Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Siblings' Reunion
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Lee Dae-hyuk looked at his brother with trembling eyes for a moment.
“…Hyung-nim. Could I ask you for one favor?”
Was it because Lee Dae-hyuk's serious gaze lifted his spirits?
Lee Dae-cheol nodded with a bright smile as well.
“A favor? Sure. Let's hear it.”
Lee Dae-cheol accepted readily.
This was a place for apologies.
Rather than just empty words, granting a small request and easing the burden on his heart wouldn't be a bad idea.
As if reading Lee Dae-cheol's mind,
Lee Dae-hyuk continued with a gentle smile.
“Before I go to America, I'd like to have a meal with Eldest Hyung-nim and Third Noona.”
“……?”
“You don't need to look at me like that. I just want to let go of all the old grudges. We're family, after all. If we meet face-to-face and talk it out, I think it'll clear things up like it has between us.”
Even as he said this,
‘Man… I've turned into quite the sly fox myself.’
Lee Dae-hyuk marveled at himself inwardly.
On the other hand, Lee Dae-cheol, completely fooled by the act, wore an expression of deep emotion.
He believed his sincerity had gotten through.
“Yeah, I'm really grateful. But you know…”
Lee Dae-cheol barely held back from warning him to be careful around Lee Dae-hwan.
Just looking at how fine Lee Dae-hyuk was now made it obvious.
Lee Dae-hwan might have just lashed out in anger; it could have been a one-time thing.
If nothing had happened, it was best to let it lie quietly.
“No, before that… You're going to America? For what?”
At Lee Dae-cheol's quick change of subject, Lee Dae-hyuk answered honestly.
“Yes. I'm planning to head out soon for an investment deal.”
At those words, Lee Dae-hwan's eyes widened slightly.
He knew Lee Dae-hyuk was running an investment firm.
But going to America in person…
“Must be a big one if you're going yourself.”
“It's the biggest deal of my life—one that won't come again.”
Lee Dae-hyuk spoke half-jokingly, half-seriously.
Forming a partnership with Apple and saving Steven Jobs.
If this impossible plan succeeded, he could collaborate with Apple.
Not just invest—actually partner.
If he pushed his luck a bit further,
‘I might even snag the Korean distribution rights for the iPhone.’
He already had a few plans sketched out in his head.
But their feasibility would only become clear after meeting Steven Jobs in person.
No need to share these thoughts with Lee Dae-cheol.
Lee Dae-hyuk smiled and continued.
“From now on, I need to carve my own path too.”
“Right. A man has to earn his keep with his own hands.”
Lee Dae-cheol grinned widely and patted his younger brother's shoulder.
That sudden skinship.
Lee Dae-hyuk's eyes twitched.
‘…Acting all buddy-buddy already. Simpler than I thought.’
But it didn't feel bad.
His Psycho Metry had confirmed Lee Dae-cheol's guilt was genuine.
“Please arrange it as soon as possible.”
When Lee Dae-hyuk made the request again, Lee Dae-cheol nodded vigorously.
“Got it. Let's all get together as siblings sometime around New Year's.”
With Lee Dae-cheol's firm promise, Lee Dae-hyuk stood up from the bench.
“I'll wait for your call, Hyung-nim.”
***
After meeting with Lee Dae-cheol,
Lee Dae-hyuk stood in front of Lee Myung-guk's study with Kim Dae-min.
“I heard about it. Thank you for granting my request, Secretary Chief.”
Lee Dae-hyuk bowed his head slightly toward Kim Dae-min.
Kim Dae-min gave a wry smile in response.
“No need to thank me. It was something I should have done anyway.”
Kim Dae-min had acted on Lee Dae-hyuk's request and purged the parachute appointees from Daehan Construction.
Of course, there was no protest from them.
The Chairman's direct audit team had meticulously gathered evidence and witnesses of their parachutes' oversteps.
When presented with the recordings, they had no choice but to leave Daehan Construction quietly.
“Still, impressive. I didn't expect you'd handle it this cleanly.”
“They wouldn't want their missteps on their permanent record either.”
Missteps that could be seen as crimes: sexual harassment, assault, embezzlement, and more.
“A few capable ones are still safely working at the company.”
“Safely… That's amusing.”
Lee Dae-hyuk chuckled softly.
Did his smile lift Kim Dae-min's mood?
Kim Dae-min's face broke into a full smile.
“You seem to like the Daehan Construction folks.”
Kim Dae-min read affection for his colleagues in Lee Dae-hyuk's smile.
Surprised by his words?
Lee Dae-hyuk's eyes widened slightly as he replied.
“Aigoo, you caught me.”
At Lee Dae-hyuk's playful remark, Kim Dae-min felt an inexplicable trust.
Chaebol heirs, especially from chaebol families, saw employees as accessories.
Disposable, replaceable parts.
How could such parts perform at their best?
To lead a company excellently, treat each employee not as a part, but as a human with infinite potential.
Like the old Lee Myung-guk.
‘I’ll bet on Young Master.’
None of Lee Myung-guk's three children had ever consulted him on employee issues.
That alone made it inevitable to root for Lee Dae-hyuk.
Now, his role was to quietly cheer him on.
With his mind made up, Kim Dae-min knocked on the study door.
“Chairman, Young Master is coming in.”
