"Um, what do you mean, sir?"Hoonsik asked in confusion.

"The rumors are true and my feud with Kim is also true," I answered, clarifying.

There was a long silence before Hoonsik asked doubtfully once more, "The rumors are true? If you had a feud with Mr. Kim, people would already know about it. Even, not only the people in the agency but also in your new company recently. However, when it comes to the rumors ...."

Yoon Hoonsik paused before he finished his sentence and fell silent after that.

I couldn't guess what exactly he was thinking right now, but I could guess that he was in shock as soon as he heard those words.

"Heh." I gave no response and just looked out the window.

After the conversation, neither of us talked until we arrived at the company.

Hoonsik and I immediately headed inside the meeting hall. With quick steps, I ignored the greetings from the staff and employees; passed them by without hospitality.

Inside the room, my eyes swept in all directions, eying the top divisions of the company and several heads of different companies that were cooperating with this company, then stopped when I saw Daehyun who gave me a careless look.

His flat face didn't express any emotions. However, his eyes always looked as if he was mocking and demeaning anyone he saw.

When our eyes met, the muscles of his lips twitched, revealing an insincere and simply obligatory smile.

Seeing that expression, made me realize that he was more annoying than before. Calmly, I tried to smile to show a little friendliness as demand for cooperation and as a sign of respect for his father before heading to my seat.

Moments later, the meeting began. A woman as Corporate Secretary stood up and started the opening, introducing the dignitaries of the divisions and companies who were present. Then, smiling, she invited me to present material on the product of inter-company cooperation.

The projector screen unfolded and showed a fortune chart on each proposed product with its percentage level. Even though I wasn't fit, I still tried to be professional in presenting every idea I made.

After presenting several things, the Company Assistant again invited the manager in the marketing department to present the results in the field.

"Okay, I will report on marketing activities for the past month. Market demand has decreased by 30% from last month." He paused for a moment, sighing before continuing, "We have tried our best to increase market turnover, but the demand for our products continues to decline every day".

Hearing this statement, a man who was the president of a different company hit the table quite hard. The sound of a loud crash caused the people in the hall to turn their eyes to him in unison. His face wrinkled, then stood up, screaming, "What?! How can the market turnover decrease so drastically?! Although we just added raw materials to the production side! I even took 10% of my company's cash for that! What's the reason?!" The person was silent for a moment before glancing at me sharply, "Mr. Lee, as the proponent of this product, where are your responsibilities, heh? How incompetent you are!"

The other higher-ups seemed to agree and began to contemplate — whispering — discussing something. Except for that Kim, the expression on his face didn't show any emotion yet, and looked calm as if he wasn't interested at all in this discussion.

"Ah, sir, sorry. This is the responsibility of the Marketing Division." The marketing manager interjected, "We have researched in the field that there is a product like ours that has attractive quality and shape. Thus, it makes consumers curious and switches to the product."

The man squeaked in annoyance. He sat back down without rebuttal, then fiddled with the pen on his finger. He looked restless.

Heh, indirectly, that person was trying to corner me. However, his hasty attitude instead looked like a child whining in disapproval. He only embarrassed himself!

"Should we create new products and increase product quality?" someone asked.

"If you increase the quality, the funds spent will definitely increase and make new products have a higher price. Doesn't that affect the purchasing power of consumers?" another gave a response.

Hearing about this, I confirmed, "It's bound to happen. Creating a new product requires a lot of money. Production and material costs. Especially in marketing, it will take more time for market recognition, and will make it difficult for the people in the marketing. So, we should continue to run the old product, but by adding innovation to the product."

Amid people's debates about this product decision, I occasionally glance at Daehyun who has been silent for a long time, being lazy and still as calm as before.

He was quite weird. Usually, at the previous cooperation meeting, he was always aggressive in dealing with issues like this, and even easier to silence anyone's mouth with offensive smacking words. But, right now, he didn't seem like become his true self.

After a long discussion, the decision fell on my proposal where we would continue to market the old product but by improving its quality.

"Okay, I give full responsibility to the production party about that. But, can Financial Management cover the entire production cost? Can you present the available funds?"

A woman who was in Financial Management stood up, then started the presentation.

However, after seeing a fairly low financial percentage, the people in this room seemingly began to change their minds.

By that percentage, and looking at the profit this month, I was sure that they didn't want to withdraw their company's cash to repeat the same mistake. It was clearly shown in every expression on their thoughtful faces.

However, amid their discussion on the matter, Daehyun made a voice. He spoke arrogantly all of a sudden among us as if he was sick of hearing the stupid officials was were arguing in this hall.

"You don't need to prolong this matter. I think Mr. Lee's proposal is good enough and there is no need to argue anymore. I don't have time to linger on the meeting just to hear your stupid ideas."

Such sudden words made the whole room fall into silence. He continued, "Seeing that some of you are afraid to decide on financing, right? I am ready to finance 50% of the production party. And don't worry, the profit from the sale will not change. What about that? I hope this offer makes you relax."

Those words made the faces of the people in this room brighten up instantly. Their eyes were full of admiration and they clapped loudly, and there was no more declination to show on their faces other than relief and pride.

However, even so, I didn't need to give such an award too much for him. I just smiled and replied with a sharp look from him.

A few moments later, the meeting today was over, and people began to leave the hall one by one.

However, when I was about to leave, Daehyun called from behind my back and made me stop walking, "Hey, Lee, wait! I have something to talk to you about."

He approached and continued, "Regarding the press conference tonight, I don't want you to do anything reckless. I don't want to beg you, but regarding this, I beg you for this."

Hearing his words, left me stunned for a moment, then sneered, "After what you've done all this time, you still have the face to say that? Seriously."

Even though I said that calmly, but apparently, the words made Daehyun react. His straight face turned red, he looked annoyed and spoke, "What have I done? If you mean about Chunghee, I won't waste my time repeating the same words, okay?"

I took a deep breath. "Okay. But, whatever decision I make later, it's something that I have thought about carefully. If I have to admit everything in the media, why should I think about other people's good names? I don't want to decide things for the sake of others. If sacrificing yourself can embarrass your family, why not?"

"You!" All of a sudden he gripped my coat tightly enough and pulled me closer while saying loudly, "How dare you to say that! If you hate me, then hate me. Don't involve my family!"

"I thought my business with you was over after Chunghee made up his mind. But, why are you still acting like that?!" Daehyun continued.

Hearing his words, I was silent for a while looking at him intently before finally speaking in a whispering voice but with words that were still clear.

"My business with Chunghee is over. But, my business with you will never over, you know."

Those firm words made him speechless as if all his words were swallowed up suddenly and made his tongue stiffen. His eyes lit up, and the lines of hatred were clearly visible in them. He then pushed me back, glaring at me with a furious look.