Chapter 20
Thirty minutes later.
The two women returned from the bank.
The phone in my pocket rang loudly.
I looked at the two of them before answering.
Manager Park’s blunt voice came through the receiver.
“Five hundred million came in. Three hundred million principal, two hundred million interest. We received everything.”
I smiled briefly.
“The Boss only told me to recover the three hundred million principal, but I collected another two hundred million in interest.”
Manager Park answered shortly without much emotion.
“Yeah. Got it.”
The call ended.
I briefly closed my eyes and quickly calculated the numbers.
My commission is fifty percent.
Once the number settled in my head, the corner of my mouth naturally rose.
I had made two hundred and fifty million won in a single day.
Just thinking about it felt good.
Then, in front of the two women, I calmly tore Park Dong-sik’s statement apart.
The sound of ripping paper cut through the coffee shop.
Pieces scattered across the table.
The two women silently watched.
Relief.
Emptiness.
And lingering bitterness all mixed on their faces.
The ex-wife’s fingertips trembled as she stared blankly into space.
Chae Song-hwa bit her lip and seemed lost in thought.
I slowly stood and spoke quietly.
“Don’t trust men too much from now on. In the end, you have to protect your own life with your own hands.”
I left the final advice in a calm but firm tone.
Both women lowered their heads.
Then I added,
“And if you ever need money later, give me a call. We have a connection now, so I won’t deduct the upfront interest for either of you.”
Both women stared at me with absurd expressions.
“Then I’ll be going.”
I lightly pushed the chair back and stood.
When I opened the cafe door, cool air brushed gently across my face.
As I stepped outside, I thought,
Now Park Dong-sik...
Both women would abandon him.
He had no assets under his own name.
He would probably become homeless around Seoul Station.
Another gust came through the doorway.
I lightly adjusted my collar.
Outside, the afternoon sunlight spread softly.
The street noise suddenly felt louder.
Uncle Kim Dong-su had been waiting outside.
He stared at me with wide eyes.
“Taesan, you’re really incredible.”
His voice mixed surprise and admiration.
Seeing his expression made me laugh naturally.
I lightly smiled back.
Clear respect and awe showed in Uncle’s eyes.
I patted his shoulder.
“Uncle, we still have a long way to go. This is where the real beginning starts.”
Uncle nodded with a surprised expression.
A cool autumn wind passed us.
I briefly closed my eyes and enjoyed it.
For once, I felt lighter and freer than anyone else in the world.
A smile appeared as I thought about my next plan.
Time to start collecting the next garbage debt. Hahaha!
Inside Jo Sun-ja’s office.
Manager Park spoke with open admiration.
“I was honestly shocked.”
He took a breath before continuing toward Jo Sun-ja.
“To be honest, I never thought Taesan would resolve a malicious debt like Park Dong-sik’s this cleanly in one move.”
Surprise and sincere admiration filled his voice.
He lightly shook his head.
“At this point, shouldn’t you end the test?”
Jo Sun-ja smiled and nodded slightly.
A satisfied smile spread faintly around her lips.
“His ability is real.”
Jo Sun-ja spoke firmly.
Then she slowly stood.
She quietly walked toward the safe behind her desk.
When she reached it, she opened it with practiced movements.
A moment later, she took something out.
It was the DNA test report she had prepared earlier.
Holding it, she returned to her seat.
She placed the document on the table with a satisfied expression.
“Call Taesan. There’s nothing left to test. Hohoho!”
Her voice carried pleasant excitement and confidence.
Manager Park immediately bowed.
“Yes.”
He answered without hesitation.
Jo Sun-ja stared at me silently.
Documents were neatly arranged on her desk.
Manager Park stood beside her and watched me without speaking.
A suffocating silence filled the office.
The street noise outside almost sounded clearer because of it.
Even the sunlight entering through the window somehow felt heavy and cold today.
Today’s the day.
I felt myself becoming nervous without meaning to.
My heartbeat slowly accelerated.
Even my fingertips began to tremble slightly.
I unconsciously crossed my legs, then corrected my posture.
Every movement in Jo Sun-ja’s expression drew my attention.
What if I really am her grandson?
I would inherit Jo Sun-ja’s entire private lending empire.
Not only her fifty billion won in assets.
I would gain some of the strongest connections and networks in Korea.
And the information power needed to move within this world.
With that level of power and my ability, there would be no reason to remain only in Korea.
The moment the IMF crisis hit, I would begin gathering enormous capital from the bottom of the market.
Collapsing companies.
Bleeding stocks.
Shaking banks and chaebols.
Even government bonds.
I would move faster and more coldly than anyone else in Korea.
No.
Anyone else in the world.
