The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 164

#164

A building stood proudly in the heart of Seocho-gu’s legal district.

It was entirely occupied by the prestigious law firm, Haesong.

Its scale was unmatched by any other company.

Universally recognized as the best in South Korea.

It housed so many former prosecutors and judges that it could populate both the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office and the Supreme Court.

Park Su-gil, the head of Haesong, paced anxiously in front of the elevator.

Soon, the doors slid open with a soft chime.

Lee Heon emerged, sporting a stylish white fedora.

“You’ve arrived?” Park Su-gil greeted him with a respectful bow.

Lee Heon nodded in acknowledgment.

Park Su-gil bowed again and cautiously led Lee Heon toward his office.

As they walked down the long hallway, they exchanged polite greetings.

“Has everything been well, Attorney Park?”

“Yes, all thanks to the support of the Cheonji Association. Please, have a seat.”

Haesong’s lawyers subtly glanced at them as they entered the room.

Lee Heon was someone who wouldn’t even offer a greeting to a conglomerate chairman.

The office staff whispered behind their backs, watching Lee Heon with curiosity.

“Who is that, Attorney Park?”

“That’s Star Group’s shadow chairman, Lee Heon. Don’t you know him?”

“What? Who?”

“Lee Heon. There’s a widespread rumor that Chairman Lee Seok is just a figurehead and that this man is the real power behind the throne. They say his personal wealth is in the trillions of won, just in real estate alone. If Hyun Jeong-ok is the Cash King, then he’s the Real Estate King.”

“Wow, I wish I could be his son.”

“Keep dreaming, tsk.”

Lee Heon took the seat of honor on the sofa in the center of Park Su-gil’s office.

Park Su-gil, sitting to his right, cautiously broached the subject.

“You mentioned you wanted to revise your will?”

“Yes, I think it would be good to be a little more precise this time.”

“Shall we begin then?”

Park Su-gil reached for the documents prepared on the table.

“Just a moment. He should be here soon. Let’s wait a bit.”

“Whom are you referring to?”

-Knock, knock, knock.

“Sir, someone is here to see—”

Lee Heon interrupted the secretary.

“Let him in. Attorney Lee.”

A man entered, sweating profusely and panting for breath.

“I apologize for my tardiness. I accidentally took the subway in the wrong direction.”

After catching his breath, he handed over his business card.

It read: Attorney Lee Pan-ho.

Puzzled by the situation, Park Su-gil looked at Lee Heon, his eyes seeking an explanation.

“He’s the son of a distant relative of mine. He doesn’t have much work, so I brought him along to give him a job. Wouldn’t it be better to have two people working on this instead of one?”

The sudden appearance of the lawyer didn’t seem to please Park Su-gil.

No one likes it when someone interferes with their work without permission.

Seeing Park Su-gil’s displeased expression, Lee Heon bowed slightly and apologized.

“Oh dear, I’m sorry. I should have asked for your understanding in advance. I hope I didn’t offend you.”

“Ah, no, it’s not that I was offended, but I was just a little taken aback.”

Park Su-gil gestured for Attorney Lee Pan-ho to sit across from him.

“Currently, the will is set to bequeath everything to your son and madam.”

“Hmm, that’s good.”

“How would you like to revise it?”

“I’ve added some sentences and procedures that need to be followed.”

Lee Heon took an envelope from his inner pocket and handed it to Park Su-gil.

Park Su-gil took out the paper from the envelope and quickly scanned it.

‘Half of Lee Heon’s inheritance goes to Lee Heon’s children and their biological mothers. Only children confirmed through scientific paternity testing can inherit Lee Heon’s assets.’

Objectionable phrases and procedures immediately caught his eye.

“Scientific paternity testing, you mean?”

“Of course, I mean DNA testing.”

Park Su-gil wore a puzzled expression.

“Is there a real need for this? It seems like a waste of time and money.”

“Still, it’s better to be absolutely sure.”

“Shouldn’t we limit ‘children’ here to Lee Heon’s son, ‘Lee Seok’?”

“Hahaha, that should be the case, but I lived recklessly when I was young, so I was wondering if there might be any illegitimate children I don’t know about. I thought I might as well play the role of a father, even in death, to any who might exist.”

“What? Surely not.”

It was hard to imagine Lee Heon, who had lived the life of a reclusive scholar, having illegitimate children.

“Hahaha, just kidding. I think Lee Seok is too complacent, thinking all my assets are his. So, I put that in there to make him nervous. You don’t have to worry about it.”

“Understood.”

Park Su-gil sensed a strange atmosphere.

He felt a subtle crack forming between Lee Heon, Lee Seok, and Ha In-seon.

Where there’s a crack, there’s always an opportunity.

He thought it was a chance to strike at the bitch who held his leash and shook him around [a metaphor for someone controlling him].

The young lawyer in front of him was annoying.

‘If only that guy weren’t here, things would be easier.’

But he’s just a kid.

He looked so weak that even a cough from him, the head of Haesong, would give him a terminal illness.

“Then I will prepare everything so that the inheritance can be carried out according to the law and procedures.”

“Thank you.”

