Chapter 17: Unveiling Authority

"Wow....disgusting," Ji Hoon's monotone voice cut through the ambient noise, turning heads as his thoughts spilled from his lips. The statement hung in the air, weighty and offensive, enveloping the hall in an eerie, stunned silence. Eyes widened in shock, and whispers of disbelief rippled through the room like an unstoppable tide.

"Hey Ji Hoon-ah! Is that anyway to talk to your elders, especially your uncle?" Joohee's voice, sharp and rebuking, pierced the silence as she advanced towards Ji Hoon. Her posture was rigid with indignation, eyes blazing with fury as she closed the distance between them. Her fingers, cold and unyielding, clamped down on Ji Hoon's frail elbow, causing him to wince in pain before his brain could fully process the sensation.

But before the injustice could escalate further, Min Hyuk and Mina surged forward, their presence a barricade against Joohee's one-sided assault. They positioned themselves protectively in front of Ji Hoon, their faces set with steely determination.

"Well, I can see you've got something really important—though utterly rubbish—going on here," Min Hyuk's voice dripped with sarcasm as he addressed the room, his eyes never leaving Joohee's. Mina, standing firm beside him, conveyed silent support, her gaze a warning that further aggression would not be tolerated.

Ji Hoon, entirely disregarding the chaotic scene that had unfolded moments before, resumed his scathing critique. His eyes narrowed with disdain as he spoke.

 "Is this your idea of a report?" he sneered, each word dripping with sarcasm. "Even a fresh graduate could produce something far superior to this jumble of nonsense." His voice echoed through the now silent hall, each syllable like a dagger aimed at the fragile egos in the room.

 "Regardless, we aren't investing in anything right now. Everything discussed within these four walls is rendered futile, devoid of any significance." He paused for effect, letting the weight of his words sink in before delivering his final verdict with a note of unyielding arrogance. "In short... you've all just wasted your time."

"We were aware that the active chairman appointed by the previous chairman is trash, but never knew it hit rock bottom," Yang In Suk declared with a voice dripping with contempt. His gaze bore down on Ji Hoon, the air between them thick with palpable tension.

"Do you even know what we are talking about? Are you aware of the weight your careless words hold?" he continued, his tone sharp and accusatory. The room seemed to hold its collective breath as Yang In Suk's words cut through the silence, leaving a trail of unease in their wake.

As if on cue, others in the room, emboldened by Yang In Suk's lead, began to voice their grievances. The voices rose in a cacophony of indignation and frustration, each person clamoring to be heard.

"You've shown nothing but disrespect since you took over!" one of the board members shouted, his face flushed with anger.

"Do you realize the consequences of your reckless decisions?" another chimed in, her voice trembling with suppressed fury.

"This entire project, months of hard work, dismissed with a flick of your hand!" a third voice added, the bitterness in his tone unmistakable.

The hall buzzed with the collective dissent, the once orderly meeting now devolving into chaos. Ji Hoon stood amidst the turmoil, his expression unyielding, eyes locked onto Yang In Suk with an unwavering defiance.

Sailing amidst the storm of criticism, Ji Hoon, with an unexpected calmness, leaned back in his chair. He exuded an air of nonchalance as he gestured towards Hae Ra, directing her attention to the massive monitor at the end of the hall. Hae Ra, sensing the cue, began to busily set up the display while Ji Hoon ran his fingers deliberately through the investment report spread out before him.

"NEW HAVEN, with its vision and publicity, has the potential of being the major beneficiary of KS Constructions," he recited the report's highlights with a mocking smirk, his tone dripping with irony.

The room remained hushed as he continued, "I don't think the media agrees with this. I wonder why this statement doesn't match the headlines." Ji Hoon's voice was laced with sarcasm as he finished his thought.

Simultaneously, the enormous monitor sprang to life, its high-quality display illuminating the room. The news broadcast began, crystal clear in both audio and visual, revealing headlines and reports that starkly contradicted the optimistic predictions of the investment report.

"Joo Kyung Soo got arrested." "NEW HAVEN JUST A FRACTION OF FRAUDULENT MONEY."

As these damning headlines flashed across the screen, gasps of disbelief echoed through the hall. The weight of the revelations hit the assembled crowd leaving them reeling and whispering in shocked murmurs of discussion and gossip.

Ji Hoon's eyes scanned the room, his expression a blend of smug satisfaction and cold calculation, as if daring anyone to challenge him further.

The tension was palpable, each passing second weighed down by the unspoken challenge. Ji Hoon's calm and composed demeanor only served to heighten the dramatic impact of the unfolding scene, leaving everyone grappling with the implications of his pointed revelation.

Ji Hoon leaned forward slightly, steepling his fingers as he addressed the room. "You see, what you deemed as 'trash' is your own creation. You brought this mess upon yourselves with your incompetence and shortsightedness."

"Guess you'll need some time," Ji Hoon stated with an air of serene detachment as he rose from his seat, his movements calm and controlled. He glanced around the room, his gaze steady and unflinching, absorbing the tension that hung thick in the air.

"I already said this, but let me repeat it once, and for the last time," he continued, his voice imbued with a warning and an authoritative aura that demanded attention. He let each word hang in the air, taking a small, deliberate pause to let the weight of his statement sink in.

"Anything discussed within these four walls shall not mean anything," Ji Hoon declared, dragging each second as he scanned the expressions of those present. His eyes moved from face to face, reading the shock, anger, and confusion etched into their features.

"Any board meeting held in the future shall be informed prior, with its summary and report," he added, his tone leaving no room for argument. The finality in his words was like a gavel striking down, sealing the fate of the discussions.

With that, Ji Hoon began to drift away towards the exit, his steps measured and purposeful. The room remained in a stunned silence, the weight of his words lingering like an oppressive fog.

"Oh, and," he called out, stalling his exit. He turned back, his gaze locking onto Yang In Suk. With deliberate steps, he strode back into the room, facing his opponent head-on.

"It's comforting to have a gossiper among us," Ji Hoon said, his calm tone hiding a threat. "But I would appreciate it if you showed more interest in your management." His words served as a clear warning, cutting through the room sharply.

With a smile that reflected his unwavering confidence and positive aura, Ji Hoon turned on his heel and left the room. Behind him, chaos and utter disbelief clashed through words, the once orderly assembly now a battleground of conflicting emotions and shattered egos.