Chapter 62: Rule of Law Society

Defying Father's orders in front of second brother Kim Sung-wook, outplaying the family.

For Kim Ji-yeon, it wasn't easy.

But at least the immediate trouble was gone. No one should bother her for a while.

"No, I need to finalize the agreement fast." She'd lied to her brother, saying "the shares are his," but no contract was signed.

If the family found out, Father might step in himself.

Better to lock it down.

Beep~

Pressing the intercom, she swallowed her words.

"Chairman?"

"Nothing."

Hanging up, she decided to find a trusted lawyer to draft the papers.

Once drafted and approved by her confidant attorney, she stuffed the documents into her bag and left quickly.

At the set, today's two scenes wrapped smoothly, letting everyone clock out early.

Finishing on time, smiles lit up the crew's faces.

Clap, clap~

Drawing attention, Lee Jin-woo announced, "Restaurant's booked. Everyone, come!"

"Yay~"

"Kamsahamnida, Director-nim."

Buzz, buzz~

His phone rang again as he headed to his car. "Noona~"

Hearing the address, those nearby dispersed.

Two minutes later, he regrouped. "Joon-ho-ssi, you'll have to lead everyone to the restaurant. Something urgent came up. The company rep's already there…"

Asking Bong Joon-ho to take charge, he'd sent Yoon Hye-na to the restaurant to host.

He needed to meet Kim Ji-yeon.

"Leave it to me. Drive safe."

Perhaps due to his earlier performance, Bong's attitude held newfound respect, treating Jin-woo like the veteran.

Patting his shoulder maturely, Jin-woo strode to his towering Range Rover.

Pausing as he climbed in, he thought, Did I grow taller? Why's the door lower?

The silver-gray Rover merged into traffic, leaving the crew at the curb with a sense of loss.

Despite their short time together, he felt like their backbone.

Aish~

He wasn't old—how'd he have this effect?

In an elegant, classic courtyard, Jin-woo met Kim Ji-yeon.

"Contract, 10 billion, paid over five years." Her terms would shock anyone.

A steal, paid over five years, no strings, no extra clauses.

Practically a giveaway.

Did she know how much those shares would appreciate in five years?

After reviewing, Jin-woo signed swiftly.

Then stamped his seal.

"When the paperwork's done, I'll have my secretary deliver it to the hotel."

"Mm." Kim Ji-yeon responded absently.

"Pressing hard?" Jin-woo asked.

She forced a smile. "It's fine, I can handle it…"

"If you could, we wouldn't be meeting."

He bluntly tore through her stubborn facade.

Lips pursed, she clung to dignity. "With this contract, it'll be fine."

"What if they take your shares and control, sparking a boardroom fight?"

"The board won't agree."

"Outside directors?"

Seeing her nod, he was skeptical.

The Fair Trade Commission exists to ensure corporate fairness, curbing chaebol power, with outside directors meant to check family influence.

But, bafflingly, this deputy-state-level body lacks legal grounding.

Beyond mandating a quota of outside directors, all its rules and guidelines are unenforceable.

Yet its power is immense, enabling forced compliance: contract adherence, fair labeling, ad regulations, dismantling corporate collusion, door-to-door sales oversight…

It can search, revoke, mandate trades, approve special deals, or assess consumer protections—without legal basis.

All its actions are "legal."

Jin-woo was floored when he learned this.

This… a rule-of-law society?

No wonder Koreans joke their legal system's a farce.

Utterly absurd!

But where there's policy, there's a workaround—always has been.

Chaebols wouldn't let such a body grow unchecked.

Using Korea's senior-junior social structure, they pick "aligned" outside directors.

Board "outsider" ratios rise, boosting public perception.

But companies stay firmly in chaebol and investor hands. Last year's data showed shareholder proposals vetoed by management and investors at 0%.

Yes, the expected checks don't exist. Instead, it cloaks chaebols in "social responsibility."

Outside directors joining big firms are bought off or replaced if they resist.

Plenty clamor for the role—fame and fat checks.

Why not?

"With you, I'm confident I can sway most directors." Kim Ji-yeon's hands clenched into fists.

She was betting her years of performance plus Jeonju Lee's weight would outshine the Shilla Kim clan.

But her confidence? Zero.

Until the outcome, she could only fight and pray for fate's favor.

"What do they want—control or profits?"

Jin-woo had a plan. If they wanted profits, give some up.

Partnering with Shilla's main branch wasn't bad. Their construction sector clout could boost the hotel.

"Giving up profits… Jin-woo, that's a bad idea."

Kim Ji-yeon disliked it. If that was the plan, why not compromise with the family from the start?

Why sell 30% shares at a pittance to get him involved?

"Of course not. Shilla Construction—take it."

Swap shares for the undervalued Shilla Construction, merge the hotel under it, creating cross-holdings.

Then, use hotel shares for a bank loan.

"Then what?" Kim Ji-yeon didn't get it. What was the loan for?

"No rush. You'll see… Move fast. Get loan approval and funds in two months, then tell me."

He dangled a mystery, clearly not sharing his full intent.

Her already uneasy heart grew shakier.

Trading thriving hotel shares for a dud like Shilla Construction, then pulling massive cash from banks.

What was he thinking?

If hotel profits dipped, they'd lose control.

Hotel, Shilla Construction, Shilla Chemical—all gone from her hands.

"Noona, what's the point of tricking you?"

He shook the inky contract. "This is a 30-billion-won deal. I'm not letting it go."

Her anxious heart settled a bit.

Right, she'd handed him a massive gift.

With such profits, he wouldn't spit it out.

If the family took control, her contract with him would be questioned.

He'd be the one in trouble.

"Jin-woo, I trust you." She nodded firmly, bolstering her confidence.

"Don't worry, I never let my people down."

His double-edged words carried a hint of flirtation.

Her body tensed, and she nervously tucked her hair. "Uh, I'm hungry."

Clap, clap~

Two claps, and the door opened.

Kimono-clad servers filed in with wooden trays, setting out dishes, then exiting through a shoji door behind her.

The flow was seamless, pleasing to watch.

Seeing the food, Jin-woo realized it was a Japanese restaurant.

No wonder the architecture and vibe leaned Tang-dynasty but gaudily tweaked.

Little devils!

"Try it. This place is famous. You wait months for a reservation."

Kim Ji-yeon booked three months ago, timing it for this meeting.

"Okay."

He skipped "hate Japan or not" talk. In capital's eyes, profit trumped all.

Fresh, the ingredients' natural flavors were perfectly preserved.

Nature's raw taste was the world's best seasoning.

But nature's output couldn't feed humanity.

Top-tier natural ingredients were for the elite few.

"Enjoying it?"

Kim Ji-yeon passed him her sea urchin, smiling. "This too."

He accepted without fuss. "Noona, Lunar New Year plans?"

"Me? Grab a drink somewhere or stay at the hotel."

"Not going home?"

She gave a helpless smile, hands spread. "You think now's the time?"

Going home now would just stir trouble.

Better to stay alone.

Plus, she dreaded facing Father's scolding.

"If you don't mind, join me."

He smiled faintly. "As someone who's been there, I can tell you, a solo Lunar New Year sucks."

Outside, lights glow, laughter fills homes, but none are yours.

He knew the feeling, past and present.

(End of Chapter)