Lee Heon turned to Lee Pan-ho, who still looked bewildered.

“Lee Pan-ho, you should watch and learn from the side. There’s a lot to learn from Attorney Park Su-gil.”

“Yes, of course. Thank you.”

Lee Pan-ho, still looking bewildered, was startled and replied.

“Let’s begin.”

“Then, from now on, Attorney Park Su-gil and Attorney Lee Pan-ho will proceed with the notarization of Lee Heon’s will.”

Some time later, the two lawyers completed the notarization of Lee Heon’s will.

Lee Heon left, escorted by Park Su-gil.

Back in his office, he saw Lee Pan-ho still at his seat.

Unlike his previous humble demeanor, he now looked like he was the head of Haesong.

“Where are you from?”

“I graduated from Jungseo University in Jungbu City.”

“What? Jungseo? Is there even such a university in this country?”

A sneer was etched on his face.

Lee Heon’s words seemed to be true.

A lawyer from a distant relative with no work.

In this era, even if you pass the bar exam, it’s easy to starve if you come from an unknown university.

***

Lee Pan-ho finished his conversation with Park Su-gil and left the office.

With a stern expression, he hurried out of the building.

He hailed a taxi.

“Please take me to Sinhwa High School in Jungbu City.”

“What? That’s a long distance, 200,000 won [approximately $150 USD]. Is that okay?”

“Yes, please hurry.”

A pleasant smile spread across the driver’s face.

The taxi arrived at Sinhwa High School two hours later.

Getting out of the car, he stood in front of the principal’s office inside the school and carefully knocked on the door.

“Elder, it’s Pan-ho.”

“Oh, come in.”

It was Hyun Jeong-ok’s voice.

He slid the door of the principal’s office open and entered.

The Cash King, Hyun Jeong-ok, was sitting in the seat of honor on the sofa.

Next to her was her man, Chairman Gu Chang-hoon.

And across from them, the Real Estate King, Lee Heon.

It was an unlikely combination.

“Don’t just stand there, come and sit down.”

“Yes.”

Lee Pan-ho took a sip of the tea Hyun Jeong-ok offered and took a breath.

Everyone was silent, but they couldn’t take their eyes off his mouth.

“He told me to withdraw from the notarization.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Lee Heon’s murmur came out.

“So, what did you do?”

“As you said, I said I understood.”

“It seems Park Su-gil has given up on being a lawyer. Haha.”

Lee Heon laughed with a bewildered expression.

Hyun Jeong-ok looked at him and asked.

“Was this the reason? The reason you came to me to ask for a lawyer?”

“Haha, isn’t it said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend?”

The enemy of my enemy? Then Lee Heon’s enemy is Park Su-gil?

Could his enemies be his son Lee Seok and his wife as well?

Hyun Jeong-ok sensed an unusual crack.

“Is that lawyer’s skill reliable?”

“He graduated at the top of his class in both the first and second bar exams, and even graduated at the top of his class from the Judicial Research and Training Institute.”

“What? Such talent is wasted here?”

“Well, he’s obsessed with a woman… and his wife says she can’t leave Jungbu City no matter what.”

“Hahaha, what a great romantic.”

Hyun Jeong-ok looked at Lee Pan-ho.

“Cha, what happened to your plan to join Sinhwa Group’s legal team this time? Did your wife allow it?”

“Yes, my mother-in-law passed away last year, so there’s no reason to stay here anymore.”

“Good, then be a great help to our grandson.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Lee Heon picked up his white fedora.

“Then I should get going too. Can I trust you, Madam Hyun?”

“Well, there’s no other place to trust besides here.”

“Hehehe, I have no choice. I’ll have to leave it to fate now.”

As Lee Heon stood up to leave, a car horn blared loudly outside the window.

Hyun Jeong-ok’s wrinkled cheeks trembled as the noise disturbed the sacred school where students were studying.

“What is the security doing!”

Hyun Jeong-ok slammed her hand on the sofa armrest and spat out in a fiery voice.

She jumped up and went outside.

“Grandma.”

Eun-su, who was walking from afar, ran and hugged her tightly.

A pure-looking woman stood behind him.

“Bo-ah, this is my grandma, say hello.”

“Hello, I’m Cha Bo-ah.”

“I wanted to introduce her to Grandma.”

“You rascal, you’re so lucky. Bringing such a pretty girl.”

“Hehe.”

He was clinging to Hyun Jeong-ok like a puppy, acting cute.

Hyun Jeong-ok had a pleased expression, but Lee Heon behind her couldn’t move.

‘To see Hwan…’

He knew that Lee Hwan was Yoon Jeong-hoon’s friend.

But to see him here.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

“Eun-su, say hello here. This is Lee Heon, the father of the infamous Star Group Chairman Lee Seok. He’s even worse than Lee Seok.”

“Yes?”

Eun-su was taken aback by Hyun Jeong-ok’s introduction.

Why is the head of the enemy with Grandma?

Eun-su’s smiling expression hardened.

“Hello, I’m Jeong Eun-su.”

Eun-su bowed and saw the man’s hand extended towards him.

