章 449: Chapter 449: Use Them While You Can
Seo Jae-hoon emerged from the Seoul Central District Court headed for the prison transport bus after his warrant hearing.
Reporters had already gathered in front of the transport bus knowing about Jae-hoon's warrant hearing.
Though reporters swarmed him with questions Jae-hoon remained silent surrounded by guards as he boarded the transport bus.
The bus pulled away from the courthouse picking up speed.
After a long drive Jae-hoon stepped off the transport bus.
"Welcome Vice Chairman Seo Jae-hoon."
Unusually the prison warden himself came to greet Jae-hoon.
"I'm Warden Yang Bong-sik in charge of Seoul Detention Center."
"Seo Jae-hoon."
"First follow the guard to hear some basic prison rules and complete your physical examination then let's have coffee together in my office."
"Sounds good."
Yang Bong-sik exchanged glances with the guard who then led Jae-hoon to the examination room.
"Planning to give him special treatment?"
The security chief approached and asked once Jae-hoon was out of sight.
Yang Bong-sik turned to face the security chief with a smile.
"The detention warrant hasn't even been issued yet. What's wrong with having a cup of coffee?"
"He was caught at the scene. How could the warrant not be approved?"
"He's the Vice Chairman of Il-seong Group. With no flight risk who knows what might happen? Even if he's detained showing him some courtesy now could prove useful later."
"…"
Yang Bong-sik added with a smirk.
"He's probably lived a sheltered life. After one physical exam all sorts of thoughts will cross his mind. He'll be grateful if I show him some kindness then."
"…This could cause problems later."
"Who would know if you and I keep quiet? I won't keep it all for myself. Some crumbs will fall your way too just wait and see."
Yang Bong-sik stared at where Jae-hoon had disappeared with greedy eyes.
Though displeased the security chief didn't press further.
When Jae-hoon entered the examination room the guards spoke in stern voices.
"Strip completely including underwear."
"…"
Jae-hoon seemed at a loss for words.
The guard's expression showed this was exactly the reaction he'd expected.
"It's necessary for the physical examination. Everyone who enters here must do this without exception."
"Is this really necessary?"
"Yes."
The guard kept his eyes on the paperwork as he spoke.
"Hurry up. We rarely get new inmates this late. What a hassle. I'm already past my shift. Follow the rules."
When had Seo Jae-hoon ever been treated this way?
"Even former President Choi Seon-man cooperated when he came here. So you should too Mr. Seo. Otherwise we'll have to use physical force. Let's not make this unpleasant for everyone."
Jae-hoon reluctantly removed his clothes but refused to take off his underwear.
The guard sighed deeply and said.
"Let's start with identity verification."
Finding Jae-hoon's wallet among his belongings the guard pulled out his ID to check.
"Seo Jae-hoon. That's right."
After confirming his identity the guard went through the mobile phone then processed the stored items and filled out paperwork.
"Now for the physical examination."
The guard put on latex gloves and stood up.
After examining every inch of Jae-hoon's body the guard stepped back and said.
"Turn around face the wall and bend over. Remove your underwear."
"…"
"Quickly. We don't have time."
Jae-hoon trembled with humiliation and shame.
When had someone born into a chaebol family living a life of privilege ever experienced something like this?
The guard meanwhile appeared not just calm but visibly bored.
Finishing the examination the guard stood and said.
"All done. Put on your underwear and change into these."
Though handed prison clothes Jae-hoon just stood there looking dazed.
"Change quickly."
When the guard urged him Jae-hoon glared at him fiercely.
The guard spoke with an incredulous expression.
"Look Mr. Seo. I don't care who you were outside. The warden might try to squeeze something out of you but I just want to clock out on time each day. And right now you're making me work overtime. Got it?"
"When I get out I'll kill you."
"Sure sure. Whatever you say. Just hurry up and change."
Jae-hoon glared at the sneering guard once more before putting on the prison uniform.
The uniform had '3-1' written on the right side and prisoner number '2004' on the left.
"Once you're changed go stand against the wall facing this way."
The guard spoke while holding a camera.
Grinding his teeth Jae-hoon followed the guard's instructions. The guard took several photos of him.
"Now come sit here."
With an annoyed gesture he motioned Jae-hoon to sit in the uncomfortable metal chair before him.
"Do you have any chronic illnesses or current health issues?"
"No."
"Any medications you take?"
"No."
After quickly filling out the paperwork the guard handed over a sheet.
"This lists your deposited money and stored items. Read it and sign if it's correct."
Jae-hoon barely glanced at it before signing.
"After bathing you'll be moved to your assigned cell. Nice meeting you hope we never see each other again."
The guard gestured half-heartedly.
"Take him away."
"Yes Chief."
Other guards led Jae-hoon out of the examination room.
After Jae-hoon disappeared still glaring at the sneering guard.
The guard who'd finished organizing the paperwork stood up.
"Ah I need to clock out. What an annoying bastard. What time is it?"
Checking the watch on his wrist the guard left the examination room cursing.
The watch visible beneath his long sleeve was clearly no ordinary timepiece.
It wasn't the kind of watch a guard could afford on their salary.
"Now how should I torment that guy? The last one was fun."
The guard licked his lips with a disturbing smile.
After leaving the examination room he went straight to the warden's office.
