As soon as Park Younggeun took office as the Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, he imdiately mobilized the Investigation Bureau and began tearing Ilseong Group apart.
The Investigation Bureau, led by the Secretary-General, was a special division authorized to independently investigate conglorates ranking within the top thirty of Korea’s corporate hierarchy.
Because of that authority, it was also the departnt that business circles most desperately wanted to see abolished.
The Bureau’s first target was Ilseong Semiconductor, a newly established subsidiary spun off from Ilseong Electronics.
“When Ilseong Semiconductor was divided through physical separation, shareholder approval wasn’t properly obtained. They held what they called a shareholders’ eting, but participation was restricted. They even set up multiple buildings with similar nas to confuse shareholders looking for the venue. This is a clear violation of shareholder rights.”
It wasn’t technically illegal, but the evidence of countless evasions and manipulations was undeniable. The Fair Trade Commission requested related materials from the Ministry of Industry and the Financial Services Commission.
Thanks to that, a mountain of data flowed into the FTC offices. From that mont on, the lights in the Banpo-dong building never went out—it beca a literal lighthouse in the night.
“Wow, these bastards are sothing else. There’s even evidence that Ilseong Life Insurance illegally funneled funds to Ilseong Semiconductor.”
There was no such thing as a spotless corporation, but the more they dug, the more violations they uncovered.
“We also found signs of collusion between subsidiaries—supporting each other financially. And it’s not just one or two of them; the entire network is tangled together like a spider web.”
There was no hiding this anymore.
The FTC’s Investigation Bureau had spent years investigating conglorates and was well accustod to uncovering their filth.
Korea’s major corporations operated freely between the light and the dark—and naturally, they had plenty of dirt on their hands.
Once the Commission decided to dig, even the smallest speck of dust couldn’t escape.
To make things worse for Ilseong, the Financial Supervisory Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service were also monitoring the FTC’s moves, launching their own audits into Ilseong’s financial subsidiaries.
Even the National Tax Service began investigating Ilseong Group’s tax evasion.
It was, in every sense, a coordinated precision strike. Every governnt body was targeting Ilseong Group.
— Director, I’m sorry. Chairman Park Younggeun has decided to go all in on this. There’s nothing I can do.
“What? Director Ahn, the Chairman treated you well, didn’t he? How can you do this to us? There’s a limit to ingratitude.”
— I’m truly sorry. But if I make one wrong move, I’ll get dragged down too. This will be my last call, Director.
As Ahn spoke, Lee Seokmin’s expression hardened. He turned slightly, glancing at Seo Jaehun beside him.
“...How bad is it?”
— Chairman Park sohow got his hands on an X-file—records detailing Ilseong Group’s secret fund movents. He’s using that as a reference point for the investigation... Honestly, I don’t think we’ll make it out this ti.
“What? X-file? Did you see it yourself?”
— Only Chairman Park and the Secretary-General managing the Bureau have access to it.
Lee let out a long sigh.
The Secretary-General Park had brought in was his personal confidant—soone who had followed him since his days at the Financial Supervisory Service.
If only those two people knew about it, bribery or negotiation was impossible.
And without knowing what exactly that docunt contained, Ilseong couldn’t even plan a counterasure.
“So what then? Are we supposed to just sit here and say we don’t know anything? Director Ahn, do you want us all to die together?”
— Director, if I knew anything, I’d tell you. But there’s really no one else who knows. If Ilseong Group goes down, I go down too. Do you think I’d ignore that?
At that mont, Seo Jaehun, who had been silently listening, spoke up.
“Director Ahn, this is Seo Jaehun speaking.”
— ...
There was no answer. Seo called again.
“Director Ahn.”
— Yes, Vice Chairman.
“That X-file—does it really exist?”
Ahn answered without hesitation.
— It exists. If it didn’t, the FTC couldn’t have zeroed in so precisely on the most problematic areas right after taking office.
“Really? Then I want you to get it.”
— Excuse ? I just told you that...
Before he could finish, Seo cut him off.
“If you can get it, I’ll pay you ten billion won. And if you can find out who gave it to Park Younggeun, I’ll make it twenty billion.”
Ahn audibly swallowed on the other end. The offer was staggering.
“If you’ve eaten from us, you should earn what you’ve taken. How many years has my father supported you? Do you know how much Ilseong Group has done to keep you where you are? Now it’s ti to repay that debt. An ungrateful man is worse than an animal, don’t you think? Unless you’d rather cough it all back up.”
It wasn’t a request—it was a command. Seo’s tone was sharp, domineering.
— ...I’ll do what «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» I can, Vice Chairman.
“‘Do what you can’? Who recognizes effort? Only results matter. Use any ans necessary. This isn’t a request.”
— But...
“Make sure you get it. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
Without waiting for a reply, Seo hung up.
Then he turned toward Lee Seokmin, his tone flat.
“Director Lee.”
“Yes, Vice Chairman.”
“If this is true, it ans there’s a traitor inside. Soone close to . I wonder who it is. What kind of fool would dare sothing like this? You can find out, right? The Lee Seokmin I know can handle it. Or... are you the traitor?”
Seo’s cold gaze pierced into him like a snake staring down its prey.
“No! I could never betray the Chairman after all he’s done for !”
Lee stamred in panic, but Seo’s expression didn’t change.
“I’ll find out, I swear.”
