Attorney Bae inserted the cassette tape containing Grandfather’s will into the player and pressed the play button.
A faint crackle ca first, and soon Grandfather’s voice flowed out.
Hearing the voice of Grandfather back when he had still been healthy, Cheon Jiyoung imdiately broke into tears.
Cheon Jiwon and Cheon Jisoo did # Nоvеlight # not cry. They only wore strange expressions—whether of tension or sorrow, it was hard to tell.
The beginning of the recording was in a Q&A format, stating who he was, why he was leaving this will, and listing the witnesses who would hear it.
After several minutes of conversation, the true will finally began.
― Jiwon, Jisoo, Jiyoung, and Muhyuk.
Grandfather called each of his grandchildren’s nas one by one, with tender affection.
― I love you all.
That word of love sent a sharp tremor through my chest.
Jiyoung broke into sobs, and even Jiwon and Jisoo let a few tears fall. I bit my lip to hold mine back.
― Please take care of my final affairs.
That he entrusted his last matters not to his children, but to his grandchildren, left a dry, bitter taste in my mouth.
Perhaps sensing the weight of those words, Ha Myeonghun, standing silently behind Attorney Bae, sank deeper into grief.
Grandfather’s recorded will, short as it was, contained no ntion of property division.
It was only a blessing—he had lived well, and he wished us to do the sa.
― You may feel disappointed, but I ask you all to accept my decision.
That was the last line. With a click, the playback ended.
Attorney Bae removed the tape and paused a mont, as if to allow us to compose ourselves.
I gently patted Jiyoung’s back as she wept uncontrollably.
Only once she finally managed to stop crying did Attorney Bae turn toward Ha Myeonghun behind him, seeking his agreent.
Ha nodded.
“I will now disclose the written will.”
Attorney Bae unfolded the will.
“From this mont of reading, the will carries full legal effect. Do you all agree?”
Everyone nodded. Receiving our consent, Attorney Bae began to read.
“Then, I will now announce the last will and testant of the late Chairman Cheon Taesan.”
A loud gulping sound ca from the tense Cheon Jiwon.
“One. All stocks, bonds, and other securities owned by the deceased shall be inherited by Kim Muhyuk.”
Most of the stocks and bonds had already been transferred, but having them written explicitly in the will affird Grandfather’s intent.
Jiwon and Jisoo, expecting this much, nodded with little reaction.
“Two. The Pyeongchang-dong residence shall be inherited by Kim Muhyuk.”
Grandfather’s house in Pyeongchang-dong carried deep significance.
It symbolized that I had truly inherited Cheon Taesan’s position.
And for , it was also a place filled with cherished mories.
“Three. Of all real estate owned by the deceased, those outside Seoul and all properties located in Myeongdong, Seoul shall go to Kim Muhyuk. All real estate in Gangnam shall go to Cheon Jiwon. All real estate in Gangbuk shall go to Cheon Jisoo.”
At last hearing their nas, Jiwon and Jisoo stirred.
The combined value of Gangnam and Gangbuk holdings amounted to astronomical buildings and land.
Grandfather had once given Jiwon two buildings in Gangnam, calling them his last gift.
So when Gangnam property was bequeathed again, Jiwon could not hide his joy.
Jisoo, maintaining a blank expression, still betrayed flickers in her eyes.
“Four. All dostic bank deposits shall be inherited by Cheon Jiyoung, and all overseas deposits and real estate by Kim Muhyuk.”
Grandfather left Jiyoung with cash.
Though she had no greed, she faintly knew the sums must be imnse—her eyes widened.
Despite inheriting buildings himself, Jiwon glanced at her with envy.
“Lastly, all other assets not specified above shall be inherited by my successor, Kim Muhyuk.”
Having read the entire will, Attorney Bae set it down and closed his eyes.
Silence fell in the family waiting room.
“This is the final will of Chairman Cheon Taesan. I ask you all to honor it. Should any of you here act against the Chairman’s wishes...”
Spoke Ha Myeonghun quietly from behind—but his words carried heavy weight.
“He ordered to settle everything if that happens. Engrave these words in your hearts.”
His face showed no emotion. He only spoke and acted as duty required.
Perhaps because of that warning, the silence lengthened.
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
Attorney Bae rose.
The others remained lost in thought, unmoving. Rising to see him off, I noticed Jiyoung also stood.
I shook my head to stop her, and alone followed Attorney Bae out.
“Attorney Bae, thank you for your efforts.”
“Haha, it was only my duty. When the Chairman revised his will at the end, he spoke of you often, young master.”
He halted, smiling.
“In over thirty years at his side, I never once saw his expression like that when speaking of you... He looked like a child.”
A childish side of Grandfather—his words made smile faintly.
“Grandfather did that?”
“Yes. I never imagined I’d see such a thing. They say age makes all n children again, and indeed he did.”
I tried to picture it, but having never seen such a face, I could not.
“He never showed that side, so I can’t imagine it well.”
