Chapter 110: Scars – Just a Newspaper Acquisition and Temporary Shareholders' Meeting
It was nothing more than the acquisition of a newspaper and a temporary shareholders' meeting. There was no reason for Chairman Kang to attend. Occasionally, chairmen did show up at such gatherings, but only at the very end to deliver a few words aimed at strengthening unity before exiting amid applause. No one except Min-ho had anticipated Chairman Kang's appearance.
The shock was brief. Instinctively, the attendees rose from their seats and bowed their heads under the weight of his charisma. Chairman Kang took his seat and slowly turned his head, surveying the room. Desperate shareholders frantic to curry favor, JK Group executives who had no idea what was happening. His gaze settled on his four children and grandchildren, their eyes brimming with naked ambition. Finally, his eyes met Min-ho's. With a nod laden with layers of meaning, he switched on the microphone.
Everyone whose fate hung on his words swallowed hard, staring intently. When the ticking clock finally struck 10 a.m., Chairman Kang spoke.
"Why's everyone looking at me like I'm the enemy?"
A few who had been furtively gauging the mood piped up.
"Not at all, Chairman. We've been eagerly awaiting you."
"We knew you'd come and have been waiting."
"As you all know, the acquisition of Seyoung Newspaper by our JK Group doesn't even need to be on the agenda. You there, the moderator."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Hand over what you've got."
"Pardon? Here it is."
Chairman Kang glanced at the paper outlining the proceedings, then tore it to shreds without a moment's hesitation.
"This'll be over in five minutes, so why all these frills? You've got nothing to do, so sit down."
"Yes, Chairman. Understood."
For some, it was ecstasy; for others, inevitable despair. Tension crackled through the room.
"Seyoung Newspaper will be acquired by our JK Group—or more precisely, by me, Kang Jin-gwang. If you've got objections, don't mutter about it later—raise your hand right here."
There were no objections, nor could there be. Even if there were, raising a hand meant death. Everyone craned their necks, scanning the room, but no hand went up. Chairman Kang pressed on swiftly.
"Next, the company name change. Keeping Seyoung Newspaper as is doesn't sit right, but slapping our group name in front would just scream 'group mouthpiece.' What do you think, Si-hyung?"
"Yes! Exactly, Chairman."
"So we'll keep 'Se' and add 'Min' from the people at the end. Starting today, Seyoung becomes Semin Newspaper. No complaints, right?"
He had adopted his grandson's name suggestion. Min-ho allowed a faint smile, but Du-seong's expression hardened by the moment. Whenever group matters arose, he—the eldest son—had always been consulted. In the old days, there would have been at least a phone call. Not a word this time. His unease grew as the exclusion sank in.
Chairman Kang rose and approached the window, drawing back the curtain. Outside, unlike the subdued meeting hall, reporters swarmed in a frenzy. He stared for a long moment, then pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. Mun the butler swiftly struck a match. Exhaling a plume of pale smoke, Chairman Kang continued with words heavy with implication.
"Those jackals outside and you lot in here—you're all dying to know who'll take the president's spot. Can't blame you... I'd be the same."
He returned to his seat with measured steps and began.
"But first, something else. Seyoung Newspaper smeared me as an illegal loan shark. Not one of those rat bastards who painted shit on my face will escape—we'll drag them all out."
Mun the butler distributed the prepared hit list to the shareholders. Reactions split sharply—joy for some, despair for others.
"Even if your name's not on here, better quit voluntarily. We'll track you to the ends of the earth; anyone who collaborated even a hair's breadth will be caught."
This agenda, too, followed Min-ho's advice—and he'd gone further, compiling a meticulous purge list.
Chairman Kang took a sip of water to wet his throat, then broached the crux.
"First, let's clear the rumors. Word on the street is I'm putting one of my kids in the president's chair at this Semin Newspaper."
JK Group's biggest revenue came from telecom, but as it grew, media became paramount. Given Chairman Kang's rocky history with past Blue House occupants, the president's appointment would sway the election—no one could deny it.
"I've already given each of my kids enough affiliates to live off. It won't be any of the ones you expected."
Du-seong, who had harbored hopes, let out a quiet sigh. But it wasn't over yet—his eldest son Sang-hyuk was still in play. A vice presidency at minimum would let his plans roll smoothly.
"Dragging this out turns porridge to mush. Time to announce: for Semin Newspaper president..."
The packed hall of dozens fell utterly silent, save for the wall clock's tick. Everyone but Min-ho stared at Chairman Kang's mouth.
"...Kim Si-hyung, former executive director."
An utter shock—no one saw it coming. Murmurs rippled.
"Kim the executive director? Out of nowhere?"
"Putting Kim Si-hyung in as president?"
"Wasn't it the eldest son's turn?"
Mun the butler quickly quelled it.
"Quiet, everyone. The Chairman isn't finished."
Chairman Kang's displeasure was plain. Silence descended again.
"For vice president, Mo Seok-un, director. That's it."
Another bombshell. Du-seong took the hardest hit. He couldn't comprehend it, couldn't accept it. Clutching his head, denying reality—but the dice were cast.
"No, this can't be... At least put our Sang-hyuk in an executive role..."
Myeong-seon gripped his arm urgently.
