The Return of the Ruined Chaebol's Third-Generation Heir - Chapter 25

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Fallen Chaebol Third Generation: Regression — Episode 025
Seongbuk-dong Residence, Kim Seok-jun’s study.
The only sound in the room was the rustle of papers I’d handed over; the air lay heavy with silence.
Kim Seok-jun finished reading and set the documents down, then stared at me intently.
Like someone who’d just seen numbers too impossible to believe.
“So you’re telling me…… you made how much?”
He asked in a trembling voice, and I answered evenly.
“27.2 billion won.”
“…….”
“The principal in the SJ Holdings investment account was roughly 23 billion won, so precisely speaking, we achieved a 118% return on investment. Even after taxes, it’s more than double the original capital.”
At my words, Kim Seok-jun’s mouth fell open. He was a man who usually never lost his composure, but this time his expression control had cracked. And no wonder—just two weeks ago, that money had been buried in steel and shipbuilding stocks.
“Before that, when did you switch positions? I have no report of it.”
Kim Seok-jun’s eyes sharpened.
Here we are.
I straightened my posture and met his gaze directly.
“There’s something I need to tell you about that. I instructed Director Jeong Tae-sung not to report to you first.”
Kim Seok-jun regarded me silently. The study’s air had grown cold.
“From my perspective, I couldn’t understand why a subordinate following my instructions would then need separate approval from you as well. That’s dual authorization.”
“……Did you know I’d find out?”
“You didn’t think I wouldn’t.”
Kim Seok-jun cleared his throat and looked away.
“That said, I never expected you’d turn Director Jeong into your man so quickly. That fellow’s pretty stubborn.”
“Director Jeong Tae-sung is a loyal person. If anything, I feel sorry for forcing him to choose between me and you.”
I continued without avoiding his eyes.
“So if you’re going to reprimand anyone about this matter, reprimand me. He was simply following my orders. Director Jeong bears no fault.”
A moment of silence passed.
Then a small chuckle escaped from Kim Seok-jun’s lips.
“Heh. You’ve got some skill.”
“…….”
“You know how to manage people. Cover your subordinates’ shortcomings and take responsibility as the leader. Good. I was putting unnecessary burden on Director Jeong under the guise of evaluating you.”
He broke into a hearty laugh and nodded.
“I see. My thinking was too narrow. Now Director Jeong is wholly yours.”
“Thank you. And I promise that on matters crucial to the company’s fate, I will always seek your opinion first.”
“Good. Let’s call the housekeeping done then.”
Kim Seok-jun turned his attention back to the report.
“Now, explain further. How did you pull off such absurd returns in just two weeks?”
“I read the market’s direction that way.”
“Direction?”
“China will continue to grow, but the pace was too steep. I judged that the Chinese government would deploy austerity to prevent overheating.”
“Austerity…… I see.”
“Yes. They’ll apply the brakes temporarily and short-term to adjust the growth rate more gradually. When that signal comes, cyclical stocks like steel and shipbuilding take direct hits.”
Kim Seok-jun nodded. The logic was sound.
“So I thought it best to take profits at the peak and sell. That’s why I pulled all 23 billion—principal and profits combined—and distributed it across IT, biotech, and environmental stocks, led by Seogyeong Information Communications.”
“And how many days ago was that?”
“Two weeks.”
“You’re telling me you achieved over 100% return in just two weeks? Is that even theoretically possible?”
Kim Seok-jun looked at me again. His expression showed disbelief mixed with admiration.
I shrugged.
“I got lucky.”
“Lucky?”
“I went in anticipating the IT market would come alive, especially with large-scale infrastructure investment from telecom companies…… but just then the government designated satellite DMB as the next growth engine.”
“Huh.”
“In that wave, Seogyeong Information Communications stock hit the upper limit price seven days straight, rising over 140% in short order. The biotech surge from the avian flu issue was a bonus.”
The SJ Holdings account was only the tip of the iceberg.
