Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: The Acquisition Bombshell
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As soon as she arrived at work and sensed the chaotic atmosphere, Hyun Ye-won tilted her head in confusion.
When she ran into a colleague in the break room and asked what was going on, she ended up hearing an absolutely bombshell declaration.
"Huh?"
Hyun Ye-won couldn't hide her bewilderment as she asked again.
"Hyunmu... did what?"
"They made an acquisition offer. That's why everyone's freaking out. Whether we'll be absorbed under Hyunmu directly or turned into a subsidiary. And if it really goes through, what happens to our employment contracts—stuff like that."
"Hyunmu...?"
Hyun Ye-won could only repeat it like an idiot. She couldn't quite believe her ears.
"Yeah. That's what happened. The Song's got great performance, sure, but who would've thought a massive corp like that would come knocking twice. It's not like they're threatening us or anything."
Her coworker sipped her coffee as she spoke.
"I bet Hyunmu's offering a good price, though. If we sell, Song CEO could just take the money and live easy, right?"
"Ah..."
"I'd sell in a heartbeat. We're all just working to make a living. Why suffer when you could pull in enough cash to last a lifetime?"
Her coworker's words stopped registering in Hyun Ye-won's ears.
"And watching Song CEO work? It's exhausting just to look at. How does someone grind like that nonstop? I just don't get it..., Ye-won? Ye-won!"
Ignoring the voice calling her, Hyun Ye-won bolted out of the break room. A bad premonition had flashed through her mind.
Right. Hyunmu's owner family had indeed mentioned The Song's name on the table. But...
-Companies with strong company loyalty and no desire to integrate are just headaches after acquisition.
Hadn't The Song been dropped from the acquisition list precisely because of that disqualifier? For such a proposal to land anyway, someone must have pulled strings.
'No way.'
Hyun Ye-won pushed through the crowd of murmuring people. A printed copy of the full email sat right on the desk.
Flutter.
She flipped open the document without hesitation.
"......"
It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her. That sticky, unpleasant sensation creeping slowly from head to toe left Hyun Ye-won frozen stiff for a while.
"I wanna see it too."
"Me too."
If the other employees hadn't reached out to grab the papers, she might have stood there dazed even longer.
Hyun Ye-won slipped away, her face pale.
"Hyun Ye-won."
"Ah, Team Leader."
Jo Yi-ruk urgently called out to her.
"Don't be too shocked. The president will be in soon anyway."
"Ah, yes."
"Your face is pale. You okay? Feeling sick?"
Even Jo Yi-ruk's words didn't fully reach her. Hyun Ye-won mumbled blankly.
"No, just a headache. ...May I step out for some air?"
Jo Yi-ruk paused silently before nodding.
"Sure. The office is a mess anyway."
"Yes. Thank you."
Hyun Ye-won bowed slightly and headed for the emergency stairs. She stumbled as if she might trip several times but barely caught herself each time.
Click.
After closing the door behind her, Hyun Ye-won shakily pulled out her phone.
Rrring. The call tone rang briefly before connecting.
-Hello?
The voice on the other end asked in a smooth tone, as if they'd been waiting.
-Good grief. My half-sister, who didn't even check if I was alive or dead on my birthday, calling first? What's up?
"Hyun Tae-seong."
Calling his name made him scoff unpleasantly.
-Call me oppa, little sis.
"Cut the crap."
They'd never once been close siblings. Hyun Ye-won had always called Hyun Tae-seong "you" instead of "oppa."
He reacted sensitively to it, as if she were denying his very existence.
The cold wind between them was par for the course.
"This is your doing, right? This merger and acquisition."
-Huh, can't they keep their mouths shut there? Even the grunts know?
"You sent it flashy on purpose!"
Hyun Ye-won couldn't hold back and yelled.
"Executive Director Hwang Tae-in! You think I don't know he's your guy? What's your game? Why send an email to a company Dad had no interest in acquiring!"
-Calm down, Ye-won. Okay?
Hyun Tae-seong whispered in mock affection.
-No, but you're working at some no-name place. How could I not worry as your big bro? My heart's too soft for that kinda cruelty~.
The sarcasm was blatant.
-You're so dug in at this company you won't even take Hyunmu. Don't I need to vet the place? Make sure some clueless girl hasn't fallen for a con artist~.
"You done talking?!"
It was hard enough to endure him trash-talking Song Woo-yeon. As Hyun Ye-won bristled, Hyun Tae-seong just cackled in delight.
