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CH17 | Heir
🕑 Added 2025-03-14 03:35:01 +0000 UTCThe Next Day.
I arrived at the factory, reeking of alcohol.
After drinking until morning, the entire staff was groaning in pain. The factory manager and executives had gathered in the cafeteria, gulping down hangover soup prepared by the kitchen auntie.
"Deputy Manager Kim, you’re here? Come have a bowl with us."
"Factory Manager, you look completely fine. I feel like throwing up just from walking. You really are incredible."
I even rubbed my hands together, laying it on thick.
Imagine how delighted he must feel, hearing such flattery from the chairman’s grandson.
The factory manager let out a hearty laugh and gestured for me to sit beside him.
"How about another drink today?"
"I feel like alcohol is running through my veins instead of blood. If I drink again today, I might actually end up in the emergency room."
"That’s nothing a good sweat can’t fix. There’s a decent sauna near the factory. It’s not as fancy as the ones in Seoul’s hotels, but the facilities are pretty good. You should go relax."
"A hot bath sounds tempting."
"I’ll have Assistant Manager Yang go with you. If you’re really struggling, you can just head home afterward."
What a great company this was.
Telling a new hire from yesterday to just go to a sauna?
Well, I had business outside anyway, and since they were setting things up so nicely for me, I might as well take advantage.
"Then, I’ll step out for a bit."
"Aren’t you going to have some hangover soup first?"
"Even water makes me nauseous right now. I wouldn’t want to disgrace myself in front of you and the executives."
"Hah! Our Deputy Manager Kim is so polite. Yang, call a cab for him immediately."
"I’ll take a taxi myself. Assistant Manager Yang must still have alcohol in his system. If there’s a DUI checkpoint, that could cause trouble."
"Wow! Look at that—worrying about his employees. Definitely different blood running through his veins!"
"I’ll be back soon."
I hailed a taxi, left the factory, and headed to the sauna.
Since it was recommended by the factory manager, the place was clean and mostly empty.
After showering, I wrapped a towel around my head and entered the steam sauna.
Inside, someone was already seated, waiting.
"Did you handle everything properly?"
"I collected and analyzed some data overnight. There wasn’t much, but the stench of corruption is overwhelming."
The man inside the sauna was someone I had hired.
To avoid prying eyes, I had summoned him here.
"You were just discharged from the military. Sorry for making you do such tough work already."
"Not at all. I’m just grateful you took in a washed-up soldier who never even got promoted."
His name was Captain Kang In-sik.
A graduate of the Korea Military Academy, he was once a soldier in the Defense Security Command (DSC)—the heart of military intelligence.
But his strong rebellious streak had made him an outcast since the military regime days.
A kite with a cut string.
Yet if that string was reattached, he had the potential to soar again.
He possessed S-tier intelligence and A-tier operational skills. Giving him the right connections was a small price to pay.
"And stop trying to do everything by yourself. Work with the people I mentioned."
"You mean the three you told me about? I looked into them. They’re... quite unusual."
Captain Kang had once been an elite in the DSC.
When it came to background checks, military intelligence far outperformed the police or prosecutors.
"They’re part of the network I built. No risk of leaks."
"I don’t know if I should say this... but all of them have a reputation for being complete lunatics."
That was intentional.
For three years, I had carefully selected my own team through foundations and investment funds.
People like Captain Kang would help me wield the blade.
I recruited talented yet unconnected individuals from the National Tax Service, police, and prosecution.
"Then again, aren’t you the same?"
"...Fair point. A few of my former superiors did call me ‘the military’s madman’."
Only the crazy can dance with knives.
It took a certain kind of person to wield corruption as a weapon without hesitation.
"Tear apart the Changwon Parts Factory."
"I will, but I’m still short on data. I infiltrated the office last night, copied some ledgers, and extracted files from their computers. But it’s not enough for a full takedown."
"I’ll get more internal documents. You and the others can start from the outside."
"Understood. There’s so much rot that even a light shake will bring plenty to the surface."
Captain Kang was a specialist in this field.
Civilian surveillance, intelligence gathering, and manipulation—these were DSC’s bread and butter under the military regime.
"You left DSC because you hated this kind of work. I feel bad making you do it again."
"I never hated the work itself. I only hated planting fake crimes on innocent people."
"Good to hear. You’re the anchor for this operation. The rest of the team is working independently, unaware of each other’s involvement."
"I’ll handle the lunatics. We’ll start immediately."
Captain Kang rose first, leaving the sauna.
I stayed behind for a while, letting the heat seep into my body before heading back to the company.
***
Factory Manager's Office – Same Time
The factory manager and three executives sat in his office, sipping coffee.
Unsurprisingly, their topic of discussion was Kim Min-jae.
"Don't you think the young master is actually quite decent?"
"Young master? Come on, we agreed yesterday—he's family now. Start calling him Deputy Manager Kim."
"At this rate, I'm worried Assistant Manager Kim might want to follow you to headquarters. He seemed quite attached to you last night."
