God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 184

As soon as Hyun Ye-won entered the office, she tilted her head in confusion at the unsettled atmosphere.

When she asked a colleague she met in the pantry what was going on, she received an astonishing bombshell of information.

"Pardon?"

Hyun Ye-won couldn't hide her bewildered expression as she asked again.

"Hyeonmu did... what?"

"They made an acquisition proposal. That's why everyone's in an uproar. Whether we'll be under Hyeonmu, or become a subsidiary. If we really get taken over by Hyeonmu, what will happen to our employment continuity, things like that."

"Hyeonmu... did?"

Hyun Ye-won couldn't help but ask again foolishly. She couldn't quite believe what she had heard.

"Yes, that's right. <The Song> has been performing well, but who would have thought such a large corporation would make two acquisition attempts? It's not like they're threatening us."

The colleague said, sipping coffee.

"I don't know for sure, but wouldn't Hyeonmu offer a good price? If they sell, couldn't CEO Song live comfortably with the money they'd receive?"

"Ah......"

"If it were me, I'd sell right away. We're all just trying to make a living. Why struggle when you could get money that would last a lifetime in advance?"

The colleague's words no longer reached Hyun Ye-won's ears.

"Besides, just watching CEO Song work is exhausting. How can someone work so tirelessly every day? I really don't understand... Ye-won? Ye-won!"

Hyun Ye-won left the pantry, ignoring the voice calling her. An ominous premonition flashed through her mind.

Yes. <The Song>'s name had certainly come up on the table of Hyeonmu's owner family. But...

-Companies with strong loyalty and no willingness to merge are just burdens even if acquired.

Hadn't <The Song> been disqualified from acquisition candidates due to this disqualifying factor? Yet, the fact that such a proposal had been sent to <The Song> led her to believe that someone else's influence must have been involved.

'It can't be.'

Hyun Ye-won immediately squeezed through the crowd of murmuring people. On the desk lay a printed copy of the full email.

Flutter.

She opened the document file without hesitation.

"......"

A feeling like being doused with cold water washed over Hyun Ye-won. She stood stiff for a while, overwhelmed by the sticky discomfort slowly creeping from head to toe.

"I want to see it too."

"Me too."

If other employees hadn't reached out to take the document, she might have stood there blankly for much longer.

Hyun Ye-won moved away with a pale face.

"Hyun Ye-won-ssi."

"Ah, Team Leader."

Jo I-ruk urgently called out to Hyun Ye-won in that state.

"Don't be too surprised. The CEO will be arriving soon."

"Ah, yes."

"Your face is pale. Are you sure you're okay? Are you feeling unwell?"

Jo I-ruk's words didn't quite register with Hyun Ye-won. She responded absently.

"No, I just have a bit of a headache. ...Could I step out for some fresh air?"

Jo I-ruk paused for a moment before nodding.

"Alright. The company atmosphere is unsettled anyway."

"Yes. Thank you."

Hyun Ye-won bowed slightly before heading towards the company's emergency staircase. She stumbled several times as if about to fall, but each time she barely managed to regain her balance.

Click.

After closing the door, Hyun Ye-won raised her phone with trembling hands.

Ring ring ring. The dial tone sounded briefly before stopping.

-Hello?

The other party answered in a smooth tone, as if they had been waiting.

-My goodness. What brings my half-sister, who doesn't even contact me on my birthday to see if I'm alive or dead, to reach out first? Hmm?

"Hyun Tae-seong."

As she called that name, the other party smirked as if displeased.

-You should call me oppa, little sister.

"Stop with the nonsense."

The two had never been close siblings. Hyun Ye-won always called Hyun Tae-seong "you" rather than "oppa".

Hyun Tae-seong was sensitive about this, as if it were denying his very existence.

It was only natural that there was a cold wind blowing between them.

"This acquisition merger, it's your doing, isn't it?"

-Ah, can't they even keep their mouths shut there? Even the lowest-ranking employees know about it?

"You sent it deliberately for everyone to see!"

Hyun Ye-won couldn't hold back and shouted.

"Director Hwang Tae-in! Did you think I wouldn't know he's your man? What are you plotting? Why did you send such an email to a company that Father had no intention of acquiring?"

-Calm down, Ye-won. Okay?

Hyun Tae-seong whispered, pretending to be affectionate.

-Well, I heard you were working at a place I've never heard of. As your oppa, how could I not be worried? I have a soft heart, you know, I can't be so cold~

His mocking tone was obvious.

-You turned down <Hyeonmu> to stay at this company. I should at least check what kind of place it is, right? I was worried that a naive kid like you might have fallen for some strange con artist~

"Are you really done talking?!"

It was hard to tolerate him speaking so carelessly about Song Woo-yeon. As Hyun Ye-won got riled up, Hyun Tae-seong seemed to enjoy it, chuckling.

-What's the problem? I guess Director Hwang hasn't properly conveyed the conditions yet. They'll provide a decent amount of money, and maintain employment continuity. Aren't those good terms?

