Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 120

120. 35th. Secrets Revealed (2)

Grandfather studied the plan, humming thoughtfully.

“Hmm… Our eldest grandson’s wife might feel left out if she knew.”

Oh, crap!

I’d overlooked the most crucial thing.

The plan I’d devised was about stabbing Jang Ho-geon in the back. It could ruin my relationship with Jang Ha-yeon!

Seeing my dismayed face, Grandfather gave a wry smile.

“Our eldest grandson, I see now you’re an incorrigible male. Heh heh.”

“I’m sorry, Grandfather.”

I bowed my head, and Grandfather’s stern voice reached me.

“A man doesn’t lower his head so easily, you rascal. You have a grudge against those Hwang bastards from New York, so what are you worried about? Tsk, tsk.”

Grandfather’s clicking tongue reminded me of the Gong Seong-pil incident. I might not have remembered it if not for him.

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

“How can a young pup be so scatterbrained? Managing the household, filling your pockets, running a youth business… You’re so busy with public and private matters, it’s understandable, heh heh.”

Chuckling, Grandfather opened a drawer and took out an envelope.

“Take it. I’ve been keeping it to give you when the time comes.”

I rose from my seat, went to the desk, and received the faded envelope Grandfather offered with both hands. I would have refused if it were a property deed… but the envelope had two thumbprints and the signatures of Father and Jang Ho-geon.

“Huh?”

“Sit down and open it.”

I sat down, opened the envelope, and unfolded the paper inside. My eyes widened as I looked at it. How could something like this exist?

***

“T, this is?”

The paper contained a promise from Father and Jang Ho-geon to marry me and Jang Ha-yeon. It had no legal force, but there was a formal betrothal agreement promising my marriage to Jang Ha-yeon!

My hands trembled as I held the betrothal agreement with my name and Jang Ha-yeon’s name on it. If this had existed, if I had known this existed, I wouldn’t have had to suffer so much in the past…

“Grandfather?”

“I’m sorry, Seong-min.”

Grandfather lowered his eyes with a guilty expression. Seon Hae-cheol next to him also avoided my gaze with the same expression.

“What is this, Grandfather? Huh? Please, say something!”

“As you can see, your father and Jang Ho-geon promised to marry you and Ha-yeon.”

It was the first time I had raised my voice to him, but Grandfather didn’t get angry and answered in a low voice. I was speechless. Why had they hidden this?

Seon Hae-cheol cleared up the question.

“Chairman Lee was worried you’d be devoured by the Jang family. So…”

After my parents passed away and I was hospitalized, the people gathered in this place searched our house and found the betrothal agreement I was holding, and Grandfather hid it. I couldn’t believe it.

My strength drained away in an instant. If I had known about this, I wouldn’t have had to suffer from that damned woman Jang Su-yeon in my past life, nor would I have been hated by Jang Ho-geon?

“I’m sorry, Seong-min.”

I resented Grandfather for apologizing to me. He knew how much his eldest grandson liked a woman named Jang Ha-yeon, so why had he hidden this! A voice mixed with sorrow and resentment burst out from deep inside.

“Even so, how could you do this…!”

“That was the best thing to do at the time, you rascal! Did you want this grandfather to watch you get devoured by that Jang family like a hungry ghost? It was obvious they would devour you and eat away at our family!”

Grandfather cut me off and scolded me, then took a breath to calm himself.

“If I had known you would grow up like this, this grandfather would have accepted Ha-yeon as my eldest grandson’s wife long ago. But even this grandfather can’t foresee the future, can I?”

Grandfather’s lament that he ‘couldn’t foresee the future’ made my head spin as if I had been hit with a hammer.

The current me is Lee Seong-min who woke up in the hospital and changed, not Lee Seong-min who came back from the river of death. In other words, the events of my past life are no longer part of this world.

Nevertheless, the achievements I have made so far are all due to the pain and experience of my past life, so Grandfather must have revealed the truth now.

“Okay, so…”

I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence. Seeing Grandfather’s cold but worried eyes, my mind cleared as if I had been doused with cold water.

Not only that.

Even if I had known about this betrothal agreement, I would have remained a soft, car-obsessed guy and wouldn’t have been able to be with Jang Ha-yeon. Because I was a weakling back then.

But.

Thanks to not knowing about the betrothal agreement, I managed to get into the Shinseong Group and was severely trained, returned to four years ago from now by Jang Su-yeon and Jang Yong-jae, changed everything from the twisted relationship with Jang Ha-yeon, and could enjoy this luxury.

It’s a result-oriented interpretation, but I’m the luckiest guy who won the Saeongji horse’s fortune [a Korean idiom referring to unpredictable fortune, like the saying “blessing in disguise”]. So, complaining any more is an insult to God and a self-destructive act.

Having sorted out my conclusions, I stood up from my chair.

