Chapter 6: Calm Before The Storm.

[Warning] This chapter mentions violence and sexual assault which may be upsetting to some readers. Reader’s discretion is advised thank you and keep reading ‘My Unlovable Boss’

Jung Group HQ.

Third Person.

The black Bentley slowed to a stop in front of the company. The entrance was lined with reporters from the biggest media houses. They took several photos per second and roared with hundreds of questions. The security team did their best to hold them back but they were too eager to take a closer look.

Ji Won remained silent as he took in the scene in front of him. He had been photographed numerous times in secret but it was his first time standing before them. So these are the people behind every lie on the internet he thought to himself, his face turning sour.

He placed his hand on the door handle, ready to get out of the car. He could not wait to escape the dreadful car ride he was forced to share with his father. Baek Jin would usually be the one to drive but his father had insisted they come in together.

Just as he was about to open the door his father spoke. "Do not say a word to the press. Be silent that way there's no chance for you to embarrass me any further than you already have."

Ji Won gave a curt nod, acknowledging his father's words. At that same moment, his door was pulled open by Baek Jin. "If I may, CEO Jung." He teased in an attempt to lighten up the mood.

He could tell with one look that in the short span of their ride to the office, Ji Won was not in the best of moods. Ji Won scowled at him as he got out, he did not like the idea of being the CEO and Baek Jin has been teasing him every chance he got.

"I hope I never get to experience that tormenting ride again" He breathed with relief. "Tell me about it. Him-Chan was painfully boring to ride with." Baek Jin agreed as they stepped forward.

The duo marched on with Ji Won flashing a charming smile for the cameras while ignoring the questions thrown at him.

"Chairman Jung, is it true that the article released was fake?"

"How does it feel to be a CEO when you have no experience?"

"Was your father's announcement a surprise to you or did you expect it?"

"Will the culprit be announced to the world when found?"

"How well do you think you'd be able to handle this position despite being rumoured to not be suited for the job?"

"Is there anything to look forward to with you being the new CEO?"

With Him-Chan guiding them through the crowd and with the assistance of the security men, they made it into the building. "I'll stay behind to handle this, sir," Him-Chan informed the Chairman and returned to the entrance.

The ride up the elevator was silent but that's how it has always been with his father, quiet.

***

The chattering in the boardroom quieted down as the doors opened to reveal none other than Jung Ji Won, the sole cause of the commotion. The board rose upon the Chairman's entry and offered their greetings.

"I want to apologize for the mishap we recently faced earlier this week. I understand that there was a lot of confusion because of it and I now realise how important it is to handle rumours, no matter how groundless they may seem." Chairman Jung stated as he took his seat.

"Thankfully it didn't cost us your health. At the very least, it is good to know that you are in perfect condition, Chairman Jung." Mrs Kwon smiled at him.

"Are you truly in perfect condition?" Mrs Shin asked sceptically. Chairman Jung faced her, not giving anything away. "As you can see, I am perfectly fine. Although, I am thinking of taking a break to recuperate with my wife. Especially now that my son is here to take care of the company."

"Why would you need to recuperate when you're perfectly fine?" She asked as she raised her cup to her lips, staring into the contents with a sly smile. "If anything this is the time we need you most." She took a sip from her cup.

"Ji Won is more than capable of handling the company without my help," Chairman Jung said. He had agreed to take a break so he could run some tests and start his treatment as per Him-Chan and Ae Ra's requests.

The doctor said he could live for another year if he started his treatment early.

Mrs Shin nodded slowly. "If he had some experience, yes. How will you compensate us if he burns the company to the ground during your vacation? I object to you taking a break."

"You can always recuperate later, maybe after three months? That should be enough for your son to settle into the work." Mr Ling said in an attempt to mediate the hostile situation.

"Or six months? Three is too short." Mr Chang opposed.

"Six months seems fair actually." Mrs Kwon agreed.

"Seems like we all agree to it then." Mrs Cho joined in along with the rest of the board.

"I am the Chairman of this company and if I say I'm taking a break, I am taking a break. None of you have the right to agree or disagree with my decision." He snarled.

Without the treatment, he would only have three months to live.

"The board would not disagree if it was a dire situation, you're perfectly fine so you can sacrifice your break. Unless of course, that was a lie." Mrs Shin relaxed in her seat, she would not let him have his way any further.

Ji Won cleared his throat and sat upright. "I admire your loyalty to the company and your drive to protect its image but I have to admit, it's odd how you insist that The Chairman is terminally ill despite him saying he isn't."

