Moon's Labyrinths

A silence descended within the meeting room, which was broken by Jimin’s sonorous voice .

“Mr . Sungyoon cut right to the point . We have no plans on doing business with Daesung Energy . ”

“I heard there was a misunderstanding between Mr . Woo Sungyoon and my son, so Mr . Sungyoon’s reaction is understandable . However, it is surprising to hear such a statement from the president of a company . Is it because you’re still young? This is business . You have to think about profit and the interest of your company, and avoid making decisions based on personal feelings . ”

Hooyoung was barely maintaining a smile as he spoke . However, Jimin’s expression remained the same as she answered him .

“Jungbum wasn’t established to do business . That’s why we don’t care about profit . ”

“Profit isn’t your goal? What nonsense . . . ! Then why are you running your company?”

Hooyoung’s words turned a little rough, but Sungyoon replied to them instead of Jimin .

“Raiding the Great Labyrinth . ”

It was a short phrase, yet everyone understood what he meant .

“That’s right . Ultimately, my company’s goal is to raid the Great Labyrinth . I’m sorry to say this here, but our moonstone business is only a means to replenish our resources for this goal . ”

Some were impressed by her bold words, while others were offended . However, one thing was certain . No one objected to what she had said .

“Look at what she is spouting! Do none of you have anything to say? This woman thinks running a business is a joke!”

Hooyoung had spoken forcefully in order to get others to agree with him . However, Jimin continued without blinking .

“You have no right to interfere with how I do my business . Even if others object to it, we will not bend our knee . We will do as we like . ”

No one spoke out against her . They neither took Jimin’s side nor sided with Hooyoung . The people in the meeting room took a wait and see approach .

The Connector companies hoped the Minister would accept Jimin’s stance as it would set precedence and strengthen their rights .

On the other hand, the moonstone processing companies were already in a tough spot because of the moonstone shortage . If they made the wrong move, they were at risk to lose access to the moonstones provided by Jungbum . Therefore, they were worried about crossing her .

Hooyoung became very frustrated when there was no response in his favor . The situation had betrayed his expectations . Moreover, he had misjudged the goal of Jungbum and Sungyoon .

This time Hooyoung turned to look at the Minister even though he knew the Minister wasn’t the answer to his problems .

In fact, the Minister was adamant about avoiding the feud .

‘If things go wrong, and he switches nationality . . . ’

Sungyoon was a 1st Gen capable of operating within the Great Labyrinth . On top of that, he was a hero to the whole world . His growth rate was astonishing . Many countries wanted him; the main one being the US . The US was the world leader, and they were at the forefront of technology with enormous capital at their disposal .

He was also very popular in Britain . After the attack on London, Princess Grace had joined his party, and it had the effect of keeping his popularity high in her country .

Sungyoon’s party also had two natives from Canada .

Aside from these countries, many more wanted Sungyoon .

If Sungyoon declared his desire to change his nationality, these countries would bring everything to the table to entice him .

‘He hasn’t shown any desire to change his nationality, but it was said that he wouldn’t hesitate to change it if given a reason . ’

The Minister thought about the information he had about Sungyoon .

If he unnecessarily offended Sungyoon and the Connector changed his nationality, the Minister would lose his job . His political career would be put in jeopardy .

“Let’s end the meeting for today . I’ve heard all your concerns . When we meet next, we can work toward finding a solution that everyone can accept . ”

The Minister quickly ended the meeting, and everyone trickled out of the room . Sungyoon and Jimin stood up in order to leave .

“... Let’s go!”

Hooyoung glared at Sungyoon and Jimin one more time before departing with Jaeho in tow . Jaeho refused to meet Sungyoon’s eyes . He silently looked forward as he crossed the door .

***

“You dumb bastard!”

As soon as they got into the car, Hooyoung berated Jaeho .

Jaeho closed his eyes .

“Is this how you conduct your business? How did you let it get this bad?”

Hooyoung kept a public image that made him look magnanimous . However, it was only a mask . He was cold and heartless . It was apparent where Jaeho had gotten his personality from .

“We could barely lay down the foundation of our moonstone processing company, yet you dare ruin it like this!”

“It isn’t completely dead . ”

Jaeho tried to come up with an excuse .

“I hope so! If that isn’t the case, you can forget about becoming the successor . In fact, I might just disown you!”

Jaeho felt a chill run down his spine . Hooyoung didn’t speak any further, but Jaeho knew he couldn’t relax .

‘Father is serious . ’

The furious Hooyoung had given Jaeho a task and then shown zero interest . It meant that Hooyoung was really giving Jaeho his last chance .

‘I have to succeed somehow . ’

Hooyoung didn’t know about Jaeho’s investment into Gagarin·Yang city . Jaeho had lost everything in that investment .

’If he finds out about that . . . ’

Jaeho’s body shook .

‘I have to pull this off somehow . Even if I can’t return the company to its former glory, I have to find a way to at least make it functional . . . ’

While an unpleasant silence deepened between the two, the car smoothly drove toward their destination .

***

Jaeho entered his office, took off his necktie, and violently threw it on the ground .

“Fuck!”

His office that had felt like a throne to his kingdom in the past was basically his jail now . However, Jaeho soon centered himself .

‘It’s fine, Lee Jaeho! This is your final tribulation! If I pass this with flying colors, Father will see that I can manage a crisis! I’ll be one step closer to receiving the keys to the company . I’ll be ahead of my brothers . ’

Like the famous quote that went ’in the midst of every crisis, lies a great opportunity’, Jaeho was trying to spin his situation into a positive . But his thoughts were cut off by the ringing of his phone .

