Flames Of Ambition
Episode 40
What are you doing here this late, Dad?
I thought maybe you were done here, so I dropped by.
I am.
- Guys, finish cleaning up. - Yes.
We can go.
Isn't it too far to head back to Gahwedong at this hour?
I usually finish a lot earlier,
but when we're cleaning, I just sleep here.
- Will you have a drink with me? - Want me to go get you something?
- Here?! - Yes.
I'll be right b...
Careful!
What did he say?
To leave the gate open, since he'll be late.
Shall I write him a memo? To call you when he gets home.
No... We can just talk in the morning.
Yeah.
Where did you get that? I thought she got rid of all the liquor in here?!
- I hid one from her. - Give it here, I'll bring it to your father.
You brat... Drinking at this hour?
No wonder you can't get married!
- Yes, Mom. - Minjae, where are you?
At the practice range, Dad is here.
Dad?! Why is he there?
- Just bought some drinks. - What, drinks?!
He just dropped by, but then asked if I wanted a drink.
- Talk to you later, Mom. - Minjae.
- Who drove him there? - He was alone.
If he gets drunk, have him driven back home by someone.
- Don't let him drive. - Yes, all right.
I only had these cups.
- Want a drink, too? - No... I can't really handle it.
I just pretend, you know.
- I guess I was cold. - Are you all right?
Now that I had a drink...
Mom said to have you driven home, if you get drunk.
I only sleep here when it's late.
- I'll finish this and go. - But the bottle is still...
It's empty.
Want me to go buy another one?
How can you be so suspicious of your wife?
They match.
There is no doubt that Minjae is your son.
Nam Aeri and Yoon Nayoung?
Turns out Youngmin's wife was the first to make her an offer.
So they're joining forces to bring Dad down?!
Good going.... But how did you learn that?
Nam Aeri came here and started running her trap,
asking how much our shares amounted to.
You stay out of this. Dad is gonna destroy you.
Why would I get involved? I'll just sit back and enjoy the spectacle.
Youngmin's wife is showing her teeth?!
Honey... It's your time to step forward.
Expose your father's secret funds.
- Don't even think about it! - You said you'd save that to bring him down...
I was just talking, think I'd purposely go at my father's throat?
- How brave... - Ehh Ehh, stop prattling that nonsense.
If I ever betray Dad, my life as we know it is done.
Aigoo... Aigoo! You sounded as if you were on war footing...
All we need to do is scare him.
"Wow! If I don't do anything about him, it'll be trouble."
A little intimidation, and you'll suddenly see him become generous.
You woman... Almost got me sober.
Aigoo... What a man I've been blessed with...
They should know their place... Do they even know who they're dealing with?
Honey, starting tomorrow, we move on to Plan B, all right?
What would that be?
Act all submissive, and let him have it his way no matter what.
Smile. Smile!
Smile...
Didn't you have something to talk about?
Do it, then. It's all right.
Go ahead, Dad.
Minjae...
Will you forgive me?
I've been horrible to you.
I'm fine... Whatever you say.
I...
took this DNA test.
I knew.
That's what made you struggle so much.
I made you suffer for nothing.
Doctor Yoon was teasing me, saying I couldn't even recognize my son.
Did he... say I'm your son?
Every time I looked at you, I couldn't breathe.
Afraid you'd say what I most feared.
I've been going through hell all this time.
I better go.
It's true, right?
I'm really your son, right?
Dad...
Dad.
Mom, come open!
- We're home, Dad. - Help him here.
- Did he drink a lot? - Yes.
- What did you take? - We called a substitute driver.
- I'll get going, Mom. - Where are you going at this hour?
I need to work all night, we have some new equipment to set up.
See you, Mom.
Minjae, wait.
Minjae.
- Everything's all right, I hope? - Yes, Mom.
Go back inside, it's cold.
- Right... Be careful on your way back. - Yes.
I was about to lose it... Hearing you went to meet him at this hour.
- I went there to tell him. - Tell him what?
But the moment I saw him, I couldn't say a thing.
The results are out? Of the DNA test.
You keep your mouth shut, Minjae doesn't know a thing.
