novelraw Chapter 124: The Truth of the Rumor (7)
Chapter 124: The Truth of the Rumor (7)
The commotion in the conference room showed no signs of subsiding for a while.
The day felt like a storm, as the executives' anger, shock, and suspicion toward one another became intertwined.
At that moment, Chief Secretary Kang Cheol-woo, who had been quietly keeping his seat, slowly stood up.
The flow of air changed in an instant at his single word.
“I think enough discussion has taken place by now.”
The buzzing subsided, and Kang Cheol-woo continued speaking while making eye contact with the executives.
“The essence of this place today is clear. It is whether the controversy raised regarding the operation of Taeseong Department Store is true. And it is to clarify who is responsible for that.”
After taking a moment to catch his breath, he spoke again with emphasis.
“Therefore, I think we should now gather opinions by a show of hands. Those who believe President Lim Hye-seon is involved with Jeong Tae-jun, please raise your hands.”
The conference room became silent.It was obvious that the direction of this fight would be decided by who raised their hand first.
The executives were busy gauging each other’s reactions.
No one tried to raise their hand first.
Even those who usually maintained a close relationship with President Lim Do-hyun chose silence while avoiding eye contact this time.
It was because everyone knew there was nothing to be gained by raising an objection to a matter that had already reached a conclusion in the prosecution's investigation.
Furthermore, the recording file released just a moment ago dealt a decisive blow to Lim Do-hyun’s position.
In such a situation, raising a hand for him was no different from declaring that they would go into the grave together with President Lim Do-hyun.
Because of that thought, none of the executives raised their hand.
In the end, even any loyal figures could not find a reason to defend Lim Do-hyun.
Only silence flowed through the conference room, and no one moved.
Chief Secretary Kang Cheol-woo watched the executives' reaction and then opened his mouth again.
This time, it was in a clearer tone.
“No one is raising their hand. Then, I will understand that your opinions have been gathered as one.”
No one refuted.
Kang Cheol-woo announced as if reaching a conclusion.
“Therefore, this executive meeting confirms that the suspicion of President Lim Hye-seon and President Jeong Tae-jun being involved is groundless and will officially conclude this.”
With this, the meeting ended.
Lim Hye-seon wore a satisfied expression at the result, and only Lim Do-hyun and Lee Tae-jun stood up and left the conference room.
The meeting had officially ended, but the atmosphere was still buzzing.
While Lim Hye-seon sat and quietly caught her breath, several executives approached first, bowing their heads and offering a word each.
“President, you truly worked hard.”
“I can only admire the appearance you showed at today’s meeting.”
The words were formal praise, but their expressions were different.
Until now, they had considered President Lim Do-hyun as the most likely next head, but as of today, they came to see Lim Hye-seon in a new light.
Even those who had chosen silence while gauging each other just a moment ago were now clearly recognizing who the winner was.
The world of the law of the jungle did not only exist in the jungle.
This place was the same.
Another executive went one step further and raised his voice.
“I believe President Lim Hye-seon is the most suitable person to lead Taeseong in the future. Did today’s meeting not prove that fact!”
At those words, some around him nodded and added.
“That is right, President. If it were not for the President, would Taeseong have been able to stand upright.”
“We will assist you with all our might in the future as well.”
In an instant, the conference room was dyed with nothing but flattery.
It was a moment when the nature of those who quickly lowered themselves to survive was clearly revealed.
Chief Secretary Kang Cheol-woo also slowly approached, bowed his waist, and offered a short but meaningful word.
“You went through a lot of trouble today, President. I will also firmly guard the path ahead.”
Hye-seon smiled slightly, but the emotions contained within it were complex.
The sweet taste of victory lingered in her mouth, but at the same time, she knew better than anyone that this fight, which was no different from a mudflat, was not over yet.
She quietly looked around before stopping her gaze.
I was in that spot.
Hye-seon walked to the spot where I was and spoke quietly.
“Hyunjun, if it were not for you today… we would not have obtained such a result. I am truly thankful.”
I nodded calmly.
At the moment Hye-seon conveyed her gratitude to me, I suddenly recalled the event from a few days ago.
***
A few days ago, Manager Bae Jeong-su was called out by Executive Director Lee Tae-jun and received instructions.
Manager Bae Jeong-su maintained his composure on the surface, but his hands were trembling minutely.
He judged that it was not a task he could handle alone, but he had no choice.
Then, he unburdened this fact to a close colleague.
However, he had no idea at all that this matter would grow this large.
Manager Jo Tae-ho, who heard from Manager Bae Jeong-su, contacted Senior Managing Director Jeong Seong-pil.
He immediately sent an address.
After parting with Bae Jeong-su, Jo Tae-ho took a taxi to the address Senior Managing Director Jeong Seong-pil had provided.
The place he arrived at was a coffee shop in the quiet countryside.
A somewhat doubtful thought occurred to him, but he only guessed that he must have chosen such a place on purpose out of concern for the seriousness of the matter.
The coffee shop was a modest place.
Fitting for a place built with old-fashioned bricks, the signboard was also shabby.
Upon entering, the faint scent of wood was felt.
Beyond the large window, a calm lake was visible, and ripples shimmered in the wind, sparkling as they caught the sunlight.
As Jo Tae-ho entered the coffee shop, the figure sitting in a corner seat by the window caught his eye.
It was Senior Managing Director Jeong Seong-pil.
He had already arrived and was in the middle of drinking coffee.
“Tae-ho, over here.”
“Yes, Senior Managing Director. Hello.”
Jeong Seong-pil laughed awkwardly as if feeling embarrassed.
“Hey, are we still 'Senior Managing Director' between us? Are you going to be like this after we spoke casually to each other since the old days.”
Jo Tae-ho also wore an embarrassed expression and countered.
