12 A Press Conference and More

October 8, 2027

"Hello. I'm SBK News Anchor Seokjin. Today, everyone is in for a surprise. As of this morning, KI Group has released an article stating that the boy future CEO of KI Group, Sujin Jeong, is not related to him in any way. The article even contained several images comparing facial features of the two, showing that their features are drastically different. The article also included a picture of the DNA test results that state that the two are a 0.1% match. Thus, supporting the claim that the future CEO Sujin is indeed not related to this boy. Today, the future CEO has scheduled a press conference. So, without further ado, let's head to Bora-ssi who is just waiting at the KI Headquarters for the press conference to start."

The camera cuts to Bora, who is standing just outside the doors of KI Headquarters.

"Thank you Seokjin for the detailed report. I'm standing just outside the KI Headquarters. And, here at the Headquarters, it's quite crowded. There is a crowd of reporters and members of other major companies gathered here outside the headquarters, waiting for the appearance of the future CEO. Some are here to get information regarding the recent scandal, but unlike the reporters, representatives from other companies are here to get an idea of what the future CEO is like. Oh! Here comes the future CEO."

Sujin takes a deep breath.

⌠You got this Sujin. You only have to make your statement and answer a few questions. It'll be over in a few minutes.⌡

"Let's go," Sujin says to her newly assigned secretary.

"Yes, CEO. Right this way." The secretary says, gesturing towards the sliding doors.

Sujin adjusts a couple strands of hair, then walks out to the table that has been prepared for the press conference.

The crowd of reporters surge forward, trying to be the closest to the table. Unlike the reporters, the representatives of other companies stay a fair distance away from the press conference table. The reporters ready their pens and notepads, waiting for the next "scoop" about the future CEO.

Sujin takes her seat and nervously adjusts the mic that has been placed in front of her.

"I would like to-to thank you all for being here today. I apologize for any trouble this incident may have caused. I also apologize for not addressing the issue earlier. Because I didn't address this issue earlier, it has damaged the image of the Jeong family and KI Group as well. Not addressing this issue also shows my irresponsibility as well as my ignorance to what my actions may cause. Thus, I sincerely apologize for this complex and confusing situation. Please forgive me."

Sujin stands to bow deeply, then takes her seat again to answer any questions the crowd may have.

One reporter frantically waves his hand in the air.

"Future CEO Jeong who is that boy if he is not directly related to you?"

"He's my adopted son," Sujin answers.

"So, he is officially part of your family?" The reporter continues.

"Yes," Sujin says "He is a member of the Jeong family and will be even if he does not have the blood of the Jeong family running in him."

"What are the opinions of your siblings and parents regarding this boy joining the Jeong family?" Another asks.

"They were very accepting and welcoming to the new member of the family. They treat him as if he was their own grandson or nephew."

"There was no objection to letting this boy be part of the Jeong family?" One reporter says.

"No," Sujin says, "They didn't ask anything. They just acted as if this boy had been part of the family for a long time."

"What were your reasons for adopting this little boy?" Another shouts over the noise of camera clicks and chattering reporters.

"I saw a lost little boy while I was walking downtown, and he asked me to adopt him. I couldn't bear to see the little boy have no loving parents, so I took him back to the orphanage, signed papers, and took the little boy home. End of story."

Sujin glances at her watch, then begins to stand.

"This press conference has ended as of now. I have an important meeting to attend, so if you'll excuse me."

Sujin then walks into the building, her secretary tailing close behind, and reporters chasing after her for at least another word regarding the scandal.

One man in the crowd smiles.

"What are you thinking about sir?" A person near him asks.

"I'm thinking about how interesting this woman is. Could you do some digging and see if our dates match?"

"Yes, VP Park. I'll look into it. Do you want any other information about CEO Jeong?"

"Yes. Please look into it, Secretary Lim. And, Secretary Lim, please call me Sunwoo. After all, we are like brothers. We grew up together, so please drop the formal speech, it makes me uncomfortable."

"Alright Sunwoo. You win. I'll try to get you the information by the end of the day."

"See to it then." Sunwoo says.

After his secretary leaves, Sunwoo smiles to himself.

⌠I like this woman. She would make the perfect wife. I'll introduce myself at the gala at the end of the month.⌡

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October 11, 2027

In her office, Sujin is hard at work. The papers on her desk are piled high above her head, and it seems like more and more papers keep piling themselves onto that stack. By the time the secretary comes to find Sujin and inform her of her schedule for the week, she is hidden behind the piles of papers that sit on her desk.

"CEO," the secretary calls. "CEO—"

The secretary's shout is cut off when Sujin peeks her head out from behind the piles of papers.

"AHHH!" The secretary screams. "You scared me CEO Jeong. Why didn't you move the piles or at least try to organize them?"

"What did you really come here for Secretary Han?" Sujin counters.

The secretary hesitates. The uncertainty present on her face.

"I've come to tell you that you are scheduled to attend the annual gala hosted by Sonsung. You are to attend along with one of your brothers in order to represent the company."

"That's all?" Sujin asks when Secretary Han ceases to speak.

"Yes, CEO Jeong."

"If that's all, please be on your way." Sujin says curtly, wanting to go back to work in order to finish all the tasks for the day.

"I'll be back at 17:30 to take you to your meeting with some of the fellow companies that are going to be at the gala. Well, I'll let you get back to work CEO Jeong."

Secretary Han closes the door, and Sujin immediately gets back to work.

After spending some time trying to finish the papers, Sujin took a brief break, trying to gather her thoughts. Sujin was already dreading the gala she has to attend.

⌠Ughhhhhhh. WHYYYY!! I DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE GALA! I DON'T WANNA!! I DON'T WANNA. . . . . . . . . . . . ⌡

Sujin sighs inwardly.

⌠But, there's nothing I can do. I have to go. . . . . . . .⌡

And so, Sujin starts planning for the gala that is to come, already dreading the day that is just a few weeks away.