Chapter 220
Chapter 220
A silence descended within the meeting room, which was broken by Jimin’s sonorous voice .
“Mr . Sungyoon cut right to the point . We have no plans on doing business with Daesung Energy . ”
“I heard there was a misunderstanding between Mr . Woo Sungyoon and my son, so Mr . Sungyoon’s reaction is understandable . However, it is surprising to hear such a statement from the president of a company . Is it because you’re still young? This is business . You have to think about profit and the interest of your company, and avoid making decisions based on personal feelings . ”
Hooyoung was barely maintaining a smile as he spoke . However, Jimin’s expression remained the same as she answered him .
“Jungbum wasn’t established to do business . That’s why we don’t care about profit . ”
“Profit isn’t your goal? What nonsense . . . ! Then why are you running your company?”
Hooyoung’s words turned a little rough, but Sungyoon replied to them instead of Jimin .
“Raiding the Great Labyrinth . ”
It was a short phrase, yet everyone understood what he meant .
“That’s right . Ultimately, my company’s goal is to raid the Great Labyrinth . I’m sorry to say this here, but our moonstone business is only a means to replenish our resources for this goal . ”
Some were impressed by her bold words, while others were offended . However, one thing was certain . No one objected to what she had said .
“Look at what she is spouting! Do none of you have anything to say? This woman thinks running a business is a joke!”
Hooyoung had spoken forcefully in order to get others to agree with him . However, Jimin continued without blinking .
“You have no right to interfere with how I do my business . Even if others object to it, we will not bend our knee . We will do as we like . ”
No one spoke out against her . They neither took Jimin’s side nor sided with Hooyoung . The people in the meeting room took a wait and see approach .
The Connector companies hoped the Minister would accept Jimin’s stance as it would set precedence and strengthen their rights .
On the other hand, the moonstone processing companies were already in a tough spot because of the moonstone shortage . If they made the wrong move, they were at risk to lose access to the moonstones provided by Jungbum . Therefore, they were worried about crossing her .
Hooyoung became very frustrated when there was no response in his favor . The situation had betrayed his expectations . Moreover, he had misjudged the goal of Jungbum and Sungyoon .
This time Hooyoung turned to look at the Minister even though he knew the Minister wasn’t the answer to his problems .
In fact, the Minister was adamant about avoiding the feud .
‘If things go wrong, and he switches nationality . . . ’
Sungyoon was a 1st Gen capable of operating within the Great Labyrinth . On top of that, he was a hero to the whole world . His growth rate was astonishing . Many countries wanted him; the main one being the US . The US was the world leader, and they were at the forefront of technology with enormous capital at their disposal .
He was also very popular in Britain . After the attack on London, Princess Grace had joined his party, and it had the effect of keeping his popularity high in her country .
Sungyoon’s party also had two natives from Canada .
Aside from these countries, many more wanted Sungyoon .
If Sungyoon declared his desire to change his nationality, these countries would bring everything to the table to entice him .
‘He hasn’t shown any desire to change his nationality, but it was said that he wouldn’t hesitate to change it if given a reason . ’
The Minister thought about the information he had about Sungyoon .
If he unnecessarily offended Sungyoon and the Connector changed his nationality, the Minister would lose his job . His political career would be put in jeopardy .
“Let’s end the meeting for today . I’ve heard all your concerns . When we meet next, we can work toward finding a solution that everyone can accept . ”
The Minister quickly ended the meeting, and everyone trickled out of the room . Sungyoon and Jimin stood up in order to leave .
“... Let’s go!”
Hooyoung glared at Sungyoon and Jimin one more time before departing with Jaeho in tow . Jaeho refused to meet Sungyoon’s eyes . He silently looked forward as he crossed the door .
***
“You dumb bastard!”
As soon as they got into the car, Hooyoung berated Jaeho .
Jaeho closed his eyes .
“Is this how you conduct your business? How did you let it get this bad?”
Hooyoung kept a public image that made him look magnanimous . However, it was only a mask . He was cold and heartless . It was apparent where Jaeho had gotten his personality from .
“We could barely lay down the foundation of our moonstone processing company, yet you dare ruin it like this!”
“It isn’t completely dead . ”
Jaeho tried to come up with an excuse .
“I hope so! If that isn’t the case, you can forget about becoming the successor . In fact, I might just disown you!”
Jaeho felt a chill run down his spine . Hooyoung didn’t speak any further, but Jaeho knew he couldn’t relax .
‘Father is serious . ’
The furious Hooyoung had given Jaeho a task and then shown zero interest . It meant that Hooyoung was really giving Jaeho his last chance .
‘I have to succeed somehow . ’
Hooyoung didn’t know about Jaeho’s investment into Gagarin·Yang city . Jaeho had lost everything in that investment .
’If he finds out about that . . . ’
Jaeho’s body shook .
‘I have to pull this off somehow . Even if I can’t return the company to its former glory, I have to find a way to at least make it functional . . . ’
While an unpleasant silence deepened between the two, the car smoothly drove toward their destination .
***
Jaeho entered his office, took off his necktie, and violently threw it on the ground .
“Fuck!”
His office that had felt like a throne to his kingdom in the past was basically his jail now . However, Jaeho soon centered himself .
‘It’s fine, Lee Jaeho! This is your final tribulation! If I pass this with flying colors, Father will see that I can manage a crisis! I’ll be one step closer to receiving the keys to the company . I’ll be ahead of my brothers . ’
Like the famous quote that went ’in the midst of every crisis, lies a great opportunity’, Jaeho was trying to spin his situation into a positive . But his thoughts were cut off by the ringing of his phone .