They recalled the previous night.
Kim Min-jae, darting around like an eager puppy, constantly refilling their glasses.
At first, they had feared the arrival of the chairman's grandson would threaten their kingdom—the Changwon Parts Factory.
But now, most of their suspicions had faded.
"Going to headquarters just means more work and stress. It's much more comfortable staying here at the factory."
"Still, if you go to headquarters, your salary would double, wouldn't it?"
"What’s the point of a higher salary if there's no ‘plus alpha’?"
A side hustle—that was what truly mattered.
The manager narrowed his eyes, voice turning sharp.
"Why? Are you hoping to take my place if I leave for headquarters?"
"Not at all! I would never even dream of such a disloyal thought!"
One of the executives frantically waved his hands in denial.
Not only that—he leapt to his feet and bowed deeply to emphasize his loyalty.
The factory manager chuckled.
"Stick to what you know best. We have a firm grip on the Changwon factory network. There’s no need to bother with headquarters."
"I misspoke. My apologies."
"Kim is just a passing breeze. Don't get too excited."
He flicked his fingers dismissively.
The executive, still bowing, cautiously sat back down.
"Ah, and what’s the update on the pallet contract?"
"The recently resigned Manager Jang has set up a pallet factory. We've arranged for you to receive a 50% stake in the company."
"Good. Once we secure the contracts for this parts factory and Changwon Factory 1, you all know how much money that means, right?"
Pallets were essential for transporting parts.
Made of plastic or wood, they allowed forklifts to move materials efficiently.
Car factories went through tens of thousands of pallets every year.
And, of course, pallets had to be purchased.
But if they could monopolize the pallet supply for the Changwon factories?
That meant complete control—and an endless cash flow into their pockets.
The factory manager and executives were on the verge of securing a revenue stream far beyond their past embezzlement schemes.
"Starting next week, our factory will begin receiving pallets. Once the Changwon Factory contract is finalized, we're set."
"How many more years do you think we’ll be working here? We need to secure our future after we leave. If we establish just a few more companies, we’ll never have to worry about money again. Still think going to headquarters is a good idea?"
"Absolutely not. What’s the point? At headquarters, all we’d get is the chairman’s scolding. I’d rather live quietly in Changwon."
The factory manager and his executives were sinking their teeth deeper into Taewoo Motors.
They already had multiple "straws" draining money from the company, but greed was endless—always one more.
***
Returning from the Sauna
I returned to the factory feeling refreshed.
It was already lunchtime, and workers were lined up in front of the cafeteria, with the General Affairs team behind them.
"Deputy Manager Kim! Want to join us for lunch?"
"Sure. How’s everyone holding up after last night?"
Deputy Director Lee from General Affairs waved me over.
I naturally joined their group as we entered the cafeteria.
"Let’s sit over there in the back."
I noticed the accounting team sitting separately.
"Do we not sit with the accounting staff? I didn’t get to talk to them much last night. Mind if I join them for lunch?"
Deputy Director Lee chuckled knowingly.
"Go ahead. Ha! You’re a guy after all, huh?"
I ignored his crude remark and set my tray down among the accountants.
The accounting staff looked hesitant.
Even though I was in my early twenties, my status as the chairman’s grandson made them uncomfortable.
"Please, relax and enjoy your meal. Oh! You know I studied in the U.S., right? I brought back some keychains as souvenirs."
Nobody says no to freebies.
Especially small gifts like souvenirs—no strings attached.
"Really? You’re giving these to us? Thank you! Everyone, take one!"
"Thank you so much!"
The atmosphere immediately warmed up.
The conversation soon shifted to the drama Last Match, which had been a massive hit since last year.
"Han Young-jun is my ideal type! Isn’t he so cool?"
"Unnie, Lee Dong-min is better. Han Young-jun’s eyes are too intense—he looks scary."
"Did you just insult Young-jun oppa?! Take that back!"
I simply listened, observing.
Even within the seven accountants, I noticed factions had formed.
The high school faction, led by Han Ji-hye, the senior-most accountant.
The junior college faction, led by Joo Young-mi, a junior college graduate.
But I discovered something even more interesting.
As I listened, I analyzed their personal details—and found something shocking.
Both faction leaders had the same peculiar note in their records:
[Special Note: In a secret relationship with the factory manager]
Two of them?
The factory manager was nearly 60 years old.
Was this even possible?
Disgusting? Or impressive?
Now their faction rivalry made sense.
Each thought she was the closest to the factory manager, leading to their division.
This revelation gave me a new plan for gathering internal intel.
"Lunch is almost over. I’ll head out first. Oh, by the way, I left some American snacks in the break room."
"Really? Deputy Manager Kim, you’re so sweet!"
Han Ji-hye smiled at me and called me sweet.
Try looking for sweetness in your dear factory manager instead.
Comments
Rch_ii
Wouldn't his moves after dismantling this corrupt plant alert the other corrupts within the overall group and get rid of any evidence?