“I’m sorry, Grandfather. And… thank you.”

“Se, Seong-min-ah?”

Perhaps because of my bowed posture, Grandfather and Seon Hae-cheol stammered. I straightened my back and looked at Grandfather with firm eyes.

“I will never waver again. Please watch over me, Grandfather.”

“Seong-min-ah…”

Grandfather got up from his chair and came to me.

“Thank you, my grandson. For forgiving this grandfather.”

Grandfather embraced me with both arms. Water droplets fell on my head as I bowed.

***

The next morning.

Even after sending Lee Seong-min and Seon Hae-cheol home, Lee Dae-soo cried alone late into the night. As a result, Lee Dae-soo was doing an ice massage, something he never did, to reduce his swollen eyes.

“How is it, House Manager?”

“You seem to be in better condition than when you woke up, Master.”

Lee Dae-soo took the ice pack off his eyes and looked in the mirror, then sighed deeply even after hearing the house manager’s answer.

“I was a truly terrible person. If he hadn’t been like that, I would have coaxed and comforted him and led him down a good path, but why did I act so harshly…?”

Lee Dae-soo couldn’t continue speaking, and the house manager carefully said to him.

“Before being the young master’s grandfather, aren’t you the one who looks down on this country from the Samcheong-dong study [referring to his position of power and influence]? The young master seems to understand, so don’t worry about it. Isn’t the future more important?”

Only after receiving the house manager’s consolation did Lee Dae-soo wear a slightly faint smile.

“That’s right. There’s a long way to go, so I shouldn’t be weak. Thank you, House Manager.”

Lee Dae-soo dressed and went up to the study. When the time came, Go Seung-joo, the three senior managing directors, and Lee Myeong-jin entered, and Lee Dae-soo sat at the table with an indifferent expression.

“I’m thinking of joining hands with Standard Capital to acquire the Ado Group.”

“Ch, Chairman?”

The eyes of the five people widened, but Lee Dae-soo dropped another bombshell.

“I’m thinking of having Chairman Geum leave only the necessary affiliates and attract public funds to tie up all the affiliate shares in Ado Motors. Standard and Haedong will each acquire 50 percent of the 100 percent stake in Ado Motors that has been organized in that way.”

At Lee Dae-soo’s declaration, everyone’s mouths dropped open. They were the ones who understood his management philosophy the best, but wasn’t the acquisition of Ado Motors different from the previous businesses in that the costs and risks were high?

“Ch, Chairman, if that happens, the acquisition price alone will be at least 3 trillion won [approximately 2.25 billion USD], and our share will be over 1.5 trillion won [approximately 1.13 billion USD]. I know you want to help Chairman Geum, but considering the liquid cash within the group, we have to pay the acquisition price in dollars. If that happens…”

Go Seung-joo hurriedly tried to stop him, but Lee Dae-soo raised his hand to silence him, then went to the desk and brought a few pieces of paper.

The bundle of papers was a scenario that his proud grandson had created a rough draft of, and Seon Hae-cheol, whom he cherished like a son, and he had reviewed. Lee Dae-soo was curious how Go Seung-joo, who was considered the best chief of staff in the business world, would evaluate the scenario written by the three of them, including himself.

“Take a look.”

“Yes… Chairman.”

Go Seung-joo carefully examined the bundle of papers he received from Lee Dae-soo. After he finished understanding the contents, Go Seung-joo put down the documents and looked at Lee Dae-soo with wide eyes.

“Chairman?”

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“If Standard takes the lead first, our group will not have any opportunity loss. Rather, we may see even greater profits. But…”

Go Seung-joo couldn’t bring up the question, ‘Who is the owner of Standard Capital that he is so eager to squeeze Jang Ho-geon?’

To try to make Jang Ho-geon exchange his 1.7 billion dollars into won even while exchanging 2 billion dollars, which would become a gold mine, into won, which would become waste paper… He was dumbfounded by the vicious, malicious, and crazy plan that even an ordinary water ghost could not follow.

Seeing Go Seung-joo’s blank expression for the first time, Lee Dae-soo wore a mischievous smile.

“There’s no need to say much. Standard will raise 2 billion dollars as a stake, so we’ll move the Taehyun Group to make Jang Ho-geon exchange the dollars he has into won.”

In other words, it was killing someone with a borrowed knife [using someone else’s power to achieve one’s goals].

He couldn’t bear to see Jang Ho-geon make huge exchange rate profits with 1.7 billion dollars, but shouldn’t he block the unfortunate event of his beloved grandson’s marriage falling apart? Not to mention making the fight between Shinseong and Taehyun even fiercer.

When Lee Dae-soo took a sip of black tea to catch his breath, Jo Young-chan opened his mouth first.

