"Do you still have something to say?"
Jin Yeong-gi frowned as he quietly opened the study door to see his daughter-in-law entering. He assumed that her expression meant she wanted to express dissatisfaction with his decisions as the father of her husband.
Seeing her father-in-law's expression, Han Seo-young quickly spoke.
"I don't have any dissatisfaction with your decision, Father. I will fully comply."
"But?"
"There's something I'd like to ask..."
"Take a seat."
Han Seo-young quietly sat in the chair opposite.
"Alright, what is it you'd like to request?"
"Please allow me to continue investigating the relationship between Miracle and your sister-in-law's secret funds using the resources of Hansung Daily."
"What?"
"I've heard that you've even traced the hidden capital that went into a ghost company. With a bit more effort, we can probably unravel the connection to Miracle... It would be such a waste to just fold it like this."
It was an unexpected statement but somewhat commendable in a way. While the whole family was struggling to deal with the situation, she was the only family member showing a will to continue the fight.
Without waiting for an answer, Han Seo-young nervously withstood her father-in-law's gaze.
At that moment, an unexpected sound came from his lips.
"How many of your family members are working behind the scenes like this?"
"What?"
"I'm not scolding you, so don't be alarmed. Just answer. How many are there?"
"Uh... Father... I..."
"You don't know anything?"
"Yes."
Jin Yeong-gi couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of his daughter-in-law turning red from her ears to her cheeks.
She was raised like a princess in an esteemed household, yet she was so assertive. It wasn't that she appeared forward, only that her ambition sometimes preceded her, making her look anything but stubborn.
He wondered how he would have reacted if it had been his daughter, or his son, in this situation.
"Tomorrow, you should go to the family's house and bring all the data you've collected. It includes the investigation on our family as well as the one about Miracle."
"Father, I don't really know about the family from my side..."
"Alright. I'll just trust that you don't know. But you must have the data. Bring it all. Don't ask for permission or anything. What you proposed is that we reconsider everything after reviewing the data."
Han Seo-young's face brightened.
Reconsider everything... Her father-in-law had clearly said it, "reconsider."
He meant that he would listen to her thoughts continuously.
"Yes, I will go tomorrow."
"Alright, go out and relax."
As Han Seo-young was about to bow and leave, she stopped and turned around.
"Um, Father."
"Why? Is there something else you want to say?"
"It's about Yeong-jun. What if we give him some freedom?"
"What? Give him freedom?"
"Yes. Tying up Yeong-jun's wallet won't help. He is like a face with a business card and a name with a credit card. Just because he says he has no money doesn't mean he'll change his habits. He'll just hide it more discreetly. Whether it's for a year or ten years, he'll keep running up a tab."
"You want me to allow it? Whatever he's doing?"
"Yes."
Jin Yeong-gi was bewildered and couldn't say anything more. Wasn't this tantamount to giving his approval to her husband to meeting other women?
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. I know that Yeong-jun can't live like an ordinary man. He's the third-generation heir of one of Korea's top conglomerates. There's no way the pesky mosquitoes around him will leave him alone."
He first thought of her as a woman with a big mouth. Why had she only noticed such behavior now?
"I'll think about it. Call it a day and leave for now."
Han Seo-young lowered her head again.
"By the way, when do you plan to give me a grandson?"
The question was difficult to answer, and Han Seo-young stood there with her head down. But the following words from her father-in-law made her snap to attention.
"You become a true member of the Sunyang family by having children. Remember that. Children are the only way to connect our bloodline. Are you clear on what I mean?"
It was a shocking statement for Han Seo-young. She was just a daughter-in-law at the moment. She wasn't yet a part of the Sunyang family. Families don't change, but a daughter-in-law can be sent away at any time.
To appease her father-in-law's heart, Han Seo-young bowed her head. "I'll do my best to give you a grandson soon."
"Really? Did the Chairman personally say that?"
"Yes. The succession process is underway."
"I see, so it's all working out. Congratulations."
"It's all thanks to you, Uncle. If it weren't for you, I would never have come this far."
I handed over the gongji paper, stealing a glimpse of his expression. His face was comfortable and warmly smiling. It wasn't what I had hoped for.
I had hoped to see a burning desire to take on new challenges, the face of a veteran preparing for a major battle. But Oh Sehyun's face showed that he had achieved everything.
Didn't he once say he'd work for five more years and then retire? With three key parts of Sunyang, does he think that's enough now? What if he thinks he's done with his role?
"No, this is a blessing. Haha. I know that successful people are all quite confident in themselves."
As I watched Oh Sehyun laugh, I started withdrawing into my thoughts. Oh Sehyun began to jot down the company names on the paper.
"Let's see... Sunyang Life, Sunyang Fire, Sunyang Securities, Sunyang Card are the main ones, right? What are you going to do? Will you leave the management team as it is, just like Chairman Jin? Hey! What's wrong? Why are you staring blankly?"
"Oh, no. What were you saying?"
Let's put the worry aside for a moment. He won't retire abruptly.
"The management team. How do you plan to structure it? Shouldn't you clean out the entire existing management team?"