"Warden it's the medical chief."
"Come in."
When he entered his face had returned to its emotionless mask as if he'd never worn that smile.
"Is it done?"
"Yes all finished."
"Any health issues? Did he cooperate? Any problems?"
"None."
When he handed over the paperwork Yang Bong-sik who had been asking questions excitedly began reading it.
"Then I'll head out."
"Right good work."
Yang Bong-sik waved him away without looking up. He bowed and left the warden's office.
After driving away from the detention center following his usual route the medical chief briefly pulled over and made a call.
"This is Kim Dong-min Manager Ma."
* * *
"We held the board meeting and appointed the new CEO."
I couldn't take my eyes off the documents Eva had brought.
"Well done. This is just the beginning."
Eva's work was impeccable as always.
I smiled at Eva as I set down the papers.
"We can take control of all Il-seong Group's listed subsidiaries this month. But there's no way to handle the unlisted companies under Il-sung Corporation."
Though Il-seong Group exercised most of its control through circular shareholding the unlisted companies were subsidiaries under Il-sung Corporation.
Il-sung Corporation's shares were split between Chairman Seo Yong-geon at 51% Seo Jae-hoon at 5% and myself holding the remaining 44%.
There was no way to take that no matter what. But that didn't mean there weren't options.
"First we'll use Cheon Ji-su to neutralize Chairman Seo Yong-geon's shares."
After Cheon Su-han's funeral Cheon Ji-su had come to see me.
At the funeral she'd told me about Seo Jae-hoon threatening her and asked for my help.
Initially I'd planned to ignore it but Seo Hee-kyung Ji-su's mother's shares and the inheritance she'd receive when Seo Yong-geon died were tempting.
Currently Seo Jae-hoon was exercising Seo Yong-geon's voting rights.
But the moment Seo Hee-kyung challenges this and files a lawsuit those voting rights would be suspended.
That's when I could call a shareholders' meeting and take control.
Even if Seo Yong-geon woke up later it wouldn't matter if I'd already sold all the subsidiaries to other companies. There'd be no way to get them back.
"Are you sure about this? Cheon Ji-su is still…"
Eva carefully watched my expression as she asked.
I appreciated her thoughtfulness. I looked at Eva with warm eyes.
"I want to move quickly. It was Grandfather's last wish and they didn't directly harm me. We should use them while we can."
I'd agreed to hand over Il-seong Group's department stores and fashion-related businesses to Cheon Ji-su in exchange for her moving Seo Jeong-hui to neutralize Seo Yong-geon's shares.
"Though Seo Jeong-hui might hesitate now once Seo Jae-hoon is detained she'll have no reason to hold back. She'll likely make her move soon."
Eva nodded in understanding.
"Alright. I'll proceed with Il-sung Corporation accordingly."
I handed Eva another document.
"These are the chaebols who'll take over the subsidiaries. Handle it cleanly so there won't be any issues. We can transfer all our shares but it might look suspicious to do it immediately. Plan for the share transfer about a year from now."
Eva set down the document I'd given her and said.
"Isn't it a waste to hand these over to other chaebols? We could run them like Jungwoo Group without giving up control."
It was certainly a valid point.
But too much greed leads to trouble.
"Jungwoo Group alone is enough. We already have significant influence over major corporations. Don't worry just proceed."
"Understood."
I stared at Eva as she organized the documents then spoke.
"Like I said before when this is done take a sabbatical and rest. You haven't had a proper break since you started working with me."
"I enjoy the work."
"Are you still going to the hospital regularly?"
"Yes I am. Don't worry."
Eva was attending regular hospital visits to treat her trauma from the incident in Hong Kong.
"Even if it's fun you need proper rest. This time do absolutely nothing just rest. That's an order."
"Alright. But shouldn't you rest too Boss? You work even harder than I do."
"I'm thinking about taking a break too once this is wrapped up."
"Want to go on a trip together?"
Eva playfully winked at me.
Just then there was a knock at the study door. It was Manager Ma.
"We've received contact from the detention center."
I patted Eva's shoulder and said.
"Good work Eva. Go home and get some rest. Let's have dinner together soon."
"You better treat me somewhere nice Boss."
After Eva tactfully excused herself Manager Ma resumed his report.
"They say Seo Jae-hoon has been admitted to the detention center."
"Oh? Will Kim Dong-min contact us?"
"Yes. He says the warden will likely offer special treatment."
"The warden?"
"According to Kim Dong-min though he hasn't been there long he's heard the warden is famous for providing privileges to inmates in exchange for money."
Such people exist everywhere I suppose.
"We'll need to replace the warden. Look into everything from his bank accounts to his associates. Make sure we can get our person appointed as warden so Kim Dong-min can work comfortably."
"Understood."
"Kim Dong-min is proving quite useful."
Kim Dong-min was the medical chief who had handled Cheon Su-han.
Instead of proper medication he'd prescribed drugs meant for those with severe mental disorders.
Drugs that could have fatal side effects if taken by a sane person. Within the prison Cheon Su-han had slowly gone mad.
"He must have gone through the physical examination too."
I couldn't help but smile thinking about the physical examination he would have undergone before entering the detention center.
"I'm not sure if it's unfortunate or fortunate that I couldn't see that."
As dawn approached the detention warrant for Seo Jae-hoon was issued.
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