Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Coronation (2)
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Time flew by like an arrow loosed from a bowstring.
In the time remaining before the board meeting, Director Seo Myung-hee went over the company's status with her grandson, as if organizing it all.
"No matter that he's my own grandson, what a remarkable fellow he is. He's worlds apart from how your father was before he passed."
She had merely tossed out a few key words, yet her grandson instantly grasped their hidden meanings.
Leaning her head back against the chair's headrest, Seo Taehu recalled the events of the past few days.
*'This venture may run at a loss for now, but it must be pursued no matter what.'*
*"'Ah, so industrial robot technology has already advanced to this level. We won't need German or Japanese automation systems in the future.'*
*"'...That's about the size of it. Now that you know, that's enough.'*
Her grandson absorbed every detail like a dry sponge, as if he'd come back from the future with a report. She couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Her feelings had shifted from doubt to surprise, then from surprise to pride.
Now, that pride had solidified into firm trust. Trust that he could be relied upon entirely, even without her oversight.
"It seems it's time for a new sun to rise."
Dawn had broken before she knew it, judging by the birdsong drifting in from outside the window.
On the desk in the mansion's study sat a nameplate carved from black ivory, catching the sunlight filtering through the curtains as Seo Taehu brushed it with her palm.
Inlaid with mother-of-pearl engraving, the nameplate bore the title "Director of Ammunition Group."
"This has no use anymore."
Letting out a sigh of relief, Seo Taehu rose from her seat. As she walked slowly across the carpet toward the display cabinet, her eyes fell on a silver plaque of appreciation.
-[Ammunition Group Han Clan Association Chairman Han Hyeong-min]
The plaque, engraved with the group's symbolic flame. Was it her imagination, or did those flickering curves look especially sharp today?
"There should have been backlash from the clan association... yet it's been unusually quiet. Even my own son."
It wasn't just the clan association maintaining a silent acceptance.
Her youngest son, Han Hwa-gi, who had competed with his nephew for the chairman position.
As if he'd never harbored any dissatisfaction to begin with, he accepted the decision with calm composure.
*'It seems the chairman's seat isn't meant for you. Don't regret it, and don't covet it.'*
*"'Since you've made the decision, Director, I will simply follow.'*
*"'As I said before, be content with the financial affiliates' separation. That's the most I can give you.'*
Her youngest son, maintaining a stoic demeanor.
Seo Taehu didn't know. She hadn't seen the expression on Han Hwa-gi's face as he bowed his head, offered a brief farewell, and left.
All that lingered in her intuition was a strange chill creeping up her spine—a faint, nagging unease, whispering just audibly enough to be heard.
"...This must be for the best. I've done everything I could."
Muttering to herself as if to shake off the sticky feeling and reaffirm her resolve.
Just then, her personal secretary entered.
It was nearly time to depart.
"Director, preparations are complete."
"And Seo-jun?"
"He'll be down shortly. I've had a car readied so you can go together."
Finally, today.
Once the board meeting concluded with final approval, all prerequisites for the chairman appointment would be met.
With the clan association's tacit consent already secured, the shareholders' meeting posed little concern.
"Let's be off."
Sweeping back her snow-white hair like piled mourning clothes, Seo Taehu stepped out the door.
The moment she boarded the car with her grandson, she fell into silent contemplation.
Hoping her belief that this young blood would become the group's future wasn't mistaken.
* * * *
"Auntie? This feels too tight... And I can do it myself."
"The Madam said to tie it firm... I'm just doin' as I'm told."
Cheongju-ssi Auntie was tying my tie so tightly it felt like it was choking my carotid artery midway up my neck.
The tie, a vivid red like a freshly kindled flame, appeared quite old—its surface rough and worn.
Dressed in a white shirt and charcoal gray suit, I gazed at my reflection in the full-length mirror, smoothing my neatly styled hair.
The doorknob turned, and someone entered.
"Oh, already done?"
"Madam's here. Tied it real tight so it won't come loose, just like you said."
"Yes...? Oh! Oh my! Auntie, hold on!"
My mother, startled by my now beet-red neck. I'd felt a bit breathless; apparently, it was tied too much.
"Good heavens! What am I to do? I said to tie it sturdy, not so tight I can't breathe!"
"I don't know nothin' about that stuff. How'm I s'posed to know?"
"I'm gonna die because of you, Auntie... I'll redo it myself."
My mother stepped right up to me.
Her wrinkled hand reached for the loosened tie.
For some reason, she avoided looking straight up at me, her gaze cast downward.
Concerned, I spoke to her gently.
"Are you okay...? Is something bad going on?"
She shook her head silently.
It was only after steadying her voice, as if holding back a swell of emotion, that she responded to my careful words.
