head at an angle.

 

“How?”

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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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