Chairman Jin shook his head in frustration, turned off the TV after watching the news attacking Candidate Go Kyungyeol all day long, claiming it was an exclusive report.
Although it was in the middle of the election campaign, which ordinary people might not be aware of, there were poll results on Jin Chairman's desk.
Election experts had announced that his son-in-law was comfortably leading with a 7% difference.
At this point, a barrage like this, just one day before the election, would be unbearable for anyone.
Candidate Go Kyungyeol, who was the one involved, urgently held a press conference and called for an immediate halt to the defamatory coverage. However, the opposing camp, led by his son-in-law, firmly insisted on starting with a paternity test.
This incident was clearly an inside tip.
If there had been any discreetly investigated media outlets up to now, it should have been an exclusive report, but there was no other explanation for all major daily newspapers simultaneously opening their floodgates except for someone's definite tip.
"Oh my, persuading Go Kyungyeol's right-hand man. What kind of trick did this guy pull..."
Chairman Jin had seen many people throw their lives into the political arena.
When you're intoxicated by the sweetness of power, you're not swayed by money. Of course, there were plenty of people swayed by money, but the limitations of such individuals were obvious.
People with big dreams only take the money they need to obtain power, and they use their power as a means to make money. Go Kyungyeol's right-hand man must have a significant dream, no doubt about that.
He wouldn't be swayed by money...
Chairman Jin got up from his seat.
He didn't want to summon the person he needed to meet now to his study. For the first time in a long while, he wanted to move himself to meet someone.
As he left his study, a secretary who had been waiting rushed over.
"Prepare the car. I need to go out for a bit."
"Are you going to the company?"
"Just get the car, I'll just wait here."
"Yes."
The secretary, rushing out, had already taken out his cell phone and called for the car.
Opening the rear door of the sedan waiting at the headquarters entrance, the secretary, who had just realized that something was wrong, felt his legs go weak.
The Chairman seemed displeased with something, as he furrowed his brow.
"What's this?"
"What?"
"What kind of car is this?"
Chairman Jin couldn't help but feel pathetic looking at the bewildered young secretary who didn't know what to do. Why was this young guy so clueless?
"I had my armored car stolen a long time ago. Why would I ride in this car?"
The driver was quicker to catch on than the secretary. He promptly swapped out the large armored vehicle and arranged for the German sedan that Chairman Jin preferred.
He dismissed the secretary, who was trying to sit in the passenger seat, and departed with just the driver. Of course, the secretary would hurriedly follow suit.
"Let's go to Yeouido. To Oh Se-hyun's office."
Throughout the city, election campaigns for the candidates were in full swing. Loudspeaker announcements, cluttered banners, and posters were everywhere. With only half a day left, they were mustering their final efforts.
"Chairman!"
"Grandpa!"
They were in the midst of reviewing the map of Sangam-dong in Mapo, considering the precincts. With the representatives from Dae-ah Construction present, everyone stood up in surprise when Grandpa made his entrance.
As Grandpa extended his hand to shake theirs and even asked for a handshake, everyone's expressions showed how deeply moved they were.
Until last year, they only an employee of Sunyang Construction, where you couldn't even catch a glimpse of Chairman Jin's shadow, so it's only natural behavior.
"Seems like you've been busy."
"Well, yes, but I do have time to offer a drink to Chairman Jin." Oh Se-hyun smiled and gestured for them to take a seat.
"Could you folks please step aside for a moment? I have something important to discuss with him."
"Yes, of course, Chairman."
As the construction company employees stepped back, the grandfather's dignified expression gave way to a warm smile.
"Oh, Representative Oh, you've changed quite a bit. I can sense Chairman Jin in you. Hehe."
"Oh, no, not at all. I've gained weight lately because I haven't been exercising."
"I'm not talking about your weight; I'm talking about your attitude."
Oh Se-hyun exchanged a few words with the Chairman, keeping an eye on their surroundings.
"But what brings you here today? Seeing you personally make the trip here suggests it's not something ordinary."
"The news today, is it the work of those two?"
It was related to the election.
Oh Se-hyun and I locked eyes, and I began to speak.
"Yes, that's correct."
"In the end, it turned out just as you said. How did you handle the persuasion?"
"Kim Kwan-hyuk wasn't a person satisfied with being just an assistant or a right-hand man. His ambition was great enough to step on someone and create an opportunity."
"Chairman, have you received any election result predictions or information?" Oh Se-hyun interjected cautiously. "I assume you've received information that's not on my level, Chairman?"
"They say there's a 7% difference."
I found myself unconsciously clenching my fists. Of course, it might not be entirely accurate, but if it was a poll conducted by the Sunyang Group, there would be no more precise prediction than this.
"Our survey showed a 10% lead for us. Both of them predicted victory, so unless something unexpected happens, Gomoobu* has won."
(*Note: Gomoobu is used as a colloquial term for a maternal uncle-in-law or aunt's husband in Korea.)
"With just a few hours left, do you think anything unexpected will happen? I don't see any issues."
Grandfather nodded his head, as if to reassure me not to worry. "Now, the project you're going to manage has crossed the fifth level."
Only the fifth level? I thought it was already beyond the seventh level since it was a Seoul city project. Did I underestimate it?
Seeing my puzzled expression, Grandfather chuckled. "You rascal. Do you think the person who prepares the meal and the person who eats it are always the same? Wait and see. There will be more than a few people jumping in with spoons now. If they can't get their share, they'll try to overturn the table."