Mercy: The Incompetent Father Scatters Ashes on His Son's Path with an Irreversible Disaster
Abi's sins could not become his son's sins. Even so, he couldn't turn a blind eye to the moral responsibility. Lawyer Choi pulled out the envelope containing his resignation letter and dropped to his knees.
"I'm sorry. I'll take full responsibility for this incident. I'm prepared to accept any punishment."
Kang Chairman stared at him silently, then raised his right hand. Lawyer Choi, braced for any punishment, didn't even flinch.
The Chairman's hand touched Choi's head—not a whip's lash, but a comforting pat.
"You've worked hard all this time. It's not your fault, so lift your head."
Choi slowly raised his gaze, meeting the Chairman's eyes. The Chairman looked at him with the same gentle warmth he reserved for Min-ho, embracing him and patting his back.
"I should have seen it coming and acted sooner... This is clearly this old man's mistake, not yours."
"Ah... No, Chairman."
"Jong-hoon, your conduct has always been so upright and spotless that I never even suspected."
"Even with a time bomb like that strapped to my body, I failed to report it in advance. It's unequivocally my error."
"It's been too long to quibble over right and wrong... Even if it were, what would be the point? Don't you think?"
In a situation that warranted sharp rebuke, the Chairman enveloped him in warmth instead.
"You've worked so hard... How worn out your heart must be, young man..."
It was a deep wound he'd never shared with anyone. He'd thought it an incurable bruise, festering silently because it could neither be undone nor reversed.
The Chairman soothed that wound, offering comfort. Overwhelmed by gratitude and remorse, Choi bowed his head and wept bitterly. His shoulders shook as he sobbed for a long while.
Once the tears subsided, the Chairman broached it gently.
"That watch... Take off the one you're wearing and show me..."
It held his childhood intact—a past he hid. That's why he always covered it with his shirt cuff and watch. Now, there was no need or reason to conceal it.
Without hesitation, he removed the watch and extended his wrist. Even after all these years, the deep, dark scar seemed to recount that day's horror.
The Chairman let out a long sigh and spoke.
"I can't erase the scar on your heart... But I promise you, this one I'll have removed. Sang-oh."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Find a doctor who can erase this scar. Scour every province if you must. Money is no object."
"Understood."
The Chairman nodded after giving the order, and Mun Butler rose briefly, heading to the study.
"Money always has an owner. Even if it's a cruel one..."
Mun returned from the study with a black briefcase, set it quietly beside Choi, and sat back down.
In a moment deserving punishment, receiving a reward instead left him bewildered.
"The money your father took to the gambling den—forget it. Pretend it was never yours to begin with."
After a moment's heavy thought, Choi spoke gravely.
"I know what you mean. But I can't accept this money. I'm sorry."
One hundred million won lay before him—enough for a house. Refusing it wasn't easy.
The Chairman smiled faintly.
"Any other man would snatch it up, but you reject it outright with such integrity. I like that about you."
"I'm sorry, Chairman. No matter what you say, I won't take it."
"This isn't pity money tossed your way."
"If I may be so bold, then why give it to me?"
He hadn't grasped the Chairman's deeper intent.
"Put your father in prison, buy a house, settle your family somewhere nice—won't that ease your mind? Then you can serve Min-ho even better."
"Yes, Chairman. I understand."
"Stay by Min-ho's side always. That's your duty. And..."
He reached out and tore the envelope in front of him.
"This never happened."
"Thank you for your forgiveness. I'll give my all from now on."
"I never intended to punish you. Enough of that... Now, we need to resolve this mess."
The Chairman turned to Min-ho.
"I'm undecided about attending the funeral. What do you think, grandson?"
"Jeong was our group's secretary chief. We should go."
"I know, but... Do we attend the funeral of the man who tried to stab this old man in the back?"
No further explanation was needed. The Chairman knew everything.
***
"Grandfather... You knew?"
"Did you really think I didn't?"
"Not that, but I planned to tell you after sorting it out."
