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Perhaps they hadn't expected me to declare the dismantling of the Heavenly Group during my congratulatory speech, because Im Hwa-soo and Chu Dong-bin's faces both paled.

I continued speaking, unfazed.

There was no reason not to, especially with Im Hwa-soo setting the stage so perfectly.

"I founded the Heavenly Group, and I was the one who helped bring it into the light. However, it's also true that I haven't paid much attention to the Heavenly Group since my brother Dong-soo passed away. It was an enterprise created for him, after all. But if his wishes aren't going to be honored, then I no longer have any reason to protect the Heavenly Group."

A hunting dog that has served its purpose should be boiled and eaten. Giving affection to a hunting dog that's meant to be used and discarded never ends well.

In the beginning, I only intended to use and discard Park Dong-soo as well.

However, as we worked together towards revenge, my thoughts changed considerably.

In the end, Park Dong-soo died because of my revenge, and I entrusted the Heavenly Group he left behind to Lee Sang-geun to carry on his legacy.

Many people shed blood even back then.

Even after Yoo Sung-jin became chairman following Lee Sang-geun, the Heavenly Group had to walk a path stained with blood.

While Lee Sang-geun, who chose stability, was forced to get his hands dirty, Yoo Sung-jin wasn't afraid to spill blood for the sake of the group's growth.

"Many of you are probably questioning how I, of all people, could dismantle the Heavenly Group. But I am someone who can. If you're curious, I can show you right now. Aren't you curious about why the Heavenly Group's headquarters is located here in Seocho-dong, and why the prosecutors and police who've been chasing you for decades are suddenly not? With just one word from me, the blades of the prosecutors and police will turn against the Heavenly Group. Don't you believe me?"

The faces of the staff below the platform were varied.

Some who knew me seemed to agree, while others who didn't know me couldn't hide their displeasure.

"My brother Dong-soo always used to tell me while we drank together, that he wished to live without being chased by the police or having to watch the Prosecutors' Office. That is the reason he created the Heavenly Group. If you want to return to the past, you're welcome to do so at any time. But you'll have to take full responsibility for whatever happens as a result of that."

I paused, looking at Im Hwa-soo. After briefly noting his bewildered expression, I turned my gaze back to the platform.

"Do you know why I'm talking about this on such a great day? I'm warning you not to become another overfed pig like Yang Woo-guk. This time, I only dealt with Yang Woo-guk and the executives who supported him, but next time, I plan to blow the entire group away. Do you understand?"

No one answered.

With Im Hwa-soo standing beside me, unable to do anything, no one dared to step forward and object to me.

It was time to stop using the whip. It was time to throw out some carrots.

"However, if you carry out your duties well, great rewards will follow. Therefore, work with the newly appointed chairman, Im Hwa-soo, to recreate the Heavenly Group that my brother Dong-soo envisioned. If you do, I'll do everything I can to ensure that you never have to run from the authorities again."

There was no point in dragging this out any longer. It was time to end the speech.

"Chairman Im Hwa-soo."

"Yes, Boss."

"I think I've said everything I needed to say."

As I stepped back, Im Hwa-soo respectfully took the microphone.

I sat down with Chu Dong-bin, slightly behind the platform.

Chu Dong-bin looked still stunned, his face stiff.

"Were you very surprised?"

Chu Dong-bin nodded, offering an awkward smile.

"A little. But you wrapped things up well. I was a little worried because they're such ignorant and simple-minded fellows."

While Im Hwa-soo gave his closing remarks, I spent the time talking with Chu Dong-bin.

After the inauguration ceremony concluded, the staff who had gathered began to leave, glancing at me.

Once everyone had left, the board of directors and Im Hwa-soo approached me.

Im Hwa-soo introduced me to each person, including the original board members and the new ones.

I greeted them, making eye contact and nodding.

After the introductions, Im Hwa-soo, Chu Dong-bin, and Hyun Joo-sung, who was in charge of Im Hwa-soo's secretarial office, went up to the chairman's office.

