Chapter 2: The Chairman's Response To Rumours.

Jung Group HQ.

Third Person.

Ae Ra adjusted the Chairman’s tie and gave him a quick look over. His calm grey eyes stared straight ahead of her as he patiently waited for her go-ahead signal. His greying hair was neatly combed back save for a few strands, which she quickly adjusted.

Despite wearing a stern look, he had laugh lines deeply etched on his handsome face, which showed he lived a life filled with genuine laughter. He was dressed in a tailor-made black tuxedo that hugged his frame perfectly.

She smiled in admiration as she took a step back. “You are all set, Chairman Jung.” She gave a little thumbs up with a toothy smile.

With a deep exhale, Chairman Jung boldly walked into the room with his secretary, Ae Ra, hot on his tail. The executives and shareholders stood up in unison to greet him. She quickly took her place, standing just five paces behind him.

“I’m glad everyone could attend the meeting despite it being impromptu.” Chairman Jung greeted them as he sat. 

The board followed suit quickly. “Regardless of how impromptu it may be, we will always clear our schedule to attend these crucial meetings, Chairman Jung.” Mrs. Kwon spoke up.

She’s a plump, beautiful woman in her 50s with sharp hazel eyes and was dressed in a satin blue blouse and pegged pants. She had long, straight grey hair that swayed from side to side as she looked from the board members to Chairman Jung.

“It has been a week and the company is yet to release an official statement to debunk the rumour concerning your health crisis.” She continued.

The company’s stock plummeted, and she could no longer sit idly by and watch her investments go down the drain before her eyes because he decided not to address the issue. With her heels, she nudged her right-hand man Mr Chang, a rather scrawny-looking man with a thin moustache who was always in an overly large-sized suit, to speak.

He jumped a little from the kick to the shin. Trying his best not to scowl, he sat upright and cleared his throat. “Mrs. Kwon is right, the media keeps talking about it, and it's spiralled out of control on the internet. It’s beginning to have a big effect on our stocks, and if we don’t nip the problem in the bud now, it might get out of hand.”

“I understand your concerns, Mr Chang. However, I already said that I will handle the rumours, and I will.” Chairman Jung stated firmly.

The two shared a look, displeased by his short response. “I mean no disrespect of the sort Chairman Jung, but you said that when this started. Had you tackled it then, we would not be in this situation now, would we?” Mrs Kwon slightly raised her voice, it’s already been a week since the rumours started.

“In as much as you are not wrong, I hope you will refrain from raising your voice further. As I said, I will handle it.” Chairman Jung responded firmly.

Mrs Kwon said nothing as she angrily crossed her arms. A fog of silence took over as no one said anything. Ae Ra shifted from one foot to the other, worried about Chairman Jung’s unusual approach. Usually, the PR team quickly handled this on her command, but he simply told her not to bother.

“Even in a dire situation like this, all you’re saying is ‘you will handle it’, but you have not given us a reasonable explanation as to how it will be handled.” Mrs. Shin's sharp voice cut through the silence.

Chairman Jung’s shoulders tensed up at her statement. She was the only one who had such an effect on him. She was seated across from him, usually, no one sat directly opposite the chairman but she did. It has been that way since the company was founded and while odd no one knew the reason behind it. 

Her lens sat atop her high nose bridge as she stared at him calmly. Her stark black hair was packed in a high doughnut with a few strands left out to frame her small face. She was elegantly dressed in a purple gown that suited her ivory skin flawlessly.

“Chairman Jung, do pardon their inability to express themselves more politely. While I disagree with how they said it, they are simply trying to convey how the board feels.” Mr Ling quickly injected, to ease the tension that was building up.

“There is nothing to forgive, I understand their concern.” Chairman Jung reassured him. “But, it would be nice if the board had more faith in me. It is nothing but a rumour, we should not be quick to listen to the lies of the media.” He tried to persuade them.

“We trust you but it does not matter if it’s a lie or not, people are consuming it and it's hurting us” Mr Ling replied politely to Chairman Jung. He used a handkerchief to wipe his rosy round head.

“If you do not address this rumour soon, everyone will believe it’s true, Chairman Jung.” Mrs Kwon remarked snidely.

