I stepped out for a mont, thinking it might help them decide faster.
As soon as I exited the chairman’s office, I was back in a plain, empty-looking space without even a decent potted plant.
'Haa... I’ll never get used to this layout.'
I could feel the glances of employees sneaking peeks at .
Keeping my expression neutral, I spoke quietly to Chief Ma.
“If we wrap this up well, we’ll begin construction on the Daechi-dong site. Daehyeon Construction will handle the project, and Geukseong Construction will subcontract underneath. Please contact Geukseong separately, Chief Ma. As for Daehyeon, I’ll speak directly to Chairman Song. Set up a eting.”
“Understood.”
As we were wrapping up the post-eting plans, the CFO erged looking like he’d aged ten years.
“Please go back in. I’ll prepare the paperwork and return shortly. Will you need a lawyer present?”
“I’ll call one now.”
The CFO scurried off sowhere.
I took out the direct number of Yoon Jaeha’s father, the one few people were allowed to use.
—“Yoon Hyungmin speaking.”
“Father, it’s Kim Muhyuk. It’s been a while. How have you been?”
—“Muhyuk? What’s the matter? I doubt this is just a courtesy call.”
“I’m at Hyunbo Group’s HQ right now, and I need a lawyer. Soone well-versed in corporate transactions.”
—“I thought Chairman Cheon had his own set of lawyers.”
“Would I dare work with anyone else when you’re available? My grandfather and I operate separately. I’d really appreciate your help. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing each other often, so please send soone competent in your eyes.”
—“Hahaha. I thought so last ti too—you’re an interesting one. My son certainly made a good friend. Alright, I’ll send my ace.”
Yoon & Jang Law Office—co-led by Yoon Hyungmin.
Not a law firm, but a law office.
And yet it was the #1 na in the Korean legal field.
They were the best—and the worst. For the right price, they’d do anything. Known for their ruthless efficiency and win-at-all-costs ntality, they were feared for good reason.
“But they’re worth every penny.”
Other law firms hesitated to face them in court.
For their clients, they’d do anything—fabricate evidence, bribe witnesses, lobby, hand out bribes... tenacious and vicious, they stopped at nothing to win.
At this point in ti, their dark reputation hadn’t reached the public. Only insiders in the legal field knew what they were capable of.
But for now, I only needed a lawyer who could get things done.
I returned to the chairman’s office and sat down. Chairman Jang looked exhausted and didn’t even glance at .
The silence dragged on, heavy and awkward.
“So I heard you ousted your uncles and took their place. You’re just like Chairman Cheon.”
Maybe he had more to say. Just as I thought that, his sharp voice pierced the air.
“I’ll take that as a complint.”
Clearly ant to be sarcasm, but it didn’t faze in the least.
When I remained unfazed, Chairman Jang seed frustrated and added bitterly,
“Don’t get cocky. That arrogance may just co back to strangle you.”
Of all people to hear that from—him.
I nearly laughed out loud.
He probably had no idea his managent would one day help trigger the financial crisis in Korea.
The final chapter of cozy ties between business and governnt always ends in ruin.
I was no saint.
But I wasn’t here to destroy him.
Still, unlike last ti, I wasn’t going to let him run away abroad.
I kept my expression pleasant as I responded.
“I’ll take it to heart.”
Even after provoking , my dry reply seed to deflate him. He gave up and shut his mouth.
Just when the silence was becoming unbearable, the lawyer arrived.
“Hello, I’m Lee Byungjoo.”
A man in his late 30s entered and greeted . He looked plain—almost modest. It was hard to believe he was from the notoriously brutal Yoon & Jang Law Office.
“You’re the one sent by Father, right?”
“Yes, I work at Yoon & Jang.”
“I’m counting on you. We’ll be seeing a lot of each other, so let’s do proper introductions later.”
“Understood.”
Lee Byungjoo sat beside .
True to Yoon & Jang’s reputation of bowing to no one but their clients, he didn’t even greet Chairman Jang.
“Ahem.”
Chairman Jang awkwardly cleared his throat, but Lee didn’t budge.
“What’s the job?”
“We’re transferring bonds and shares in exchange for land. One of them is unregistered, so the ownership transfer process will be a bit tricky. The other is about 1,000 pyeong in Daechi-dong. That one’s owned by Hyunbo Construction and should be more straightforward.”
A simple explanation—but Lee replied with confidence.
“Sounds easy.”
Looked like Yoon Hyungmin had sent soone truly capable.
A mont later, the CFO returned with another man.
“This is our group’s legal director.”
They introduced themselves briefly and got to work on the docunts.
It was tedious, but I had to wait since my signature was required.
After over two hours, the final contract was ready and I signed it.
“I’ll handle execution of the transaction.”
Lee ant he’d handle the stock transfers and ownership changes. I nodded and stood.
“I’ll leave it in your hands, Attorney Lee.”
“Yes, sir.”
Chief Ma and I exited the worn-down office building.
As we got into the car, I spoke.
“Let’s go see Chairman Song.”
I planned to finish everything today so that construction could begin imdiately.
When we arrived at Chairman Song’s house, the familiar secretary ca out and led Chief Ma inside.
It had been a while since I last saw Chairman ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) Song, and he looked noticeably more worn down.
Not by choice—he’d been forced into retirent under political pressure, and it clearly weighed on him.
“Chairman, it’s been a while. I’ve been distant lately. Sorry about that.”