The Chairman's intelligence network exceeded imagination—even Min-ho hadn't known this part.
"Du-seong and that Jeong fellow conspired at a gukbap joint owner's place—the Korean restaurant president in Songpa, the bar owner Jeong visited last. All indebted to this old man."
Decades ago, the Chairman had been a ruthless loan shark. But he hadn't wounded everyone viciously.
He knew squeezing a dried squid yields no water. Sometimes he chose mercy: explaining situations fully, forgiving if repayment promises were kept despite delays. For the elderly or ill, he'd tear up IOUs, ending debts; for restaurant startups, he'd lend interest-free.
Trivial sums to forget, but life-changers for the needy. Grateful, they'd repaid with information for decades. The Chairman's knowledge was no coincidence.
Having heard it all, Min-ho nodded and posed one question.
"No one took your help and never repaid?"
The Chairman smiled faintly, memories surfacing.
"I lent not for interest, but to the people. Every one was diligent."
"They know gratitude."
"Honorable folk... Enough old tales. I'd like to hear my grandson's brilliant stratagem for once."
He craved more details, but pressing matters piled up. Min-ho laid out his plan.
"With Jeong dead, we can't fully control the media."
"That's what's troubling this old man. Even if police stay mum, funeral rumors will spread wildly."
"Uncle's policy after becoming mayor: stricter DUI crackdowns."
"Right. And streetlights for better crosswalk visibility."
Beom-seong hadn't implemented Min-ho's directives yet. Time to turn crisis to opportunity, winning Seoul citizens' support.
"We'll publicize this incident widely."
"That'll stir a storm. I can't bear my grandson on everyone's lips."
"What if we exclude Lawyer Choi?"
"Remove Jong-hoon..."
"Then it's not Choi Jong-hoon's father, Choi Jae-oh—just citizen Choi Jae-oh. We'll headline DUI incidents daily."
"People will take notice, gain awareness."
"Yes. Familiar stories, but made personal. Then Uncle steps in with the policy."
The Chairman nodded repeatedly, pleased.
"Beom-seong gains support, enacts good policy... Incident fades nicely."
"While eyes turn there, we claim the spoils. Grandfather picks what suits his taste."
Using media to conquer crisis and seize gains—a masterstroke. The Chairman, who adored such moments from his grandson, roared with laughter, beaming.
"You're stabbing right at this old man's heart! Yes, no rumors about you, and things go smoothly."
"One must-do."
"Anything. Promised."
"Attend Jeong's funeral."
Unappealing, the Chairman tilted his head.
"I see no need..."
"Just an interview: 'Lost a fine employee to drunk driving.' Shed a tear—perfect."
"Using this old man's fame, eh?"
"One word from you outpowers most media. Perfect hook for headlines, signal flare for the plan."
"My grandson melts me like cotton candy again!"
Disarmed by the fox-like ploy, the Chairman threw his head back in prolonged guffaws.
"Fine, that's settled..."
The Chairman saw through everything. Du-seong's takeover bid was doomed from the start.
Chaebol wars were inevitable as death. A battle to fight someday.
Preferring to test his grandson over intervening, the Chairman probed casually.
"Got a plan to counter your father's offensive?"
"As you wish, Grandfather. Crush him? Or cripple beyond recovery?"
"Do as you like."
"One condition."
"Condition... Speak."
"Promise the spoils of war."
No more delays. Sipping coffee, the Chairman nodded.
"Vice Chairman post. Promise that, and I'll ensure he never rises again."
First overt power grab after eliminating rivals. He'd known the goal, but hearing it thrilled him anew.
"Aiming for this old man's seat someday?"
"Yes. I'm the only one qualified."
"A real man needs that ambition. Promised. Handle this well."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"But remember—no matter what, I stay out of the fight."
Win all or lose everything. Glancing at his watch, the Chairman rose.
"Time flies. Everyone, change and prepare."
"Yes, Grandfather."
The Chairman departed for the funeral home. Meanwhile, Du-seong, arrived first, stared distraught at Jeong's portrait.