Chapter 366: Ma Gyeong-rok from Chapter 101 (Above) |
When we are born, we are divided into two categories: are we born into a cradle of gold or one of mud? From there, the starting point differs.
Ma Gyeong-rok, born into a cradle of diamonds instead of gold, knew that his starting line was much farther ahead. Even so, he was dissatisfied with his life. Or more precisely, with his family.
“What are you looking at? Are you jealous of your younger brother’s plate of food?” – “Let’s avoid unnecessary conflicts, brother. We already have enough obstacles in our path, don’t we?”
His younger brothers, Ma Gyeong-sang and Ma Gyeong-su. They used to be adorable little siblings who followed him obediently when they were children, but as they grew older, they realized the reality. They understood that they would never inherit the fortune of the Ohsung Group as long as their older brother, Ma Gyeong-rok, was alive. So, every time they saw him, they despised and rejected him.
Obstacles in life seemed to bring about extreme anger.
What happened to me? I started harboring a bit of malice in my heart.
——————–
Time passed. Now, among competitors who I can barely call family, I am 23 years old.
I diligently took management classes, following the course to become the company’s successor.
But I managed it with cunning.
“If they see me as a competitor, then I should rise to that image. Learn and adapt cunningly, then devour this company.”
Demonstrating a legitimate qualification to survive in the competitive arena.
That was the only way for my brothers not to attack me.
But they found another way to do it.
“What did you say? What are Ma Gyeong-sang and Ma Gyeong-su doing?”
“They filed an objection. They say it’s unfair for the company to go to the eldest son without skills.”
Hearing my father, the chairman’s words, I let out a bitter laugh.
“It seems they’re trying to stir up trouble.”
“But they’re not entirely wrong. Shouldn’t you prove your skills to become the company’s representative? To become the head of the powerful Ohsung conglomerate.”
“Are you saying I still don’t have the qualification?”
“Exactly. Not yet.”
Qualification.
Wasn’t it something you were given by birth as the eldest son?
“Do you want to challenge me? Fine, I’ll do as you say. If verification is needed, then so be it. What should I do?”
“I will give the three brothers the same amount of capital. Each of you must build a company and grow it. Then, I will hand over the company to the son who produces the best results.”
This implied that the son who achieved the most outstanding results would be recognized as the owner of the Ohsung Group.
“Very well. I’ll do it.”
Ma Gyeong-rok accepted without objections.
There was no option to refuse.
————–
What to do?
After much thought, I decided to try the business I had been considering for a long time.
None other than consulting.
“With the business capital I’ve received, these tasks would be appropriate.”
The process of getting expert help to solve specific problems or achieve goals is called consulting.
From business consulting to technology consulting, human resources management, and financial consulting, it is broad in terms of profitability and progressive approach.
“Let’s name it... Cheonma Consulting.”
It didn’t have a deep meaning.
I simply borrowed the name from a martial arts novel character I briefly read in the past.
“And it also has a symbolic meaning that I am above the heavens.”
With that name, he created the company.
So far, I had only taken management classes, but now I was entering the real action.
But I didn’t feel nervous.
“It’s not a big deal. I’m just running a small business.”
Such thoughts of Ma Gyeong-rok were thanks to his innate talent.
After all, where could the genius of someone who inherited the blood of the group’s chairman go?
He had the entrepreneurial spirit inside him, just like his father.
Of course, at first, not everything went as expected.
But gradually, the small business began to grow, and it finally achieved a market capitalization high enough to be noticed.
It was an accomplishment made purely with his talent, without anyone else’s help.
I’m not sure if my father sees it as a source of pride.
“What is clear is that I am better than my brothers.”
His second brother, Ma Gyeong-sang, created a small startup.
But sales were low, and the future didn’t look promising.
His third brother, Ma Gyeong-su, did slightly better.
He started a startup and managed to generate decent revenue, but now it’s stagnating and facing issues.
“Cheonma Consulting is better than what they’re doing. I’m steadily increasing sales.”
Doesn’t this prove that I’m qualified as the successor?
I wanted to ask, but my father hasn’t made a decision yet.
It seems he wants to wait a bit longer.
“Then, I’ll step up my game.”
With the capital accumulated through consulting, Ma Gyeong-rok ventured into the hotel business.
A show of confidence to expand his capital even further.
But he didn’t realize this was arrogance.
Unfortunately, just as he was starting his hotel operations, a global pandemic broke out, and the travel industry fell into recession.
