"Vice-Chairman. How have you been?"

"Vice-Chairman."

"Vice-Chairman."

Presidents gathered around Mun-jong.

They didn't hesitate to lay on the flattery, hoping to be seen well by him.

"Vice-Chairman. Will the Chairman formally announce you as the next chairman today?"

"Now, now. What sort of thing is that to say?"

"Isn't he? Seeing him entrust the meeting to you from start to finish, I assumed it was the groundwork for handing the succession to you."

"Even so, to speak of the succession so lightly…"

"What of it? It's as good as settled. Isn't it?"

His mouth curling upward, Mun-jong waved a hand at the president of Ilhyeon Media, who had gone so far as to bow.

"President Hong. Do be careful, all the same. What if the Chairman were to hear you?"

Told to be careful, but detecting the amusement in it, the president of Ilhyeon Media bowed lower still.

"Yes. Understood. I'll be careful. But please know that in my heart I'm always behind you."

"I know. I know. How could I not know your heart, President Hong? Ha ha ha."

Mun-jong took his hand and laughed loudly.

Watching from a distance, Jeong-eun grumbled in disbelief.

"He's got the chairman's seat all reserved, hasn't he. All reserved."

"Darling. Don't worry about anything else today—"

"Darling? Is this our house?"

Jeong-eun's arrow swung to Yeong-su Cha.

"Can you still not tell your arse from your elbow? Must I spell out every single thing?"

"Ah… my apologies, President Lee."

He apologized hurriedly and pressed a sheet of paper into her hand.

Scowling, she looked down at it.

Yeong-su Cha spoke tensely.

"You must think about nothing but this today. Understood? Nothing but this—"

"I understand. Enough."

She shoved him away.

Then she tossed the paper aside as though it bored her and looked around.

"Where's Second Brother? Why don't I see him?"

"He'll be along shortly."

"And why isn't the youngest here either?"

"More importantly, if you'd just rehearse it once more—"

"Rehearse what? We did it yesterday."

"Still, just in case—"

"Enough."

She frowned and pushed him off.

Yeong-su Cha looked at…