Chapter 9: Myungjin Construction (4)
Go Chang-seok’s scandal.
At first glance, it was an opportunity.
If this moment were used well to tarnish his reputation, Go Chang-beom would surely gain a chance of his own.
Go Chang-beom thought the same.
After hearing Kim Hyunsung’s plan, he was thrilled and agreed enthusiastically.
“That’s right! We stir up a mess about Chang-seok’s filthy woman problem and drive a wedge between him and his in-laws. It’s a damn good method. If I tell Father that someone like Chang-seok is the one dragging down the Go family’s name, he’ll start to seriously doubt him as a successor.”
“No. That’s not a good approach.”
“Huh? What are you talking about? Weren’t you the one who said we should go through with this?”
Go Chang-beom’s face twisted in confusion.
True, as he said—
It was a strategy to eliminate the background.
But dragging Go Chang-seok through the mud using that as an excuse was a different matter entirely.
Back when he was a vegetative patient—
Unlike the strict rules of the hospital room, the caregivers constantly left the TV on all day, and ironically, Kim Hyunsung was able to hear a wide range of news from the outside world. Countless incidents and scandals. Who got caught drunk driving, who got exposed for what… With only his hearing to rely on, those stories burned vividly into his memory.
Among them—
There had been mentions of Go Myungjin as well.
Though he had retired without incident as a successful businessman, he had made a surprising appearance in the memoirs of a former journalist.
> “During my years as a journalist, I came across many unusual figures. One of them was Go Myungjin, the founding chairman of Myungjin Construction. People say Myungjin nearly collapsed due to a rivalry between two foolish sons, but the truth is different. Chairman Go Myungjin was fully aware of their competition. No matter how dirty the tactics, he never interfered. In fact, he intended to choose the victor as his successor. It was a calculated risk by a man determined to keep Myungjin a family-run company. Had Go Chang-seok won through vile means, or had Go Chang-beom countered intelligently—then today’s Myungjin, led by professional executives, would not exist.”
It was a fascinating story.
A fleeting scandal that briefly had people whispering, ending with the realization that Chairman Go Myungjin was far more terrifying than he appeared. And that memory took root in Kim Hyunsung’s mind. For his revenge plan, understanding Myungjin Construction—and Go Myungjin—was essential.
‘Chairman Go Myungjin knew about Go Chang-seok’s affairs. He knew about his dirty schemes to crush Go Chang-beom. And he still did nothing. That says everything about him. He’s someone who doesn’t care about the methods if the results are right. Casting off the sons he once tried to carry with him—that, too, was a product of that mindset. So now that the affair has come to light, is it really wise for Go Chang-beom to criticize his brother openly?’
No.
That wouldn’t be smart.
Go Chang-beom’s reputation would remain unchanged, and mere criticism wouldn’t win over Go Myungjin’s favor.
So he thought differently.
A new image.
An attitude fit for the seat of chairman.
What if Go Chang-beom displayed that kind of character?
As Go Chang-seok’s worth declined, Go Chang-beom’s transformation would surely stand out.
Kim Hyunsung spoke.
“From now on, the plan is…”
The conversation was long.
He explained the plan in detail.
Even how he should behave, what expressions to use, and what words to say.
At first, Go Chang-beom had been uncertain, but as things began unfolding exactly as expected, he had no choice but to trust Kim Hyunsung. After all, he had no reputation left to lose. And if the plan failed, he was prepared to make Kim Hyunsung pay. For now, he delivered his lines exactly as rehearsed.
“For whatever reason, it was wrong of me, the eldest son of Myungjin Construction, to cause trouble. I’ll be more mindful of my position from now on. And Father—regarding Chang-seok, I’ll speak to him myself.”
The die was cast.
And then—
When he looked up again and saw his father staring at him with a surprised expression, Go Chang-beom silently rejoiced.
‘It worked.’
He was sure of it.
That look on his father’s face—
Was definitely one of pride.
* * *
Go Chang-beom’s behavior.
To Go Myungjin, it was nothing short of shocking.
His eldest had never admitted fault before, even when he was clearly in the wrong. And yet now, when the other side had clearly started it, he wasn’t offering a single excuse.
‘…Could he really have changed?’
His eldest son.
His greatest weakness.
Go Myungjin had deeply loved the firstborn he’d had with difficulty. Even if his son was lacking in ability, he had always intended to hand over Myungjin Construction to him entirely. After all, once he died, it would all become meaningless anyway. If Go Chang-beom—who so closely resembled him in appearance—could lead the company well, it would bring him joy not just as chairman, but as a father.
But reality had been different.
Perhaps he had loved him too much.
With no skills to speak of, his arrogance had only grown, and over time, Go Myungjin’s disappointment in him deepened.
And today—
Go Chang-beom showed a different side.
No excuses.
No blaming his brother.
‘Chang-beom’s case—he was provoked first. The old Chang-beom would’ve gone on and on about how it was the other guy’s fault, refusing to admit any wrongdoing. He was never the type to recognize that just being involved in such an incident was itself a failure for a future successor of Myungjin Construction. And he didn’t blame Chang-seok. Has he realized that petty tattling and accusations won’t win him the chairman’s seat?’
If—
He could have brought down Go Chang-seok through criticism alone, then this reserved demeanor would’ve been irritating.
But now wasn’t the time.
