---
The Fallout:
Yuna sat in her office, her eyes glued to the flashing notifications on her phone. The bombshell had been dropped, and now, the world was watching. Every major news outlet had picked up the story of Seok Jin and Ji Hye's corruption, and the public was buzzing with questions and accusations. Yuna's pulse raced as she read the headlines. She had never felt more exposed. But she knew there was no turning back now.
Minji walked in, her face tense but determined. "Yuna, the fallout is bigger than we expected. The media is calling for the board's immediate response, and investors are already pulling out."
Yuna's hand tightened around the edge of her desk, but she kept her composure. "This is just the beginning. We can handle it."
Minji didn't look convinced. "Seok Jin won't let this slide. He's already gearing up for retaliation."
Yuna's mind raced. She couldn't afford to be caught off guard now. If Seok Jin retaliated, it would be her last chance to take control of the company. She would have to stay ahead of him at all costs.
Just then, Jiwon walked in, her expression as sharp as ever. "I've been looking into our legal options. The board is in chaos, but they're not willing to make any drastic moves just yet. They're waiting for Seok Jin to calm things down."
Yuna shook her head. "They'll never calm down. Seok Jin has no intention of backing down. If we're going to win, we need to strike first."
Jiwon nodded. "Then we need a plan. Fast."
---
An Unexpected Visitor:
Later that day, Yuna received a surprise visit. The door to her office opened quietly, and standing there, his presence commanding as always, was Tae Hyun. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held something—something Yuna couldn't place.
"Tae Hyun," Yuna said, rising from her chair. "What are you doing here?"
Tae Hyun closed the door behind him and stepped inside. "I need to talk to you."
Yuna's brow furrowed, sensing the seriousness in his tone. "What is it? What's happened?"
Tae Hyun's gaze flickered briefly toward the window before he met her eyes again. "It's about your father. I've discovered something. Something that could change everything."
Yuna's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
Tae Hyun hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Your father's involvement in Seok Jin's plans goes deeper than we thought. He's been giving them information, feeding them intel on your moves. He's not just out of the game—he's been working with them."
Yuna's world seemed to tilt. "What? That can't be true…"
"I'm afraid it is," Tae Hyun continued. "I've got the proof. Your father has been sabotaging you from the inside, Yuna. All along, he's been playing both sides."
Yuna's breath caught in her throat. The betrayal she had already felt now burned deeper than ever. Her father, the man who had always been her rock, had been working against her. "How could he do this?"
"I don't think he realized the extent of it," Tae Hyun said softly. "Seok Jin played him, manipulated him into believing that if he sided with them, he could keep some of his power. But now it's out of control. He's lost everything, including you."
Yuna's hands trembled as she sat back down. The pain in her chest was suffocating. She had known her father was weak, but this... this was unforgivable.
---
A Dangerous Game:
As the days passed, Yuna felt the pressure mounting. Seok Jin's retaliatory moves were becoming more aggressive. He was using his connections to undermine her at every turn, pushing for shareholder votes and using his charm to sway the public opinion back in his favor.
Despite everything, she knew she couldn't stop now. There was too much at stake. If she faltered, it wouldn't just be the company that would crumble—it would be everything she had worked for, everything she had fought to protect.
Her phone buzzed, a message from Minji. "We've got a situation. The board is meeting tomorrow. Seok Jin's people are trying to force a vote."
Yuna's heart pounded as she read the message. The vote was a game-changer. If Seok Jin controlled it, it would be the end of her plan. She had to act fast, or she would lose everything.
"I need to be there," Yuna said, standing up abruptly.
Jiwon looked at her, concern flashing across her face. "It's a trap, Yuna. Seok Jin is expecting you to show up. He's going to make sure you don't leave that room with what you want."
"I know," Yuna replied, her voice hard. "But I have no choice."
---
The Showdown:
The next day, Yuna stood in front of the boardroom doors, her heart beating wildly in her chest. This was it—the moment where everything would either come together or fall apart. She pushed open the door, stepping into the room with all the confidence she could muster.
Seok Jin was already sitting at the head of the table, a smug smile on his face as he watched her approach. He didn't even acknowledge her presence until she took a seat at the opposite end of the table.
"So," Seok Jin said with a glint of amusement in his eyes. "We meet again, Yuna. I must admit, I'm impressed. You've managed to survive this long."
Yuna locked eyes with him, refusing to back down. "I'm not here to play games, Seok Jin. I'm here to take back what's mine."
He chuckled darkly. "Is that so? You think you can just waltz in here and undo everything I've built?"
"I don't think," Yuna said, her voice firm. "I know. This company was built on lies, and I'm here to expose every single one of them."
For a brief moment, Seok Jin's confidence wavered. But he quickly regained his composure, his smile returning. "You're going to regret this, Yuna. You and your little plan. You think you have the support of the board, but you're wrong."
The rest of the board members sat in silence, their eyes darting between Yuna and Seok Jin. But none of them dared to speak. It was clear they were waiting for the outcome of this showdown to decide their allegiance.
Yuna took a deep breath, her mind racing. She was so close—so close to winning this war. And she wasn't about to lose now.
---
End of Chapter 20
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In this chapter, the battle between Yuna and Seok Jin intensifies as Yuna uncovers a shocking betrayal from her father. With the vote looming and Seok Jin's forces gathering, Yuna is forced to face the hardest decision of her life—stand up and take control, or lose everything.