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Chapter 56




< I'm fine. Don't worry about me. >
#56
I'm fine. Don't worry about me.
When I opened the door and went out, Myeongsoo didn’t ask me anything else.
“Want some ramen?”
I couldn’t help but smile a little at his words.
“Yeah, I should eat.”
“Wait here.”
Myeongsoo put down the legal code he was reading and got up to go to the kitchen to boil water.
In the meantime, I cooled my swollen eyes with cold water.
A little while later.
Myeongsoo put the ramen on the table and looked at me.
“Phew, look at your face. Crazy guy. Eat up.”
“Yeah, I’ll eat well.”
When I finished the ramen and was drinking water, Myeongsoo, who had been reading the legal code, glanced at me.
“Are you okay now?”
I nodded slightly and got up from my seat.
“I’m going. When the first round results come out, tell everyone to meet up. I might not be able to contact you for a while, but understand that.”
Myeongsoo nodded and got up from his seat.
“Got it. Don’t waver, and do whatever you think is right. I’ll help if I can.”
“Thanks.”
When I opened the door and came out, Manager Ma bowed from the driver’s seat.
“Let’s go home.”
On the way to Pyeongchang-dong, I was lost in thought.
‘I won’t tell Grandma. There’s no need to reopen old wounds. Now that I’ve eliminated the Cheon brothers, I need to adjust my plan a bit.’
When I entered the house, Secretary Ha, who had gone out to sort out the Cheon Su-man incident, was nowhere to be seen.
I passed through the cold living room and arrived at the study.
“Grandfather, it’s Muhyuk.”
“Come in.”
It was a weak voice from my grandfather.
When I opened the study door, I saw my grandfather’s lonely back as he looked out the window.
“Grandfather.”
Grandfather turned his body in the chair. His face had aged significantly in just one day.
“Where have you been?”
“I’ve come back after sorting out my complicated thoughts.”
I looked at my grandfather, who was silently examining my expression.
“I’ve decided not to blame you. I plan to focus on work for a while. And I won’t take any revenge on my cousins. But don’t tell me to be friendly with them. I don’t think we can smile at each other’s faces.”
“That’s enough. So, what do you plan to do now?”
“I’ll check all the documents first and then let you know.”
Grandfather nodded and said nothing.
“Grandfather, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“Huh.”
I smiled at my grandfather, who laughed in a resigned way.
“I’m trying to understand you. The desire to protect the family, the fear of losing everything. I’ll accept everything.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll do my best to fill the void left by the uncles. Watch me.”
I bowed and left the room.
It was impossible to know what my grandfather, left alone in the study, was thinking.
* * *
Il Sung Group Chairman’s Office.
The direct line of Chairman Seo Yong-geun, known to only a few people, rang.
Chairman Seo, who picked up his phone, was surprised and opened his eyes wide at the voice from the other end of the line.
— Chairman Seo, this is Cheon Tae-san.
“What’s the matter with you?”
— I need to divorce Su-man and your daughter.
Taken aback by the sudden news, Chairman Seo was momentarily speechless.
But Chairman Cheon on the other end of the line continued without a care.
— It’s not because I don’t like your daughter. It’s a family matter, so please understand. Let’s not make it complicated with property division or anything.
“Huh... Why are you calling me out of the blue with this nonsense? What about the children?”
— You take the children. I plan to send Su-man abroad. I’ll take care of Jee-soo and Ji-soo, so don’t worry too much. Myeong-hoon will come over soon. Call Hee-kyung and have her sign the papers.
Chairman Seo’s brow furrowed at the commanding tone.
“Interesting. It’s been a while since I found something interesting. Tell me, Chairman Cheon, do you still see me as the Seo Yong-geun who used to bow to you under my father? Don’t you think you should explain properly?”
— I’m sorry. I’m not doing this to disrespect you. How could I disrespect the person at the top of Il Sung Group? I’m just overwhelmed. Come visit me sometime.
