God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 185

Hooh.

I muttered inwardly as I looked at Hyun Ye-won bowing deeply.

'What a catch.'

I had merely probed lightly, but Hyun Ye-won seemed to know the whole story. I responded as if I had intended this from the beginning.

"Sit down first."

"Yes..."

Hyun Ye-won moved with hesitant steps and took a seat at the table. I sat across from her and continued speaking.

"Could you explain what happened?"

"Well, it seems to be the doing of my half-brother. It's complicated to explain..."

Hyun Ye-won calmly explained the recent events, including the family dynamics of Hyeonmu and how this situation placed Hyun Tae-seong.

To summarize briefly:

"So, this is something Hyun Tae-seong did out of desperation. It's highly likely that Chairman Hyun Jung-hu also tacitly approved."

"Yes, that's correct."

Tap tap.

I drummed my fingertips on the table.

It was a curiosity I had since hearing Director Hwang Tae-in's name.

'Could this be Hyun Jung-hu's doing?'

The conclusion was half correct.

It seemed that <The Song> was selected as an acquisition target not so much for its corporate value, but because it was where Hyun Ye-won was working.

Should I say it's fortunate? As long as Hyun Jung-hu didn't take the lead, dealing with this would be much easier.

'Especially if the opponent is Hyun Tae-seong.'

Hyun Tae-seong. How could I not know that name?

Hyun Tae-seong was a man who took after Hyun Jung-hu quite a bit. And in quite a bad way.

What I mean is, he would later be arrested for enjoying drug parties with numerous women, greatly tarnishing <Hyeonmu>'s name.

While Hyun Jung-hu at least tried to hide his numerous affairs with women, Hyun Tae-seong couldn't even manage that much, failing to surpass his father.

'This makes things much easier.'

I smiled secretly.

Whether Hyun Ye-won intended it or not, she had become an excellent spy for me to monitor Hyeonmu's movements.

I patted the shoulder of the very tense Hyun Ye-won.

"Why are you apologizing, Ye-won-ssi? Your half-brother is the one who did all the wrong."

"B-But..."

Hyun Ye-won couldn't finish her sentence and began to sob.

"This happened because I'm here. If it weren't for me, Hyun Tae-seong wouldn't have done this. ...It is because of me."

Hyun Ye-won bowed her head deeply and clenched her fists. Her skirt was mercilessly crumpled, and tears fell onto it.

"I'll resign."

"Ye-won-ssi."

"If I leave... Hyun Tae-seong will stop doing this. I was probably the target from the beginning."

Hyun Ye-won spoke her mind clearly, despite having to pause to catch her breath as if her throat was closing up.

She seemed half frightened.

"Are you being sincere?"

My voice didn't seem to reach Hyun Ye-won.

"Then <The Song> won't be taken over by Hyeonmu. That's right. I'll quit."

"......"

There's no helping it.

What is she trying to quit with those trembling hands? I let out a deep sigh. Meanwhile, Hyun Ye-won flinched in response to this.

Acting as if she couldn't even hear my voice.

'...Is she afraid? That <The Song> might be ruined because of her. No, not <The Song>.'

Me.

She was acting as if she was more afraid that Song Woo-yeon might fall.

Foolishly. Not even thinking about what she would lose.

"You must have just gotten used to the work. Team Leader Jo praises you a lot. Says you're smart and quick to learn."

Hyun Ye-won only bit her lip at my words. I continued speaking.

"Having coffee with Team Leader Roh every morning."

"?"

"Taking a walk after lunch with Assistant Manager Park Sang-won and Assistant Manager Yang Ji-a."

"...!"

Hyun Ye-won's face was filled with shock. She looked as if she wanted to ask how I knew all this.

"Honestly, I'd like to discourage you from having lunch with those two, but anyway."

Because I don't want to openly advertise an office couple. But Hyun Ye-won seems to enjoy their company.

"If you resign, all of that will disappear. You know that, right?"

"...I know."

"Didn't you say you disliked Hyeonmu's way of thinking? Where's the person who said they wanted to learn <The Song>'s methods? Are you giving up and leaving already?"

"I-I'm not quitting because I want to!"

"How would I know? Whether you're using this as an excuse to run away or not."

"Ugh."

Hyun Ye-won made a resentful face. She knows I'm intentionally speaking harshly, but it seems to upset her nonetheless.

"If you quit and return to Hyeonmu, it's obvious what will happen. You'll have no choice but to follow their orders to join <Hyeonmu>."

Because there would be no more excuses or shields to refuse. And I had already seen in my previous life how Hyun Ye-won would be ruined afterward.

"There, you'll act like a puppet doing whatever the company demands, killing your emotions and thoughts. You'll spend meaningless time."

