Minjae sighed
"Whatever your reason was for not putting those bullies in their place, i dont know, but you should know, you have Choi as a family, you are a Choi, and that should be a great advantage for you. Even thou you feel like your fathers name is nothing, the least u could do is turn to your mothers" she said
"We have a reputation, you know, and none of them has anything to do with being bullied. Instead, we become the bullies," Minjae added as tears ran down Mina's cheek. For the first time, she felt like someone was on her side, all that Minjae was saying, was exactly she wanted to hear.
"Now wipe that off your cheek. Tears are only for the weak, and you are nowhere near being that," Minjae said as she reached for the drink on the table.
"Instead, we make those bullies of yours shed tears for what they did. Just list their names out, and they will be done for," she added. That made Mina smile.
"Does that mean you'll be coming to my school tomorrow?" Mina asked.
"Well..." she sipped her wine.
Mina just smiled. She knew her aunt was the best at messing with people. She couldn't wait to surprise the whole damn school—now that she has, had enough.
CHOI Fiber Company
Choi Fiber Company was created by Minjae's father, Mr. Choi. It was his main company and the most successful one among all his businesses, which was willed to Minsol. Even though no one had been overseeing it for a long time, the company was still moving forward due to how well Mr. Choi had coordinated the industry. He had filled the upper seats with trusted executives who now watched over the company in his absence.
In the staff section, a wide open space where employees carried out their tasks, the air was filled with the rhythmic clacking of keyboards and the soft footsteps of people walking around. Despite the size and number of workers, an eerie silence loomed. Something was off. The entire department seemed to be in a bad mood, as if something had happened.
Suddenly, Mrs. Wang, the team manager, slammed her hand on the desk. The sharp sound made everyone jolt.
She sighed, looking distressed, but no one asked why. They already knew.
A female staff member dropped her pen onto the desk in front of her and finally spoke.
"Team Manager, you don't have to stress about this. It was bound to happen anyway," she said.
Mrs. Wang turned to her.
"Of course, I know it was bound to happen, but really? Choi Minjae taking control of our company? Does that even sound okay at all?"
"Tell me about it," another female staff member scoffed as others turned to her.
"What? Team Manager is right. The whole situation sounds absurd. Even her father knows the company will fall apart in her hands," she continued. "I bet you guys haven't heard about the current situation at CHN's organization and company."
"What about it? I heard it's blooming just fine," a male staff member chimed in.
"I'm not talking about the company itself. I mean the staff—even the shareholders. She has made their mental health unstable. At this point, everyone might as well quit their jobs. Maybe then she'll come to her senses and realize she's not needed anywhere," the female staff member added.
"Awesome idea, Jin-young," said Na-ra, a female employee with reddish-brown hair. "If everyone quits, she'll realize how helpless she is."
But the room's reaction wasn't what she expected. Most of the staff looked reluctant, not in support of the idea.
"If we do that, how are we supposed to earn a living? Do you know how many people would kill for this job?" another staff member countered.
The others nodded and hummed in agreement, except for Na-ra and Jin-young, who sneered at the "unloyal" teammate's. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wang remained silent, as if she had already accepted her fate. She looked lost in thought.
If the staff had a choice, most would rather quit. But working for Choi Fiber Company was prestigious. No one wanted to give up their position, their ID as an employee of such a well-known corporation.
Just as Jin-young was about to speak, another female employee—Sarang, an intern—spoke up.
"We don't know Miss Choi yet," she said while arranging some files on a desk.
Immediately, Na-ra and Jin-young glared at her, even Mrs. Wang looked up, annoyed, not only by the interruption but her presence too.
"The little information you have about her comes from the media. And all of it is about her personal life. Who knows? She might be better as a professional. Isn't that what we all want?" Sarang continued, fully aware of the glares but refusing to look up.
Mrs. Wang scoffed.
"Hey, Sarang," she called mockingly. "Who invited you into this conversation, hmm?"
"I don't know where a mere intern like you gets the courage from," Jin-young added, crossing her arms.
Sarang gave a slight bow, a faint smile on her lips.
"Forgive me. I didn't realize I needed an invitation to join a conversation," she said.
Mrs. Wang scoffed again, even more offended by her audacity.
Jin-young smirked.
"Sarang," she called again, making Sarang turn to her. "Among all of us here, don't you think you should be the most worried about Choi Minjae taking over?"
"Why should I be?" Sarang asked.
Na-ra clicked her tongue, feigning disappointment as she shook her head.
"Now I understand why you've been an intern for four years. Not only are you slow-witted, but you're also dumb, aren't you?"
The others giggled, making Sarang feel small. She tried her best to maintain a composed expression.
"Do you really think you'll last here once our so-called new boss sees you?" Jin-young sneered. "She'll eventually figure out what a useless load you are to the company and drop you like a hot potato."
Sarang frowned.
"Oh, you didn't think about that until now? Aigoo, what a pity," Jin-young said in a mocking tone. "Here's a little advice from your very good friend—quit. Go find another job. Do us a favor and get lost."
Sarang clenched her fists but said nothing. Her sadness was evident, which only satisfied her bullies more.
A long silence followed as everyone watched her. Mrs. Wang glanced at her wristwatch before turning back to Sarang.
"Do I need to remind you that it's time to get my coffee?" she said.
Without hesitation, Sarang placed the files she was holding on the desk and turned to leave.
"Get me an iced coffee too," Na-ra said.
"Same here."
"Me too."
"Me three."
"I want iced Americano."
"Choco latte."
"Over here, Sarang," others called, placing their orders.
Sarang took out a pen and a sheet of paper, writing everything down.
While she was busy, the staff members resumed their conversation.
"Did you hear what happened at the shareholders' meeting yesterday?" one of them asked.
"What? What happened?"
Na-ra and Jin-young leaned in to hear the gossip.
"I heard the meeting turned into a full-on war with Choi Minjae."
"Really?"
"I even heard she fired Mr. Nam Il!"
Gasps filled the room.
"Ay, that's not true," another employee leaned back in his chair. "I saw him in his office this morning."
"What if he only came to pack up his things?" Jin-young suggested.
Na-ra leaned back, arms folded.
"I just knew she was a total bitch, even without the news saying—"
Suddenly, a group of higher-ups entered the room in full force—including Mr. Nam Il.
And leading them was a slender, tall lady at the front of the team—Choi Minjae.