Max-Level Son of a Chaebol Family - Chapter 71

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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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71. Taeseong Chemical, Hot Interest

 

Cha Ki-joon, Taeseong’s Second Son and president of Taeseong Distribution, slightly raised one eyebrow.

 

“Why such a reaction? You were already anticipating my proposal.”

 

“That’s······.”

 

President Shim of Taeseong Chemical chuckled softly.

 

“To actually make such a proposal······ honestly, I was half-doubtful.”

 

“Hmm, if you were trying to appeal your competence, you succeeded.”

 

Cha Ki-joon smiled with narrowed eyes as if finding it very interesting.

 

“I’ll acknowledge it. Certainly, President Sim wouldn’t be satisfied with just an overseas branch of Taeseong Trading. Let me come back with better conditions.”

 

Cha Ki-joon turned around.

 

The executives hurriedly followed behind him.

 

Cha Ki-joon strode into the mansion with large steps.

 

“Secretary Yang, start by identifying the people who have contacted President Sim recently.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Who made what proposals. What kind of offer was so good that he rejected the overseas division of Taeseong Trading. Confirming that seems to be the urgent priority.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Cha Ki-joon, who always seemed to have a smile hanging on his face, pulled up the corners of his mouth even higher.

 

“Interesting.”

 

Cha Ki-joon looked truly delighted.

 

His footsteps were light.

 

* * *

 

Even when I saw the Luxury Sedans filling Grandfather’s House parking lot.

 

Even when I saw the Subsidiary Executives coming to greet Father.

 

I thought they were going around making their presence known with generous Presents, using New Year’s greetings as an excuse.

 

‘Who would have thought that a simple family meal······.’

 

The unexpected caught me off guard.

 

“We will eat well, Chairman!”

 

“Happy New Year!”

 

“Please take care of us this year too!”

 

In Grandfather’s dining room, there were roughly over 40 6-person banquet tables set up.

 

The presidents and executives of Taeseong Group’s 38 subsidiaries sat around receiving rice cake soup.

 

At the head seat of the 16-person marble dining table sat Grandfather, with Grandmother beside him and Taeseong’s direct family members seated in order.

 

‘What kind of quiet family New Year’s meal is this supposed to be!’

 

Grandfather laughed heartily while holding his chopsticks and spoon.

 

“This is the Taeseong family’s first meal of the New Year together. Everyone eat plenty!”

 

So this is the scale of a chaebol family meal!

 

“Our Cha Jeong-hyeok should eat plenty too. You have to eat a bowl of rice cake soup to grow a year older.”

 

Grandfather pushed my rice cake soup bowl toward me and urged me to eat, but I couldn’t bring myself to pick up my chopsticks and spoon.

 

“Grandfather.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Could you please just put me down?”

 

Because right now I was on Grandfather’s lap.

 

I was sitting at the head seat where everyone could look down at me at a glance.

 

The reason was simple.

 

“Everyone got a good look at our Cha Jeong-hyeok’s face, right? Don’t forget our Cha Jeong-hyeok’s face from now on. Hahaha!”

 

I didn’t know I’d be getting my face stamped in their memories like this.

 

Then the Taeseong Family Second Daughter-in-law, who had been quietly drinking water, asked primly.

 

“Father, then what happens to the Taeseong Chemical executives?”

 

Grandfather’s expression hardened as he had been chuckling.

 

Taeseong’s Second Daughter-in-law continued speaking, pretending not to notice.

 

“I mean, you’re not planning to hand them over to Wooguang along with everything else, are you? So will you push them into other existing subsidiaries?”

 

“Would the executives be the only problem? Taeseong Chemical has 2,000 employees. If you include their families… this restructuring will cause trouble for easily 8,000 people.”

 

The First Daughter-in-law nodded as well.

 

Then the subsidiary executives who had been laughing heartily while eating rice cake soup grew quiet.

 

I let out a small sigh inwardly.

 

‘There’s no way the Taeseong Chemical issue won’t come up. It’s our parents’ blemish and an excuse to attack us.’

 

My goal was one thing.

 

-To divert attention to other areas before being branded with Taeseong Chemical’s problems!

 

A few of the subsidiary executives tactfully chimed in with their comments.

 

“They said they’re stopping the bundled product sales where buying a Taeseong Motors car gets you fuel discounts at Ukwang Gas Station, and using Ukwang Gas Station gets you Taeseong Motors maintenance discounts.”

 

“Wooguang says they can’t supply anymore. I’m here after receiving notice that they’re changing distribution partners.”

 

“The Wooguang line madams who used to visit our Taeseong Gallery have completely stopped coming.”

 

“Taeseong Fashion received notice of contract termination from Wookwang Department Store.”

