Devil Returns to School Days - Chapter 194: The Price of a Life Lived (4)

The atmosphere grew frigid.

Yoon Byeong-ho spoke in a deliberate tone.

“Why would I discuss my son’s matters with you?”

“Because I am both a victim of the Golden Circle and the one who orchestrated the Golden Gate incident. Although Assemblyman Lee Kyung-chul’s death has deflected suspicions for now, I remain convinced that Yoon Hyeon-min is the true mastermind behind the Golden Circle. That’s a fact I’m sure both you and I understand well.”

“If you’re fishing for information, you’d best leave now. Accusations aren’t proven with words but with evidence.”

The weight of the chairman’s authority was palpable.

Even though he had willingly summoned Kim Hyunsung to his office, Yoon Byeong-ho made it clear that he wouldn’t regret dismissing him. While uncovering Kim’s intentions could be useful, even if he simply kicked the boy out, his goal of teaching his son a lesson had already been achieved.

The thirsty dig the well. Yoon Byeong-ho knew the rules of the game better than anyone.

Kim Hyunsung responded.

“You’re remarkably brazen, Chairman. Yoon Hyeon-min’s power stems directly from Taeyang Group—specifically, from you. Considering that your son created and managed the Golden Circle as a child, it’s implausible that you were unaware of its existence. As the saying goes, if you knew, you’re an accomplice; if you didn’t, you’re incompetent. But I’m not here to ask why you ignored it. Debating the morality of protecting your only son and heir is meaningless, after all.”

Kim hadn’t expected a confession.

Even with clear evidence of Yoon Hyeon-min’s crimes, Taeyang Group would never take the initiative to resolve the situation.

If they had felt any sense of guilt, they would have acted long ago, during the Golden Circle’s formative years.

Though on the surface the group’s creation seemed to be tied to Yoon Hyeon-min’s position as heir, it was clear that individuals like CEO Im Cheol-hyung—people with much to lose—wouldn’t have blindly trusted him without reason. What lay beyond was the belief that Taeyang Group would clean up any messes that arose. The group’s negligence was essential to the problem’s persistence.

Kim calmly pulled out his phone.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, he placed it on the table and stared directly at Yoon Byeong-ho.

“I’m curious to see how you’ll judge this situation, not as a father, but as a chairman.”

—

The call connected.

A familiar voice emerged from Kim Hyunsung’s phone on the table.

[Chairman, this is Park Junghak.]

“…”

Yoon Byeong-ho’s eyebrow twitched.

Despite the possibilities of traps or recordings, the chairman made no rash statements.

Predictably, Park Junghak continued without hesitation.

[Chairman, I’m joined here by individuals you’re well acquainted with—Assemblyman Hong Dong-young, Jeon Sang-cheol from Gangnam, and others. They’re all people who’ve benefited from your patronage. The reason I reached out to you through Kim Hyunsung is to deliver our collective position.]

There was no need for proof.

Yoon instantly recognized Park Junghak’s voice.

[Over the years, we’ve worked extensively with Director Yoon Hyeon-min. Our relationship was built on trust, a belief that no matter what crisis arose, we would protect one another and emerge unscathed. That was the case until very recently. Chairman, when Director Yoon sacrificed Assemblyman Lee Kyung-chul to secure his own safety, he lost our trust. Lee Kyung-chul wasn’t just anyone; he was a key figure in the ruling party. If Yoon can wield such power to force someone like him to their death, what hope do we have if his blade turns toward us? The betrayal didn’t come from us—it came from Director Yoon. Thus, as Im Cheol-hyung did, we have decided to join forces with Kim Hyunsung.]

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. But if this means turning Taeyang Group into your enemy, the consequences won’t be trivial.”

Yoon finally spoke, unwilling to let Park’s words go unanswered.

[We understand. That’s why we’ve agonized over this decision. But we need to survive. If Director Yoon’s vision prioritizes his own safety above all else, we have no choice but to choose the lesser evil. The Golden Line members have gathered—both the original six and others who have aligned with us. We are prepared to attack Taeyang Group by any means necessary. Even a company as mighty as yours has its limits, Chairman. And the people gathered here hold enough power to bring down even the largest corporations. Try to hold out. If the world revisits the Golden Circle scandal and Taeyang Group stumbles, all of it will be because of Director Yoon’s actions.]

It was a blatant threat.

Having decided to cross the line, they no longer hesitated.

Figures like Park Junghak wielded power comparable to Taeyang Group’s.

[For the rest, speak with Kim Hyunsung. His goals align with ours.]

**Click.**

The call ended.

Yoon Byeong-ho turned his gaze to Kim Hyunsung.

“Do you still think I’m not worth talking to?”

Kim’s smile twisted Yoon’s expression into one of frustration.

—

Kim Hyunsung began.

“Let me explain what will happen to Taeyang Group. Led by CEO Park Junghak, the former Golden Line members are planning a large-scale attack against your company. Don’t assume you can weather it without consequences.

“The Golden Line members were handpicked by Director Yoon. These individuals were carefully chosen for their influence over South Korea’s society. While they may be weaker than Taeyang Group individually, they are not to be underestimated. As Taeyang Group faces crisis after crisis, suspicions about Director Yoon’s involvement in the Golden Circle will resurface.”

Kim spoke with unwavering confidence, delivering words he had rehearsed countless times.

