C__CHOI MINJAE?

"No thats against our rules, outsiders should not be allowed in to the meeting room, during the meeting" said Mr Hwang Who sat resting his hand on the long table.

Just then Minjae sighted his wrist, she stared at it for a moment

"you are not wearing your ribbon" she pointed out as she looked around, she notice that everyone seemed to be hiding their wrist, even Mr Geum wasnt wearing his.

"Is'nt that one of our traditional Rule, that on every meeting day, each member should have their ribbon on, in other to identify as the elite member" she said 

" How am i suppose to tell if Theres an outsiders amongst us, even Mr Chang can fit in and no body would realize" she added as silence filled the air, after what seem like a long gaze at everyone faces, she continued.

"Back to the discussion of the project" she said as Mr Baek chimed in

"Dont you think we should let the topic go untill, we have our official meeting at the company, moreover like Mr Chang is not present, and this is a topic he should be involved in, also, that way everyone must have had time to think it through and then bring in ideas" he explained as some members nodded

"Very well then" she said "So, anyother thing we need to discuss about in this very urgent meeting?" she added as she turned to Mrs Seo, "Mrs seo?" she called waiting for a response as Mrs Seo Gazed at her starnly

"You can make all the smart point you want to make, but Minjae, do you think making us an enemy is a smart move" Mrs seo asked with a glare

"i do not plan on making an enemy Mr Seo, but maybe you should look at it the other way round, i was already made the enemy even before i took over as the head, but that's not my concern, it seems for quite a while now the inner circles of the org have been operating differently, unlike in the past when all the members acted with one mind, i dont believe it just happened, like i said yesterday i do believe there is a black sheep amongst us that is causing the problems and misunderstanding and like i promised i will fish them out,

"Just as the way you all dont trust me and wish to see me proof myself worthy of being the head, i also do not trust anyone of you either Until you prove yourself worthy of being an elite member of the organization " she said "So pardon me if you are feeling offended by my action, Who knows, you might be the black sheep after all" she added as Mrs Seo frown deepened.

After the meeting Mrs Seo was the first to leave along with her supporters and then the others follow suit, Mr Geum Who was about to leave turned back to Minjae

"I suggest you come up with a better leadership approach," he said.

"Do you have any in mind? A better idea?" she asked as he smiled

"I suppose you are just like everyother Choi that i have met" he said "which makes me wonder how exactly you plan on adding my name to the status panel"

With that he walked off, leaving just Minjae there, alone in the room with Mr Baek Who has just stood up from his seat, he smirked

"Mr. Geum is a tough nut to crack," he commented. "I worked with your grandfather once, you know. Compared to all the Choi heirs I've seen, you and your grandfather are the most alike. You don't let anyone intimidate you. But I think you're even tougher and more stubborn than he was." He gave her a knowing look. "And that's exactly what our organization needs—a firm hand, especially now that corruption has taken root."

He turned to her "Your speech yesterday and what you said to Mrs seo today has made me see you in another light, i only supported you because of your family name now i am supporting you because i now know what your true intentions are,"

Walking to the status panel, he placed his thumb on the fingerprint scanner. Instantly, his blurred name became clear and bright.

"Though i hope you tone down a bit, because these are the people who are to stand behind you if anything should go south"

Minjae remain silent, listening, as he made to leave he stoped on his track when she asked

"Is it true that the silk ribbon cannot be found or made anywhere else in the world except the one that each elite members has?" she asked

"Yes," he confirmed. "Unless it's a fake. And by fake, I mean determining how ancient or recent it is. The original ribbons were made about three hundred years ago and have been passed down from each elite member to their heir."

"How many were made?"

"Twelve," he replied. "Eleven for the members and one for the Choi family."

Later that evening

Two men walked into a restaurant. One looked to be in his mid-thirties—Hyun Woo. The other, in his mid-twenties—Lee Yeon. As they found an empty seat and sat down, Hyun Woo called out,

"Ajumma! Two bowls of jjajangmyeon, please!"

