"Did anyone of you know about this?" I ask Taehyun and Kai and they both shake their head.
"Beomgyu wasn't aware of it. He would have told us" Kai says.
"Plus, he did not want to take over the business this soon. He still has two years till he completes high school" Taehyun shakes his head, as if this unsettles him as much it does Beomgyu.
"Precisely why he wasn't told of this beforehand" Kai muses and Taehyun flexes his jaw as he stares at him.
"But... what does this mean for Yeonjun then?" I ask before I can stop myself.
Both of them point their gaze at me and Saehi nudges me. But it is too late because their attention is on me.
"What do you mean?" Taehyun asks.
"I-uh- um- Yeonjun... Yeonjun was supposed to take over the textile business of Choi Industries. But with Beomgyu... What happens to Yeonjun now?" I ask, trying to make a sensible sentence.
"I don't know" Kai mutters.
"And what about Hyeri?" I ask again before I can stop myself.
"What about her?" Taehyun narrows his eyes at me.
How am I supposed to ask him about Hyeri without telling him that Yeonjun told me this and this is one of the reasons for our fights because I am unsure of my future with him given that his parents are setting marriage proposals with him and Hyeri, whose parents are doing the mergers with the Choi Industries.
I look at Saehi for help and she rolls her eyes.
"Hyeri has been going around the school telling people how she is set to marry Yeonjun because Choi industries are partnering with Shine textile industries and this will solidify he relation between both the families" she says it in a dismissive tone, as if it was some gossip running around the floors in our school.
"Does this mean... that Beomgyu has to marry her?" I voice out my thought and look at Saehi. She flinches at the words but is quick to mask a aloof expression on her face.
"We're not sure. Once the announcement is over and they come back here, we can sort everything out" Kai says level headed as ever.
"Aren't you a little too invested in their love life?" Taehyun narrows his eyes at me and I try my best to not throw my champagne at his face.
Tonight was proving to be an already hectic night and I didn't have the patience to deal with him.
"And now, the final announcement before we can all go and enjoy the party. I don't want to keep you all in anticipation" Mr. Choi laughed a little to himself and the crowd mimicked him.
Our attention was dragged again to the group at the center.
Mr. Choi took a step forward, standing between his two sons before continuing. He exhaled slowly, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.
"I know many expect there to be competition between my children, that they will be pitted against each other, forced into rivalry over leadership. That is what the world wanted for my brother and me as well, but our father never let that happen. We built this empire together, and I will not let it affect my relationship with my son's and definitely not brew competition between my sons."
A murmur spread through the audience, a ripple of curiosity and intrigue at his words. The air was thick with anticipation.
He placed a firm hand on both Yeonjun's and Soobin's shoulders, pulling them forward to stand at his side.
The contrast between the two brothers was starkâYeonjun, with his unwavering scowl, and Soobin, with his calm demeanor.
They had always been different, yet complementary.
"Soobin," he said, turning to his younger son, his voice filled with warmth and pride.
"Your sharp mind, business acumen, and ability to adapt to any situation have impressed me time and time again. You have a deep understanding of our company's future and a level-headed approach that is necessary in leadership. I have seen how you analyze every decision, how you weigh every possibility before making a move. That kind of foresight is invaluable."
Soobin met his father's gaze steadily, though there was a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
He had expected praise, but not in such a public setting. He masked his surprise quickly.
Still, he gave a small, respectful nod, his fingers pressing together behind his back.
Then Mr. Choi turned to Yeonjun.
"And Yeonjun, my eldest. Your charisma, confidence, and strategic thinking make you a natural-born leader. You have always carried the weight of expectations with grace, and your strength inspires those around you. You have an instinct for leadership that cannot be taught. From a young age, you understood the responsibility that comes with our name, and you have never once faltered."
Yeonjun's jaw tightened slightly at his father's words, his expression unreadable.
Yeonjun seemed a little uncomfortable with all the attention that was on him but he didn't cower at that. He faced it head on.
There was cold calculation in his eyes. He was trying to asses the situation to its best abilities and I felt like I was holding my breath for the next words.
Soobin had spent his entire life preparing to take over Choi Group, to live up to every expectation that came with being the sole heir. And now...
Mr. Choi looked at both of them, his voice filled with conviction.
"That is why I am proud to announce that both of my sons will lead Choi Industries togetherâas Co-CEOs."
A hush fell over the hall before an eruption of shocked murmurs and cheers.
Cameras flashed wildly as guests turned to one another, trying to process the unexpected announcement.
The air was thick with a mixture of excitement, disbelief, and curiosity.
"Co-CEOs?" someone whispered from the crowd.
"I thought Yeonjun was going to take over alone."
"Yeonjun? No. Soobin was trained since he was born. I was sure hewas going to lead the industry after his father's retirement" another voice murmed.
"This is unprecedented..." Another voice.
The voices mulled together in my head and I couldn't distinguish one from another, my gaze only fixated on Yeonjun.
Yeonjun's fingers curled at his sides, his mask of indifference slipping for just a moment before he schooled his expression once more.
Soobin, ever composed, nodded slightly, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
Mr. Choi, unbothered by the whispers spreading through the room, smiled.
It was like he expected this reaction.
"I have no doubt that together, my sons will take this company to even greater heights."
More applause broke out, sealing the fate of Choi Group's future leadership.
Yeonjun turned his gaze toward Soobin, searching his expression for any sign of resentment or satisfaction, but his younger brother merely stood there, composed as ever.
The weight of this decision settled heavily on his shoulders.
This was not how it was supposed to be.
After a couple more minutes of standing there posing for pictures they started walking back to our group.
"Soobin," Yeonjun finally murmured once both of them were back to us, his voice just low enough for our group to hear.
"Did you know about this?" He had genuine shock in his voice, the mask of arrogance no longer his armour.
Soobin's lips pressed into a thin line before he answered.
"No" he bit out.
For once, I couldn't tell if he was lying.
"I need to get some air" Soobin voiced and started walking away without waiting for anyone else.
"And I need to get some answers" Yeonjun whispered to more himself than others before walking after Soobin.
We were all too stunned to speak.
A/N: Hello lovely people! Another Update