The Regressed Chaebol Grandson Finds It Hard to Forgive - Chapter 46
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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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Episode 46. Oyang Group Family (4)
“Who is Ha Taewoong’s grandfather?”
The evening family dinner had wrapped up.
With public attention as it was, the entire family had relocated to their Seongbuk-dong residence for the meal.
The other families had each returned to their own homes.
Lee Seokpil, the eldest son, quietly found Chairman Lee Dojung in his study and posed the question.
Even after marriage, the eldest son had continued living under the same roof as Lee Dojung.
“Tsk, tsk.”
In response to his son’s question, Chairman Lee Dojung offered only a look of exasperation.
“…….”
‘Who on earth could it be?’
No matter how hard Lee Seokpil racked his brain, he couldn’t make an easy guess.
Father Chairman Lee Dojung clearly knew—Ha Taewoong’s grandfather was unmistakable in his recognition.
Lee Seokpil ran through various conglomerates in his mind, but no connected family came readily to him.
Of course, it wasn’t difficult to narrow down a specific person with just the surname Ha.
Yet this young man had no connection to that family whatsoever.
The media-exposed youngest of Ha Ryun Group was a university student.
“You still haven’t figured out Ha Taewoong’s identity?”
“No, I……haven’t.”
“A young man bearing the surname Ha. If he’s received such refined upbringing, what sort of household must his be?”
“Father. Surely you’re not suggesting Chairman Ha Cheolgon? But that household’s youngest grandson is a university student. Ha Taewoong is absolutely not a direct descendant of Chairman Ha.”
Lee Seokpil was aware enough of how things moved in political circles.
He wasn’t foolish enough to believe blindly.
“Is that so?”
“Just to be sure, I had my secretariat look into it.”
“Hmm…….”
Chairman Lee Dojung fell silent, a short sigh escaping him.
That Ha Taewoong, who had stood before him with such confidence, bearing not a single rough edge—
‘No, I’m certain. He’s Chairman Ha Cheolgon’s blood.’
Lee Dojung’s keen instinct was convinced.
A tiger father cannot father a dog son.
The subtle charisma and measured bearing Ha Taewoong had displayed spoke clearly to his bloodline from the Ha household.
“There must be something hidden beneath the surface.”
“Something hidden, sir?”
The Ha Ryun Group family had possessed, since long ago, a mastery of media control that could never be imitated.
The group itself strictly regulated the external exposure of information about family members.
Information about the grandchildren—aside from the current directors—could not be found on any portal site.
Personal details amounted to little more than what was available about the eldest grandson who had joined the group.
“Don’t dig too deeply. When the time comes, you’ll know everything.”
Chairman Lee Dojung secretly harbored hope for continued meetings with Ha Taewoong.
He believed this was not a connection that would end after a single encounter.
There was an invisible logic that only Lee Dojung could perceive.
The meeting with Ha Taewoong was surely bound by destiny itself.
Perhaps it was for that reason that he recalled the benefactors who had supported the group’s early growth.
Lee Dojung felt as though he were encountering that same natural flow of days past.
It was inconceivable that Ha Taewoong had approached him with calculation.
This was a necessity born of pure coincidence—or so it seemed.
The friend of his granddaughter, who kept few people close.
That they were in the same class was remarkable; their chance meeting at the rarely-seen golf course pavilion, equally so.
The probability that two or three such threads should align at a single point was extraordinarily rare.
“Understood.”
Lee Seokpil answered briefly to his father’s words.
Even if he did not probe into Ha Taewoong’s background, his brothers would hardly remain idle.
There was no need to upset his father’s mood here and now.
“That said, I hear you need collateral to expand the Project Finance Fund for the apartment reconstruction project?”
Of his three sons, Chairman Lee Dojung generally favored his eldest, Lee Seokpil.
The eldest was overseeing Oyang Construction, the group’s prime asset.
State projects formed the core, but recently he had ventured into apartment construction.
The problem was that the Project Finance market had been contracting of late.
“Once presales go through, there’s no issue. The other subsidiaries can profit handsomely from the high interest rates.”
The media was constructing public opinion that the market was inflated.
But South Korea had no viable alternative business to real estate speculation.
When you secured a bid from LH and built a presentable apartment, the net profit alone exceeded thirty percent.
The problem, if there was one, was the hefty initial capital required.
Recently, some construction companies had overextended themselves and faced disasters.
The Project Finance market had indeed taken a hit from the fallout.
Oyang Group, with its solid financial structure, could proceed without difficulty once its subsidiaries merely provided collateral for Project Finance expansion.
“True. Land development remains the best bet.”
Lee Dojung found it hard to shake off a lingering regret.
There had been several opportunities in the past to expand the group’s scale.
