When Sun Woo and Director Ahn Yong Gi arrived at the company, an emergency meeting called by CEO Park Chan Wook was already in full swing.

With articles about the controversy over Managing Director Jin Sun Woo being an illegitimate child, overlapping with Jin Young Cheol’s scandal with Hae Dang Hwa, K1 Construction’s stock price had been fluctuating day after day.

“Issues keep cropping up, but no one is taking responsibility. This is a matter of corporate trust. We need the CEO’s decisive action.”

As soon as Sales Director Park Soo Ho opened the discussion, everyone chimed in as if they had been waiting.

Although they were mindful of Vice Chairman Park In Young’s reaction, the gist was to make an example out of Jin Sun Woo, who was at the center of the controversy.

People who had only been cautious of Sun Woo’s rapid rise at a young age due to him being the only grandson of the founder Park Chan Wook, were now attacking him like hyenas as soon as they learned he was Jin Young Cheol’s illegitimate child.

Strictly speaking, Park Kyung Min and Park Soo Ho, who considered themselves closer to Park Chan Wook as the sons of his nephew, were more fervent in their attacks than Sun Woo, who didn’t share a drop of blood with Park Chan Wook.

They were certain that even Park In Young couldn’t have any affection for Sun Woo, the child her husband had brought in from outside, though she hadn’t shown it.

‘Vice Chairman Park In Young, how much you must have suffered inside! It’s truly remarkable that you’ve hidden your true feelings for 30 years.’

While Park Kyung Min and Park Soo Ho looked at her as if they understood everything, In Young’s eyes remained cold as she carefully observed the situation in the meeting room.

“I apologize for being late.”

Sun Woo, who entered the meeting room, apologized confidently and sat down in his place with ease.

“You seem quite at peace, Managing Director Jin Sun Woo, for someone who has thrown the entire company into chaos?”

Park Kyung Min, the Housing Business Director who had always seen Sun Woo as a thorn in his side, seized the opportunity to mock him.

Sun Woo turned to him with an expressionless face and asked back.

“Are you referring to me?”

“Ha! Are you pretending not to know?”

“Yes, I’m asking because I don’t understand.”

Sun Woo’s attitude was so confident that it was Park Kyung Min who ended up slightly flustered.

“Is it my fault that I’m an illegitimate child? Or is it my fault that the media spread the news about Jin Sun Woo being an illegitimate child?”

“W-well, that’s not…”

“Or do you mean it’s my fault that my father was involved with a shaman, Director Park Kyung Min?”

Park Kyung Min, at a loss for words, began to stubbornly persist as if he couldn’t back down now.

“In any case, the whole company has been turned upside down because of Managing Director Jin’s family affairs. Isn’t indirect responsibility still responsibility?”

“I see.”

Suddenly, as Sun Woo agreed with his words, it was Park Kyung Min who became flustered. Sun Woo wasn’t the type to readily admit to his words.

“Then, am I the only one in this room who should take indirect responsibility?”

Sun Woo, who had been staring directly at Park Kyung Min, slowly turned his gaze towards In Young and Park Chan Wook.

According to Park Kyung Min’s logic, the person who should be most strongly questioned was Park In Young, who lived in the same house as Jin Young Cheol. She was also the one who had accepted Sun Woo, the illegitimate child, as her son.

In fact, Sun Woo was certain that it was CEO Park Chan Wook who had leaked the fact that he was an illegitimate child to the media. He had even given a warning through Green beforehand.

“From now on, I’m going to make things a bit difficult for you, my child. But don’t hate me too much.”

While his intentions for giving Green advance notice were unclear, it allowed Sun Woo to be certain of one thing.

That everything happening now was not his fault. That’s why Sun Woo could be confident.

A strange silence fell over the meeting room. No one could refute Sun Woo’s words. At that moment, Park Chan Wook spoke up.

“Managing Director Jin Sun Woo, tell us your thoughts.”

“Whether I’m an illegitimate child or not, K1 Construction’s corporate value remains unchanged. Even if my father has a connection with a shaman, since he’s not a current member of parliament, this too should have little impact. The stock market will soon stabilize.”

“And?”

“I don’t think K1 Construction needs to take action regarding my father’s affairs. However, since the revelation of my illegitimate status has increased public interest in the succession plan, we should counteract this by announcing something to the media. Directly from you, CEO.”

At this, the meeting room stirred. Everyone was gradually being persuaded by Sun Woo’s opinion.

Now, the key issue became what content Park Chan Wook would announce as the CEO.

Park Chan Wook looked at Sun Woo with sharp eyes and asked.

“Are you suggesting that I should clearly state the succession plan myself to quell the confusion?”

“The content is for you to consider, CEO. Whether you clarify the succession plan or present a new corporate vision significant enough to overshadow the current controversy.”

Park Chan Wook, who seemed lost in thought for a moment, instructed the secretary standing by behind him.

“Tell the New Business Development Team Leader to come to my office as soon as this meeting is over. With updates on the progress of the robot investment project and the new materials business.”

“Yes, CEO.”

Then Sun Woo looked around the meeting room with a somewhat lightened expression.

“May I now give the scheduled business report? It’s regarding the opening of the resort in Marseille, France.”

As Sun Woo signaled to Ahn Yong Gi, the lights in the meeting room went out and the beam projector screen filled the wall.

Then, as if making a last-ditch effort, Park Kyung Min raised an objection.

“CEO, if Managing Director Jin Sun Woo, who has caused this controversy, continues to lead the Marseille project, the credibility of this project will fall. We should change the person in charge even now.”

At this, a deep sneer spread across Sun Woo’s face.

“You’re all seasoned professionals in this field, do you think anyone would swallow their pride and try to take over someone else’s work?”

“When it’s for the company, what’s a little pride? If the CEO orders it, anyone should follow. Of course!”

Park Chan Wook looked at Park Kyung Min, whose eyes were gleaming with greed disguised as loyalty, like a predator eyeing its prey.

Until now, Park Kyung Min had achieved considerable results more through political maneuvering and connections than ability. But Park Chan Wook wondered if he could continue to do so in the future.

However, to Park Kyung Min’s eyes, it looked like Park Chan Wook was weighing whether to appoint him to Sun Woo’s position.

As the corners of Park Kyung Min’s mouth began to twitch with confidence, Park Chan Wook spoke.

“Managing Director Jin Sun Woo, start your report.”

******

While Sun Woo was struggling in the meeting room, Madam An Sung was having an altercation with Han Moon Taek who had come to the front of the house.

Following Sun Woo’s instructions, Madam An Sung thoroughly ignored him, but he didn’t give up easily.

After he begged for two hours to let him talk to his daughter even for a moment through the security window, Madam An Sung finally informed Green of the situation.

“Madam, your father has been persisting at the first floor entrance for two hours now, what should we do?”

Inevitably, Green borrowed Madam An Sung’s phone to talk with Han Moon Taek.

“What’s the matter?”

“Green, is that you? Yes, Green. It’s me. Are you alright?”

Green was dumbfounded by her father suddenly asking about her well-being. After all the trouble he had caused!

“Just tell me what you want.”

“So?”

Green wanted to ask who was responsible for making Jin Young Cheol hate her so much.

She felt that if Han Moon Taek hadn’t kept backstabbing him so pettily, her father-in-law wouldn’t hate her like this now.