“My condolences.”
After offering flowers and incense, Yoon Changho lifted his head. He had co with only a single secretary.
Before the other guests’ attention could settle on him, I guided him to the reception room.
“I didn’t think you would co.”
“How could I not, when Chairman Cheon has passed? I had to see him off.”
“Thank you, Mr. President.”
Yoon Changho was already in the midst of his presidential campaign. At a ti when even stepping on a fallen leaf the wrong way could be dangerous, I thought he would avoid coming.
I knew his words were just lip service, but still, I welcod his visit.
“By the way, why don’t I see President Cheon Sooman around?”
At his question, I was struck dumb. When I didn’t answer right away, he seed to catch on and shook his head.
“There’s no way he wasn’t contacted. So he simply didn’t co, then.”
“...He’ll be here soon.”
“tsk, what a man.”
Clicking his tongue, Yoon Changho changed the subject.
“I heard you returned early from Pyongyang. That surprised .”
“I wanted to be at Grandfather’s side when he passed.”
“Understandable. Though, the problem is whether one can just cross the border back and forth so freely.”
“It was thanks to the consent of President Kim Hakgwon and Chairman Kim Jongil.”
Kim Hakgwon must have been flustered, no doubt. But he had arranged it quickly enough that I was able to return through Panmunjom without incident.
“That too is a mark of your ability. So, how was Pyongyang?”
“How should I put it... it felt like an artificial city. Almost no people moving around. I suspect they restricted movent because visitors from the South were coming.”
Yoon Changho nodded and continued.
“I heard there was a luncheon not originally scheduled. Chairman Kim Jongil himself attended.”
“Is that so?”
Kim Jongil, who hardly showed himself even during the summit, appearing at a luncheon?
I had not heard of it, so I asked again. Yoon Changho explained in more detail.
“They say he asked the conglorate chairn about their difficulties, and what they hoped North Korea could do for them.”
“You seem to know more about what happened in Pyongyang than I do.”
“Ha ha. It was broadcast live on TV, here in Seoul. A historic mont.”
It seed much had happened after I returned to Seoul.
Not only a luncheon, but a live broadcast? Kim Hakgwon must have made up his mind.
“So they showed the summit live.”
“Yes. You could almost hear his approval rating rising.”
The envy in Yoon Changho’s voice was impossible to hide.
“Kim Hakgwon really achieved sothing remarkable. Do you think I too, soday, will accomplish sothing worthy of history?”
He no longer bothered to hide his ambition. I gave a small smile.
Those without ambition tend to settle, but Yoon Changho dread of a greater stage. That made him useful.
“Of course. You’ll leave behind an even greater legacy than President Kim Hakgwon. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Good. I’ll rely on you.”
Satisfied with my answer, Yoon Changho rose.
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
“Thank you for coming.”
“Don’t ntion it. You needn’t see out. I’ll leave quietly. Focus on sending the Chairman off properly.”
He patted my shoulder twice and stepped out.
Those gathered in small groups recognized him and began to rise, but with a wave of his hand he stopped them, leaving the hall without further fuss.
The confidence of a man certain of being the next president radiated from him.
“So, being the successor of Grandfather has its perks, huh. Even the leading presidential candidate cos to see you.”
Cheon Jisoo ca up behind , her tone dripping with sarcasm. Annoyed, I turned to look at her.
“What did you say?”
“Don’t you see it?”
She looked slowly around the hall, at all those who had co to pay respects.
“Every single person here has received help from Grandfather at so point.”
“And what of it?”
“If not, do you think the giants of politics and business would have co here? And now they’re all greeting you. Must feel good, right? Of course, it won’t last.”
I simply stared at her with an indifferent face.
I once thought she was clever, but clearly she still didn’t know her place.
“You should have handed Ilseong over to . Once the funeral is over, I’ll claim my share. Don’t fool yourself into thinking it’s all yours.”
The mory of the past life, when she had abandoned , flashed across my mind.
