Chapter 144 ·Let's Not Raise Our Voices
Let's Not Raise Our Voices
The atmosphere in the restaurant's private room grew heavy. In that tension, Kang Cheon-gyu replied calmly.
"If you're not willing, you don't have to do it. As for me, I have nothing to lose in the current situation."
Tae Seok-ho, who had been lost in thought, weighed his options intensely.
He debated whether to use a contract worth 300 billion won per year as stock lending fees.
However, in the current situation, he was the one with regrets. He wouldn't be at ease unless he gathered even one more share.
With that, he picked up the liquor bottle and refilled Kang Cheon-gyu's glass.
"No, I'll do as you say. But I ask that there won't be any circumstances that would make the written proxy over the shares uncomfortable for me."
The proxy that was written last held legal effect.
Of course, Tae Seok-ho didn't believe Kang Cheon-gyu would play games with that, but he needed to prepare in case of any unforeseen situations.
"I'll make sure there won't be any cause for concern."
Afterwards, the deal was concluded, and the proxy documents were prepared—of course, on the condition of handing over the contract for Maison LTwoa that was underway at Taeshin Department Store.
Only after both had stamped the documents did Tae Seok-ho let out a relieved smile.
"Honestly, it stings to hand over the Maison LTwoa deal, but I'll bear with it, thinking it's for both our benefit."
"I trust things will go smoothly for you as well, Executive Vice President."
They clinked glasses again. After chatting about this and that for quite a while, they left the bar only at midnight.
Tae Seok-ho climbed into his car and departed first.
Kang Cheon-gyu received his phone from Noh Geun-cheol, who was next to him.
After a few rings, the other party picked up.
[Yes, Chairman Kang.]
The call was with Kang In-hyuk.
"I've just handed over the proxy to Executive Vice President Tae Seok-ho. You always said it didn't concern you, but I thought you should at least be informed."
It was the content that Tae Seok-ho had passed on to Kang Cheon-gyu previously.
However, contrary to his worry, In-hyuk sounded completely indifferent.
[It's not something I need to care about. Nothing will change even if I do.]
He was still nonchalant. Kang Cheon-gyu let out a sigh.
"Seeing Executive Vice President Tae Seok-ho going this far, it looks like he's confident about winning at the shareholders' meeting. Even then, do you still think you can stay at Taeshin?"
[You haven't given up yet, have you?]
"How could I? Honestly, I thought you might switch sides if I offered you shares, but you don't budge an inch...."
[I've told you before, but I have no interest in KQ.]
"Even so, I won't give up."
A sigh could be heard from In-hyuk on the other end of the line.
[Anyway, thank you for letting me know.]
"Right. I'll see you next time."
The call ended like that. Kang Cheon-gyu got into the car parked in front.
In the passenger seat, his secretary Noh Geun-cheol turned to ask.
"It seems it didn't work out again this time."
"He's just too stubborn. Why does he insist on the hard road, leaving the easy path behind... even going aboard a ship that might sink."
His voice was filled with regret.
"I suppose he's just like the chairman."
"Like me? Am I that stubborn?"
"You're also quite headstrong, Chairman."
"Ha—!"
With their conversation, the car headed toward his residence in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province.
* * *
The next day, the main auditorium at Taeshin Trading's head office.
Before noon, a crowd of people was coming in from outside.
Tae Ju-ha watched the scene from a slight distance from the auditorium entrance.
"... How do you think it will go?"
The question was directed at Heo Yu-rim, her secretary, who stood beside her.
Heo Yu-rim was also deep in thought about the emergency shareholders' meeting.
Adding to that was the frustrating experience a few days prior when she and Ju-ha had visited Lumen Holdings and returned with only a vague answer.
[We'll decide based on the flow that benefits us.]
That was the message relayed by an employee from Dorian Dusk, the CEO of Lumen Holdings.
In the end, it was impossible to know what decision they would make.
And currently, the mood for the shareholders' meeting was very troubled.
"To be honest... the momentum is heavily shifted toward Executive Vice President Tae Seok-ho's side."
"It's as I thought, isn't it?"
Not only Ju-ha, but others could predict as much.
There were rumors that Tae Seok-ho's faction had secured a huge number of shares.
Already, the executives aligned with Tae Seok-ho seemed lighthearted in demeanour.
Then, as someone influential entered, the hall was filled with a stir.
"That's Dorian Dusk, CEO of Lumen Holdings! He came all the way himself for the shareholders' meeting?"
"Kael Morburn from Orbis Investment is right behind him!"
Both entered, accompanied by their secretarial staff and security guards.
Recognizing them, rumors spread throughout the crowd.
After all, they were famous private equity CEOs in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
But the commotion didn't end with just those two.
"That's Norman McGrath from AMK!"
Everyone was shocked.
Three world-renowned private equity firms had gathered for Taeshin Group's shareholders' meeting.
At the same time, those in Tae Seok-ho's faction were struck with a mix of surprise and tension.
AMK Partners held as much as 8.21% of Taeshin Trading's shares.
Furthermore, it was rumored they sided against Tae Seok-ho, making them anything but welcome.
In the meantime, attendees went through share verification before heading inside.
.
.
.
