The Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King - Chapter 33 (33/840)
< What's Your Identity? >
#33
What's Your Identity?
"Who are you? I've never seen you before."
These were the first words from Lee Saseong as he entered the lawyer's meeting room.
Lee Sanggeun stood up from his seat and greeted him.
"I've been sent by President Park Dongsoo. I'm Lawyer Lee Sanggeun. Please take a seat."
Lee Saseong, who had been looking at Lee Sanggeun intently, sat down with a wary expression.
After confirming that Lee Saseong was seated, Lee Sanggeun gave a nod to the guard.
The guard nodded in response, opened the door, and left.
"Park Dongsoo sent you?"
"Yes."
Lee Sanggeun, sitting opposite Lee Saseong, offered him a cigarette.
He then lit the cigarette for Lee Saseong, who had placed it in his mouth, and continued.
"President Park Dongsoo was recently attacked by people like Heo Gihun and Byun Seungho from Busan. You know about this, right?"
"What are you talking about? Park Dongsoo was attacked? Oh, my."
Lee Saseong seemed to be joking as if he had never heard of it, but his eyes were trembling.
"It seems Park Dongsoo can't manage his subordinates well. He was even attacked by his own people."
Lee Sanggeun read the trembling in his eyes.
"The attack was thwarted without any casualties. President Park Dongsoo was completely unharmed. Now, Heo Gihun is crippled, and Byun Seungho... committed suicide in prison."
Lee Saseong flinched at the word "suicide."
Lee Sanggeun paid no attention to his reaction.
"According to them, they were acting on your orders..."
He trailed off, observing Lee Saseong's expression, who suddenly flew into a rage.
"What the hell are you talking about! What kind of bastards are you, trying to drag me into this? Does Dongsoo believe this? Is that why you were sent here?"
"Yes. I don't know the details, and I don't care. What's important is that you tacitly approved of it."
Lee Sanggeun didn't blink. With a poker face, he continued, and Lee Saseong's face grew paler.
"And because someone who shouldn't have been hurt was injured, we are in a difficult position. Byun Seungho was also dealt with by your side. President Park Dongsoo couldn't intervene."
"Damn it! Who are you? Dongsoo wouldn't do this to me. Who sent you? What kind of bastard are you? Trying to drive a wedge between me and Dongsoo? I'll kill you. We're not the kind to be split so easily."
At this, Lee Sanggeun smiled.
"I'll relay President Park Dongsoo's exact words."
"..."
"Saseong, if you do as I say, I'll take care of your wife and family. Don't complicate things. If you refuse, things will get complicated, and I won't be able to help you anymore."
Lee Saseong dropped the cigarette he was holding.
"Really, did Dongsoo say that?"
"Yes. He said it word for word. To add, it's best to accept it. It's the best President Park Dongsoo can offer you."
Lee Sanggeun, who had been watching Lee Saseong's reaction, lit another cigarette and handed it to him.
"Really, Dongsoo said that? Our Dongsoo..."
It was unclear whether he was asking a question or talking to himself.
After confirming that Lee Saseong had finished the cigarette, Lee Sanggeun stood up.
"Think about it carefully. If I don't hear from you within a week, I'll take it as a refusal. I hope you don't reject the president's goodwill."
"Can you give me one more cigarette?"
Lee Sanggeun, who was about to turn away, took out a cigarette and offered it.
"Stay until you finish this. Are you working with Dongsoo now?"
"Yes. We're working together on this."
Lee Saseong's face, as he quietly smoked, showed a sense of regret. He no longer muttered to himself.
After finishing the cigarette, Lee Saseong stood up and looked at Lee Sanggeun.
"Tell Dongsoo I'm sorry. I'll take care of it, so don't worry. Take care of my family."
"Yes."
A few days later, Lee Saseong was found dead, hanging from the bars of his cell.
It was a bitter end for a man who once dominated the darkness of Busan.
* * *
In a dimly lit room.
I was in my grandfather's study.
My grandfather, who had been sitting at his desk, thinking about something, suddenly looked up at me.
"The government's atmosphere is strange. Did you predict this, Muhyeok?"
"Predict what?"
"High-ranking officials in the economic sector have suddenly disappeared. Some are on long leave, and others claim to be on overseas trips. But not a single one has actually left the country. This means they are secretly doing something. Something even the chief economic advisor doesn't know about. Do you understand?"
The top ten conglomerates and some financial institutions had already noticed the suspicious atmosphere.
Even if they had prepared everything in secret, it would be strange if they hadn't noticed anything with all these people disappearing.
I maintained a calm expression and nodded.
"It's probably the real-name financial system. After the Jang Yeongja bill incident during the 5th Republic, the real-name financial system was announced once. It faced strong opposition from the privileged class, and the president, who was not free from political funding, eventually abandoned it. But the current president, having observed this, must have decided to proceed in secret."
My grandfather sighed, as if he had expected this.
"He might announce it with his New Year's speech next year. What do you think, Muhyeok?"
Without answering immediately, I pretended to think for a moment before speaking.
"Given the current president's character... I think there's a high probability it will happen before August 15th. With the high-ranking officials' asset disclosures already completed, there's no point in delaying, as the secret won't be kept for long."
"Hmm... Isn't that too soon?"
"It is. But because it's too soon, it's the perfect time. They want to announce it suddenly when no one expects it."
My grandfather seemed to think about it for a moment, then shook his head.