***
After hearing Lee Dae-hyuk's story, Lee Myung-guk's mouth fell open slightly.
“You're buying Apple stock with 90 billion won?”
He knew Lee Dae-hyuk was bold.
He knew Apple was a global giant.
But 90 billion at once.
Not bold—reckless.
“Apple's new product will definitely succeed. You'll see soon enough. That I'm not reckless, but wise.”
Lee Dae-hyuk asserted confidently to his father.
It was frustrating, though.
Without knowing about the iPhone's success, no explanation would earn trust.
So he planned to gain it another way.
“I'm not just investing in Apple—my goal is to become their friend.”
“Friends… Dae-hyuk-ah. Even investing 90 billion and flying to America for meetings won't make you friends. That's a whole different matter.”
Lee Myung-guk corrected his son.
Lee Dae-hyuk fell silent.
He understood his father's feelings.
Even saying he'd save Steven Jobs wouldn't be believed.
Claiming friendship with Apple based on money alone must seem unreliable.
In fact, he'd already bought 10 billion worth of Apple stock first, so buying 90 billion tonight would total 100 billion in investment.
But instead of rambling explanations, Lee Dae-hyuk expressed his resolve.
“No matter how much I explain now, you won't believe it. I'll show you with results.”
It was a gamble for Lee Dae-hyuk too.
But if there was even 1 percent—no, 0.1 percent chance, he had to try.
Revenge on Yoo Jae-man and toppling Seojin Group would be even harder.
‘I have to pull this off.’
Instead of words, Lee Dae-hyuk conveyed his sincerity through solemn, burning eyes.
“…….”
Lee Myung-guk silently met his son's gaze.
Not recklessness—resolve and conviction shone in those eyes.
As a father, he had no choice but to trust and wait.
“Alright. I'll believe you. Is there anything I can help with?”
A direct meeting with Apple was tough.
Especially for the head of a small Korean investment firm.
He might not even get a meeting and come back empty-handed.
But through Daehan Group's connections, at least a meeting could be arranged.
However, Lee Dae-hyuk shook his head firmly.
“I appreciate the thought. But I want to show you I can handle something like this on my own.”
“Dae-hyuk-ah. The Daehan Group name is a weapon for you too. Using it wisely is smart.”
Lee Dae-hyuk nodded at his father's words.
“I will use it. But I can handle this simple matter with my own strength. When I really need it later, I'll borrow Daehan Group and your power, Father.”
“…….”
Lee Myung-guk was impressed by his son's words.
Wildness gleamed in his eyes and voice.
The ferocity of a beast facing prey.
‘Apple as prey? Ha ha ha.’
Chuckle, chuckle—!
Lee Myung-guk let out an involuntary laugh and spoke.
“Fine. When you go to America, how long until you return?”
“Not sure exactly. Shortest a month, longest half a year.”
His stay would depend on his relationship with Steven Jobs.
“Departure date?”
“Around mid-January. Or maybe… a bit later.”
Lee Dae-hyuk couldn't specify the schedule.
He'd secured a local guide through Kim Mi-jin and a place to stay.
But variables could arise anytime, so beyond mid-January, no firm plans.
After listening quietly, Lee Myung-guk continued.
“Right. With so many variables, hard to say for sure.”
“Sorry for showing such an unprepared side.”
Lee Myung-guk waved off his apology.
“Business is always like that. Delays, variables, failures… If even one succeeds, your life changes. I prepare a hundred ventures; eighty never start. Half of the twenty fail, and about five of the ten succeed. Those five built Daehan Group.”
Business is finding the diamond of success in the desert sands of failure.
As a father, Lee Myung-guk wanted his son to learn even from failure.
But.
‘Still, better if he succeeds.’
He couldn't send his son on a long journey with talk of failure.
Not as a wise chairman or adult, but as a father, Lee Myung-guk shared his wish.
“Succeed. Come back a success.”
His voice brimmed with affection and trust.
Lee Dae-hyuk felt deep gratitude for that profound heart.
He wasn't truly Lee Myung-guk's son.
That's why he wanted to make him happy all the more.
It would repay the debt he owed.
“I'll see you when I return. Stay healthy until then, Father.”
***
It was now 2007.
The year-end passed quickly, as always.
People enjoyed wrapping up the old year and welcoming the new.
Lee Dae-hyuk was no different.
Kim Mi-jin grumbled a bit about handling both the fighting tournament and his America prep at once, but Lee Dae-hyuk made her happy(?) with a 10 million won bonus.
Early January 2007.
Just before Lee Dae-hyuk's departure for America, Lee Dae-cheol finally granted his request.
Daehan Hotel Restaurant VIP Room.
Lee Dae-cheol, Lee Dae-hwan, and Lee Sun-ah sat around the table.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
Though seated together, their expressions differed sharply.
Doubt filled Lee Dae-hwan's face.
‘Sudden reconciliation?’
Having already confronted Lee Dae-hyuk, he couldn't comprehend it.
Lee Dae-hyuk was a mad dog that bit its master.
A mad dog doesn't suddenly come to its senses.
It would lunge to bite again, obviously.
‘When it opens its jaws, I'll rip out its molars.’
Lee Dae-hwan's eyes gleamed murderously.
But at that moment, he didn't know.
The one losing molars… wouldn't be Lee Dae-hyuk, but himself.
Boss, Become a Chaebol