When I opened the door and stepped out, Myungsoo didn’t ask any questions.
“Wanna eat so ramyeon?”
At that, I couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.
“Yeah. I should eat before I go.”
“Hold on.”
Myungsoo put down the law book he’d been reading on the table and got up to boil so water in the kitchen.
anwhile, I cooled my swollen eyes with cold water.
A little while later—
He set down two bowls of ramyeon on the table and glanced at .
“Jeez, look at your face. You look insane. Hurry up and eat.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
By the ti I’d finished the noodles and drank so water, Myungsoo was already glancing over from his law book.
“You good now?”
I nodded slightly and stood up.
“I’m heading out. When the results from the first round co out, let everyone know we should et. Even if I don’t stay in touch for a bit, hope you understand.”
Myungsoo stood up with a nod.
“Got it. Don’t waver—just do whatever you think is right. I’ll help you however I can.”
“Thanks.”
When I stepped outside, Chief Ma got out of the driver’s seat and bowed his head.
“Take ho.”
On the drive back to Pyeongchang-dong, I sat in silence, deep in thought.
‘Let’s not tell Grandma. No need to reopen old wounds. With Cheon Sooman and Suhan gone, I’ll need to revise the plan a bit.’
When I arrived at the house, Chief Ha was nowhere to be seen—probably out handling Sooman’s affairs.
I passed through the chilling living room and stood before the study.
“Grandpa, it’s —Muhyuk.”
“Co in.”
His voice was weak.
When I opened the door, I saw my grandfather’s lonely back as he stared out the window.
“Grandpa.”
He turned slightly in his chair. Even though only a day had passed, he looked visibly aged.
“Where were you?”
“I just needed ti to clear my head.”
I looked him in the eye as he silently read my expression.
“I’ve decided not to resent you. For now, I’m going to focus on the work ahead. And... I won’t take any revenge on my cousins. But don’t ask to get close with them. I don’t think we can ever smile at each other again.”
“That’s more than enough. So... what do you plan to do now?”
“I’ll let you know after I go through all the docunts.”
Grandpa nodded without saying anything.
“Grandpa, I’m okay. You don’t need to walk on eggshells around .”
“Heh.”
He gave a hollow chuckle, and I smiled back.
“I’m trying to understand you. The desire to protect family, the fear of losing everything... I’ll accept all of it.”
“Thank you, my boy.”
“I’ll make sure they won’t leave a hole in this family. Please watch over .”
I bowed my head and stepped out.
What my grandfather thought about in that study after I left—I’d never know.
* * *
Ilseong Group Chairman’s Office.
The direct phone line—known only to a handful of people—rang.
Chairman Seo Yonggeon picked up, and upon hearing the voice on the other end, his eyes widened in surprise.
— Chairman Seo. It’s Cheon Taesan.
“What a surprise. What brings you here?”
— I think we need to arrange a divorce between Sooman and your daughter.
Chairman Seo was montarily speechless at the abrupt statent.
But Cheon Taesan continued, unfazed.
— It’s not that I dislike your daughter. It’s a family matter—I hope you’ll understand. Let’s not complicate things with property divisions and such.
“What the hell... You call out of nowhere with this nonsense?”
Despite his irritation, Seo Yonggeon calmly scribbled sothing on a nearby notepad.
[What happened between Cheon Taesan and Cheon Sooman?]
Though it was a short ssage, Secretary Lee Seokmin, who received it, imdiately left the office in a rush.
“Co on now, explain this. What about the kids?”
— You take care of the kids. I plan to send Sooman overseas. I’ll handle Jiwon and Jisoo myself, so don’t worry. Myeonghun will be coming by soon. Have Heekyung ready to sign the divorce papers.
Chairman Seo’s forehead creased at the commanding tone.
“Funny. This is fun. Hey, Chairman Cheon. Do you still think I’m the sa Seo Yonggeon who bowed to you under my father?”
— I apologize. It’s not out of disrespect. How could I disregard the man at the peak of Ilseong Group? My mind’s a bit scrambled these days. Let’s have a proper eting soon.
Just as Seo Yonggeon opened his mouth to argue, Chairman Cheon’s voice returned, stern and final.
— But don’t ignore my words. I’m not dead yet. Don’t forget, even now, I could side with your older brother.
This ti, it was Chairman Seo who was left speechless.
Though he had defeated all his older siblings to beco the second chairman, he knew well that his eldest brother, Seo Yonghyun, still aid for his seat.
If Cheon Taesan really did support his brother now, there’d be no guarantee who would win.
“Hah! Are you threatening right now?”
— It’s not a threat. I’m just saying—I don’t even know what I might do next. Keep that in mind. When Myeonghun brings the docunts, don’t make things complicated. Just sign.
And with that, Cheon Taesan hung up without a goodbye.
Chairman Seo stared at the disconnected line, then # Nоvеlight # hurled the phone at the wall.
“That damned old man, why won’t he just die already?! Is anyone out there?!”
His secretary rushed in from the hallway.
Upon seeing the shattered phone on the floor, he bowed deeply.
He knew better than to upset the chairman at a ti like this.
“Where’s Secretary Lee?”
“He just stepped out urgently.”
“Clean this up. Bring a new phone. And call Lee back imdiately.”