What did they say?
I told Minjae that he's my son.
You must not tell him no matter what.
If he finds out, Minjae and I are done.
- How can we hide that? It's been so long... - I said keep your mouth shut!
If my father finds out that Minjae is not my son,
I will lose Atlantic Group for good.
Do you think he'd let a complete stranger take over the group?
Both Minjae and I... Even you. We'll all be forsaken by him.
It was your dream.
Seeing your husband become owner of Atlantic Group.
So don't even hint at it.
You could have kept it to yourself, then.
- If I have to keep quiet about it, anyway... - We need to cope with this together.
It's the hell you created.
So we need to walk through those flames together.
Why did you quit?
Quit?! Youngmin Oppa kicked him out.
Think he didn't have a good enough reason to do so?
Listen to you... Like he needed a reason.
He can't even stand his own brother, think a stepbrother would be any different?
Dad... Youngmin Oppa is really going too far.
He even refuses to acknowledge me at work.
Really?
And I thought I was getting a department store?!
- He still hasn't given it to you? - No, Dad.
Heejeong! Bring me another bowl of soup.
Yes, Grandma.
Listen well, you two.
Keep prancing around the company, and you'll only embarrass the chairman.
You should know your place.
Why, are we not children of his?
Where is your husband, by the way?
He went to the prosecutor's office in the early morning.
- The trial is still going on? - Still?! It's barely started, Father.
Must be tough...
- Minjae, did you have breakfast? - Yes, I did.
Minjae, come have a seat. Have some warm rice.
I had some hangover soup with the boys at work.
- You spent the night at the practice range? - Yes.
I'll go take a shower, Grandpa.
Take a look at Minjae.
He quit his father's company and is working hard on his own.
You're supposed to be adults, and yet keep pestering him like spoiled brats.
Aigoo... If you're talking about the practice range, they're all partners there.
And you still let Minjae do all the work?
Always stir things your way, will you...
Keep eating and shut it. Always talking back every chance she gets...
Are you confident you can do it?
Can you treat him as if everything was the same?
From time to time I've even thought about it, while raising Minjae.
I'm not even his mother, so when he finds out, how is he going to treat me?
I never believed I could replace his mother.
So I guess that's the reason I resented Yang Insuk even more.
I spent the whole night thinking about it.
You never had to live with the thought that you weren't raising your own child.
Is it true that you're buying shares behind my father's back?
What for?
I can't just sit back while I get ruined,
it's not like anyone is there to protect me...
Aside from the holdings I inherited from my father,
the stocks I put under Minjae's name should be quite the figure already.
So let's gather all we can. Although it's a game we can't win.
You knew already? What your father was scheming.
Who could ever figure him out?
Right... Have you asked Mister Hong? About the name on that testament.
There is no way he would know. And even if he did, he would never tell me.
Honey...
We're on the same page, for a change?!
Dad.
- Leaving for work? - Yes.
- Grandpa is home, right? - Yes.
Dad.
- I had something to tell you. - Let's talk later.
Stop trying to argue with your father, Youngmin...
You must have really angered him, the other day.
All right.
I tried to push Mister Hong for an answer, about the testament.
He said you're the one!
So listen well.
How long do you think your father will last?
So just listen and do what he says for now, don't try to dig your own grave.
All right, Youngmin?
Answer me, you silly!
All right, Mother.
Why are you standing there?
Sneaking around like a thieving little cat...
I remember when you only had eyes for "your dear Youngjun"....
- Say what? - Was just talking to myself...
How rude... Now you even eavesdrop on your mother-in-law?
What I am supposed to do, prance around the house with earplugs?
Spare me the sarcasm. This has nothing to do with your husband.
I bet Nam Aeri would love to hear that...
What did I say, anyway?
So he wrote Youngmin's name on that testament?
I was just talking...
Youngmin keeps pestering the chairman, so I just said it.
I was just talking, too...
You need to stop being so nasty, that's what.
How can one be so greedy...
Youngjae's father is the eldest son here.
He might not be your son, but how can you treat him like that?
Just keep your mouth shut. If you want something out of this.
I just feel sorry for him.