-What's the problem? Guess Hwang hasn't passed on the terms yet. They'll pay handsomely, keep employment intact. Pretty sweet deal, no?
"Why are you doing this? You think you can just push things your way?"
-Well?
Hyun Tae-seong replied nonchalantly.
-Ye-won, you're misunderstanding something. Hwang Tae-in is Dad's man first, before mine.
"......"
-You're not a kid needing it spelled out, right?
Hyun Ye-won felt her fingertips trembling. Not fear or betrayal.
It was blazing rage.
The flames roared up from her heart, consuming her to the tips of her fingers. Whether Hyun Tae-seong knew it or not, he kept spouting his piece.
-Grandpa's stubborn about securing your position first, so we're following his lead.
"......"
-Once you're in the company, he can't complain. Then I just slide into a nice executive spot.
That was the goal, ultimately. So obvious it was boring.
Hyun Ye-won let out a deep sigh.
"...As long as I don't join Hyunmu, you think there's no spot for you. That's why you're pulling this. Trying to force me in."
Hyun Moo-jung had declared it clearly.
Your entry comes first. In other words, no spot for Hyun Tae-seong while Hyun Ye-won held out at The Song.
That must have made him desperate. Maybe even Hyun Jeong-hu.
-If you say so?
Hyun Ye-won couldn't suppress the bubbling laugh at his snide tone.
"Pfft. Puhahaha..., ahahahaha!"
Her peals of laughter drew a bewildered voice from the phone.
"Ahaha... Sorry. Too funny. My bad."
-Hyun Ye-won. I ain't falling for your tough act.
"You still don't get Grandpa?"
-What?
Hyun Ye-won's face turned icy cold, as if she'd never laughed. A sharp edge hung in the air, keen enough to cut at a touch.
"What's the company's 'gain' in this merger?"
-!
"Hyun Tae-seong, not your personal benefit. What does Hyunmu gain?"
-Th-that's... The Song's a promising SME with growth potential...
"'Growth potential'? You wouldn't spout that nonsense in front of Grandpa. Since when does Hyunmu play venture capital?"
Hyun Tae-seong clamped his mouth shut at her merciless critique.
"Grandpa always stressed 'managerial mindset.' Managers prioritize the company's overall interests over personal feelings. Didn't you learn that basic principle?"
Hyun Ye-won continued in a sneering tone.
"Why show up to the family dinner? Actually there to eat?"
-You...! Watch your mouth! That dinner was just to give you management training—
"You're the one confused. Grandpa didn't invite just me. He called you too."
-Ugh.
"You had your chance too. Though blowing it like this doesn't bode well."
-Hey! You really—!
Hyun Tae-seong raged and shouted incoherently. Hyun Ye-won pulled the phone away to protect her ears.
Only when he'd worn himself out, panting, did she bring it back.
"Done? My turn."
Huff, huff. Rough breaths came through.
"If you don't wanna get chewed out by Grandpa for real, quit this ridiculous stunt."
-Ha. And if I don't?
"Who knows."
Hyun Ye-won shrugged.
"Grandpa... would've found a better alternative in this situation."
-......
"I would've too."
-Ugh!
"Decide for yourself. I'm hanging up."
-Wait, Hyun Ye-won, what do you mean...!
Click.
Hyun Ye-won pocketed her phone.
"...Haa."
A deep sigh escaped her. Burying her face in her hands, she muttered.
"What a mess. Now I've dragged the company into this."
Tears threatened to well up. This damn bloodline never helped at the right time.
'If it weren't for me, that idiot wouldn't have pushed this reckless acquisition. The company's flipped because of me.'
The thought only weighed heavier on her heart.
Snap.
At Song Woo-yeon's gesture, Hyun Ye-won jumped up as if electrocuted. Seeing Jo Yi-ruk's puzzled look from the side, she whispered low.
"I-I'm just gonna see the president real quick...!"
Jo Yi-ruk looked puzzled for a moment but nodded readily upon seeing Song Woo-yeon staring straight at her.
He didn't know why, but he habitually trusted that Song Woo-yeon had something in mind.
"Go ahead."
"Yep."
Hyun Ye-won slipped into the president's office amid the chaotic office vibe. She felt like a spy, her palms sweaty.
As she cautiously closed the door and stepped in, Song Woo-yeon greeted her like he'd been waiting.
"You're here?"
"......"
The moment she faced Song Woo-yeon, Hyun Ye-won bowed deeply at once.
"I'm sorry! President! I've committed a mortal sin!"