Ma Gyeong-rok’s newly opened hotel was also affected and began suffering losses.
“Seriously, is it possible to fall on your back and still break your nose with this?”
Cheonma Consulting also started to decline along with the sector.
On the other hand, Ma Gyeong-sang and Ma Gyeong-su’s businesses thrived in the economic boom.
A completely reversed situation.
I didn’t know how it ended up like this, but it was clear I couldn’t continue this way.
“If my father had recognized me earlier as qualified, this wouldn’t have happened.”
The stress was at its peak.
The latent malice inside him began to awaken.
“Woof, woof.”
“Damn it, what a noise.”
“Woof, woof, woof.”
“Shut up, damn dog!”
“Woof, woof, woof, woof.”
“Why do you keep barking so much? Do you want to make noise?”
He didn’t intend to kill it.
However, he had already accepted that he wouldn’t mind if it died.
Is that the reason for it?
Bang bang bang bang!
He beat the dog until it lay motionless on the ground.
The dog’s death was inevitable.
“Panting....”
Seeing the dog’s mangled corpse didn’t cause him fear or horror.
He simply felt no emotion.
He knew this was going to happen.
And he was okay with it.
“Damn.”
He took it to the crematorium without feeling the slightest remorse for the dog.
After cleaning with Coca-Cola to remove any trace of blood, the company employees never discovered what happened the next day.
They simply wondered where the dog had gone.
“Sir, didn’t we have a dog at the company?”
“Yes, so what?”
“We haven’t seen it since last night.”
“It seems it broke free from its collar.”
It was a natural response from the person responsible for the dog’s death.
—————–
“Ugh....”
Lately, he couldn’t sleep well.
Even when he closed his eyes, his mind wasn’t at ease due to work stress.
Sales were declining more and more each day.
“What could be the cause? What the hell is going on?”
Although he worked hard, he felt the world didn’t appreciate his efforts.
He needed a change of scenery.
“Should I go on a date?”
Though Ma Gyeong-rok had never been interested in love, today, more than ever, he missed the scent of a woman.
“Driver, where are we going?”
“Home? No. To Hongdae.”
After telling the driver that, he entered a nightclub.
He wanted to be with a woman, or at least have a drink if that wasn’t possible.
“Welcome! This way, please!”
Though he rarely went to nightclubs, somehow the staff treated him like a VIP.
Apparently, his position in the company was noticeable everywhere.
“Maybe that’s why it’s boring.”
The women who approached him with flattery seemed common and dull.
“That kind of parasites only interested in my money, not me.”
That negative perception was already deeply rooted in his mind due to experiences at the club, and it was hard to erase.
Don’t they say that once a person’s perception is set, it’s difficult to change?
“Hey, you seem to be in a bad mood. Is something hurting you?”
“I think I should rest a bit. How about we go to the hotel and relax together? What do you say?”
“Uh, it’s really impressive. It looks like you’ve drawn a number and are waiting your turn.”
Although the person wasn’t actually interested, seeing the women fighting for his attention made him sigh involuntarily.
“All of you, get out.”
“What? What did you say?”
“Please, everyone leave, as the taste of the alcohol has already gone down.”
The women who were met with Ma Gyeong-rok’s cold gaze quickly left the room.
After ordering that no one else be admitted, he stayed alone drinking.
Though he could vaguely hear the waiter informing his boss outside, it wasn’t his concern.
“I don’t care what happens in the country. I should go abroad or something.”
Ma Gyeong-rok was no longer interested in local women.
He decided that if he was going to meet a woman, it would be abroad.
At least there, he could meet her without regard to wealth or prejudice.
That was the turning point.
“I’m sorry to bother you at this hour, but I need to take about a week off from work. It’s nothing urgent, I just need a change of air personally.”
It was an impulsive decision to schedule a trip abroad.
———————-
What was originally planned as a week extended to two.
Until his return from the United States to Korea.
As soon as Ma Gyeong-rok returned, he sought out his father.
“Father.”
“What is it?”
The typical stern and curt response.
But the words that followed from Ma Gyeong-rok were enough to surprise his father.
“I’m considering a strategic marriage.”
“What?”
“My future wife is Christine Craig. She’s in her twenties and is the daughter of a famous religious figure in the United States. I’ve already investigated her, and she’s an impeccable woman.”
“Are you planning to marry a foreigner as part of a strategic marriage?”
The surprise on his father’s face was evident.
It was the first time Ma Gyeong-rok had seen him like that.
“Please allow it, father.”