Tae Seok-ho was sitting backstage behind the auditorium. Then, an employee hurried in and reported the situation.
Tae Seok-ho's expression hardened and he sighed.
"They all personally came... So, they really want to go all out?"
At his side, Reina Blackwood offered her opinion.
"Thanks to your efforts at the last minute, Executive Vice President, you've secured up to 45%. No matter how much foreign companies try, their combined shares won't have much effect."
"And for that, we had to sacrifice a huge business deal..."
He had agreed to the deal under the conditions offered by Chairman Kang Cheon-gyu of KQ Group.
Tae Seok-ho's stomach felt soured by this, but with Taeshin Group within reach, he felt some comfort.
"We can make up for the loss with new business. There's also our shares of Bellbyte Technology, which Taeshin Asset Management holds."
Bellbyte Technology was attracting massive attention in the global power equipment production sector.
The expected profits were so impressive that Taeshin Asset Management's value was set to rise due to holding those shares.
"That's what I most look forward to. But, are you sure Father is still in America?"
"I checked again this morning."
"So he really gave up... Well, he did hand his proxy over to AMK Partners."
He judged that Tae Gun-seung had relinquished management control of Taeshin Group. Yet, Tae Seok-ho remained fully alert.
Time passed, and then an employee from the general affairs division entered.
"Executive Vice President, it's time to head up."
At last, the shareholders' meeting was about to begin.
Tae Seok-ho, together with Reina, walked to the auditorium.
Inside, the shareholders filled every seat.
At the front podium, Taeshin Trading's executives and members of the Taeshin family—except Tae Gun-seung and Kang In-hyuk—were seated in two rows.
There, Tae Seok-ho made his entrance as if he were the star of the show.
Instantly, the rowdy atmosphere in the auditorium grew heavy.
In this, Lee Yoon-seok, department manager of general affairs, stepped up to the microphone.
"We will now begin the shareholders' meeting. Before proceeding with the agenda, I confirm the attendance of 525 shareholders, representing 152 million shares."
With the announcement, low murmuring began to spread.
Taeshin Trading's total number of shares was around 163 million, so over 90% attendance was implied.
This made Tae Seok-ho, seated at the center podium, wear a slightly grim expression.
Simultaneously, Reina scanned the seats to try and spot the owner of the proxy shares she hadn't identified.
"Now, for the convening agenda. It has been determined that current Taeshin Trading CEO Tae Gun-seung is unable to continue management due to injury, age, and illness. Taking into consideration the company's image and shareholder concerns, we submit a proposal and, through this emergency shareholders' meeting, raise the agenda item of dismissing the CEO."
Everyone already knew the contents from the prior notice.
Yet, with the decades-held CEO position of Chairman Tae Gun-seung now at risk, there was no avoiding the uproar.
Department manager Lee Yoon-seok, overseeing proceedings, continued.
"As just explained, the first item on the agenda is the dismissal of Taeshin Trading CEO Tae Gun-seung. The shareholders present will exercise their voting rights by on-site ballot. If a majority is reached, the motion passes; otherwise, it will fail."
Other staff from the general affairs division busily directed people toward the voting booths installed at the right.
Simultaneously, as several people headed to vote first, the murmuring swelled like an echo.
The first to move were the minor shareholders.
The long line snaked into and out of the five voting booths over and over.
Meanwhile, on stage, Tae Seok-hyun glared daggers at Tae Seok-ho.
Of course, Tae Seok-ho was fully aware of this.
"Is there something you want to say to me?"
"You're really going to go through with this?"
The two, seated side by side, could easily speak in subdued voices.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you really going to kick Father out like this?"
"Should we just leave Taeshin Group as is? And who do you think is responsible for this mess?"
It was Tae Seok-hyun who started this.
After sidelining him for poor management and all kinds of scandals, the resulting losses were still being dealt with.
"I only tried to save the company, you know. Don't you, being in that position, understand how I feel?"
"In the end, you're saying the same thing. I don't want to hear it anymore. If you want at least one affiliate, you'd better behave yourself."
"... What?"
"Or would you rather I make sure you're never able to set foot in Taeshin again?"
Tae Seok-hyun's face scrunched up in frustration. Still, he couldn't ignore Tae Seok-ho's words.
He understood his own predicament better than anyone.
"It's not a hard choice. Father was going to step down eventually, wasn't he?"
"So if I support you, will you return me to my original position?"
For an instant, Tae Seok-ho's eyes went icy as he looked at Tae Seok-hyun.
"You want Electronics back after all the mess you caused? Do you have any shame?"
"Then what will you give me?"
"How about the president's seat at Taeshin Next? You always liked that place."
That wasn't even an affiliate.
Furthermore, while president of Taeshin Electronics, Tae Seok-hyun had played dirty with the funds of that particular subsidiary.
It was also a company soon to be disposed of due to its massive losses.
"You bastard—!"
"Let's not raise our voices; people are watching."
"You're the one making this happen!"
"It's just an example. Who knows? If you back me, I might not give you Taeshin Electronics, but I could consider another affiliate."
As their exchange went on, the majority of people finished voting. Tae Seok-ho, too, rose to cast his vote.
With only a handful left, the fate of Chairman Tae Gun-seung's CEO position was about to be decided.