Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Eve of the Storm (2)
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Hotel Florence's top floor.
In front of several round tables decorated with white cloth and fresh green petals, people stood holding champagne glasses.
With the shareholders' meeting just one day away, the clan association buzzed with all sorts of gossip from busybodies, shared alongside snacks.
As they chatted face-to-face, their eyes occasionally drifted toward the banner hanging at the center of the banquet hall.
-Congratulations to Chairman-nominee Han Seo-jun.
A new leader at the remarkably young age of just twenty-five.
This choice that shattered conventions and norms had arrived in reality, settling as traces of curiosity.
"Anyway, isn't he the guy who went all the way to Saudi Arabia and even changed their regime? He boosted revenue to 90 trillion won, too. Bloodlines don't lie, that's for sure."
Boasts bold enough to make listeners uncomfortable.
"Hmm... Still, it makes me uneasy, though. To put it bluntly, isn't he practically our youngest son? How can we endure that hot-blooded energy when we need stability?"
Some trailed off, advocating caution.
"What bothers me more is... Han Hwa-gi just sitting idle. It's the perfect setup for him to make a big move, yet..."
Others gingerly traced the cracks in the facade, as if foreseeing the events to come.
The impending chairman appointment at the shareholders' meeting was more than enough to bloom flowers of conversation.
And in a distant corner seat, a step back from the banquet hall's splendor, two people watched it all with arms crossed.
"It's a relief the clan association's sentiment isn't as bad as we feared, Director."
"I heard the former secretary pulled strings behind the scenes. I don't even know how to thank you."
Seo Myung-hee, the Director, and former secretary Han Yul-san conversed in low voices, their gazes fixed on the bright chandelier light.
In that secluded spot where no one could eavesdrop, the two discussed the previous chairman's slush funds.
"Thanks are unnecessary. This old man is simply following your lead, Director."
"I know it takes great resolve to switch horses midstream, even if I'm just a woman."
"That boy shone so brightly. Impossible to think of him as young. And..."
Two silver-crystal swans embroidered in form. The two chandelier fixtures sparkling like the Milky Way from the ceiling somehow felt disjointed and out of place. Was that just their illusion?
Han Yul-san, the former secretary, shook off the ominous premonition and trailed off. Stroking his beard, he finally spoke after deep thought.
"...There's also the promise Han Seo-jun made with that fellow. Separating the financial affiliates."
Separating the financial affiliates.
A rule she herself had set, yet Seo Taehu inwardly worried if it had left embers behind. She recalled the recent boardroom fiasco.
Her youngest son ruining the coronation rehearsal with sharp barbs about "concubine's spawn." And her grandson's chilling, low warning.
The atmosphere had felt like one of them had to tumble into the abyss of ruin for it to end.
"I heard there was some commotion at the last board meeting over the chairman selection. Is it true?"
"...There was a minor disturbance, but Han Seo-jun agreed for the group's sake. Once separated, he won't let it reverse."
"Hrm..."
Han Yul-san let out a thoughtful sigh in a low voice. The variables he had to consider weren't limited to the risks of the separation.
"In any case, stability is paramount right now. The problem is..."
Even past seventy, the reason he shuttled daily from Seosan in South Chungcheong to Seoul.
Father and son appeared in the banquet hall, drawing all eyes.
Honorary Advisor Han Deok-sul and Clan Association President Han Hyeong-min.
Their faces beamed as if welcoming their own world.
From afar, wrinkles of anger creased the old man's eyes as he stared.
"Those pests need to be exterminated soon..."
* * * *
"Oh, your face shines with good fortune. Is it because your son became Clan Association President? Jealous of how well you've raised your kids, Deok-sul hyung."
"Hahaha. What do you mean well? He's just shedding his rookie skin. Anyway, see you later. Lots of people looking for me now..."
Honorary Advisor Han Deok-sul wore a fabricated smile as he patted the middle-aged man's shoulder. He roamed every corner of the banquet hall, diligently stamping his face in minds.
"Still far off...? The contact should come any moment now."
Visibly fatigued, Honorary Advisor Han Deok-sul gulped a drink, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, then dabbed sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. He muttered something.
A banquet attended by most key clan figures. Harmonious relations too.
The perfect moment to fire the opening shot.
"Ah... Father! He's here, he's here!"
Just then, Clan Association President Han Hyeong-min waddled over, phone in hand, toward Han Deok-sul himself.
Had his past scoldings had even a slight effect?
Sensing the eyes on him, the foolish son leaned in to whisper.
"Success! [Shanghai Capital] says the Ammunition Securities buyup is nearly complete!"
"...Good work. Leave the rest to your father."
A victorious aura enveloped him.
Honorary Advisor Han Deok-sul turned toward the spot he'd avoided gazing at until now.
The two obstacles he'd long seen as barriers. Director Seo Myung-hee and former secretary Han Yul-san.
