Chapter 64
Chapter 64
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Royal Family
-----------------------------------------------------------------
With Jo Dong-yeon's acquisition of new shares, the shareholding situation at Daecheon Transport had shifted.
Of course, in a week, half of Heo Gyu-seok's shares would transfer to Kim Su-jin.
But that one week was sweet as honey to Ji-hyeok, while pure hell to Jo Dong-yeon.
With the shift in shares, Daecheon Transport's board was now composed of four members.
Heo Gyu-seok, Heo Yu-rim, Jang Woo, Jo Dong-yeon.
And as soon as the new share acquisition wrapped up, Daecheon Transport convened another board meeting and approved a paid capital increase.
Lee Chang-gyun, attending as Jo Dong-yeon's proxy, desperately opposed it, but with 50.6% of the shares and a board majority in favor, the increase was approved.
And naturally, that news sent Jo Dong-yeon into a complete rage.
Jo Dong-yeon was no longer lenient with Lee Chang-gyun.
- Crack!
"Guh!"
"You fucking bastard. Stand up straight."
- Crack!
"Kuh!"
"Didn't you say you wouldn't let it happen? Huh?"
"I... I'm sorry. But I can handle it."
- Smack!
"Fuck off, you piece of shit! I told you, burying you would be nothing. Got it?"
"Gah! Please... Young Master. Hear me out..."
"Hoo, fine. Fuck, go ahead and spill your last words."
Jo Dong-yeon, knuckles fitted with metal, plopped down on the sofa, breathing heavily.
Lee Chang-gyun clutched his stomach, gasping for breath before slowly speaking.
"It's clear. They're out of funds too."
"Talk sense! Then why the hell are they pulling this shit? They know we're low on cash!"
"No. Next week, half of Heo Gyu-seok's shares go to Kim Su-jin. That's why."
"Fuck! I said explain it simply!"
"S-sorry, Young Master. You know Heo Gyu-seok transfers half his shares to Kim Su-jin next week, right?"
"I know that. So?"
"Then our side hits 51.7%. They're bluffing to block it."
Jo Dong-yeon's expression softened slightly at Lee Chang-gyun's words.
"Bluffing?"
"Yes. They announce a ten million share increase, say they'll take as many as we do. If we take a million, they take 1.5 million. Just enough to keep over 50.1%. Young Master, from here it's a battle of nerves."
"So what do we do?"
"That is... how about we scare them a bit?"
"Scare? That punk clubs in Hongdae, right? Think he doesn't have muscle around?"
"No, not him. Heo Yu-rim..."
"What? That bitch? How?"
"She looks fine on the outside, but you know quitting drugs isn't easy."
"Keep going."
"Call her once. She'll come, I bet. Stuff her full of drugs, grab her weakness, then squeeze Heo Gyu-seok to our side. What choice would he have? His daughter's a criminal then."
"Fuck, this guy's brain..."
Jo Dong-yeon smirked, and Lee Chang-gyun grinned back, pride long gone.
Pride?
He'd fed that to the dogs ages ago.
Better to serve in the master's house than rule as a beggar.
Even enduring this humiliation, he pulled over ten million a month from Jo Dong-yeon.
Good months neared twenty million.
Where else could he make that kind of money?
And if he could hand Seyeon Group to this kid and get the scraps, he'd endure a thousand humiliations.
One step below the emperor, above all others.
No reason to hesitate.
It was a hectic morning.
Ji-hyeok started with a seven a.m. breakfast meeting and powered through six more by lunchtime.
Lunchtime finally arrived.
His mouth reeked of sweetness from exhaustion, so Ji-hyeok desperately wanted fresh air over food—a quick walk.
"Hoo, yeah. Let's step out."
He was just opening the office door when—
- Knock knock! Knock knock!
A frantic knock.
Ji-hyeok yanked the door open.
"What hap—"
But words failed him.
There stood a pale-faced Heo Yu-rim.
Behind her, Park Eun-seok fidgeted anxiously.
"O... oppa."
"Come in first."
Ji-hyeok gently wrapped an arm around Yu-rim's shoulders and led her inside.
Eun-seok tried to follow, but Ji-hyeok blocked him and shut the door.
"Sit. Water?"
"...Yeah."
