Chapter 93: Ill-Fated Ties
***
At Seyoung Newspaper, the chief editor Han Gil-seong lost consciousness watching coverage of a major corporate chairman who saved a taxi driver from a heart attack—and even forgave the damages with magnanimous leniency.
Min-ho's scenario was more than enough to flip public opinion. Front pages across every media outlet were plastered with images of Chairman Kang Jin-gwang sharing a heartfelt embrace with the taxi driver. The press raced to report on Chairman Kang.
Even the morning news dispatched reporters to the streets to gauge commuters' reactions.
"We're here to hear from citizens about yesterday's incident involving JK Group's Chairman Kang Jin-gwang."
"I was shocked not just that he saved a life, but that he didn't even demand compensation."
"No matter how rich you are, that's not an easy call. This deserves a round of applause."
"The loan shark rumors scared me at first, but it was nothing like that. Doing something for someone else isn't easy, is it?"
As the reporter, beaming brightly, handed the mic to the next interviewee, Seyoung Newspaper's chief editor Han Gil-seong irritably switched off the TV, cursing as he hurled the remote to the floor.
"Damn it... even a bolt from the blue sky has some mercy..."
The divide between joy and despair couldn't have been starker. While Min-ho's side seized the opportunity, for these people, it was a true bolt from the blue.
No matter how influential the media outlet, they had no magic bullet for this. Chain-smoking and tearing at his thinning hair yielded no sharp countermeasures.
The bolt from the blue was just beginning.
"Hey! Editor Han!"
A booming voice filled the office. Seyoung Newspaper President An Jeong-man stormed in, face flushed red.
Reporters scrambled to set down their pens and stand to bow, but he paid them no mind.
"Hey! Are you sane or out of your mind? Huh? How the hell are we gonna handle this?"
"I'm sorry, President. I'll run follow-up articles to..."
"You came to me swearing you could nail Kang Jin-gwang, and now you're backpedaling?"
"I'm sorry. It was an unforeseen accident. I'll take responsibility and fix it."
When you stick your hand in the beehive yourself, you can't blame anyone else. Editor Han's response just sounded like excuses.
"Remember how Guangseong Ilbo got wiped out in one shot after messing with that old man Kang Jin-gwang?"
"I remember it as clearly as yesterday."
"You remember... Yeah, you better... Right?"
Glare fixed on Editor Han, the president suddenly folded the newspaper in half and smacked him across the back of the head.
"You know that and you still pull this shit? Huh? Got a mouth, so you think you can spew whatever crap?"
It was utterly humiliating. Bowing to a much younger president, getting thwacked with his own paper on the nape.
"President, I'm sorry. I'll figure something out."
"You think that old man's lost his mind? Huh? If you've got a brain, say something!"
"I'm sorry, President."
"You've got exactly two days. Turn this opinion around, whatever it takes."
"Understood. I'll do my best."
Editor Han bowed to President An's retreating back. Clenching his fists in humiliated rage, but there was nothing he could do.
All that remained was a desperate fight to the death.
***
Korea University Hospital VIP ward.
[As you can see, an enormous pile of letters has arrived at Korea University Hospital in Yeouido. Shockingly, every single one is addressed to Chairman Kang Jin-gwang.]
[JK Group affiliate stocks are trading up over 7% at this hour. Buy orders are overwhelming...]
[Chairman Kang Jin-gwang's good deed has sparked nationwide discussion on the importance of CPR.]
'Full without eating.' The perfect phrase for Chairman Kang right now.
His mouth curved to his ears as he watched the news, cheeks practically ascending to heaven.
Heartwarming stories flooded Korea. Naturally, the carpet bombing from the three major dailies fizzled out.
"Thanks to you, young master, everything's resolved smoothly."
"The more I chew on it, the more amazing it is. How did he make that call in such a tense moment...?"
"Boldness, decisiveness, execution—flawless."
"Even if I'd been there, I doubt I'd have judged it like Min-ho did."
Moon Sang-oh, the butler, opened a window for fresh air and continued the conversation.
"The moment that surprised me most was when your son emerged from the ICU, and the old mother appeared right on cue, like a perfectly scripted scene."
Chairman Kang, equally struck by it, spoke with a nostalgic expression.
"I peeked through the curtain and saw some elderly lady rushing in! Wondering what was up, it turned out Min-ho had orchestrated the whole thing."
"When she hugged your son in tears, even I got choked up."
"Impossible not to... It hit every tear duct perfectly."
"Then the interview flowed right to you, mic handed over so naturally."
Chairman Kang nodded.
"That instant, I knew instinctively. Min-ho had painted the perfect picture..."
"Thanks to it, suspicions are cleared. Stock prices recovered in a day. Corporate image is even more positive now."
Chairman Kang rose from bed, hands clasped behind his back, gazing out the window before casually probing Moon Sang-oh.
"As for those bastards... should I snap their pens? What's your take?"
"I agree with you completely, sir."