He's in and out of prison in his father's place...
What else? It's not like I have any say in the matter.
Decide on this last one.
Have you ever asked permission for all those shenanigans of yours?
What's this?
You want Youngdae to take over the chairman's seat?
The group's debts have almost doubled in the last three years.
So that's supposed to be all my fault now?
If you just consider last year's expenses to build the shipyard...
You little... You want to oust your father?
It's time for you to step down.
For the group's sake, you should retire with your honor intact.
You really think you'll convince the board?
That is why I'm asking you to voluntarily retire.
I ought to...
If you don't, all those founding members will refuse to budge.
So you must step down, if the group is to be reborn.
Didn't you put me in charge with that goal in mind, anyway?
That is the reason why you must step down.
I will wait for your decision.
- You're still here? - I told you we need to talk.
Let's go.
What are you talking about?
- He told me to step down. - Youngmin?!
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread, that little...
Tell me.
It's all right, tell me.
Can't I get married?
There's no talking to Mom, so I'm asking you.
- It's not like it's urgent. - It is.
Was it just that?
Also, can't you take Uncle Youngshik back?
No.
He said he'll sell me the practice range on the cheap.
Dad...
It's my first favor as your son.
Let's give it some thought.
Thank you, Dad.
I'll get out here.
- Watch the traffic. - Thank you, Dad.
I told my father that we'd get married.
He's not like my mother, Ingi.
- What did he say? - That he'll think about it.
Minjae...
I have no intention of retiring.
You can still act even after our wedding.
I don't want to be mistreated by my in-laws like your mother was.
I have no intention of taking over my father's company.
My mother's just acting like that because of my grandfather's inheritance.
My father and his brothers are going at each other's throats over it.
Not to mention all their wives, my mother included.
Your mother said she'll send me to Hollywood.
- And you believe that? - As long as I break up with you.
Ingi...
Listen well.
I've been struggling over something, all this time.
I thought I wasn't really my father's son.
But it turns out I was, after all.
He took a DNA test.
And the results confirmed that I'm his son.
So from now on, my father will do any favor I ask him.
Is that so?
That's probably why my mother was so worried.
My father was suspecting me, so she didn't want to me to anger him.
That would have actually been better...
If you really weren't their son, you could have done as you wished.
I still can, Ingi.
I told you to trust me.
I do.
I trust everything you say. I always will.
Where have you been?
I met with Minjae.
Nice timing. President Yoon is here.
If you don't want to see her, I'll go get the car.
Sit.
It's a project Director Jang wrote, give it a read.
It'll cost us a lot more than I thought.
- Did you meet with Minjae? - How did you find out?
It's obvious. Who else would you meet, dressed like that?
I guess you were hiding in some cafe's corner hoping people wouldn't notice you.
But why do you even bother using caps?
Just go out as you are, like Hollywood stars do.
So you even complain about that?
Want me to guess why you all do that? Because you've got something to hide.
Your personal lives are a mess. Would chaebol clans possibly accept you?
Because chaebol are any better, right?
Go ahead and read it, I was just talking.
I'll go, whenever you're ready.
What does Minjae say?
He was happy about being his father's son.
So you took a DNA test behind his back?
It's not because we had suspicions...
It's just because an immense fortune is on the line.
Think about it... What if he got fooled by someone else's child?
Right after leaving him all that money.
- I even thought about it. - About what?
That if the DNA test said Minjae wasn't Youngmin's son,
I could just have let you two marry and sent you to the States.
How can you just say that to me so nonchalantly?
What's wrong with that?
You gave someone else's son all that affection,
and yet couldn't spare any for your own child?
Shall we take one of those tests, too? The results might prove otherwise.
Isn't that what you want to believe, deep down?
That might have been the case, if my sister hadn't raised you.
- So why don't you tell me? - What?
Who my father is.
I told you that meeting him would be useless, didn't I?
He's much nastier than you imagine.
What, more than parents who take DNA tests behind their children's back?
Do you resent it that much, the fact Minjae is your brother?
Even if Minjae wasn't his father's son, you'd still be out of the question.
- Why? We're not related. - But we are.
So go call those reporters.
