novelraw Chapter 59
Chapter 59
I, Lim Hyunjun, watched as Lim Hye-seon nodded quietly.
I continued speaking while meeting her eyes.
"I cannot tell you everything, but... this is not simply an issue of my Uncle's alone. Even so, I believe the future of the group called Taeseong can change depending on how you view this situation, Aunt."
Lim Hye-seon held a quiet gaze and lifted her teacup to take a sip.
Then, she quietly opened her mouth.
"I must prepare my heart now as well. I hope Seo-yeon is not hurt too much."
I quietly bowed my head.
While a moment of silence flowed, thick clouds were gathering in the previously calm sky as if it were about to rain.
The sky looked exactly like Lim Hye-seon's heart.
"Hyunjun, no matter what decision you make. If it is for the sake of Taeseong, do not hesitate."As I looked at my aunt, I read a subtle change in her eyes.
"Hyunjun, Seo-yeon was everything to me."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I did not give birth to her myself but... no, I think that is why she was even more precious. I have endured everything until now because of the thought that I might lose that child."
Only then could I understand, even if just a little, the weight of the pain Lim Hye-seon had endured until now.
As a member of the Taeseong family and in between the name of mother, how much despair and loneliness must she have swallowed.
"But now Seo-yeon is a proper adult and is at an age where she can choose anything by her own judgment."
Lim Hye-seon put down the teacup she was holding and gathered both her hands neatly.
"Even if that child chooses her father... I think I can accept it now."
It felt as if she was finally letting go of the fear she had harbored for a long time.
"It is time to move forward now, both for Taeseong and for myself."
Outside the window, the raindrops were gradually becoming thicker.
However, a sense of peace was instead seeping into Lim Hye-seon's face.
"Aunt, you do not need to endure the things that will happen in the future entirely alone. Beside you, there is me and our family. And I believe Seo-yeon Nuna will also make a wise choice."
Hye-seon nodded quietly at my comfort.
"Thank you."
"I will also do my best to help you."
Having confirmed Lim Hye-seon's heart, I could harbor a bit more hope for the future of Taeseong.
The sound of rain quietly tapping on the window echoed continuously.
As if it were a signal announcing a new beginning.
***
The news that President Jeong Tae-jun was arrested spread quickly.
At 5 AM, the sky in Seoul was still submerged in darkness, but reporters were already engaged in a war.
In front of the Taeseong Ilbo headquarters, relay vans from various broadcasting stations were lined up.
They were flashing their eyes like hunting dogs while delivering breaking news in front of the cameras.
Reporter Jeong Hui-jin from a broadcasting station continued with a tense voice while holding a microphone.
Behind her, the appearance of Taeseong Ilbo employees, who had come to work earlier than usual, disappearing hurriedly into the building with their heads bowed was visible.
[
[The fall of a chaebol family’s son-in-law. Who is Jeong Tae-jun]
[Is the Taeseong Group management rights dispute starting now]
The main screen of portal sites was instantly plastered with articles related to Jeong Tae-jun.
It was the same for real-time search terms.
The reaction of netizens was also hot.
But what caught people's attention more than anything was this scene.
The arrest scene that took place at a hotel in Gangnam last night.
The appearance of a man in a disheveled suit being led away while wearing handcuffs and bowing his head was being replayed repeatedly through various media.
"This is the moment Jeong Tae-jun is arrested. As you can see...."
That video was dramatic, like a scene from a movie.
It looked like a scene someone had known about and waited for in advance to film.
People whispered.
"What's the use of being a chaebol son-in-law. Didn't he eventually go bankrupt. Reality is a gutter."
"I think it's more than a drama."
"His face looks fine, so why did he do that...."
***
At the same time, an interrogation room at the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office.
A heavy silence flowed in the narrow space where only fluorescent light shone down.
Two people sat facing each other between old desks.
Prosecutor Son Yu-jin was looking at Jeong Tae-jun's face without a word.
In her mid-30s, she was famous for being cold-headed and tenacious enough to be called a venomous snake within the prosecution.
In particular, she boasted a skill that allowed no followers when it came to investigating economic criminals.
Jeong Tae-jun, sitting on the opposite side, was consistent in his silence along with his attorney.
Beside him, Lawyer Kim Tae-ho from a large law firm kept his place with a calm expression.
Prosecutor Son Yu-jin opened her mouth first.
"Mr. Jeong Tae-jun, I will ask about the loss of approximately 5 billion won that occurred during the operation of the Taeseong Ilbo advertising business department. A significant portion of this seems to have been created through false contracts. What do you think about this?"
After exchanging a short look with the lawyer, Jeong Tae-jun answered in a steady voice.
"I will refuse to testify."
"Then what about the personal expenditures made with the company corporate card over the past three years? There were golf club membership purchase fees, entertainment expenses at high-end restaurants, and even the purchase of a personal vehicle."
"I will refuse to testify."
Son Yu-jin unconsciously pressed the cap of the ballpoint pen she held in her hand.
Click, click.
The small sound echoed in the quiet interrogation room.
Her sharp gaze turned toward Jeong Tae-jun.
'So you're going to hold out until the end.'
She continued while flipping through the thick file placed on the desk.
"Look here, President Jeong. The evidence is sufficient. Bank transaction details, contracts, and even transcripts from a whistleblower—everything is prepared. It would be better for you to speak honestly even now."
