The Humiliation of the Powerful
Thinking time? That was never necessary in the first place. It was merely an excuse to leave the scene. The destination of Choi Ki-hyun’s vehicle was none other than the Blue House.
“My, to think you’d come all this way... It’s good to see you.”
There were only a few people who could meet with JSD without an appointment. Choi Ki-hyun was one of them, which is why he had visited without prior notice. Of course, if this were to happen repeatedly, it would surely irritate JSD, but because Choi Ki-hyun had never visited without an appointment until now, the impact of this visit was significant. It left JSD’s mind racing with questions: Why did Choi Ki-hyun come here?
“I know you are busy with official duties, and I apologize if I am taking up your time.”
At Choi Ki-hyun’s words, JSD shook his head as if to say that was absolutely not the case.
“Not at all, not at all. Who would I be to turn away your visit? You’ve come at a great time. Would you like some coffee, or something else?”
“Hmm... actually, rather than a drink, I have come because there is an urgent matter I must report.”
Seeing that Choi Ki-hyun’s expression was somewhat unusual, JSD sat in his seat with a serious look, sensing that something was afoot. It was the seat of honor. However, unlike the seat of honor for Heo Cheong-won, JSD sitting in this seat was a sort of convention, so it caused no friction in the atmosphere.
“What is the matter? If it is something that would make the Chairman wear such an expression...?”
“Hmm... I’m not sure if I should say this, but... to be honest, I am worried.”
“Pardon? No, I am right here, so what could you possibly be worried about?”
JSD was the Crown Prince of the 5th Republic. He was genuinely bewildered by Choi Ki-hyun’s hesitation to speak in front of him.
“Chief of the Presidential Security Service.”
“Please, speak.”
“I am simply telling you honestly what I have experienced.”
“Yes, just tell me. Which bastard dared to make the Chairman feel so uncomfortable?”
Seeing Choi Ki-hyun’s somewhat dejected appearance—a man who usually treated him almost like a master—JSD began to feel a surge of anger toward an unknown target.
“I received a call from the Minister of Foreign Affairs earlier.”
“Pardon?”
Even for JSD, he couldn't help but be flustered. The 3 Heos. If JSD was the Crown Prince of the 5th Republic, the 3 Heos were the dukes. Since a name he couldn't treat lightly had been mentioned, JSD automatically adopted a tense posture, and soon, an extreme sense of tension began to permeate the room.
“Actually, the reason for the call was nothing special.”
JSD’s tension eased ever so slightly.
“What was the reason?”
“I am currently preparing a film to be screened only in Japan. It is an indirect advertisement for the Super Genesis, which will be released soon in Japan, titled The God of Pachinko.”
“Ho, is that so? I should go see it sometime later.”
Because it was a light topic like a movie, a faint smile appeared on JSD’s face.
“I will prepare a private screening for you, Chief.”
“Well, there’s no need to go that far. Hahaha.”
Seeing JSD’s tension begin to dissipate, Choi Ki-hyun continued the conversation to make him relax even further.
“The Minister told me this. He asked what I thought about choosing his granddaughter as the child actress for the film.”
“Ah, I see. Minister Heo’s eldest granddaughter is currently active in the entertainment industry.”
“Yes. In fact, I had already assigned the role to my granddaughter, Jung-ah...”
Perhaps because his tension had relaxed too much, JSD interrupted Choi Ki-hyun without realizing it.
“Ah, then did you come to me to ask me to stop that? Hmm... if it’s that...”
JSD thought about visiting Heo Cheong-won himself to talk, but Choi Ki-hyun shook his head with a serious expression.
“No. If it were just that, I wouldn’t have had a reason to come to you, Chief. It would have been enough for me to just concede.”
As the tension suddenly escalated, JSD’s expression turned more serious than when the conversation first began. Losing a role for an eldest granddaughter was a serious matter, but it was still something one could laugh off. But if this wasn't the main issue, then what on earth was it?
Just as JSD’s tension reached its peak, Choi Ki-hyun pulled the knife called 'the main point' from its sheath.
“It seems the Minister thinks he will seize the presidency in three years.”
“Pardon? W-w-what, what did you say?”
Seeing JSD’s startled reaction, Choi Ki-hyun smiled triumphantly on the inside, but maintained a serious expression on the outside.
“He told me that if I used his granddaughter for the role instead of mine, he would take good care of me in three years. At first, I didn’t know what that meant, but when I thought about it... three years from now... Honestly, I am afraid right now. I have never even imagined such a thing...”
“This crazy...! Is that true? Did Minister Heo really say that?”
“Yes, that is correct. It might have just been a simple remark that he would look after me in three years, but I couldn’t just let it slide, so I came to see you, Chief. I could have reported it to the President first, but I was afraid it might offend him... so I had no choice but to come to you. I apologize.”
JSD sat up straight and shook his head.
“No, no. You did well to come. To say such a reckless thing... By any chance, have you told anyone else about this?”
JSD was already convinced that Choi Ki-hyun was telling the truth. There was no evidence, just the delivery of the content. This reaction from JSD also meant that he trusted Choi Ki-hyun.
“No. I finished my meeting with the Minister just now and came straight to you, Chief.”
JSD nodded.
“You did well. I will report this to the President and handle it, so do not tell anyone else about this fact.”
“Of course. I will only trust you, Chief. From my perspective, the Minister is a very frightening person...”
JSD nodded at Choi Ki-hyun, who was feigning a fearful expression.
