Chapter 199: The Flea
Choi Jong-hoon, the lawyer known for his usual calm and quiet demeanor, had a prestigious job that anyone would envy, complete with a massive salary. The fact that the largest apartment in Yeoksam-dong was in his name proved it beyond doubt.
But now, Jong-hoon was showing a side no one could understand. He'd received a single phone call and exploded in rage. Sensing something was up, Min-ho granted him leave.
He rushed over in his car to none other than the family home in Yeoksam-dong. Stepping out, Jong-hoon let out a long sigh and muttered to himself.
"This time, I have to cut ties somehow..."
Heading into a house where family waited should have been utterly ordinary and pleasant. But Jong-hoon trudged forward like a condemned man walking to the guillotine, his face heavy with worry.
He opened the front door. His younger brother, hearing his older brother was coming after so long, was tying on an apron and preparing food.
"Bro, you're here? You haven't eaten yet, right? I figured, so I..."
"Where's Mom?"
"I got the pig's feet from the market, and I'm making braised tofu too. Just wait a sec."
"Don't change the subject. Where's Mom?"
His brother tried to brighten up and shift the topic, but it wouldn't work.
"In her room... I guess..."
Jong-hoon headed straight to the master bedroom and gripped the doorknob. The mother who should have rushed out barefoot to greet her son had the door locked tight, as if refusing to meet him.
"Mom. It's me. Open up for a second."
There wasn't even a stir inside. As if it were a familiar routine, he pulled a key from a drawer and unlocked the door.
"Is my boy here?"
His mother had pulled the blanket up to her face like a criminal hiding her shame, avoiding her son's gaze.
"Did that bastard do it again?"
"No... Mom just caught a cold. Eat and get some good rest before you go."
"You caught a cold all of a sudden?"
"I've felt off since morning. And now my son's here, but I can't even make you something tasty..."
He couldn't miss the longing in her voice. Jong-hoon yanked the blanket away in a hurry and examined his mother's face. It was the same sight he'd seen so many times, but one he could never get used to. Her face was covered in bruises and cuts. He didn't need to ask who did it.
Suppressing his boiling fury with effort, he said, "I told you to move out on your own. We've got money now—we're doing fine. I've said it a million times."
"If I leave your father, he'll be all alone. The poor guy's..."
"I'll handle the divorce myself. Just move out. How many more times do I have to beg?"
"Okay, okay. Let your mom think about it a bit more..."
It was the same answer he'd heard countless times. The son pushed for divorce; the mother hesitated and delayed.
"There's nothing to think about. We're moving right now."
She answered with a sigh. Sensing something, Jong-hoon turned to his younger brother standing behind him.
"You... the 100 million I sent for you to buy a house... you didn't use it for that?"
His brother sighed and hung his head too.
"No... I was going to buy a place like you said, but..."
Jong-hoon glared at him with venomous eyes. "But? Did that money disappear or something?"
His brother bowed his head deeply. "I... that money... Dad... I'm sorry... He took it when I wasn't here..."
"You bastard! Do you know what that money was?"
"Sorry... I shouldn't have even brought it up... Mom and I were talking, and Dad overheard..."
"That money! It wasn't from just anyone—it was a bonus from the Chairman himself!"
To commend Choi's hard work in supporting Min-ho in every way, Chairman Kang had sent a bag with 100 million won as a bonus. It was enough to buy any house in central Seoul. He'd entrusted it to his reliable younger brother with strict instructions, but it had ended up in a gambling den. The outcome was obvious without words.
His mother and brother could say nothing.
Choi Jae-o, Jong-hoon's father. He had once been a successful businessman with thirty employees. But one mistake changed everything. Drunk, he'd followed a friend to a gambling house and lost everything he'd built.
The two-story house became a dingy rented room. The business collapsed, and the family fell apart. Ashamed as the head of the household, he drowned his failures in alcohol, bellowing and eventually lashing out with his hands.
All young Jong-hoon could do was study. He gritted his teeth, graduated from Korea University, and became a lawyer, but his worthless father clung to his ankle, dragging him down.
The past couldn't be changed, but the future could. After stewing in silence for a long while, Jong-hoon said quietly, "Young-hoon, turn off the gas."
"Huh? Bro, you need to eat."
"Now! Food's not the issue! Pack your things right now. No—I'll buy you a house immediately. We'll move without that bastard knowing."
His mother's swollen face tightened as she grabbed her son's hand. "Jong-hoon, he's still your father."
The pent-up emotions were hardened like stone. They wouldn't melt at a single word from her.
"What kind of father is that scum! I'll handle the divorce and selling this house, so get up, Mom. I can't watch you live like this anymore."
With Jong-hoon effectively the breadwinner, the other two had no choice but to obey and start packing hurriedly.
At that moment, the door flew open, and Jong-hoon's father, Choi Jae-o, stumbled in drunk out of his mind.
"When your daddy comes home... you greet him first... Where'd you learn manners like that, glaring at me?"
Jong-hoon clenched his fists, staring at his father with eyes full of contempt.
***
By the time Min-ho arrived at Soseonjae in a taxi, another cab was pulling away with a passenger.
