Press Conference: One Step at a Time
Step by step, he advanced calmly toward the press conference. With Du-seong's gunshot, the war's overture had begun. There was no longer any reason to hide, nor any need to do so. He arrived at the venue with confident strides.
As Min-ho, whom they'd all been waiting for, appeared in the lobby, flashes exploded without cease.
"President Kang! Over here, please!"
"Right here! This way!"
"The left side too, if you would?"
Min-ho took his seat and gripped the microphone. The reporters, unable to wait any longer, shoved and jostled as they hurled questions competitively.
"Have you come to dispel the rumors swirling around you? Or are you here to admit them?"
"Is the bribery allegation involving the Judicial Affairs Committee true?"
"What was your intention in using Gu Eun-chae?"
Normally, such press conferences began with a bow of the head in greeting. Min-ho, well-versed in these situations, knew how crucial even the smallest actions were. A single bow could lead to cleverly edited photos and sensational follow-up stories, dragging him through the mud again.
With an expressionless face, he stared at the brawling reporters and gestured toward the security team. The noisy hall began to settle, one by one.
"Everyone, calm down and take your prepared seats!"
As the chaos subsided, Min-ho raised the microphone volume and began.
"Hello. I'm Athena President Kang Min-ho. I've come here to dispel the numerous suspicions surrounding me..."
A front-row reporter cut him off with a question.
"Is it true you handed bribes to Judicial Affairs Committee Chairman Kim Cheol-yong?"
"I'll explain from now on. And reporter, please remember the basics: state your affiliation and name first."
The key to a press conference was the psychological battle with the reporters. Show even a hint of weakness, and they'd swarm like piranhas. Min-ho seized control in an instant with a polite yet firm tone.
The reporters, who had underestimated him for his youth, quickly rolled their eyes, gauging the mood.
"First, regarding the initial suspicion: I've never met Chairman Kim, and it's absolutely untrue that I used Gu Eun-chae to deliver bribes."
Min-ho nodded. Copies of The Times special edition, containing all the truths, were distributed.
The special edition detailed Chairman Kim Cheol-yong's corruption, along with bribery records involving heavyweight lawmakers. With flawless testimonies, recordings, and evidence, the room fell into stunned silence, as if doused with cold water.
The shameless reporters buzzed among themselves.
"Was that from his district?"
"Where the hell did they dig this up?"
"We totally struck out this time..."
As the murmurs quieted, he delved into the main story.
"Chairman Kim promised construction industry interests in exchange for bribes. Details are fully covered in the The Times special edition."
He mentioned the special edition before the full explanation. The reason he'd delayed the conference by hours was to ensure it sold out completely—packed with ironclad evidence. It was a calculated move, knowing the weight of every word from the center of media and public attention.
The sudden special edition news sent the onlookers outside into a frenzy. They soon bolted toward nearby newsstands.
A mid-row reporter shot up his hand.
"Yeongsu Ilbo reporter Min Tae-hoon."
"Go ahead."
"You're curious why you delayed the conference by about five hours."
Min-ho sipped from the water bottle on the table and replied calmly.
"Would you have believed me without the special edition? Athena once again declares we never bribed Chairman Kim."
"Do you plan legal action against Myeongjin Ilbo, which first reported this?"
"This incident has severely damaged Myeongjin Ilbo's credibility. Sales and ads will dwindle, leading to natural淘汰. No legal action will be taken."
This was the opposite of Min-ho's usual style of exacting a price. But he had his reasons. He could well imagine his grandfather's rage. Myeongjin Ilbo, the first to report, was surely doomed to closure without him lifting a finger. It was a clever response—showing magnanimity without getting his hands dirty.
"Seongyeon Ilbo reporter Kim Ji-han."
"Why haven't you disclosed your ties to JK Group while running a massive firm like Athena?"
"People would assume my success came from Grandfather's help. I wanted pure success, free from JK's shadow."
"So, will you enter the JK Group succession race on this success?"
"That's for Chairman and the esteemed shareholders to decide. It's premature for a definitive answer."
It was a seasoned response, threading the needle between yes and no—hard to believe from someone in his twenties. Reporters clicked their tongues in admiration.
"Blood will tell. Look at that Chairman Kang grandson response. Mind-blowing."
"How's he so slick at that age?"
"First press conference where none of our leading questions landed..."
The suspicions were false, and tricky questions deftly sidestepped. Desperate not to leave empty-handed, reporters waved frantically for the mic.
"NBC reporter, your question."
"The special edition clears the suspicions. But Gu Eun-chae in the middle intrigues me."
"What part?"
