novelraw Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Chairman Lemond did not continue speaking for a long while.
In the quiet reception room, even the small sound of teacups clinking resonated clearly.
He muttered in a low voice.
“A strategic axis….”
Lemond'
s gaze slowly moved from the teacup toward Nam Jae-heon.
It was a look where suspicion and curiosity were subtly intertwined.
“A corporate vision is beautiful in words, but in the end, it is proven through results. The reason PREZO has endured the past century…. Is because there was actually honest technology and philosophy.”
Lemond slowly leaned back and placed his hand on the armrest.
“If you people truly have the will to respect that philosophy and be together, I am willing to work with you.”
Nam Jae-heon did not avoid the gaze.He looked into Chairman Lemond'
s eyes with a look full of confidence.
“We will take responsibility and carry it on.”
At those words, Lemond nodded his head shortly and then called for his secretary.
“Receive the materials from Vice Chairman Nam'
s party and review them.”
He turned his head and threw a final word at Vice Chairman Nam Jae-heon.
“Today'
s meeting was not bad. However, I hope we can share a conversation regarding the technical parts next time.”
At Lemond'
s words, Nam Jae-heon bowed his head to show respect.
“Next time, I will prepare perfectly, considering even those parts.”
He stood up from his seat with a relaxed smile.
The secretary and interpreter followed quietly behind.
Until the moment the door closed, Lemond did not stand up from his seat.
The reception room was left alone.
Lemond quietly raised the teacup.
The warmth of the teacup was delivered to his fingertips, but a strange weight flickered on his forehead.
He slowly closed and then reopened his eyes.
A small sigh flowed along with his breath.
“It has finally come to this.”
The words muttered in a low voice were not meant to be heard by or shown to anyone.
It was just like a final cry to steady himself.
Lemond looked at an old photograph placed on the corner of the desk.
In it, the younger version of himself and colleagues who were putting their heads together over design blueprints at the time were laughing.
“This company that we stayed up all night to protect is now apparently going to be sold.”
He closed and then opened his eyes.
Fatigue accumulated over long years leaked out like a sigh.
The situation PREZO faced was clear.
There was no longer any room to drag out time.
If he just held onto his pride, he could lose the entire company.
Lemond quietly held his forehead.
He stood up from his seat and walked to the window.
Outside the window, the sky of Paris, where the sun was setting, was being dyed red.
Below it, the PREZO test track was visible in the distance.
“…I don'
t want to let go of this company yet.”
The telephone placed on the table rang.
He returned slowly and picked up the receiver.
“The reports you mentioned have arrived, Chairman. They are the liquidity status of the French headquarters and the cash flow data of the European headquarters.”
“Bring them in.”
A moment later, the secretary knocked and entered.
A file was held in his hands.
Lemond sat quietly at his desk and checked the documents.
The moment he turned the first page, his eyebrows trembled minutely.
[Net profit decreased by 47% compared to the previous quarter.]
[Market share in the European market fell by 2.1%.]
[300 million Euro loan maturing starting from October.]
Every single figure was a reality that dug into his very bones.
“At this rate, it will be difficult to endure even this quarter.”
He held his forehead.
In the frame placed on one side of the desk, the younger version of himself and his colleagues laughing felt exceptionally distant.
In the past, he believed that if there was technology, the future would open up.
But now was a period when both technology and ideals quietly knelt before the logic of capital.
Lemond stood up and walked slowly to the window again.
“There is no time. I have to make a decision now….”
What remained now was not pride but the continuation of the company that had lasted for decades.
Suddenly, the gaze of Nam Jae-heon, whom he had met a moment ago, came to his mind.
He also felt a cold-headedness from the man who appeared full of self-confidence.
‘Can that East Asian person truly lead this company well?’
Lemond muttered to himself and looked at the burning red sky for a long while before turning back as if he had made up his mind.
His steps no longer hesitated.
He picked up the receiver and spoke shortly.
“Please convene the board of directors. To the headquarters meeting room tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM…. Contact all directors with voting rights so that every single one attends.”
After a moment of silence, the secretary asked in a cautious voice.
“Chairman, what should I say the agenda is?”
Lemond'
s answer was resolute.
“We will discuss the transfer of management rights. Announce it like that.”
After hanging up the phone, Lemond returned to his seat and sat down.
A moment later, the Chief Financial Officer and the head of the legal team were called in one after another.
The two, who entered in a hurry at the contact that there was an important meeting, looked at Lemond with tensed faces.
Lemond opened his mouth first.
“I have decided to hold a board meeting tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM. I plan to make a decision at the board meeting. If there are no particular issues, I intend to negotiate with Daehan Group. Discussion of management transfer will be included.”
The Chief Financial Officer'
s gaze shook momentarily.
“Chairman, some of the directors are still thinking about the possibility of independent recovery. Management transfer could cause considerable backlash.”
Lemond nodded his head.
It was a reaction he had already expected.
“That is why I need you all. You know why we have no choice but to bring this decision forward. I will persuade them too, but I ask for materials that can support it.”
The head of the legal team asked carefully.
“I understand that specific conditions from the Daehan side have not been delivered yet. To what extent do you plan to share at tomorrow'
s meeting?”
Lemond tapped the table lightly with his finger and said.
