The meeting room was quiet, the air thick with anticipation. The lawyers, seated around the grand, mahogany table, exchanged glances before turning their attention to Jaehoon. A large binder was placed in front of him, its leather cover gleaming in the dim light of the chandelier above. It was as if the very documents contained inside held the weight of centuries of history—history that now seemed to rest in his hands.
Minwoo sat across from him, his face impassive, while Jiwoo, ever supportive, sat beside him, her hand resting on his arm. She had been quiet since they entered the room, her eyes darting between the legal team and Jaehoon, trying to process everything that had happened so far. The world they had stepped into felt foreign to her, as it did to him, but unlike him, Jiwoo had an uncanny ability to ask the right questions, to seek the truth behind every statement.
“Mr. Lee,” one of the lawyers, a tall man with graying hair and a stern expression, began, “this binder contains the details of your inheritance. Please take your time to review it. However, we will summarize the most critical elements for you.”
Jaehoon’s fingers hovered over the binder’s cover for a moment before he opened it, the crisp pages seeming to crackle in the silence. The first page was filled with a summary of assets—properties, businesses, and investments stretching across continents. His eyes flicked quickly over the numbers, a staggering fortune outlined in a few neat columns. It was beyond anything he could have imagined.
“Real estate holdings in Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island alone are valued at over five billion won,” the lawyer continued. “In addition to that, the Lee family holds controlling shares in several prominent companies, including LeeTech, which is one of the top tech firms in Korea, and Lee Properties, which dominates the real estate market.”
Jaehoon’s heart skipped a beat. “This is... this is incredible,” he said, almost in disbelief.
“Yes,” Minwoo replied. “This is the empire you are now a part of. In addition to these holdings, there are investments in global markets, tech start-ups, and even entertainment ventures. The Lee family has diversified interests, and you will have access to all of this.”
“Control over all of this?” Jaehoon asked, his voice betraying a hint of doubt.
Minwoo nodded. “Yes, control. As the legal heir, you will inherit the family’s entire portfolio. But with this control comes immense responsibility. These companies—these assets—have been entrusted to you, and you will be the one to make decisions regarding their future. Your choices will impact not only the Lee family but thousands of employees and shareholders.”
Jaehoon’s mind spun. The weight of the inheritance was starting to sink in. He was being handed the reins of an empire, but at what cost? He thought of his parents—how hard they had worked to provide for him—and how different the world they had built for him was from the one he now stood poised to inherit. Could he handle this?
Jiwoo’s hand squeezed his arm, grounding him. Her voice, steady and filled with concern, broke through his thoughts. “What exactly would this mean for us, Jaehoon? What are we agreeing to?”
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The lawyer glanced at Minwoo before answering. “It means not only inheriting wealth, but also assuming the mantle of leadership. The Lee family is vast, and there are many who will expect things from you. Your name will carry weight, but so will your decisions.”
“And the family?” Jiwoo asked, her voice soft but pointed. “What about the others who might not accept Jaehoon’s position?”
Minwoo’s expression grew slightly more serious, his tone tinged with caution. “There are... certain members of the family who may not be entirely pleased with this development. The Lee family has a long history of internal rivalry. There will be those who question your legitimacy, your right to lead.”
Jaehoon felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He had known, in theory, that there would be challenges, but hearing it so directly from Minwoo made it all the more real. “What can I expect, then?” he asked. “What are the immediate steps I must take?”
Minwoo slid a thick folder across the table toward him, filled with documents that looked like they had been meticulously prepared. “This,” he said, “is a set of immediate actions that need to be taken. There are formalities to go through, legal paperwork to be signed, and the integration of the family’s businesses into your personal management structure.”
Jaehoon flipped through the pages. They were filled with legal jargon, financial projections, and complex instructions about restructuring the various enterprises. Some pages listed executives and stakeholders he had never heard of, while others detailed the financial standing of companies he was now expected to manage. It was overwhelming, but there was something else—something Jaehoon couldn’t quite put his finger on.
“The first order of business,” the lawyer continued, “is to establish your role as the head of the Lee family business empire. This involves formal meetings with the board members of the various companies. You will also need to appoint key advisors and staff to help you navigate the transition.”
Jaehoon took a deep breath. “And the family? What is their role in this?”
“Family members will have a say,” Minwoo explained. “But ultimately, the decisions rest with you. However, you must tread carefully. The Lee family is not a democracy. This is a monarchy, and the head of the family holds absolute power.”
Jiwoo frowned. “But what about the others—are they just going to accept Jaehoon’s authority without question?”
“There may be resistance,” Minwoo acknowledged. “But remember, you have the law and the family’s history on your side. There are also financial incentives that will encourage cooperation. Money talks.”
Jaehoon absorbed this, his mind racing. “What kind of resistance?”
Minwoo’s eyes flickered, a brief glimmer of something unreadable crossing his face. “Let’s just say that there are certain... factions within the family who have their own agendas. Some of them may not be entirely content with your sudden appearance as the heir. But these things can be managed.”
Jaehoon felt a pit form in his stomach. This wasn’t just about money. This was about power—hidden motives, family rivalries, and expectations he couldn’t yet fully understand. The more Minwoo spoke, the more Jaehoon realized that accepting this inheritance wasn’t as simple as signing a few papers.
Jiwoo, ever perceptive, caught the look on his face. “Jaehoon,” she whispered, “Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
Jaehoon hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing heavily on his chest. He thought of Minseok and Haeun, their children, and the future he could provide for them. He thought of his father, who had struggled for so long, and the opportunity that now lay before him. Could he turn away from this? Would he?
“I have no choice,” Jaehoon said softly, more to himself than anyone else. “This is my legacy now.”
But even as he said the words, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the path he was about to walk would change everything—and not necessarily for the better.