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Chairman Kang stared quietly at the USB placed on his desk. It had been delivered via quick service on the day Kang Il-hyun was shot and collapsed. Some time ago, he had gone on a golf trip abroad with several congressmen, where someone had secretly recorded video of them having sexual relations with teenage girls.
If this were to spread, Chairman Kang wouldn't be the only one in trouble. The latter part of the video also captured them engaging in group activities together. Had Il-hyun perhaps made a copy? Or Lee Ja-kyung? Judging by the fact that they shot his leg rather than his heart, there might have been some secret deal between the two that he wasn't aware of.
He had intended to deal with Lee Ja-kyung as well once the job was done, and had trailed her, but couldn't find even a trace. However, if she intended to stay alive, she wouldn't set foot on Korean soil again. When he had people look into it, the house where Kang Il-hyun had been staying was also found to be completely vacated.
And today, he heard the news that Kang Il-hyun had been transferred to another hospital. Chairman Kang pretended not to know even that. With Kang Yu-jeong already having caught on to the situation, he judged that there was nothing good to be gained by unnecessarily stirring things up.
Just then, along with a knock, guests appeared. They were three directors who had contributed greatly to founding the company. They were founding members, originally four in number, but one had betrayed them by stabbing them in the back, and Chairman Kang had Il-hyun eliminate him not long ago.
The directors came in and took their seats, and the secretary brought in tea.
"We thought the Chairman must be under great distress, so we came to offer our condolences."
They held out a gift wrapped in gold cloth, saying they had prepared it together. Chairman Kang had the secretary set it aside in a separate area.
"Thank you all for thinking so highly of this old man."
"Who would have thought, after living in this world for so long, that we'd experience such chaos at an inauguration ceremony?"
"I was extremely surprised as well. Look, my hand is still trembling."
Watching Director Park pretending to shake his hand for no reason, Chairman Kang found it ridiculous inwardly. In their vigorous twenties, these were people who would slice up others without hesitation, and now they were pretending to be refined. As he drank his tea with a smile, Director Kim, who had been quietly watching, glanced around and spoke up.
"While the Chairman must be most worried, we too couldn't get a wink of sleep. It seems there's quite a lot of talk among the shareholders now. Stock prices are dropping because of this incident, and people are saying it's just adding to the image of a thug company. Such talk keeps coming up."
"That's right. But honestly, I suspected something like this might happen someday. Looking at Managing Director Kang's usual behavior, it would be stranger if he had no enemies. Everyone was keeping their mouths shut out of fear, but they must have all been thinking the same thing."
"Seeing this incident, it turns out the executives had many complaints as well. Since the Chairman doted on and favored him so much, they couldn't say anything... but honestly, he's not material to succeed the Chairman. Most people probably thought the same. Don't you agree?"
"I think that's separate from what foreigners acknowledge. They prefer aggressive management strategies, so Managing Director Kang might suit their tastes, but in our view, we worried he might eventually bring about great misfortune. The company would have to bear all that damage. The Chairman wouldn't want that either."
Yes, yes. The three of them took turns chiming in perfect harmony, nodding and echoing each other. Chairman Kang took out a cigar, lit it, leaned his head back against the sofa, and looked at the three people in turn. They were gauging the situation, but it seemed they were determined to somehow bring down Kang Il-hyun at this opportunity.
Chairman Kang exhaled smoke with a calm expression.
"Then who do you think would be suitable?"
The three exchanged glances as if they thought the time had come, and Director Kim stepped forward as if he had been waiting.
"Director Kang Tae-han would be most suitable. He's the eldest, has a solid maternal family, and wouldn't go against the Chairman's wishes."
"Director Kang may look a bit frivolous, but he'll be more reasonable than Managing Director Kang."
Chairman Kang, with the cigar held between his fingers, subtly probed the wily directors.
"What about Seok-ju?"
All three shook their heads.
"He's still young, so Seok-ju should first join the company and learn step by step."
"I think the same. Seok-ju takes after the Chairman and the Madam, so he's smart and will do well. For now, let him have his fun, and think about it gradually."
Kang Seok-ju was clearly a negligible existence to them.
"If that's your intention, I'll consider it."
When a positive answer came out, the three directors couldn't hide their joy. Chairman Kang rubbed out the finished cigar in the ashtray and smiled faintly. Now these people would go around agitating shareholders and executives, and soon move to seat Kang Tae-han in that position.
With Kang Il-hyun lying in bed unable to move, this was the perfect opportunity for them.
***
Before getting out of the car, Kim Sun-young checked Seok-ju's attire once more. She held her son's chin, examined his face, and smiled with satisfaction. Kang Seok-ju, however, sat sullenly staring at his phone. Kim Sun-young slapped Seok-ju's shoulder.
"Get a grip. I'm telling you to make a proper impression today."
Seok-ju seemed frustrated and tried to tug at his tie, and Kim Sun-young pulled his hand away.
"Hey!"
"Do I really have to go?"
"Of course you have to go. Don't you want to see with your own eyes Kang Il-hyun's head rolling?"
Kang Seok-ju rolled his eyes. Since the person in question was lying in the hospital, he wouldn't be able to see his face directly, but it seemed like it would be quite entertaining. The car stopped in front of the headquarters, and Kang Seok-ju and Kim Sun-young got out and moved upstairs where the secretaries and meeting rooms were. Executives and shareholders who had already gathered exchanged greetings and entered.