“Be sure to mention intent to invest, technology linkage plans, and the employment succession part. Because it'
s not that we are giving up on the company, but only the method of protecting it has changed.”
The Chief Financial Officer nodded quietly.
“I understand. I will organize the data and submit it by tonight.”
Lemond stood up quietly and said toward the two.
“If we cannot make a decision tomorrow, this company will not be able to endure even for a few months. This is not a matter of pride but a matter of survival.”
A moment of silence lingered.
Lemond added a final word.
“Tomorrow'
s board meeting will be the day that decides the life or death of this company. And if we have truly loved this company, it is a time when we must be that much cold-hearted.”
His voice was calm, but a heavy resolve was contained within it.
The door closed quietly, and darkness began to descend slowly over the headquarters building.
***
The following morning, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
The fatigue of a long-distance flight was smeared on their faces, but the gazes of the two men were still sparkling.
Choi Seo-jun and Chief Oh Young-tae shared a short conversation as they exited the airport gate.
“How do you plan to move?”
“Let'
s move by taxi. It takes about 40 minutes to the PREZO headquarters.”
Oh Young-tae nodded and asked.
“Did you contact the PREZO side?”
“Since I contacted them in advance saying we are arriving today. I plan to notify them again right before arrival.”
Choi Seo-jun nodded and let out a short breath.
Tension lingered in his expression.
“Daehan won'
t move faster than expected, right?”
“That is also a possibility.”
The two went outside the airport and got into a waiting taxi.
As the car started, Oh Young-tae recalled Chairman Lemond'
s personal contact number.
The only thing that was heard in his ear after pressing the call button immediately was a long-ringing signal.
[The call cannot be connected. Please try again later.]
Oh Young-tae said quietly while lowering his cellphone.
“I tried calling Chairman Lemond'
s personal contact, but he isn'
t answering.”
Choi Seo-jun'
s gaze narrowed.
“Surely….”
“I have a bad feeling.”
The grey buildings of Paris passing beyond the window felt more unfamiliar than ever.
“A conclusion must not be reached before we arrive.”
Chief Oh Young-tae nodded slightly at Choi Seo-jun'
s words.
The taxi increased its speed and sped toward downtown Paris.
Their hunch was not wrong.
At that time, in the meeting room of the PREZO headquarters, the directors were gathered and coordinating their differences in opinion with Chairman Lemond on the agenda of ‘negotiations regarding management rights with Daehan’.
While the taxi was speeding toward the PREZO headquarters, the inside of the car was submerged in a heavy silence.
Choi Seo-jun could not just stay still with his hands folded like this, so he took out his cellphone and said cautiously.
“Chief, I will try contacting the headquarters side once.”
Oh Young-tae nodded slightly.
In his gaze looking out the window, a heavy anxiety was somehow lingering.
Choi Seo-jun pressed the contact number for the PREZO secretary'
s office.
A signal rang, and soon a calm French voice was heard.
-This is the PREZO headquarters. How can I help you?
Choi Seo-jun introduced himself simply in English.
“I am Choi Seo-jun, the Representative of HJ Partners from Korea. I am trying to confirm regarding a meeting with Chairman Lemond. We are currently moving to the headquarters.”
The other person hesitated for a moment and then answered carefully.
-I am sorry, the Chairman is currently in a meeting.
“Is he by any chance in a meeting together with the directors?”
-Yes, that is correct. An internal meeting has been in progress since 9:00 AM today. If you wish to contact the Chairman, I am sorry but it is difficult right now.
“Can I know roughly when it is expected to end?”
-I cannot know the exact time. Shall I leave a memo so that we can contact you again once the meeting ends?
“…Thank you. We are scheduled to arrive at the headquarters soon.”
-Yes, I understand.
Choi Seo-jun hung up and gripped his cellphone quietly.
Oh Young-tae asked.
“How did it go?”
“Seeing that they are conducting a meeting even with the directors gathered, they might have already reached some kind of decision. They said all outside contact is blocked as well.”
Chief Oh Young-tae let out a short breath and opened his mouth.
“Then it will be a wild goose chase even if we go. It'
s a pity.”
As Oh Young-tae looked at Representative Choi Seo-jun with a regretful look, the latter could not say anything and kept his mouth shut.
Outside the window, the main building of the PREZO headquarters was slowly entering his field of vision.
At that moment, a gut feeling that it was too early to end like this bloomed in Choi Seo-jun'
s heart.
He made a call somewhere with the cellphone he was holding.
The connection tone continued for several seconds, and even that short time felt long.
Finally, a familiar voice was heard.
-Representative Choi?
“Representative, is a call possible?”
-My class just ended. Go ahead.
“I am on the way to the PREZO headquarters. However, the situation is unusual.”
Choi Seo-jun'
s voice was calm, but a distinct tension was permeated within it.
I, Lim Hyunjun, sensed it keenly and immediately asked.
“What is going on?”
“The PREZO side has convened the board of directors. Contact with Chairman Lemond has also been blocked. They will likely make some kind of decision before we arrive.”
“Then it must be Daehan.”
“There is a high possibility of that. I don'
t know what words were exchanged internally, but at least the flow is not good.”
For a moment, only the sound of quiet breathing flowed from beyond the receiver.
I seemed to fall into thought for a moment.
Choi Seo-jun added in a fretful manner.
“Representative, if it is not now, we will end up losing PREZO to Daehan.”