He didn’t reject his handshake.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Heon.”

“Yes.”

Lee Heon couldn’t let go of his son’s hand, which he hadn’t held in a long time.

Eun-su pulled away with force.

Lee Heon, with a hesitant expression, seemed to have made up his mind and opened his mouth.

“Madam Hyun, I don’t have a car. Let’s ask this friend to take me to the terminal [bus terminal].”

“Why don’t you have a car, the great Lee Heon?”

Hyun Jeong-ok retorted.

“It’s a visit I don’t want to be known, so I have no choice but to move alone.”

“Ah…”

Only then did Hyun Jeong-ok nod.

“Then take my car.”

“No. It’s better to just go to the terminal.”

“Grandma, I’ll take you and come back. It’s quick.”

“Okay, do that.”

“Bo-ah, I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

Eun-su’s S5 left the school.

“Was that friend his girlfriend?”

“Yes.”

The moment Lee Heon saw the woman he brought, he intuitively knew that Eun-su was his child.

‘The eyes of the rich are the same.’

He gave a bitter smile.

“Do you know an actress named Ha In-seon? She looks a lot like that actress. She was an incredible beauty. Even more than your girlfriend.”

“…I don’t know. And my girlfriend is much prettier than that woman.”

“No, it’s because you don’t know Ha In-seon’s beauty.”

“No, my Cha Bo-ah is a hundred times prettier. Her heart is much better too. Don’t compare her to such a woman.”

Eun-su’s voice was full of anger.

‘He already… knows.’

He remembered.

Poor thing.

He probably doesn’t remember himself.

It’s better not to know his incompetent father.

“You’re lucky. To have someone you love.”

“Yes?”

It’s a relief.

He failed, but his son seemed happy with the person he wanted.

He could tell from the way Eun-su and the child named Cha Bo-ah looked at each other.

Lee Heon glanced at Eun-su and turned his head to the window.

Buckwheat flowers were in full bloom outside the window.

“The buckwheat flowers are so pretty. You may not know it, but there’s a short story by writer Lee Hyo-seok called ‘When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom.’ You should read it sometime. It’s very interesting.”

“I’ve already read it.”

“Unexpected.”

“Lee Hyo-seok’s ‘City and Ghost’ is also interesting. You probably don’t know it?”

“I know it. It’s a book I’ve read several times.”

“That’s unexpected. I thought you only knew about money. What about Kim Hoon and Hwang Seok-young’s works?”

“I’ve read them all.”

Lee Heon answered Eun-su’s questions without hesitation.

Unlike his appearance, he was good at conversation.

Eun-su’s wariness crumbled at his answers, which were simple but included high-level criticism.

While the two were talking about literature, they approached the terminal.

“Next time, let’s talk about poetry. It’s my specialty.”

“What? I like poetry more too.”

Before opening the car door, Lee Heon stared at Eun-su.

“You’ve grown up well, even though I haven’t done anything for you. Eun-su, you’ve worked hard. You’re giving me great pleasure on my last journey.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“I mean thank you. If I had time… I would have liked to treat the friend named Bo-ah to a meal… It’s a pity, but this is my karma.”

“If we meet next time, let’s discuss poetry more, Elder Tycoon.”

“Okay.”

With a faint smile, Lee Heon got out of the car.

He rolled down the window and said goodbye.

“Go up carefully [drive safely].”

‘I think I’ve seen him somewhere before… I can’t remember. Is it because I’m old?’

Eun-su muttered to himself.

He felt as much familiarity as wariness, and he said goodbye to Lee Heon before returning to Sinhwa High School.

A man with a sharp aura approached Lee Heon.

“The Madam has stopped by Cheonsinjae [likely a place or operation]. The work Minister Cheon Seong-han was preparing has been suspended.”

“Then it seems that Ae-wol is preparing something.”

“I will serve you to the end.”

Lee Heon took an envelope from his inner pocket.

“This is 1 billion won [approximately $750,000 USD]. It’s too little for the price of dedicating your life by my side. Go live in a quiet countryside, running a business or something, and hide. Don’t die a dog’s death because of ‘Application’ [likely a code name or organization].”

“No. I will stay by your side.”

“Go. I only have useless money in my hands now. I have no power to protect it.”

He stared at the distant mountains for a while.

“I have achieved everything. I held my son’s hand and saw the daughter-in-law he brought. You are still young. Live a new life.”

“Elder!”

Lee Heon’s eyes were filled with a frosty, cold will.

The man took a few steps back from Lee Heon.

Then he bent down and slowly bowed.

He didn’t care about the gazes of passersby.

Leaving him kneeling, Lee Heon got on the bus.

He closed his eyes.

‘Is all that’s left is to be killed by the hand of the person I loved?’

He loved her, but he never won her heart.

It was an unsuitable life.

He was happiest when he talked about literature and poetry.

He thanked his son for giving him unforgettable happiness on his last journey.

‘Be happy, Lee Hwan… no, Eun-su!’

Small tears welled up in Lee Heon’s eyes.

The Genius Grandson of the Cash King Becomes a Chaebol [a wealthy family or conglomerate].