Cherreads

Chapter 5 - The board meeting

In Soo hyun's apartment he had just gotten out of the shower and was applying ointment to the burn he had sustained earlier today. 

"What a bad Monday today was " he said to himself. As he remembered Min ju's carelessness earlier today, his dad's harsh treatment and the slap he had received, he decided to direct all his anger on Min ju, he wasn't going to let her stay at the company, he was going to eliminate her, he thought to himself, such clumsiness shouldn't be tolerated. His phone rang and it was Lee Ji hyun, the only friend he actually had.

"What?, why are you calling so late?" He asked with anger still boiling inside him

"What was that earlier?" 

"What was what?, what are you talking about?" He was still angry

"You have never attended a company dinner, you don't even like attending social gatherings"

"I was trying to escape going on a date with So mi"

"Oh I see, but what's wrong with your voice?, are you mad about something?" Ji hyun sounded worried 

"That new employee Park Min ju, is to be eliminated "

"Dude what are you talking about"

"She burnt me with hot coffee this morning"

"She did what?"

"Are you now deaf?, I said she burnt me with hot coffee, she even ruined my clothes and I had to go back and change, that's why I was so late today. Do you know how angry I was when I saw her on the team?"

"Come on, am sure it was an accident, besides didn't she apologize, she seemed pretty shaken when she found out you were the president"

"Yeah I saw, but I gave her an impossible assignment, if she doesn't finish before Friday, I will fire her"

"But what if she finishes, she seemed pretty competent "

"Then I will make sure she doesn't or I will make her leave on her own"

"Oh boy, you have started with your childish ways again, I just wanted to find out why you attended the dinner today, just don't do anything rash you know your uncle and his family are looking for any little excuse to bring you down right?"

"Yes I know "

"Ok then goodnight and cheer up, am hanging up"

"Yeah"

The next day on Tuesday, Min ju got to work very early so that she could continue with the marketing plan she was drafting. She was planning on visiting Hankang interior the next day and seeing the products and the designs so she would know more about the subsidiary company and would be able to draft up a suitable plan. She wanted to be done with the necessary research and start thinking of the best way to market the products after seeing them and knowing what they would be used for. She was going to make reference to other marketing programs and use a unique idea that would definitely boost the opening of the new subsidiary group. As she worked her colleagues started coming one by one. As Mr Lee arrived and saw her working, he asked why she was at work so early. 

"Ms Park Min ju, how come you are here so early?" He said as he removed his jacket

"Oh hello team leader, I was given a task by the president yesterday and am to submit it by Friday, so I came early to work on it" she said as she stood up

"Oh I see, carry on then. And you don't need to stand up to answer my questions ok?" He said as he smiled to himself thinking that Soo hyun had finally met his match. He had met someone who was as hardworking as he was.

"Yes sir"

Just then Soo hyun entered the office and they all stood up to greet him

"Good morning Mr President" they all chorused 

"Yeah good morning "

"Mr Lee, can I see you in my office?"

"Ok Mr President"

In Soo hyun's office;

"I am going to attend a board meeting to discuss some things with board members. I think my uncle wants So mum to be the CEO of Hankang Interior"

"What!" Mr Lee shouted " How do you know?, what makes you think that?, there is no way he would suggest that, I mean he was against the creation of Hankang interior "

"Am surprised too, but he was at our house to see to see my dad last night"

"Hmm" he let out a long sigh 

"you know you can't let him do that right?"

"Of course, I will try my best to make sure my hard work doesn't end up with that lazy bone So mun"

"Sure, you are right"

"So I would like you to come with me to the board meeting, though we might not come back anytime soon, and how is Ms Park? do you think it won't be easy to get rid of her?

"Yes it won't, she is pretty competent and hard working, so just forget about it"

"Alright then if you say so, go get ready we would be leaving by ten o'clock the meeting is scheduled to start eleven o'clock"

"Ok" he said as he left the office 

At the headquarters of Hankang global, Soo hyun and many executives of the company including the chairman, the vice chairman, and many other shareholders were ready in the meeting room. The meeting was yet to start because they were awaiting the arrival of So mum, who is one of the reasons the meeting was called. They had been waiting for 30 minutes and So mun was yet to arrive, his dad the vice chairman tried to persuade them to wait longer but they decided to start the meeting.

Just as the meeting was about to start, So mun clad in a tailored suit that seemed a tad too flashy, strolled into the meeting room with an air of self importance . His thirty minutes tardiness didn't seem to faze him; instead he appeared rather pleased with him self. His features were pleasant but unremarkable - think "blandly handsome" rather than "strikingly attractive".

"His dark hair was styled neatly. Despite his unimpressive aura, he carried himself with an air of superiority, as if his family name alone justified his presence in the room.

