The Youngest Son of Sunyang

"What are you so upset about?"

"What?"

"Did Director Lee Hakjae fabricate something among the crimes or mistakes he found?"

"Well, I... I mean..." Manager Lim stammered and couldn't provide a clear denial.

"If we want to help you, we need to know everything. What the mistake is, what wrong you've committed. Do you understand?"

"I really didn't make a major mistake..."

"No, not you."

"What?"

"Director Lee Hakjae already has a knife to your throat, and it's too late to dodge it. We need to draw our own knife and aim it at the opponent's throat. Aunt Seo-yoon pointed to you as the mastermind. Director Lee Hakjae is just acting on behalf of Aunt Seo-yoon after all."

Manager Lim had an incredulous look on his face when I suggested betraying my aunt.

Oh Sehyun remained silent and just observed, showing a clear willingness to let me take the lead since I had decided to step forward.

"Director Jin, are you serious?"

"Since Manager Lim has already guessed it, that's why you've come here, right? You suspect that Miracle might take aunt's place. Am I correct?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Then please tell me everything. The origin and flow of the angelic 100 billion won that your aunt lost through stock investments. We need to hold a knife to aunt's throat with that information. Then Director Lee Hakjae will make the proposal to put down the knife on both sides."

Manager Lim glanced briefly at Oh Sehyun who just shrugged his shoulders and remained silent.

I understand why Manager Lim hesitates. Isn't this a blood relationship? Instead of his nephew holding a knife to exploit his aunt's weakness, he might be more inclined to bury himself, a total stranger.

Looking at him hesitate, I said, "I'm not suggesting you plot against aunt. Just tell us the facts you can prove. Inflating them unnecessarily will only backfire. I will determine if the facts can be the knife Manager Lim can use."

"Well, that means..." Manager Lim started cautiously, and as he gradually spoke up, his voice became louder. By the time all the information about the origin of the 100 billion won had come out, he was practically shouting. "This is completely insane! While it's a habit for the wealthy to endure without giving in even when money is at stake, this has gone too far. Day after tomorrow, all the tenant companies will be rallying at the department store entrance."

"So, what you're saying is that the 100 billion won, as it left the company account and flowed into Myeongdong, didn't pass through Chairman Jin Seo-yoon's hands?"

"That's correct. It flowed from the company account to a phantom company, and then to Myeongdong."

"Who is the representative of this phantom company?"

"As I said, it's a phantom. A company established under the name of a fictitious person. It's been around for quite a while."

"A money laundering front, I see."

"Yes, they issued tax invoices under various pretexts, allowing them to siphon off money from hotels and department stores."

"Just investigating this company could yield enough evidence."

"Yes, Chairman Jin won't be able to escape."

"You're quite slow for someone who handles money." Oh Sehyun chuckled, as if he found it pitiful, while looking at Manager Lim.

"It's not the CEOs and executives who funneled the money into the phantom company. Each department store manager, hotel manager did. Do you think we can find traces of my aunt among these people?"

"What are you talking about? Everyone knows that, right? That the phantom company was CEO Jin's wallet?"

"Everyone may know, but do the courts know? Does the prosecution know? It's all about the legal principle of 'burden of proof.' You didn't know that? Can you prove, with documents, that the phantom company was my aunt's wallet?"

"Testimonies are evidence too. The CEOs, the executives, they're all witnesses."

"Exactly."

As I thumped my knee and nodded, Manager Lim's eyes widened.

"Convince all those CEOs to testify, Manager Lim. The rest is up to me."

To gain a new master, one must betray the old.

"When the issue explodes, make sure they know that all those Managers will be in the same situation as you. Someone has to take responsibility for the missing 100 billion won. If you, Manager Lee, quietly shoulder the blame alone..."

"How can I just sit still? I have no intention of dying alone."

"Then it will get noisy, and the hotel and department store Managers will also be in trouble. If they point their fingers at you in unison..."

"That's... that's outrageous!" Manager Lim was stunned. However, he knew that it wasn't outrageous, but rather, there was a high possibility of it happening.

Telling lies for the sake of one's loyal master is not uncommon, is it?

"So, their blame must be directed towards Chairman Jin Seo-yoon. Convince them. Please!" Seeing him trembling with fear, I grabbed both of Manager Lim's hands. "Mr. CEO, you must make a choice. Time is running out."

"Manager Lim! You have to make sense. Do you know how much favor I owe Chairman Jin?"

"We have to survive too, right?"

"Hey, friend! This isn't right. How much trust does Chairman Jin Seo-yoon have in you? And you're talking about betraying her?"

The CEO of Gangnam Branch, the largest and most senior of the Sungyang Department Store branches, frowned as he looked at Manager Lim.

"Sir. Chairman Jin is trying to place the blame on me for the accident she caused. It's a whopping 100 billion won. I might go to prison for 10 years, while she just to enjoy a life of wealth and luxury."

The mention of a 10-year prison sentence left the CEO of Gangnam Branch looking perplexed.

It's a statement that can neither be cursed nor finger-pointed. 10 years means you'll be staring at the world outside when you're in your seventies, breathing in the free air.

Manager Lim observed the expression of the Gangnam Branch CEO and didn't miss the opportunity.

"Sir, I'll be honest... I won't die alone."

"What?"

"I've had control over all the Sungyang Department Store and hotel ledgers. The embezzled unofficial fund records are in my hands. If that comes to light, not only the department store group executives but all the top managers will be summoned."

"That guy! Are you threatening me!"

It was only natural for a loud voice to emerge in response to such blatant intimidation. However, Manager Lim had no intention of stopping here.

"Sir, this is an opportunity for a new beginning. It's a chance for us to break free from the shadow of Jin Seo-yoon, if we combine our strength."

"What are you talking about now?"