Since discovering Ha In’s existence, Hyun Baek Hap had been spending a lot of time in the director’s office at the Cheonha Art Museum.

With the uncertainty of how Ha In would emerge, Hyun Baek Hap moved more nimbly while investigating Ha In’s background.

Behind the scenes, she schemed wicked deeds, but in front of Chairman Lee, she always had to show the appearance of a pitiful victim.

Hyun Baek Hap paused upon seeing the newspaper on the desk with a huge article about the Cheonha Group.

Originally, she would not have paid any attention to the nonsense spouted by the media.

However, her eyes were drawn to the headline where the words “Director Hyun Baek Hap” were boldly printed.

It was an article raising suspicions about Hyun Baek Hap being the mastermind.

“How dare these things!”

Hyun Baek Hap trembled as she crumpled the newspaper.

“What a disgrace because of that wench Cheon Ha In.”

The words that squeezed out between her clenched teeth were filled with murderous intent.

Thinking that things had turned out this way all because of Cheon Ha In, she felt so resentful and wronged that she wanted to flip out.

At that moment, the chief secretary knocked and entered.

No matter how sharp her expression was, as soon as the chief secretary entered, Hyun Baek Hap abruptly stood up from her seat.

“Sue them right now! Sue them all for defamation!”

Hyun Baek Hap shouted as she slammed her hand on the desk.

The chief secretary quickly grasped the situation and answered that he would handle it.

“What about the investigation I told you to look into?”

Hyun Baek Hap furrowed her brow and leaned closer to the chief secretary.

“It seems we’ve been caught, ma’am.”

The whereabouts of the people who had been investigating Ha In’s background had become uncertain.

However, upon hearing that they seemed to have been caught, Hyun Baek Hap stared at the chief secretary with piercing eyes.

Just then, the chief secretary’s cell phone vibrated.

“Answer it.”

Hyun Baek Hap allowed him to take the call, wondering if it could be news about them.

The chief secretary finished the call with a perplexed expression.

“They say they are currently undergoing a warrant examination for arrest.”

“What? So those stupid things have been caught.”

Hyun Baek Hap pressed the chief secretary in disbelief. The chief secretary hung his head low like a criminal.

“Who, who took them in! Whether it’s Cheon Ha In or Lee Je Guk’s side, we need to find out to take action.”

“Seeing as it’s been handed over to the prosecution, it seems the move was made by the prosecutors.”

At those words, Hyun Baek Hap tilted her head and made a “tsk” sound.

“Seems? What kind of work are you doing so poorly!”

Hyun Baek Hap shouted angrily. She wanted to hear a definite answer.

“Strangely, contact has been cut off with all of them. The reason for the arrest warrant has nothing to do with lady Cheon Ha In. But that other reason is so fatal that it will be difficult for them to avoid arrest.”

Hyun Baek Hap’s eyes shook dully at those words.

“Lee Je Guk found out.”

Hyun Baek Hap suspected Lee Je Guk due to the thorough and swift response, which was faster than expected.

Without the assistance of Lee Je Guk, who had many eyes and ears in the Cheonha Group, it would have been difficult to move this quickly.

Hyun Baek Hap had a hunch that Lee Je Guk had caught the people investigating Ha In’s background.

Hyun Baek Hap clenched her fists tightly in resentment.

“They can’t arrest them just for investigating, so they’re trying to frame them for something else and hand them over.”

Hyun Baek Hap gritted her teeth and closed her eyes tightly before opening them again.

“Did you make sure they keep their mouths shut?”

“Yes.”

“Ha, how do I handle this Cheon Ha In situation.”

Hyun Baek Hap was so worked up that she didn’t know what to do.

“The dismissal motion for Lee Je Guk.”

“I am meeting with the directors and major shareholders one by one.”

Hyun Baek Hap nodded. She was convinced that once Lee Je Guk was neutralized, eliminating Ha In was only a matter of time.

“Chief Secretary, find a few clever guys. We can’t make mistakes this time. I’m serious. Chief Secretary, you know I’m counting on you, right?”

Hyun Baek Hap said while glaring at the chief secretary with snake-like eyes.

The method to cleanly take care of Ha In was all too simple.

If Ha In kept acting in an irritating manner, Hyun Baek Hap intended to get rid of her using her own methods.

“Yes, I understand.”

* * *

“The media companies that published articles about Director Hyun Baek Hap are being sued and reported by the chairman’s office.”

Upon receiving the report from the chief secretary, Lee Je Guk was so ashamed that he couldn’t lift his head.

There was no need for companies and media to be friendly, but it was common sense for them to maintain basic courtesy towards each other.

Some companies even begged and pleaded with media outlets, but this was truly the worst behavior.

Moreover, media reports were a device that greatly helped Ha In’s investigation, but if things turned out this way, the situation would flow in an even more difficult direction.

“If we invite reporters to the briefing room, will they come?”

The chief secretary couldn’t easily give an answer. Even Lee Je Guk could see that it was a difficult situation.

