By Zephyria 
“We need to contain this somehow before the fallout gets any worse.”
“Of all people, it had to be a direct descendant…”
“Even if he is, he still needs to take responsibility. The company’s image is on the verge of collapse! Our stock prices have already plummeted by 7%!”
The directors each voiced their opinions. The majority of Kwon Young-ho’s faction had already cut ties with him the moment they saw yesterday’s broadcast. Only a few remaining members were struggling to defend Kwon Young-ho.
Those bastards have no sense of loyalty whatsoever.
Kwon Young-ho seethed, memorizing the faces of the traitors one by one. His gaze drifted until it finally landed on Kwon Young-je, who was leisurely enjoying the situation on the opposite side.
The sight of him maintaining his composure and superiority amidst this chaos was like pouring thinner into Kwon Young-ho’s vital organs. Rage instantly flared up, and a bloody resentment churned within him.
Kwon Young-je was always like that. He always acted as if he was the only one who mattered, never lowering his arrogant nose, and effortlessly seizing what others could only obtain through blood and sweat.
It was only natural for him to be arrogant, natural for him to enjoy success, and natural for him to have no failures in his life. As if the title of Dominant Alpha was such a big deal. Even though he was also an Alpha, he was always overshadowed by Kwon Young-je, unable to shine and struggling in his shadow.
After glaring at him for a long time with bloodshot eyes, Kwon Young-je’s dark eyes slowly lifted, meeting Kwon Young-ho’s gaze. Kwon Young-je raised his smooth face. His deeply shadowed eyes were looking down on him even from a distance.
Outwardly, his expression was weary and businesslike, but Kwon Young-ho clearly saw the mockery hidden within. He looked as if he was finally satisfied to see him wallowing in the mire.
“That son of a bitch…”
Kwon Young-ho couldn’t hold back his curse. Just then, Chairman Kwon, who had been silently observing the situation, subtly raised his right hand, and the noisy room instantly fell silent.
“There’s no need to argue pointlessly. If someone commits a wrong, they must pay the corresponding price.”
Chairman Kwon had already made up his mind. Kwon Young-ho was also a cherished grandson and one of his faultless successors, but he was also the one who had caused a critical flaw in the company. To appease the shareholders, he had to get rid of Kwon Young-ho.
“Let’s put it to a board vote. Executive Director Kwon Young-ho will receive a one-month suspension and a three-month pay cut. And…”
Up to this point, it was a fairly standard punishment. Chairman Kwon’s thick fingers tapped on the wooden table. The eyes of the man, who was nearing seventy, gleamed sharply.
“I propose an indefinite reassignment to the Shanghai branch. Let’s proceed with a show of hands.”
“Chairman!”
Kwon Young-ho, flustered, pushed back his chair and shouted. However, Chairman Kwon didn’t even glance at Kwon Young-ho. The presiding officer, who had been watching, tapped the microphone to clear the air.
“Executive Director Kwon Young-ho, please restrain yourself. As the motion has been presented, we will now proceed with a vote by show of hands. Those who approve of the disciplinary action against Executive Director Kwon Young-ho, please raise your hand.”
The directors, who had been watching, raised their hands one by one. Soon, the conference room was filled with raised hands. Kwon Young-ho couldn’t bear to watch it directly and covered his face with both hands.
Being sent to the Shanghai branch was the same as being completely removed from the company’s affairs. It also meant that Chairman Kwon no longer saw Kwon Young-ho as a successor.
The directors, who had read the situation, agreed to Chairman Kwon’s proposal without hesitation. The only one who didn’t raise his hand was Executive Director Kwon Young-je.
“I hereby declare that this motion has been formally passed. This concludes the emergency board meeting.”
Chairman Kwon was the first to leave the conference room, and the other directors followed suit, quickly vacating their seats. With no one to watch, people left faster than the tide receding.
Kwon Young-je remained until the end, and only after confirming that everyone had left did he rise from his seat. The chair scraped harshly against the floor as it was pushed back. He straightened his suit, which was not particularly disheveled, and then briefly lowered his gaze to stare at Kwon Young-ho.
Kwon Young-ho, driven to the edge of the cliff, only had falling left to do. It was his own fault. Naturally, he felt not even a shred of pity.
He averted his gaze and turned away. Step, step. The sound of his forceful footsteps echoed loudly in the conference room.
“……”
Kwon Young-ho pressed his clasped hands to his forehead, suppressing his breath. The only signs of life were the subtly twitching jaw muscles and the throbbing veins on his temples. When he finally lowered his hands, a lava-like rage was slowly flowing out.
Hui-won, who had been waiting outside the conference room, saw Kwon Young-je coming out and immediately rushed over. His expression was too calm. Even though he had been eavesdropping slightly from outside, he needed confirmation from Kwon Young-je’s own mouth.
“What was the result?”
“Not bad.”
Kwon Young-je said, striding forward. Hui-won walked beside him, quickly matching his pace.