“Still, right now I am a manager, and aren't you a senior managing director? Telling me to be comfortable is more uncomfortable for me. Other words might be heard later on, too.”
“Huh huh, you still have that same temperament. Teasing for no reason.”
“What is wrong with my temperament? I am just saying it is like that for me.”
At Jo Tae-ho's voice speaking as if grumbling, Jeong Seong-pil let out a laugh for a moment.
“Anyway, you make a person feel amused in many ways. Then just do as you used to.”
“Yes, yes. I shall.”
At that time, coffee that had not been ordered came out.
Perhaps Jeong Seong-pil had ordered it in advance.
A brief silence flowed, and the two looked out the window.
He felt as if the wind brushing over the lake was seeping into the coffee shop.
The calm atmosphere made a person feel good.
Jeong Seong-pil asked with a smile.
“This place is good, right?”
“Thanks to you, I get to see a good place. I should be working hard at this time.”
“Actually, I also came here for the first time today.”
At the words that it was his first time, Jo Tae-ho wore an expression of being dumbfounded.
Whether he did or not, Jeong Seong-pil asked.
“I heard Manager Bae Jeong-su did that? Tell me in detail.”
Since there was no need to hesitate now, Jo Tae-ho opened his mouth without reservation.
“Just now, Manager Bae was called in by Executive Director Lee Tae-jun. So I thought his mood would be spoiled again. He told him to figure out the cash flow of Taeseong Department Store's overseas subsidiaries. What else could that be.”
Jeong Seong-pil snorted in disbelief.
“That dog Lee Tae-jun has gone completely crazy.”
“It would be a relief if he only went crazy. This is telling Bae Jeong-su to either leave the company or commit a crime. Honestly, where is there anything to find even if you shake down Taeseong Department Store. Isn't President Lim Hye-seon usually meticulous?”
“Right, as for shaking down President Lim Hye-seon. There is nothing but dust.”
Jo Tae-ho chatted away excitedly.
“This means he wants him to bring it even if he has to fabricate it to put it on the executive meeting this time….”
Jeong Seong-pil nodded with a bitter expression and said,“That is how it is. If what was presented as evidence is eventually fake, is the game not already over?”
Jo Tae-ho lowered his voice.
“Manager Bae is in a dilemma right now. He told me as much. If he does not do this, he will be cut out, and if he does, he becomes a criminal. It is truly difficult.”
Jeong Seong-pil took a sip of coffee and set it down.
“That is why I called you here after hearing that story. This is not a problem that can just be overlooked.”
Jo Tae-ho laughed awkwardly.
“Ayy, it is a matter that is only possible for someone like you, Senior Managing Director. What could a person like me do.”
Jeong Seong-pil smiled meaningfully.
“You will find out about that in a little bit.”
Ding-ling.
The bell attached to the coffee shop door rang.
The gaze of the two turned toward that direction.
Two men in suits came inside.
They were people Jo Tae-ho also knew.
No, it was impossible not to know.
How could he not know me?
It was even more impossible not to know if one was a person working at Taeseong.
While he gaped in surprise, Jeong Seong-pil stood up from his seat.
“Over here.”
Jo Tae-ho unconsciously swallowed his breath.
I and Choi Seo-jun walked toward them.
Even when Jo Tae-ho arrived here, it was something he had not thought of.
Even though it was a coffee shop in a quiet place, there were no customers other than Jeong Seong-pil.
Since the matter was what it was, he had not thought much of it, thinking he must have chosen a quiet place.
However, if it were the representative of HJ Partners, the story was different.
If I were to step forward.
The thought occurred to him that perhaps the matter might be resolved even better than with Senior Managing Director Jeong Seong-pil.
Jo Tae-ho swallowed his dry saliva and awkwardly stood up from his seat, bowing his waist deeply toward me, who exuded a strange atmosphere despite my young age.
“H, hello!”
“Nice to meet you, I am Lim Hyunjun.”
“I am Director Choi Seo-jun.”
Jo Tae-ho grasped the hand I held out with both of his hands.
Then, he acted the same way with Choi Seo-jun.
It was a somewhat excessive action, but the gap between the two was just that much.
“It is an honor!”
“The honor is mine, I have heard a lot of stories about Manager Jo Tae-ho from Senior Managing Director Jeong Seong-pil. I am glad to see you like this. Now, shall we sit?”
“Yes!”
Jo Tae-ho acted like a new recruit whose discipline was strictly set.
Jeong Seong-pil, who could not watch any longer, chuckled and said.
“Tae-ho, are you nervous?”
“N, no!”
“He is nervous. He is nervous. He probably did not know the Representative and the Director would come out. I did not tell him.”
I turned my head to look at the lake for a moment and said.
“Is this place not very good? I found there is no place like this. It is quiet, so it is also good for sharing stories. Your heart becomes comfortable when you look at water like this, after all.”
“Yes, that is right!”
Everyone burst into laughter at Jo Tae-ho's answer.
I took a sip of tea and brought up the main point.
“I have heard the gist of it from Senior Managing Director Jeong. But I wanted to hear it directly. That is why I came to see you.”
Jo Tae-ho felt sweat trickling down his spine because he was so nervous.
“Yes, I will tell you as I know… no, exactly as it is.”
Jo Tae-ho took a moment to catch his breath and sensed that the moment had come when he had to pour out everything he knew.
He told me everything exactly as he had heard from Manager Bae Jeong-su.
The more I heard the story, the colder my eyes became.
“This time, my uncle has crossed the line quite severely.”
No one could make any reaction to those words.
I said to Manager Jo Tae-ho as if to wrap things up.
“I have heard Manager Jo Tae-ho’s story well. Would you please convey this to Manager Bae Jeong-su soon? That we will help him.”