The Youngest Son of Sunyang

"Do, Do-jun... What... What are you talking about?"

It took a while for my aunt to finally speak.

"Is what I said unclear? Oh Sehyun has no interest in this matter. I'm just fulfilling the contract as it's written."

"So, what exactly is your intention? Is this for real? You're going to... my company?"

"Have I ever spoken nonsense? Starting next year, I will be the owner of Sunyang Retail. Of course, it includes the department stores under it, hotels, golf courses, condos, and the discount mart chain. I will have it all. Do you understand what the situation is right now?"

It's going to be hard for her to understand. She has to piece the puzzle together herself. I've never touched the puzzle pieces, so I have no idea what the picture looks like.

If it were a still life, it would be easy to understand, but this is abstract art. It takes a while to grasp. However, with time, she come to realize one thing.

"You... You, this child, are you really... betraying me? Have you been using me?"

"When have we ever been on the same side? Haven't our family members always lived cautiously around each other? Words like betrayal and exploitation... they didn't even exist. Aunt, you also never treated me as a business partner, you simply wanted to use me."

"You little... dare to take advantage of me? Wait... you, this child... Was even the stock investment part of your scheme?"

"I told you to sell when you made a profit, didn't I? You said you sold everything, and without my advise, didn't you secretly buy it all back? What are you talking about?"

"Hey!"

Surprise, amazement, and confusion vanished. They were replaced by anger, the only emotion remaining, pouring out of her.

I don't need to bear all of this person's anger, and I certainly don't have any compassionate feelings.

"Stop shouting and calm down. This is the moment that will determine the future of the Sunyang Retail. Whether Jin Seo-yoon remains in that position as the CEO of Sunyang Retail or not, I haven't decided yet. Showing a calm and rational approach is still inadequate."

"You, you child. Do as the contract says! It's just 30%, alright. Majority shareholder? I'll accept it. But not Miracle... no, you can't do anything. Shareholders take care of the dividends." Aunt, her fur coat fluttering, stood up from her seat. "Get out! Get out of this building right now! You're not qualified. You can attend the shareholder meeting once a year!"

"Please sit down. I haven't finished my statement as the majority shareholder."

"What?" Aunt's flushed face turned white.

"As you said, as the majority shareholder with a 30% stake, I plan to sue you for embezzlement of company funds through stock investments."

The word 'sue' seemed to hit her like an arrow, and her mouth fell agape.

"If the majority shareholder makes a move, changing the CEO and executives is no big deal. Especially for someone like you, who messed up the company without following the corporate system, caused damage, and embezzled money without authorization; it's better for you to disappear as soon as possible."

Aunt, coming to her senses, pursed her lips and sneered.

"Did Oh Sehyun not teach you anything? Why we're not part of the corporate system? It's for times like these. Exert control without responsibility. That's what we are."

"I didn't need to be taught that. I'm not the only one who knows. The entire nation knows."

"Knowing doesn't change a thing, so you just observe. You're no different from that nation. There's nothing you can do. Just like you said, the majority shareholder can replace the CEO and executives. The executives should be the ones held responsible."

"Will they really do that?" I took out my mobile phone and dialed a shortcut number. "Yes. They're coming. It's time for an explanation."

"What, what is this? Who are you talking to?"

"The people responsible. We need to know their thoughts. Are they willing to take responsibility for Aunt, or will they, instead of inverting non-existent crimes, all point fingers at you and say it's your fault."

As footsteps approached from outside the conference room, Aunt's gaze shifted towards the door.

"If they all point fingers at Aunt at the same time, there's nothing we can do. Oh, we call that kind of situation betrayal."

At that moment, the conference room door swung wide open, and department store and hotel managers, led by Manager Lim, filed in one by one.

They took their seats in the conference room chairs, avoiding Aunt's gaze.

"Let's skip the pleasantries. Those present here are already familiar with the content of the contract with Miracle."

Aunt's face, now seated in the high-backed chair, began to pale.

"The one hundred billion won that Chairman Jin Seo-yoon lost, the source of that money came directly from the companies you all run. And Chairman Jin Seo-yoon believed in your loyalty. Responsibility for that money falls on your shoulders. Isn't that right?"

Not a single one of them spoke.

"Silence implies consent. Will you take responsibility for this?"

As I slammed the table, Manager Lim was the first to speak.

"I'm sorry, Chairman. At my age, I can't spend my retirement in prison."

"I'm sorry, Chairman." Once one person began, the rest followed, all bowing their heads and apologizing to Aunt.

"You, you people..."

Aunt was likely finding it difficult to accept this situation as they had spent their entire lives being loyal to the Sunyang Group. It was challenging to believe people she had trusted could betray her like this.

"Wh-who said someone's going to prison? Can't you trust our Sunyang? Even if he makes a big fuss, there's no problem. In the worst case, it will end with a suspended sentence."

Manager Lim spoke on behalf of the others. "If people like us will only end up with suspended sentences, then, Chairwoman, you'll probably be cleared of all charges. Or at the very least, have your prosecution postponed. What are you afraid of?"

"Manager Lim!" Aunt shouted, but it was already too late. Manager Lim glared at her with icy eyes.

"Stop trying to find their weaknesses by threatening executives and managers, or even bothering them. If even one person becomes a subject of harassment, I will personally sue Aunt, and these people will all become witnesses."

With my final warning, an uncomfortable silence began.

Since they had all thrown their dice, they only needed to wait for the results. I was the only dealer who could reveal those results.

"Regardless of where the company goes from here, your positions will remain unchanged. Given the current situation, you shouldn't brandish your swords recklessly. Go back with peace of mind."