CH141 | Heir

Captain Kang's Office.

I clenched my fists tightly as I watched the news.

Seeing me like that, Captain Kang quietly placed a cup of warm water on the desk in front of me.

“The prosecution’s investigation will wrap up quickly. I’ve already heard from our line in the prosecution office.”

“The investigation ending quickly isn’t the issue. The real problem is that such a humiliating scene was broadcasted on TV. A company with 0% debt ratio—what profit would we even gain from window dressing?”

On the news, my grandfather was shown entering the prosecutor’s office.

Usually, corporate chairmen would show up in wheelchairs to stand before the press. But my grandfather walked in with his back straight, proud as ever.

He even gave a brief press conference in front of the reporters.

“There are many cases where past practices, which were not considered problematic before, are now being questioned by today’s standards. Tae-woo Group is taking the lead in eliminating such outdated customs. While I believe it is harsh to judge the past with today's standards, I will cooperate fully and provide sincere explanations.”

Some journalists from media outlets friendly with our competitors threw provocative questions.

“Didn’t you intentionally commit accounting fraud to boost stock prices?”

“Isn't Tae-woo Group's rise to No.1 in the business world due to fraudulent accounting?”

Even with such nasty questions, my grandfather didn't so much as frown and silently walked into the prosecutor's office.

“Haa... I never wanted to see that sight again.”

I let out a long sigh.

“What’s the progress on Yoon Hyun-gil?”

“We successfully cut off his right-hand man, Chief of Staff Joo Kang-tae. The prosecution has already conducted a search and seizure, and they've secured significant evidence of various charges.”

“Well done. Since we had to suffer humiliation, shouldn’t he taste the same bitterness?”

“Honestly... I'd like to throw Congressman Yoon in jail right now.”

“We can’t lock him up yet. Only when we’ve completely tightened the noose from all sides will he understand the price of messing with Tae-woo Group.”

We were methodically stripping away Yoon Hyun-gil’s power and influence—starting with the connections he'd built over five terms in office.

“And for the next general election... Attorney Shin Young-seop has decided to run in Yoon Hyun-gil’s district.”

“Once a politician loses the support of their own constituency… their career is as good as dead.”

“Attorney Shin Young-seop has enough nationwide recognition to get elected anywhere.”

Yoon Hyun-gil's five consecutive victories came down to one simple reason:

His district was a remote rural area—so remote that no other prominent politicians bothered to run against him.

That’s why even after five terms, his name wasn’t widely known.

Without a proper competitor, how could he ever have made headlines?

But things had changed now.

With a nationally recognized figure like Shin Young-seop entering the race, the political landscape would shift dramatically.

“Leak a few of Yoon Hyun-gil’s sensitive information to the opposition party.”

“I’ll choose information that will make his own party start distancing themselves from him.”

Losing his right-hand man,
Losing his district,
And if his party turned their backs on him too?

Even a five-term congressman wouldn't survive that kind of isolation.

And after cutting off every single one of his limbs...

I'd serve Yoon Hyun-gil up as the final piece of bait.

The confidence of Assemblyman Yoon, who considers himself a presidential candidate, could crumble in an instant.

"And report all companies connected to Assemblyman Yoon."

"We can fully prove the charges using the data sent from Russia."

Yoon had connections with construction companies due to his time at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.

The reason construction companies wanted to get close to Yoon was ultimately to gain benefits.

However, if a sentiment began to form that the closer they got to him, the more losses they would suffer, they would immediately turn their backs on him.

"Taewoo Construction will also cut ties with any construction company associated with Assemblyman Yoon."

"What if there are companies that refuse to sever ties with him?"

"Then they'll have to play a game of chicken with us. We'll bid on every project they're trying to win and snatch the contracts away. For us, it'll only result in minor losses, but small and medium-sized construction companies would be on the verge of collapse."

In fact, I could ruin Assemblyman Yoon using only the evidence I had in hand.

But wouldn't it be too boring if it ended that easily?

I wanted to completely destroy him first — then decide whether to make him my slave or execute him.

***

Yoon's Office

The office, once filled with more than ten aides and staff, was now occupied by a single new employee who had been there for less than six months.

"Assemblyman Yoon, Taesan Construction has contacted us."

"What did they say?"

"...They hurled insults. So, I hung up."

How frustrating.

Cutting off a call just because the other party was swearing.

A seasoned aide would have kept the conversation going somehow, trying to extract even the smallest piece of information.

What could I expect from a rookie?

With all the senior staff gone, I was simply grateful that someone was still holding their post.

"You've worked hard."

"And there was also a call from the party. They asked you to leave the party voluntarily before being referred to the Ethics Committee."

"So that's what the party says? I made the party leader who he is, and now they want to kick me out?"

Every election requires a lot of money.

The party leader election was no exception, and Yoon had helped elect a candidate who could later secure his spot as a presidential nominee.

Just last month, that same leader had called to express his gratitude.

But now that he was no longer needed, the party wanted him to step down on his own.

"Anything else?"

"I'll be leaving as well. I thought a congressman's office was a place where people worked for the national interest, but I didn't know it was just a place to be cursed at all day."

"Do you have somewhere to work if you leave? I can help you find a job."

"It's okay. I've been accepted into Taewoo Construction's open recruitment."

Could I possibly introduce him to a better job than Taewoo Group?

For a brief moment, Assemblyman Yoon entertained the thought, but soon his body trembled.

To think Taewoo Group would be vicious enough to even poach the youngest staff member.