Jaeho frowned when he saw the name displayed on the phone . He was about to end the call, but he changed his decision at the last second .
“What is it?”
His poor mood was reflected in his voice . Those familiar with him would have ended the call if they heard his voice right now . However, the person on the other side of the phone had a thick skin . She wasn’t someone that would back off so easily .
- It’s me .
“What do you want again!”
Jaeho’s annoyance with her was revealed in his voice . He had just come back after being humiliated by Sungyoon, and Miyun’s voice made him think about Sungyoon again .
- I’m calling about my father’s company . Are you really going to end the contract?
“You are tiresome . Are you still talking about that?”
When it came to money, Miyu was tenacious .
“I’ll tell you this for the last time . Clean out your ears and listen! I have no intention of doing business with your bitch of a father! I will never form a contract with his shitty company! Get your head out of your ass, and stop calling me! If you love money that much, go sell your body!”
Without waiting for a response, Jaeho ended the call .
“That bitch doesn’t know her place . ”
However, he felt a bit better after unloading his anger .
‘That piece of shit was useful for something . ’
With a calm mind, Jaeho started thinking about his future plans .
***
Ddoo! Ddoo! Ddoo!
The robotic disconnect tone hit her ears . Miyun kept her phone on her ear even though the call had ended . However, nothing changed, and she kept hearing the disconnect tone repeating itself .
Miyun finally ended the call . She had listened to Jaeho’s abuse and experienced being cut off, yet her expression was unexpectedly calm . She stood up and went to her desk . After taking out a key from her pocket, she opened the lowest drawer .
Her hands grabbed a thick stack of paper . Miyun then took out her phone and dialed a number . However, this number didn’t belong to Jaeho .
- What do you want?
The cold voice of a woman responded to the call as Miyun firmly bit her lips .
***
Miyun stood at the entrance of the cafe and looked at her surroundings . She soon found the people she was looking for . Her high heels clicked as she walked toward the table .
Tuhl-suhk!
She roughly threw her bag in the empty seat next to her and looked at the man and woman sitting in front of her .
“It seems you aren’t in a good mood . ”
The contents of these words expressed concern, but the tone of the voice made it clear that she was taunting her . Miyun did her best to avoid the ridicule on Jimin’s face .
“It’s none of your business . ”
“All right . Would you like a cup of coffee? I can buy you that . ”
“I don’t feel like drinking coffee with the two of you . ”
In the past, Miyun had an easygoing and impudent personality . However, all that was nowhere to be seen around the current Miyun . In fact, one could see her cold demeanor and a venomous air around her .
“As you’ve requested, Mr . Sungyoon didn’t speak to the media . We did that for free, so why are you in such a bad mood?”
Jimin continued to antagonize Miyun, but the latter remained silent . Miyun just took out an envelope from her handbag and threw it on the table .
“How much are you willing to give me for this?”
“Is this what I think it is?”
“Stop playing around . ”
Jimin was about to touch the documents when Miyun snatched it back .
“You have to give me the money first . ”
“We don’t know if it’s real, yet you want us to give you the money?”
“Please transfer the money first . Then I’ll hand it over right afterward . ”
Jimin looked at Miyun for a brief moment, then nodded .
“Alright . If it’s fake, I can just recover the money by suing you . How much?”
“Twenty million dollars . ”
It was an astronomical figure . Miyun expected Sungyoon and Jimin to reject the offer and was prepared to lower to figure if push came to shove .
However, their reactions were out of her expectations .
Sungyoon—who had crossed his arms and remained silent all this time—pressed a number on his phone . It connected him to his bank . After a short conversation with them, Sungyoon turned toward Miyun .
“I sent it . ”
“Really?”
Since the amount was so high, Miyun became suspicious . Sungyoon frowned at her reaction .
“Do you think I’m like you guys? If you’re suspicious, you can check your bank account . ”
Miyun opened her phone and did exactly that . Sungyoon was right, and she gulped when she saw the overwhelming figure of twenty million dollars in her bank account .
“I’ll take this now . ”
Jimin took the documents, and Miyun didn’t stop her this time . After taking out the documents, Jimin went over them with Sungyoon .
When Miyun looked at their faces that were right next to each other, a complicated expression appeared on her face . If she hadn’t betrayed Sungyoon, she would be the one sitting next to him . He was a man that could hand out twenty million dollars without blinking an eye .
She could imagine herself wearing designer clothes and carrying an expensive bag while standing next to Sungyoon with a pretentious smile on her face . However, that scene would only appear in her mind .
“It’s genuine . ”
Sungyoon had finished looking over the documents . The paper was indeed a copy of the contract between him and Jaeho .
“I’ll be going now . ”
Miyun no longer wanted to converse with the two of them .
“Wait a moment . ”
Sungyoon stopped Miyun from getting up .
“There is something more important . ”
Sungyoon shook the envelope .
“What are you talking about?”
“Give me the waiver to disestablish maternity for Shinhae . ”
‘I forgot about that . Maybe, I could string him along and extract more money from him using this?’
Miyun had to change her mind when she saw Sungyoon’s face .
“I will never budge on this . If you do anything stupid, you’ll be very sorry . ”
Even if they were monsters, Sungyoon’s job was to kill living creatures . The pushover from the past had vanished, and he had been replaced by a scary man .
If this had happened in the past, Miyun would have shamelessly walked out without giving in to his demands . However, she had gone through a lot recently, and it had tired her . She gulped as she opened her mouth .
“... I understand . ”
On that day, Miyun lost all her rights toward Shinhae .
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