And admit I'm your daughter.
- Again with that... - Wouldn't you be forced to divorce, then?
And if that happens, your relation with Minjae ends there.
- You'd just be some woman who raised him. - I'd first have to care about you to do that.
So before I change my mind, get ready to leave for the States.
Just think of it as having had blood ties in our past life.
Thinking we died and were born again is a much easier pill to digest, isn't it?
Director Park has been waiting for you.
You can go nag the chairman all you want.
Since I'm the only one who can get you the keys to that department store.
I'm well aware of that.
Glad you are.
- You're here? - Stocks were losing a little steam today?!
I guess General Nam is done selling.
Or maybe Chairman Kim is scheming something?
Did you bring it?
What do you think? It was for you, after all...
Thanks, Deokseong.
But why split it?
Let alone the chairman, even your husband doesn't know about this money.
One is for my sister, another for Minjae.
- And the remaining one? - My daughter.
Why?
- Thought you didn't care about her? - She's a wicked tramp.
So, why?
If anything happens to me, she'll end up on a street, too.
I've already ruined her life enough as it is.
- Still curious? - I guess I am.
The older you get, the more you think about kids.
Want to meet her?
Listen to you!
I actually was tired of hiding it, and thought I might just tell her.
- Is she really that wicked? - I totally pale in comparison.
Sure... Who could she take after...
You should go, Deokseong.
Be careful with this, it's not pocket money.
I'll get going.
Must be tough...
So one is for your sister, one for Minjae...
Who's the other one for?
Could it be Baek Ingi, by any chance?
Finally found the final piece of the puzzle.
Made of all the people you most care about.
Keep it up and I'll report you for blackmailing.
It'd only be a crime if I lied, is telling the truth considered a felony these days?!
Where did you hide it?
You think people still carry wires?
So how did you find out?
Stop worrying... Think I'd go around telling everyone?
What would that make of my department store?
But I wouldn't make me wait if I were you. I'm not exactly good at keeping secrets...
- Can you spare some time? - Is it urgent?
I'll wait out here, so come out when you're done.
No... Give me a minute.
How do I deal with that wench?
- Baek Ingi -
- What's all this? - Keep it for me.
Keep it safe, and should anything happen to me,
give one to Minjae, one to Baek Ingi...
I wrote who you should give them to.
What about the third one?
That's yours.
Just so you know.
Did anything happen?
Eonni...
My in-laws might kick me out.
Why?
Did they find out about Baek Ingi being your daughter?
One day they eventually will.
You'll find bonds and shares I bought in your name,
so you will never have to worry about money again.
I don't need any money.
Who can ever survive without money?
Don't let people look down on you.
Wear fancy clothes and spend money like everyone else.
Nayoung... What's wrong with you?
You sound like someone who's about to die.
I saved enough for me as well, think I'm giving you money out of my pocket?
Tell me what's wrong.
Minjae is not Youngmin's son.
I wasted my time all these years.
I wanted to raise him well and finally give Dad some peace...
Dad? Our father?!
- You're here, too? - Yes, Chairman.
Don't get up... Stay seated, fellas.
We're all getting old the same, why bother getting up?! Sit.
Let's see... How long has it been?!
I almost forgot your faces.
- Youngjun. - Yes, Father.
- Pass those bomb drinks around. - Yes.
I can't really see all too well these days, but aren't you Park Seonggu?
Yes, Chairman.
- You've gotten even older than me. - How could it be otherwise, Chairman?
- Why, is there any particular reason? - You disappoint us, Chairman.
- What are you waiting for? Those drinks. - Yes, Chairman!
Don't be like Dad, never let people look down on you.
Don't just swallow your pride.
Start acting all servile like him, and you'll never escape from that misery.
Did anything happen to him that I didn't know?
I didn't know a thing.
Tell me what happened to him.
You like Kim Youngjun, don't you?
Why would you bring him up...
I just envy you, that's all.
At least you like someone.
You liked Jungu Oppa, and now you've fallen for him.
Don't you have Minjae's father?
Eonni.
I have never had feelings for anyone.
I never sincerely loved anyone.
Nayoung.
