A question suddenly crosses my mind.
What if Kang Geon, the boy from the original story, was already dead?
Intuition isn’t a complete all-purpose tool.
This was happening because it hadn’t perfectly provided the answers I was looking for.
And Department Head Kim is exactly that kind of case.
He’d never sent a single warning sign all this time, then suddenly starts flooding me with them within a single day?
That could only naturally create confusion.
Even setting Intuition aside, I’d always thought of Department Head Kim as a good person.
But if all of that was an act…
The Republic of Korea… no, the Korean Empire has been wasting a genius actor, I’d want to praise him for it.
In the end, what I’m trying to say is this.
Maybe the original Kang Geon trusted his own heart more than his Intuition, didn’t he?
So he got into the car Department Head Kim urgently told him to take, and the result probably played out exactly as his Intuition had warned.
…Death.
To be honest, I had questions at first too.
Why would getting into Department Head Kim’s car lead to death?
Honestly, I wondered if it was because someone wanted to quietly dispose of the illegitimate child, the stain on the Seonghwa Group.
But once I heard Choi Yuna’s explanation, it seemed there was a completely different reason.
“So, from now on, I’m the Chairman of the Seonghwa Group?”
“Yes.”
“A high schooler who isn’t even an adult, and an illegitimate child at that?”
“Yes.”
“D-Don’t you think that’s a lot of things wrong with this picture?”
“Founder Kang Seongcheol, who established the Seonghwa Group, also started his business at Chairman Kang Geon’s age. And by proving his immense charisma and business acumen, he built the Seonghwa Group we see today.”
Come on… that was eighty years ago.
And Choi Yuna started attaching the title ‘Chairman’ to me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
As if it was already a done deal no matter how much I denied it.
“No, no matter how you look at it, this is the number one company in the Korean Empire! There have to be legal procedures like share distribution or the articles of incorporation, right?!”
“Chairman, in this Empire, there is exactly one thing more powerful than a company’s share distribution. That is the recognition of the Imperial Family. And the Seonghwa Group’s iron rule is Bloodline Succession. The Imperial Family has acknowledged this as well.”
The moment I heard that, I had no choice but to press my hand to my forehead.
…This damn dog-eat-dog Heavenly Drama World.
“First, the poisoning incident against the Owner Family is highly unlikely to be a simple crime.”
Just as I let out a deep sigh, she spoke calmly.
“The event flow, seating arrangements, meal order, and security placement. Even who eats what food was all pre-designed. And the poison was precisely administered only to the food and drinks consumed by the Owner Family.”
“So the general attendees were all fine?”
“Yes. There was no harm to the external VIPs. In simple terms–“
“They targeted and killed only the Owner Family with precision.”
The air inside the car grew heavy in an instant.
Anyone could see this was a premeditated crime.
With an extremely clear target, no less.
“It’s highly likely that the goal here is to eliminate the entire Owner Family and dismantle the Seonghwa Group’s Bloodline Succession structure itself.”
“Well… if that weren’t the case, there’d be no reason to come after me, an illegitimate child, either.”
“Yes. And I believe a crime of this scale cannot be committed by a single individual. It’s highly probable that someone who perfectly understands the internal structure of the Seonghwa Group and its event operation systems planned this.”
“Are you suggesting it’s one of the Board of Directors members you mentioned earlier?”
Choi Yuna gave a small nod.
“Currently, the situation inside the company is being rapidly reorganized around the Board of Directors. And at the center of it is Director Jeong Mincheol.”
“…Director Jeong Mincheol?”
“He’s the Director of the Future Strategy Planning Office, and he appears to be actively leading the control of affiliates and coordination of the Board of Directors. Of course, he’s always been a capable person, but…”
Still, the reorganization was too fast.
As if he’d anticipated this situation would happen.
“But this is only at the suspicion stage. We’re in a situation where it’s difficult to determine who is an enemy and who is an ally. Still, one thing is certain. They have clearly crossed the line.”
“…”
“Even if they had grievances with the Owner Family’s management, I don’t believe that should be achieved through murder. And if those who commit such acts lead the company through employment succession… the future is obvious. I believe the Seonghwa Group, which supports the economy of the Korean Empire, must not collapse so meaninglessly.”
Listening to Choi Yuna’s explanation, I could tell she was a truly sensible woman with common sense.
Which is why I felt an inexplicable rage welling up inside me.
Why is someone who can think this rationally treating me like the Chairman?
But I know it too.
Ironically, my taking the Chairman’s seat is the safest path at this point.
“The few who designed this situation are laughing, but the majority certainly aren’t. From the standpoint of the regular employees, investors, and shareholders of the Seonghwa Group, this is literally hell. That’s why your existence might be their only hope.”
“Even if I’m an illegitimate child who’s still wet behind the ears?”
At my words, which bordered on a lament, Choi Yuna slowly nodded once more.
“I’ve already told the chauffeur to head toward the Imperial Palace. We’ll secure safety there and, with the Imperial Family’s support, reorganize the current situation–“
“Wait, wait! The Imperial Family?”
Choi Yuna’s suggestion snapped me back to attention in an instant.
The Imperial Family’s power in this world is overwhelming. If I received their protection, my safety would be guaranteed.
But receiving help from the Imperial Family, the most suspicious bunch in this Heavenly Drama World?
‘They’d help just a flea’s worth, then who knows how much they’d try to bleed me dry.’
Even if the situation was resolved with their help, it was obvious another problem would surface.
Going to the Imperial Family in the end was no different from walking right into someone else’s grip.
And the same went for going to headquarters.
From that moment on, I wouldn’t be the Chairman—I’d be a minor and an illegitimate child needing protection.
That is…
Not happening.
What I need right now isn’t a hideout.
It’s a nameplate.
A nameplate so big and clear that no one can easily erase it.