Chairman Kang sat in the center at the very front of the meeting room, and on the right, Kang Tae-han and his supporters took their seats. The dismissal of Kang Il-hyun was to be addressed as the main agenda item at today's extraordinary general meeting of shareholders. When Kim Sun-young entered, the executives stood up and bowed. Kim Sun-young took her seat to Chairman Kang's left.
While Director Kim, the chairman of the meeting, gave brief greetings and discussed today's agenda, Kang Seok-ju exchanged messages with his friends under the table.
[I can't go today. Shareholders' meeting. Today's the day Kang Il-hyun's head rolls!]
[For real? Then are you becoming managing director, Seok-ju?]
[Crazy. I'm not even the president, why would I be managing director?]
[Is Kang Il-hyun unemployed now?]
[Looking at the atmosphere now, it seems like he's fallen out of his father's favor too lol]
"Then we will now proceed with the vote on the agenda of today's extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, the dismissal of Managing Director Kang Il-hyun."
Just as he was banging the gavel, the meeting room door opened and an entirely unexpected person entered. Kang Yu-jeong. Since she usually didn't show her face at shareholders' meetings, everyone's attention focused on her at once. What was more surprising was Kang Il-hyun, who appeared behind her.
Appearing in a wheelchair, Kang Il-hyun was wearing a patient gown and sunglasses, with IV bags dangling from his arm. People began to murmur.
They said he died. They said he was unconscious. What's going on? He looks fine.
As the shareholders grew agitated, the faces of Chairman Kang, Kim Sun-young, and the rest of the family stiffened. While Tae-su pulled out a chair from the second row behind Chairman Kang and made a spot for Il-hyun, Director Kwon, who was sitting right next to him, asked about his condition.
"Is Managing Director Kang alright? I can't tell you how shocked I was that day."
He was one of the people who had been close to Il-hyun. Other executives joined in as well.
"That's right, the rumors said it was really bad."
Il-hyun took off his sunglasses and grinned.
"I'm fine. As you can see, it looks like I'll be in a wheelchair for a while."
While people's attention was focused, Il-hyun raised his hand toward Director Kim, the chairman.
"Mr. Chairman. I apologize for coming in right away, but may I speak?"
Director Kim, with a stiff expression, glanced at Chairman Kang and forced a smile.
"Please speak."
As soon as the words ended, Tae-su took something from inside his jacket pocket and handed it to Il-hyun. Il-hyun held it up so the shareholders could see. It was the bullets that had been lodged in both thighs. People in the back craned their necks and even stood up from their seats to try to see the bullets.
"This is exactly one week ago, the bullet that hit my thigh on the day of my inauguration."
People grimaced as if they had been shot themselves. Il-hyun held it up and showed it to the left and right.
"How about it? Hurt like a bitch, right?"
At the crude language, Chairman Kang's face contorted, and Director Kim quickly brought his mouth to the microphone.
"Managing Director Kang. This is a public setting. Please speak with proper etiquette."
Il-hyun paid no heed and continued with what he had to say.
"Even so, while I was lying shot, someone proposed my dismissal."
"...."
"How should I take this situation, Director Kim?"
Il-hyun's gaze moved and bore directly into Director Kim. Director Kim, who was in the chairman's seat, raised his voice slightly with an unpleasant expression.
"What is your intention in saying such things?"
"I'm asking because I think there might be someone among those trying to dismiss me who put a bullet in my leg."
As soon as the words ended, people buzzed here and there, and Director Kim couldn't hold back and flared up.
"Don't make baseless accusations!"
Il-hyun laughed coldly and rebuked him.
"Well. We'll see once the vote results come out. Whether it's really baseless or not."
Director Kim gritted his teeth and glared at Il-hyun. Il-hyun paid no heed and looked around the meeting room. Among them were quite a few people who held hostile feelings toward Il-hyun. Looking at them, his mouth was smiling, but his eyes held murderous intent as if to carve out flesh.
He called out loudly to Park Tae-su.
"Tae-su!"
"Yes."
"Find the one who shot me. Definitely."
"Yes."
"Once you find him, saw off every joint that can be cut."
When people's faces turned pale, Kang Il-hyun delivered his final words with a delighted expression.
"And throw him to the dogs."
Chairman Kang couldn't hold back, kicked his seat and stood up, turning around.
"You!"
Il-hyun tilted his head and looked at Chairman Kang. You foolish old man. If you wanted to kill me, you should have done it properly. Or you shouldn't have started this in the first place.
"Why are you getting angry? It's not as if Father did such a thing."
When Chairman Kang was about to get even angrier, Il-hyun suddenly scowled and grabbed his leg. The room grew so quiet that even breathing couldn't be heard. Il-hyun smiled at everyone with an expression of feigned regret.
"I'm sorry, everyone. I'd like to stay and participate in the vote, but it's time for my painkillers."
"...."
"I'll be leaving now, so vote well. Please take good care of yourselves."
At his grinning appearance, the atmosphere froze over like ice. Chairman Kang stood there trembling, unable to do anything about Il-hyun, and Il-hyun, sitting in his wheelchair, gave a perfunctory nod, put on his sunglasses, and left the meeting room.