By Zephyria 
Executive Director Kwon Young-je added a brief explanation about the process so far.
Considering Chairman Takano’s behavior, he expected that there would be more than one or two victims. So, he hired people to dig into his past.
They found a total of sixteen victims. Among them, they were able to contact nine. All of the victims were Omegas, and most were in positions of weakness. The oldest case occurred a whopping 28 years ago. That victim expressed a willingness to help, even though the statute of limitations for the case had long expired.
The other victims were initially cautious, but they were gradually persuaded by Executive Director Kwon’s active persuasion. It was a difficult fight to handle alone, but the chances of winning increased when several victims banded together. Executive Director Kwon Young-je’s assistance played a significant role in getting them to write statements. His reliable status as an apex executive director and the generously supported financial resources were enough to build trust.
“We started talking to Fujino Pharmaceuticals in earnest last month. We’ve already finished all the preparations on our end.”
“…….”
“Check the rest yourself.”
He flicked the corner of the binder with his index finger. Hui-won had no choice but to continue reading.
Most of the documents were printouts of emails exchanged with Fujino Pharmaceuticals. Numerous conversations took place over the course of a month, starting with Kwon Young-je’s raising the issue. Fujino Pharmaceuticals initially denied it, of course, but when the victims’ statements came to light, they changed their attitude and began to act submissively.
Persistent explanations and persuasion continued tediously. At the end, they even threatened to withdraw the license, but Kwon Young-je maintained his firm stance.
<We demand Chairman Takano’s apology and confession.>
Fujino Pharmaceuticals reacted very sensitively to the confession. If the fact that the head of a trait-specialized pharmaceutical company had continuously committed sexual offenses became public, the company would also face a crisis of survival.
Therefore, Fujino Pharmaceuticals tried to persuade Kwon Young-je by bringing out all the cards they had, but to no avail.
“So… that’s why they’re in Korea now.”
Fujino Pharmaceuticals eventually waved the white flag. The most recent email contained the date and location of the meeting. The hotel they were heading to now was the meeting place.
“I’m done here. Secretary Kim is the one who will sit at the negotiating table.”
Kwon Young-je spoke as if it were someone else’s business, in a nonchalant tone that didn’t sound like someone who had been fighting alone for a long time.
“…….”
Hui-won closed the file and silently turned his head. Kwon Young-je met his gaze as if he had been waiting for it.
Perhaps sensing his troubled mind, he curled up the corners of his lips. It was a rare and handsome smile.
“How does it feel to be the one in charge?”
“To be honest, it’s so sudden that I can’t believe it.”
“Don’t make a stupid decision this time. I won’t let it slide twice.”
With those words, Kwon Young-je turned his head again. His crossed leg was tapping lightly. He didn’t show it, but he seemed to be in a good mood.
On the other hand, Hui-won clenched and unclenched his fists with a stiff face. He tried to calm his breathing, but he couldn’t stop his heart from racing.
It wasn’t the upcoming meeting with Fujino Pharmaceuticals that made him nervous. The problem was himself, interpreting Kwon Young-je’s kindness as he pleased. Would there be a boss who would go this far just because his secretary had been humiliated?
Hui-won looked out the car window and tried to erase the unnecessary delusions.
There wasn’t a single person to be seen on the guest room floor. It was because they had booked the most expensive top floor, as people who cared about security would.
Hui-won glanced at his wristwatch, lifted his sleeve, and then took another deep breath. He was nervous, but he repeatedly reminded himself that Executive Director Kwon was standing firmly by his side. Finally, his outstretched index finger pressed the doorbell.
Ting- a subdued bell rang. There was a sound from inside, and the guest room door clicked open. The first face he encountered was one that both Hui-won and Kwon Young-je knew well.
“Thank you for coming.”
Chairman Takano’s aide bowed deeply to the two of them. The lawyers standing behind him also bowed deeply, as if they had promised to do so. It was a thorough display of being in a subordinate position.
“Please come in.”
The aide took charge of the guidance in fluent Korean. Following him inside, the view of the spacious suite unfolded. No matter how good the hotel room was, the reunion couldn’t be comfortable. Hui-won took a seat with a stiff face.