- Why don't you do this? - What?
Do what?
Never mind, I was just thinking out loud.
Tell me... What would you like me to do?
Have dinner here, I'll fix it right away.
I need to go.
So it really can't work between Minjae and Ingi, right?
On second thought, I guess not.
- So I should just go rot in hell? - I just took that back.
What else does that sound like, telling me to let them get married?!
After kicking you out, now he wants me to leave.
It might be my son, but I'm just as disappointed as you are.
Still, what can you do?!
All those youngsters are pushing for their spots, can elders like us get in the way?
- Then, are you really stepping down? - Of course...
- This is crossing the line. - Give it a rest.
- Even the chairman is stepping down. - And I'm supposed to believe that.
- Director Jung! - Just let him be. He's just disappointed.
Chairman, just give us another drink.
Even you are stepping down, what could we possibly say?
Right, let me pour you a drink, and let bygones be bygones.
You really think I'm happy about all this?
Here... Director Jung.
Director Park.
Eonni.
Don't misunderstand.
Go live with Kim Youngjun only after I'm dead,
don't you try to make a mess and ruin me even more.
Nayoung... Why do you keep talking about dying?
You're making me nervous.
When I say "I'm dying," I don't mean physically.
Then?
Just saying that it'd be better dying than living like a miserable beggar.
I'll get going... Ohh. Keep those envelopes safe.
I'll take good care of them.
Seems like he cheered them all up. With just a few words.
I first started working for the chairman at his construction site in Saudi Arabia.
All the employees there would take a few trucks at night, and go see the desert.
And the chairman would come as well.
Drinking wasn't allowed there, so what else could we do?!
We'd drink the night away, the chairman and us...
It still feels like yesterday.
Here.
I don't think you'll see anyone else have trotters and soju in here?!
Having to eat all this behind the doctor's back is killing me.
What did they ask you?
Seems like the prosecutors are starting to go after my father.
Why is that?
I suppose they finally smelled something wasn't right.
Why didn't you throw them a few bones, while you were there?
You did?
Just helped them smell the goods a little, enough to scare Dad.
Get this out of the way. Quick... Quick!
The things I have to do to feed myself...
Just a moment!
All sticky, dammit...
I was wondering who it could be. Come on in.
- Ahh... Aigoo... - Honey, your brother is here.
Those damn medicines will kill me.
- Youngmin, it's you? - Did it get worse?
Why, when prosecutors summon you, do you get treated decently?
They pester you all day, crippling you in the process.
- Honey... Help me up. - Just stay down.
No... My dear brother is here, I should get up.
Ca.... Ca..... Careful, dammit! Be gentle... Aww...
- My entire body is killing me. - Drop the act, will you?
Like anyone would care if you're suffering...
So, what brings you here? You were curious, I bet?
At next week's shareholder's meeting, I'll announce you as our new chairman.
You'll announce what?
I got permission from Dad as well.
I mean... In this state, how can I?!
Looks like the prosecutors will suspend your sentence.
Really?
Justice prevails, after all. Looks like they're finally acknowledging you.
I see...
So that must be why the prosecutors today were a little... soft?!
Take a good rest in the meantime, Hyungnim.
Wait, Youngmin.
Don't force me to get involved in your fight.
On the condition that I would let you become chairman, I made Dad promise.
- Promise what? - Is he really stepping down for good, Youngmin?
Why, did you make that deal while I was away?
Take good care of yourself. I'll see you later.
What's wrong with you? I'm so happy I want to dance.
- Wait a minute, Honey. - No need to think about it.
Just sit on that chairman's seat and refuse to budge.
It's obvious what's going on.
Your father is throwing you in between your two brothers,
so that later he can manipulate you.
That must be it...
I suppose?!
- So he's just using me, that's it? - Right. Why make it so complicated?!
But what I'm wondering is, whose idea was this?
Was it Youngmin or my father?
We need to find that out, if you want to avoid getting screwed again.
Yong.
I'm going. I'll leave things to you.
Yes, Boss.
Mom.
What are you doing here? Came to drive me home?
- Yeah. - You could have called and told me to hurry.
