Chapter 170
Chapter 170
Chapter 170. Intentional Humiliation (3)
Im Hee-yeon's mind was complicated. The position of MH Electronics' CEO wasn't the immediate problem.
It was because Myung Joong-hwan had just said he knew who Shinwoo's biological father was.
She thought no one would know, as he had died in an accident not long after they met.
But for now, she had to decide on Myung Joong-hwan's proposal.
"I'll try it. The CEO position at MH Electronics."
"Im Hee-yeon!"
"You shouldn't do this!"
Myung Sung-chul and Myung Soo-yeon flared up once more.
"Quiet—!"
At the same time, Myung Joong-hwan's angry voice boomed.
His voice echoed through the office, and silence returned.
Myung Joong-hwan stared intently at Im Hee-yeon and said,
"It's decided. And In-chul, you will move to MH Construction as CEO from headquarters. Then everyone will have a position, and it will be clear how things will unfold."
This meant Myung Joong-hwan was placing his children at the starting line to determine the successor of MH Group.
Myung Joong-hwan surveyed the atmosphere and continued speaking.
"...Of course, I will be looking at who has grown the company and by how much. If you show me how you each perform from now on, it will be decided who will sit in my place."
At that explanation, Myung In-chul quietly asked, his brow furrowed,
"Are you saying you mean independent management of the affiliates?"
If that were the case, the person who would benefit the most would be Im Hee-yeon, who would become the CEO of MH Electronics, the largest affiliate.
"What reason do I have to trust you? Or were the accidents you've caused so far not enough? And if I separate the affiliates and gift you the shares, can you handle the taxes?"
Inheritance and gift taxes become 50% for amounts exceeding 3 billion won. Naturally, hundreds of billions of won worth of shares would be transferred for the independent management of affiliates, meaning the gift tax would be substantial.
However, everyone was already suffering financial blows from various incidents.
The separation of affiliates could, in fact, tighten their leash even further.
"...I apologize."
Myung Joong-hwan had learned of Myung In-chul's intentions through Shinwoo. Of course, he couldn't believe everything he heard, so he secretly investigated further.
Through this, he was able to notice several suspicious actions by Myung In-chul that he had previously overlooked.
Naturally, he couldn't entrust any affiliate entirely to such a Myung In-chul.
"Refrain from saying things you cannot handle from now on."
"...Understood."
"......"
"......"
In response to Myung In-chul's answer, Myung Joong-hwan glared at Myung Sung-chul and Myung Soo-yeon with sharp eyes.
The two, whose eyes met his, could barely lift their heads due to the trouble they had caused earlier.
"And until I die, there will never be an independent management system, so know that."
At the same time, Myung Sung-chul looked at Myung In-chul opposite him, as if urging him to say something.
Myung In-chul, who was originally the CEO of MH Electronics, was the one who would have the most reason to complain in the current situation.
Of course, Myung Sung-chul's intentions were not pure. It was more important to reclaim the original affiliates, even if it meant paying gift taxes.
Myung In-chul, however, was in a different position. He had been forced to step down as CEO of MH Electronics due to the mistake of Kwak Chi-young, with whom he had been collaborating...
Furthermore, he didn't know the exact reason Myung Joong-hwan had met with lawyer Hwang Bong-joon, who was managing the will. If his relationship with Kwak Chi-young had been revealed, he might face backlash by arguing about the current situation.
"If you have nothing more to say, let's end the meeting here. Everyone, go back to work. In-chul and Sung-chul, finish up your current positions as quickly as possible and then move."
Everyone had no choice but to quietly get up.
Then, Myung Joong-hwan called out to Im Hee-yeon, stopping her.
"Hee-yeon, stay behind as you have more to say."
"...Yes."
As the three left, Im Hee-yeon sat back down on the sofa, having momentarily gotten up.
"Does my decision weigh on you?"
"...Honestly, it's hard to say it doesn't."
"Still, you made a decision somehow."
