Aftermath (part-1)

"Everything goes to the government?"

The will was written so absurd that even Sungjun couldn't help but gaze at the lawyer for confirmation. Everyone's gaze also fell on the lawyer.

The lawyer nodded. "Correct. In the circumstance all of you fail to fulfill the conditions of the will, everything will become the property of the government."

"That old man is crazy. Does he want to give away his inheritance to just the government treasury or something," Ji-hyun complained, his face turning ugly. Of course, the temptation of billions of dollars is naturally there, but it wasn't like they were receiving any charity. It belongs to their dad, and it is their birthright to receive the inheritance anyway. However, the fact that they had to make personal sacrifices and compromise a lot to fulfill those conditions took a heavy toll on his mind.

The room felt colder now, as the reality set in. The conditions were impossible, extreme. It was as though Han Dong Hyun, even in death, wanted to trouble them.

Meanwhile, Sungjun closed his eyes briefly, trying to steady his thoughts. He was tempted to abduct this lawyer and destroy the will entirely, forcing the court to just distribute equally without needing to impose any of those stupid conditions.

The lawyer, seemingly done, packed away the will and turned to leave. "Please, take the time you need to consider everything. Remember, the clock starts now. You have three days to move into the estate."

And with that, the lawyer left the room, leaving everyone to process down everything they heard from his mouth.

*

Kim Seol-ah, the second daughter-in-law of the billionaire, broke the silence with a sharp tone, her voice filled with disbelief. "Unfair," she muttered, her gaze fixed on the empty space ahead. "Jae-soo-nim hasn't even been here for thirty years, and he gets the largest share? How is that fair?"

Her words cut through the tension, and everyone's attention shifted toward her. Tae-jin, sitting beside her, leaned back in his chair with a sigh.

"You know how it is," he said matter-of-factly. "Hyung has always been Dad's favorite. This isn't anything surprising. Sad, yes, but it is the truth."

Seol Ah scoffed, clearly not satisfied with the answer. "Yeobo, that's not the point. He wasn't here when Dad needed him. We have been here, helping father-in-law with everything—why should he get the lion's share?"

Seo Eun Ji chimed in with a more calculated response. "The truth is, we've all contributed. Tae-jin and I have been the ones helping the most with Father-in-law's health and managing his daily affairs."

Tae-jin shot back sharply, his face flushed with annoyance. "Eun-ji-ssi, this isn't something for you ladies to get involved with," he said, looking directly at his wife. "This is a matter for the siblings to settle."

Ji Hyun, who had been silent, couldn't let his brother's words slide. He stood up abruptly, his voice rising. "What do you mean, 'for the ladies' to get involved with? Hyung, this is her family too! Don't talk down to my wife like that."

The tension in the room escalated quickly. A storm was brewing, and everyone seemed on edge. The power struggle over money was one thing—but now, the anger and frustration were boiling over into hurtful words.

"Enough!" Sae-ri's voice cut through the growing argument, sharp and commanding. She stood up, eyes flashing as she silenced the room with her authority. "Kids, go upstairs right now."

Everyone got up, the twins and their brother, Han Chu-wool. Sungjun also told his daughter to go with them. As the remaining daughters also vacated the room swiftly, Sae-ri crossed her arms tightly, glaring at others.

"What the hell are you doing just now?" She looked at her family with a glare, and her voice softened, but there was no mistaking the underlying frustration. "Oppa, you're all acting like children. In front of the kids, no less. What kind of example are we setting?"

Her words took everyone by surprise. Her brothers couldn't retort against their sister who is now all fiery. They knew well enough when not to argue with their little sibling.

"I can't believe this," Sae-ri continued, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "You've all been acting so close for years, and now… now that the money's on the table, you're turning into different people. Selfish, petty, grasping at whatever you can. This is disgusting."

The room went quiet again. Sae-ri's anger hung heavy in the air, and even Seol Ah, who had been the first to voice her dissatisfaction, seemed momentarily taken aback. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing.

"What do you mean?" Seol Ah retorted in the end, her tone bitter. "Who would be sitting like a duck when it comes to trillions of won? Let's not act like we are some saints, okay?"

Her words were like a slap, but they hit a chord that resonated deeply with everyone in the room.

Seol-ah's eyes then flicked over to Sungjun, her expression hardening. She took a deep breath before speaking again, her words slow and deliberate.

"Look at Sungjun-ssi," she said, her voice rising once more, "He never even bothered to show up for a single-family wedding, a birthday, or anything for the past 15 years. He wasn't there for the funeral either. And suddenly, he is back as a dutiful son. Isn't it because of inheritance?"

Her accusation was like a jolt to the chest. Sungjun had been quiet from the start till the end. He opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out.

The tension in the room became obvious, thick with unsaid words and conflicting emotions.

"Seol-ah-unnie, why bring him into this?" Sae-ri argued back, her voice biting. "He's got the least share, hasn't done a thing, and yet you drag him into this mess!"

The question seemed to linger in the air, but it was Sungjun's voice that finally broke through the heated silence. 

"Because I had siblings here, Hyeong-su-nim." His tone was serious, steady, and for the first time since he'd walked through the door, his words carried a weight that made everyone pause.