But Jeong Tae-jun still kept his mouth shut.
No emotion was revealed in his expression.
He looked as if he had already resigned himself to everything.
Son Yu-jin twisted one corner of her mouth and grit her teeth internally.
'Fine. The more you save your words, the more advantageous it is for me. During that time, I will find even more evidence.'
The clock hands were pointing to 2 PM.
The investigation had already been continuing for three hours, but the only words coming out of Jeong Tae-jun's mouth were a single sentence.
"I will refuse to testify."
***
Seoul Hwasan International High School.
As class ended, students poured out in a swarm.
Among them, one student was particularly noticeable.
I, Lim Hyunjun, although a high school student, had an atmosphere distinctly different from my peers.
With a tall stature, hair neatly combed back, and above all, a mature gaze hard to find in peers, I was impressed.
I took off my school uniform jacket, put it in my bag, and unbuttoned one shirt button to relax.
Every movement was natural yet cool like a model.
It was as if I were a person like this from birth.
A few friends approached me and spoke.
"Hyunjun, do you want to go to the PC room today?"
"Hey, Lim Hyunjun. Let's go eat chicken together!"
I shook my head while smiling as if I were sorry.
"Sorry, I have work today."
Using the word 'work' was a bit awkward for a high school student.
However, no one considered it strange.
The friends already knew.
That I was not an ordinary student.
As I stepped out of the school gate, a black sedan was parked quietly.
As I approached, a man who looked to be in his 30s got out of the driver's seat and opened the door.
"Representative, how was your day today?"
"It was pleasant."
Even if I told him not to come, Choi Seo-jun stubbornly ignored my words and came to pick me up from school.
From a certain point, Choi Seo-jun moved personally, saying that my safety was soon the company's safety.
I leaned into the back seat and took out a tablet.
Various reports and news articles were organized on the screen.
They were all contents related to the Jeong Tae-jun arrest case.
As the car started, Choi Seo-jun cautiously opened his mouth.
"Representative, a meeting with the Taeseong Ilbo audit team is scheduled for today. The location is said to be Taeseong Electronics."
I nodded and flipped through the tablet screen.
I glanced through the various articles covering the news of Jeong Tae-jun's arrest that were listed one after another.
"Is the audit team list finalized?"
"Yes, including Vice Chairman Lim Do-kyung and Taeseong Construction Vice President Yoon Jae-hyuk, there are 3 from an external accounting firm, 2 from a law firm, and 2 from the internal audit team, totaling 9 people."
Choi Seo-jun checked my expression through the rearview mirror.
My expression still looked calm.
"What is Vice President Yoon's reaction like?"
"He is quite active. In particular, regarding the tracking of President Jeong Tae-jun's personal account, he emphasized that we must dig to the very end."
I muttered shortly while flipping the screen.
"Arresting Jeong Tae-jun is only the beginning. The crimes that man committed have not all been revealed yet."
The scenery of Seoul passed by the car window.
The Han River was visible, and high-rise buildings soared as if to pierce the sky.
Among them, one building that soared the highest caught my eye.
It was the headquarters of Taeseong Electronics.
"Representative Choi, the most important thing in today's meeting will probably be speed. Now is the opportunity while Jeong Tae-jun is keeping his mouth shut. The more he drags out time, the more Daehan will feel at ease."
"Yes, Representative."
Choi Seo-jun nodded at my words.
Although I was a high school student on the outside, the words and actions I performed were like a manager who had gained decades of experience.
Quiet classical music flowed in the car.
Chopin's Nocturne, boasting an elegant and restrained melody, strangely matched the atmosphere inside the car.
***
Taeseong Electronics large conference room.
Nine people were taking their seats around a giant oval table.
They were all influential figures who were well-known in their respective fields.
But at this moment, everyone's gaze was focused on one person.
Vice Chairman Lim Do-kyung was sitting at one end of the table.
In his early 50s, he was the eldest son of Chairman Lim Man-seok of Taeseong Electronics and was recently rising rapidly as a power within the group.
On the opposite side sat Vice President Yoon Jae-hyuk of Taeseong Construction.
Although he was older than Vice Chairman Lim Do-kyung, there was no one who did not know he was on Chairman Lim Man-seok's line.
Besides those chosen by Vice Chairman Lim Do-kyung, there was an empty seat.
The door opened and someone entered.
"I am sorry, I am late."
The appearance of me, Lim Hyunjun, having changed my school uniform into a suit, looked completely different.
Wearing a high-end suit with a neat tie, I was in a perfect outfit without a single disarray.
But what was even more surprising was the file held in my hand.
The collection of materials looked to be at least 10 centimeters thick.
Vice Chairman Lim Do-kyung welcomed his son.
"Hyunjun is here as well."
All the working-level staff, including Yoon Jae-hyuk, stood up and greeted me.
I also bowed my waist with a polite attitude.
It was Chairman Lim Man-seok's instruction that Vice Chairman Lim Do-kyung had included me in this audit team.
It was from the judgment that it would be a learning experience just for me to observe this matter.
I naturally sat in the seat next to Vice Chairman Lim Do-kyung and looked around.
I opened my mouth first with a calm voice.
"Thank you all for attending despite being busy. I am Lim Hyunjun. As you all know, the reason we are gathered here today is to thoroughly investigate the series of incidents that occurred at Taeseong Ilbo."