"I don't know if you're aware, but I'm starting an entertainment channel in August. It will feature movies, dramas, and celebrity-related programs. I plan to kick it off with a lavish 'Chaebol 3rd Generation' series. It will star Yeong-jun and Kyung-jun. Just imagine the ratings when the two brothers appear side by side..." Jin Yoon-ki paused for a moment and tapped his fingers. "...I guarantee the ratings will be higher than scandals, shall we say?"
"What... Kyung-jun? Why him?"
Jin Yeong-gi couldn't hide his confusion when his youngest son's name was mentioned. It was about time to prepare a position for him after he finished his studies, but...
"You didn't know? That guy is living together with someone in LA. A wealthy guy and a Hong Kong actress. She's... anyway, she's older."
There hadn't been any special reports from the LA branch. His academic performance was more or less okay, and there had been no major incidents reported.
A guy like that is cohabiting? And a Hong Kong girl, on top of that?
Jin Yeong-gi, the vice-chairman, began to feel stiff in his back.
"I've hired thirty reporters to run my entertainment channel. They're all paparazzi-level veterans. I've already managed to gather this much information in just one month. Once we dive deeper for in-depth reporting, we'll uncover even more sensational stories... Can you handle it, hyung-nim?" The measured and deliberate way he spoke made it even more threatening.
"Are you trying to blackmail me right now?"
The vice-chairman, his brow furrowed in anger, glared at him, but Jin Yoon-ki didn't flinch at all.
"Battle for inheritance? Okay, I'm not saying we shouldn't do it. In the old days, this would have been a battle to swallow a country, so how could we not fight? But we shouldn't mess with the children. And we shouldn't let things leak out. Father is still watching us." With these words, Jin Yoon-ki stood up from his seat. "We can broadcast the family feud to the entire nation as soon as Father passes away. I'll warn you again: if my Do-Jun gets into trouble with the prosecution again, all thirty reporters will be following you around like shadows."
Watching his younger brother slam the door and leave, Jin Yeong-gi suddenly remembered one forgotten fact.
Deep inside that seemingly docile youngest brother, flows the same kind of blood.
Another fact came to mind.
"You! Is what he said true?"
There was no need for an answer. The discolored face said it all.
"You foolish child!"
Unable to endure it any longer, his hand rose. Snap!
The cheek swelled almost immediately. Leaving the rebellious child behind, he firmly picked up the phone.
"Secretary's office, Strategy Division, Audit Division... Ah! Head of Business Support Division, all of them!"
Jin Yeong-jun simply stared at his father, who put down the phone roughly, with fearful eyes, not even daring to seek forgiveness.
His father's fury was just that brutal.
In less than five minutes, the door opened, and people poured in.
When they saw the scene in the vice-chairman's office, they immediately realized what had happened.
Their expressions conveyed the thought that this reckless son had caused trouble again, as they lowered their heads in disappointment.
"Strategy Division!"
"Yes, Vice-Chairman."
"Listen carefully. From now on, assign two people to watch over this guy. One reporter, one guard. Strong guys! Monitor him around the clock, don't let him go anywhere outside of home and the office. If he tries to go somewhere else, stop him even if you have to break his legs. Even if he visits some insignificant caf, the whole Strategy Division will be right behind him. Got it?"
"Yes."
"You may leave."
The head of the Strategy Division quickly and fearfully exited as soon as the vice-chairman's words finished.
"Audit Division!"
"Yes."
"From last year... no, from the year before that, find out everything he spent money on. Even if it's just a pack of gum, don't leave anything out. Especially if there's any use of cash, be sure to uncover it. Understand?"
"Yes."
The head of the Audit Division fled before being told to leave.
"Executive Director Kang."
The Head of Business Support took a breath as he was called.
Sternly, he issued his orders, "Freeze all cards used by Yeong-jun. Lock his bank accounts in his name, and trace any hidden funds he might have. If that kid has even a single won in his pocket, you'll be responsible. Bring his salary account to me. Anything else? Block any online transactions or whatever else he's doing. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Are you saying I should prevent him from spending money?"
"Yes, exactly. Just let him eat at home or in the company cafeteria. It's not worth wasting even a single grain of rice on him. Damn it."
The secretary's office director, the last to receive instructions, felt a slight sense of anticipation, as if wondering what severe measures might be coming.
"Go to the electronics division and convey my message clearly. Yeong-jun is not my son. He's just an ordinary employee. If he doesn't do his job properly or doesn't show any competence, he can be sent off to the Suwon factory as of today. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Vice-Chairman."
Jin Yeong-gi shouted at his son. "Hey, what's that woman's name?"
"What? Uh... Gye, Gyeong-hee. It's Lee Gyeong-hee."
He managed to mention just the name and then lowered his head again.
"Got it? She's said to be a female talent, so thoroughly investigate her and her management company."
"Are you asking us to investigate or..."
When the secretary's office director cautiously inquired, Jin Yeong-gi raised his voice again.
"I said investigate! That girl is a drug addict, and the CEO of her agency is a gangster. If you investigate them, everything will come out. Send them to jail for a few years and let them rot. Understand?"
"Yes, Vice-Chairman."
"Take that kid with you and throw him in the electronic division."
In the empty room where everyone had left, Vice-Chairman Jin Yeong-gi let out a long sigh, and that was all he could do.
After a few sighs, Vice-Chairman Jin finally picked up the phone.
"Immediately issue orders to transfer him to some African country or something. What? This kid! How would I know the specific country in Africa? Just send him off to some remote place!"