“Even if the atmosphere is bad, it’s too bad, but I will try my best.”

Media reports were directly linked to public opinion, so it was not a matter to be taken lightly.

Of course, it was the same for the company, but the role of the media was also very significant in Ha In’s investigation.

If there were no reporters covering this case due to pressure such as lawsuits and accusations, Ha In would have to fight a more lonely battle.

Perhaps the truth could sink under silence as well.

“Please suggest it once, and if it doesn’t work out, let’s discuss it again.”

The chief secretary immediately scheduled a press conference, but not a single reporter showed up in the briefing room.

It was uncertain whether the reporters were being mindful of Chairman Lee or were truly afraid of lawsuits and accusations, but Lee Je Guk had to break through this situation.

“It will be troublesome, but please ask one more time. Inform them that I will brief them myself.”

It was unprecedented for Lee Je Guk to personally hold a briefing.

The chief secretary, who knew this all too well, hesitated and looked at Lee Je Guk.

Knowing that Lee Je Guk did not act lightly, the chief secretary grasped his intentions and quickly answered.

The news that Lee Je Guk would personally hold a briefing drew great interest from reporters.

It was an unprecedented event for Lee Je Guk, the CEO and next head of the Cheonha Group, to directly appear in front of the media and make his voice heard.

Due to Lee Je Guk’s personality, he had avoided media exposure altogether so far.

With Lee Je Guk personally stepping up, the media’s interest, which had been hushed by the Cheonha Group’s hardline response, heated up again.

Of course, the chairman’s office’s anger was also reaching its peak.

They even made threats, saying it would give strength to the justification for dismissing the CEO.

However, Lee Je Guk paid no heed.

Chairman Lee made a threat that he would not allow the use of the Cheonha Group’s briefing room, but Lee Je Guk countered by saying he would proceed with the schedule even if the location had to be changed.

In the end, the briefing proceeded according to Lee Je Guk’s will.

“On behalf of the Cheonha Group, I extend my deep apologies to the media companies that were sued for defamation.”

Lee Je Guk apologized with a bow. The reporters were taken aback by his respectful attitude.

The reporters still watched with suspicion, wondering what Lee Je Guk would say.

One of the reporters raised his hand and obtained the right to speak.

“Please ask your question.”

Lee Je Guk accepted the reporter’s request to speak.

“What if we write an article today and get sued for defamation again?”

Looking at the media company’s nameplate attached to the seat where the reporter was sitting, it belonged to a media company that had been accused.

“Then, please quote what I’m about to say from now on. Do you think I would spread false information on a matter that holds the fate of our Cheonha Group?”

If the reporters took Lee Je Guk’s words as they were, the risk of being harmed would disappear. The reporters admired the ingenious solution he presented.

They reaffirmed the aspect of CEO Lee Je Guk, who had been in the spotlight since his first appearance in the business world.

“The Cheonha Group is actively cooperating to resolve the numerous suspicions raised by the prosecution.”

He knew it was too obvious, but there wasn’t much he could say at the moment.

“As various investigations are underway, not everything can be disclosed to the media, but most of the requested data is being submitted with sincere answers.”

The press corps was listening to Lee Je Guk’s story with an observant attitude.

“We have determined that we must also confront the suspicions regarding Director Hyun Baek Hap’s involvement with confidence.”

At Lee Je Guk’s words, the reporters’ eyes sparkled.

Amidst the speculation that Director Hyun Baek Hap would not attend the summons investigation, it was an enticing story.

“Then is there a possibility of Director Hyun Baek Hap’s summons investigation as well?”

The typing sound of the reporters started to get faster.

This was the interview Lee Je Guk had aimed for. The goal was to create an atmosphere where Hyun Baek Hap had no choice but to attend.

“If she is innocent in this situation, there is no reason not to go, right?”

It was like throwing a bomb at Hyun Baek Hap while raising trust in the Cheonha Group.

Lee Je Guk hoped this briefing would be a turning point.

There was a need to clearly draw a line between the Cheonha Group and Hyun Baek Hap.

“Thank you for your precious time.”

Lee Je Guk expressed gratitude until the end and concluded the short briefing.

Following Lee Je Guk’s briefing, the Cheonha Group’s stock price, which had been hitting rock bottom after the judicial risk, began to show an upward trend.

Chairman Lee’s confident words that the stock price drop would be the justification for the CEO dismissal motion also missed the mark.

Returning to the executive office, Lee Je Guk looked out the window.

From the people far away to Ha In, who was the closest, Lee Je Guk felt like the place he was standing was a precarious castle with too many things to protect.

“Ha……”

As he had told Ha In, he wanted to endure this time with a sense of responsibility rather than burden.

The feeling of pride was momentary, and he strengthened his resolve even more as he watched the press vehicle leave the building.

The cell phone on the desk vibrated constantly. It was a call from Ha In.

During business hours, they usually communicated through text messages rather than calls, so Lee Je Guk wondered if something urgent had happened and quickly answered the phone.

– Director.

Before Lee Je Guk could speak, Ha In’s voice came through.