“That’s just the beginning. As you’re aware, Assemblyman Kim Pan-ho’s current momentum is tremendous. He’s a leading figure in the Golden Circle purge, and public opinion suggests he’s the frontrunner in the presidential race. He’s promised me to root out the Golden Circle entirely and expose its masterminds as a defining political achievement.

“If Taeyang Group, already weakened by the Golden Line members, faces the full might of the presidency, how will it survive? Without the government’s support, the group will face countless complications.”

Kim’s tone was resolute.

And with each word, the cracks in Yoon Byeong-ho’s composure grew deeper.

At first, Yoon Byeong-ho thought he could dismiss Kim Hyunsung. But it was never a fight where he held the upper hand.

“And I will relentlessly push the narrative of Yoon Hyeon-min being the true mastermind,” Kim said. “As the person who exposed the Golden Gate, my words carry enormous weight with the public. If the victims who follow me start naming Yoon Hyeon-min and branding the Golden Circle as an evil enterprise, public outrage will escalate into a full-scale boycott. People will refuse to consume anything tied to Taeyang Group, and over time, the company will inevitably reach its breaking point.

“I am committed to carrying out my plan. Even if I die, my will ensures someone else will continue my cause.”

*Clench.*

Kim’s fangs had sunk deep into his prey.

The weapons he had prepared struck with lethal precision.

“Despite holding such an advantageous position, the reason I came to see you was not to declare war. I came with a single condition. If you accept it, I will exclude Taeyang Group from the fallout. It will end as negligence, not complicity, ensuring the flames do not consume your company.”

“What exactly is your aim?”

Yoon’s pupils quivered.

Kim Hyunsung no longer seemed like an ordinary high school student.

Kim’s reply was calm but piercing.

“My demand is…”

—

After Kim Hyunsung left, Yoon Byeong-ho sat in silence, staring at a photograph.

In it, a young Yoon Hyeon-min beamed while riding on his father’s shoulders.

“…Hyeon-min.”

His only son.

Born into a family where heirs were precious, Yoon Hyeon-min was not just his son but also the future inheritor of Taeyang Group.

Yoon had poured his heart into raising him.

He had fretted over every little thing, indulging his son in ways that were unlike him. He had given Hyeon-min everything.

And that was the problem.

By allowing his son free rein, he had enabled him to create the absurd entity that was the Golden Circle. By the time he realized how far it had gone, the game was already in motion. Taking action would have undermined his son and the respect he commanded, so Yoon chose to look the other way.

It hadn’t seemed like a bad decision at the time. Without direct involvement, his son had leveraged Yoon’s reputation to consolidate power.

Hyeon-min was a son to be proud of.

He had never failed to meet expectations, and the Golden Circle had, in its way, proven to be beneficial to the group.

Taeyang Group’s future seemed secure.

Or so Yoon had thought.

“…I was too lenient because he’s my son.”

The truth weighed heavily on him.

Kim Hyunsung’s demands were shocking.

The words Kim had spoken had shaken Yoon to his core, leaving his hands trembling with frustration.

Yet he hadn’t immediately accepted the conditions.

It wasn’t a decision to be made lightly.

Or one he felt he *should* make.

But deep down, Yoon knew: *If I must choose between my son and the company, I will always choose the company.*

Taeyang Group was everything passed down by his ancestors.

When Yoon took over, the company had been a mid-tier player in the business world. Through relentless effort, he had elevated it to its current position.

He could not allow his life’s work to crumble because of his son.

Reflecting now, Yoon realized that his love for Hyeon-min had been intertwined with his ambitions for the company. His pride in his son stemmed from the belief that he would be a worthy successor.

Swallowing his sorrow, Yoon refocused. There was no time to wallow in sentiment.

*Beep.*

He pressed the call button.

When his secretary answered, Yoon ordered, “Bring Hyeon-min to me immediately. Now!”

—

Yoon Hyeon-min entered the office, his unease palpable.

After leaving earlier, his mind had been racing.

Kim Hyunsung should have been the last person to appear at Taeyang Group’s top levels. He couldn’t fathom why his father had chosen to meet with him.

Nothing ever went as expected when it came to Kim Hyunsung.

Already plagued by ominous thoughts, the sudden summons only deepened his anxiety.

He walked into the office, and before he could speak, his father addressed him bluntly.

“The Golden Line members have betrayed you.”

“…What?”

“This is no time to act stunned. Just moments ago, Kim Hyunsung used his phone to connect with Park Junghak and the Golden Line members. They declared their intention to follow Kim Hyunsung and attack Taeyang Group if we refuse to abandon you.

“As the one who created and led the Golden Circle, you know better than anyone how powerful the Golden Line members are. I stand now, not as your father, but as the chairman of Taeyang Group, forced to make a choice.”

Gone was the tender father who had been gazing at an old photograph just minutes ago.

Chairman Yoon Byeong-ho stared at his son with cold, cutting eyes.

“From this moment forward, you must work to win back the loyalty of the Golden Line members and bring someone to the table who will take responsibility for your mistakes.

“If you succeed…”

This was Yoon Byeong-ho’s best compromise.

It allowed him to protect both the company and his son.

Caught between impossible choices, Yoon needed justification to stand by any decision he made.

“…then, as your father, I will protect you to the very end.”