» The Youngest Son of Sunyang
Reborn Rich - Chapter 245
[245] Five-Day Funeral 3
"Chief Prosecutor. You must be busy with official duties, yet you've taken the trouble to come."
"Nonsense. Isn't this a place I should naturally be?"
"Did you encounter any inconvenience on your way here?"
"As I was coming in, seeing that not a single reporter was loitering around this neighborhood, it seems you took great care."
Chief Prosecutor Kim Seokhwi of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office found it unusual that at the funeral of the giant of the Korean economy, only a dozen police officers were milling about, merely assisting with parking, and he merely guessed that Sunyang Group had probably intervened.
"Rather than us taking care of it, it's because of the turbulent political situation right now. All those reporters with cameras slung over their shoulders have set up camp in Yeouido, haven't they? No media outlet has the luxury to focus here."
"Ah, I see. Since things are on the verge of exploding over there..."
The Chief Prosecutor, who had come to pay his respects, spoke with the two Vice Chairmen who had quietly called him aside, calming his excited mind.
Chairman Jin had called him into his study, and after a brief conversation, he had been promoted to Chief Prosecutor.
He had waited, hoping that if he were called just one more time, he might become the Prosecutor General, but that opportunity had vanished forever.
It was a simple visit to pay respects, abandoning all expectations, but since Chairman Jin's successors had called him, he couldn't help but feel excited again.
"Chief Prosecutor."
"Yes. Please speak."
Chief Prosecutor Kim Seokhwi perked up his ears.
"With Father, who was the pillar of the group, now gone, we are facing great difficulties."
"What are you talking about? With both Vice Chairmen standing firm... now that there are two pillars, won't it be even more solid?"
"There are two pillars, but the sole cornerstone is weak. So, we are trying to lay two sturdy cornerstones again, and the Chief Prosecutor's help is desperately needed."
At Jin Donggi's polite demeanor, the Chief Prosecutor immediately caught on.
There was clearly a problem with the two sons taking control of Sunyang Group.
If it were a legal issue, they would seek a large law firm or a high-ranking legal professional capable of receiving special treatment as a former official.
They would give a large sum to a high-ranking legal professional, have them resign from public office, and then use them as their dedicated lawyer.
Isn't this the ABCs of how chaebols solve legal problems?
If it wasn't a legal issue, it meant they needed his current power as Chief Prosecutor.
Either way, it was a good opportunity not to be missed.
"Just say the word. Have I owed the late Chairman only once or twice? Of course I must help."
The Chief Prosecutor, who had been speaking with a bright smile, withdrew his smile upon seeing the expressions of the two Vice Chairmen. It was because the two men staring at him had deeply furrowed brows.
The flustered Chief Prosecutor quickly re-evaluated what his mistake was.
And he realized he had used one word incorrectly.
"Oh dear, I misspoke. To say 'help you'... please don't misunderstand. It is something I must do."
At his words that he "must do it," the expressions of the two men softened.
"To hear you say that puts my mind at ease."
As Jin Younggi nodded, his younger brother took over.
"We want to remove the cornerstone Father used and lay a new cornerstone that we, his brothers, will use, but there is someone obstructing us. He's brazenly sitting on the old cornerstone and won't move."
"Oh, is that really happening?"
"Yes. If we acted on our thoughts, we'd want to just whisk him away and remove him... but he was someone Father valued greatly, and we also have to maintain a certain level of decorum, so we've just been watching. However, it's getting difficult to stand by any longer."
Jin Younggi added another word.
"While decorum is important, and treatment is important, if the pillar of Sunyang Group can't settle in due to that, what will happen? If Sunyang falters, won't the Korean economy falter?"
The Chief Prosecutor found it absurd that they were bringing up the national economy for a matter that was, at best, merely solidifying the management rights of a private company, but to not miss the opportunity, he had to agree. And genuinely so.
"Naturally. If the leader falters, the rest are bound to become disoriented. Sunyang's management rights must be firmly established on solid ground."
The Chief Prosecutor realized what they wanted.
"Who is it? I will lend my strength to remove that person."
At the Chief Prosecutor's words, the two brothers exchanged glances and spoke.
"It will be a bit burdensome. Because it's none other than Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae."
"What? Chief Lee...?"
Chief Prosecutor Kim Seokhwi widened his eyes.
He wasn't just some old-fashioned executive from the past. He was the man who, just a few days ago, represented Chairman Jin and wielded power over the world.
Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae's influence reached everywhere. He was not someone who would stand idly by if he knew someone was sharpening a knife behind his back.
Seeing the Chief Prosecutor's expression harden instantly, the two brothers spoke.
"Well, seeing the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, who is said to 'make even flying birds fall,' get so tense, it seems Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae truly is formidable."
"Even so, he's just a kite with a snapped string, nothing more. If Sunyang doesn't cover for him, he's just an unemployed middle-aged man kicked out of the company."
Jin Younggi spoke indifferently, but the Chief Prosecutor's expression didn't brighten.
The moment he ordered a background check on Lee Hakjae, it would reach Chief of Staff Lee Hakjae's ears. And it was obvious he'd receive a furious call from the Prosecutor General, so there was no way he could feel at ease.
Jin Donggi had to put this coward's mind at ease. This matter had already begun, and they couldn't possibly go easy on each person, one by one, could they?
"Chief Prosecutor."
"Yes."
"Do you know about hyenas?"
"What? Hyenas? They only eat rotten meat, they say..."
"You're mistaken. Hyenas can indeed eat rotten meat, but in reality, they are pack hunters."
"Oh, is that so?"
The Chief Prosecutor felt a little displeased, wondering if they were likening him to a hyena.
