บท 160: Chapter 160: I Will Retrieve What’s Mine
Father."
Cheon Ji-won waved as he waited for Cheon Su-man at the airport.
"Let's head straight to the hospital."
"Sure."
"What about Ji-soo?"
"I told her to stay put."
As they got into the car that Cheon Ji-won drove, Cheon Su-man initiated the conversation.
"The air really is refreshing in Korea."
"Once Grandfather passes, you'll have to come back."
"That's true. How's the old man doing?"
"He's lost his grip on reality. He barely recognizes me anymore, mistaking me for his other grandson."
"That old man… Acting tough all this time, and yet this is how it ends. No wonder he treated us so harshly; look at the state he's in now."
Cheon Su-man clicked his tongue.
He didn't show the slightest concern for Chairman Cheon's well-being.
"What about Mu-hyeok?"
"As I mentioned before, he's not the same person you remember. His connections are extensive now. Even my maternal grandfather treats him with caution."
Cheon Ji-won explained how Kim Mu-hyeok's status had change while he was in Australia, but Cheon Su-man merely scoffed.
"That's just the benefit of the old man's reputation."
"That's true."
"Did you find out what I asked?"
"Il-sung said that as soon aas they verify his condition, they'll assign a legal team. But you told me to decline, so I've set up a meeting with a law firm in the Atlantic instead."
"Good, well done."
Cheon Su-man smiled knowingly, as if he had expected that.
"If we owe them any favors, we'll end up losing everything we gain. Did you see how the Cheongpung Group dumped me?"
"Yeah…"
Cheon Ji-won replied sullenly.
"Don't trust anyone. Even if they're family. The same goes for that old man and Chairman Seo of Il-sung.""
Cheon Su-man's voice brimmed with malice.
The group headed straight for Korea University Hospital from Gimpo Airport.
In front of the VIP ward, they encountered a familiar face.
"It's been a while, Chairman Cheon."
"Chief Ha, it's really been too long."
Cheon Su-man didn't hide his hostile gaze.
Despite that, Chief Ha remained unfazed, showing no change in expression.
Cheon Su-man's frustration grew at Chief Ha's indifferent demeanor, and he clicked his tongue before speaking.
"Can I go in?"
"Yes, you can."
"Really, I have to ask permission just to see my father. What is this nonsense?"
Grumbling to make himself heard, Cheon Su-man stepped into the hospital room.
Cheon Tae-san lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling until he sensed someone and turned his head.
"Su-man…"
His voice sounded as if it might break at any moment.
But Cheon Su-man turned away, speaking coldly.
"Father, you're being punished for how you abandoned me. Su-han is locked away in a mental facility because of you, and I had to wander outside of Korea. Do you have any idea how hard that was?"
"Su-man…"
His voice grew louder as he unloaded his pent-up anger, but Cheon Tae-san only kept calling his son's name.
"It's too late to seek me out now. I'll do whatever it takes to get back what's mine. Just watch how your precious Kim Mu-hyeok crumbles."
"..."
Cheon Tae-san offered no response. Instead, he wearily raised his arm toward Cheon Su-man.
But Cheon Su-man only stared at Cheon Tae-san, not offering his hand.
After staring at his father's face for a long time, Cheon Su-man turned away.
"Su-man…"
Cheon Tae-san's feeble voice echoed in the large hospital room.
Once outside, Cheon Su-man looked at Chief Ha, who was waiting by the door, and asked.
"Why are you calling me by name and can't even say a proper sentence? Are you not supposed to call me? Is it because Kim Mu-hyeok said not to? Still,you should have called me when he could talk properly."
"…He can speak, just not coherently."
"Then why is he only calling my name?"
"I'm not sure."
"Huh… Fine. Can I come back later? Do I need permission for that too?"
"No, feel free to come by whenever."
After receiving Chief Ha's polite nods and the security detail's greetings, Cheon Su-man headed straight to the director's office.
Though he showed up without notice, the director welcomed them with a smile.
"It's been a while, Chairman Cheon."
"Congratulations on becoming the director."
"Thank you. Ji-won, it's been a long time."
"Yeah, Uncle."
Having served as the family physician for the Cheon clan for many years, the director was well acquainted with them.
The three of them settled into their seats.
It was the director who broke the silence first.
"I heard you were abroad."
"It just turned out that way. But that's not important right now. How long is my father going to last?"
"Excuse me?"
"How long will he live?"
"His health has declined, and his memory will continue to fade. Eventually…"
"No, that's not what I'm asking. When will he die?"
"..."
The director hesitated, taken aback by the bluntness.
"Judging by his condition, it looks like he's got only a few days left at best. How much longer can you expect?"
Cheon Su-man's tone reflected exactly what Kim Mu-hyeok had warned.
The director shook his head inwardly.
"…At most, one year."
"Why? Can't he get life support somehow?"
"There are limits to life support as well. For now, he can still eat, but later, he'll need nutrients directly administered into his veins."
At that, Cheon Su-man frowned in frustration.
"Is this all the Korea University Hospital can do?"
"If it were cancer or some other physical ailment, treatment could certainly be attempted. But brain-related diseases are difficult to treat. While nutrition is a problem, there's a chance he could even stop breathing."
The director, speaking calmly yet firmly, laid out the worst-case scenario.
