The Chairman's Table

Dohyun rose from his seat without a single wrinkle out of place. Despite having just woken, there was nothing about his appearance that could be called imperfect. He swept his hair back and examined the articles his secretary had sent over.

Dohyun clenched his jaw. The articles had been blocked once in advance, yet they'd burst out anyway — which could only mean someone powerful was behind them. Letting out a low sigh, he stepped into the dressing room. He pulled out a crisp black suit and a white shirt without a single crease, squared the collar, and adjusted his tie with surgical precision. Slipping on the jacket, he smoothed the shoulder line once, then twice. Not a stray fold catching at his pocket, not a button out of position, escaped his notice. He ran his eyes over the watch case, selected one that was understated yet dignified, and fastened it to his wrist. Then, facing the mirror, he set his cufflinks in place. Once every detail was in order, Dohyun called Jihwan.

"This is An Jihwan."

"Secretary An. Did you send the correction statement?"

"It's ready to go. Should I release it now?"

"Do that. And clear out my office desk as well."

A beat of silence hung on the line. Jihwan's voice came back unsteady.

"...What? Hey, what does that— no, sir, hold on..."

"The moment you've cleared it, send me a separate copy of the correction statement."

"...Understood, sir."

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Dohyun hung up and told the visitor to enter. An attendant came in and bowed his head.

"The Chairman is asking for you."

Dohyun straightened his clothes and followed the attendant down the corridor. The hallway was silent to the point of excess — like the calm before a storm. When they reached the dining room door, the attendant opened it. Warm light spilled out, and an elegantly arranged breakfast table came into view: thin, lustrous porcelain plates bearing meticulously prepared delicacies. The smell of the food turned Dohyun's stomach. But he let no trace of it show as he stepped inside. He bowed to Chairman Kang, seated at the head of the table.

"You called for me, Chairman."

The Chairman lifted only his eyes, letting them travel over Dohyun. It was the cold gaze of a man reviewing a report — not one looking at his son.

"Sit. Let's eat."

Dohyun took the seat beside his half-brother, Jinhan. Jinhan stole a glance at Dohyun, then another at Chairman Kang, and dropped his head. Across from Jinhan sat his stepmother, Miyeon, in a black dress. She gave Dohyun a smile — one that carried, somehow, a chill beneath its warmth. Cradling the handle of her teacup in one hand, she leaned slightly toward him.

"Dohyun, it's been a while. Mother remembered all the dishes you used to love and had them prepared. Do come home more often, won't you?"

She slid a fried egg and a seasoned bean sprout dish toward Dohyun. He spared the table a brief glance and offered a short word of thanks.

"Thank you for the trouble, Stepmother."

At that, Chairman Kang spoke in a grave voice.

"Now that Dohyun's here, everyone pick up your spoons."

The Chairman raised his, and the meal began. The only sound at the table was the quiet clink of dishes. Dohyun didn't so much as touch the bean sprouts or the fried egg. Chairman Kang broke the silence first.

"You've seen the articles?"

"Yes. I confirmed them this morning."

Dohyun conceded the point briefly. Anything more would only sound like an excuse. Miyeon turned to the Chairman with a worried expression.

"The news has been so noisy lately. Innovation Datachip, what was it... a security flaw? A mass data breach? I don't really understand these things, but it looked serious."

The hand holding Dohyun's chopsticks tightened, ever so slightly. She knew the contents of the articles with pinpoint accuracy — like someone who had agonized over every one of those phrases since last night. Dohyun answered with perfect composure.

"We're verifying the facts."

Miyeon nodded slightly and set down her teacup. Lowering her gaze, she traced the rim of the cup with a fingertip.

"But the world won't wait for the truth, you know. I find that such a shame."

Was it advice, or a warning? Without lifting his head, Dohyun quietly took a spoonful of soup. Chairman Kang spoke again.

"They're saying the leak came from someone in your division."

Dohyun set down his spoon. Very slowly, without a sound. Now was not the time to provoke the Chairman's temper.

"There's no basis to be certain anything was leaked at all. The press is simply sensationalizing it. Both the facts and whoever's behind this will come to light soon enough."

Dohyun shot Miyeon a glance, then returned his eyes to the Chairman. Chairman Kang's lips curled into a grim smile. Reading that cold expression, Dohyun was certain of one thing: no matter how thoroughly he verified the facts or hunted down the culprit, the Chairman's mind was already made up. Good thing I told Jihwan to prepare for stepping down from the CEO seat. And yet Dohyun felt no despair. He was only thinking about how to plan his next move. That was how Dohyun operated. Never looking back. And clearing away anyone who stood blocking the road ahead. Suddenly, Chairman Kang set down his spoon and spoke in a chilling voice.

"There will be a major personnel shakeup this time."

Dohyun's brow furrowed. Miyeon's smile deepened.

"Jinhan. I intend to install you as CEO of Kangseong Communications."

Jinhan's eyes went wide. Panic and delight flashed across his face in quick succession. Kangseong Communications — of all things. Kangseong Communications was a marketing company that could fairly be called one of the core subsidiaries of Kangseong Group. The Chairman's decision amounted to forceful promotion of Jinhan as the next successor. Unable to contain his joy, Jinhan nonetheless glanced warily at Dohyun. Dohyun offered him a beautiful, painted-on smile and congratulated him.

"Congratulations. I haven't done much for you as your older brother, but I'll be at the inauguration."

"...Thank you, hyung."

Tears welled in Jinhan's eyes as he looked at Dohyun. The Chairman wiped his mouth with his napkin and addressed Dohyun.

"You. Come with me for a moment."

Chairman Kang flung a newspaper at Dohyun. It struck him square in the chest and dropped at his feet. Dohyun picked it up.

The same articles he'd seen that morning stared back at him. Dohyun folded the newspaper neatly and laid it back on the desk. The Chairman's voice cut at him like a blade.

"Do you have any idea how far Kangseong Electronics' stock has fallen because of that datachip you pushed through? Your pathetic little ambition! You've completely wrecked this company's image!"

"...The claim that the Datachip is vulnerable to hacking is unfounded. I'll have the facts—"

"Enough! Did you think I called you here to hear you argue facts?"

"..."

"I never should have let base-born trash like you sit in the CEO chair at Kangseong Electronics. You were nothing but a fluke. Tsk."

Chairman Kang slammed his fist on the desk, unable to contain his fury. Dohyun met his gaze without blinking. That wretched birth of his. If only he could tear out the half of the blood running in his veins, Dohyun thought he would gladly offer his soul to the devil himself. Then he'd never have to hear humiliations like this again. Dohyun bowed his head deeply.

"The mishandling was my mistake. I will step down as CEO."

"Ha! So you do at least know your place."

Chairman Kang hurled a single file onto the desk.