“How have you been?”
The aide opened his mouth with difficulty. His eyes were darting around busily, trying to gauge Hui-won and Kwon Young-je’s reactions.
Hui-won chuckled softly at that.
“I don’t think we’re in a position to ask each other how we’ve been.”
“I have felt guilty all along for not apologizing for the inconvenience you experienced that day.”
“I heard about that too. That the medicine you gave me was a common tranquilizer that you can easily get on the market.”
A look of embarrassment crossed the aide’s face. Hui-won didn’t wait for an excuse and calmly continued what he had to say.
“I wanted to ask you when we met. What kind of situation did you expect to happen? You were well aware that I was in heat cycle.”
The aide only moved his lips. Hui-won stared at him silently, as if telling him to answer now. Kwon Young-je, who was sitting next to him, only stared at Hui-won’s profile with his arms crossed. There was a faint smile on his face as he watched his secretary’s response, as if he was quite satisfied.
“That part is clearly my mistake. I am a Beta, so I did not recognize the seriousness of the situation. I apologize.”
The aide stood up from the sofa and bowed 90 degrees. Kim Hui-won and Kwon Young-je both showed no change in expression. Who wouldn’t know that it was a poor excuse to say that he didn’t recognize it because he was a Beta?
“We’re all busy, so let’s get to the point.”
When Kwon Young-je added a word, the other side visibly flinched. It was because they knew that Executive Director Kwon Young-je was the one who was actively involved in this matter.
There was a whispering sound in Japanese, and a man with a lawyer’s badge took something out of his briefcase. Then he stood up and offered a document as if he were presenting it to a king. The aide then added an explanation.
“We are requesting a settlement from our side.”
Hui-won picked up the document and carefully scanned the contents. What Fujino Pharmaceuticals offered on the condition of keeping this matter a secret was the transfer of the ‘Novagen’ patent, that is, the transfer of ownership.
The royalties paid each year alone amounted to 15% of total sales. Converting that into money, it amounted to hundreds of billions of won. It was an extraordinary offer.
Hui-won tried to put on a calm face. He glanced sideways and saw Kwon Young-je tilting his head and looking at him.
It meant not to be shaken by something like this.
Hui-won straightened his back. After taking a short breath, he said.
“Our position remains unchanged. We want Chairman Takano’s apology and confession.”
“The Chairman is currently unable to move… He is in a state of shock from this incident and has suspended all external activities.”
He let out a ridiculous laugh. The victims who were actually shocked were waiting for Chairman Takano’s apology with their eyes burning, but where was he putting on a show? Hui-won rubbed his mouth and replied.
“Then the negotiations will have to break down.”
The aide couldn’t hide his troubled expression. The transfer of the ‘Novagen’ patent was the maximum settlement offer that Fujino Pharmaceuticals could offer. They naturally expected it to work, but they were flustered because the other party’s response was so firm. They exchanged anxious glances with each other, and eventually a sigh close to giving up flowed out. He asked for understanding and made a phone call somewhere.
[Yes, I think you should come up.]
Shortly after the short call, there was a knock on the guest room door. The aide quickly got up to greet the guest. It was CEO Takano Yuichi who appeared. It was the last card they had prepared in case.
As if they had already discussed in advance how to proceed if this situation occurred, he bowed to the two of them as soon as he entered the reception room.
[I sincerely apologize for my father’s disgraceful actions. Please forgive me.]
Then he knelt on the carpet and pressed his forehead flat as if prostrating himself. The aide and the others also conveyed their apologies in the same way, following CEO Yuichi.
Hui-won, who was receiving the bow while sitting, instinctively wiggled his butt. If Kwon Young-je hadn’t been pressing down on his shoulder, he might have gotten up without realizing it.
“Please forgive me.”
CEO Yuichi repeated once more in clumsy Korean. His face, buried on the floor, showed no sign of rising without permission.
There was only one person who could decide whether to accept it or not. Hui-won reached out and squeezed Kwon Young-je’s hand tightly. “Executive Director,” he called out softly, and he frowned as if he didn’t like it.
