The room quieted as the sound of a microphone crackling to life echoed through the grand hall. All eyes turned toward the elevated stage where a tall, commanding figure stoodâMr. Choi, the CEO of Choi Group.
Beside him, his wife, the ever-poised principal and board director of Royals High, stood gracefully, her sharp eyes scanning the audience with a practiced warmth. Her fake warmth reminded me a lot the smile Soobin practiced for the crowd.
It was a little unsettling.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Choi's deep, authoritative voice carried across the room, demanding attention.
"Thank you all for joining us tonight. It is a great pleasure to host this gathering among friends, family, and esteemed associates."
The crowd responded with polite applause, their anticipation thick in the air.
"I would now like to call upon my sons, Yeonjun and Soobin, and my nephew, Beomgyu, to join me here."
The three of them exchanged quick glances before making their way to the stage. Yeonjun silently game my hands a quick squeeze before letting go.
Yeonjun's expression was carefully neutral, while Soobin maintained his usual composed charm. Beomgyu, ever the entertainer, wore a confident smirk, though a flicker of curiosity flashed in his eyes.
As they took their places beside their parents, another pair stepped forward, the elderly man planting a hand on Beomgyu's shoulder. They must be Beomgyu's father and mother.
Their presence added to the already weighty atmosphere. Cameras flashed, capturing the moment as the two families stood side by side in a dramatic pause.
Mr. Choi resumed speaking.
"Even though it feels like just yesterday that they were born, my sons and nephew are nearly adults now. I take great pride in introducing my eldest son, Yeonjun, who will one day lead our company's next great chapter. My younger son, Soobin, whose intellect and leadership have continued to impress us all and will aid in growing our company. And my nephew, Choi Beomgyu, whose ambition and creativity know no bounds."
Polite applause filled the room once more as the three young men acknowledged the crowd.
Soobin's expression hardened a bit at the statement and so did Yeonjun's but I knew that even though their reaction may be same, the reasons behind it was very different.
Yeonjun did not want anything to do with the company and Soobin wanted it all to himself.
Mr. Choi's expression grew more solemn as he continued.
"First and foremost, I would like to take a moment to appreciate our ancestorsâour grandfathersâwho laid the foundation of what we stand on today. Their vision, dedication, and tireless hard work built the empire that is Choi Group and Choi Hotels. Without them, none of this would have been possible. Tonight, we raise our glasses in honor of them."
Servers moved swiftly through the room, ensuring that every guest had a glass of champagne in hand. A collective toast was made, glasses clinking in unison.
I passed a look at Saehi unsure if I should drink and she just nodded for me to take sip.
The microphone was then passed to Beomgyu's father, who took a measured breath before speaking.
"It's remarkable how time flies. I still remember when these three young men were just children, running through our gardens, their hands full of toy cars and airplanes. And now, they stand here as bright, capable young men with a deep understanding of our business. It was inevitable that one day, they would take on the responsibilities of our family legacy. For us, and for those within our company, this transition has long been anticipated. However, as a public entity, it is our duty to make an official statement."
Murmurs spread across the room as anticipation thickened.
Even I had tension knots on my shoulders in the anticipation of what he might say even though I kind of already knew what was coming.
Mr. Choi took the microphone again.
"Tonight, we make that statement. But before that, I want to acknowledge my brother, whose tenacity and business acumen have been instrumental in the growth of Choi Group Hotels. Under his leadership, we have expanded into twelve countries and successfully launched over fifty grand hotels across the globe."
Applause erupted through the crowd, some guests even standing as they raised their glasses again in a congratulatory toast. Cameras flashed once more, immortalizing the moment.
It was all picture perfect.
After a pause for the pictures, Beomgyu's father continued, his voice steady and proud.
"It is with great honor that I announce that my son, Choi Beomgyu, will soon be taking over Choi Hotels. We trust in his vision, his innovative approach, and his understanding of the ever-evolving industry. We believe that under his leadership, Choi Hotels will only continue to grow and flourish."
Beomgyu kept his confident smile, though the flicker of surprise in his eyes did not go unnoticed. He gave a small nod, his fingers subtly curling into a fist before relaxing.
I don't think he anticipated that he would be part of the announcement this way. Neither did Soobin or Yeonjun because both raised their eyebrows but raised their glasses in unison.
Next, Soobin's mother stepped forward, her elegance radiating as she addressed the crowd. I was so used to seeing her in pant suits that seeing her in this elegant dress made her look like a completely new person to me.
"Tonight is not only special because of these announcements but also because we are proud to share a groundbreaking collaboration. We are officially merging with Shine Textile Industry. This partnership will bring immense opportunities, strengthening both Choi Group and Shine Industries' position in the global fashion world. This will not only make a mark in Korea and the APAC region but will also allow us to introduce a distinct Korean fashion presence internationally."
A wave of impressed murmurs swept through the crowd. This was big news.
Now it would be followed up by announcing that Yeonjun will be taking over the textile business.
I don't think I want to hear that.
Because it was not just that. I knew what it meant. Yeonjun had told me that already. This was going to solidify Hyeri's and Yeonjun relationship. At at least on paper.
This meant a concrete future for them.
She continued, her voice carrying an air of finality.
"This merger will be in collaboration with Choi Hotels, where we plan to launch a unique line of boutique hotels worldwideâeach infused with elements of Korean heritage and design. This is our step toward expanding our cultural footprint globally, bringing a piece of Korea to the world."
As applause thundered through the hall, Yeonjun, Soobin, and Beomgyu stood frozen.
The weight of the announcement sank in, and though Soobin and Beomgyu were quick to school their expressions, Yeonjun's jaw tightened slightly. This was not what any of them had expected.
This is not what I was expecting.
The flash of cameras, the murmur of excitement, the knowing smiles exchanged between business elitesâit was overwhelming.
And none of them had seen it coming.
Saehi, Taehyun, Kai and I were all exchanging unsure glances, not knowing what will happen next.
This was not how it was supposed to go.
What did it mean for Yeonjun?
What did it mean for Beomgyu now?
As the applause died down, Mrs. Choi's voice rang out once again.
"We look forward to the bright future ahead with our next generation leading the way. With this new partnership and leadership, we are confident that the Choi legacy will continue to thrive."
Yeonjun clenched his fists, his eyes scanning the crowd to zero on me. He forced himself to remain composed, but he could feel Soobin's gaze on him from across the group. He turned slightly, meeting his eyes just as the cameras flashed once again.
The night had taken an unexpected turn, and something told me that this was just the beginning.
AN: I am not dead. I am back. And back with a cliffhanger.
I was down with a very bad cold but now I am better. This is a short chapter because there is another thing that I wanted to add but then the chapter would have been verrrrrrry long so a short chapter now and I will upload the next chapter soon.
Tell me what is up with you all. I missed you guys.