Chaebol

"Life doesn't go according to plan."

For a moment, I couldn't believe my ears.

There was no reason for the word "plan" to come up in the context of our conversation.

But suddenly, why now?

Just like a thief caught in the act, my heart sank with dread.

Could he have seen right through my plan to fully exploit the benefits of being the second son?

A sense of foreboding washed over me.

'Just how much does he know?'

I wanted to read his expression, but…

"..."

The face of this giant who had weathered the storms of life was as impenetrable as a sturdy helmet, giving away nothing.

If I couldn't read his thoughts…

It would be helpful if he could at least explain what he meant.

But Chairman Park kept his lips sealed, allowing only a faint smile to cross his face.

After some time had passed, he finally spoke.

"Let's go."

"Pardon?"

"What? Are you planning on staying at the airport forever?"

"…No."

Chairman Park stood up, and I quickly followed him out of the room.

As we rode in the car, the backseat of the Maybach was so spacious it felt almost vast.

Especially for an 11-year-old's body, it seemed even more so.

I looked around the car like a curious child.

Then, out of pure interest, I began pressing various buttons.

That's right.

I was playing the part of a child.

If Chairman Park had indeed seen through my intentions, all of this would have been futile.

But for now, it was all just speculation.

With nothing certain, I had no choice but to continue acting like an 11-year-old.

As I busied myself fiddling with this and that, Chairman Park spoke up.

"You went all the way to America, and didn't bring me back a gift?"

"A gift?"

"I heard you already sent something for your brother."

"For my brother?"

"The speaker, I mean."

"It's already arrived? They said international shipping would take some time…"

At that moment, Professor Jo Soo-deok's face flashed in my mind.

If one of the students helping with translation mentioned the speaker purchase, Jo Soo-deok probably used his extensive connections to arrange for express shipping directly to Korea.

If I ask him later, I'm sure he'll just brush it off with a modest smile, saying,

'A gift should arrive promptly, don't you think? Hehehe.'

"Professor Jo Soo-deok must have pulled some strings for the speaker."

"Professor Jo did?"

"Yes. He helped me a lot while I was in America."

Since the topic had come up, I took the opportunity to subtly shift some of the credit to Jo Soo-deok.

Everything that happened in America?

It wasn't all me.

It was only possible because I had a reliable supporter.

I wanted to emphasize Jo Soo-deok's presence.

I figured it would help diffuse the attention focused on me.

But Chairman Park didn't seem particularly interested in that.

"So, the only gift you brought back was for your brother?"

"I'm sorry."

"Then what did you spend all that money on?"

"I bought luxury suits for the guys who worked hard."

I expected him to scold me for coming back empty-handed for my family while dressing up the staff in expensive suits.

But to my surprise, Chairman Park just nodded quietly.

"I also played some games at an arcade. I wanted to play until I got tired of it."

"That's it?"

"Then I met a Japanese businessman there."

I began to explain in detail about Shigeru.

I excitedly described how adorable the character he created was.

"I wanted it so much that I even invested in it."

"What exactly did you get?"

"The character."

In the 1980s, it was common for creators to retain the rights to their characters.

But to buy and sell those rights with money?

Even for Chairman Park, it must have been a novel concept.

"How much did you spend?"

"Around 10 billion won."

Of course, Chairman Park's eyes widened in shock.

It wasn't like I had bought Mickey Mouse—why would I spend 10 billion won on a game character from an uncertain Japanese company?

"What made it so expensive?"

"I obtained the rights in exchange for handling the distribution."

"Do you even know what distribution entails?"

His tone was raised for the first time.

"When things go wrong, the first thing they'll demand is more money. Do you think it'll be over just because you think 10 billion won is enough?"

Finally, the chance to get scolded!

I intentionally remained silent, blinking with an expression as clueless as possible.

But then…

"Wait a minute."

Chairman Park narrowed his eyes and asked,

"You spent 10 billion won on initial costs alone?"

"Yes."

"You couldn't have set up a distribution company yourself… so you're saying you contracted the work out and only provided the funds?"

"That's right."

"Then why did it cost so much?"

"Oh, well…"

For a moment, I hesitated.

It was the perfect setup to get scolded.

But if I gave an honest answer now… hmm.

And I couldn't exactly lie to Chairman Park either.

"I bought a building."

"A building? Where?"

"Out west…"

"Where out west?"

"San Francisco."

"Silicon Valley?"

At that point, I had to bite my lower lip.

Because I glimpsed the joy in Chairman Park's eyes.

"Yes."

"How did you know that area would become prime real estate in the future?"

It's obvious to me since I'm from the future.