From the beginning, Im Hee-yeon hadn't aspired to reach high positions within MH Group. It was purely for survival after her biological mother's death.
After giving birth to Shinwoo and leaving him at an orphanage, her journey became a long one towards freedom. It was a journey to one day return and live together in a place where they would be threatened by no one.
"I can't just stand by. And regarding MH Electronics, I have a few projects in mind."
Im Hee-yeon's business acumen was different from her siblings. That's why Myung Joong-hwan had her start from the bottom and later appointed her as the head of the strategic planning division, which he secretly operated within the group.
Of course, Im Hee-yeon had shown sufficient ability there, but she hadn't been greedy, so he had merely watched.
However, the look in Im Hee-yeon's eyes now was completely different from before.
"It seems you haven't been thinking about this for just a day or two."
"No matter what Shinwoo does, I can't leave him alone."
Hearing that, Myung Joong-hwan recalled what Shinwoo had said last time.
"...Because it interferes with my plans."
Appointing Im Hee-yeon as CEO of MH Electronics had the potential to become what Shinwoo had said.
But MH Electronics needed a CEO with both skill and trust right now. And for Myung Joong-hwan, Im Hee-yeon was the only person who fit those criteria.
"I trust you will do well."
"I will try my best. But earlier... about Shinwoo's biological father."
Im Hee-yeon had never mentioned it to anyone except Shinwoo at the cafe a year ago.
She was naturally surprised that Myung Joong-hwan knew such a fact and had defended her.
"It was a lie."
Im Hee-yeon was startled once again by the absurd answer.
"...Yes?"
"I did investigate, but you hid it so well that nothing came up."
"Then why did you just...?"
"It seemed like they were trying to pick a fight over something trivial, so I bluffed a little."
"......"
That answer was even more absurd than before.
"Of course, whatever happens later will be something you have to bear."
Myung Joong-hwan had given Im Hee-yeon, whom he had pushed aside due to her status as a daughter born out of wedlock, a genuine opportunity.
Knowing this, Im Hee-yeon said no more.
"I will do my best."
"Yes. And about Shinwoo..."
Myung Joong-hwan said something that suddenly came to mind.
At the same time, Im Hee-yeon was startled, her eyes widening.
.
.
.
At the same time.
Myung In-chul entered his office with Myung Sung-chul and Myung Soo-yeon. It was due to Myung Joong-hwan's sudden decision.
Of course, the matter of Im Hee-yeon becoming the CEO of MH Electronics was the biggest issue.
"Father, are you crazy? Electronics for that woman? And selecting a successor without separating the affiliates? This is too selfish! It makes no sense!"
Myung Sung-chul grumbled, and Myung Soo-yeon added,
"Right. Honestly, what's so great about her that she's being entrusted with an electronics affiliate?"
"This is driving me crazy... Why isn't older brother saying anything?"
Myung In-chul was the one who should be most upset right now.
Yet, Myung In-chul remained silent.
"......"
"Older brother."
"Oppa?"
To their continued questions, Myung In-chul slowly opened his mouth.
"What do you want me to do now? If we protest, do you think Father will reverse his decision?"
"But MH Electronics was originally yours. They take it away for one mistake, and you're going to just stand by after hearing it's being given to Im Hee-yeon?!"
Annoyed, Myung In-chul glared at Myung Sung-chul with sharp eyes.
"Forget it. As I just said, it's useless."
"Still, if it's you, you could at least say something."
"Is MH Electronics what's important to you? Or is it MH Foods?"
"Th-that's..."
Myung Sung-chul was trying to get MH Foods back by using MH Electronics as leverage.
Myung In-chul, who knew this from the start, found it pathetic.
"There's no way Im Hee-yeon can run MH Electronics properly. So let's just watch for now."
"Father is pushing Im Hee-yeon. If she succeeds, won't we be the only ones who fail?"
"I have no intention of standing by either. So don't do this here and leave."
The two of them hadn't entered in the first place with permission.
"Even so! If older brother says something again, wouldn't it make a difference?"