"It's too early. It was certainly in his campaign promises. But even if he overcomes the resistance from the privileged class and announces it, it will be difficult to pass through the National Assembly. Would the president take such a political burden? He will likely discuss it thoroughly and implement it next year. Am I wrong?"
All the other conglomerates and politicians are probably thinking the same thing.
And if the real-name financial system is implemented by presidential order on August 12th, everyone will be shocked.
It seemed impossible to persuade him otherwise.
"Still, we should clean up our accounts just in case."
"Hehe, right. I've prepared and cleaned up to some extent after hearing your advice."
"Leaving some in the account is fine, but storing it directly is also an option."
"Such a large amount in cash? Impossible. Absolutely."
I had no choice but to nod at my grandfather's firm response.
"Yes."
"Still, I've sent 400 billion won to the U.S. I received the account from Mr. Ha, cleaned it up, and sent it. Manage it well."
"Thank you, Grandfather."
I smiled, and a faint smile appeared on my grandfather's face as well.
When I came out of the study, Mr. Ha was waiting.
"Did you finish your conversation?"
"Yes. Can we talk for a moment?"
Mr. Ha and I went to my room.
After closing the door and sitting on the bed, I said to Mr. Ha.
"Please sit down."
"No, thank you."
I finally spoke to Mr. Ha, who was standing stiffly in the middle of the room.
"About... the U.S. account. I'll send someone to the U.S. at the end of the year. You can transfer everything to that person."
"All of it?"
"Yes."
"Is this person trustworthy?"
His question made me twist my lips.
"I don't trust people. I trust money. I'll give him sufficient compensation. I'll set up an investment company and put everything in it, and I'll hold most of the shares."
Mr. Ha, who seemed to be thinking for a moment, nodded.
"Understood. I'll transfer it as soon as you instruct."
"Thank you. And I want to have a meeting with all the Myeongdong branch managers... Can you arrange the schedule?"
My request seemed unexpected, as Mr. Ha asked for clarification.
"The Myeongdong branch managers?"
I nodded.
"We need to clearly determine whose side they are on. Dragging it out will only complicate things."
"Understood. Let me know the date you prefer."
The week after the real-name financial system announcement seemed appropriate. That way, I could move them in the direction I wanted.
"Sometime at the end of August or early September would be good."
"Understood."
The conversation ended.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
I stopped Mr. Ha, who was about to leave.
"Mr. Ha."
"Yes."
Mr. Ha patiently waited for me, who had called him but was hesitating.
"Who are you really?"
"Excuse me?"
"No matter how I think about it, from the way you handled the hammer to the fact that Grandfather trusts you completely, there are many things that are suspicious. I'm curious about your true identity. Can you tell me?"
My question seemed to catch Mr. Ha off guard, as he stood there without answering.
I was observing his expression.
"I now know that the loan business is dirtier and more difficult than gangster work. I think Grandfather's relationship with no violent organizations is because Mr. Ha has the power to suppress them all."
Mr. Ha's face hardened.
His eyes seemed to be probing me.
He wanted to know why I was asking such a question.
'He must be confused.'
After my grandfather passed away, Mr. Ha remained as my secretary but never offered any help.
He handled the tasks I assigned without any issues, but I knew nothing about the power he possessed.
'From the start, it's strange that Mr. Ha died in a car accident.'
Both my grandfather and Mr. Ha were different from the people I knew in the past.
Mr. Ha, with a stiff face, stared at me for a long time before finally speaking.
"Is this important?"
"Very. Can I trust you? You, who have secrets you can't tell me."
"I care for you as much as the chairman does."
"Does that mean if Grandfather turns against me, you will too?"
"Yes."
I was momentarily speechless at Mr. Ha's firm answer, which was more loyal to my grandfather than I had expected.
"Wow, that's too firm, isn't it?"
"I am the chairman's man. That will never change. If you act against the chairman, I will follow his will. All the kindness I show you is because of the chairman's will."
His past became even more intriguing.
"So you can't tell me?"
"I can tell you if the chairman allows it. But... I don't think he will."
"Hmm..."
"I'm sorry."
I stared at Mr. Ha, but his expression was as firm as a rock.
I had no choice but to give up.
"At least I know you will never betray Grandfather."
"Thank you."
Mr. Ha's bow made him seem even more trustworthy.
"Can I ask one more favor?"
"Please speak."
"Can you introduce me to someone trustworthy, someone who can do what I ask as well as you?"
"..."
"Does that mean I need Grandfather's permission?"
"Yes."
"Does that mean there is such a person?"
"..."
Ah, this frustrating man.
"Go ahead. I'll ask Grandfather."
"Yes, I'm sorry."
After Mr. Ha left, I lay on the bed, looking at the ceiling, thinking.
'If such a person were mine...'
* * *
"Hehehehe!"
The study was filled with Chairman Cheon's laughter. Mr. Ha stood in front of him with his hands clasped.
"Must have been quite a shock for Myunghoon, right?"
"..."
"No, not really."
"Really? What do you think? If I hand you over to Muhyeok, will you be loyal to him?"
"I will follow the chairman's orders."
Chairman Cheon laughed, shaking his head.
"No, you're not the type to do that. You won't follow him from the heart. Don't I know you?"
"..."
"Do you have a capable person to introduce to Muhyeok?"
"Yes."
"Then introduce him. Winning his heart is Muhyeok's ability."
"Understood."
"Still, Muhyeok must have been quite shocked, right? You too. I wish I could have seen your faces. Hehehe!"
Chairman Cheon's laughter made Mr. Ha's face show a slight smile.