Chapter 17: There’s No One Who Can Replace Me

“There will be no investment. And no merger between the two groups.”

The moment I finished speaking, I glanced at the stunned faces of the Hojin Group’s representatives.

The conference room, which had erupted into chaos with Jae-Ha’s sudden entrance, quickly fell into a thick silence.

Breaking it, I was the first to speak again.

“W Group is stable, yes—but it lacks a flexible business portfolio suited to changing times. Even I, as an anchor, know that.”

“Hmm…”

“I’m sure you’re all aware. That if we don’t change, we will eventually be eliminated.”

Some of the shareholders’ faces twitched at my pointed remark.

“I hope to turn this crisis into an opportunity to help W Group take a step forward. And I believe there’s no one more qualified to lead that reorganization than Seo Jae-Ha.”

“But still… is that something that can truly be proven? Can Seo Jae-Ha alone restructure our entire company—something W hasn’t managed to do until now?”

Sensing that it was his turn to speak, Jae-Ha stepped forward and rested his hands on the podium.

“What if it’s a temporary management contract?”

“……”

“Let’s see what happens over the course of a year. I’ll try to change the flow within that time.”

His bold words made Ji-Han’s expression twist.

The shareholders, who had been quietly watching, seemed to be doing their mental calculations—their expressions slowly began to change.

“Well, now. Saying you’ll turn things around in just a year… Is that youthful confidence?”

Vice President Kim Young-Min let out a dry, twisted chuckle and set down the pen he had been twirling.

Outside of my parents’ shares, I had the most voting power, and I had just thrown my weight behind Jae-Ha. He would have to accept it.

“Let’s not throw around flashy promises. I expect to see clear, measurable results, Mr. Seo.”

He clearly didn’t like what was happening.

“If I fail,” I said, “I’ll hand over the 5% stake in the holding company that’s under my name.”

“…What?”

His jaw fell open at my words, unable to close again.

Even Ji-Han, who had been watching silently, froze as he stood.

Five percent—it was enough to completely change the succession plan.

Even Jae-Ha looked stunned. He hadn’t expected me to risk my shares.

Kim Young-Min raised his chin, an intrigued expression playing on his face.

“Very well. Let’s do it.”

“Vice President…!”

Ji-Han bolted up at Kim Young-Min’s unexpected acceptance.

But the vice president shook his head, signaling him to stay out of it.

“Words aren’t enough. I’ll expect results in numbers, Mr. Seo.”

“Understood. I’ll keep that in mind.” Jae-Ha responded with a broad smile.

Meanwhile, Ji-Han clenched the pen in his hand so tightly, it looked like it might snap.

“I’m in favor,” one shareholder said.

“Me too. Everyone in the industry knows Seo Jae-Ha gets results. We’ll know in a year.”

As one after another voiced support, Ji-Han’s expression darkened.

Even my grandfather’s former associates—those who had been quietly watching Kim Young-Min’s reaction—finally raised their hands in agreement.

Public opinion was clearly turning in Jae-Ha’s favor.

Across from me, I saw Ji-Han’s face go completely pale.

He glared sideways at Jae-Ha, who stood silently next to me.

He’s terrifying.

It was actually Jae-Ha’s idea to set the one-year trial period.

He had anticipated fierce resistance from Kim Young-Min’s camp and suggested we create a buffer.

All I had done was add the weight of my shares to seal the deal.

Throw out a seemingly weak offer to lull them and then slowly corner Hojin.

He was not someone I wanted as an enemy.

I turned to meet Ji-Han’s gaze.

Even amid the lively support building around us, his face remained locked in stone.

Things weren’t going his way, and his irritation showed in every gesture, including the way he guzzled down bottled water.

Now it was time to conclude.

I stepped forward with a calm smile toward the now visibly pleased shareholders and addressed the room, “Shall we proceed with the vote?”

—

Roughly thirty minutes passed before the moderator returned from the vote count.

The previously noisy room fell silent again.

“Thank you for waiting. I will now announce the results of the vote regarding the temporary delegation of management rights to Seo Jae-Ha.”

The tension spiked as the moderator took the microphone at the podium.

Even Kim Young-Min took a long sip of water, his nerves showing for once.

“Out of W Group’s total 99,883,605 common shares, 79,463,222 shares were represented here today, including proxies.”

The voting results flashed on the screen at the front of the room.

“Of the shareholders who participated, excluding abstentions, 5,538,490 voted against.”

With each word, the pressure in the room seemed to mount.

“With more than two-thirds of the voting shares in favor, Mr. Seo Jae-Ha has been confirmed to assume delegated management authority.”

It was official.

The blue bar on the screen stood tall—an overwhelming majority in favor.

I looked across the room and locked eyes with Ji-Han, whose pale face showed the full weight of his defeat.

It was a complete loss.

“Today’s emergency shareholders’ meeting confirms the approval of Mr. Seo Jae-Ha’s temporary appointment as W Group’s CEO.”