“You pardon them, and they disrespect you yet again. This is what happens when we let lowlives into the board. They’re dense and have poor manners as well.” Mrs Shin spat condescendingly at Mrs Kwon. “Oh my, was I loud?” She faked a gasp as she covered her mouth.

“You hideous vile—” Mrs Kwon raised her voice to reiterate but was cut off by Mrs Shin. “This meeting has dragged on long enough, and no vital information has been shared.” She placed her hands together on the table. “What is your solution?”

Chairman Jung cleared his throat as he sat upright. “I apologise for any damages I might have caused by not curbing the rumours any sooner. I value your trust in me, and I hope you all will continue to trust me as we move past this. I have a plan that is already set in motion.”

The board was visibly relaxed at this. “I would also like to formally address it here and debunk the rumour. I am not in any way terminally ill. I don’t know where the rumours of me being terminally ill arose from, but I will handle it carefully and deal with the people behind it accordingly.”

“While that is somewhat reassuring to hear, another rumour must be handled— your son. The never-ending scandals he’s been involved in have made people question his competency as the next heir. Is he not already at the age where he should handle things as the CEO?” Mrs Shin spoke.

Chairman Jung forced a smile. “Rumours are just rumours, and I assure you he is competent. He has been preparing for this task all his life. When it is time, he will take his place until then, leave him out of this.” He matched her unflinching gaze.

“Studying? It can never replace real-life practice. He needs the experience.” Mrs Shin persisted. “And let’s be honest, Ji Won doesn’t seem like the intellectual type. If his nose were always in his books, I would not fret, but instead, he is in every possible tabloid with a new woman attached to his hips. How much further will you let your incompetent son humiliate us–”

Her rant was cut off by Mr Ling’s fist colliding with the table. “Mrs Shin, you have gone too far this time! The meeting was going well, and we had concluded that the rumour would be handled. Why bring up his son in such a rude and disrespectful manner?”

“I may not like her or how she speaks, but she has a point, Mr Ling. If the Chairman was ill, whose hands would the company fall to? Ji Won?” She shuddered “I can not express how uncomfortable that makes me feel merely thinking about it.” Mrs Kwon admitted.

“He has no interest in the company, and your only other child is a woman. She can not take on this role,” Mr Chang piped up.

Mrs Cho scoffed, her first time speaking up since the meeting started. “How obnoxious and ignorant.” She spat. “Women can’t lead companies? What can a man do that a woman can not?” She glared daggers at him. 

Mr Chang scoffed as he relaxed in his seat. “Listen, you may be offended, but it’s the plain truth.”

Unable to take the uncouth behaviour of the board anymore, Chairman Jung slammed his hand on the table, completely silencing the room. “If anyone does so much as to mention my kids again in such an ill manner, they will not like the consequences.” He stared pointedly at Mr. Chang and Mrs. Shin.

“I have heard your complaints and will consider handing over the CEO position to my son.” He prepared to get up and leave, but Mrs. Shin stopped him in his tracks. “Consider is not the answer we wish to hear, Chairman Jung.”

“It will do the company some good if he immediately takes on the CEO role. We can monitor how he handles things for a couple of months, and if our fear is confirmed, then we can officially dismiss him as the heir and have someone more suitable to fill in the role.” She smiled wickedly at him, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“What do you mean by that?” Chairman Jung snapped, unable to hold himself back any further. He had been patient with her, but the woman got under his skin as no one else did, and he hated it. 

Chairman Jung and Mrs. Shin held each other’s gaze in silent contempt for one another. He knew what she implied and he was mad at himself for falling into her trap.

Reeling in as much anger as he could, he exhaled. “Ji Won will be given the CEO position and will resume after the rumours have been taken care of.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” Mr Ling quickly interjected, worried another argument would arise. 

“Great! I think all our concerns have been met now. I can now be at peace.” Mrs Kwon chirped. 

“It was quite worth it.” Mr Chang agreed.

“I think you handled the meeting well, Chairman Jung,” Ae Ra complimented as everyone left.

He smiled as he stood. “Thank you, Ae Ra.” He faltered as he tried to take a step forward.

“Are you okay, sir?” Ae Ra watched worriedly.

“Yes, I am...” He tried to take another step but lost consciousness and fell with a loud thud.

“Chairman Jung!”