The board turned to him with guarded looks, they had finally acknowledged his presence and Ji Won wasn't sure if he liked it or not.

"His timing for a break is odd, he has always put the company first. Why would he suddenly not?" She arched her brow.

"Because it's about time I take responsibility and he rests, is it not?" He retorted.

"As much as that is correct, it is a responsibility I along with everyone else believe is far too much for you to handle."

"I'm a quick learner, ma'am." He flashed a smile at her.

"That would be the case if you had someone to learn from, would it not? If you insist on taking this role on, then my son should also be given a position." The board broke into a murmur of confusion.

Chairman Jung sighed under his breath, when the company was founded, he asked his family for help and they offered it on the condition that his half-sister's son had an equal opportunity to take over the company, should a crucial circumstance arise.

"That would make you a hypocrite."

Mrs Shin blinked several times, completely flustered by his insult. She looked from him to the Chairman angrily. "If you think I will answer to such a brazen child you are wrong. How can the CEO be not only incapable but mannerless?"

Ji Won jumped to his feet. "I sincerely apologize if I have been rude and disrespectful, that was not my intention in the slightest." He bowed deeply, a show of respect and sincerity.

The board fidgeted, clearing their throats awkwardly. They did not know how to respond to his apology.

"The Chairman allowed me to handle the recent issues that harmed the company." Ji Won continued as he raised his head and faced them. "As for whether or not I am capable of handling the company, I would appreciate it if you all give me a chance to prove myself."

The board listened keenly to what he had to say, they had all judged him based on the rumours surrounding him but they could not ignore the sincerity in his actions. Mrs Shin crossed her arms, annoyed by how the board was quick to give him a chance.

"But before I dive into the bigger problem, something more pressing needs to be brought to light. Mrs. Shin, I understand you had an agreement with The Chairman and that's why you mentioned your son, correct?"

"Yes." She answered.

"However that agreement is nullified if either he or I are not capable." He gauged her reaction but she remained emotionless as she answered.

"Indeed." She wasn't sure where he was going with this.

"In that case, why it is fine for your son who has been involved in numerous cases of sexual assault, violent displays of anger and drug abuse to be a better fit than I am?"

Her eyes doubled in size, caught off guard by this revelation. She slammed her fist on the table angrily. "I will have you sued for defamation." She seethed.

"It can only be defamation if it's a lie, Mrs. Shin. And in this case, it is far from that." He turned to Baek Jin signalling him to bring in the evidence to back up his earlier statement.

Baek Jin was quick to connect his system to the presentation screen and upload several graphic pictures.

[Warning: The following content mentions violence and sexual abuse that may be triggering to some readers.]

The room was overtaken with gasps and exclamations of disbelief by the appalling images uploaded. There were pictures of naked women brutally beaten to a pulp.

They found several rape sex clips as well but he couldn't show that to them as it would be an invasion of their stolen privacy.

Videos of her son drinking and abusing drugs were also there. As well as a very graphic video of him using his feet to stomp on a young lady who rejected him onto she was a bleeding mess that lost consciousness.

"Her son approached young women fresh out of high school. He'd take them out, drug them and take illicit pictures of them. Used those pictures to blackmail them and raped them whenever he could."

The board became dead quiet as Ji Won spoke. "Whenever a victim found the courage to fight against him, he reacted by beating them with whatever object he lays his hand on until. The tapes from when he raped them were eventually sold on the dark web because he claimed he was bored and had fun watching the victims lose their minds."

Ji Won had never been this disgusted by a person before. He tried his best to restrain the anger that coursed through his veins while looking at the woman who birthed such a monster. It enraged him to see ladies no older than twenty in such a terrible state.

Her face was scarlet red as she glared at him. He took a deep breath to control himself. "I can not imagine how mentally and emotionally damaged the victims must be. Do you know what's worse than getting abused, Mrs Shin?" He asked calmly.

He answered, "Seeing your abuser roam a free man after ruining and committing so many atrocities against you. These victims did nothing wrong yet they live in hiding, afraid for their lives and unable to step foot anywhere while he gets to live his best life." He clenched his fists.

She crumpled the paper in front of her without uttering a single word. "That foolish boy..." She sneered.

He had no interest in the company but knowing that it could fall into the hands of someone like her filled him with a new sense of responsibility. "Now that your son is out of the picture..." He paused causing them to stare at him in anticipation.

"I will prove how capable I am."