“I’m sorry to Standard Capital, but it’s a great opportunity for us, Chairman. The government and the Blue House [South Korea’s executive branch] will also welcome it because merchant banks are paying off short-term foreign debts and dollars are flowing out.”

Merchant banks were busy borrowing dollars from banks to repay their loans due to the increasing pressure to repay dollar loans.

In this situation, making them exchange all their dollars into won and participate in the Ado Group acquisition bid was a proposal that the government, the Blue House, and the Taehyun Group could never refuse.

“I agree with Representative Jo’s opinion, Chairman. Even if we make it a priority to pay the Ado Group acquisition bid in won now, it will become useless if a singularity comes.”

“As expected of Chief Go.”

Jo Young-chan and Go Seung-joo’s analysis was the aim of Lee Dae-soo, Lee Seong-min, and Seon Hae-cheol. Even if they move the Taehyun Group to give priority to paying the Ado Group acquisition bid in won, the government and creditors will crave dollars if the exchange rate soars.

Isn’t it up to the minds of the people who buy and sell things? Since all the 불안 [unease] elements were resolved, Go Seung-joo and Jo Young-chan were both full of confidence as if nothing had happened.

“Ado Group is in the heavy industry sector, so I don’t have anything specific to say, Chairman. I will follow the evaluation of the Chairman and Vice Chairman.”

“I don’t think I can easily say anything because it’s not my area either, Chairman. I will follow the Chairman and Vice Chairman’s intentions.”

Unlike Jo Young-chan and Go Seung-joo, who gave their opinions because financial issues were involved, Bae Jae-hoon and Tae Jae-ho neatly admitted their ignorance and passed the ball to Lee Myeong-jin. With everyone’s attention focused, Lee Myeong-jin broke the silence and raised his head.

“We have to acquire it, Chairman.”

“What’s the basis?”

Knowing that the scolding ‘Such a basis is something even a rookie employee knows’ was hidden behind his father’s question, Lee Myeong-jin calmly began to present additional evidence.

“No, Chairman. I don’t know the exact intentions of Standard Capital, but if they said they would make Ado Motors the holding company of Ado Group and buy all the shares with us at 50 percent each, it means they are showing their intention to grow the company with a long-term perspective. It means they will exclude conflicts with minority shareholders due to additional investment.”

“Hoo… That could be true.”

Apart from the answer that hid his true feelings, Lee Dae-soo was pleased with his son’s increased insight. It’s said that the position makes the person, and Lee Myeong-jin fits that saying perfectly, doesn’t he?

Lee Myeong-jin gained confidence from his father’s positive reaction and expressed additional opinions.

“Furthermore, our group will have enough room for additional investment if we overcome the upcoming crisis. So, I think it’s good to acquire it.”

It was a sufficiently possible story. There were many cases where the IMF [International Monetary Fund], like a gangster, provided bailout loans on the condition of removing the barriers of many countries, so the Korean foreign exchange crisis was likely to be the same.

In the end, if the Haedong Group exchanges the dollars it holds into won when the exchange rate soars, the exchange rate will stabilize and leave astronomical exchange rate profits. The money earned from overseas mine development in the future cannot be ignored, so there was no problem with cash flow.

After finishing all the calculations, Lee Dae-soo looked around at the five people. All of them nodded, facing Lee Dae-soo’s burning gaze.

쿵! [Sound of impact]

“We have to strike when everyone else is falling. Crisis is a good opportunity!”

“Yes!”

All five men answered loudly to Lee Dae-soo’s shout that struck the table. As long as they were thoroughly prepared, the crisis that would befall this country was a great opportunity for the Haedong Group.

***

After hearing the five men’s enthusiastic answers, Lee Dae-soo nodded with a satisfied expression, then dropped one last bombshell.

“I’m going to marry off our eldest grandson to Ha-yeon at the end of this year.”

“Ch, Chairman?”

Looking at the five people who were once again stunned, Lee Dae-soo waved his hand.

“That guy is no longer someone who will be devoured by the Jang family. I think we can stop the test.”

It was a fact that all five people acknowledged. Judging by what Lee Seong-min had shown so far, he would devour the Shinseong Group, not be devoured by it.

“I understand, Chairman.”

As the issue of Lee Seong-min and Jang Ha-yeon’s marriage was resolved so coolly, Lee Dae-soo’s expression brightened.

***

I went to work and stared at the computer with a blank expression. I never thought Grandfather would roll up his sleeves for me.

“Uncle.”

“Why?”

“Grandfather… he seems like a really great person.”

To move Taehyun Group Chairman Myeong Jin-ho and Ado Group Chairman Geum Seok-ho to set up the game for me… That tremendous network, which is difficult to create even with money, was truly amazing.

“Be grateful to the Chairman. He’s working hard to help you with your marriage.”

“Yes.”

I should get rid of my resentful feelings towards Grandfather with this incident. Because there is no grandfather who steps up this much for his grandson.