If that’s the case…
“Secretary Choi.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“By any chance, can we connect to the Seonghwa Group’s Neotube channel account using your phone?”
“…?”
The Imperial Family.
The Board of Directors.
If I don’t know who’s an enemy or an ally right now, I shouldn’t step onto a board someone else has set up.
So.
“Please access the Neotube app if possible. No, if it’s not possible, make it possible!”
I need to stake my name first.
Not as Kang Geon, the illegitimate child of a chaebol family, but as Kang Geon, the Chairman of the Seonghwa Group.
That way, the bastards trying to kill me will hesitate at least once.
***
Seonghwa Center Building A, used as the headquarters.
The boardroom, usually reserved for discussing quarterly performance reports, affiliate restructuring, and major M&A deals, had an entirely different atmosphere today.
The Emergency Management Committee had been urgently convened due to the unprecedented crisis of the entire Owner Family’s death.
At the long table.
Executives in black suits and Board of Directors members filled their seats with grim faces.
Some kept checking the stock price fluctuations, others were flipping through the mounting pile of emergency reports.
In perhaps the worst crisis since the company’s founding, one man silently held his position.
Jeong Mincheol, Director of the Future Strategy Planning Office.
“The stock prices of major affiliates, including Seonghwa Semiconductor and Seonghwa Construction, are fluctuating violently. The media has also begun reporting on the possibility of poisoning on a large scale.”
He led the Emergency Management Committee with a composed expression, as if he’d anticipated even this situation.
“And the biggest problem is that the Bloodline Succession of the Seonghwa Group has effectively come to an end.”
“…If that’s the case, we have no choice but to transition to a professional management system.”
“Besides, in a situation like this, we can’t leave the Chairman’s seat vacant for long.”
“But appointing a new head and settling management rights will inevitably take time structurally…”
A moment of silence.
As if waiting for that gap, Jeong Mincheol slowly opened his mouth.
“Then what if someone serves as temporary acting authority until a new head is appointed?”
Naturally, all eyes in the room turned to him.
“…Temporary acting authority?”
“Who do you think would be best suited for that role?”
At that question, Jeong Mincheol interlaced his fingers.
And then.
“Former Chief Secretary Yun Changseop.”
As if he’d mentioned someone no one had expected, the expressions of several committee members shifted subtly.
“…The former Chief Secretary?”
“Isn’t he someone who already stepped down?”
At the members’ doubts, Jeong Mincheol calmly nodded and continued his explanation.
“That’s correct. But I believe survival takes priority over sentiment right now.”
“First, former Chief Secretary Yun Changseop is the person who served the Chairman the longest. Therefore, he understands the Seonghwa Group’s internal structure and affiliate operations better than anyone, as well as the relationship with the Imperial Family, political and financial circles, and the cooperative structure with overseas investors.”
“Especially in a crisis like this, the most important thing is trust. With the greatest justification of the Owner Family gone, no one will trust a figure who suddenly appears out of nowhere.”
“But it’s different with former Chief Secretary Yun Changseop. At the very least, if he lends his strength, we can prevent the Seonghwa Group from collapsing overnight.”
A strange current began to flow through the room at Jeong Mincheol’s speech.
Honestly, there was nothing wrong with what he’d just said.
Former Chief Secretary Yun Changseop was a man of such good character and competence that he’d openly received the Chairman’s favor.
So much so that people called him the dream of every salaryman.
Then one committee member cautiously spoke up.
“But ultimately, isn’t the person’s own will the most important factor? He’s already left to find his own life. Would he have any reason to take on such a heavy responsibility in such an unfavorable situation…”
Jeong Mincheol didn’t bother answering that.
Kiiiiik–
Because at that perfectly exquisite timing, the conference room door opened.
And the figure who appeared from there was…
“Heh heh, isn’t the reason more than enough?”
“…Former Chief Secretary?”
It was Yun Changseop, the very man being discussed.
He gave a slight bow toward the familiar faces participating in the meeting, then fixed his gaze somewhere.
More precisely.
Toward the head seat where the Chairman was supposed to sit.
“They are the people I served my entire life. How could I turn my back and pretend not to see after they departed so tragically in a single day? I may have already stepped back from the front lines, but I have no desire to just watch the Seonghwa Group crumble. So if someone must hold the line…”
Yun Changseop spoke with resolve.
That role.
If entrusted to him, he would gladly take it on himself.
His voice was heavy and filled with sincerity.
Was that why?
“…I’m in favor.”
And then.
“How could anyone oppose someone who has devoted themselves to Seonghwa more than anyone else?”
“Everyone knows that fact.”
“I’m in favor as well.”
One by one, the tide visibly began to turn.
And watching that scene, Jeong Mincheol and Yun Changseop’s eyes met for the briefest moment.
It was so short that no one could have noticed, but a subtle sense of relief flickered through their gazes.
However, it didn’t take long for that look to be tinged with a different emotion.
Bang–!
It started when, for some reason, the conference room door burst open once more.
Amid the crashing sound of the door being thrown open, the staff member who opened it shouted urgently.
“P-Please, you need to see this right now!”
Without any further explanation, a large wall-mounted screen flickered to life.
And what was reflected there was…
[Hello.]
A boy with eyes clearer than anyone’s.
Most of the committee members tilted their heads at the unfamiliar boy’s appearance.
But Jeong Mincheol and Yun Changseop.
“…!”
Only the two who had been steering the meeting reacted differently.
…They had no choice.
Because from their perspective, it was a face they couldn’t possibly not know.
The stain on the Seonghwa Group’s Owner Family.
A being who should not be alive at this point.
That boy, on a shaky screen inside a rundown car, declared to the entire nation.
[I am Kang Geon, the 3rd Chairman of the Seonghwa Group.]