"Boss, please sit here."

Im Hwa-soo offered me the seat of honor. I willingly sat there and asked:

"How does it feel to be the chairman?"

"Honestly, it's not bad. I never expected to get this opportunity. Actually, the reason I gathered my forces was to promote the Vice Chairman to chairman."

I already knew this from the reports, but hearing Im Hwa-soo say it himself was a different feeling.

It truly meant that he was going to submit to me.

"I heard that the Vice Chairman will be staying by Chairman Yoo Sung-jin's side. Were you aware of that?"

At my words, Im Hwa-soo looked at Chu Dong-bin on the other side with a surprised expression.

Chu Dong-bin calmly accepted his gaze.

"I had no idea. I only heard that after helping me stably take over the chairman position, he would be retiring."

"Where would I go after retiring, Chairman? I'll just wait by Chairman Yoo's side while I serve my prison time."

Chu Dong-bin spoke formally to Im Hwa-soo.

"Vice Chairman, please speak casually to me."

"How can I do that? The chairman is now the captain who has to lead the Heavenly Group."

"But… at informal gatherings, please speak casually. It's uncomfortable."

Im Hwa-soo earnestly requested, but Chu Dong-bin simply shook his head firmly.

"You must now become someone who is fitting to be chairman. I must respect the chairman first so those who still remain in the group do not disregard the chairman simply because they are seniors."

Im Hwa-soo was someone who had risen to the chairman position skipping a generation.

While Yang Woo-guk and the elders of several generations ago had been completely removed, there were still many who were at the director level and were senior to Im Hwa-soo.

"The moment you tell seniors to speak casually, the chairman's authority will disappear. Whether it's in private or public, the boss is still the boss. That's our rule."

I agreed with Chu Dong-bin's opinion as well.

"That's right, Chairman Im Hwa-soo. Like the Vice Chairman said, authority starts with how you talk."

It was even more awkward in Korea, where age was highly regarded.

But to get the tough gangsters who valued the hierarchy of seniority to listen, they had to start by speaking formally.

I opened my mouth, watching Im Hwa-soo fidget uncomfortably.

"This is your last chance. The only reason things ended this way after what I said in front of all the employees is because I've decided to trust you one more time, Chairman Im Hwa-soo. So do not disappoint me. If the group falters again, then I will personally cut your neck. Using all the power I have."

After my chilling warning, I saw Im Hwa-soo swallow hard.

"Things will be very different from before. Because Manager Ma here has decided to directly manage the Heavenly Group."

Manager Ma stepped forward. Just by moving, Im Hwa-soo flinched.

"Chairman Im Hwa-soo, do not show a weak appearance in front of people."

Im Hwa-soo had already witnessed Manager Ma's cruelty firsthand.

Furthermore, the men that Manager Ma had brought were also very skilled, and it would be difficult to stop them even with more people than before.

"Of course… That won't happen again. The directors all saw it, didn't they? How did Director Yang Woo-guk and the elders end up?"

"Good. Then I'll believe you."

Manager Ma stepped back. Watching Im Hwa-soo try to loosen his stiff body even consciously, I smiled softly.

"Don't be too nervous. I only came here today to say hello. However, if you encounter me like this again in the future, it won't be a good thing."

"Yes, Boss. I'll keep it deep in my heart."

An answer came immediately. Satisfied, I nodded and pointed to the man sitting next to him.

"Is the person next to you your confidant?"

"Yes, that's right. As I mentioned when we greeted earlier, he's my younger brother who will be my chief secretary."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hyun Joo-sung jumped up and bowed deeply.

"Greetings again, I'm Hyun Joo-sung! I've heard a lot about you, Boss. Please take care of me!"

Did he swallow a steam train? His booming voice reverberated through the chairman's office.

I nodded in response to his greeting, and only then did Hyun Joo-sung sit back down.

"He used to do Judo. He may be a bit ignorant, but… he is more loyal than anyone else I know."

Judo? That reminded me of Park Hyeonseong.