My personal 10 billion won borrowed from Bukchon had more than doubled, putting me at an unimaginable sum by now.
Now the monthly interest of 100 million I owed Bukchon felt like pocket change.
Of course, I didn’t mention that.
“Can this really be explained as simple luck?”
“I can’t offer any other explanation. It’s the truth.”
“You really…….”
Kim Seok-jun clicked his tongue.
“They say luck is a skill, but you didn’t simply sweep up those stocks on luck alone. It’s frightening.”
The light in Kim Seok-jun’s eyes changed as he watched me.
“So what will you do with that money? Keep it working?”
“No. I’m thinking of injecting 5 billion from the profits into Sinhwa Weltec.”
“Mm, yes. You said you’d seriously develop Sinhwa Weltec starting this year.”
“Yes. The analytical equipment Park Jin-hyuk requested and the line expansion are urgent. We must row while the tide is high.”
“Good. You handle that yourself.”
Kim Seok-jun was about to cover the documents, satisfied, when I opened my mouth.
“And, sir.”
“Go ahead.”
“I believe the relatives will make their move in the first half of this year.”
Kim Seok-jun’s hand paused.
“Make their move? You mean an attack?”
“Yes. There’s no better timing than now.”
“Right. If I were on the attack side, I’d strike before Seonjin Group recovers further, before your mother gets a firm footing.”
I nodded.
Soon the whole country would be in an uproar. Impeachment politics and a general election besides.
All public attention would be fixed on Yeouido.
When the nation’s focus is elsewhere, that’s the perfect time for family to wage their own muddy fight.
Kim Seok-jun’s expression grew serious.
“I’d like you to prepare for it, sir.”
“What kind of preparation?”
“I’m still a minor and a student, so I can’t take the front stage.”
I spoke to Kim Seok-jun directly.
“I need you to become a white knight. Enter as a friendly equity faction helping defend Seonjin Group’s management rights.”
Kim Seok-jun fell silent in thought, then nodded heavily.
“Yes. I’m the right man for that role. I’ll prepare thoroughly for it.”
“Thank you. When the timing comes, I’ll liquidate all stocks and acquire shares in Seonjin Trading Company.”
“I should meet with some of the adults around here.”
Kim Seok-jun murmured to me.
“There are people who once served the chairman. If they hear we’re rallying their support behind your mother, we can gain ground in the public opinion battle.”
“Yes, and please increase contact with government circles as well.”
“Leave that to me.”
That was done. The ammunition was being prepared, and the division of roles with Kim Seok-jun was settled.
Now all I had to do was go about my business calmly and wait.

* * *
When I got home, washed, and came out, my phone on the bed began ringing loudly.
The name on the screen: Han Jae-yi.
I pressed the call button while drying my wet hair with a towel.
“Hello.”
—Hey! Kang Seon-woo! This is insane, absolutely insane!
Han Jae-yi’s voice through the receiver was bursting with excitement. A tone that might rupture an eardrum.
It was predictable. She was surely tapping at a calculator right now with a grin from ear to ear.
—My seed doubled from this! My god, is the stock market really this terrifying?
I chuckled and sat on the bed.
Seogyeong Information Communications. The stock I’d picked for her had been hitting the upper limit price day after day.
“Congratulations. So your university tuition is no longer a problem?”
—Of course! I think I’m set until graduation. Heck, I could even study abroad after I graduate.
“That’s wonderful. All your hard work paid off.”
Han Jae-yi rattled off exclamations for quite some time.
Then, her voice suddenly turned serious.
—But Seon-woo. You’re not planning to hold this long-term, right?
I swept my wet hair back and asked in return.
“What do you think, senior?”
—Hmm……
Han Jae-yi fell silent as if pondering.
—The theme can’t sustain indefinitely, and it seems like it’s already risen as far as it can. I think the smart move is to take profits here without getting greedy.
“…….”
