» The Youngest Son of Sunyang
[261]Briefly Together 2
"President Yoon Hoil of Sunyang Life Insurance."
"Yes, Director."
President Yoon, whom I had appointed, had a much brighter expression than the others. The moment former President Yang Uchan appeared in the large conference room, he had a premonition of his own dismissal.
However, when I appeared instead of the two Vice Chairmen, who were expected to lead the board meeting, he couldn't have failed to notice that the tide had turned.
"Let's proceed with the board meeting quickly."
"Yes."
President Yoon Hoil pushed his chair back and stood up.
"I ask for your understanding in holding this integrated board meeting for Sunyang Group's financial affiliates for convenience, and I will now present the agenda for this interim board meeting."
He swept a gaze over the representative directors and continued speaking.
"First, the matter of the dismissal and appointment of the representative directors of Sunyang Life Insurance, Sunyang Card, Sunyang Fire, and Sunyang Securities. If anyone has an opinion, please speak up."
Everyone remained as silent as mutes who had swallowed honey, their lips tightly sealed, merely exchanging uneasy glances. My presence in this conference room signified that the major shareholder remained unchanged.
To propose dismissing a representative director appointed by such a major shareholder was no different from offering one's resignation. And no one in that room wished to resign.
President Yoon Hoil swept a gaze across the quiet room and re-confirmed.
"Are there none? Then we will move to the second agenda item. This concerns the dismissal of directors of the aforementioned companies."
I signaled to Vice President Jang Dohyung, and he quickly spoke up.
"I would like to make a brief statement regarding the meeting's proceedings."
When Vice President Jang spoke, looking at President Yoon Hoil, the latter nodded his head.
"To save time, I propose this: If there are no particular opinions regarding today's board meeting agenda, why don't we conclude the meeting?"
As everyone kept their mouths tightly shut and merely exchanged glances, President Yoon Hoil opened his mouth.
"I announce that today's board meeting agenda has been withdrawn due to a lack of opinions. With this, I will conclude the interim board meeting."
As soon as he finished speaking, one by one, they began to slowly get up from their seats, and Vice President Jang Dohyung spoke again.
"The presidents of each affiliate, please remain for a moment."
Taking this as a signal, the executives scurried out of the conference room as if fleeing.
The four presidents all had slightly flushed faces, whether from excitement or tension. They had resigned themselves to the humiliation of being ousted today, but they knew well that my continued presence, as the one who had appointed them to their representative director positions, meant they too were secure.
Vice President Jang Dohyung handed them a few sheets of paper.
"This is the newly compiled personnel list. Let's take this opportunity to completely purge the two Vice Chairmen's people. I can no longer tolerate these shameless individuals who pledge their loyalty elsewhere while drawing salaries from our company."
"Then this list...?"
"I distributed it for re-confirmation. Please check first if there's anyone on it I've misjudged."
They subtly glanced at my reaction as they began to review the names.
"Just in case, I'm telling you in advance. Don't mind my reaction; please judge accurately."
The large conference room, where the board meeting that had amounted to nothing was held, suddenly transformed into a personnel committee meeting.
After carefully reviewing it for nearly ten minutes, when they handed the list back, several names were marked with a pen.
"These individuals may be from the other side, but their skills and abilities are outstanding. To dismiss them like this, it's a bit..."
President Yoon Hoil said, subtly observing my reaction.
"The abilities you speak of, President, might stem from the prestige of holding an executive position at Sunyang. I would usually follow your wishes, but not this time. Don't consider their abilities; judge solely by which side they belong to. And scout talented individuals with excellent skills and abilities to fill those positions. Isn't that also a part of a representative director's duties?"
When the list was re-sorted, it wasn't much different from Vice President Jang Dohyung's initial assessment.
I pointed at the list and said firmly.
"Transfer all of those individuals to regional sales offices. In the case of Sunyang Card, they can even be sent to the debt collection department. Furthermore, I intend to completely overhaul up to the department head level. Don't leave a single person from that executive line; expel them all to the frontline sales offices."
"Even department heads?"
"Yes."
"If we clear out up to the department head level, it might get a bit noisy."
"Do I need to worry about that? Isn't it the absolute basic to handle things without creating a fuss?"
The presidents wiped away their awkward expressions and bowed their heads.
I spoke to Vice President Jang Dohyung.
"Vice President Jang, you will also join in. Issue the personnel appointments by tomorrow and report the results."
"Yes, Director."
As I stood up, the presidents also sprang to their feet.
"Ensure that the two Vice Chairmen don't even dare to call for another board meeting to seize control of the financial group. You must build such a robust organization that even if they try to remove you and install others, they won't find anyone suitable. This mass dismissal isn't just for me; it's for all of you as well."
Leaving them, still bowed, behind me, I exited the conference room.
The major hurdle had been overcome, and it was time to build stronger defenses.
* * *
"...I deeply apologize for causing confusion due to a hasty investigation that failed to properly verify reports and evidence. Furthermore, I extend my apologies to those who suffered unnecessary misunderstandings because of this matter.
I intend to leave the prosecutor's office, taking responsibility for tarnishing its honor due to my personal mistake..."
"What did you decide to do with that guy?"
"He'll be joining my father's company's legal team. He's not at a loss, considering he's being brought in for ten times a prosecutor's salary."
"One press conference, and his fortune is remade."
Vice Chairman Jin Donggi and I confirmed the prosecutor's second press conference – the one who had initially pulled the trigger – and then turned off the TV.
"What about the Labuan money?"
"After I finish things here, I'll fly there personally and withdraw it. And I will destroy all the data."
"Don't even think about using it twice. I trust you're smart enough not to do something so foolish."
