Free Web NovelKwon Youngjae added a brief explanation about the whole process so far.
Considering Chairman Takano’s behavior, he expected that there would be more than just one or two victims. So, he hired people to investigate and trace his activities.
Through that, they discovered a total of sixteen victims. Among them, nine were reachable. All the victims were Omegas, and most were in vulnerable positions. The oldest case dated back an astonishing twenty-eight years. Despite the statute of limitations having long expired, that victim willingly expressed their intent to help.
Other victims were initially hesitant but gradually persuaded through persistent coaxing. It was a difficult fight to face alone, but if multiple victims banded together, their chances of winning increased. A significant reason they decided to write statements was because of the assistance from Kwon Youngjae. His firm status as Executive Director of Apex and his generous financial support built enough trust.
“We only started serious talks with Fujino Pharmaceuticals last month. Our side is already fully prepared.”
“......”
“The rest you can verify yourself.”
He flicked the corner of the binder with his index finger. Heewon had no choice but to continue reading the contents.
Most of the documents were printed emails exchanged with Fujino Pharmaceuticals. From Kwon Youngjae’s initial objection, numerous conversations had taken place over about a month. At first, Fujino Pharmaceuticals naturally denied everything, but as the victims’ statements surfaced, they dramatically changed their stance and began to adopt a submissive tone.
Persistent explanations and persuasions dragged on endlessly. Towards the end, they even resorted to threats by mentioning license withdrawal, but Kwon Youngjae remained firm.
<We demand Chairman Takano’s apology and confession.>
Fujino Pharmaceuticals reacted very sensitively to the demand for confession. Understandably so—if the fact that the head of a genetics-specialized pharmaceutical company had continuously committed sexual crimes were to become public, the company itself would face an existential crisis.
Therefore, Fujino Pharmaceuticals tried everything they had to persuade Kwon Youngjae but failed.
“So... that’s why he’s here in Korea now.”
Fujino Pharmaceuticals ultimately surrendered. The most recent email they sent included the date and place for a meeting. The hotel Heewon and Kwon were heading to was exactly the rendezvous point.
“This is where I stop. The one sitting at the negotiation table is Secretary Kim.”
Kwon Youngjae said casually as if it were someone else’s problem. His tone was unexpectedly straightforward for a person who had fought alone for so long.
“......”
Heewon closed the binder and silently shook his head. As if waiting for that, Kwon met his gaze.
Perhaps sensing his unsettled mood, Kwon curled his lips into a rare, genuine smile.
“How does it feel to be in charge?”
“To be honest, it’s so sudden that it doesn’t feel real.”
“Don’t make any stupid decisions this time. I won’t forgive you twice.”
With those words, Kwon turned his head away again. His crossed legs shifted lightly. Though he didn’t show it, he seemed to be in a good mood.
Meanwhile, Heewon clenched and unclenched his fists with a stern expression. He tried to steady his breathing, but his heart raced uncontrollably.
He wasn’t nervous about the upcoming meeting with Fujino Pharmaceuticals. The problem was himself, misinterpreting Kwon’s goodwill. Was there really a boss who would go this far just because his secretary had been humiliated?
Heewon looked out the car window, trying to dispel these useless illusions.
The hotel floor was completely deserted. True to those concerned with security, they had booked the priciest top floor.
Heewon glanced at his wristwatch by pulling up his sleeve, then took a deep breath again. Though nervous, he repeatedly reminded himself that Executive Director Kwon was firmly standing beside him. Finally, he extended a straight index finger and pressed the doorbell.
A sharp, clear bell rang. Sounds from inside responded, and the door clicked open. The first face they saw was one both Heewon and Kwon were well acquainted with.
“Thank you for coming.”
Chairman Takano’s attendant greeted them with utmost courtesy. The lawyers standing behind also bowed deeply in unison, clearly showing the submissive position they held.
“Please, come in.”
The attendant, fluent in Korean, guided them inside. Following him, a spacious suite unfolded before their eyes. No matter how luxurious the hotel room, a reunion like this was far from comfortable. Heewon stiffened his expression and took his seat.
“How have you been?”
The attendant hesitated to speak. His eyes darted nervously, watching Heewon and Kwon’s reactions.
Heewon smiled faintly.
“I don’t think we’re exactly on friendly terms to ask such things.”
“We’ve been feeling guilty all this time for not apologizing properly for the discomfort you suffered that day.”
“I heard too. The medicine you brought was just a common sedative anyone could buy.”
A troubled look flashed across the attendant’s face. Without waiting for an excuse, Heewon calmly continued.
“I wanted to ask you: What exactly did you expect to happen? You must have been fully aware that the heat cycle had begun.”
The attendant just moved his lips silently. Heewon stared at him quietly as if daring him to answer. Kwon, sitting beside, crossed his arms and watched Heewon’s profile. There was a faint smile on his eyes, apparently satisfied with his secretary’s handling.
“That was clearly my fault. Being a Beta, I didn’t recognize the gravity of the situation. I apologize.”
The attendant rose from the sofa and bowed at a 90-degree angle. Neither Heewon nor Kwon’s expression changed. Who would be fooled by the excuse of not understanding due to being a Beta?
“Let’s skip the small talk and get to the point.”
Kwon added sharply, making the other party visibly stiffen. They knew that Executive Director Kwon was the one leading this issue.
Whispered Japanese voices were exchanged, and a man with a lawyer badge took something out of his briefcase. Then he stood and handed over a document as if presenting a gift. The attendant explained further.
“We request a settlement.”
Heewon picked up the document and carefully read through the contents. The condition Fujino Pharmaceuticals proposed to keep the matter confidential was the transfer of the patent rights to Novagen — in other words, ownership transfer.