"That's why I asked Cheongju-ssi to do it instead of me..."
"Mom?"
"This tie... it was your father's favorite. I wanted you to wear it on a day like today."
Struggling not to show her tears, she tied the tie with trembling hands.
Father.
A man both close and distant to me.
He was always busy, rarely at home, so my memories of him were quite hazy.
On top of that... the stigma of being illegitimate made it hard for me to face him easily.
"Your father, Seo-jun... hmm, how to put it? He lived like he was always being chased."
"Chased? By what, Dad?"
"Chased by work, you could say. Too young, with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He always seemed so reliable, yet pitiful at times."
Lost in reminiscence of her time with Father, Mother's gaze drifted to the family photo on the wall behind me.
A wry smile tugged at her lips. Speaking as if to Father in the picture, she said.
"There. You look just like him."
"......"
"Do well today. After the board meeting comes the shareholders' meeting, so stay cautious from here on... Though of course, my son will handle it just fine."
Her hand grasping mine.
Seeing that hand, still free of wrinkles, a fragment of memory suddenly stood out in my mind.
Before the regression. While I was unjustly locked in prison, Mother's faithful visits for visitation.
Through the rusted bars, one palm pressed to the hole-pocked acrylic divider—it had felt rough.
Under the flickering fluorescent light, smiling as we pressed our hands together, unable to truly touch.
"Your hands are still so pretty. The world needs to recognize Mom's beauty."
"You... flattery won't get you anywhere."
The warm touch transmitted through our clasped hands. No more cold prison visitation acrylic to keep us apart.
"This time... I'll do well. Don't worry. Because."
Smiling as I looked at her.
Fingering the rough surface of Father's red tie, I murmured to myself like a vow.
"Your son isn't foolish enough to squander this second chance."
* * * *
Ammunition Group headquarters.
For most executives outside the Han family, entering Vice President Yang Taek-su's office meant a suffocating ordeal.
He appeared kindly and affable on the surface. But fail to answer his ruthlessly pragmatic questions, and he would inevitably hold you accountable.
And now, the man lounging casually on the sofa in that office.
Though not of the Han clan, Kim Won-cheol stirred his coffee with a stick in relaxed comfort as he greeted Vice President Yang Taek-su.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Kim Won-cheol. What brings you here early?"
"I'm the big man of the new era, aren't I? Anyway, have some decent coffee. You always drink instant... Even new hires get good beans these days."
"Enough. No point getting a taste for the fancy stuff when I'm heading back to my hometown after this."
Kim Won-cheol wiped coffee from his upper lip with his shirt sleeve.
Surprised that it wasn't what he'd expected, he asked Vice President Yang Taek-su.
"Wait, did you call me to talk about resigning?"
"Isn't it right to put new wine in new wineskins? An old man lingering just blocks the way. And..."
Yang Taek-su appeared utterly detached, as if he'd already accomplished his task.
"That business with former secretary Han Yul-san. The slush fund password—was it in Seosan?"
"Heh... You're a real ghost. How'd you know?"
"No need to dig; your actions spoke for themselves. If you've even persuaded him, what role's left for me?"
"Hmm..."
"And you've secured Seong Won-sik, Gu Seok-su, and Jeong Cheol-sik... Talks with Finance Director Han Hwa-gi are done, backed by Clan Chairman Han Hyeong-min. Isn't that right?"
Clan Chairman Han Hyeong-min and Finance Director Han Hwa-gi.
Yang Taek-su spoke optimistically of them both. Seeing this, Kim Won-cheol set down his coffee cup and broached the topic cautiously.
"It's tricky—I've been debating whether to tell you. Sigh, if you hadn't mentioned resigning, really..."
"What? Kim Won-cheol, have you caused some incident?"
Yang Taek-su eyed him with keen curiosity.
Rubbing his temples in circles with his thumbs as if nursing a headache, Kim Won-cheol continued.
"No, not that. Vice President, you can't resign just yet, even after the board meeting. You won't get to see the grandkids at home. You'll need to head to the battlefield."
"What do you mean by that? Telling this old man to stay on?"
"One part of what you said earlier is wrong—the last bit. The clan association and Han Hwa-gi... They look like they've knelt quietly."
A scene from some dramatic comic book flashed in Kim Won-cheol's mind.
Realizing universal truths hold everywhere, he spoke up.
"It's all a feint. They're kneeling to gather momentum."
"...So there's some setback I haven't caught."
Yang Taek-su looked disconcerted. But when had the clock hands spun so busily? No time for a long sit-down talk.
The two rose and headed toward the elevator.
Carrying a sense of growing urgency in their chests.
"No time for now, so put the resignation on hold. After today's board meeting, let's go over what's coming. It'll give you a headache."