Attorney Bae nodded. Perhaps because we spoke of Grandfather, his expression had softened compared to inside the funeral hall.
“The Chairman was like an old oak, quietly watching over you. He was clumsy in expression, but his love for family was genuine. I never imagined it would return in this way...”
In my previous life, I had not known his heart. To , he had been only a terrifying man.
But in this life, looking closely, he was simply a father who loved his family.
I had thought he was the one who kept his distance, but in truth it was I who distanced myself. Only now did I realize.
My throat ward, and I coughed needlessly.
“I truly must go now. I will return for the funeral procession.”
“Thank you for everything.”
“No, it was an honor to deliver the Chairman’s final words.”
With that, Attorney Bae departed in his car.
When his car vanished from sight, I turned back. Waiting there was Manager Ma.
“Chairman Song has called. He just landed at the airport and asks if he may co pay respects.”
“Tell him tomorrow. Today we need to set things in order first.”
I appreciated his intent to co straight from the inter-Korean summit to Seoul, but we could not accept any more guests today.
We needed ti to settle matters—not only the funeral, but also Jiwon and Jisoo.
And I had things to discuss with Ha.
“What about the people from Ilseong?”
“The severely injured were sent to hospitals. The rest were dismissed. I relayed Ha’s warning word for word to their team leader.”
That should be enough to prevent them from disturbing Grandfather’s final rites.
Chairman Seo knew well both Grandfather’s fearso side and Ha’s blind loyalty.
He may have stood quietly by his side for years, but he had not changed.
“Ha... First, bring people to tidy up the surroundings. Reorder the wreaths as well—list the senders exactly as before.”
“Yes, sir.”
There had been too many eyes watching; rumors would already be spreading.
Still, tomorrow we would resu receiving mourners.
Looking at the fallen, dirt-stained condolence banners, I thought of Cheon Sooman.
Even now, I could not understand why he acted as he did.
‘What was he thinking? He knew it was reckless.’
He could have waited until after the funeral rites.
Instead, he openly tried to drive out in front of everyone—like a man chased by sothing.
When I reentered, the waiting room was quiet, everyone sunk in thought.
Only Jiyoung was glancing between Jiwon and Jisoo.
“Sit down too, Ha.”
I gestured for Ha to sit, then also took my seat.
My mind was a tangle of things to sort.
“Jiwon, Jisoo.”
I spoke softly, and both turned to look at .
“Think later. If you want to keep anything at all, then guard Grandfather’s funeral. No—receive mourners sincerely. Do not tarnish his na.”
Jisoo nodded in agreent, but Jiwon still bristled at .
“Who are you to order us around?”
Even a beast learns when struck—but he was worse than a beast.
He would have to be crushed thoroughly so he would never again speak back.
I glared at Jiwon, eyes full of killing intent.
“I an it. After what you did to Jiyoung, I want to kill you. I’m holding back. Don’t push further unless you want another funeral in the family.”
I realized I had let them treat too lightly. That was why today happened.
It was ti to show them what happened if I decided to act.
“Watch carefully. See how Ilseong crumbles. If you cross the line, the sa fate awaits you.”
Today they had been pardoned—not by , but by Grandfather.
But I had not given them pardon. From here on, their survival depended on themselves.
“If you want to keep what you have, stay out of my way. You live your lives, I’ll live mine.”
From now on, I would hold nothing back.
Public opinion? The strict law? They could all go to hell.
“Once the funeral ends, stay silent and invisible. If you ever cross again, be prepared to die.”
Their reactions split sharply.
Jiwon’s face flushed with panic, while Jisoo closed her eyes, her thoughts unreadable.
“...If you’re truly going to bring down Ilseong, isn’t there sothing I can take?”
Even now, Jisoo revealed her ambition.
“Take whatever you can with your own power. I won’t interfere.”
“Fine. I won’t contest Grandfather’s will. I’ve received enough.”
Satisfied, Jisoo even smiled faintly.
I then turned to Jiwon, who had kept quiet after my warning, his expression subdued.
“Jiwon, what about you?”
“...I won’t contest Grandfather’s will either.”
That was enough. I nodded slightly.
“You’re the eldest grandson, so you’ll receive mourners at the hall. I’ll oversee the funeral proceedings. Can you handle that?”
“Alright.”
Jiwon lacked awareness, arrogant yet cowardly. My warning seed to have sunk in—for now.
“Jiyoung, just keep doing what you’re doing. Can you?”
“Yes, oppa.”
She answered with an awkward smile, subdued by the heavy mood.
I did not ask if she contested the will. From her reaction when it was read, I knew I didn’t need to.
“The staff will handle the arrangents. Eat sothing and rest. We’ll receive mourners again tomorrow morning.”
Jisoo rose first.
“Jiyoung, want to sleep with tonight?”
Jiyoung nodded, rising to follow her.
Left alone, even Jiwon hesitated before leaving the room.
Only Ha and I remained.
“Ha, we have things to settle, don’t we?”
I spoke at last to him, who had listened silently the whole ti.
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