Early construction investments and mergers and acquisitions that could have grown the operation.
But each time, he had heeded the teachings of the previous generation and reined in his ambition.
Looking back now, those were opportunities he deeply regretted missing.
There was no more time to hesitate or linger.
“I’ll proceed with your approval.”
“Do so.”
“Thank you!”
Lee Seokpil, who deeply trusted his father for his faith in him.
Given his advancing years, he was gradually pushing forward subsidiary separations.
He had to expand and set aside portions for his younger brothers.
While none would likely complain greatly, Lee Seokpil worried about his youngest brother, Lee Seokjong.
Though still mere rumor, whispers of his designs on Lee Seokpil’s position circulated quietly.
The youngest had always been unusually ambitious from childhood.
He only hoped that Father Chairman Lee Dojung would remain safe until the subsidiary separation was completed successfully.
* * *
Click.
The door opened with a touch of the One Pass Key.
A productive and gratifying day.
I’d taken to the field for the first time and executed a meaningful round.
I’d gotten my head on straight.
I’d beaten the fellow golfers who’d engineered the round to take down Pro An Hyunjoo.
The chance encounter with Lee Hyojoo’s family was even more surprising.
I’d even managed to smooth over those rude cousins of Lee Hyojoo’s quite nicely.
Oyang Group, which would prove invaluable going forward.
Thanks to Lee Hyojoo, I’d naturally come into contact with Chairman Lee Dojung as well.
Returning home with considerable gains from the day.
“Wow.”
The moment I stepped through the entrance, a subtle, refreshing scent hit me.
It mingled naturally in the air.
“Clean.”
A pale blue-green foot mat had been laid at the entrance.
Indoor and outdoor slippers were arranged neatly.
Whoosh.
I opened the shoe cabinet.
“Good taste, as expected.”
A few pairs of dress shoes and sneakers were organized.
Shoes of various types, arranged to match jeans, training gear, suits—every option covered.
I slipped into slippers and entered the living space.
The Signiel apartment, now fully occupied after dropping off Pro An Hyunjoo near his home.
Through the windows, Seoul’s night skyline unfurled like a panorama.
“Automatic curtains installed.”
The living room had been bare before I left today.
Now a six-person luxury sectional sofa occupied the space.
The thick, deep blue curtains with blackout function and the modern sofa harmonized beautifully.
The apartment’s overall tone was light and vibrant.
“Wine too?”
The wine cellar, empty before, was now stocked.
Champagne, red, white—a full variety.
A person of genuine taste, indeed.
“……And the kitchen setup is lovely too.”
Kitchen containers set up for a standard four-person base.
Plates and mugs displayed on the shelves.
Frying pans and all the small cooking utensils—premium brands across the board.
High-end dishware I hadn’t even known about filled the space.
Compared to my rooftop-room living standard, it was utterly luxurious.
Patter-patter.
I headed toward the bedroom.
The door stood slightly ajar.
“……!!”
A king-size bed visible through the gap.
Arranged with light, cozy ivory bedding.
“Even cosmetics……. Perfect.”
Premium men’s skincare products lined neatly on a vanity set to one side.
Though I hadn’t arranged it myself, I was satisfied.
An apartment perfectly set up in mere half a day.
Yoo Areum, the Hyundai Department Store shopper, had arranged everything to feel as naturally comfortable as a space I’d always inhabited.
Her exceptional taste and eye drew spontaneous applause from me.
I wasn’t worried about cost.
It was accumulating at a billion won a day.
Pop!
I pulled a bottle of Champagne from the wine cellar and uncorked it.
A tangy fizz and sweet aroma drifted subtly upward.
I filled a glass and stood at the window.
Seoul’s urban sprawl—the Sleepless City—looked different tonight.
With time to appreciate it, the city seemed far more beautiful at night than by day.
The hour when all human desires awaken.
Among the beautiful nightscape, the Ha Ryun Group headquarters stood out with striking clarity.
“Grandfather, I hope you’re well tonight too.”
At this very moment, something no one in the Ha household could have imagined.
I stood here, looking down on them from above.
“Today I met Chairman Lee Dojung of Oyang Group. Prepare yourself. The connection I’ve made today is quite something—one that’ll make you regret it, Grandfather.”
Today’s connection was far from trivial.
A presence distinctly contrasting with the deep gray tone of the third son.
The eldest son and the second son, Lee Hyojoo’s father—their colors weren’t bad either.
Unplanned though this meeting was, connections require proper rhythm.
Officers and NCOs formed the teams.
In such a team, there were only one or two regular soldiers like me.
The people who dragged our three into a wretched life and ultimately killed my father.
Gulp.
I drank the cold Champagne.
A toast to the future…….
I drained the glass in one.
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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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