.
It was lunchtime for the employees working at Kim's companies, and whispers and gossip had been circulating since early that morning.
The inevitable had happened, and those concrete walls could barely contain the anticipation for news.
News spreads fast, especially when it involves your boss.
Kim Dong-hae had officially resigned from his position as vice president, and many rumors and speculations quickly arose, trying to explain the sudden departure of such a powerful figure.
Kim's companies were a major real estate firm in Seoul, with influence extending throughout Korea and parts of Asia.
Dong-hae was the third of five children and the second eldest son.
The Kim family was led by Kim Do-yun, who served as both father and president. As the majority shareholder, he still had the final say in the company—even though he now knew that his troublesome son had done nothing but cause problems.
Dong-hae's departure came after an internal investigation by Do-yun into the company's financial records.
With some effort, he traced unusual financial activity to several foreign accounts, all leading back to one person: Kim Dong-hae.
His troublesome son had been embezzling from the family business.
The only one who had shown interest in the company had, in reality, only been interested in looting it.
At 70 years old, the old man was nearing retirement, and it was sheer luck he discovered these issues while still active in the company.
The chaos would have been far worse, if that were possible, had Dong-hae fully taken over the business.
Naturally, news of the resignation had already spread among the employees, but it was only a matter of time before the media caught wind and worse revelations followed.
The cafeteria was usually buzzing with lively chatter, and that afternoon was no different.
The big difference was that the focus of all the gossip now involved the boss... or rather, the former boss.
Two employees discussed the rumors over lunch. "I heard the vice president is being investigated for embezzlement... Can you believe it?"
The woman listening widened her eyes in shock. "The handsome, tattooed guy?"
She nearly choked on her noodles.
Her mind was clearly fixated on Dong-hae's muscular, athletic physique. A real hottie!
Well, a hottie who looked more like a mobster, but still hot.
Dong-hae always wore tight-fitting formal clothes that accentuated his muscles. There was no denying he was a strong man—tall and imposing.
"Exactly! I always found him intimidating, but he is..." The person glanced around cautiously before lowering his voice to a whisper. "... A criminal."
The woman leaned in closer to the man across the table, speaking softly too. "Who do you think will take over the company? Mr. Kim seems close to retirement."
They were definitely trying too hard not to attract attention.
Nobody really cared who they were gossiping about, but they continued anyway, absorbed in their little world.
So be it.
The man furrowed his brow, uncertain of how to respond. No one would know for sure, except Kim Do-yun himself. "I think he has another child, but she barely just graduated from college..."
It was no secret that Do-yun had many children, and all of them seemed successful in their respective fields. The man had adopted four children before having his first biological daughter: Kim Eun-ji.
The woman sighed, exhausted. She still had a lot to do after lunch. Who cares about the problems of the rich?! She certainly didn't. "Rich people have complicated problems."
"Yeah."
Meanwhile, on the top floor of the massive building, a heated meeting was in progress.
Kim Do-yun had called an urgent meeting with the other shareholders. Everyone felt uneasy about the situation, and they feared it was only going to get worse.
One of the shareholders had already heard that the story had leaked and would soon be broadcast on major news channels. As expected, it wasn't long before the news broke.
They felt their spirits plummet as they watched the news anchor's report.
Aqui está o texto revisado com algumas melhorias de clareza e fluidez:
"Kim Dong-hae has just resigned from his position as vice president of the major Kim's company. Many are wondering who will be fit for the position and take on the bold mission of trying to save the company from bankruptcy. After nearly 20 years of dominating the market, this is the first time the company has faced such a severe crisis. Its stocks have already begun to depreciate, and the forecast is that they will close the day in decline..."
The television was abruptly turned off.
The silence in the room was palpable and terrifying. They were teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, practically overnight. A loud sigh echoed through the room.
Kim Do-yun ran a hand over his face, trying to calm his growing fury. His reddened eyes revealed just how angry he was. "What Dong-hae did was destroy my entire legacy..."
The old man, seated at the head of the large table, looked as if he were on the verge of an outburst. His nerves were frayed.
A loud, jarring noise startled everyone as Kim suddenly punched the glass table.
One of the shareholders nearby tried to calm him. "Mr. Kim, we understand your frustration, but Miss Eun-ji is too young to take over the presidency."
The reality was harsh, and everyone in the room thought the old man had lost his mind. He wanted to appoint his youngest daughter as vice president. Eun-ji had only recently graduated with a degree in economics and had never held an administrative role in the company. Do-yun closed his eyes and loosened his tie; he felt as if he were suffocating. "I don't care; I've already transferred my shares to her."
"But sir..."
Men and women whispered to each other, completely shocked to learn that the young woman now essentially owned the company.
Do-yun remained indifferent. Only those who shared his blood could ruin him. "I'm not asking you to choose her; I'm informing you that she *is* your new boss..."
The meeting was soon interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in..."
Everyone recognized the woman who entered as Kim Do-yun's secretary. She bowed respectfully before speaking. "Miss Eun-ji has just arrived from her trip and is outside waiting to come in."
The man sighed in relief. She was finally back. "Ask her to come in."
"All right."
The door had barely closed when the sound of heels clicking and a suitcase being wheeled in echoed through the room.
Eun-ji hadn't had time to change from her trip. She was dressed casually, with only a blazer adding an air of authority.
The young woman walked up to her father, who stood to greet her with a hug.
"Father."
The man's entire demeanor softened when he saw his daughter, like a dog greeting its owner after a long absence. In that moment, he truly seemed like a loving father. "Good morning, dear. How was the trip?"
She smiled, amused. "Deciding to be a good father now? Reporters were waiting for me. Do they already know the news?"
The old man, who held a particular disdain for the media, grumbled. "Who knows with those parasites..."
Everyone watched the father-daughter interaction, and Do-yun seized the moment. "Please, introduce yourself..."
"Okay."
Eun-ji finally set down her suitcase and took the chair where her father had been sitting. Her boldness made everyone want to scream for respect, but she didn't care.
"My name is Kim Eun-ji, and I am the new president of Kim's. I hope we can work together amicably... or I might have to take more decisive actions, and I don't think any of you want that. For those who are unhappy, I'll be accepting resignation letters tomorrow. If you want to sell your shares, do it... but they won't be worth more than crumbs."
Her voice was low and firm. She didn't need to raise it; her presence alone made the room freeze. She felt like the devil in disguise.
A few men dared to look at her, but only one had the courage to speak. "Welcome, Miss Kim."
Eun-ji smiled with satisfaction. For her, this was already a great start.