บท 16: Cunning
The Next Day
The day finally comes when Soohyun and his team bring forward their presentation for the new clothing brand from K Inc. The presentation hall is filled with both the board and employees of the company to see the new leading team for the latest clothing brand. Five teams are in play for the presentation, and the biggest competition would be Jaesuk's team and Kim Jongkook's team. But Soohyun has faith in his team after seeing how much effort they put into the project for the past two weeks. Even though he's had his fair share of presentations, this is entirely different since he is involved in making them. When he was in the CEO position, all he does is give his materials and expect everything done by his secretary precisely the way he wants it done. The same secretary that filed in a resignation letter three days before this whole operation came into play. Soohyun, at first, was distraught over that fact, but Gray assured him that he could turn this around.
"Good morning, ladies and gentleman," A woman's voice grabbed everyone's attention to the center of the presentation room, "Shortly, we will begin the presentation, but before that, there are a few words to be said by our respected CEO would like to say."
Tiffany, the woman who spoke earlier, steps aside as JiU comes to take her spot—sporting an all Red fashion with her red Blazer draping her shoulders, above knee skin-tight red skirt, and a red set of 16-inch heels top the final look. Her outfit made her the center of attention even before she started speaking.
"I will keep it brief and simple," JiU starts with a smile, "First of all, I am very interested in seeing what these five amazing teams will bring to this stage for the new project, and I am sure it will be quite astounding. Second, whatever happens afterward, I will still appreciate everyone's efforts to improve and bring this company further than it is today. Whoever comes on stage, own it, conquer it, and maybe the best team come out on top."
A brief standing ovation ended the short speech as Tiffany takes the stage once again after JiU steps aside. The presentation goes underway with the first team, but one thing that's glued to Soohyun's eyes is the woman sitting a few feet in front of him. She concentrated on the teams taking the stage and how she would lean toward Tiffany to discuss matters, which amuses Soohyun. Even though such things are trivial, Soohyun can't take his eyes off her, especially after their encounter the day before. His curiosity glued his interest on her like a fly stuck to a neon light.
"Hyung, Jaesuk's team, is up," Taecyeon gently taps Soohyun's shoulder.
Soohyun averts his attention to Jaesuk's team as they take the stage. Crossing his arms across his chest as he leans back on his seat, he is ready to see what his competitor is about to layout on the table. Kim Jongkook's team showed quite the promise and by far the best so far, so Soohyun's interest takes to the sky as Jaesuk's team stands on the stage.
"Good morning, Sajangnim," Jaesuk addressed JiU first as he bowed with a smile before addressing the audience, "And a good morning to all my respected colleagues. It is an honor to be able to present our work in front of everyone here today, and I hope it is worth the wait."
Jaesuk turns to look at one of his team operating the monitor. On cue, the giant LED screen starts with the Title of the Presentation, 'Adaptation Is Key.'
"Mwoh?!" Yonghwa and Taecyeon stood as the rest of Soohyun's team follows suit and gasped in shock.
"That's our presentation's Title," Yoona looks in shock at the screen.
When the first slide comes out, the team gets more agitated than before. After the third and fourth slide comes out, the men in Soohyun's group lost it as they are about to make a move down to the center of the room.
"Guys, sit back down," Soohyun, the calmest of all, says in a soft yet firm tone.
"But, Hyung," Yonghwa complained, "He practically stole our hard-earned work for the last two weeks; how can you be so calm about this?"
"I know," Soohyun replied just as calmly, "It won't be for long, so just please sit back down and trust me."
Though very reluctant at first, the men decided to sit back as they continue to watch the gut-wrenching presentation. "Hyung, I think he's had enough fun," Soohyun whispered to Kwangsoo, who's been present the whole time through the earpiece.
"Alright! Let the games begin," Kwangsoo replied in a rather excited tone.
The next thing that happened was almost too good to pass in Soohyun's perspective, at least. The on-screen presentation suddenly stopped, and to replace it is an audio play instead.
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'Did you get what I asked for from Byung Joon's office?' Jaesuk's voice came through as the audio plays.
'Yes, sir, I do," another voice replies at the end of the line.
'Good,' a brief chuckle can be heard clearly on the audio, 'I want you to bring it to the usual place in one hour.'
'Duly noted, sir,' the call ended shortly after the reply.
The audio then turned to a video. It revealed an under bridge setting as two cars intercrossed and stopped right next to each other. However, both cars show a different class. One car could easily pass on as a rich businessman's car while the other car shows that the owner is middle to lower quality. Then from the middle-classed vehicle, a man steps out with just a jacket and jeans with a little item in his hand. Once again, the camera view changes to reveal Jaesuk's face from the other man's perspective.