-Ding!
A small brass bell chimed from a teaspoon's strike, instantly drawing all eyes to him.
A microphone already in hand—who knew when he'd prepared it. A chilling smile spread across Honorary Advisor Han Deok-sul's lips, as if stained with the stench of blood.
Like a priest placing a goat on the altar and slashing its heart with a stone knife.
"Dear clan association family. A moment of your attention, please."
Hundreds of eyes focused in an instant.
The seasoned speaker, Honorary Advisor Han Deok-sul, ascended the central podium and addressed the crowd.
"With the shareholders' meeting for confirming the chairman selection approaching, I see many of you can't hide your excitement. Isn't that right?"
Laughter and applause poured out.
As if already caught in the mood, the attendees smiled, murmuring in groups, intoxicated by hope.
"Hahaha... A new era dawns. Us old folks can just advise from behind."
"Indeed. Young blood will invigorate the group. And he's the late chairman's only son."
The atmosphere heated to a boil.
Clan Association President Han Deok-sul swallowed his tension and recalled Han Hwa-gi's earnest plea.
The cold, sharp words uttered clearly as he grasped the hand extended.
'Strip that filthy concubine's bastard Han Seo-jun of his birth secret in front of the clan association. Definitely.'
Now... the time was ripe.
Han Deok-sul himself, Han Hwa-gi, [Shanghai Capital].
The old man atop the piled gunpowder. Roughly, he struck the match with all his might.
"Such resounding voices of expectation make my heart race too. However...!"
Silence descended in a flash.
Seo Taehu and former secretary Han Yul-san, standing at the back listening quietly, were the first to sense the alien fracture, as if frozen time had shattered into shards.
"No way... That Han Deok-sul!"
"Director! We must stop him! Right now! The moment the heir's legitimacy is tainted, clan support ends!"
Faces drained white.
The two lunged forward, alarms blaring in their minds.
But the spark hit the powder keg a beat ahead of their move, with a crackle.
"Our... Han Seo-jun, the nominee for Ammunition Group's next chairman! What if he's only half-blood? What then?"
Time halted.
A pantomime stage frozen still. What moved the real actors was likely one cry from the audience.
"Half-blood? What kind of nonsense is this?"
"Wait, no way... That rumor we dismissed as rubbish—is it true?!"
A glass window cracked like a spiderweb.
A small steel ball dropped onto the precarious surface.
"Concubine's spawn."
"......!"
Shock crashed like a tsunami in an instant. The single tossed word rent the atmosphere with a deafening tear.
"A bastard from a lowly entertainer mother. To serve such base birth as our Ammunition Group's top elder! What absurdity!"
People turned to rats following the pied piper's tune, clambering onto rocks.
Chaos rippled through the hall. Someone, barely escaping panic's madness, shouted as if finding escape.
"No way... Right! We need confirmation straight from Director Seo Myung-hee herself."
"Concubine's brat! Ridiculous! Wait, where was the Director earlier..."
-Click
Lights blazed in the dim rear corner, dark until now. Like a spotlight on a curtain-fallen stage for an encore.
Honorary Advisor Han Deok-sul pointed an arm toward Seo Taehu. Wearing the victor's face, he spoke.
"Conveniently... you're here, Director."
"Han Deok-sul, Honorary Advisor... How dare you!"
Her powerless shriek didn't reach ears.
Only the victor's sly smile from a midnight raid filled the space.
"Come up here and tell us. Is Han Seo-jun truly half-blood? The son of that vulgar entertainer?!"
* * * *
An urgent voice drummed in my ears like nearby beats.
An event I'd fully anticipated, yet hoped wouldn't occur.
Hearing what happened at the clan association, I answered the call with calm indifference.
"No issue. Don't worry too much. It's all within expected bounds anyway."
My grandmother's voice rang sharp and clear.
I pulled the phone slightly from my ear and replied with a smile.
"I'm fine, so please don't fret. Everything... and all control is still in my hands."
A tatami-floored Japanese room.
The boldly inscribed scroll on the wall wrapped around an imugi painting, seeming ready to leap out—the dragon aspirant.
The one that climbed the heavens to become a dragon, only to crash against an insurmountable cloud wall.
"Now I must speak with an important guest. I'll explain details later."
More shouts followed, but I ended the call.
Downing a cup of warmed sake, I addressed the rotund man seated opposite.
"As you see, ascending with the yeouiju brings thunderclaps from all sides. Unexpected bolts strike too."
"Hrm..."
The troubled middle-aged man.
Square glasses under his broad forehead, he fidgeted as if deeply inconvenienced.
His name: Kim Han-su.
The man atop the Industrial Bank presidency.
Like a child forgetting homework over break, I slowly explained his impending blunder.
"Then, from now on... I'll tell you what bolt awaits the Industrial Bank as it climbs to the heavens."