At this rate, everything he had would end up being taken by Taewoo Group.

He tried to think politically.

To block the opponent's attack, he had to attack as well.

How should he strike at Taewoo Group? Should he hold another press conference?

"I'll be resigning, then."

How could he possibly launch an attack?

He couldn't even hold on to his youngest staff member.

The news of his last remaining employee leaving broke Yoon's fighting spirit.

As he sank into deep loneliness—

Knock knock.

Someone knocked and entered the office.

"Senior, it's been a while."

"Isn't this Assemblyman Kim Byung-tae? What brings you here without an appointment? Come in and have a seat."

Assemblyman Yoon Hyun-gil welcomed him as if he'd found an oasis in the desert.

Kim was not only a fellow university alumnus but someone with whom he shared a deep bond.

He thought everyone had abandoned him — but at least his school alumni hadn't.

"I'm fine without tea. More importantly, what will you do now? Your situation is already spreading like wildfire in Yeouido."

"What are they saying?"

"There's a rumor that just being photographed with you would lead to complete ruin."

"...Don't tell me you're here on Taewoo Group's orders as well?"

"Do you think I have the power to do something like that? Orders came from above."

The oasis was a mirage.

His school junior wasn't on his side — he was on Taewoo Group's side.

"So what does 'above' expect me to do?"

"You must tie up the loose ends yourself. Since you caused this mess, you need to clean it up yourself."

"What more can I do from here? I've already stopped raising suspicions about Taewoo Group."

"Do you really think stopping the accusations will solve this problem? You should have stopped before Chairman Kim Tae-jung stood in front of the prosecution's photo line."

"Then are you telling me to kneel in front of Chairman Kim and beg for forgiveness?"

"That depends on your choice, senior. Whether you kneel or commit seppuku, just clean this up quickly. The party is feeling a huge burden."

Large corporations and politicians had always been in a symbiotic relationship.

Regardless of whether they were from the ruling party or the opposition, securing election funds required corporate support.

Assemblyman Yoon was well aware of that fact — yet he attacked Taewoo Group to gain the upper hand.

How could a politician allow himself to be dragged around by businessmen?

He planned to stand above them and use the businessmen like ATMs.

He would toss them a few bills as commission, passing a couple of favorable laws to maintain appearances — that kind of relationship.

But Taewoo Group didn't want that type of relationship, and even the lawmakers who had once shared Yoon's vision had all turned their backs on him.

"Don't tell me Taewoo Group threatened to cut off political funding? How could a politician be led around by some mere corporation?"

"Please, don't say such dangerous things. Is this the military dictatorship era? Companies don't hand out money to politicians without reason anymore. It has to be a mutual relationship — unilateral demands won't work."

"So now you're lecturing me, huh?"

"I won't waste any more words. Restore your relationship with Taewoo Group. That's the only way to resolve this issue."

Bang!

Assemblyman Kim Byung-tae slammed the door shut as he left.

In the silent office, the loneliness pressing down on Yoon Hyun-gil only grew heavier.

***

The next day

I met with Assemblyman Yoon Hyun-gil.

The moment he saw me, he dropped to his knees.

"I'm sorry. My misguided actions have caused immense damage to Taewoo Group. I've committed an unforgivable sin."

"Then you should have died. Why are you still alive, bowing your head?"

I spoke my true feelings without hesitation.

I could afford to be this bold because Captain Kang had personally searched Yoon Hyun-gil for any recording devices and confirmed he wasn't carrying any.

That wasn't all.

Captain Kang had also installed newly imported equipment from the U.S. around the restaurant, completely blocking any wiretapping attempts.

"If you order me to die, I will. There's no reason to cling to life if it means I can atone. But... I feared that my death might cause new trouble for Taewoo Group, so I stayed alive."

"You really have a roundabout way of saying you don't want to die."

"...Please spare me. I'll live as Taewoo Group's slave. If you tell me to bark, I'll bark. If you tell me to bite, I'll bite — a loyal dog."

The situation I had been waiting for had finally come.

Yoon Hyun-gil was volunteering to become a slave.

But I wasn't satisfied yet.

I wasn't naive enough to believe the words of a five-term assemblyman.

I needed to drag him even deeper into the abyss — only then could I decide whether to use him as a dog or a slave.

"Even if I wanted to use you as a dog, your past is far too messy. I'm surprised you haven't ended up in prison yet."

Thud!

I tossed a thick envelope in front of him.

The documents inside were information obtained from the U.S., China, and Russia — a collection of Yoon Hyun-gil's darkest secrets that no one, not even the press, knew about.

"H-How did you get this...?"

"Gathering information like this isn't even difficult. Haven't you heard the rumors? Taewoo Group's intelligence network is better than the National Intelligence Service."

Assemblyman Yoon Hyun-gil trembled like a frightened dog.

He must have never imagined that I would have this kind of evidence in my hands.

"So... did Taewoo Group really look that easy to you? You thought you'd use us to boost your public image by attacking us?"

"P-Please... I'll take full responsibility. Just spare my family... I'm begging you."

The dossier contained information not only about Yoon Hyun-gil but also about his entire family.

Especially his son — a walking disaster.

Draft dodging, habitual assault, drunk driving — the list of crimes went on.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Yoon Hyun-gil began slamming his forehead onto the floor.

It wasn't just a gesture.

His head cracked open, and blood trickled down onto the marble surface.

Only then did I start seriously considering how I would use him.