I Became a Scoundrel of a Chaebol Family-Chapter 184

19. Territory

Monday, December 14th.

Mondays are always busy since they’re weekdays. Of course, sometimes weekends turn out to be busier depending on what comes up, but for me, work tends to pile up more during the week.

It was just past lunchtime when I finally arrived at the mansion on the artificial island and settled in for a brief rest.

“Master, as of today, Lee Na-eun has been appointed as Chief Prosecutor of the Special Investigations Division.”

“Oh, right. Today was the day. Which district prosecution office is it?”

“Namdong District Prosecutor’s Office.”

“Ha. Everyone’s gathering in Namdong District, huh? Is it a coincidence?”

“I don’t think it’s... a coincidence.”

“I was planning to get rid of the current Prosecutor General, but... they’re sharper than I expected.”

At first, when they tried to obstruct Lee Na-eun’s special investigations or resist my intentions, I thought about removing them altogether. But after some time, they started to soften up, leaning slightly toward my side.

“Still, that’s not enough. There needs to be impact. Something impactful.”

It wasn’t just about the Prosecutor General being uncooperative.

I was planning to nominate a new candidate, have them installed as the Prosecutor General, and once the Permanent Special Investigation Office was established, transition them into leading that office.

Considering such a grand scheme, this wasn’t something I could just let slide lightly.

“Have the new candidates been shortlisted?”

“Yes. The strategy team has recommended four individuals.”

“Let me see.”

Soo-ah handed me the documents, and I began reading through them.

“Hmm... Only one of them is a woman?”

As expected in a society where anti-aging treatments for women in high positions were commonplace, the profile of a woman who looked like a college student in her twenties stood out among middle-aged men with gray hair. Of course, she was more than twice my age.

But honestly, this person seemed less like a prosecutor and more like some street gang leader.

‘Why are there so many thugs, seriously.’

People say not to judge a book by its cover, but what can you do? First impressions are all about appearances.

‘Still, a woman would probably be better.’

Having roughly decided, I handed the documents back to Soo-ah.

“Work on appointing this woman.”

“Yes.”

“And replace the Namdong District Prosecutor’s Office head with a woman loyal to me.”

“Understood.”

Since Lee Na-eun was officially taking her post at Namdong District today, I should pay attention. Namdong District was gradually becoming my territory. With my grip already extending into the police and politics, securing influence over the prosecution would be the cherry on top.

Assemblywoman Kim Eun-ji in Namdong District, Police Chief Do Yoon-jung, and now Lee Na-eun as the Chief Prosecutor of the Special Investigations Division—my power base in this region was already substantial. If I could place my loyal person as the head of the Namdong District Prosecutor’s Office, I would essentially be invincible in this area.

‘Might as well drop by while I’m at it.’

Today was Lee Na-eun’s first day as Chief Prosecutor.

It wouldn’t hurt to boost morale with a direct visit. I could also check out the Namdong Industrial Complex while I’m there.

“Soo-ah, prepare the AV.”

“Where will you be going?”

“The ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) Namdong District Prosecutor’s Office. We’ll leave in 30 minutes.”

“Yes, Master.”

After giving the instructions, I stepped out of the mansion and headed toward the garden. Judging by the time, Dan-tto was probably waddling around somewhere nearby.

Bzzzt.

A phone call came in. It was Seo Ah-ram.

“Huh?”

I froze for a moment.

No way...

‘Today’s December 14th... The timing matches. Has her training ended?’

I quickly answered the call.

“This is Seo Ah-ram, Master.”

“Ah, it’s been a while.”

“I apologize for not contacting you sooner.”

“Forget that. Since you’re calling, I assume the test is over. Did you pass?”

She hesitated for about a second before replying.

“...Yes. I passed.”

Of course.

As expected of a stat monster female lead.

To pass the notoriously difficult Prestige exam in such a short time... incredible.

If she had actually focused on studying during her school years, she probably would’ve aced the bar exam and everything else with ease.

“As expected. I had faith in you. There’s no way you wouldn’t pass.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“My judgment is always spot on.”

Even over the phone, I could feel her joy.

“So, are you coming now?”

“There’s still the training process and some personal matters to handle. I’ll be formally assigned in January, after the new year.”

How tedious.

Does it really take this long to go through official procedures?

‘Even so, she managed it in four months flat.’

Even though that’s ridiculously fast, it still feels slow.

So it’ll happen in ’77 after all.

‘January of ’77 is the starting point of the main scenario... Could it really be synced with that?’

But I killed the male lead, brought the female lead into my little house of chaos... What’s going to happen to the main storyline? With China already making moves, the butterfly effect seems to be spiraling out of control. I’m starting to feel a bit uneasy.