Considering the clientele at Soseonjae, arriving by taxi was pretty rare. He turned to look at the passenger. It was a fresh-faced guy in his early twenties.
'Never seen him before... Way too young to be coming here...'
He knew everyone connected to the corporate world. Racking his brain, he was sure it was a new face.
"Driver, I'll get off here."
As he stepped out, Eun-chae tilted her head at his unexpected taxi arrival.
"What's with the sudden cab? Where's Lawyer Choi?"
"He had something come up, so I gave him leave."
"Then you should've told me. I could've gone."
"You're busy with the business—can't have you running around. Anyway, who was that guy who just left?"
She flashed a strange, enigmatic smile before answering. "Jealous because he's a young guy?"
"That's not it."
"You're feeling insecure, right? Or is it jealousy? Worried I might have another man?"
"No time for games. While Choi's on leave, you need to get your license."
"Ugh... I'm the idiot for expecting that... His name's Sang-hyun. College kid who used to work here part-time."
"He didn't come for no reason... Don't tell me he's another straw?"
Eun-chae poked Min-ho's arm firmly. "You've got good instincts, I'll give you that. Haven't eaten yet, have you?"
"I need to know what's going on first."
"Work over me? Pick one."
She threw an impossible choice at him, then quickly hooked her arm through his.
"Let's talk inside. Won't take much time. I've got food ready too. Come on."
They moved to a private room. Opening the door revealed a lavish spread of delicacies.
"About last time... I didn't get to say thanks. Embarrassing, but let this make up for it a little."
"It's more than enough."
"This is nothing. Eat up. Once those plates are empty, I'll spill."
As Min-ho popped a piece of meat into his mouth, Eun-chae watched him intently before speaking slowly.
"Before I say anything, I want to confirm one thing."
"You know everything already. Why ask now?"
"Your grandfather's basically named you successor, and your dad's unhappy about it, so he's rebelling?"
"I don't know Grandpa's full mind. It's complicated, but yeah, let's say that."
She deboned a hefty chunk of hairtail and placed it on his rice bowl, continuing.
"The guy who left when you arrived? Sang-hyun. He worked here part-time during breaks."
"If he worked here, he knows info's worth money."
"See? Quick on the uptake."
"He probably asked for a decent payout too."
"Your instincts are spot on, seriously."
"What did Dad and Executive Director Jeong meet him about?"
No matter how Du-seong thrashed around, he was still in Min-ho's palm. Min-ho had anticipated every move.
Eun-chae jumped in surprise. "You knew?"
"To be precise, I know everything."
"Then... why aren't you doing anything? It's not like you."
"Whether Dad pulls a gun or a knife, he can't win. Even if he denies it."
"Anyway, since it's out, I'll tell you. There's a restaurant like ours in Songpa. Sang-hyun works there."
"And Dad and Jeong happened to go there, and the kid overheard?"
"Everything, from the next room."
Once, Du-seong had been unbeatable for Min-ho. He had influence in the group and the title of heir apparent. Min-ho had set aside his feelings toward Du-seong, biding his time patiently. Now, Min-ho had become a giant Du-seong couldn't touch.
Yet Du-seong wasn't one to give up. His final desperate flail was predictable. And Min-ho already had a plan to sever his neck completely.
"Long story short... Dad said he's buying up JK stock."
"He's already coordinated with foreign securities firms through Jeong. Funding from the mutual savings bank and Silla Beer."
He knew it as if he'd heard it firsthand. Stunned by the unbelievable accuracy, she dropped her chopsticks and stared blankly.
"I... never told you... H-how... did you know?"
"No matter how he jumps, he's still in Buddha's palm."
"Shouldn't you prepare countermeasures?"
"If Athena starts expanding now, what'll the media say?"
"Hmm... With President Beom-seong as Seoul Mayor now, they'll probably link it and trash us?"
"Intent aside, they'll definitely tie it to my uncle. So what should we do?"
Eun-chae rolled her eyes, piecing it together, then lit up with realization.
"You need a pretext to acquire Silla Beer?"
"Whatever Dad tries, I'm ready. Like you said, I just needed the justification."
"You wanted to add a beer company to the affiliates anyway?"
"Sweeping the yard and picking up cash at the same time. Once I acquire it, Soseonjae's booze supply is secure."
With that, Min-ho finished eating and headed out. Eun-chae clung to his arm regretfully.
"My boyfriend's too busy for dates... Feels like a widow's life."
"I'll come eat sometimes. Sorry, but I'm short on time now."
The sulky Eun-chae stomped on his foot. "Even empty words... Can't we go to a movie? Gotta say you're busy?"
"Got it. I'll make time this week."
"That's more like it."
Moon Sang-oh and Eun-chae, who had been watching their bickering fondly, locked eyes.
"Oh, Executive Director Moon? What brings you here at this hour?"
"Young master, may I take you?"
"As much as I'd hate to... yeah. Looks like somewhere I shouldn't be, so I'll head in."
After Eun-chae left, Moon Sang-oh handed over documents.
"The personal file on Lawyer Choi Jong-hoon, as requested."
Min-ho reviewed them and nodded. "Looks like I need to go myself."
As the two headed to Choi's family home, Du-seong was plotting with a friend in the president's office at Silla Beer.