“You’ve brought this upon yourself.”
I was too dumbfounded to even argue.
“Don’t worry. I won’t make a scene in front of Grandfather. But once all this is over, things will begin.”
“Thanks for the warning. Very kind of you.”
“It isn’t a warning. It’s a notice. I’m a Cheon. You’re a Kim.”
A Cheon and a Kim...
That she relied on nothing more than that for arrogance was laughable.
Grandfather’s fortune was vast, yes. But compared to what I already had, it was insignificant.
Grandfather had wealth, but no power.
To outsiders, it might look enormous. But to , it was money I didn’t even need. If I wanted, I could give it away.
But since she had crossed the line first, I intended to crush her completely and not let a single grain of Grandfather’s inheritance fall into her hands.
“Yes. Let’s hope things pass peacefully.”
Even at my calm words, Jisoo had no reply.
Evening ca, and still, Cheon Sooman and Cheon Jiwon had not arrived.
I rubbed my face with my hand. That I had ever thought Cheon Sooman was still human—after all he had done—made the fool.
“Ha...”
“Oppa...”
Exhausted from crying, Jiyoung’s voice was now more troubled, as though she worried for instead.
“Yes?”
“Uncle Sooman and Jiwon-oppa... they will co, won’t they?”
“...They will. No, they must.”
“Right?”
Even Jiyoung was beginning to worry.
Guests ca and went in droves, but the very family mbers who should have been present were absent.
None of the visitors spoke it aloud, but in their eyes, the thought was clear.
Chairman Cheon failed as a father.
I hated that such disgrace was cast upon Grandfather’s final farewell.
‘Grandfather, I cannot forgive them.’
I muttered in my heart, staring at his portrait with its solemn expression.
Just then, a commotion broke out outside the hall—shouting and scuffling. I rose and went out.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Ma Seokdae! How dare you raise your voice to ?”
“President Cheon!”
Cheon Sooman had arrived, flanked by suited n. Likely bodyguards on loan from Chairman Seo of Ilseong.
They had been blocked at the entrance and were now facing off against Chief Ma.
At least he had co. So he did have enough decency for that much.
“Chief Ma, step back.”
At my order, he moved aside imdiately.
But when I looked closely, his cheek was flushed red with a handprint. My brow furrowed.
“President Cheon Sooman. If you’re late, you should co in quietly and prepare. What is the aning of this commotion?”
Sooman turned his head toward . On his lips curved a smirk, the smile of a man who thought himself the victor.
“Oh, look who it is! Misook’s boy.”
I clenched my teeth, swallowing the rage boiling up inside.
“And why are you the chief mourner? You’re not even a Cheon, you’re a Kim. And where’s Manager Ha?”
Cheon Sooman looked around, searching for him.
Since Grandfather’s passing, Manager Ha hadn’t been in contact. I’d been a little worried myself, but I answered without showing it.
“He needed ti to collect his thoughts, so I let him go.”
“Ha, that bastard must already be scheming now that Father’s dead.”
I rembered Manager Ha’s face, crying like a child when Grandfather passed.
“He’s more like a son to Grandfather than you ever were. Don’t you dare insult him.”
“A son? Hah. He and the rest of those rats should be grateful they were fed well enough to live. Isn’t that right, Seokdae?”
Chief Ma’s face hardened. But he pressed his lips shut, refusing to reply.
I held myself back one more ti.
“There are many mourners here. Enough. Go in quietly and prepare.”
“Good words. Then you step aside. This is no place for a Kim. Jiwon, take that armband from him.”
“Yes, Father.”
Exactly as I expected.
Beside , Jiyoung’s face had already gone pale. I pulled her shoulder close.
“What the hell is this? Are you out of your mind?!”
When Chief Ma blocked him, Cheon Jiwon shouted in disbelief.
“Stay back, Young Master Jiwon.”
“Ha! Have all of you lost your minds?”