“Good. I’ll trust you, then. In the anti, have our journalists publish negative articles about this investigation.”
“There aren’t many friendly newspapers left, Vice Chairman.”
Ilseong’s dia influence wasn’t what it used to be.
Even when they tried to pressure outlets with advertising money, Joongwoo Group and Taesan Finance quickly filled those gaps.
“That doesn’t matter. Use whatever’s left to steer public opinion.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Go do your job. You’re paid well—earn it.”
Lee rose, bowed, and left the room.
Seo watched the door close and murmured quietly,
“It’s not Ilseong Group... It’s the Chairman himself.”
A glint of cold light passed through his eyes.
* * *
The tightening around Ilseong Group progressed slowly but steadily.
Stock communities and online forums were ablaze with talk of the investigation.
As soon as the news spread that the FTC and Financial Supervisory Service were probing Ilseong Group, the stocks of all its affiliates began to plumt.
Shareholders holding Ilseong stocks started protesting, and the group tried to counter by using friendly dia to sway public sentint.
But public anti-chaebol sentint remained strong. Most people blad conglorates for the financial crisis, and they welcod and supported the FTC’s investigation.
While I was checking online reactions on my computer, a knock sounded on my study door.
“I have sothing to report, Boss.”
“Co in.”
At my permission, Chief Ma entered the room.
I asked as he bowed.
“What is it? There wasn’t anything else on today’s schedule, was there?”
“Cheon Suhan is dead.”
“What? Cheon Suhan is dead?”
I couldn’t help blurting it out. Dead? Out of nowhere?
“He was in a psychiatric hospital, wasn’t he? I never heard he was sick.”
I had kept him alive in prison—not to inflict physical pain, but to break his mind.
Eventually, he went insane and was transferred to a psychiatric ward.
I hadn’t killed him because of Cheon Jiyoung.
That was the last line I refused to cross as a human being.
Still, I hadn’t neglected surveillance on him.
I didn’t want him regaining his sanity and dying comfortably.
“What do you an, dead all of a sudden?”
“He hanged himself.”
“...”
“He took advantage of a montary lapse in watch and hung himself. By the ti they found him, he wasn’t breathing.”
Could a madman really take his own life? It didn’t make sense—but that wasn’t the main concern.
“What about Jiyoung?”
I felt no emotion at Suhan’s death.
What worried was Cheon Jiyoung, the one left behind.
“She’s likely heard the news by now.”
Well, better sooner than later.
I sighed and closed my eyes, considering how to handle it.
After a long pause, I opened them again.
“Make sure Jiyoung has all the support she needs for the funeral. She must be in complete shock.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“And... get updates on Cheon Jiwon and Cheon Jisoo as well.”
After speaking, I rubbed my face wearily.
For so reason, I felt hollow. A man who deserved death had died—so why did it feel so empty?
“Boss, will you be attending the funeral?”
I shook my head slightly.
“No. I’ll et Jiyoung separately after it’s over.”
“Yes. Then I’ll send so of our people to help with the arrangents.”
“Do that.”
Sensing my subdued mood, Chief Ma bowed and quietly left.
Left alone, I fell into thought.
Now, everyone involved in my parents’ deaths was either dead or soon would be.
Cheongpunghoe had vanished into history, and Cheon Suman was gone.
Chairman Seo Yonggeon was alive, but barely. And now, finally, Cheon Suhan was dead.
“Mother... Father.”
I didn’t know how long I sat there before I reached for my phone on the desk.
I pressed speed dial number one.
It only rang a few tis before Grandma picked up.
“Grandma.”
— Muhyuk, what’s wrong?
“Nothing. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
— What’s that tone? Did sothing happen?
She read my emotions like a ghost. I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
“No. Nothing’s wrong.”
— Really? That’s good then. You’re eating well, right? Taking the dicine I sent you?
“Yeah, I am.”
— That’s all I wanted to hear.
Our conversations rarely changed.
Are you okay? Are you eating? Stay healthy. I wouldn’t mind if that was all we ever said.
“Grandma.”
— Hm?
“...Mother and Father. I’d like to move them to the family burial ground. What do you think?”
— ...
There was silence. I rushed to explain.
“We can’t leave them in the charnel house forever. I’ve been thinking about it for a while—it’s ti.”
Originally, I’d placed them sowhere Grandma could visit easily. I could’ve moved them anyti, but I hadn’t, for her sake.
— Is that what you want?
“Yes. I want them beside Grandfather.”
— Then let’s do it.
Her consent ca easily, almost too easily.
“It’s a long trip for you. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
— Don’t worry about . If that’s what you want, do it. I’ll just take the car up.
The tightness in my chest eased slightly.
“Then I’ll start preparing.”
— Let know when everything’s ready. I’ll co with you.
“Got it. I’ll call once the arrangents are done.”
It wasn’t sothing that could be finished overnight; it needed preparation.
— Muhyuk, you’re sure nothing’s wrong?
“There isn’t. Just take care of yourself, Grandma. Eat properly and take your heart dicine on ti.”
— Don’t worry about —take care of yourself. I’m fine.
“Alright. I’ll hang up now. Talk to you soon.”
I ended the call with a faint smile.
But the emptiness didn’t fade. If anything, the weight on my chest deepened.
I rose and walked to the window, opening it to let in the cool air.
“Yeah. It’s ti to leave the past behind.”
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