Chapter Twenty-Two

Mr. Taeyoung was horrified. Brows knitted together and his eyes opened wide. “What do you mean my rating isn’t enough? The chat completely shows that my reputation has recovered,” he protested.

“That was your reputation amongst your current partners and clients,” Mr. Nam grabbed the second folder once again and opened it. He continued, “Your reputation with the public is undecided. And with the people within the business industry, their trust in your name is yet to be restored.”

I secretly glanced over to Mr. Taeyoung and his jaw clenched. His hand on the table slowly clenched as Mr. Nam put the folder back on the table.

Mr. Nam continued, “Did you really think that I wouldn’t see that? Your chart explained everything perfectly.”

“Do we really have to consider all of the reputation ratings on the chart? My sales recovered and my partners and clients already advised me to make new connections,” Mr. Taeyoung complained even more.

“If that’s the case, why are you forcing a merge with me?” Mr. Nam asked. “If you’re so confident that your reputation has recovered, why are you complaining whenever I don’t agree to be partners with you? You can seal deals with other clients. You don’t have to keep pushing a sudden partnership with me.”

Mr. Taeyoung sighed as he raked his hands through his hair. “I still need a partnership that will prove to the world that my company is proven to be clean after the allegations. And what better way to prove that than to merge our companies together?” he replied. “We always said that our companies are sisters even without the formalities of a contract. But without a signed paper, we cannot be officially considered as sister companies.”

“So, you decided – on your own – that merging with me will be the best for your company,” Mr. Nam replied. He moved closer to him and asked, “Have you ever thought of what possible benefits your company will give me if we officially announce to the world that our companies are finally partners on paper?”

Mr. Taeyoung didn’t answer. But he didn’t look away from Mr. Nam.

Mr. Nam continued, “If I merge with you, only you will benefit from it. My name will be put under scrutiny if I proceed with the partnership that you want. There’s a high possibility that my sales will decrease, my credibility to the public will be questioned and the trust that I built within the business industry will be shaken. And I can’t afford that to happen.”

“Jinho,” Mr. Taeyoung moved closer as desperation was evident in his voice. “I’m your brother. And as brothers, we should be helping each other. We’re in the same competitive field. We have no one else to rely on but each other.

“Taeyoung, how many times have I helped you in tricky situations? How many times have I pulled you out of predicaments that you put yourself into? How many people have I bribed and paid, just for the sake of your company?” Mr. Nam answered. “If I continue to pull the family card on you, I will lose everything. If that happens, can I still use the family card when I tell my employees that they don’t have jobs anymore?”

He continued, “I warned you: before you enter this industry: from the beginning till the end, every action of yours will be under a microscope. And in this industry, you can only rely on yourself. Even if you have family within the same circle, it still won’t do you any good. At the end of every day, everything is strictly business.”

I slowly gulped a lump in my throat as I heard Mr. Nam speak. He didn’t sound like the caring boss that I met. He was a totally different person right now.

Mr. Nam moved back and sat properly on his chair. “Business isn’t all about getting the biggest and brightest connections, Taeyoung. Like what I’ve been telling you: you need to be mindful of the decisions you’re making. Because you have people who look up to you for work. Whenever you make a deal with a new client, you always have to think of people under you,” he added. “I know that I sound cold towards you in regards to this matter. But trust me when I say that there are people who are a lot worse than me.”

“We’re family, Jinho. That is why I’m always shocked whenever you treat me indifferently,” Taeyoung replied. He was even more frustrated than before.

“We’re not the only family that’s in the world of business, Taeyoung. There are some entrepreneurial families out there who would kill each other. And it’s all because of conversations like this,” Mr. Nam protested. “I’m not pushing you away. As your brother, this is my way of teaching you how the world works. And I hope that you’ll understand where I’m coming from. I only want for your business to be the best it could possibly be.”

Mr. Taeyoung was going to answer back when someone knocked on the door. His secretary stood by the door and said, “Sir, a client from Apathi Real Estate is here. She said she has a meeting with you.”

“Kindly prepare my office for that one. Have her wait in one of our mini-offices,” Mr. Taeyoung instructed.

His secretary bowed and left.

Mr. Taeyoung sighed whilst he collected the folders. “So, I’m guessing that’s a no for this merge, huh?”

Mr. Nam replied, “I understand where you’re coming from, Taeyoung. The thought of our companies officially making a merge will make history in our family. I also know that if your company recovers and reaches its full potential, it can shine through this competitive field that we’re in.”

He continued, “However, I want you to prove yourself first, not just to the people within our circle, but to the general public as well. Because our clients, our partners, won't be the ones who’ll keep our businesses alive. It’s the people that work for us, as well as the people that consume what we provide. Do you get what I’m saying?”

Mr. Taeyoung nodded slowly. The poor sight of defeat on his face was heartbreaking. He was so excited, so committed with the thought of a partnership with Mr. Nam. But Mr. Nam was indeed correct. Mr. Taeyoung would need a complete recovery of his reputation to make the most out of anything.

I could only hope that what Mr. Nam told him wouldn’t discourage him.

“Guess we’ll discuss this some other time, then?” Mr. Taeyoung asked as he stood from his chair.

Mr. Nam stood from his chair and quickly followed suit. I grabbed my things as Mr. Nam answered, “In the future, perhaps we’ll discuss this in further details. For now, you need to prove to everybody that you’re completely innocent from what was accused of you last year.”

With a firm smile, Mr. Taeyoung nodded. He turned to me and said, “My apologies if you had to witness that whole dialogue, Miss Ryuk. He doesn’t bring his secretaries along so I was surprised that he didn’t bring Hyeongu this time.”

“I don’t mind, Mr. Taeyoung,” I shook my head with a smile. I continued, “Mr. Nam did say that this is some kind of training for me. I need to get used to these sorts of situations for future business meetings.”

He nodded. He returned to Mr. Nam and remarked, “You have a very reliable secretary, brother. She better last this time. Your previous ones never lasted three months in that position.” He chuckled after.

“I hope she’s a strong one. Minju is making things difficult for Miss Ryuk. But thankfully, Miss Ryuk is very understanding,” Mr. Nam replied. He briefly turned to me with a smile before he looked back to Mr. Taeyoung.

“Ah, her again,” Mr. Taeyoung turned to me and said, “Don’t mind anything that Minju says or does. She’s too obsessed with your boss, which is why she’s a lunatic in the office.”

“I really don’t pay any mind to her, Mr. Taeyoung. Rest assured that I will focus on my job and make things lighter for Mr. Nam,” I replied.

“You’re a smart one. I like you,” Mr. Taeyoung answered, impressed. He looked back to Mr. Nam and said, “Let me walk you to your car.”

“Don’t you have a client to attend to?” Mr. Nam asked.

“Oh, she can wait. And besides, I rarely see you. Call it spending time with my sibling,” he grinned. He went ahead and we followed right behind him.