"Have you ever seen a pack of hyenas hunting an old lion?"
"What? Oh, no."
"In truth, an old lion, driven out by younger male lions due to old age, isn't very threatening. However, other predators fear him simply because he's a lion. But hyenas are extremely clever. The bravest one in the pack approaches and subtly provokes him."
What could it be? Is Jin Donggi likening him to the brave hyena?
"But the old lion merely roars loudly, and doesn't attack the hyena that provoked him. Because in his eyes, he sees dozens of hyenas. All he can do is threaten them so they don't attack simultaneously. In truth, he can't even guarantee winning a one-on-one fight, so he has no choice."
The Chief Prosecutor understood why he was telling this story. This wasn't a story about hyenas; it was a story about an old lion.
"The pack of hyenas understood. 'That old lion has no power and poses no threat...' Now, only the old lion's final fate remains: to be mercilessly torn apart by the hyena pack."
"Are you saying you want me to be the bravest hyena?"
"Of course not. How could our Chief Prosecutor do such a thing? The Criminal Planning Division of the Ministry of Justice will handle that task. You, Chief Prosecutor, merely need to give the signal for the rest of the hyenas to charge simultaneously."
The Chief Prosecutor's expression brightened considerably.
At least he had avoided the role of an infantryman charging at the very front. No matter how much Sunyang's successors demanded it, he had bought himself time to assess the situation.
If Lee Hakjae wasn't an old lion, but merely appeared old, and his strong teeth and claws were still intact, then he could simply retreat.
The Chief Prosecutor's face brightened once more.
"No problem. If you have nothing further to say, I'll take my leave. I hope I haven't taken up too much of your time. After all, there must be a line of mourners waiting."
"Let them all wait, I suppose. You, Chief Prosecutor, are a more important person. Haha."
As Jin Donggi spoke flattering words, Jin Younggi also added something.
"This time, Mother brought back a few paintings when she returned from Europe. Among them, a painting by a French artist whose value is currently soaring has been placed in your car, Chief Prosecutor. You can hang it at home and admire it, or you can sell it back to our Sunyang Arts Foundation. That's fine too."
"Oh dear, such a thing... You really didn't have to go to such trouble..."
"Not at all. I'm no expert in art, but at a glance, it looks like a very expensive painting."
The painting wasn't important. The fact that it could be resold was important.
What good was a mere splash of paint hung at home? Weren't thick stacks of banknotes far more beautiful?
The Chief Prosecutor, as if he had forgotten this was a house in mourning, kept smiling as he withdrew.
"Will that guy do well?"
"Who can you trust? You have to mobilize everyone you can."
The brothers, seemingly tired, kept pressing their temples.
"Let's go downstairs. We have to meet more people."
"Who is it this time?"
"Branch managers of state-owned banks. They're holding our shares, which will become worthless, won't they? We need to set them up in advance."
The two men, dragging their weary bodies, went downstairs.
* * *
"This is today's list."
Assistant Manager Kim Yoonseok approached me and subtly handed me a piece of paper with notes.
"Anything special?"
"I've checked it on the memo. But it seems what was loaded into the car trunk was a painting."
"A painting?"
"Yes. He said it was clearly a large framed painting. It was well wrapped in a box and cloth."
"What about money?"
"None so far. It's all paintings."
It's a new method of money laundering.
They give a painting and buy it back. Since it's a painting of unknown origin, there's no need to record who sold it. However, the money paid to buy the painting can be processed as an acquisition expense.
It's a new scheme to write off bribes as expenses.
"Anything unusual?"
"The people with whom they held the longest private conversations were all from the prosecution, including the Ministry of Justice."
"The prosecution?"
"Yes."
That's strange.
Because of the presidential impeachment, the political situation is unpredictable. Shouldn't they be talking a lot with politicians?
But the prosecution?
If the prosecution were pointing its sword at our group, that would be one thing, but there are no signs of that.
If not the company, then it must be a person...
Could it be me?
Could they be trying to move the prosecution at Grandmother's urging, who explicitly wants to remove me from the group? Was this what they talked about in Grandfather's study back then?
Even if the prosecution investigates me, they won't find anything.
But doesn't the prosecution easily fabricate crimes that don't exist, and erase crimes that do?
I shouldn't feel safe just because it's Grandfather's funeral. They are using Grandfather's funeral to hatch a conspiracy.
To avoid regretting it, it seemed I also needed to prepare countermeasures.
"Assistant Manager Kim. Please prepare the car so we don't attract attention. I'm going home now."
"Yes."
Assistant Manager Kim didn't even ask why, and immediately ran out.
* * *
Comparing the names on the memo Assistant Manager Kim handed me with the notes Grandfather left behind, I compiled a list of overlapping names.
The first thing I needed to ascertain now was to confirm the target list that the prosecutors who came to the funeral today received from my uncles.
If my face was drawn on that target list, a counterattack might be difficult, but I had to make the prosecution tear up the target list themselves.
After organizing what needed to be done, I had Assistant Manager Kim Yoonseok, who was waiting in the living room, prepare money.
"Please retrieve 2 billion won as quickly as possible."
"How should I disperse it?"
"Let's divide it into 100 million won each."
"Understood."
Assistant Manager Kim, perhaps sensing the urgency, quickly rushed out.
A short while later, CEO Oh Sehyun grumbled as he entered.
"Hey. You could've just done it by phone, why meet in person? Aren't you busy?"
"I am busy, but there are people making me even busier."
Oh Sehyun, seeing my serious expression, asked gravely.
"What's wrong?"
I explained in detail what had happened today and handed him the list from the memo.
Oh Sehyun began scrutinizing the memo.