With a snort, Jiwon raised his hand and slapped Chief Ma across the face.
Smack!
The murmur of the mourners died instantly at the sharp sound of the slap.
‘Grandfather...’
It wasn’t as if I hadn’t seen this coming.
While I held my silence, trembling with fury, Jiyoung cried out through her tears.
“Jiwon-oppa, what are you doing?! This is Grandfather’s final farewell. Please, let’s not do this!”
But all she got in return was Jiwon’s sneer.
“Jiyoung, what do you owe Kim Muhyuk to cling to him like that? That’s why you go around getting sponsor offers. If Grandfather in heaven knew, he’d wail! You sha the Cheon na all by yourself. An entertainer? What a disgrace.”
I knew Jiwon kept company with such vermin, but that he would bring up even the sponsor proposition—
I hadn’t expected him to be shaless enough to say it aloud.
Shaken, Jiyoung collapsed to the ground.
Yes, I was the fool for expecting anything from them.
My voice was ice when I gave the order.
“Chief Ma, send all the guests away. No more condolences today.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Bowing his head, he and his n began ushering people out.
Sooman and Jiwon remained still while the others were cleared out.
Keeping the crowd around was their only shield, though they still didn’t realize it.
The longer it went on, the calr I beca.
My friends, who had been gathered together, stepped outside at Myungsoo’s urging. He seed to understand my intent.
When the last of the guests were gone, the hall was silent, split between Sooman’s n and Chief Ma’s.
“Cheon Jisoo. Which side are you on?”
At the flatness of my voice, she flinched and took a step back.
“This is your last chance. Decide. There won’t be another.”
“....”
Hesitating, she couldn’t answer right away.
Of course—she was calculating which side would profit her more. That was who she was. Always thinking of herself. A coward.
“Even if it’s empty words, I told you nothing would happen today. That’s the only reason you get this one chance. It’s the last.”
She said nothing, but by standing still, she made her choice.
“Take Jiyoung inside.”
Still wavering, Jisoo lifted the sobbing Jiyoung and carried her into the family waiting room, closing the door.
“Chief.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Leave only Sooman and Jiwon. Clear the rest out of my sight. Kill them if they resist. No rcy.”
Chief Ma bowed and gave his n the signal. Their cold eyes glinted with killing intent.
“Sooman, Jiwon. You’re no better than animals. You can covet Grandfather’s inheritance all you like. But that could wait until the funeral is over. You know very well I don’t spare anyone just because they’re family.”
Even at my low warning, Sooman only snorted.
“If only you disappeared, this would all be over. You’re always the problem. Everything went wrong the mont you reappeared.”
“...Every action you took ca back to you like a boorang.”
“The matter with Misook is a misunderstanding. I never ant to kill that girl. If it really had been , do you think you’d still be alive?”
My fists clenched. Hearing him twist Mother’s death into mockery made want to smash his face in.
“Don’t ever let her na leave your filthy mouth. Or I really will kill you.”
While I held back from striking him, Chief Ma tried speaking to the leader of the Ilseong bodyguards.
“We’ll need you to leave.”
“Sorry, we have our orders.”
Chief Ma only nodded, unsurprised.
That was the signal. His n moved to drag them out, while the bodyguards braced to resist.
The entrance of the funeral hall exploded into chaos. Wreaths were toppled, crashing to the ground.
I shut my eyes tightly. The pandemonium I most wanted to avoid had finally ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) co.
‘I’m sorry, Grandfather. But I will see you properly to the end.’
When I opened my eyes again, it was already over.
No matter how elite Ilseong’s bodyguards were, they couldn’t match Ma’s n hardened by real combat.
As they were forced out, Sooman’s face grew pale with shock.
Had he really thought Ilseong’s n could subdue Chief Ma?
A bitter laugh slipped from .
If he had any idea of the life Chief Ma had lived, he wouldn’t have brought so few.
Just then, several black cars rolled into the parking lot.
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