It happened a few months ago, around the time when Chairman Cheon had asked Manager Ha to look into the matter of Cheon Misook.
"Chairman, it's Myeonghoon."
"Come in."
Manager Ha, who entered the study with a stiff face, was a rare sight. He was usually unflappable.
"What's the matter? Why is your face so stiff? Did something happen in Myeongdong?"
Chairman Cheon asked, slightly surprised, but Manager Ha couldn't bring himself to speak.
"Hey, Myeonghoon, why are you being so hesitant? What's going on?"
"......Chairman."
"No, this is unlike you. Why are you acting like this today? What's the matter?"
"It's about Miss Misook's case."
As Manager Ha mentioned Cheon Misook's name, Chairman Cheon's expression immediately stiffened, as if he had already anticipated what he was about to hear.
"I found the only surviving police officer who was in charge of the case after a thorough search. He's living abroad."
"......Was it a contract killing?"
Chairman Cheon might have had a vague idea. Even if he had turned a blind eye, blood ties don't just disappear.
"I'm sorry. I should have been more attentive."
"No, it's not your fault. Before we assign blame, tell me who it was."
"......It involved Mr. Biao. That means the Cheongpung Society was behind it."
Chairman Cheon closed his eyes silently when the name "Cheongpung Society" was mentioned.
Manager Ha stood in front of him like a sinner.
After a long silence, Chairman Cheon opened his eyes. His voice was trembling.
"Why would the Cheongpung Society benefit from Misook's elimination? Is it so significant that they would declare war on me? Did I do something to them?"
Manager Ha didn't respond.
"Surely not......right?"
"I'm sorry."
Manager Ha couldn't bring himself to mention that President Cheon Suwan was involved.
But it wasn't something that needed to be said out loud.
Chairman Cheon's expression crumbled.
"Tell me everything. Don't leave anything out or add anything. Just the facts."
"......The man my staff met said he conducted a formal investigation under orders from his superiors. However, after all the investigators were killed, he was scared and immigrated. So, we started investigating domestically."
While listening to his words, Chairman Cheon interlocked his fingers and rubbed his thumbs together.
Manager Ha, who had been watching him intently, added with difficulty.
"They infiltrated the upper echelons of the police force......and it was confirmed that President Cheon Suwan was involved."
Chairman Cheon's fingers stopped moving.
"It seems he didn't directly participate, but by intentionally blocking information from reaching you, it appears there was a prior agreement. If anyone would benefit from Miss Misook's death, it would be the presidents."
Even Manager Ha, who rarely showed emotion, had a trembling voice by the end.
Chairman Cheon's hands were visibly shaking.
"The two men who directly killed Miss Misook are currently being tracked. They are believed to be in the country, and we will capture them as soon as we find them."
Chairman Cheon didn't hear Manager Ha's words anymore.
The fact that his sons were involved in his daughter's death was enough to make him feel like the world was collapsing.
It was his fault for not paying enough attention to his sons.
The study, where their conversation had stopped, was filled only with the sound of their breathing.
"There's no need to capture them. Kill them. Don't make it easy. Make it the most painful death in the world......yes, throw them to the dogs like in the old days."
"Understood."
"This must not reach Muhyuk's ears. Thoroughly find and eliminate everyone involved. As for Suwan......leave him alone for now."
"But......"
"I know you think of Misook like a sister. You were especially fond of the children when they were young. But......I can't kill my own blood with my own hands. Did Suhan know about this too?"
"......No evidence of President Cheon Suhan's involvement was found."
"That's a relief."
Chairman Cheon sighed with relief upon hearing that there was no evidence of Cheon Suhan's involvement.
He was lost in thought, rubbing his chin, while Manager Ha watched him silently.
After a long time, Chairman Cheon spoke.
"Myeonghoon."
"Yes, Chairman."
"If we were to go to war with the Cheongpung Society, what are our chances of winning?"
"......War, you mean."
"Yes. A war where one of us must disappear."