"You can trust me. We're on the same side, having even signed the joint voting rights agreement."
We each gathered the documents we had signed.
"Speaking of being on the same side, this time you went too far. Pruning up to the department head level will spoil the atmosphere of the entire group. It's not good for the owner family's share disputes to affect even ordinary employees."
"You don't know the half of it. For salaried workers in ties, every day is a tightrope walk. Since all department heads and above were removed, the assistant managers and managers who've seized promotion opportunities will be rejoicing. The surviving department heads will be flaring their nostrils at the thought of becoming executives. It's probably a festive atmosphere right now."
My uncle offered a bitter smile and subtly introduced another topic.
"It's not too late for you to walk the tightrope either. Sweet-talk Miracle well and draw up a grand plan. If you and I both curb our ambitions a bit, dividing Sunyang Group isn't an impossible task."
"I'll think about it until I'm a bit older. Being young is quite a handicap in management, you see."
"I can't wait that long. My mind can change anytime."
"I'll keep that in mind, Uncle. Heh heh."
As I chuckled and turned to leave, the door burst open, and a sharp, shrill voice erupted.
"Donggi! What are you doing with that rascal?"
"Oh, Mother."
My uncle was startled by Grandmother's sudden appearance and sprang to his feet.
Annoyance welled up the moment I saw her, but I couldn't remain seated alone, so I slowly rose. Grandmother then shouted at me.
"Do you no longer greet this old woman?"
With my mouth shut, I merely bowed my head slightly.
"That, that..."
As Grandmother's eyes flared at my impolite demeanor, my uncle signaled to me, then stepped in front of her.
"Mother, please sit down first. There's no reason to be angry, so calm yourself."
There was no reason for me to hesitate and observe their reactions, so I bowed to my uncle and made my exit.
I took her blazing gaze, fixed on me until I was out of sight, to heart.
Suddenly missing my grandfather, I took out my phone.
"We're going to Gunsan. Now! Prepare."
* * *
"Why Gunsan, all of a sudden?"
"Executive Director Woo, you haven't visited the grave yourself yet, have you? I'm trying to create an opportunity for you, as I don't know when you might go."
Executive Director Woo Byungjun smiled subtly.
"Is that the only reason?"
"Are you saying you don't trust me...?"
"Of course. Heh heh."
Inside the moving car, we smiled at each other.
"Well... it's partly because something has come up for which I might need to ask forgiveness, so I'm going to apologize in advance. But the main purpose is because of you, Executive Director Woo."
Suddenly, the smile vanished from Executive Director Woo's face.
"Is it because of Madam Lee Pilok?"
No one could match his perceptiveness.
"Is there any progress on the matter I instructed you on?"
"Yes. I was about to report it anyway. I waited because you seemed preoccupied with the board meeting."
"It's not clean, then."
"No. But there's no evidence at the level you desire. I've heard all the general circumstances from the mouths of those low-lives, but they won't testify."
"If they handled the matter cleanly, there should be a master of covering tracks, shouldn't there?"
Executive Director Woo Byungjun hesitated for a moment. It was an attitude that allowed me to guess who he meant.
"A person like you, Executive Director."
"Yes. Someone who has worked by Madam Lee's side for a very long time. Known for doing work exceptionally well."
"Then, if we probe the people who worked under them, wouldn't something come out?"
Woo Byungjun shook his head briefly and spoke to the employee in the passenger seat.
"Hey. What would you do if someone approached you?"
The employee in the passenger seat replied without looking back.
"I will pretend to be fooled until I confirm who sent them and what their purpose is."
"And then?"
"When it's too difficult for me to handle on my own, I will report to you, Executive Director."
"What if they tempt you with billions of won?"
"Oh, Executive Director, why ask such a thing? I want to live a long life."
Executive Director Woo Byungjun then turned to me and said.
"It's the same on their side. If we approach carelessly, we'll ruin everything."
Not billions, but tens of billions. And even if we approached with the condition of guaranteed safety, would such an answer still come?
Oh, right.
The one who killed me said something similar.
"We might be a bit foolish. But we're not so foolish as to covet a prize we can't swallow."
The guy who killed me was one who refused hundreds of billions of won.
It truly varies from person to person. I should abandon the thought that everyone can be bought with money.
"Well... let's find a way. No matter how sturdy the fortress wall, isn't there always at least one little hole?"
The car sped towards Gunsan.
As Sunyang Museum came into view, Woo Byungjun's eyes changed.
Surely, he wouldn't burst into tears, would he?
We got out of the car and walked towards the sunny park behind the museum, then stopped.
"Executive Director Woo, please go up first. I'll have a cup of coffee and follow slowly."
Executive Director Woo hesitated, then bowed his head.
"Thank you for your consideration."
After Executive Director Woo disappeared with quick steps, I drank coffee at the cafe by the museum entrance.
After about thirty minutes, I left the cafe.
When I arrived at my grandfather's grave, Executive Director Woo Byungjun was pulling weeds around the burial mound by hand, his eyes swollen.
I offered my greetings to my grandfather and slowly began to speak.
"I will not be able to keep my promise. However, it's not that I haven't forgiven Grandmother for the wrongs she committed in the past. It's not for the past, but for my future, that I must make an unavoidable choice."
Executive Director Woo Byungjun slowly came to my side and spoke.
"Can you tell me what choice you will make?"
"I will have Grandmother sent back to her Switzerland villa. I intend to take care of her retirement there, allowing her to simply breathe and live without doing anything."
Woo Byungjun nodded his head lightly.
"That sounds like a comfortable retirement that most people dream of. It doesn't seem like something you need to ask the Chairman for forgiveness for."
We smiled at each other once more.