 

I clearly remembered who made which statements.

 

These lowlifes who attacked our parents from the first meeting couldn’t possibly look good to me.

 

The two daughters-in-law of the Taeseong family simultaneously smiled brightly as they looked at Mother.

 

“What an amazing person has joined as our younger sister-in-law. Coming here after breaking off a 30 billion won marriage.”

 

“She entered using the Taeseong family bloodline as her backing. If she were a second wife, that might be different. But to enter the Taeseong family empty-handed without even a dowry. It’s like a 20th century Cinderella story.”

 

Bang!

 

Aunt’s eyes widened as she slammed down her water glass.

 

“That’s enough. What are you saying in front of my nephew?”

 

The two daughters-in-law smiled sweetly and spoke softly.

 

“Oh my, isn’t Aunt the most upset person here? I heard that due to Wooguang’s retaliation, Taeseong Department Store’s sales were cut in half?”

 

“Because of whom did we record the worst performance during the year-end peak season and suffer the humiliation of losing all our VIP customers? But I guess you don’t resent the culprit?”

 

The look in their eyes as they stared at Mother was cold.

 

‘I heard the two daughters-in-law were really holding a grudge. From the first meeting, they’re trying to drive public opinion and humiliate her?’

 

This is outrageous.

 

When Father’s expression hardened and he was about to speak, Aunt raised her hand to stop him.

 

“Is this Taeseong or Wooguang? Will our business collapse and die without Wooguang?”

 

Aunt’s sharp voice rang clearly in our ears with good diction.

 

“Department store sales cut in half? I’ll admit that’s due to my lack of management skills.”

 

Aunt’s cold eyes fixed on the Taeseong Family Second Daughter-in-law.

 

“Taeseong Gallery? Why is it the youngest sister-in-law’s fault that the madams stopped coming? Didn’t you get completely humiliated last time for selling a fake thinking it was authentic? You ruined the business because your discerning eye is shit, so why are you blaming others?”

 

Aunt’s eyes now turned toward the Taeseong Family First Daughter-in-law.

 

“Taeseong Fashion? Of course it won’t sell when you’re pushing Vietnam War-era skirts as luxury fashion! Replace the designers!”

 

Aunt’s sniping also targeted First Older Brother.

 

“Is Wooguang the only gas station around? Or are you trying to run a sucker’s business? The fuel discount is pathetic, but the car maintenance discount is supposedly big? Isn’t this a bundled product where we should just cut ties and say we don’t need the fuel discount?”

 

Aunt didn’t leave Second Older Brother alone either.

 

“When Taeseong Trading imports goods from overseas, Wooguang just gets a piece of the action? Instead of thinking about selling off Wooguang’s defective products, why don’t you properly sell our Taeseong products?”

 

Grandfather slammed down his chopsticks and spoon with a sharp sound.

 

“Everyone stop it. What kind of disgraceful behavior is this on New Year’s morning!”

 

Grandfather looked over not only the two daughters-in-law, but also his children sitting quietly and the subsidiary executives.

 

“I’m the one who decided to give up Taeseong Chemical. If you have complaints, tell me directly. Don’t beat around the bush trying to attack innocent people.”

 

Grandfather let out an uncomfortable cough.

 

“Don’t take your anger out on the youngest after getting slapped by Wooguang! Either you bastards should also fight back against Wooguang, or if not that, then give Wooguang a taste of their own medicine! Why are you trying to have a pathetic family fight from the start of the new year!”

 

The Second Daughter-in-law spoke quietly.

 

“Father must be feeling the most bitter. Not only are you handing over Taeseong Chemical that you’ve been nurturing for 7 years, but your friendship with Chairman Kim of Wooguang will also be severed.”

 

“Business is business, and friendship is friendship! I’ll handle my own affairs, so you worry about your own business!”

 

Grandfather pulled out two invitations with the Blue House mark from his jacket.

 

“Hunting isn’t done inside the house. You have to go outside to find food! Does everyone know what this is?”

 

He held them up high so all the subsidiary executives could see.

 

“Our Taeseong received two Blue House New Year Luncheon invitations.”

 

Everyone was shocked and surprised.

 

“Isn’t that an important schedule where His Excellency calls business leaders to discuss the year’s economic plans?”

 

“I heard that even among the top 30 chaebol business leaders, some don’t get invited, but Taeseong received two invitations?”

 

“One must be the Chairman’s, so the other one would be Young Master Dae-jun’s?”

 

Grandfather shook his head.

 

“No. Seong-jun received this directly from His Excellency himself.”

 

“Di, directly?”

 

“From His Excellency?”

 

Sounds of sharp intakes of breath could be heard from here and there.

 

“His Excellency specifically invited Seong-jun to a drinking session. Not only did he drink three glasses there, but he also brought back this invitation.”

