» The Youngest Son of Sunyang
Reborn Rich - Chapter 237
[237] Before Winter Ends 3
Director Jin Sanggi greeted the three guests, his face alight with anticipation.
They were not affiliated with a large law firm but were independent lawyers, and each placed a thick stack of documents on the table.
"I understand the Chairman has already spoken to you."
"These documents concern the donation of assets to the foundation. The Chairman has already signed them; once the foundation's seal is affixed, the donation process will be complete."
"This document is the list of donated assets. Please review it."
Jin Sanggi almost snatched the documents, taking them to examine. His expression, which had dreamt of a dense list, twisted in an instant.
"What is this?"
"Excuse me?"
"Is this all? Just this meager amount?"
"The assets of the Chairman that we manage are indeed all here."
"We? So there are other lawyers?"
"We do not know that much. Perhaps you should confirm with the Chairman."
Jin Sanggi scrutinized the list once more.
Five buildings, land scattered across the country, and finally, roughly thirty billion won in cash....
As Jin Sanggi's eyes returned to the list, the lawyers spoke as if on cue.
"Excluding maintenance and staff salaries for building management, approximately 1.4 billion won in profit is generated monthly. You should check the lease expiration dates and decide whether to extend the contracts. Oh, and please let us know if we should continue managing them, or if the foundation will take over."
"The land has been categorized into areas where rezoning is possible and where it is not. The value of the land was calculated by referencing nearby transaction prices."
"That value is ninety billion won. Is that correct?"
Jin Sanggi asked, a look of disbelief on his face.
"That is correct. If the zoning is changed, the land value will skyrocket."
The hand holding the documents trembled, then slowly crumpled the papers.
"Are these people playing games with me?! Listen here. The founder of the biggest corporation in South Korea is my father. And you're telling me his assets are just a paltry sum of money, a few buildings, and some scraps of land?! Does that even make sense?!"
Unlike the agitated Jin Sanggi, the lawyers remained composed.
"As we mentioned, the assets we managed are all here. We do not know if the Chairman employed other personal lawyers besides us. Therefore, to ascertain whether this represents all of his assets or just a portion, it would be most accurate to confirm directly with the Chairman."
No, it can't be this little. There must be more. He clearly said he had money stashed away. If Father said it was stashed away, it must be over several hundred billion won.
That's right. It must be that another lawyer handled the money. It's obvious they'd be nominee accounts, so he must have had a separate lawyer specializing in that.
This was Jin Sanggi's conclusion, and he desperately wanted to believe it.
He picked up the phone and curtly uttered a single command.
"Have the legal team come here. And bring the foundation's seal."
Jin Sanggi stood up as if there was nothing more to see.
"When the legal team arrives, explain everything to them and handle it. I have an appointment...."
As Jin Sanggi left, the lawyers' expressions changed.
"Isn't this all of it? The Chairman cleared out all the money, you see."
"Didn't you see that fellow's face just now? It looked like he'd throw a fit if we told him this was everything."
"It's possible there are other lawyers. We just need to handle this. No need to meddle in other people's family affairs."
The three lawyers fell silent as the legal team staff opened the door and entered.
* * *
"Chairman. You must recover quickly."
"You still look robust. Shake this off and get back on your feet."
While every executive of Sunyang Group wished to come, only a select few were chosen. Those who stepped foot in the hospital room were all individuals who, when Chairman Jin was in full power, had served as CEOs of major affiliates or held key positions.
Some still firmly held their positions, while a few were retirees who had left the company as soon as Chairman Jin stepped back from active management.
"Is the company idle these days? It seems you have enough time to visit an old fogey in the backroom."
Chairman Jin greeted them warmly, and for a while, laughter filled the hospital room. As their laughter subsided, Chairman Jin spoke.
"Seeing how all of you have more wrinkles, it seems life as an employee is hard these days?"
No one took it as a simple joke. Everyone knew Chairman Jin was checking on the current state of the group.
"We too feel that it's time for us to step aside. New wine should be poured into new wineskins, shouldn't it?"
President Son Hunjae of Sunyang Electronics, who acted as their representative, smiled and began.
"Why? Are my sons treating you harshly?"
"Not exactly, but for Vice Chairman Jin Younggi to lead comfortably, old generations like us would naturally be an inconvenience. There are many talented and younger successors, after all."
"It must be the same for Vice Chairman Jin Donggi, wouldn't it? Especially for us, who are from the 'laborer' background, handling cement and steel, the hierarchy is rougher, so their discomfort is quite apparent."
The President of Sunyang Heavy Industries added his piece.
"Come to think of it, you didn't come to visit me, but to air your grievances. Haha."
Chairman Jin burst into laughter, but the presidents couldn't shed their grim expressions. Chairman Jin clicked his tongue inwardly as he looked at them.
A man must admit and accept that he has grown old. If he cannot accept this fact, he will struggle and become greedy to avoid losing his position.
This is because for an old man who no longer possesses even a speck of masculine vitality, the only way to be recognized as not old is through his title and business card.
Not all of them in this hospital room, but to Chairman Jin, they looked like old men desperately clinging to prolong their vitality, unable to let go of their attachment.
"Bring plenty of paper and pens."
A waiting secretary quickly left the hospital room.
Everyone's eyes widened at Chairman Jin's sudden action.
"Before I go, I'll put your minds at ease. Just wait a moment."
When the secretary returned with a handful of paper and pens, Chairman Jin gestured towards the CEOs.