“Do not worry. I will make sure no harm comes to you, Chairman.”
Contrary to JSD’s confidence, it was obvious that the moment he reported it, Choi Ki-hyun would be entangled in it.
* * *
An unexpected summons from the President. Heo Cheong-won had no idea why he had been called. However, when he entered the presidential office, he could tell that something was wrong. JD’s face was as red as a boiled octopus.
“Hey! Heo Cheong-won!”
As soon as he entered the office, JD shouted with his neck veins bulging. Seeing that, Heo Cheong-won’s complexion began to turn pale rapidly.
“W-w-what is going on?”
JD became even more furious at Heo Cheong-won’s attitude, as if he still had no clue what was happening.
“What? What is going on? Are you asking because you don’t know?”
“I, I really don’t know. Did my subordinates cause an accident?”
“You son of a...!”
JD threw his ashtray at Heo Cheong-won, who reflexively dodged it.
“Argh!”
The Chief of Staff, who had been standing behind him, screamed and curled up after being hit in the forehead by the ashtray for no reason. JSD sent the Chief of Staff out and closed the door again.
“What? Three years later? Take good care of you? Where the hell is this bastard spouting such nonsense!”
Only then did Heo Cheong-won realize the situation. ‘T-t-this... damn old man! He snitched!!’
Chairman Choi Ki-hyun, who had smiled obsequiously in front of him, promising to consider it positively. Yet, as soon as the meeting ended, he had run straight here.
“N-no, it’s a misunderstanding, Mr. President!”
Heo Cheong-won bowed before JD, hiding his true intentions, as he had to make an excuse somehow.
“Misunderstanding, my foot!”
JD walked right up to Heo Cheong-won and kicked him in the shin.
“Ugh!”
He collapsed without realizing it, but Heo Cheong-won desperately poured out excuses.
“It’s truly a misunderstanding! I said I would look after him well because it’s certain that you will still be in office in three years! If you are in office, wouldn’t I also continue to guard your side?!”
At the desperate excuse, JD stopped moving. However, he was still breathing heavily.
“Is that true?”
Thinking he had found a breakthrough, Heo Cheong-won nodded frantically.
“Y-yes, that’s right. Who am I to lie to you?”
“Then, make your eldest granddaughter retire from the entertainment industry!”
“Pardon? P-pardon?!”
JD growled at the horrified Heo Cheong-won.
“Why, can’t you make her retire because you need her popularity to seize the presidency?”
Seeing JD’s murderous gaze, Heo Cheong-won eventually dropped his head.
“N-no, I will do as you wish.”
“Make her retire today, no matter what. If I see your granddaughter’s face on TV starting tomorrow, you’re going to be crushed.”
“M-Mr. President. Even so, she has already filmed...”
“This bastard!”
“Ugh!”
Heo Cheong-won, having been kicked in the other shin as well, had no choice but to nod.
“A-all right... Ugh...”
“Get out! Get out!”
Heo Cheong-won limped out of the office. After Heo Cheong-won left, JD, who had been breathing heavily for a while, said to JSD,
“Just like you said... that bastard really did have thoughts on the presidency. Seeing him hesitate when I told him to make his granddaughter retire, it’s obvious.”
JSD had advised that Heo Cheong-won might be aiming for the presidency after gaining public popularity through his eldest granddaughter, and JD, thinking it plausible, had forcibly retired the granddaughter by adding a layer of acting to his basic excitement.
“The nerve of him. Aiming for the presidency while I’m still alive and kicking? Even if I don’t seize the presidency, that bastard is out.”
Heo Cheong-won’s future was sealed.
* * *
The 3 Heos were gathered at a high-end yojang in Seoul, a place where only the upper echelons of the powerful could enter, and were sharing drinks. However, unlike usual, there were no entertainers in hanbok by their sides, which made it clear they were discussing something serious.
“Tsk tsk tsk, you should only say such things in front of people you can completely trust. You were careless, weren’t you?”
Heo Do-il, with his narrow forehead and thin nose, clicked his tongue and poured a drink for Heo Cheong-won with a playful expression.
“This friend has lost his touch lately. Did you not know that just because you have power, it doesn’t mean everyone will be loyal to you?”
Heo Seong-su, with his red face, large eyes, and thin lips, handed a squid leg to Heo Cheong-won and clicked his tongue as well.
“Are you fanning the flames of a burning house right now?”
Because he was angry, the drink Heo Do-il had poured spilled out of the glass, and thanks to that, Heo Do-il had to refill it.
“Oh my, this guy. Have we only known each other for a day or two? It’s just frustrating even for us to watch. Don’t get angry at us, just have a drink first.”
Heo Cheong-won, who brought the refilled glass to his mouth, emptied it in one go.
“Phew-! Damn old man. I will make sure to pay back the humiliation I suffered today, no matter what it takes.”
At Heo Cheong-won’s heavy breathing, Heo Do-il and Heo Seong-su gave bitter smiles, and Heo Seong-su spoke on behalf of the two.
“Are you going to touch Samwoo? Or YK? You’re also making good money from the mini department store, aren’t you?”
“To hell with that mini department store! I don’t need it!”
“Wow, this friend is really determined. Alright, how are you going to pay back the humiliation?”
At Heo Seong-su’s question, Heo Cheong-won set his glass down with a thud and opened his mouth.
“I’m going to ask the President to send me as the Commissioner of the National Tax Service.”