"Soseonjae is rife with political rumors. Why is President Gu at the center, and what do you think of the lobbyist allegations?"
With politicos and tycoons frequenting it, words from Soseonjae were invaluable to Min-ho. His answer could seal its fate.
"And a word on this photo, please."
The reporter unfolded a newspaper for Min-ho to see. A large photo showed Min-ho and Eun-chae chatting intimately. Fail to clear her name here, and she'd bear the scarlet letter of "lobbyist" forever.
Urging a response, the reporter pressed again.
"This photo of you two side by side fanned the flames. Please explain why it exists."
Waves are swallowed by bigger waves; news by bigger news. Min-ho stared at the photo. No choice. Though unwanted, there was one way to resolve it: not a wave, but a tsunami.
With a sly smile, he dropped an answer no one—not even Gu Eun-chae—expected.
"Gu Eun-chae and I are in a relationship, with marriage in mind."
"Pardon? With Gu Eun-chae?"
"Any issue?"
"No, just... shocked... Uh, yes... Thank you."
He lied brazenly, calmly. Yet it was highly effective. It obliterated the political suspicions in one blow, shifting focus elsewhere—the best response.
No one could imagine the chaebol heir and Soseonjae's president—who hosted politicos—as lovers. The ripple effect was bound to be massive.
Reporters raised hands again for the new scoop, pelting sharp questions. But to Min-ho, they were nothing.
After thirty minutes of Q&A, he stood.
"Athena will strive to avoid even a hint of suspicion henceforth. Thank you for watching with faith."
Min-ho, ever sharp, wouldn't miss this spotlight moment. Free top-tier PR.
"Finally, those with The Times special edition get 15% off all items at every A-Mart branch for three days. Thank you for your interest. This concludes the conference."
Suspicions vanished in a flash. Media eyes turned pink with romance rumors. Public attention shifted to A-Mart. The Times special editions would vanish from streets, sending holders straight to A-Mart.
Turning crisis to opportunity, Min-ho boarded the elevator again.
***
Rule one: Don't go to the fifteenth floor.
Rule two: Don't ask who's the president.
Athena's two rules shattered with the conference. Curious The Times reporters swarmed the stairs to the fifteenth floor.
"Knew he wasn't ordinary, but JK Group? No way."
"First time I've been this shocked in my life."
"That elevator? Must be the president. So, group dinners now?"
"Oh, coming up."
Reporters held their breath, staring at the elevator. Moments later, the veiled Min-ho appeared before them.
The existence they'd wondered about but couldn't ask. Seeing him, they clamored for handshakes, chanting his name.
"Kang Min-ho! Kang Min-ho!"
"Kang Min-ho! Kang Min-ho!"
"An honor to meet you!"
Min-ho bowed politely and introduced himself belatedly.
"Apologies for not greeting you sooner due to various reasons. Nice to meet you. I'm Kang Min-ho of The Times reporters."
"Whoa! Kang Min-ho! Kang Min-ho!"
"Wanted to meet since Barcelona Olympics."
"Just one handshake, please."
Grinning broadly at the endless staff, President Jo Dong-uk barked,
"You all wanna end up at the station doing push-ups? Back off three meters from the president! Now!"
"President, cut us some slack today?"
"Deadlines met? Get downstairs! Who else is coming up?"
"Then join the next group dinner, President. Promise?"
After brief greetings, Min-ho entered the conference room. The tense team finally exhaled in relief.
Lawyer Choi handed him water. "Great job. Suspicions gone, public opinion flipped instantly."
"This is nothing. It's just starting. Everyone worked hard—must've been stressful. Let's eat big tonight."
"Watched the conference on edge."
"Your press release helped tons. As expected, Lawyer Choi."
"Too kind."
Then the door opened, and Eun-chae appeared. Heads turned, scanning her and Min-ho's faces. She smiled, seemingly pleased.
"Didn't know I had a boyfriend even I didn't know about?"
"No choice—don't misunderstand."
"I get it. 'Lobbyist' scarlet letter sucks compared to 'JK Group grandson-in-law' title. Way cooler."
"Glad the principal's happy. Hungry—let's eat."
"Can I come as your girlfriend?"
"Of course. Not Soseonjae level, but eat whatever."
Eun-chae linked arms with a sly smile. He stared, puzzled.
"What? We're officially dating now. That big a deal?"
"I'll shut up... Do as you please."
The group headed to the restaurant with light steps.
Meanwhile, at JK Group HQ entrance, Myeongjin Ilbo President Park Cheol-ho knelt, bellowing at the top of his lungs.
"Chairman! Spare me! I was wrong. Chairman!"