"Our chances of winning are less than 20%."
"......"
A sound came from Chairman Cheon's mouth, but it was unclear whether he was grinding his teeth or sighing.
"What if we use the ledger?"
"Using it would increase our chances to 50%. However, Chairman, the moment you use it, all the power you have will turn to nothing. If you win, you'll lose everything—your family, your money, and even your life."
Chairman Cheon had a ledger that listed all the bribes he had given to politicians, bureaucrats, and military officials, including the Cheongpung Society, throughout his life. Even with the ledger, the chances were only 50%.
Realizing that even if he risked everything, he couldn't guarantee victory, Chairman Cheon was at a loss and closed his eyes.
"Why would they team up with Suwan? What are they thinking?"
"They seem to have considered what would happen after you're gone. Haven't you been reducing support for the Cheongpung Society since the new military regime? To them, President Cheon Suwan would be an easier opponent than you."
"......I see. Now everything makes sense. I thought they were just trying to get Ilseong, but they had their own reasons for giving bribes. They had no choice but to do so."
Everything was falling into place.
Cheon Suwan's behavior, which seemed overly concerned with the Cheongpung Society.
And the reason he was so wary and distrustful of Kim Muhyuk.
"Put revenge on hold for now. Not yet. We can only seek revenge when our chances of winning are over 70%."
"......Understood. What about the president?"
"Leave him alone. I plan to send him to Jeju Island after transferring everything to Muhyuk. I must prevent bloodshed among family members. This story must not reach Muhyuk's ears."
"Understood."
"I need to be alone. Leave."
Manager Ha carefully closed the door and left the study.
In the now silent study, the only sound was the old man's quiet sobs.
* * *
The grandfather, with tears in his eyes, couldn't answer.
"Grandfather, please......I don't want to hate you too."
"Muhyuk, I don't expect forgiveness. Can't you just let it go?"
"Let it go? Who will give me back my childhood without parents? I must avenge my parents' wrongful deaths. Don't you understand? If we don't settle this now, they will eventually try to take my life too."
"Even so......how can I kill my own child with my own hands? Absolutely not, until I die."
It was as expected.
The reason he had postponed revenge on Cheon Suwan and Cheon Suhan was because of the grandfather.
Even the iron-fisted grandfather was weak when it came to family.
"I won't ask you to kill them. Just remove them from my sight. Send them somewhere I can never see them again. Take away everything they have and make them realize their mistakes."
I could have killed them at any time.
I could still kill them if I wanted to.
But I didn't want to cause the grandfather the pain of losing another family member.
I wanted to believe in the grandfather's sincerity one more time.
"How did you find out?"
"That's not important now, Grandfather."
"......Would it be enough to send Suwan abroad?"
"Only if you take away everything he has."
I was angry at the grandfather's inability to answer.
"Otherwise, I'll leave you. I'll go abroad and come back when I have the strength to take revenge on my own."
If the grandfather couldn't let go, I would.
"I'll leave Korea with Grandmother. Thank you for everything, Grandfather."
My firm words finally showed a hint of confusion on the grandfather's face.
"Muhyuk."
For the first time in two lifetimes, I turned my back on the grandfather's call and walked away.
As I opened the study door, I decided to abandon all attachments and build the strength to take revenge, even if it took a long time.
It was possible in this life.
"......I understand. Stop. I was wrong."
I stopped walking towards the door.
When I turned around, the grandfather was no longer the powerful Chairman Cheon but a powerless, lonely old man.
"I won't stain my hands with the blood of my uncles while you're alive. I promise."
"......Did Suhan know too?"
"Yes. I heard it from him. Whether he knew it late or from the beginning, he knew."
"......Don't hate Jiwon, Jisu, and Jiyong."
I wasn't afraid of the grandfather anymore.
"Understood. I promise."
"Bring in Myeonghoon."
Manager Ha, who entered with a stiff face, had already heard everything.
"Did you hear everything? Take back everything you gave to those