 

Silent shock spread throughout the room.

 

“In his negotiations with His Excellency, Seong-jun not only secured the Subway Line 2 construction project, but also won the Gangnam Express Bus Terminal and commercial building expansion contracts on the spot. That alone is worth at least 200 billion won!”

 

Grandfather snorted.

 

“30 billion won Taeseong Chemical? Will Taeseong collapse just because we give it to Woo-gwang? The investment funds Seong-jun brought in alone amount to 18 billion won!”

 

Since the Year-End Night, people wanting to invest in Taeseong Construction haven’t stopped coming.

 

Some of the investors who personally signed investment agreements at the event were gathered here as well.

 

“And how many major construction projects did Seong-jun secure in the Middle East? The Jubail Industrial Port City construction alone is worth 100 million US Dollars!”

 

The eyes of the subsidiary executives looking at Father grew heated.

 

The exchanged glances became busy.

 

Glances stealing looks at the 16-person dining table for Taeseong’s direct family members also became frequent.

 

“Instead of Taeseong Chemical, I’m thinking of attaching a few more affiliated companies to support Taeseong Construction as Seong-jun’s share. Lumber and windows, cement – Seong-jun, take them!”

 

Everyone gathered here was shocked.

 

I was shocked too.

 

It seemed Father and the other family members felt the same way.

 

‘I don’t know about the others, but cement and windows are quite big?’

 

It was an enticing proposal.

 

On the other hand, the daughters-in-law pouted.

 

“That’s too much. Aren’t you only taking care of Young Master Seong-jun?”

 

“What’s too much about it?”

 

Grandfather spoke decisively.

 

“I gave the eldest Taeseong Motors and Taeseong Fashion, and the second son distribution and gallery. The third son only has Taeseong Construction now. And even that is just an empty shell company on the verge of bankruptcy, buried under a mountain of debt because that bastard Yoon-seong ruined it!”

 

Grandfather looked back at President Shim of Taeseong Chemical.

 

“President Shim, help our Seong-jun. You can handle cement, can’t you?”

 

Then Uncle (Elder) raised his hand.

 

“If President Shim wishes, we’d like to welcome him to Taeseong Motors. We need to separate the heavy machinery division into its own affiliate.”

 

It was a recruitment offer to become president of Taeseong Heavy Machinery.

 

Second Uncle also raised his hand.

 

“If you don’t like Taeseong Trading, how about Taeseong Food?”

 

Taeseong Food was a core affiliate of Taeseong Distribution.

 

Aunt also raised her hand.

 

“Taeseong Department Store desperately needs expert help right now. Please help us!”

 

Father also raised his hand as if he couldn’t lose.

 

“I am…”

 

“Yes, that sounds good.”

 

“…What?”

 

Father hadn’t even opened his mouth properly, yet President Shim of Taeseong Chemical eagerly accepted Father’s proposal.

 

Everyone looked back and forth between Father and President Shim of Taeseong Chemical with bewildered expressions.

 

“President Shim, the position I can offer you right now is…”

 

“Isn’t it good? I’ll do whatever you ask me to do.”

 

When Father was about to speak again, President Shim of Taeseong Chemical raised his hand to stop him.

 

“But not yet. I’d like to put the position you just offered on hold for now.”

 

“On hold… you say?”

 

“Yes, I still have two duties left unfinished.”

 

The same word came to everyone’s mind.

 

‘Taeseong Chemical’ had not yet properly completed the acquisition procedures with Wooguang.

 

Grandfather asked.

 

“That’s right. Even when we hand over Taeseong Chemical, we need to minimize the damage. You stay and make sure to finish everything properly until the end.”

 

“I’m thinking of taking Taeseong Chemical back before proceeding with the acquisition process with Wooguang.”

 

“What?”

 

“That is my first duty that requires me to put Young Master Seong-jun’s proposal on hold.”

 

President Shim of Taeseong Chemical’s next words were like dropping a bomb at the New Year’s dinner table.

 

“Then Young Master Seong-jun never lost Taeseong Chemical from the beginning, so there won’t be anything to hold against him in the future.”

 

The gathering began to buzz noisily.

 

From various places, whispers could be heard saying things like ‘Is that even possible?’ or ‘That’s nonsense.’ or ‘Is he saying that with a sound mind?’

 

Regardless of all that.

 

President Shim of Taeseong Chemical glanced at me and grinned.

 

It felt like he was boldly throwing caution to the wind with a ‘come what may’ attitude.

 

‘When he heard my words, he was half-believing and half-doubting. It seems he’s made up his mind.’

 

Then someone asked.

 

“Then what is the second duty that requires you to put the proposal on hold?”

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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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