The Youngest Son of Sunyang

"Everyone, stop! Quiet!"

The two women who had offered me drinks, as well as the two girls beside Uncle, widened their eyes in surprise.

"Why are you suddenly like this? Don't tell me it's because you're mixing expensive liquor..."

Even Oh Se-hyun, who seemed to have caught onto something from my demeanor, shouted. "Everyone, keep quiet!"

Ten pairs of eyes were fixed on me, but my own gaze was glued to the bomb shot on the table.

Staring at the drops forming on the glass, I gathered scattered ideas in my head like shards into one.

Though the idea had holes in it, the overall picture was quite good.

The gaps would be diligently filled by the worker ants.

What's regrettable is the time; there's less than a week left. Completing the picture within that timeframe won't be easy.

Damn it, it's always about time.

Whenever I try to do something properly, time becomes a constraint. Does my brain only work under pressure?

What about Chairman Jin? How about the Chairman of Daehyun Group?

Would these two, who have reached the pinnacle, only find an escape route when they are cornered, or would they have created a chance to be cornered from the beginning?

"Do-Jun, have you finished your thoughts? What is it? Don't tell me there's another hidden card you haven't revealed yet?" Impatient Oh Se-hyun broke the silence and spoke.

"Well, there is one hidden, but it's not in my hand."

I took out the Hansung Ilbo corporate card from my pocket.

"Uncle, I'll take a break here until I get one more unexpected card."

Then I turned to the ladies and said, "Do you really think mixing whiskey and beer in equal parts for a bomb shot enhances the taste of alcohol? It's just alcohol, right? If you want to increase sales, just dispose of it. You can even put a box of Heart Brothers 32-year-old and drink it. This card has an unlimited limit."

"See, it's not the boss who's offering drinks; it's this guy!" One of the ladies sitting beside me proudly declared.

"Uncle, I have somewhere to go now. Please call the driver waiting outside. I'll use Uncle's car for a bit."

"Uh, okay."

"I'll contact you tomorrow. Have a good time."

I gave Uncle a sly look and left the room.

"I'm sorry for coming so late, Grandfather."

"No, I haven't fallen asleep yet. But have you been drinking?"

"Yes, but not too much."

Grandfather in his pajamas gave my shoulder a slight pat with a somewhat stern expression.

"Let's go inside. We can talk there."

As we moved into the study, Grandfather called out to the kitchen."Young-joo, bring a glass of strong honey water." As soon as we sat down in the study, Grandfather's rough voice echoed. "How does it feel to lose a fight?"

"Do you think I've completely lost?"

"Well, you've lost all the moves you made. It's impossible to revive them."

With a few phone calls, I could get decisions from the creditors and the head of the acquisition review committee. The battle had already been decided.

"It's not over until it's over. This kind of talk..."

"Then where did you pick up all this nonsense? Tsk, tsk." He clicked his tongue, as if it were pathetic. "Stop clinging to regrets about things that are already over. It's wiser to analyze your defeat and prepare for the next move. A wise man knows when to retreat."

"If A-jin Motors goes to Daehyun, Sunyang Motors will also take a hit, won't it? Are you okay with that?"

"That's my problem to worry about. And... if necessary, we can withdraw."

Withdraw?

Could it be that he had already considered the worst-case scenario?

No way. This isn't a business field he would target for his second-place goal if he couldn't withstand it without being number one in the industry.

It was difficult to read his inner thoughts from Grandfather's somewhat stern expression.

"More importantly, when you lose a fight, you should learn something from it. Have you thought about your mistakes?"

"I knew that large corporations had a significant influence, but I hadn't fully grasped it. It was just vague speculation."

"It's only when you've experienced the strength of the opponent's fist that you truly understand. What else?"

"Due to impatience, I missed the right timing."

"And?"

"I didn't know about Daehyun's thoroughness and attention to detail. I never imagined they would uncover even the Japanese investment project."

"Is that all?"

"I didn't realize the ruthlessness of doing whatever it takes, including lying to disguise Japanese investment as Japanese capital.""

Only then did Grandfather's stern face soften. "Can you do all that you just mentioned?"

"In the end, isn't it something I must do? If you want to compete with large corporations, I have to be more meticulous, ruthless, and able to tell bold lies without hesitation... That's what I have to do."

"The determination and resolve you have now... You must never forget them."

"Yes."

Perhaps he heard the answer he wanted, as a smile appeared on Grandfather's face.

"Now, tell me why you came here at this hour. I don't believe you're here to talk about drinking."

"As I mentioned, it's not over yet."

"Really? What do you still have up your sleeve? Did you not listen to what I already found out and told you?" His expression wasn't as firm as before; rather, it was filled with curiosity.

"My last card is in your possession, Grandfather. I want that card."

"Me? What do I have?"

I stared directly into Grandfather's eyes and emphasized each word with determination. "The Sunyang Motors card, which you are holding, the wild card I might use anytime."

"What?"

He's quite a character. It's somewhat surprising that he reacted with a slightly furrowed brow and seemed to confirm it.

I maintained a calm voice despite my apparent confusion.

I gestured towards the glass of honey water that Young-joo had brought me.

"It's not honey or water to soothe a hangover. Mixing honey and water has its own effect. The merger announcement between A-jin Motors and Sunyang Motors will reverse the real estate market in an instant."