'Take this,' Jaesuk handed a big brown envelope with a considerable lump seen clearly from it.
The other man hands the small item, appearing to be a small flash disk, to Jaesuk. 'Pleasure doing business with you, sir,' the man says.
'There is enough in that envelope for you to disappear,' Jaesuk calmly stated, 'I hope we don't have to see each other again.' Without waiting for the man's response, Jaesuk's car window closes before he drives off.
For the nth time, the camera changes its perspective to reveal yet another shot of Jaesuk's face. By the looks of it, it is coming from a laptop's camera. Jaesuk takes out the drive he received earlier and plugs it into the computer. As he does so, another screen appeared on the giant LED presentation screen to show what seems to be a live screen recording of Jaesuk's laptop.
The newly inserted drive, Local Disk G, opens to a presentation file. And clear as day, the original owner of the presentation is revealed as Jaesuk scrolled down to the end of the 21 slide show. In the end, are the names of Soohyun as Byung Joon and the rest of the team.
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Jaesuk, who is in complete shock and shame, could only stare at the crowd. He had attempted every possible way to change the presentation screen, but to no avail, even after shoving his team member to the side. After a last and final but futile attempt, he tried to unplug the laptop from the screen's connection. To his shock, the video continues until the truth is all revealed.
He fled the scene as the crowd's muttering drowns his steps out of the room. The room turned into a place of whispers after such a revelation. However, it ended just as quickly as it began when Tiffany takes the stage.
"Ladies and gentleman, please settle down," Tiffany's firm tone tranquilized the whole hall, "Investigation is being done as we speak in the light of the situation, but the presentation will continue to the next team. Byung Joon-ssi, will you please take to the stage with your team."
Soohyun's team was all in awe at the events that transpired before them. All they could do is stare at their leader. "Well? What are you waiting for?" Soohyun only smiled and urged his team to stand and take the stage.
The presentation commences and ends with flying colors as the entire room took a stand to clap for Soohyun's team. Each slide shows how well they had prepared their work and how well their teamwork flows throughout the presentation. Even both the Boss and her secretary stood to show their appreciation to the team.
"There will be a 15 minutes break as the voting takes place for both the best presentation and the team that will lead for this new project," Tiffany takes the stage once more after Soohyun's team make their leave.
Overjoyed beyond reason, Soohyun's team showed their excitement after the stellar presentation. Flooded with questions on how Soohyun managed to pull that off, he only answered enough to satisfy their curiosity without further details. And Soohyun can't help but express his joy at seeing his team. An exhilarating feeling that Soohyun never thought he'd have just by seeing his work displayed in such spectacular fashion.
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"The winner of this presentation is!" Tiffany paused for the suspense before beaming a gorgeous smile as her eyes followed suit in a crescent form, "Byung Joon-ssi and his team!"
The crowd stands and shows appreciation in a loud standing ovation to congratulate the winning team. Soohyun's members couldn't hold their joy as they jumped in excitement, especially the girls overwhelmed with emotions. While Soohyun smiled from ear to ear at the success his team made by working hard together despite their brief encounter.
"Byung Joon-ssi and team," Tiffany addressed them, "Please come up front."
Soohyun, taking the lead, walks ahead with his team close behind him. A genuine smile is plastered on his face as he receives the mic from Tiffany. "Oh... Daebak," Soohyun is almost at a loss for words as the crowd dies down the moment he speaks.
"We would like to thank JiU Sajangnim for this fantastic opportunity to lead this new clothing brand," Soohyun bows his head towards JiU, "And we will do our best not to disappoint the trust; that's bestowed upon us." JiU, in return, smiles and bows her head towards Soohyun.
"And this wouldn't have been made possible if it weren't for the wonderful team I have with me doing this project," he turns to address the seven young individuals, "Please give a round of applause for these young men and women." The room lit up with another round of clapping in honor of the seven people Soohyun addressed as his team.
After the commotion dies down and Soohyun's team took their bows, Soohyun hands the mic to Tiffany. "Byung Joon-ssi, Miss JiU would like to see you in her office right after this," she whispers loud enough for him to hear before taking center stage.
Soohyun turned his attention to JiU as she stands not far off from the stage. Her gaze is fixed on him with a smile tugging on her lips before she bows her head then turns around. Such action only bestilled a sudden chill up his spine since that smile sends a different feeling.
"I don't have a good feeling about this," Soohyun muttered to himself as she watches the lady in red exiting the presentation hall.
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