Chapter 49.2
Even If It's Not Love
Woo-hyunâs gaze, as he looked at the whole situation, didnât contain any emotion.
âThe road up to this day was difficult, but in the end, we did it. If you followed the Chairman here, thatâs enough. Of course, some people thought it was absurd. Theyâre not here anymore. I donât even know where they are.â
It meant that they were either dead or had been sold. The faces of those who were encouraged slightly hardened at those words.
âBut those of you who are here wonât end up like that. Are you jealous of my position now? Are you jealous of the things I enjoy? Do you want to be like me? Then be loyal to the Chairman!â
Executive Director Kim, standing on the stage, looked at the people below and shouted.
âFor the Chairman, I would get stabbed if I was told to, I would die if I was told to. That kind of loyalty was the secret to getting here. So be loyal to your superiors. If you fall for someoneâs swaying words or temptation, your life will be fucked from then on, everyone. Thereâs no need for that, right?â
Executive Director Kim repeatedly emphasized the sweetness of loyalty and the misery of betrayal. Young members of the organization were already being brainwashed, and older executives were being half-convinced by Executive Director Kimâs sly words.
By the end of the process, Kim had called the chairman. Thunderous applause poured out, followed by a chant for the chairman. It was an excitement close to irrational madness. This was the result of the emotional encouragement from Executive Director Kim.
It looked rather childish. And this kind of childishness sometimes made people give in.
âEveryone has worked hard until now, and I hope youâll do the same going forward. Iâll pay you well, so I trust you.â
The chairmanâs greeting was short and bold. After saying that they would receive as much as they did, he returned to his seat. At those words, the members of the organization cheered. Like people on the verge of getting fame and wealth.
Presents from the executives followed one after the other. The members of the organization opened their mouths wide at the expensive gifts they gave, which were difficult to convert into currency, as if they were competing. The most overwhelming gift was Executive Director Kimâs porcelain, which he won for 100 million won.
âI thought you might be interested in ceramics these days, so I prepared this.â
âThank you.â
Unlike how he put away the other gifts, the chairmanâs gaze lingered for a long time along the smooth curves of the porcelain. Even in the darkness, the subtle glow of the brightly lit porcelain seemed to please him, and a satisfied smile blossomed around Executive Director Kimâs mouth.
âIs it to your liking?â
âItâs nice.â
âThatâs a relief. But⦠Why is Director Sin standing like that? Donât tell me you came empty-handed on a day like today.â
Executive Director Kimâs smiling gaze flew to Woo-hyun like a knife.
âMy gift is going to take a long time, so I was waiting for the end.â
âIs that so? Shall we take a look?â
âIâll show you slowly.â
âHey, thereâs no use avoiding it. Are you going to make the Chairman wait? Iâm also very curious about what my little brother has prepared for the Chairman.â
Executive Director Kim, who had the upper hand by calling him little brother, smiled. It was a smile that showed he was convinced that no matter what gift he had brought, it couldnât be better than his own.
The peopleâs gazes were drawn to Woo-hyun. They looked curious about how Woo-hyun would come out. The relationship between Woo-hyun and Executive Director Kim was quite famous within the organization.
Even though Executive Director Kim took care of Woo-hyun while in front of others, there was no one that didnât know how he was keeping him in check behind the scenes. In comparison, there were a lot of opinions that Woo-hyun was self-conscious because he didnât give much of a response, but those close to him knew.
Woo-hyun didnât deal with Executive Director Kim deliberately.
It was simply a fight between a spear that kept poking and a shield that didnât react.
The people waited for Woo-hyunâs reaction, breathing heavily.
âI see.â
Finally, Woo-hyun opened his mouth that had been firmly closed in a straight line.
âI canât keep you two waiting, so Iâll bring it.â
Woo-hyunâs head tilted. At that light signal, Jun-kyung stepped back and gestured. Members of the organization dragged ten men with arms tied behind their backs and made them kneel.
In an instant, the mood dropped violently. The chairmanâs eyes, who had been staring at the porcelain ever since, turned to the ten people who sat on their knees.
The buzz that had spread for a while quieted down as Executive Director Kim stood in front of Woo-hyun.
âWhat the hell is this?â
Kimâs eyes turned cold as he looked at Woo-hyun. The twisted corners of his mouth testified to his firmly twisted temper.
âEven if you donât think about it, where do you think you are to drag those small fries here? What the fuck are you doing on a day to celebrate like today? Director Sin.â
Executive Director Kim looked at Woo-hyun intimidatingly with his eyes glistening with madness.
âHow could I? I respect the will of Executive Director Kim, who normally values discipline.â
Woo-hyun stood with his hands behind his back and politely replied to Executive Director Kim.
âBut youâre doing this shit?â
Executive Director Kim asked quietly, clenching his teeth tightly.
âThe ones who tried to mess with my people, the ones who poked my business, the ones who were spying around my area. Investigating them revealed Executive Director Kimâs name.â
âWhat?â
Executive Director Kimâs expression suddenly crumpled. His gaze turned back. Executive Director Kim, who walked closer to them in big strides, grabbed them by the hair and checked their faces one by one.