The annual royalties alone amounted to 15% of total sales. Converted into money, it reached billions of Korean won. It was an unprecedented offer.
Heewon forced himself to keep a calm face. Glancing sideways, he saw Kwon tilting his head slightly, looking at him.
It was a signal not to waver over something so trivial.
Heewon straightened his back, took a short breath, and spoke.
“Our position remains unchanged. We want Chairman Takano’s apology and confession.”
“The chairman is currently unable to move... He’s been greatly shocked by this incident and is suspending all external activities.”
A bitter, hollow laugh escaped Heewon. The real victims were burning with anticipation for Takano’s apology, but where was this show going? Rubbing the corner of his mouth, he replied.
“Then the negotiation is bound to fail.”
The attendant couldn’t hide his embarrassed expression. The patent transfer of Novagen was the highest settlement Fujino Pharmaceuticals could offer. They expected it to be accepted, but the firm response shocked them. Uneasy glances were exchanged among them, and a sigh almost like surrender slipped out. The attendant excused himself and made a phone call. freewebnovel.cσ๓
[Yes, you will need to come up.]
Shortly after the brief call, a knock sounded at the suite door. The attendant quickly stood to greet the guest. It was Takano Yuichi, the president. The last card they had prepared just in case.
As if pre-discussed on how to handle such a situation, he bowed to both men immediately upon entering.
[I sincerely apologize for my father’s disgraceful behavior. Please forgive me.]
Then, kneeling on the carpet, he pressed his forehead to the floor as if performing a deep bow. The attendant and others followed suit, conveying their apologies in the same manner.
Heewon, receiving the bows, instinctively shifted his hips. If Kwon hadn’t pressed down on his shoulder, he might have stood up without realizing it.
“Please forgive us.”
Takano repeated clumsily in Korean once more. His face was pressed to the floor, showing no sign of rising without permission.
Whether to accept or not was only up to one person. Heewon reached out and firmly squeezed Kwon’s hand. When he quietly called him “Executive Director,” Kwon frowned as if displeased.
“Handle it as you see fit.”
Heewon nodded silently in response and released his hand. Sitting up straight, he spoke calmly.
“We will accept the apology. However, our demand for a confession remains valid. We want the chairman himself to acknowledge the wrongdoing and face the consequences.”
[...Yes, I will do so.]
Since the settlement had fallen through, the only option left was confession. If he refused even that, an even bigger scandal would follow. At least with a confession, the sentence might be reduced, and the company could preserve a minimal image of conscience.
“Thank you...”
Takano said cautiously as he gingerly touched the floor and rose. When seeing him again after a long time, Heewon noticed his hair had turned completely white in just a few months. The feeling of a child cleaning up for a father’s wrongdoing must be pitiful.
[How would you like to handle victim compensation?]
[We will coordinate that through our lawyers. The local attorney will arrange a schedule, and Mr. Kim’s attorney will be called now.]
Kwon, who had been silent until then, spoke up. Heewon didn’t even know who his own lawyer was. He looked at Kwon with a questioning gaze, but Kwon ignored it and stared straight ahead.
The rest of the procedures would be handled by the experts.
With nothing more to discuss, they slowly got up to leave. They weren’t on friendly terms enough to shake hands, so they simply exchanged brief bows and left the hotel room.
“Who is the lawyer?”
Heewon asked as soon as he got into the elevator. Kwon answered briefly.
“Park.”
A sigh escaped. It was as expected. Somehow, he felt like he kept witnessing unpleasant scenes involving Lawyer Park.
“...I should buy him a meal sometime.”
Kwon chuckled beside him.
“I did all the hard work, so why does Park get the meal?”
“......”
“Wasn’t I supposed to be your first priority, Secretary Kim?”
Heewon suppressed the tickling feeling and deliberately looked up only at the floor indicator. There were still many floors left to descend. Watching the numbers decrease, he turned his body with difficulty.
“Thank you, Executive Director.”
He bowed politely. Without Kwon, he would have just dropped the matter. He didn’t have the courage to dig into Fujino Pharmaceuticals. He couldn’t even imagine getting an apology.
He was honestly moved that Kwon had stepped up as if it were his own business. But expressing all that was difficult. He took time to contain his feelings so as not to cause misunderstandings, leaving only gratitude.
“And you are definitely the first priority.”
“No need to force it.”
“No, I mean it.”
Slowly lifting his head, he met Kwon’s cold gaze, leaning against the elevator wall. Seeing those clear eyes made his heart skip again.
“Why... do you look at me like that?”
His lips curved. Still cold-faced, but strangely soft.
“I think all the hard work was worth it. I don’t feel... too bad.”
Kwon straightened up from his leaned posture. As he slowly closed the gap between them, Heewon froze, forgetting even to breathe. Though the elevator held only the two of them, there was probably a CCTV somewhere. Yet contrary to his thoughts, he couldn’t push Kwon away. Instead, his outstretched hand only gripped Kwon’s jacket.
Kwon’s face shifted direction, coming close to Heewon’s ear. His low voice flowed in, tickling his eardrum.
“It’s not over yet, so don’t relax.”
Just then, the elevator smoothly stopped. The door cracked open, and the cool air unique to the underground parking garage brushed in. The sudden change in the air was enough to clear Heewon’s mind.
Kwon exited the elevator first. Even as his back grew distant, Heewon couldn’t bring himself to follow. The mirror showed a flushed face, bright red.
His uncontrollable heartbeat left his ears ringing. Since when had he started reacting so strongly to every move of Kwon? Heewon grabbed the closing door and swallowed hard. No matter what he tried, his trembling heart wouldn’t calm down.
“This isn’t right.”
Heewon realized his reaction had reached a dangerous level. It wasn’t a delusion. Feeling desperate, he covered his eyes.