But how do *you* know, Grandpa?

However, I swallowed my question and said,

"It hasn't been bought yet. I just asked someone to look into it."

"Where in Silicon Valley? Do you know the exact location?"

"Santa Clara, as close to Stanford University as possible…"

Before I could even finish my sentence,

Clap!

Chairman Park clapped his hands loudly.

The reaction was so intense that even the driver, startled, glanced into the rearview mirror.

"That's it."

"…?"

"No matter how much you spent on the game, that building alone will compensate for everything."

"But I told you we haven't bought it yet…"

"Didn't you ask Jo Soo-deok to find you a building?"

"Yes."

"Then he'll definitely find you a good one!"

It's not like buildings cost just a few pennies.

Shouldn't you at least check it out before spending the money?

Isn't it normal to scold me for this?

Swallowing my disappointment, I asked,

"Are you confident that Silicon Valley will thrive?"

"Of course."

"Then why haven't you bought land there yourself?"

Chuckle.

"Korea's leading companies should be selling products, not making money by selling land."

"For ethical reasons?"

"Ethics, my foot. If a company is making money from land instead of technology, they'll be ridiculed. People will say, 'How poor in technology do they have to be to resort to this?'"

"So it's about brand value."

Chairman Park didn't respond.

His face seemed to say there was no need to state the obvious.

For a while, silence settled between us.

I wondered what Chairman Park was thinking.

Could he be attaching great significance to the actions of an 11-year-old?

The thought of being thoroughly outplayed by this giant was unnerving.

But…

"…"

I tried not to rush things.

I had never seen things go well when I acted impulsively.

If I hadn't wasted my past life, I should be able to endure even this unsettling silence.

After gathering my thoughts.

As I turned my gaze heavily toward the window.

"The painting."

Chairman Park spoke while staring straight ahead.

"You said you have another piece left after selling Dürer's painting?"

"Yes."

"I heard the Oxford appraisal team came. What did they say?"

"They acknowledged the quality of the work, but said it's not a Da Vinci."

"Then why don't you look disappointed?"

"We've decided to have it reappraised."

"They're going to appraise it again? Hmm, aren't they supposed to be the best when it comes to Da Vinci?"

"They are. That's why we called them in the first place."

"Then isn't it over?"

"With billions on the line, it's hard to give up based on just a few words from others."

"And who's the new appraisal team?"

"I put it together."

"Now you're trying all sorts of things."

Despite his words, Chairman Park's expression didn't seem all that displeased.

"The painting?"

"I brought it back by plane. Professor Jo Soo-deok will probably store it at Seoul National University."

"Why Seoul National?"

"They have the necessary appraisal equipment."

As soon as I finished speaking,

"Turn the car around."

Chairman Park instructed the driver.

The driver moved to the first lane and asked,

"Where should I take you?"

"Seoul National University."

What on earth is going on now?

Whatever I thought about it…

Vroom!

The Maybach's V12 engine roared to life at full power.

***

We barged into the school without any prior notice.

I was worried that Jo Soo-deok might have already headed home.

"Boss, what brings you here… *cough!* Ch-Chairman?"

Fortunately, he was still at the lab.

While I was talking with Chairman Park in the airport lounge… it seemed Jo Soo-deok had hurried over to the school.

"Nice to meet you, Chairman."

Jo Soo-deok, usually so composed, seemed a bit flustered for once.

And for good reason…

Chairman Park was glaring at him with such intense eyes that anyone would feel their legs give out.

It was a presence that would make most people tremble.

Only someone like Jo Soo-deok could withstand it.

Fortunately, the tension didn't last long.

"Let's skip the formalities."

Chairman Park's focus shifted to the painting.

Ever perceptive, Jo Soo-deok immediately sprang into action.

"The first thing I did upon arriving at the lab was check the condition of the painting. Fortunately, thanks to the experts, there seems to be almost no damage from transport."

"And the painting?"

"Over here…"

Jo Soo-deok led the way to his own studio on the same floor.

There were several familiar faces there.

The seasoned Ph.D. students who had been with us in Boston.

When they spotted Chairman Park, they all froze, as if on cue.

Should they greet him?

And if so, what should they say?

No one seemed to know the answer.

"…"

They just stood there awkwardly, not daring to move.

As if this reaction was familiar to him,

Step, step.

Chairman Park calmly walked through the sea of stares.

Then, he fixed his gaze on the painting set on the table in the center of the lab.

He didn't bother to ask if this was the right piece.

Instead.

The aura emanating from the portrait was enough to make him…

"…!"

Already sense everything.

TL/n - 

You can read up to chapter 55 in advance at [email protected]/inkbound