“Do as you see fit.”
Hui-won nodded in response, then released his grip. He straightened his back and made a calm voice.
[I will accept the apology. But the demand for a confession is still valid. I want the Chairman himself to admit it and pay the price for his sins.]
[…Yes, I will.]
Since the settlement had fallen through, the only option left was confession. If they refused even this, there would be even greater repercussions. At least if they confessed, they would get a reduced sentence, and the company could maintain a minimal image of conscience.
“Thank… you.”
CEO Yuichi carefully propped himself up from the floor with a clumsy greeting. He, whom he had met after a long time, had turned gray in the past few months. The feeling of a child cleaning up the mess his father had made would be terrible.
[What will you do regarding compensation for damages?]
[We will have the lawyers coordinate that part. We will schedule a separate appointment for the local lawyer, and we will call Kim Hui-won’s lawyer now.]
Kwon Young-je, who had been listening all along, added a word. Hui-won didn’t even know who his lawyer was. He sent a questioning look, but Kwon Young-je ignored his gaze and looked straight ahead.
The experts would take care of the subsequent procedures.
Since there was nothing more to see, he slowly got up from his seat. Since they were not in a position to shake hands with each other, they simply ended with a short bow and left the hotel room.
“Who is the lawyer?”
Hui-won asked as soon as he got into the elevator. Kwon Young-je replied briefly.
“Lawyer Park.”
A sigh escaped. He had expected it, but it was as he thought. He felt like he was constantly showing Lawyer Park things he shouldn’t see.
“…I should buy him a meal later.”
Kwon Young-je chuckled beside him.
“I’m the one who worked hard, but why is Lawyer Park getting a meal?”
“…….”
“Wasn’t I Kim Secretary’s number one?”
Hui-won deliberately looked up at the floor indicator to suppress his tickling heart. There were still many floors left to go down. He watched the decreasing numbers and turned his body with difficulty.
“Thank you, Executive Director.”
He bowed politely. It was something that would have been covered up and passed over if it weren’t for Kwon Young-je. He didn’t have the guts to stir up Fujino Pharmaceuticals. He wouldn’t have even dared to receive an apology.
He was honestly touched that Kwon Young-je had taken the initiative as if it were his own business. However, it was difficult to express all of that. It took some time to leave only gratitude and remove excessive emotions so as not to cause misunderstandings.
“And Executive Director, you are number one.”
“You don’t have to admit it forcefully.”
“No, I mean it.”
When he slowly raised his head, he met Kwon Young-je’s eyes, who was leaning against the cold elevator wall. Looking at his clearly staring eyes, his heart fluttered again.
“Why… are you looking at me like that?”
The corners of his lips curved. His face was still cold, but there was a subtly soft light.
“I feel like it was worth the effort. I don’t feel… so bad.”
Kwon Young-je straightened his leaning body. Hui-won forgot to breathe and froze as the distance gradually narrowed. It was an elevator with only the two of them, but there must be a CCTV somewhere. But unlike his thoughts, he couldn’t push away Kwon Young-je who was approaching. Rather, his outstretched hand only grabbed his jacket.
The approaching face turned and touched Hui-won’s ear. A low bass voice flowed in as if tickling his eardrums.
“Don’t let your guard down, because it’s not over yet.”
Just then, the elevator stopped smoothly. The gap in the door opened and the cool air unique to the underground parking lot reached him. The flow of air that had changed without realizing it was enough to awaken his mind.
Kwon Young-je got out of the elevator first. Even though his back was getting farther away, he couldn’t bring himself to follow him. In the slightly turned mirror, his flushed face was reflected.
His heart was pounding so hard that his ears were ringing. Since when, he had been elated and saddened by every single action of Kwon Young-je, and his heart had started to jump. Hui-won grabbed the closing door and swallowed hard. No matter how hard he tried, his trembling heart wouldn’t calm down.
“This shouldn’t be happening.”
Hui-won sensed that his reaction had reached a dangerous level. It wasn’t a delusion. He became despondent and covered his eyes.