I looked at Hyun Joo-sung who was still cautiously looking around and asked.

"Do you happen to know Park Hyeonseong?"

"Hyeonseong, you mean? How do you know Hyeonseong, Boss…?"

"So you do know him. He's my friend."

Hyun Joo-sung's face turned pale as he rolled his eyes.

Then he stood up again and bowed.

"I, I'm sorry. I didn't know he was a close friend of yours."

"Haha, don't be so nervous. I just asked because you mentioned Judo. He's a very close friend of mine. I never thought you would know him. It's okay. I just asked about a junior. Whatever."

"No, I'll be careful."

He's stubborn and used to hierarchical relationships. I could see what kind of person Hyun Joo-sung was.

"Okay, sit back down. You're so tall, my neck hurts."

As I waved my hand to indicate that it was okay, Hyun Joo-sung's face brightened a little.

Finally, I could return to the topic at hand.

"I don't know exactly when, but Chairman Yoo Sung-jin will be released."

Chu Dong-bin and Im Hwa-soo widened their eyes simultaneously.

Especially Chu Dong-bin, who had heard a brief version of this earlier, asked urgently.

"Boss, could you explain in detail?"

"Yoo Sung-jin was arrested not by the current Chinese President Hu Jintao but by former President Jiang Zemin, who did so to strike at Hu Jintao."

I explained the situation Yoo Sung-jin was currently in quite thoroughly to them.

While listening to my explanation, Chu Dong-bin's face changed constantly.

Sometimes he looked furious, and other times he looked relieved.

"…Hu Jintao who returned safely, began a counterattack. And through negotiations with me, he agreed to help in the release of Chairman Yoo Sung-jin. I can't guarantee when, but he should be able to get out by next year at the latest."

As soon as I finished speaking, Chu Dong-bin jumped up from his seat and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, thank you, Boss. I will consider you my benefactor for the rest of my life."

His slightly trembling voice indicated how deeply touched Chu Dong-bin was.

"It's nothing. You were caught up in things because of me but Chairman Yoo Sung-jin is also my man. Naturally, I must protect him."

But unlike Chu Dong-bin, Im Hwa-soo looked troubled.

"Then what will happen when the Chairman returns?"

My and Chu Dong-bin's gazes turned towards Im Hwa-soo.

"Of course, I'll have to step down when Chairman Yoo Sung-jin returns. I didn't ask the question because I have any ulterior motives."

Receiving both gazes at once, Im Hwa-soo waved his hands frantically, as if he had misunderstood.

His actions caused me to burst out laughing.

"Hahahaha!"

He doesn't seem stupid. He is just a pure person with a strong sense of loyalty, really.

After laughing for a long time, I finally managed to compose myself and speak.

"What are you misunderstanding? If that was the case, we would have continued with the Chu Dong-bin Vice Chairman system. We already concluded that Chairman Yoo Sung-jin would leave the group. Even if he is released, it's unclear if he'll be able to return to China."

Im Hwa-soo stared at me blankly with a dazed expression.

"Even if he is released, it doesn't mean he'll be innocent. The Heavenly Group must continue to do business with the Black Dragon Society in China. But we can't let Chairman Yoo Sung-jin continue to run the group, bearing all that risk."

"Ah…"

Chu Dong-bin scolded Im Hwa-soo with a serious expression.

"Chairman, the Heavenly Group's owner is already you. That won't change even if Chairman Yoo Sung-jin returns."

"Ah, I understand. Vice Chairman."

"Don't show that kind of appearance in front of other people. It doesn't suit you."

"Yes, Vice Chairman. I'll keep it deeply in my heart."

Oh man, if I leave him like this, they're going to keep having a reflection session.

I clapped my hands lightly, drawing their attention to me.

"I'll take care of Yoo Sung-jin. So don't think about anything else, and just focus on managing the Heavenly Group well."

"Yes, Boss."

The two answered simultaneously, and I rose from my seat and said,

"Then let's go eat while we continue talking."

I led everyone and moved towards a restaurant near the headquarters.