—Looking at the trading volume spike, it seems the major players are starting to exit too. Am I right?
I smiled faintly.
“Then you should do exactly that.”
—Really? Was my instinct spot on?
Relief was evident in Han Jae-yi’s voice.
She could’ve clung to the stock with a few critical tips, but she chose independent judgment over dependence. It’s rare to find someone who can stick to the principle of cutting losses without hesitation at what they believe is the peak.
—Good. Then I’ll sell the moment the market opens tomorrow.
I wanted to praise her decisive choice. At the same time, I felt it was time to let her stand on her own.
“Senior.”
—Yeah?
“I won’t be giving you information anymore.”
It could’ve sounded cold.
But Han Jae-yi took it surprisingly well.
—Of course. I can’t depend on your tips forever anyway.
“You’re not disappointed?”
—To be honest…… while watching this surge, I did think about squeezing more out of you. I can’t lie about that. Since everything you pick hits, why not just ride your coattails?
Han Jae-yi was honest.
—But when I really thought about it, I realized if that happened, I’d never be able to trade on my own. Without you, I’d be helpless.
“…….”
—That’s why I’m going to start fresh with my own strength now. Whether I lose or win, I want it to be by my own judgment and skill.
I listened quietly to the voice through the receiver.
People really do have different capacities. I liked that about her—her ability to keep her pride intact in the face of money.
“That’s a good mindset. As a final send-off, let me give you one hint, or rather, one thought.”
—What is it?
“The country’s going to get noisy soon. And when it does, the stock market will naturally crash.”
—A crash? Wait, what do you mean the country’s getting noisy?
“Yes. That’s your opportunity. Your last one.”
—Last opportunity?
Soon Yeouido would be paralyzed by impeachment politics and the stock market would panic.
Before that shock even faded, the China Shock would hit—China’s austerity measures—and KOSPI would plummet below zero into the depths.
‘But.’
When fear reaches its peak, that’s the bottom.
By year’s end, as if by magic, all these bad news would vanish and the market would soar toward new highs once more.
Those who catch the beginning of that V-shaped recovery become the true victors.
“Yes. But which direction that opportunity lies—you’ll have to find that yourself.”
—……Man, you’re really unkind to the end.
Han Jae-yi grumbled, but her voice was already reigniting with ambition.
—Fine. Consider it homework.
“Let’s call it that.”
—All right then, I’ll call you back when I get a perfect score. And you—come on, prep for college. You’re a senior in high school; give up stocks and study!
“I’m managing fine on my own. Anyway, we’ll talk again later.”
—Yeah, Seon-woo. Thanks. I really wanted to say this.
“Remember that and keep your promise.”
‘The promise to work for me later.’
I reminded her of it.
—Of course. I haven’t forgotten.
“Good. Rest up then. We’ll talk again later.”
Click.
I hung up and set the phone on the bedside table.
Quiet returned to the room.
I walked to the bed and collapsed onto it.
The mattress sank deeply, catching my weight.
“……Sigh.”
As I exhaled long and slow, fatigue finally came crashing down all at once.
Since returning, I hadn’t had a single day of rest.
From the Sinhwa Weltec acquisition to the power struggle with Kim Seok-jun, turning Jeong Tae-sung into my man, and even the confrontation with the Bukchon loan sharks.
It felt like I’d been sprinting across thin ice the whole time. And when I thought about what lay ahead, this was just the beginning.
The relatives’ attack, the Seonjin Group’s management rights dispute, and building my own empire.
The road ahead was long and treacherous.
But.
“Today at least…… I can afford to rest a little.”
I slowly closed my eyes.
Today, I’d simply rest without thinking.
Zzzt-
Just as I was closing my eyes with that thought, my phone vibrated.
Checking the screen, it was a message from Jeong Tae-sung with his regular status report.
“Ugh, fine. Rest comes later. This isn’t the time for it.”
I shook myself awake and got up, returning to my desk.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————