"Oppa! Calm down. You know Dad's temper."
"Sang-hyuk's done everything asked without complaint... Over ten years of service, not a single day missed. This is wrong. I can't accept it—I'm against!"
As Du-seong surged to his feet, Myeong-seon restrained him again.
"Oppa! Please, stop. There are dozens of eyes on us. You'll just hurt yourself!"
"Let go! We have to hash this out today!"
Du-seong shot his hand up for the floor.
"Chairman, I have something to say."
His voice boomed with fury. Chairman Kang sensed it fully. Eyes turned to Du-seong. As if expecting it, Chairman Kang nodded with a leisurely smile.
"The media is now the heart of JK Group. Promoting long-time executives is fine, but we must brace for the backlash."
Plausible words, but stripping it down: he felt wronged. Chairman Kang gripped the mic again.
"Du-seong... What's got you so aggrieved?"
"Frankly, I thought Sang-hyuk would at least make vice president—or some executive role."
"Why?"
"He's endured everything silently as you commanded and gained plenty of experience."
"And that's why you're aggrieved? Is that it?"
Before it worsened, Myeong-seon yanked his arm, pleading.
"Oppa, please stop. Don't answer—just sit. We can apologize later."
He'd assumed it was the eldest's turn, yet a nobody snagged president. Even dutiful Du-seong felt the sting.
"Yes, Chairman. I feel aggrieved."
Chairman Kang stared him down long and hard.
"One thing you've done right. Know what it is?"
"Following your orders as Chairman and father, without question."
"Wrong tree. You were born to a rich dad and lived easy. Think everything you have is yours?"
Chairman Kang eyed his water glass, then lifted it with his right hand. Mun the butler knew what was coming but couldn't intervene. Staring at Du-seong, Chairman Kang hurled the glass at his son—not to hit, but it shattered against the wall with a crash.
No one dared breathe. In the dead silence, Chairman Kang spoke.
"Everything you hold, everything in your pockets—I built it all. You're just borrowing it awhile... Since it's out, Sang-hyuk would've been president by now if he had the guts."
"..................."
"You know that's not true, yet you glare at your father and yap?"
The viper's roar silenced even Du-seong's defiance. He realized his mistake—too late. Chairman Kang sighed deeply, then turned to two executives on his left.
"Si-hyung."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Seok-un."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Take off your clothes."
The order in a shareholders' meeting was absurd, yet the two unhesitatingly unbuttoned. Ties off, shirts undone, down to their underwear in haste. No one knew why. Only after they stripped bare did the truth emerge: scars they—and Chairman Kang—wished hidden. A dusty past laid bare.
Kim Si-hyung's abdomen bore a long gash. Mo Seok-un's shoulder a massive wound.
"Si-hyung... Once called Myeong-dong's beggar. When I'm drunk, what do I call you?"
"Beggar, sir."
"I took you in, raised you like my own. Twenty-five years... Wangsimni thugs came at me with sashimi knives to kill me. This fool threw himself in the way—took the blades for me. How many surgeries?"
"Six in total."
"Death himself gripped this one's hand. Lucky he had karma left... Next, Seok-un."
Mo Seok-un bellowed bare-chested.
"Yes, Chairman!"
"Seok-un got this shoulder scar for me. Gonjiam's President Park tried clubbing me with a baseball bat over a loan he wouldn't repay. This idiot shoved me in the car and took every blow. Shoulder still ache?"
"A bit on rainy days. But you're my lifesaver, Chairman. I'd choose the same again."
They stripped without pause, recounting their ordeal calmly.
"Sorry to bare you old bones like this. Sit."
"Yes, Chairman."
A stark warning to his children: no such devotion, no seat.
They dressed casually and sat as if nothing happened.
"Du-seong, still got words after this?"
"No. None."
"Strangers bled for me, teetered on death's edge; Seok-un still can't lift his shoulder right from that bat. This treatment too much for those who owe me their lives?"
A backstory unknown even to his children. Du-seong was speechless. Min-ho's plan hit perfectly. For men who'd stake their lives—especially Chairman Kang—that was fair. Perfect legitimacy, silencing his kids' gripes cleanly.
Chairman Kang slammed the table with his fist.
"Speak if you've gripes. But unless it's on their level, keep that goddamn mouth shut."
Glared at Du-seong, donned his coat, and wrapped up.
"Leak this outside, and I'll take it as you fancy a tong hike up the mountain. Seal your lips tight."
"Yes, Chairman!"
"Understood, Chairman."
"Finish up as needed. Beggar, Han River Bridge—you're drinking with me."
"Yes, Chairman. We'll prepare."
His final gaze met Min-ho's. Min-ho nodded subtly. Myeong-seon couldn't miss their signal. Chairman Kang exited the hall. She'd expected rage—instead, the opposite.
"Sang-oh, clear?"
Mun scanned around.
"Yes, Chairman. No one."
Chairman Kang's lips curled in a smile.
"As expected—our grandson's ploy outsmarts even Zhuge Liang. Good work. Now fetch Min-ho; time for a feast."
"Reserved already. Car's ready."
Mun opened the door. Reporters mobbed. Chairman Kang handled the interview leisurely, then departed with Min-ho.