"If I step in, it loses some thrill. Maybe hand Min-ho the hilt this time..."
He wasn't one to waste this chance. Past tests had confirmed Min-ho's successor potential.
This was different. He was curious: if Min-ho claimed the throne, what decision would he make in a spot like this?
Unlike Chairman Kang, Moon Sang-oh's thoughts were conflicted. He agreed on purging the three dailies.
But granting Min-ho too much power? Side effects had to be weighed.
After careful deliberation, Moon Sang-oh replied cautiously.
"You've held strong so far, sir."
"With funds in my grip, they had no choice."
"Handing all authority to the young master temporarily? Unpredictable outcomes. Not that I doubt him."
Moon Sang-oh always eyed the shadows before the light. That's why Chairman Kang kept him close—the one man who could counter him.
Deeply resonating with the concern, Chairman Kang nodded.
"Fair point. Change the seat, change the man."
"Exactly. The unforeseen—that worries me most. Sorry to say it."
"Rare chance like this. Testing him with the hilt wouldn't hurt. Look at the time already. Feels stuffy—let's take a stroll."
"Yes, sir."
***
Meanwhile, Min-ho arrived at Korea University Hospital to check on his grandfather before work.
Examining the main entrance, Lawyer Choi said, "Young master, reporters are still swarming."
"Good news. Means we can steer opinion for days! Shall we go together?"
"Yes. Low odds, but they might swarm you."
"You'd block them with your body?"
"If so, I'll grab their ankles. You slip away."
Min-ho laughed heartily. "Won't need to yet. Park here and head in."
"Got it."
Min-ho arrived at the room with Chairman Kang's favorite foods in hand. The chairman was out for a stroll.
"Looks like he's walking. Let's tidy up and wait."
"Yes."
As Lawyer Choi opened the window to straighten the room, he abruptly stood and bowed.
In walked none other than Min-ho's father, Kang Du-seong.
"President, you're here?"
Kang Du-seong nodded blankly, then asked Lawyer Choi, "The chairman?"
"Out for a short walk."
His gaze landed on Min-ho.
What was his youngest son to him? The father knew nothing of the changes. Memories stuck in the past.
Min-ho worked but earned no trust—an unstable bomb waiting to explode.
No greeting despite the long absence; irritation twisted his face as he grilled Min-ho like a scolding.
"Why'd you go to headquarters instead of working?"
"Grandpa called me briefly."
"Why?"
"No idea."
"Fine, whatever. You were with Grandpa during the accident?"
"Yeah, that was my taxi. Of course I was there."
Sighing in frustration, Kang Du-seong habitually lashed out first.
"Never thought he's here because of you?"
He knew the incident vaguely, pinning the blame squarely on Min-ho.
"What do you mean?"
"If you hadn't gotten your license revoked for drunk driving, none of this would've happened!"
True, Min-ho's taxi sparked it. But Kang Du-seong missed the essence.
Couldn't see the forest for the trees—or even the tree up close.
Plus his poor feelings toward Min-ho clouded it all. No grasp of the situation.
In his previous life, Kang Du-seong had killed Min-ho. No fondness there.
Min-ho's face hardened. "So the accident's all my fault?"
"If you hadn't taken that damn taxi, it never happens!"
"I'll take the bus next time. But if it crashes into headquarters, that'll be my fault too, right?"
Min-ho's prodding made Kang Du-seong's anger boil, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Talking back like that! No more lip—next time Grandpa calls, you contact me first. Got it?"
Min-ho briefly went emotional. No good came of it.
Calmly recalling Kang Du-seong's habits, actions, words—everything.
Stimulate just right, stage the scene, draw Chairman Kang's attention, boost his share of affection.
Calculation done, Min-ho fired back without hesitation to stoke the rage.
"If you were that worried, you should've come yesterday."
"What? You... what'd you say?"
"How busy are you to show up now?"
"Getting cocky after a job? Talking shit to your own father! Think every word out your mouth is gold?"
Their father-son bond was never normal. Drunk, Kang Du-seong would mutter their tie was cursed.
Far from harmonious—and time hadn't changed it.
Normally, bow your head. But Min-ho held his chin high, eyes locked front.
"Staring down your father with those dagger eyes?"
"You really think blaming me for the accident makes sense?"
Min-ho didn't budge an inch.
"You little... bastard... Thought work fixed you, but old habits die hard... Can't have this..."
The old habit flaring wasn't Min-ho's—it was Kang Du-seong's.
Muttering, losing reason, he frantically unclasped his watch, undid his cuff, rolled up his sleeve.
When words failed, fists flew—that vice unchanged.
"Lawyer Choi, out."
"I... President..."
"Out! Didn't you hear?"
Staring calmly at the furious Kang Du-seong, Min-ho said, "If you hit me, fine. But you're crossing an irreversible river. Remember that."
"Keep it up and see!"
Kang Du-seong raised his right hand high, habitually.
That instant, the ward door burst open. Chairman Kang appeared.