Yu-rim's hands trembled like leaves as she took the glass.
But Ji-hyeok said nothing until she calmed.
Time passed, her shaking eased.
"Haa... sorry, oppa. You were the only one I could think of."
"It's fine. What happened?"
"This... came."
She held out her phone.
Ji-hyeok took it slowly and checked the screen.
Crude text followed by two photos.
One of white powder. One of Yu-rim naked.
Carrot and stick...
Come for drugs, or photos go public.
Ji-hyeok handed the phone back calmly.
"What did I promise?"
"You'd drag that bastard here and make him kneel."
"Right. I promised that, and I'll keep it."
"Yeah. I trust you."
"Then are you ready to keep your promise to me? Ready to resist this temptation forever?"
Yu-rim hesitated.
No immediate answer.
Ji-hyeok stood.
"Get up."
"Oppa..."
"Not scolding you. Get up."
He opened the door while urging her.
Park Eun-seok waited anxiously outside.
"Eun-seok!"
"Yes, hyung."
"Take Yu-rim to Taesung Seoul Hospital now."
"Hyung... that's..."
"Not asking your opinion. Don't want to? Fine."
"No. I'll do it. I will."
Yu-rim was most shocked by their exchange.
She thought it meant readmitting her.
But then—
Ji-hyeok turned, his low voice piercing her heart.
"Not checking you in. Go see your father's condition."
"Wh-what... Oppa, what do you mean?"
"I'm done explaining. Don't ask me—follow Eun-seok."
Yu-rim had no choice but to panic.
She'd seen her father yesterday—thinner, but still hale and energetic.
What was this about?
Pushed by Ji-hyeok's firm gaze, she left with Eun-seok escorting her from the Strategic Planning Office.
"Hoo..."
Ji-hyeok watched until they vanished, then returned and picked up the phone.
"Vice Chairman, can you talk?"
"........."
"Yes. Straight to the point—might need company resources."
"......"
"Yes. Thank you."
Lee Seo-hoon didn't ask why.
He sensed it wasn't a request for permission.
Purely business, simple words—but Ji-hyeok's voice brimmed with fury.
Yet his face was ice-cold, expressionless.
If Jang Woo saw it, he'd clear everyone out.
That face meant danger.
"Good shot!"
"Good shot! Perfect, sir!"
"Nice one! Chairman, your ball's flying great today."
"You think so?"
Jo Chung-ho's mood was indeed nice, as they said.
Problems popped daily, but on the course, he could set work aside.
Especially days like today, when shots connected perfectly—his spirits soared.
Last hole left; one good shot could break his record. Excitement built.
His steps to the ball were light.
But then—
His waiting secretary on the cart took a call, face hardening, and ran over.
Jo Chung-ho felt unexplained dread.
Like a lucky day turning sour...
Today's perfection flashed by, anxiety crashing in.
And sure enough—
The breathless secretary whispered in his ear.
"Chairman, big trouble. Korea Development Bank denied the loan extension."
"What? Denied? What the hell?"
"Not all. Ministry of Land is sending an aviation audit team."
"What now? Audit? For what?"
"Officially flight safety, but you should head to the office."
Jo Chung-ho dropped his club.
Strength fled his hand.
Anxiety turned to terror; his face paled.
He bolted for the cart.
The Sailing Hotel in Mapo was a former motel revamped into a three-star spot.
Ji-hyeok and Jang Woo sat face-to-face in the first-floor coffee shop, sipping tea.
Unlike usual, Jang Woo said nothing, eyeing Ji-hyeok's face.
Soon, a man approached cautiously and stood by Jang Woo.
"Ready."
Ji-hyeok rose first.
Jang Woo followed half a step behind.
Unlike Ji-hyeok's norm.
Jang Woo's men were everywhere.
Usually, for Jang Woo's face, he'd step back—but not today.
That meant his rage ran deep.
Ji-hyeok led to the seventh floor.
Hall packed with Jang Woo's subordinates.
"This way."
Guided to Room 714.
Door wide open.
Ji-hyeok strode in without pause.
Waiting: Kim Su-jin in underwear, host Min-hyeok.
Min-hyeok sat at the edge table.
Kim Su-jin shivered on the bed in her underwear.