"Hand them out to everyone."
Chairman Jin spoke decisively to those holding paper and pens, blinking in confusion.
"All of you, write your resignations. Just leave the date blank. I'll decide when it's time to step down."
As everyone exchanged glances at the sudden, shocking command, his loud voice boomed again.
"What are you waiting for? Hurry!"
President Son Hunjae was the first to pick up a pen and start writing his resignation, and the others hastily followed suit.
Those who had already retired wished for this awkward and uncomfortable time to pass quickly.
They all put down their pens and handed their resignations to Chairman Jin. Chairman Jin set their resignations aside and opened his mouth.
"Well? Are your minds at ease?"
Since they hadn't emptied their minds themselves, there was no way they could be at ease. Everyone bowed their heads, their mouths tightly shut.
"My friends. You've had a good run for long enough. Didn't you make good use of being a Sunyang executive when your children got married? Surely you weren't procrastinating, trying to use it again for your grandchildren's weddings?"
"Ah, no, Chairman."
"Then it's fine. I'll make sure your severance pay is generous, so from now on, work with a clear mind. And... you all skimmed a lot while in high positions, didn't you? I turned a blind eye to all of that. Aren't you grateful? Hahaha."
Only Chairman Jin's laughter echoed in the hospital room.
It sounded like a casual remark, but it was a clear warning.
When selecting a new factory site, they would secretly buy surrounding land beforehand and sell it when prices soared. If there was good news for the company, they would hoard stocks under nominee accounts and reap enormous profits. Some even chose relatives' or acquaintances' companies as new subcontractors and took stakes in them.
While most people turned a blind eye to such things, it wasn't difficult to make an issue of it if one chose to.
Chairman Jin's laughter was nothing less than a warning not to have any second thoughts, even if their resignations were accepted today.
"Oh, and even if you leave the company, I'll have a position as an auditor and an office prepared for each of you. So if you get bored, you can come out and pass the time."
Generous severance pay, the title of auditor, and a period of two years to maintain their dignity while receiving a salary comparable to their current one.
This was the final chapter for those who had dedicated their lives to Sunyang Group.
Of course, 99.9% are driven out without enjoying such luxuries, but....
"Alright, all of you, go back and attend to your work. I need to rest."
As the clear dismissal order was given, everyone bowed and retreated.
"Ah, President Son. You stay for a moment."
Once even the secretary attending to Chairman Jin was sent out, and they were alone, President Son Hunjae's expression grew even darker.
"It seems the company isn't running well these days? Those fellows' faces are plastered with malice."
"It's because everyone is uncertain about their future, so they're anxious. Anyway, you did well, Chairman. It's better to firmly establish their resignation intentions rather than let them have an awkward relationship with the two Vice Chairmen."
"Even when they're old, why do they forget they're men? Why don't they understand it's time for a change?"
"It must be because they feel regret. Please be understanding, Chairman."
"What is there for me to understand? I'm worried about you."
"I'm fine. Actually, I should have resigned last year, but I missed the timing. Oh, I did write the date on my resignation. I will clear everything by the end of this month and step down."
"I'm sorry, and thank you. For understanding my intentions."
Sunyang Electronics was the flagship of the group. With its president, Son Hunjae, stepping down, no one was brazen enough to resist.
"Don't mention it. But did you have something else to say?"
"It's about the shares you and your other friends hold."
"Ah, yes. Just say the word. I'll transfer them."
At his reply, Chairman Jin smiled faintly. It was a substantial 5% stake, yet there was not a hint of ill intent in his expression.
"No, there's no need to transfer them. Keep holding onto them. That's my severance package for you. However...."
"Cha-Chairman. I cannot do that. These are not just simple affiliate shares, are they?"
President Son Hunjae, startled, waved his hands, but Chairman Jin merely continued to smile.
"Do you think I'm speaking as if I don't know what kind of shares they are?"
"Ah, no, sir."
"Then do as I say. Instead, make yourself the trustee for the voting rights of those shares. If you say it's my instruction, there won't be any problem, will there? Don't argue further."
"Yes, Chairman. Then please tell me your intentions regarding those voting rights."
"Consider only one thing and make your decision: Will it benefit the group?"
"I will keep that in mind."
President Son Hunjae bowed deeply.
"If there's nothing else, I will take my leave. You look very tired."
"Yes, you've worked hard. Oh, by the way. I was wondering if my children might have changed or if there were any strange undercurrents once they found out I don't have much time left before I pass away."
Chairman Jin spoke, carefully observing President Son Hunjae's face, as if trying to ascertain any unusual signs.
"Everyone is busy, Chairman. Haha."
"Busy, you say?"
"Executives are busy trying to figure out whose side to align with, and employees with poor performance are fretting, worried there might be a major restructuring."
"Is that all? You know what I'm asking, so don't give me roundabout answers...!"
At Chairman Jin's displeased expression, President Son Hunjae briefly searched his memory before cautiously speaking.
"I haven't confirmed it precisely, but there was a strange rumor circulating. However, it quickly died down, so I dismissed it...."
"My friend! Why are you beating around the bush so much? Speak quickly."
"The rumor was that they considered transforming the current group structure into a new holding company. And this rumor circulated long before you entered the hospital, so I had forgotten about it."
From President Son Hunjae's perspective, he had brought it up casually, but he immediately regretted it. Chairman Jin, whose expression had already hardened, was trembling, his fist clenched.