Can the boss here get off whenever he pleases?
All the better... It's cold, so I really wasn't in the mood for any subway.
- You ride the subway? - Or a taxi, buses...
Let's go, Mom.
Mom... Can we go get something to eat on the way?
Just go home, your grandfather is waiting.
Mom...
All right. Let's do that.
You must have been hungry.
Running a business is not what I thought.
Some days, you don't even have time to eat.
Eat, it's good.
- Minjae. - I know...
How worried you were all this time.
Mom...
Are you all right, now? Happy that you're your father's son?
Of course. Dad has been really kind to me, too.
You know how awkward it's been all these years.
It upset you, didn't it? Hearing that he took a DNA test.
It makes me feel terrible.
He did the right thing, anyway.
What if he kept postponing it? We'd still be struggling.
Don't you agree?
Right.
You're right.
Mom, why are you always crying?
If those results said I wasn't Dad's son, you would have drowned us all in tears.
Yeah... I would.
Awww... I'm so embarrassed I'm afraid I can't go out with you anymore.
Smile, Mom.
Smile.
Thank you, Mom.
Want me to take you to work tomorrow?
- We'd get used to it, then. - I'm always free in the morning.
Mom... I love you.
- Grandpa! - Where are you going in such a hurry?
To work, I'm late.
Late as you might be, the boss never runs.
Use your head and help your employees make money for you.
- Come have a cup of tea with me. - Grandpa, I'm really late... Grandpa!
Grandpa... I mean it.
Sounds to me like it's not work, but a date with that Baek Ingi?!
No... I'm meeting Ingi in the evening.
- You date often these days? - Of course...
- You like her that much? - You said you like her, too!
Sure.
He said he was late, why did you bring him back in?
- Go ahead, Minjae. - Yes, Grandma.
Aigoo...
Aigoo, that rascal...
You really adore him that much, Chairman?
Didn't I tell you?
On his first birthday, I went to New York with that fortuneteller.
You did?!
I had her read Minjae's fortune, back then.
The moment she saw him, she bowed down immediately.
You never told me.
She said this.
"I see money all over his face."
He's all delicate and sweet, that's not the look of a tycoon.
She said his destiny is that of becoming one of the world's richest men.
- Is that why you like his so much? - Are fortunetellers ever wrong?
She never got a single thing wrong the last twenty years.
Ahh... But she said it was at a condition.
That he'd have to overcome a big obstacle between the age of 20 and 25.
- Then... It's now?! - Right.
- Aigoo... Better go get changed. - Are you going out?
- I have an appointment for lunch. - You still have time, then.
Going to take my time and have some fun.
This way, please.
- Please wait here a moment. - Thank you.
Come on in.
- I made you wait, didn't I? - No.
- It took me a while to find this place. - I'm sorry.
- Shall we go have lunch somewhere? - No... I ordered a cup of tea already.
- Coffee, please. - Yes.
You must be busy... I'm sorry for bothering you.
Don't you even mention it. I found the perfect excuse to meet you.
So, what is it?
You'll pardon me for asking, but I was wondering if anything happened to my sister.
- Yoon Nayoung? - Yes...
She's been acting differently as of late.
I don't really know the details, but it must be a little tough for her.
Is it true that she lost her father-in-law's favors?
Be honest and tell me.
Whatever it might be, it's all right.
Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand.
But don't worry.
She's going to overcome this.
My sister is not a bad person.
It's life that made her do those things, deep down she's a kind and caring person.
- Have you ever resented your sister? - Who, me?
Didn't she take happiness away from you, after all?
She didn't... I was already in love with someone else.
I think I might have gone too far.
Let's go have lunch.
Let's first finish the coffee.
She's here, Chairman.
Did I make you wait?
- No. - Have a seat.
- We'll eat a little bit later. - Yes, Chairman.
- Come when I call you. - Certainly, Chairman.
You really want to marry Minjae?
I'm asking if you really intend to marry him.
Someone who went through all that should know that it's not going to happen?!
So you know already?
Minjae is still just a boy.
I don't want to hurt his feelings.
What are you trying to say?
And that's why I must honor that promise, Chairman.