"If you're that concerned, try to get hold of the MH Foods executives right now."
"If I could do that, I would have already! And Father would have already told them everything."
"...And what are you going to do about it?"
Meanwhile, Myung Soo-yeon, standing next to Myung Sung-chul, had a sulky expression.
"Why are you like this lately, oppa?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're too passive. Did Father get some leverage on you?"
Myung In-chul flinched inwardly for a moment. Of course, nothing was revealed outwardly. Myung Joong-hwan meeting with lawyer Hwang Bong-joon, who was in charge of the will, was merely circumstantial.
However, the increasingly anxious situation and Myung Joong-hwan's changed attitude made Myung In-chul feel intimidated.
"Go back, you're being noisy."
Myung In-chul sighed and checked the documents on his desk.
Seeing this, Myung Soo-yeon could only tilt her head and leave with Myung Sung-chul.
Left alone, Myung In-chul's mind was in turmoil. He would be kicked out of his position as CEO of MH Group headquarters and moved to MH Construction.
Of course, MH Construction was a place he had managed before, so it wouldn't be a major problem.
However, being ousted from a position and then returning meant a rather awkward situation, with not a few problems.
Knock knock—
"...President."
A knock sounded, and Park Sang-gyu, his secretary and bodyguard, entered.
"What is it?"
"It's about MH Electronics shares. They've been transferred to RN Electronics."
"...Shares? How many?"
"1.62 million shares. RN Electronics purchased all of them that were held by TSF's Korean branch."
At Park Sang-gyu's explanation, Myung In-chul's face hardened.
"Director Kwak threw that away without telling me? No, is what you're telling me now the notification?"
"...For now, Director Kwak says he won't touch MH Electronics for a while."
"So, he's letting go of my hand?"
Park Sang-gyu continued his reply with a calm expression.
"There are internal matters at TSF, so they are suggesting they divert their attention for a moment. Therefore, Director Kwak asks for your understanding."
"Not directly, but through you?"
"Once the matter I just mentioned is resolved... you will be able to proceed with the work you desire more smoothly."
Myung In-chul let out a long sigh at the ambiguous explanation.
"Haa—! Is there no more detailed explanation?"
"This is all I have to convey. However, Director Kwak mentioned the share details because of his relationship with you."
"So, you're telling me to lie low quietly until he contacts me again?"
His question was laced with thorns.
Park Sang-gyu paused for a moment, deep in thought.
"...He said you could dismiss us if you don't like it."
"Dismiss you? You mean I have to handle it all alone?"
"Perhaps you could think of it as a brief moment to catch your breath."
Myung In-chul stared intently at Park Sang-gyu.
"I have no intention of sending you away. And starting next week, you'll be working at MH Construction, so be aware of that."
This time, Park Sang-gyu tilted his head.
"...Are you taking over MH Construction again?"
"No. I'm stepping down from my position as CEO of MH Group headquarters and moving there entirely."
Park Sang-gyu understood his words without difficulty.
"I will... prepare."
"Do that. Oh, and regarding Baek Shin-woo's biological father..."
Myung In-chul was puzzled by something that only Im Hee-yeon and Myung Joong-hwan knew. Moreover, if there were truly no issues, Im Hee-yeon wouldn't have reacted so sensitively.
At the request, Park Sang-gyu hesitated for a moment before replying.
"Baek Shin-woo's biological father was also a matter that TSF investigated."
"...Really? What did it say?"
"There is no information. The only possible point of contact was the US, and since it was 24 years ago, records or traces could not be found. Furthermore, Im Hee-yeon does not seem to have leaked any information about her biological father anywhere."
Kwak Chi-young of TSF, being no fool, would have undoubtedly investigated the existence of the biological father, whose influence on Baek Shin-woo and Im Hee-yeon was unknown.
However, with no results, he could only sigh.
"Nothing at all?"
"That's correct."
"Haa... Alright, I understand. Just prepare what I mentioned earlier."
"Yes."
With his reply, Myung In-chul let out another sigh.