Just as Chairman Seo opened his mouth to protest, Chairman Cheon’s voice continued from the other end of the line.
— But don’t ignore my words. I’m not dead yet. Remember, I can still support your brother if I want to.
Chairman Seo was at a loss for words.
Despite overcoming his disadvantage as the youngest and surpassing all his brothers to become the second-generation chairman, he knew that his eldest brother, Seo Yong-hyun, was still eyeing his position.
If Chairman Cheon were to support Seo Yong-hyun now, the outcome would be uncertain.
“Huh! Are you threatening me?”
— It’s not a threat. I’m saying this because I don’t know what I might do. Listen carefully. When Myeong-hoon comes with the papers, don’t make it complicated and sign the divorce papers.
With that, Cheon Tae-san hung up without saying goodbye.
Chairman Seo stared at the disconnected phone for a moment before throwing it against the wall.
“Why is this damn man still alive so long! Is anyone out there?!”
A secretary waiting outside came in.
Seeing the broken phone on the floor, he bowed deeply.
He knew not to upset the chairman at a time like this.
“Where’s Secretary Lee?”
“He just rushed out.”
“Clean this up first. Bring a new one. Contact Secretary Lee and have him come in.”
“Understood.”
The secretary left, and Chairman Seo, left alone, continued to curse under his breath.
“Damn it. How long do I have to watch this man’s every move? What the hell did that damn Cheon Su-man do?”
A little while later, Lee Seok-min, who had gone out with the chairman’s note, came back into the office.
Chairman Seo asked him as soon as he came in.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s not clear yet.”
“You bastard! Is that what you call a report? I told you to keep an eye on Cheon Tae-san all the time! Is this what you call a report?”
“I’m sorry. We can’t monitor what’s happening inside the house in Pyeongchang-dong. We have surveillance on the Cheon brothers, but they haven’t moved yet.”
Chairman Seo sighed in exasperation.
“Chairman Cheon is forcing me to divorce my daughter. He’s telling me to have her sign the papers and not to think about property division. How can you not know what’s going on?”
Lee Seok-min, who had been bowing, looked up in surprise.
Seo Yong-geun, who had been muttering, rubbed his forehead.
“First, contact Hee-kyung.”
“Understood.”
“And find out what’s happening in that damn family. If you bring me another report like this, you’ll lose your head.”
Chairman Seo glared at Lee Seok-min, who bowed and left the room, then leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes.
A little while later, Seo Hee-kyung entered the office.
“What’s the matter?”
As soon as she saw her daughter’s face, the angry Chairman Seo shouted.
“What did you do to make Chairman Cheon call and demand a divorce!”
Seo Hee-kyung, surprised, asked.
“What? Father?”
“Father is nonsense, he’s telling you to sign the divorce papers. He says not to think about property division. What’s going on here!”
Seo Hee-kyung, who sat down, looked at her father in disbelief.
“Do you know anything?”
Chairman Seo, frustrated, asked his daughter, but Seo Hee-kyung couldn’t possibly know anything.
“I don’t know. A while ago, Jee-soo called and said he transferred two buildings in Gangnam to me. He also called Ji-soo.”
“What about Su-man?”
“He hasn’t been talking to me much since he came back from meeting you. You know how it is between us.”
While Chairman Seo and Seo Hee-kyung were talking, the secretary informed them that Ha Myeong-hoon had arrived in the lobby.
“Bring him in.”
A little while later, Secretary Ha bowed and entered the office.
“It’s been a while, Chairman. It’s been a while, Madam.”
Ha Myeong-hoon bowed and looked up.
Chairman Seo scrutinized him but couldn’t read anything from Ha Myeong-hoon’s expressionless face.
“I’ve received a call from Chairman Cheon. What’s the reason for the divorce? Speak up.”
“I don’t know the reason. I’m just following your instructions.”
Chairman Seo, displeased with Ha Myeong-hoon’s stiff attitude, tried to hide his irritation.
“Sit down.”
“Thank you, Chairman