"And three beers," Lee Yeon added.

Hyun Woo shot him a glare.

"Three?" he confirmed.

"I'll take two," Lee Yeon said with a grin.

Hyun Woo turned to the old woman. "Add two extra bottles," he said, then turned back to Lee Yeon. "I'll take three," he added, making Lee Yeon shake his head.

When the old woman served their food, they immediately dug in.

"I'm just glad we finally wrapped up Noo Young Ju's investigation," Lee Yeon said.

"We?" Hyun Woo asked, sarcasm clear in his voice.

"Fine, you," Lee Yeon corrected. "But hyung, you know I contributed! I found the wristwatch," he reminded him.

Hyun Woo hesitated before grudgingly saying, "Fine, I'll give you some credit."

Lee Yeon grinned with pride and continued eating in silence.

After a while, he spoke again. "So, what's the next assignment?" he asked with a sneaky smile.

"What assignment?" Hyun Woo asked.

"C'mon, hyung. I saw you and the boss talking in his office," Lee Yeon said, playing with his chopsticks.

"So what if two people are having a conversation in an office? That doesn't mean—" Hyun Woo suddenly paused when he saw Lee Yeon's smirk. He sighed.

"You eavesdropped, didn't you?" he asked.

Lee Yeon just smiled wider.

"Lee Yeon," Hyun Woo warned, "you do realize this is supposed to be a secret investigation, right?"

"Well, that makes two of us! Besides, aren't we partners—"

"Intern partner," Hyun Woo corrected.

"Sure, intern partner—"

"Apprentice," Hyun Woo interrupted again.

"Isn't that a bit too degrading?" Lee Yeon frowned.

"No, I think it fits perfectly," Hyun Woo said, taking a sip of beer.

Lee Yeon rolled his eyes. "So, what's the investigation about?"

Hyun Woo remained silent, sipping his drink. Lee yeon continued

"Although i didn't hear much, but one name caught my attention—Minjae," Lee Yeon chuckled. "For a moment, I thought he meant Choi Minjae—"

"It is Choi Minjae," Hyun Woo said bluntly.

Lee Yeon coughed, nearly choking on his drink. Eyes wide, he stared at Hyun Woo.

"C—Choi Minjae?" he stammered.

Hyun Woo nodded. "It seems she believes her parents' deaths were not an accident, but murder."

"Murder?"

Hyun Woo nodded again. "She wants to launch a secret investigation."

"Looks like she doesn't trust the people around her," Lee Yeon mused. "Does she have proof?"

"That's what I'll find out tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes. I have an appointment with her."

"We have an appointment," Lee Yeon corrected. "I'm your apprentice, remember?"

"Not in this case," Hyun Woo said. "She specifically requested I come alone."

Lee Yeon's shoulders slumped.

"Besides," Hyun Woo continued, smirking, "I can't have you acting like a fool in front of her cuz she happened to be your biggest crush."

"Hyung!" Lee Yeon yelled, making Hyun woo startled.

Hyun Woo feigh anger "Hey! How dare you raise your voice at your senior—"

"Hyung, please take me with you! I promise I'll behave!"

"Nah, im not buying it," Hyun Woo said. "And don't think of trying anything stupid" He pointed "Else I will find another partner."

"Hyung~" he whined.

Hyun Woo smirked. "Order more drinks if you want. My treat." Hyun woo said as he leaned back on his chair and folded his arms against his chest

"wasnt it your treat in the first place" lee yeon muttered making hyun woo glare "Ajumma!" He called "Five bottles please..."

"Hey!"

Ajumma is a Korean term used to refer to a middle-aged woman or a married woman. It is commonly used for women who are older but not elderly, typically in their 40s to 60s.

Hyung means "older brother" and is used by a younger male to refer to or address an older male sibling or a close older male friend.