“Yes, sir.”
After the secretary left, Chairman Seo muttered curses to himself, still fuming.
“Damn it. How long do I have to keep dancing around that man? What the hell did that bastard Sooman do this ti?”
Not long after, Lee Seokmin returned with the mo still in hand.
As he entered, Chairman Seo asked at once,
“Well? What did you find?”
“We haven’t been able to confirm anything concrete yet.”
“You call that a report?! I told you to keep an eye on that old fox! And this is what you give ?!”
“I’m sorry. We can’t investigate anything that happens inside the Pyeongchang-dong residence. We’ve been monitoring the brothers—Cheon Sooman and Suhan—but there’s been no noticeable activity.”
Chairman Seo let out a sigh of disbelief.
“That old bastard is forcing my daughter to divorce and expects to sign without explanation? And you have no clue what’s going on?”
Seokmin, who had been bowing his head, looked up at him in surprise.
Chairman Seo gritted his teeth.
“Call Heekyung in. Now.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And find out what the hell is happening in that cursed family. If you bring another half-baked report like this, you’re done.”
As Seokmin bowed and left the office, Chairman Seo leaned back into the couch and closed his eyes.
A few minutes later, Seo Heekyung entered.
“You called for ?”
The mont Chairman Seo saw his daughter’s face, he lost his temper.
“What the hell did you do to get Chairman Cheon on the phone yelling about a divorce?!”
She looked stunned.
“What? Father?”
“He says to sign the divorce papers—no talk of property or anything. What the hell is going on?!”
Seo Heekyung sat down and simply stared at her father in disbelief.
“You seriously don’t know anything?”
He asked with frustration, but she shook her head.
“I don’t. Just recently, Jiwon told he handed over two buildings in Gangnam. And he ntioned he called Jisoo too.”
“What’s that bastard Sooman doing?”
“After he t with Father-in-law, he hardly even talks to anymore. You know how things are between us.”
While the two spoke, the secretary entered to report that Ha Myeonghun had arrived in the lobby.
“Bring him in.”
Soon after, Chief Ha entered the chairman’s office and bowed.
“It’s been a while, Chairman. Madam.”
Chairman Seo studied him as if trying to read sothing from his face, but Ha Myeonghun remained stoic as ever.
“So, I heard from Chairman Cheon. What’s the reason for the divorce? Say sothing.”
“I don’t know the reason. I only follow orders.”
Chairman Seo didn’t like Ha Myeonghun’s rigid deanor, but he swallowed his irritation.
“Sit.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Facing Seo Heekyung, Chief Ha placed his briefcase on his lap.
“As you may have heard from Pyeongchang-dong, I’ve brought the divorce papers between President Cheon and Madam.”
He took out the envelope and handed it to Chairman Seo, who accepted it with a sour expression.
“Hey, Chief Ha. You think I just do whatever Chairman Cheon tells ? Why are you so stiff?”
“My apologies.”
“Ha... What am I even supposed to say to you. Heekyung, stamp it. Give it to Chief Ha.”
“Father!”
“You defying too now?”
Seeing the cold gleam in Chairman Seo’s eyes, Seo Heekyung reluctantly stamped the docunts.
“...I’m sorry, Madam.”
“Chief Ha, is President Cheon going abroad?”
“I only follow the Chairman’s will. I’m not sure.”
Once the docunts were confird, Chief Ha packed them and stood up.
“I’ll be taking my leave.”
Chairman Seo glared at him as he left.
“What am I supposed to do now?”
“What else? Pack your things and move out. Take Jiwon and Jisoo with you.”
Seo Heekyung looked like she was about to cry after receiving his scolding gaze.
* * *
“Keep a close eye on the Myeongdong bosses. Sooman’s bound to start thrashing about. Unless Cheongpunghoe wants an all-out war with Grandpa, they won’t back him up this ti.”
“All three of them?”
“Yes. Track who they et, where they move—everything.”
“Understood.”
“Things are going to get busier. You’ll need to start taking over Chief Ha’s duties one by one.”
My gaze t Chief Ma’s in midair.
His steady eyes made smile faintly.
“I’m leaving my back to you, Chief.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m going to rest a bit, then go et Park Dongsu. Please prepare.”
After finishing a call with Park Dongsu, I left the house.
The eting place turned out to be sowhere I technically owned but had never visited myself.
Geukseong Construction.
The organization mbers recognized and escorted to the top floor—President’s office.
“Dongsaeng!”
Park Dongsu, who’d been talking with Lee Sanggeun, rose from his seat with a grin.
“How is it? You handling things alright?”
As I took the seat at the head naturally, both n sat across from .
“What do I know? Sanggeun’s doing everything. Still, thanks to you, I got to be president of a construction company. Feels good.”
I nodded and looked at Dongsu.
“There are still so of our guys in prison, right?”
“Prison?”
“Yes. Guys you can trust.”
“There’s a few.”
“I’ll have them transferred to Yeongdeungpo Prison. I need them to do sothing for .”
“What is it? Just say the word.”
“My uncle will be transferred there. I need him completely isolated. No direct harm. But no one is to speak to him either. Intimidate him occasionally.”
Dongsu stared at in shock.
“Can you do it?”
The look in my eyes was cold as I t his gaze.
End.
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