"Why are you like this? Do you think you can proceed with things as you please?"

-Of course?

Hyun Tae-seong replied nonchalantly.

-Ye-won, I think you're misunderstanding something. Director Hwang Tae-in is Father's man before he's mine.

"......"

-You're not such a child that I need to explain what that means, are you?

Hyun Ye-won felt her fingertips trembling. It wasn't fear or a sense of betrayal.

It was a burning anger.

That flame was blazing from within her heart, conquering even her fingertips. Whether Hyun Tae-seong knew this or not, he continued to say what he wanted to say.

-Grandfather insists that arranging your position should come first, so I'm just following his wishes.

"......"

-Once you join the company, he won't be able to say otherwise. Then I can just pick a suitable high position for myself.

So this was the ultimate goal. It was so obvious, it was almost boring.

Hyun Ye-won let out a deep sigh.

"...So unless I join <Hyeonmu>, you won't have a position. That's why you're doing this. Trying to force me into <Hyeonmu> somehow."

Hyeon Mu-jung had clearly declared.

Hyun Ye-won would have 'priority' in entering the company. In other words, as long as Hyun Ye-won held out at <The Song>, there would be no position for Hyun Tae-seong.

That must have made Hyun Tae-seong even more desperate. Perhaps even Hyun Jung-hu as well.

-So what if it is?

At his mocking tone, Hyun Ye-won couldn't suppress the laughter welling up inside her.

"Pfft. Puhehe...... Ahahahahaha!"

As she burst into laughter, Hyun Tae-seong's bewildered voice could be heard through the phone.

"Ahaha....... Sorry. It's just too funny. I was rude."

-Hyun Ye-won. Acting tough like that won't fool me.

"You still don't understand Grandfather, do you?"

-What?

Hyun Ye-won's face turned cold, as if she had never laughed. There was a sharp edge to her voice, as if it would cut just by touching it.

"What 'benefit' will the company gain from this acquisition merger?"

-!

"Hyun Tae-seong, I'm not talking about your personal gain. What benefit will <Hyeonmu> get?"

-T-That's... <The Song> is clearly a small to medium-sized enterprise with high growth potential...

"'Growth potential'? You're not going to spout such nonsense in front of Grandfather, are you? Since when did <Hyeonmu> start doing venture capital work?"

Hyun Tae-seong fell silent at Hyun Ye-won's merciless criticism.

"Grandfather emphasized 'managerial mindset' so much. A manager should prioritize the company's overall benefit over personal emotions. Did you not even learn this basic principle?"

Hyun Ye-won continued in a scornful tone.

"Why did you come to the family dinner? Did you really come just to eat?"

-You...! How dare you! That dinner was meant to give you management education,

"I think you're misunderstanding something. Grandfather didn't just invite me to that dinner. He invited you too."

-Ugh.

"You clearly had a chance too. Seeing how you're messing things up like this, your odds seem low."

-Hey! You really!

Hyun Tae-seong shouted angrily. Hyun Ye-won protected her ears by moving the phone away.

Only when Hyun Tae-seong seemed to have tired himself out did she bring the phone back to her ear.

"Are you done? Now it's my turn to talk."

Huff, huff. Rough breathing could be heard.

"If you don't want to get seriously scolded by Grandfather, stop this ridiculous prank."

-Ha. And if I don't?

"Well."

Hyun Ye-won shrugged her shoulders.

"Grandfather... would have found a better alternative in this situation."

-......

"I would have too."

-Urgh!

"Make your own judgment. I'm hanging up."

-Wait, Hyun Ye-won, what do you mean by...!

Click.

Hyun Ye-won put her phone back in her pocket.

"...Haah."

A deep sigh escaped involuntarily. Hyun Ye-won buried her face in her hands and muttered.

"What is this? I've only caused trouble for the company."

She felt like she might cry. This bloodline never seemed to be of any help.

'If it weren't for me, that idiot wouldn't have tried to force through this acquisition merger. The company's been turned upside down because of me.'

Thinking that way made her heart even heavier.

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Nod.

At Song Woo-yeon's gesture, Hyun Ye-won jumped up as if she had been electrocuted. Seeing Jo I-ruk looking at her with a puzzled expression, Hyun Ye-won lowered her voice and whispered.

"I, I'll be back after seeing the CEO for a moment...!"

Jo I-ruk was puzzled for a moment, but seeing Song Woo-yeon looking directly at Hyun Ye-won, he nodded compliantly.

Although he didn't understand the reason, it was a habitual trust that Song Woo-yeon must have some plan.

"Go ahead."

"Yes."

Hyun Ye-won quietly headed towards the CEO's office, taking advantage of the unsettled atmosphere around her. Somehow, she felt like a spy, and her palms were sweaty.

As she carefully closed the door and entered, Song Woo-yeon greeted Hyun Ye-won as if he had been waiting.

"You're here?"

"......"

As soon as Hyun Ye-won faced Song Woo-yeon, she immediately bowed deeply.

"I'm so sorry! CEO! I've committed an unforgivable sin!"