“Since he’s been sent to China, he’ll be quiet for a while.”
“It seemed like the Chairman was very angry.”
“Perhaps.”
Even for Kwon Young-je, Chairman Kwon’s decision was unexpected. He had expected a suspension at best, or a demotion to a minor position at worst, but the assignment to the Chinese branch was a punishment he hadn’t even considered.
“What’s on the schedule for this afternoon?”
“The permit and licensing team meeting was scheduled for four o’clock, but it has been postponed to Friday due to the board meeting. There are no other appointments scheduled after that.”
“That’s good. Let’s leave on time today.”
For once, Executive Director Kwon was being generous. He must be in a good mood, Hui-won thought to himself, and replied briefly, “Yes.”
They were walking together when they heard the sound of someone stomping their feet heavily from the end of the long corridor. Turning around, they saw Kwon Young-ho standing there with bloodshot eyes.
“Kwon Young-je, you fucking bastard!”
He grabbed Kwon Young-je by the collar and pushed him back with all his might. The neat shirt and tie were instantly crumpled by the violent grip. While Hui-won gasped in shock, Kwon Young-je grabbed the hand gripping his collar and twisted it in one swift motion.
“Even if you can’t see what’s in front of you, how can you resort to violence in the company?”
“Do you think I don’t know that this is all your doing? Do you think I’ll just stand by and take it like a fool?”
“What can you do?”
“Aaaargh!” Kwon Young-ho couldn’t contain his anger and screamed. With nothing in sight, his violence grew more and more intense. He grabbed Kwon Young-je by the collar again and threw a punch with all his might.
“Executive Director!”
Kwon Young-je barely dodged the punch. At that moment, a scream escaped Hui-won’s lips in shock.
Even if there was no one around, this was still inside the company. Hui-won approached to stop Kwon Young-ho, but stopped abruptly and covered his mouth. Kwon Young-ho, filled with rage, was releasing a fierce Alpha pheromone.
Seeing this, Kwon Young-je clenched his teeth tightly. He looked down at Kwon Young-ho with an even more rigid face. He grabbed Kwon Young-ho’s shoulder, opened the door to an empty office, and forcibly pushed him inside as he struggled wildly. Then, he firmly warned Kim Hui-won.
“Absolutely do not come in.”
Then the door slammed shut. Hui-won stood there, half out of his mind. Don’t come in? Who knows what might happen inside.
He knew it was Kwon Young-je’s consideration. He must have thought that he, who had only recently manifested, wouldn’t be able to withstand Kwon Young-ho’s pheromones, which were currently raging like crazy. But could he just stand by and do nothing? He was Kwon Young-je’s executive secretary. He had a duty to be responsible for his safety and to serve him first and foremost.
Whether someone had reported the loud shouting or not, three or four security team members came up. They approached Hui-won, who was standing alone in the middle of the hallway, and asked.
“What’s going on? We heard there was a fight here.”
“No, not at all. Nothing happened. The emergency board meeting just ended, and everyone has left, so there’s no one left.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Just then, a thudding sound of something hitting the wall could be heard. It was coming from the empty office where the two Kwon directors had gone in.
As the security team member tried to approach, Hui-won quickly blocked the door. He bowed politely, fully expressing his troubled expression.
“I’m sorry. There’s a commotion inside right now… It’s a matter that shouldn’t be spread outside, so please understand this time.”
“If there’s a problem, we should go in and…”
“No! I’ll take responsibility and sort it out. I guarantee that nothing will happen.”
As he repeatedly pleaded, the security team member looked troubled, unable to decide what to do. His gaze subtly lowered to scan the employee ID card hanging around Hui-won’s neck. Only then did he vaguely realize who was inside. If it was Executive Director Kwon Young-je, there was nothing they could do.
“You know our contact information, right? Please call us if you need any help.”
The security team member pulled his cap down deeply and left with a brief greeting. Hui-won, who had been guarding the door for a long time, could finally sigh in relief after their figures disappeared from sight.
“This is driving me crazy, are they fighting or what?”
As he stood close to the door, he could faintly hear shouts and curses. It was originally used as a conference room, so the soundproofing was excellent. Even so, the fact that the sound was breaking through meant that something serious was happening inside.
Bang-! The sound was even louder this time, and Hui-won’s shoulders flinched. As the situation escalated to this point, he could no longer just listen.
Get a grip, Kim Hui-won. Is the order important right now? What if you leave Executive Director Kwon like that? Can you even call yourself a secretary then?
He clenched and unclenched his hands, which had become numb with tension. One way or another, he had to prioritize Kwon Young-je’s safety. That was his duty as a secretary.
He didn’t have the confidence to interfere in an Alpha fight, but he’d rather be beaten up himself. He could deal with Kwon Young-je’s scolding later.
“…Surely he won’t die.”
Hui-won firmly gripped the doorknob. He decided to ignore Kwon Young-je’s warning and go inside. Click, the handle turned, and the tightly closed door gradually began to open.