Jaeho frowned when he saw the name displayed on the phone . He was about to end the call, but he changed his decision at the last second .

“What is it?”

His poor mood was reflected in his voice . Those familiar with him would have ended the call if they heard his voice right now . However, the person on the other side of the phone had a thick skin . She wasn’t someone that would back off so easily .

- It’s me .

“What do you want again!”

Jaeho’s annoyance with her was revealed in his voice . He had just come back after being humiliated by Sungyoon, and Miyun’s voice made him think about Sungyoon again .

- I’m calling about my father’s company . Are you really going to end the contract?

“You are tiresome . Are you still talking about that?”

When it came to money, Miyu was tenacious .

“I’ll tell you this for the last time . Clean out your ears and listen! I have no intention of doing business with your bitch of a father! I will never form a contract with his shitty company! Get your head out of your ass, and stop calling me! If you love money that much, go sell your body!”

Without waiting for a response, Jaeho ended the call .

“That bitch doesn’t know her place . ”

However, he felt a bit better after unloading his anger .

‘That piece of shit was useful for something . ’

With a calm mind, Jaeho started thinking about his future plans .

***

Ddoo! Ddoo! Ddoo!

The robotic disconnect tone hit her ears . Miyun kept her phone on her ear even though the call had ended . However, nothing changed, and she kept hearing the disconnect tone repeating itself .

Miyun finally ended the call . She had listened to Jaeho’s abuse and experienced being cut off, yet her expression was unexpectedly calm . She stood up and went to her desk . After taking out a key from her pocket, she opened the lowest drawer .

Her hands grabbed a thick stack of paper . Miyun then took out her phone and dialed a number . However, this number didn’t belong to Jaeho .

- What do you want?

The cold voice of a woman responded to the call as Miyun firmly bit her lips .

***

Miyun stood at the entrance of the cafe and looked at her surroundings . She soon found the people she was looking for . Her high heels clicked as she walked toward the table .

Tuhl-suhk!

She roughly threw her bag in the empty seat next to her and looked at the man and woman sitting in front of her .

“It seems you aren’t in a good mood . ”

The contents of these words expressed concern, but the tone of the voice made it clear that she was taunting her . Miyun did her best to avoid the ridicule on Jimin’s face .

“It’s none of your business . ”

“All right . Would you like a cup of coffee? I can buy you that . ”

“I don’t feel like drinking coffee with the two of you . ”

In the past, Miyun had an easygoing and impudent personality . However, all that was nowhere to be seen around the current Miyun . In fact, one could see her cold demeanor and a venomous air around her .

“As you’ve requested, Mr . Sungyoon didn’t speak to the media . We did that for free, so why are you in such a bad mood?”

Jimin continued to antagonize Miyun, but the latter remained silent . Miyun just took out an envelope from her handbag and threw it on the table .

“How much are you willing to give me for this?”

“Is this what I think it is?”

“Stop playing around . ”

Jimin was about to touch the documents when Miyun snatched it back .

“You have to give me the money first . ”

“We don’t know if it’s real, yet you want us to give you the money?”

“Please transfer the money first . Then I’ll hand it over right afterward . ”

Jimin looked at Miyun for a brief moment, then nodded .

“Alright . If it’s fake, I can just recover the money by suing you . How much?”

“Twenty million dollars . ”

It was an astronomical figure . Miyun expected Sungyoon and Jimin to reject the offer and was prepared to lower to figure if push came to shove .

However, their reactions were out of her expectations .

Sungyoon—who had crossed his arms and remained silent all this time—pressed a number on his phone . It connected him to his bank . After a short conversation with them, Sungyoon turned toward Miyun .

“I sent it . ”

“Really?”

Since the amount was so high, Miyun became suspicious . Sungyoon frowned at her reaction .

“Do you think I’m like you guys? If you’re suspicious, you can check your bank account . ”

Miyun opened her phone and did exactly that . Sungyoon was right, and she gulped when she saw the overwhelming figure of twenty million dollars in her bank account .

“I’ll take this now . ”

Jimin took the documents, and Miyun didn’t stop her this time . After taking out the documents, Jimin went over them with Sungyoon .

When Miyun looked at their faces that were right next to each other, a complicated expression appeared on her face . If she hadn’t betrayed Sungyoon, she would be the one sitting next to him . He was a man that could hand out twenty million dollars without blinking an eye .

She could imagine herself wearing designer clothes and carrying an expensive bag while standing next to Sungyoon with a pretentious smile on her face . However, that scene would only appear in her mind .

“It’s genuine . ”

Sungyoon had finished looking over the documents . The paper was indeed a copy of the contract between him and Jaeho .

“I’ll be going now . ”

Miyun no longer wanted to converse with the two of them .

“Wait a moment . ”

Sungyoon stopped Miyun from getting up .

“There is something more important . ”

Sungyoon shook the envelope .

“What are you talking about?”

“Give me the waiver to disestablish maternity for Shinhae . ”

‘I forgot about that . Maybe, I could string him along and extract more money from him using this?’

Miyun had to change her mind when she saw Sungyoon’s face .

“I will never budge on this . If you do anything stupid, you’ll be very sorry . ”

Even if they were monsters, Sungyoon’s job was to kill living creatures . The pushover from the past had vanished, and he had been replaced by a scary man .

If this had happened in the past, Miyun would have shamelessly walked out without giving in to his demands . However, she had gone through a lot recently, and it had tired her . She gulped as she opened her mouth .

“... I understand . ”

On that day, Miyun lost all her rights toward Shinhae .