‘If I assume I’m being treated as the protagonist... a completely new route might have opened up.’

It’s like a Go Muyeol route is emerging.

‘But honestly, I’m not worried. Is it because I’m a chaebol?’

Not just any chaebol, but the heir of a mega-corporation that controls all of Asia.

With the family line sustained through intermarriage, and me being the only man left, it’s practically a given that both my aunt and my sister are targeting me.

As long as I don’t do something stupid, it feels like I’ll naturally rise to the center of the Koryo Group.

‘And Grandpa is completely absorbed in Go.’

This...

If things go well, I might really end up leading the Koryo Group.

‘So, the Go Muyeol story is about him becoming the Chairman of the Koryo Group.’

How epic.

Whether or not someone like me could lead such a massive organization is one thing,

but just the fact that this possibility is opening up is thrilling.

Chairman of the Koryo Group, Go Muyeol.

“Perfect.”

“Yes. I’ll formally report to you soon.”

She sounded almost like a gangster.

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Call ended.

“Soo-ah, Aram passed the exam. She’ll be formally assigned next month.”

“The vacant Protocol Team Leader position is finally being filled, then.”

“That’s right. Prepare a small welcome ceremony or something for her.”

“Understood.”

“And don’t try to intimidate her or act territorial for no reason.”

“N-no, I wouldn’t, Master....”

I chuckled and pulled Soo-ah into a light embrace, giving her shoulder a squeeze.

It was soft and pleasant to the touch.

As expected, Dan-tto was playing in the garden.

She was sprawled out lazily on a beach-style lounge chair under the sunlight, holding a melon ice cream bar in her mouth.

“Hey, how is it that every time I see you, you’re eating something?”

“Eh?!”

Startled, Dan-tto bolted upright.

I snatched the melon bar from her hand.

“Aah...! Give it back!”

“How much more do you plan to fatten yourself up? Look, all this is just calories, calories.”

“It’s zero calories!!”

“...Oh, really?”

She dared to glare at me with defiant eyes.

Dan-tto, of all people.

I stared at her fiery, glaring eyes for a moment before sticking the melon bar back into her mouth.

The furious V-shaped eyebrows she had drawn disappeared instantly.

“Mm.”

“...You’re eating this in winter?”

“Mm!”

“What’s with that? Use words.”

Dan-tto took the melon bar out of her mouth.

“Ice cream is meant to be eaten in winter!”

“Says who? You were just at Namdong Industrial Complex a little while ago. And now you’re eating ice cream?”

“T-the complex had ice cream too!”

“Oh, really? I was picturing it being more like old North Korea.”

“Why do you think I’m some kind of caveman?!”

“Well, it’s not that different. You’re Dan-tto, after all.”

“Ugh...!”

“Enough. We have somewhere to go, so get ready.”

“Huh? Where?”

“A place where they lock up bad people. The Prosecutor’s Office.”

“Wha, what?!”

Dan-tto froze in shock, her face turning pale.

“A-are you... are you selling me o-off—?”

“Wow, you’re so dramatic. Sell you off, my ass.”

I grabbed her cheek and gave it a playful tug.

“Eek...!”

“Never mind. You’re Dan-tto, so you don’t need to prepare anything. Just come as you are.”

Conveniently, Dan-tto was already wearing some strange purple puffer jacket she must have gotten from somewhere.

It was perfectly suitable for going out.

“Get in the AV, Dan-tto.”

*****

“Congratulations, Chief Prosecutor!!!”

The prosecutors assigned to the Special Investigations Division bowed in unison.

Thanks to the rigid, hierarchical culture unique to the prosecution, the scene vaguely resembled a gathering of gangsters.

“Thank you.”

Lee Na-eun fiddled with her nameplate, a lazy smile on her face.

“Our role in the Special Investigations Division is singular: to prepare for investigations without sanctuary.”

At her gesture, the prosecutors straightened their backs.

They were all women whom Lee Na-eun had personally selected.

Among them were individuals who had been in the service longer than Lee Na-eun, as well as her peers from law school.

Most had been bystanders from different departments when Lee Na-eun was ostracized in the past, though a few had actively participated in the bullying.

Nevertheless, Lee Na-eun had brought even those individuals into the Special Investigations Division.

The first reason was that her primary criterion for selection was appearance.

The second was that, as their superior, it didn’t matter anymore.

Now that they were her subordinates, whether they had bullied her or not was irrelevant.

In fact, those who had tormented her were even better—it gave her a chance to exact revenge in the most legal and sophisticated way possible.

She smacked her lips inwardly, savoring the thought.

“In short, this is a preparatory organization for the Permanent Special Investigation Office.”