Chapter 8: 8. Your father is... (2)
"Mr. Han Yeong-su's father is none other than Chairman Jang Yeong-bok."
A shiver ran down my spine.
It felt like each of the threads sticking to my body was standing taut.
Today, I met Go Yoon-a and heard many stories.
But among them, this one sounded like the cruelest joke.
Chairman Jang Yeong-bok, who everyone respected, is my father?
"Lawyer, are you joking with me right now?"
"I am not particularly skilled in humor. Moreover, I have no intention of making frivolous remarks about someone I respect, especially in this situation."
Could there be a more unbelievable story in the world?
At least for me, it was a shocking truth akin to the news that the world would end tomorrow.
"It's certainly not an easy thing to accept. However, there is no room for doubt here, it's a clear fact."
The recent death of Chairman Jang Yeong-bok, who had been the hottest topic lately.
In front of his death, I, an ordinary citizen, could only think of the undeniable truth that no matter how much one possessed, they couldn't live forever.
But who could have known?
That his death would suddenly crash into my life like this, without a warning.
"Yes... I understand."
So, this was all I could manage to say.
Was that really me?
A child born as the result of a chaebol chairman's prank.
An unwanted child from birth, receiving neither welcome nor blessings.
If that's the case,
Why is Chairman Jang Yeong-bok, who had no obligation to do so, telling me that I am his offspring?
For over 30 years, he pretended not to know, and now, only now, he reveals this?
"It's hard to wrap your head around, isn't it? Isn't someone like me, not the kind of existence Chairman Jang Yeong-bok would want to keep hidden forever? I think there's more than enough power to do so, especially considering the circumstances."
The media called Chairman Jang Yeong-bok a great giant and a ruthless strategist.
A person who only engaged in games where they were guaranteed to win through thorough calculation.
A person no one remembers as the second place.
And now, this Chairman Jang, did he really manage to develop even a hint of pity for the abandoned orphan?
Rationally and emotionally, it just didn't make sense.
If the world found out about this, they would tear into the investigation that had emerged with Chairman Jang Yeong-bok's death.
What is Taesang Group really?
The unexpected impurity that has emerged is going to shake the company, and they'll do everything possible to prevent that.
Did Chairman Jang Yeong-bok really not anticipate this level of turmoil even in his grand plan?
Was he hoping for some chaotic commotion after his death?
"I told you I would only tell you what I can answer. The question you just asked is beyond my knowledge. Even if I did know, I wouldn't speak lightly about it. It's for the sake of both Chairman and Mr. Yeong-su."
Go Yoon-a left me with these question marks.
As if she hadn't provided a satisfactory answer, she handed me a letter.
"This is a letter written by Chairman Jang Yeong-bok about a month before his passing. I have no knowledge of its contents, naturally. It seems he had a premonition about your fate and instructed me to deliver this letter to Mr. Han Yeong-su."
The envelope was of high quality and sealed with sealing wax.
Taking the letter in my hand and staring at it silently, Go Yoon-a asked me.
"Aren't you going to open it?"
"If this letter contains answers to my questions, I will read it alone in a place where there's no one around. I've waited for 32 years. It doesn't matter if I wait a little longer."
For a moment, Go Yoon-a looked at me quietly.
"... You really resemble Chairman."
I intentionally pretended not to hear her small murmured comment.
I didn't know how to react.
"Then, are you meeting me to deliver this letter?"
"No. There is something more important to discuss. May I proceed?"
She took out an envelope from her bag and handed it to me.
Inside the envelope were several thick bundles of paper.
"Now, as the executor of Chairman Jang Yeong-bok's designated will according to Article 1,060 of the Civil Code, I will execute the confidential document of the deceased. The effect of the document arises immediately upon the beneficiary's awareness after the death of the deceased. Therefore, beneficiary Han Yeong-su must either accept or renounce the rights here. Do you consent?"
Legal terms plastered with words that sounded harsh.
However, there was nothing I couldn't understand.
The gap between the front part that said I had no qualifications to interfere with the inheritance and the back part that said I would receive a hundred billion in cash was too wide, leaving me bewildered.
"This is...?"
Go Yoon-a spoke slowly and clearly, as if to help me understand.
So, it wasn't that I couldn't comprehend her words.
It was just that the discrepancy between not having any right to touch the inheritance and receiving nearly 500 billion won in cash, even after tax deductions, was so immense that it left me confused.
"Cash... nearly a hundred billion won, did you say?"
"I mentioned one hundred billion in cash. Of course, you won't be able to receive the full amount. Chairman wants the money to be delivered to you as a lump sum payment. Thus, considering the tax issue, the actual amount you will receive is approximately 50.46 billion won."
"..."
This is crazy.
Today truly is a crazy day.
I nearly spewed out a vulgar word without realizing it.
"In addition, you need to make a voluntary report within three months. If you do, you'll receive a refund of 3% of the gift tax that you've paid, which is roughly 1.48 billion won. If Mr. Han Yeong-su agrees, I will handle all the details and transfer the slightly less than 52 billion won to the account you wish."
My head felt like a whirlwind.
The world around me turned hazy.
It felt like I was drifting alone through an empty universe.
"... Sir."
The one who brought me back to reality was Go Yoon-a's voice.
"Mr. Yeong-su, are you okay?"
"..."
I downed the untouched iced Americano in one gulp and even chewed on the ice.
Even as I was doing this, Go Yoon-a gently held my hand.
Her warmth spread from my hand to my body.
"Close your eyes and take a slow breath for a minute."
"What?"
"Go ahead."
Following Go Yoon-a's advice, I closed my eyes and took deep breaths.
"Just try not to think of anything for a moment."
After a few breaths, Go Yoon-a's warmth left.
Opening my eyes, I saw her brushing her hair back.
"You can continue."
"Alright... there is another thing Chairman Jang left for you. It's not material or assets, but..."
"What else is there?"
I looked at Go Yoon-a with a puzzled expression.
And then, she said something unexpected.
"Actually... it's me."
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