Finally, I allowed myself a victorious smile.

From morning until late afternoon, the shareholders’ meeting had stretched on.

Only after a long series of farewells with the investors could I finally leave the W Group building.

“Are you heading home?”

“Yes. That’s the plan.”

“Do you want a ride? There’s something I’d like to talk about…”

Just as I was about to get into Jae-Ha’s car after he offered to take me home—

“What are you doing?”

“Come with me. We need to talk.”

Ji-Han, who I had assumed would storm off to Vice President Kim Young-Min in anger, instead grabbed my wrist.

As he closed the half-open car door I had been reaching for, Jae-Ha stepped in front of him.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“This is between us. Stay out of it, Brother.”

I shook my head at Jae-Ha, silently telling him not to interfere. This was something I had to face with Ji-Han—once and for all.

To reassure him, I said gently, “It’s okay. Go ahead and wait inside.”

Still clearly worried, Jae-Ha reluctantly got into the driver’s seat, his eyes darting between Ji-Han and me.

“Seo Ji-Han. If you’ve got something to say, then say it now.”

“Right here?”

He looked around the spacious underground parking lot, almost laughing in disbelief.

“Yes. Right here.”

My calm response clearly grated on him. Clenching his fists against the car, Ji-Han let out a rough sigh.

“Yoon Yeo-Jin. Do you even realize what you’ve done? Seo Jae-Ha? Really?”

He stepped closer, voice low, gesturing toward the car where Jae-Ha sat.

His expression was twisted with betrayal and resentment as he grabbed my shoulder.

I could see the insecurity burning in his eyes—born from comparing himself to the brother who had been born with everything.

“Ha… Seo Jae-Ha. Of all people, him!”

Ji-Han barked out a bitter laugh, then shot a furious glare at me.

“So that’s it? You break off the engagement and run into his arms? You appointed him CEO? What the hell is going on?”

I said nothing, just stared back at him.

His grip on my shoulder tightened.

“Answer me! Why are you doing this?”

Still silent, I gave a small, cynical smile. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”

“… Find out what?”

His eyes flickered in confusion.

“That you’ve been playing house with Chae Seo-Rin? You thought I wouldn’t know?”

“Wh–what are you talking about?”

I yanked his hand off my shoulder.

Then I reached into my bag and pulled out a large envelope, tossing it at his chest.

With a slap, the envelope burst open and photographs scattered across the floor.

“You’ve been living a double life since before the wedding. Didn’t you, Ji-Han?”

“…What?”

He picked up one of the many photos showing his face. His expression twisted from shock to stone-cold anger.

“You… you had me investigated?”

“This isn’t an investigation. It’s called concern—for the man who was going to be my husband.”

I threw his own words back at him. I’d once asked if he had investigated me and used the same excuse.

Remembering that, his face crumpled, and he snapped.

“It was just curiosity!”

“…Curiosity?”

“What, a man can’t get a little distracted before marriage? It’s not like I planned anything serious with Seo-Rin. We just met a few times, that’s all!”

A few times?

That woman is the same person he tried to marry after forcing me into a divorce in our past life.

My body shook with fury.

His shameless self-justification made my skin crawl.

“And what will you do without me, huh? You know nothing! Just go back to your little radio shows. Or maybe cling to my brother instead?”

You bastard.

I laughed—utterly baffled by his arrogance.

He stared at me, clearly unsettled by my mocking expression.

“You know, Ji-Han… I think you’re confused.”

I finally opened my mouth after my laughter subsided.

“You think everything you have is truly yours?”

I saw his hand tremble as he clutched one of the photos.

Can you even keep your heir status without the W Group?

“To me, you were just another person in my life. But to you—there’s no one who can replace me.”

The photo in his hand slipped and fluttered to the floor.

“Yeo-Jin… No, please—listen to me.”

He swallowed hard and stepped closer.

His eyes trembled, as if he was just now realizing what he stood to lose.

“What happened with Seo-Rin… It was a mistake. I can’t end things with you over one mistake. Don’t forget—we were the bridge between our families.”

I closed my eyes, my lashes trembling.

“Just look past it once. Forgive me, please.”

Forgiveness? You dare say that now?

The memory hit me:

“I don’t care about my dignity. I just won’t raise my child out of wedlock.”

“…What?”

“I’m sorry for you. But I have to think about the baby. You need to step aside.”

You took everything from me. Even my life.

My lips trembled with rage and betrayal.

If I could, I’d tell him everything—how he destroyed me, betrayed me, and ended our marriage.

That he was the one who ended everything, not me.

“Mistake? So every mistake is just forgivable now? You threw a stone, and I died from it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m saying—I’ll never forgive you.”

He reached for my hand, but I slapped it away without hesitation.

And just as I was about to open the passenger-side door—Ji-Han stumbled back, forcefully shoved.

“That’s enough, don’t you think?”