"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."
He left himself to me.
Depending on how you hear it, it was a bold statement that could be easily misunderstood.
I stared at Go Yoon-ah fixedly.
Even before I grew up, I was quick-witted.
Whether it's an innate temperament or due to the environment I grew up in, I can't say for sure.
Anyway, I had a knack for reading the atmosphere, and I could easily sense what kind of person someone was with just a few words, even if they were a stranger.
Most of the time, my instincts were correct.
But this woman, Go Yoon-ah, was someone I couldn't quite figure out.
A person who could appear cold as a machine but also had the warmth of a human with a normal body temperature.
A person who could fluently use formal language but also say random things.
She was like a conductor playing a variation piece with skillful technique.
Even as I stared at her intently, there was no change in Go Yoon-ah's expression.
Suddenly, I thought of Choi Ye-ri's face from the drinking party.
Back then, just meeting my eyes for three seconds would make Choi Ye-ri's face turn red as if it were on fire.
"Mr. Yeong-su. Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Well... I was thinking about what it could mean that Chairman Jang Yeong-bok left me as a lawyer. I was pondering on that."
"Ah..."
Go Yoon-ah paused, lost in thought.
"I see. It seems my choice of words wasn't appropriate. Chairman Jang Yeong-bok has transferred our employment relationship to you, Mr. Han Yeong-su. The words I used were meant to convey that."
"I know. I saw it in the will. That it will be passed on to me... No, to be precise, I don't qualify as an heir, right? Born out of wedlock? Inheritance, yes. Inheritance. Chairman Han Yeong-su will handle all matters as my representative until the inheritance is finalized."
I handed a document over to Go Yoon-ah.
"So, here in this Power of Attorney, I've signed in my name and affixed my seal, haven't I?"
"From today onwards, that is, even after the inheritance is settled... You can think of me as Attorney Han Yeong-su's representative. Until my lawyer's license is valid."
"I see."
Han Yeong-su, you're really being clever for nothing.
I've never felt so foolish in my life.
All day long, I've been questioning and asking.
"Chairman Jang wanted me to become Attorney Han Yeong-su's advisor. He has already provided compensation commensurate with that. So, you can entrust me with any legal issues, including civil and criminal cases, until the inheritance is settled."
"So, you're saying that Attorney Go will become my exclusive attorney?"
"Well, I'm officially affiliated with a law firm, so the term 'exclusive' might not be appropriate. However, for your convenience, you can think of it that way. Of course, if you don't want me, you're free to dismiss me anytime."
There comes a moment in life when you definitely need a lawyer.
In fact, law is directly or indirectly involved in all aspects of the world, even if we don't consciously realize it.
I had no reason to refuse.
No, I'm more inclined to be the one asking for help here.
By the way, Chairman Jang Yeong-bok.
Did you really prepare this much for me?
For a conglomerate as big as Taesang, there would surely be a team of lawyers with impressive resumes within the company.
Yet Chairman Jang Yeong-bok chose to have Go Yoon-ah, who looks barely older than me, by his side.
That's undoubtedly proof that she's an exceptional lawyer.
From what I've seen through the media, Chairman Jang Yeong-bok seemed like a rationalist.
He wouldn't have hired her just because of her beauty or her prestigious university background.
"I understand. There's no reason for me to refuse. Please take care of me."
"Yes. Then, as you've agreed to this, I'll briefly explain my background. I was born in 1992 and earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Seoul National University. I passed the 57th Judicial Examination, and after completing the Judicial Research and Training Institute, I studied at Cornell University in the United States..."
"Wait a moment."
She really is an unpredictable woman.
"Background details are fine. Are you saying that I have something to verify about being an attorney from the top law firm in Korea? Furthermore, having worked alongside Chairman Jang Yeong-bok."
"Chairman Jang... It seems like you still can't bring yourself to call him 'father.'"
"I only found out that he was my father a few hours ago. And even when you know a fact, there are things that are hard to accept. Frankly, can I even call Chairman Jang Yeong-bok my father? I'm not sure about it."
"I understand completely. And perhaps, that might be better for you, Yeong-su. But let me say this: Chairman Jang Yeong-bok... He wasn't as ruthless as the rumors make him out to be. Personally, I've received a lot of help from him. Putting those things aside, he was a figure who deserved respect on a human level."
"While I listen to your story, it seems like you have a special relationship. The help you received. Can I ask what that is?"
"That... I'm sorry. It's hard for me to talk about my personal matters. But one thing is clear and certain: if Chairman Jang Yeong-bok hadn't been there, I wouldn't be here in this position either."
*
"Then, I'll make sure to have everything sorted by next week. I can't guarantee, but I'll try to resolve it by Monday if possible."
I parted ways with Go Yoon-ah and returned home.
As they say, even a weightlifter who lifts heavy weights and trains hard eventually gets tired. But now, I'm not even sure if this could happen.
I threw off my shoes and collapsed onto the couch like a limp laundry.
The fortune I had never dreamed of, the riches that were unimaginable, were now in my hands.
Even if I only considered the deposit, I was already proud, but now I also had an apartment in my name.
And not just any apartment, a luxury apartment worth over 3 to 4 billion won in Gangnam.
Could such a transformation happen, even if the heavens opened up?
No, why an apartment?
There's no reason not to buy one, given that it's a world where capitalism reigns and I am an elite citizen.
There's no one who could point their finger at me even if I danced around the sky in celebration.
Even if I'm so excited that I do a crazy dance, who could criticize me? I'm a victim who was hurt.
I didn't choose to be born, and I wasn't abandoned because I did something wrong.
What about Chairman Jang's inheritance?
I never asked for it, and I never wished for it.
When I entered the living room, I placed the letter from Chairman Jang on the table without saying a word
.
I sat on the couch, not uttering a sound, and stared at the letter for a long time.
In this silent battle of wills with the letter, it seemed like my eyeballs were going to pop out.
By the time I regained my composure and sat up, the sun, which had been floating overhead, had moved its body to the western horizon, and the house that had been bathed in sunlight was now filled with darkness.
"..."
I lit the light and carefully opened the seal of the letter.
Inside the envelope were a letter and a photo of a woman.
She was a beautiful woman.
In the photo, she was smiling so brightly, as if she were genuinely happy.
Although I didn't recognize her at first glance, she didn't seem like a stranger.
Trembling, I put down the photo.
The woman in the photo looked exactly like me.
No, it's more accurate to say that I looked like her.
There was a hunch, but I started reading the letter first.
"If you're reading this letter, I'm no longer in this world." The letter began with this line."
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