He bowed to the board members before settling into his seat. The executives exchanged glances, their expressions a blend of disapproval and resignation. It was clear that So mun's lack of punctuality and questionable competence were not not new issues. The executives expressions were filled with obvious frustration.

"Ok then shall we begins today's meeting. Today's agenda is choosing a CEO for the new subsidiary of Hankang global, Hankang Interior, that is scheduled to be launched in the next two weeks." Mr Lee began

"I will now introduce the candidates for the position. The first candidate is the President of Hankang global, Mr Jung Soo hyun. He is the CEO of Hankang marketing and distribution. It was also his Idea to crate Hankang interior and he has been in charge of overseeing everything about the creation of Hankang interior. Mr Jung Soo hyun please stand up and head to the podium"

Soo hyun stood and walked to the podium then bowed to the board members and unbuttoned his suit before sitting at the table with his name boldly written on it.

"The next candidate is Mr Jung So Mun, he doesn't have any experience in the company yet, but he is the son of the vice chairman of the group and is meant to start if appointed as the CEO. Mr Jung So mun, please head to the podium"

So mun made his way to the podium and also bowed to the board members before sitting at the table with his name written on it, next to Soo hyun. 

"Now that the candidates have been introduced, let me state the terms of the election process. When the voting begins, each one of you, has a device in front of you. After both candidates have been given a chance to express themselves, you will all cast you votes, if you believe that Mr Jung Soo hyun should be given the position you will press the button that has the letter 'A' written on it and vise versa. Whoever has the lowest votes will automatically be given the position of the CEO of Hankang department store which is now vacant. Now the candidates will each express why he thinks he should be given the position of CEO for the new subsidiary. We will be starting with Mr Jung So mun"

So mun stood up and picked up the mic, cleared his throat and started his speech.

"Hello everyone I am Jung So mun a candidate for the position of the CEO of Hankang interior. I think I am more suited for the position because my opponent is already managing a subsidiary company so I don't think he will be able to handle the weight of both companies. I have gathered a lot of experience during my time overseas and I believe I can handle the company well" 

So mun bowed after his speech. As he sat down his dad gave him a thumbs up signalling he had done well. 

"Mr Jung Soo hyun it's your turn now"

So hyun stared at the crowd for a while before finally speaking. 

"Hello, I am Jung Soo hyun the president of Hankang global" he bowed to the crowd 

"I believe I am best suited for the position because, I have an experience of over seven years in this company when my opponent doesn't have any management experience. I was also the one who brought up the idea of creating Hankang interior and I did all the work and I oversaw the building of the subsidiary directly, and lastly Hankang interior was designed by I myself and it is a new company that is just starting, I don't think it will be a good idea to hand over management rights of a company that is just starting to an amateur in management, which is why I believe I am best suited for that position. He bowed again after his speech and sat down amid applause.

"Now that we have heard from both sides it is now time to cast our votes. Now you can all cast you votes according to the instructions I gave earlier. Letter 'A' for candidate Jung Soo hyun and Letter 'B' for candidate Jung So mun. You may all cast your votes now"

The huge flat screen on the podium showed that most executives were in favor of Soo hyun becoming the CEO of Hankang interior. 

"Ok then it shows that candidate Jung Soo hyun has won the election. By the power bestowed on me by the board, I here by pronounce Mr Jung Soo hyun the CEO of the new subsidiary company of Hankang global, Hankang interior" Everyone applauded after the declaration was made of course except So mun ad his dad.

"Then since the candidate who won this election is Mr Jung Soo hyun, I hereby pronounce Mr Jung So mun as the CEO of Hankang department store "

"Wait, we should reconsider that, Mr So mun Is a complete newbie to work experience, are you sure we should hand over the CEO position to him?" The chairman asked looking at the other executives 

"Yes, I don't think that's a good idea, he needs to climb his way up by proving himself " an executive agreed with the chairman 

"Well, he is a part of the Jung family, are you saying he shouldn't be given any position in the company. He should start learning the ropes don't you think?, because sooner or later he will be joining the company" Mr So gwon argued

"Well it is not a very good idea to hand over management rights to a complete newbie immediately he starts just because he is the vice chairman's son " Said another executive

"But it was already part of the guidelines of the voting process, It clearly stated that who ever doesn't get the CEO position of Hankang interior, will be given the CEO position to the department store, and we all agreed to it " another executive pointed out

"Ok then how about we let him get the position, and if he shows that he is in capable of holding the position of CEO, he will be reassigned" Said the executive on his dad's side

"Ok, let's do that"

"Ok then, I hereby pronounce Mr Jung So Mun the CEO of Hankang department store. Meeting adjourned " Mr Lee concluded

More Chapters