Though his relationship with his wife had soured, Go Chang-seok’s position remained firm, and in terms of reputation and ability, he held a clear advantage. Calling him out wouldn’t fix anything. Petty accusations would just seem like Go Chang-beom was asking the chairman to scold his brother, and that wouldn’t prove his own capability as a successor.
Perhaps that’s why—
He chose to step back.
Even though he was the one gaining the most from all of this, he made no effort to show it outwardly.
It was then.
Go Chang-beom’s expression came into view.
At the faint twitch of his lips, Go Myungjin finally saw the truth.
‘So that’s it. Chang-beom has a clever adviser by his side.’
He was sure of it.
Go Myungjin had spent decades clawing his way through the construction world.
From the bottom to the chairman’s seat, he had learned to read others from the slightest change in expression—and he had watched his eldest son long enough to know. This chain of events hadn’t originated from Go Chang-beom’s own head. Someone else had told him exactly how to act.
The meaning of the smile—
That was it.
It was the face of someone who had doubted the plan but was unable to fully contain his joy when it actually worked.
‘Having someone to make up for your shortcomings. And listening to them, even while filled with uncertainty. That, too, is a quality worthy of a chairman.’
He was pleased.
He had always known his eldest lacked ability.
That truth would never change, no matter what happened. But the fact that he trusted someone capable and kept them close meant there was still room for improvement. Just as he had once told his son—if he could manage people well, then even the “problem child” of the family could one day rise to the position of chairman.
He swallowed his smile.
He didn’t reveal his emotions.
Still—
He felt it was worth offering praise.
“I heard what happened. The other guy started it, didn’t he? But you still tried your best to avoid the situation.”
Then, casually—
He dropped a ripple into Go Chang-beom’s heart.
“Well done. I’m proud of how composed you were.”
* * *
Click.
The chairman’s office door closed.
Go Chang-seok, who had been bowing his head nonstop until the very end, changed his expression the moment the door shut.
“Fuck, this is bullshit.”
Yesterday—
Truly the worst day of his life.
He had been slapped and cursed out by Kim Ji-hye. He had to keep apologizing under his father-in-law’s cold glare. And now, on top of that, he’d been berated by his own father. His insides were boiling. Trying to suppress the rage, he noticed Go Chang-beom, staring blankly into space.
“I don’t know which bastard gave away the Hansung officetel’s location, but if I find out, I’ll tear them to fucking pieces.”
It was a direct shot.
All circumstantial, of course.
But he was sure it had been Go Chang-beom—there was no one else who stood to gain from taking him down.
However—
No matter how much Go Chang-seok ranted, Go Chang-beom’s thoughts were far from there.
“Well done. I’m proud of how composed you were.”
“Well done. Proud of how composed…”
“Well done… composed…”
Inside his head—
A garden bloomed.
In that blissful world, the father who had always been so stern since adulthood now looked down at him with a warm, gentle expression. Was this what heaven felt like? A shiver rose from his toes, and Go Chang-beom couldn’t contain the joy surging within him.
‘Father acknowledged me. He said I handled things with composure. He looked at me proudly!’
It was electric.
Truthfully, he hadn’t even realized how much he lacked.
Years of living like a thug had built up a deep craving for his father’s approval, and it felt like that desire had finally been fulfilled in a single day. Go Chang-seok’s bitter grumbling didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered to him was that his father had praised him—and he wanted to savor this moment fully.
Clench.
He balled his fist.
This time—
He hoped it wouldn’t be a one-off.
He wanted his father to keep looking at him with that same proud gaze again and again.
For that, something was necessary.
‘Kim Hyunsung!’
It had all gone according to his plan.
Go Chang-beom picked up his phone.
Beep-beep.
Click.
“Oh, my sweet little Hyunsung. Where are you right now? I’ll come to you right away.”
* * *
A day later.
More precisely, not even a full 24 hours since they’d last seen each other—Go Chang-beom stared at Kim Hyunsung with eyes dripping honey.
“Thanks to you, I felt what it’s like to be acknowledged by my father for the first time in forever. So tell me—what do I have to do to become chairman now? Whatever you say, I’ll follow it without question.”
His attitude had completely changed.
Just one proof of competence—
That had been enough.
Regardless of the boy’s age—17 or not—after witnessing the incredible results firsthand, he couldn’t help but trust Kim Hyunsung.
Kim Hyunsung said calmly,
“This was only the beginning. Even if Go Chang-seok’s relationship with his wife has soured, that just puts him at the same starting line as you—without a background. To truly claim the chairman’s seat, you still have to win in the other two conditions. And those can’t be done immediately. For now, join the company at the bottom and learn the fieldwork. When the time is right, I’ll tell you what to do next.”
“You want me to start at the bottom? That’s… eh, fine! If it’s your plan, I’ll do anything!”
“And there’s a condition.”
“A condition?”
“Yes.”
Go Chang-beom and Kim Hyunsung—
Their relationship was just beginning.
For Go Chang-beom to reach the chairman’s seat, there had to be compensation for Kim Hyunsung as well.
“You remember what we talked about, right? Our relationship is one of clear exchange. I’ll give everything I have to support you, and you, in turn, have to give me what I want.”
“Just say it. For my Hyunsung, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do. I’m Go Chang-beom, the man of loyalty.”
“Good.”
He smiled.
Another reason he chose Go Chang-beom—
Unlike Go Chang-seok, he made sure to take care of his own people.
Kim Hyunsung said bluntly,
“Become my guardian.”
Myungjin Construction.
He had just claimed the most important piece in his plan for revenge.