“Heh, co on in. Sit down.”
Though he smiled, the shadows on his face were deeper than ever—this was a man who had spent decades on the field.
“You’re looking a bit rough. Are you taking care of your health?”
“Haha, I’m still fine. No need to worry. So, what brings you here today?”
“Sharp as always, sir.”
“Don’t butter up. You think I don’t know you? I told you to et my granddaughter, but you kept dodging it. You wouldn’t show up unless you had a reason.”
At first, I used to co to Chairman Song often for advice. Well—more like to hear his stories.
“Hahaha...”
I tried to brush it off with an awkward laugh, but Chairman Song squinted at .
“She’s nineteen now. Grown up. Don’t call her a kid. Since you’re here today, at least et her once.”
'Haa... So it cos to this, huh.'
“Just to say hello.”
“Stubborn brat. You’re just like that old Cheon blood of yours... tsk.”
Though his tone was scolding, the gloom on his face lightened just a little.
“Alright. So, what’s the real reason you’re here?”
“You heard I acquired Geukseong Construction, right?”
Chairman Song nodded without replying.
“This ti, while settling the Hyunbo bond, I took land in Daechi-dong instead of money. I’d like to build a tower there, but the project’s too big for Geukseong to handle alone.”
“Ha, Daechi-dong? Chairman Jang gave that up?”
I explained the whole negotiation and pressure tactics.
Chairman Song laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! I wish I could’ve seen Chairman Jang’s face. To be beaten not by Cheon Taesan but by his grandson? Hahahaha!”
Still laughing, he asked,
“So you want Daehyeon to be the main contractor?”
“Yes. Even if Geukseong does the actual construction, I’d like Daehyeon to be the formal builder. That site’s quite tricky to work with.”
“Look at this sly little fox. You want us to handle the zoning changes too, don’t you?”
I could lobby and get the land rezoned myself. But Daehyeon Construction would get it done much faster.
Speed was crucial.
Construction had to be completed no later than early 1998. It was too tight for Geukseong alone.
“I’m on a bit of a schedule. I want to shorten the construction period. Please help out.”
“You brat, I’m retired now. I have no pull. You should be talking to the Daehyeon president.”
Chairman Song played hard to get.
“He’s too stiff.”
“What? So I’m soft and squishy?”
“No, just... not as rigid. And I’ve known you longer.”
He glared at , amused by my cheekiness.
“You rascal. Fine. But only if you et my granddaughter today.”
“Deal.”
Chairman Song called his secretary and summoned the president of Daehyeon Construction to his house.
As we chatted, I stepped outside when the Daehyeon president arrived.
I sat on the sa garden bench as I did my first ti here, lost in thought.
'What exactly happened to Daehyeon during the IMF crisis...?'
As I closed my eyes to recall, a shadow blocked the sunlight.
I looked up to see a young woman standing in front of .
“Hello.”
She looked around Jiyoung’s age.
“Hello. Are you Chairman Song’s granddaughter?”
“Yes, I’m Song Hyeonji.”
I rose from the bench.
“Nice to et you. I’m Kim Muhyuk.”
I had never seen her before.
Was there ever a girl nad Song Hyeonji in the Song family?
“Grandpa said you didn’t want to et ? I’ve never been treated like this before.”
Her bluntness caught off guard—I was montarily speechless.
“He said he kept asking you to et and you kept saying no.”
“Haha...”
'Chairman Song, why would you say that to her so bluntly...'
“I declined because you seed too young.”
“Soone hearing this would think you’re in your thirties. You’re twenty-two, right? You were in your last year of high school when I was in my last year of middle school.”
For soone from Korea’s top chaebol family, she was easygoing and unfiltered. I smiled.
She smiled back.
And her smile was beautiful.
“If I offended you, I apologize. Even if the age gap isn’t big, I think there’s a difference between two minors dating and an adult dating a minor.”
“Wow, that’s so old-fashioned. My family’s always paired kids up from a young age, saying ‘You two should get married when you grow up.’ But you’re different? And why are you so formal?”
“It’s our first eting...”
“Oppa, don’t tell this is your first ti dating?”
I’ve even been married before.
“Nope.”
“You’re still being formal. I’m going to use informal speech.”
This was a first for .
“Alright, go ahead. I’ll do the sa.”
“Now you sound like a real 20-sothing. You do realize you’re a bit outdated, right?”
“That’s the first I’ve heard that.”
Song Hyeonji kept chatting without pause.
Just like any girl her age.
I nodded along, matching her energy.
“What did Grandpa say about ?”
“About you?”
“Yeah. What did he say?”
“Just... that you’re the richest person in Korea?”
I burst into laughter.
“Why? Isn’t that a complint?”
She tilted her head cutely.
“Aren’t you the type to play coy?”
“Coy? Why would I pretend with soone who knows everything already? We’re not normal people. It’d be fake to act like we are. Don’t you think?”
Without realizing it, I nodded.
“Well, we’ve t now, so we’re done, right?”
“Wow, you’re hilarious. Oppa, I’m not the kind of girl who gets treated like this.”
“Hahaha.”
It was actually a fun conversation.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t recall anyone nad Song Hyeonji in Daehyeon’s family.
I didn’t know what kind of secret surrounded her, but I liked her already.
“What exactly did your grandfather tell you?”
“Oh, co on! I wasn’t gonna say this but...”
She leaned in as if about to share a big secret.
My heart started to race.
“The truth is...”
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