"Ugh… Time is short. If I send him abroad, would he live longer? What's your opinion?"
"There wouldn't be much difference. Our hospital isn't far behind renowned foreign hospitals."
"Alright, I understand."
Cheon Su-man, looking discontent, studied the director's face until he suddenly spoke.
"If anything happens to my father, contact me first. I'm the son, and it doesn't make sense that Kim Mu-hyeok gets contacted firs. Do you understand?"
"Excuse me?"
The director, baffled, asked again, prompting Cheon Su-man to flash a piercing gaze.
"Is this so hard to understand? Contact me, not him. Don't regret it later."
"..."
"This is a warning. I will reclaim what is mine. Make sure you choose wisely where." I'm someone who has watched you for quite a while."
Cheon Su-man appeared vastly different from how he used to be, no longer meekly keeping a low profile as he assessed Cheon Tae-san's state.
Leaving the director speechless, Cheon Su-man murmured to himself as he looked up at the hospital building.
"Only a year at most, huh? I see, I'll be busy."
"What?"
Thinking the remark was aimed at him, Cheon Ji-won turned to him.
"Never mind. Should I head straight to the Atlantic?"
"Yes, Father."
"Okay. Let's go."
The Atlantic Law Firm.
Yun & Jang was a contender for the top two or three law firms in the country, even if they fell short of the Atlantic.
It was the only law firm that wasn't afraid of engaging in lawsuits with Yun & Jang.
"Chairman Cheon, it's been ages."
"Yes, CEO Gong. Long time no see."
CEO Gong Seung-yeon greeted him warmly after spotting him.
Chairman Cheon Tae-san's wealth was not precisely quantified, but it was clear that the battle over his inheritance would amount to a lawsuit worth billions.
In other words, the legal fees would be staggering.
CEO Gong's face lit up with genuine joy.
"I've heard you've been abroad. Are you moving back to the country now?"
"That's the plan."
"I've heard a bit from Ji-won, but please share the details."
"The most urgent matter is to file for the declaration of incapacity."
"What's Chairman Cheon's current condition?"
"He struggles with recognition. His memory is erratic."
"That's manageable… but Kim Mu-hyeok already filed for icapacity, didn't he?"
Cheon Su-man's brow furrowed in surprise.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. He submitted the application directly through Yun & Jang last week. They say a judge was assigned unusually quickly."
"Hmm…"
"Before the court accepts the application, it's essential to submit objections today or tomorrow, and prepare for a legal battle. After all, Chairman Cheon's heir is you, Chairman Cheon."
"Isn't Kim Mu-hyeok's influence just a hadow of my father's?"
CEO Gong stared at him incredulously.
"Why the astonished look?"
"I'm not sure if you're ignorant or deliberately dismissive, but Kim Mu-hyeok's influence is alredy greater than Chairman Cheon's. If you want to win this lawsuit, you need to understand your opponent."
CEO Gong was certainly not someone who just spouted nonsense.
With a change in posture, Cheon Su-man asked.
"Please elaborate."
"To start with, he holds significant influence in the legal field. While many of his friends from university entered law, their relatives include Oh Jeong-seok, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Yoon Hyung-min, CEO. Yoon Hyung-min rarely takes action, but he's personally driving Kim Mu-hyeok's affairs."
Yoon Hyung-min was a nearly iconic figure for Yun & Jang who seldom got directly involved, but he was taking control of Kim Mu-hyeok's matters himself.
"And he also wields considerable power in politics. You might not be aware due to being abroad for so long, but it's common knowledge that Yoon Chang-ho, the leader of the centrist party, is on his side."
"…Is it really that serious?"
"Yes. To win, you absolutely need Il-sung's assistance. Even that might not be enough, so please don't underestimate the situation."
They could have shifted the topic, but CEO Gong spoke directly.
Cheon Su-man started to feel anxious, realizing that Kim Mu-hyeok had grown far more ormidable than expected.
"So, what should I do?"
"First, you need Chairman Seo's support. Then create a narrative to draw as much public attention as possible. With the general elections coming, Yoon Chang-ho won't help swiftly. Above all, it's best to publicize your status as the oldest son."
"If I ask for help from my father-in-law, I'll have to share the spoils after winning. He's not someone who'll simply lend a hand."
"If you're hesitant over that, I can't assist you. I'll help you only if it's assumed Il-sung will help you. Otheerwise, it would be too dangerous and pointless to engage in a fight you're bound to lose."
Cheon Su-man felt dismal at CEO Gong's resolute stance.
Prior to leaving for abroad, even chairmen of large companies didn't dare to treat him lightly.
That was due to his identity as Cheon Tae-san's firstborn and successor.
But Kim Mu-hyeok was a different stoy. The halo of Cheon Tae-san wasn't everything.
Cheon Su-man was fully aware of this fact, though he had been ignoring it.
"I'll make sure to secure my father-in-law's cooperation."
He couldn't afford to stubbornly cling to his position now.
Even if CEO Gong spoke only partly the truth, Kim Mu-hyeok's power surpassed hs expectations.
"I apologize if I offended you. But you need to confront reality to prevail in the lawsuit. We will commit fully to ensuring your victory."
"No, just tell me what I need to do."
CEO Gong and Cheon Su-man began outlining the tasks at hand.
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