Dry, lifeless eyes. On a face devoid of vitality, the current Hyun Ye-won was barely visible.

It seemed as if only a shell of a body was moving, like ashes left after burning.

"Are you confident you can live like that for years, no, decades?"

"...Then what should I do!"

Hyun Ye-won suddenly raised her voice.

"What difference does it make if I stubbornly stick around here? Won't everyone be ruined, not just me!"

"......"

"This problem can be solved if just I leave. You know this, so why do you keep shaking me up!"

Heavy breathing filled the CEO's office. Hyun Ye-won's shoulders rose and fell roughly.

"...I'm just returning to where I originally belonged. So... there's nothing to be sad or troubled about. I was 'Hyun' Ye-won from the beginning."

"If you're going to lie, you should stop crying first."

"!"

Hyun Ye-won quickly covered her reddened face with her hands.

I slowly stood up from my seat.

Step, step.

I knelt on one knee in front of Hyun Ye-won and met her gaze. I could see Hyun Ye-won raising her head in surprise.

As expected. Her face was a mess of tears.

I reached out and wiped the moisture from her cheeks as I spoke.

"Strange. Since when did Hyun Ye-won-ssi become the CEO of <The Song>?"

"...Pardon?"

"No. The way you're talking, it's as if it's been decided that <The Song> will be taken over by Hyeonmu. I'm wondering when Hyun Ye-won-ssi gained the authority to make such decisions."

"W-What are you saying? That's not what I meant!"

"Is that so? I thought. Has Hyun Ye-won-ssi now decided to side with Hyeonmu and swallow up <The Song>?"

"CEO!"

Hyun Ye-won called out to me with a voice tinged with protest. Did I say something wrong? I shrugged my shoulders, and Hyun Ye-won spoke in a tone mixed with a sigh.

"Hyun Tae-seong is a stubborn and petty person. Even if we refuse, he'll persistently cling on."

That's right. He's that kind of person.

"There will surely be retaliatory attacks."

"And?"

"What do you mean 'and'? This isn't something you can dismiss so simply!"

Really.

Hyun Ye-won still doesn't know me like this. I smiled and pulled out a tissue from the box on the table, handing it to Hyun Ye-won.

"Don't worry."

I smiled leisurely and brushed my hair behind my ear.

"I'll make sure they pay dearly for making our new employee cry."

Hyun Ye-won looked up at me with a somewhat dazed expression.

I took out my phone and called Jo I-ruk's contact. He had probably gone to the rooftop to smoke, saying he had a headache.

"Team Leader Jo. Yes, it's me. You know that acquisition merger email? Please send a reply to that."

Hyun Ye-won's expression changed to one of surprise, as if she had suddenly come to her senses. I continued speaking while looking directly at Hyun Ye-won.

"Tell them we're positively considering it and would like to discuss specific proposals. As soon as possible."

"...!"

"Yes. Please do that."

Click. After hanging up the phone, I spoke to Hyun Ye-won, who had her mouth wide open.

"Oh, right. Would you like to come along, Ye-won-ssi?"

It was only natural that Hyun Ye-won's expression contorted indescribably.

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Hyeonmu was so eager that Director Hwang Tae-in immediately sent a reply.

'The suggestion was to meet exactly one week later at a high-end private club in Cheongdam-dong.'

It's not unusual to use such private clubs for important discussions between companies, but acquiring a small company like <The Song> wasn't quite that level of agenda.

Nevertheless, the reason Director Hwang Tae-in chose this place was very simple.

'It's about gaining the upper hand.'

The most important thing in negotiations is taking the initiative. Ordinary people tend to lose their composure just by being in an unfamiliar space.

Hwang Tae-in had proposed a location advantageous to himself while pretending to be considerate.

That was the reason I found myself standing here.

"Welcome. I'll guide you to the VIP room you've reserved for today."

As soon as I entered, a staff member approached me as if recognizing me. With a subtle smile, he led me inside.

"This way, please."

As we passed through the lobby, the staff briefly explained the various facilities and services of the club.

From the corridor with monochrome artworks arranged systematically, to ornamental plants that looked like a piece of nature but were actually meticulously groomed.

Everything was luxurious from top to bottom.

When we reached the end of the corridor, the staff member stopped briefly.

"This is the room you reserved for today. It's a space prepared for clients who value privacy. Please call if you need anything."

After I gave a slight nod, the staff member carefully opened the door.

As the door opened, a familiar face appeared inside.

"You've arrived, CEO Song."

A man with a somewhat rat-like impression sat wearing an expensive suit. It was Director Hwang Tae-in.

Click. I heard the sound of the door closing behind me.

I smiled at him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Director Hwang."

Now, it was my time.