SILK RIBBON

In the Shareholders' Boardroom

A female staff member stood in front of the shareholders, explaining the company's stakes using a projector. On the screen was a chart displaying the company's profit and loss.

"This is a comparison between last month's chart and the previous months," she said, pointing at the screen with a light pen. The other months' charts showed mostly red with a few green, but last month's was entirely green. She continued, "This," she pointed to the green areas from the other months, "shows successful sales, but we still ended up with a loss due to spending heavily on capital and manufacturing, which led to lesser profits."

She switched to the chart that was all green. "As you can see, the sales have been just as strong, if not stronger. Everything we manufactured was sold, just like the other previous month, but unlike the previous months, we gained more profit, due to the fact that we didnt manufacture excess that couldnt be sold. And also" She switched to another chart.

"The demand is also high," she added, looking at the shareholders. "I believe the scarcity of the product contributed to the increased demand, just as Chairwoman Minjae predicted," she said with a professional smile. Some of the members nodded in agreement, while Minjae sat with a faint smile on her lips.

After the presentation, the staff member left, leaving the members to have another discussion of the next agenda.

Mr Chang turned to Minjae with a smile

"Chair lady Minjae, Even thou you didnt participate in the installation process, i believe this is enough proof to the members to show that you are very much capable" He said "Your first order as the CEO have brought nothing but good fortune upon us" He added as some few members nodded in agreement

"The work of an elite leader and that of a CEO are two separate things," Mr. Kang remarked, with some of the members who agreed with him nodding as well.

Mr Geum just smirked as if enjoying the small drama that he sense would unfold

"Mr. Chang," Mr. Baek called out, "Please proceed with the next agenda." He asked, not ready for any further arguement, turning to Mr. Chang, who was responsible for announcing the meeting's topics. Mr. Chang grabbed the copy of the agenda in front of him and began.

"Our next agenda of the meeting is...." Minjae suddenly interrupted him

"Before you proceed," she said, causing the room to fall silent. All eyes turned to her, wondering what venom she is about spit this time. She continued, "I believe we have an unfinished discussion." she said "The last time we met" she added as all the elite members understood what she meant except Mr Chang Who was'nt present

"Unfinished discussion?" Mr Chang asked confused as he looked at the other members Who seem to know what he doesn't and no one was willing to explain what was going on as the topic was clearly one they would rather avoid, Minjae watched their reaction for a moment and smirked, then she turned to Confused Mr Chang

"My apologise, Mr Chang," she said sweetly "I almost forgot you are the only one here that is not a member of the organization, No one filled you in?" she asked feighing concern, though it was clear she was mocking him, Mr Chang was visibly offended but tried to compose himself as he forced a smile. She continued

"We were discussing about the Construction which i planned on resuming" She explained, causing him to frown, then he turned his gaze at the others, suprised by their lack reaction, as he knew they were all against it, he turned to Minjae, willing to say what is on everyone's mind Since they wont talk moreover he was already offended by what Minjae had just said to him

"About that, i think announcing such a news to the public, without our consent and support...." she cut him off

"Oh, thats not the topic we are discussing right now, we have already gone past that," she said leaving him dumb founded, "Our present topic is about what to make of the construction, so, what kind of firm do you suggest we create?" she asked,

"I believe, everyone had the time to come up with an idea during the little break we all had, i hope it was fruitful" She added her tone almost scarcastic

Mr Lim began "what about creating a meseum?" He suggested as everyone turned to him "Miss Minjae made mention of a firm that is of advantage to the company and the Country as well" He explained

"And how exactly would a meseum achieve such goal?" Mr Hwang asked, raising an eye brow

"It would help to get a lot tourist attraction especially when its a CHNs branch company" Mr lim explained. A very few me nodded in agreement

"Tourist attraction thats all you think? Do you realize the cost of acquiring and maintaining meseum pieces?" Mr Hwang asked, clearly unimpressed

"If You are so against it Mr Hwang, why dont you give your own suggestions" Minjae urged as he turned to her now looking speechless as he didnt have any idea

"But hes right you know," Mr Gu began__ he is a politician from the blue house, he deals in finance, which makes him very good with money and very calculative when it comes to that 

"I know our company's improved profit must have boost our morale, but then that doesn't change the fact that we have been losing money for many previous months and just one successful month wont turn everything around, in the end we are still Short of money which would take quiet a time to recover and meseum is quiet way an expensive venture from CHNs pocket" He explains as most nooded in agreement

"Yes you are right" Mrs Kim said "If we are going to start any firm it would have to be a small one or better still non" she suggested

"I dont even see the need why we make a firm instead of focusing our strength on the one we have" Said Mrs Seo "If we pour all our money into the new firm, then what would we be left with" She added

"Gone where the days when the organization was solely focused on the betterment of the Country and not money" Minjae said 

"But im not suprised anyway. After all i was the one Who brought up the idea in the first place" she said

"You talk about money like you dont want it, yet thats the exactly reason you are trying to resume the construction" Mrs Seo said with spite

"I bet you have no idea on the Story behind creating the CHNs company" Minjae said "You taught it was all just for money" she smirked "You have no clue about anything do you" Minjae said

Mrs Seo frowned at Minjae's word, before she could say any thing else Mr Geum said

"Mrs Seo," He called, turning to her "Miss Minjae is right" He said "The main reason Mr Choi built CHNs company was to prevent the blue house from taking any rash decision on us the organization, at that time that was the only option" He explained.

While Mr Geum talked Minjae gazed down at his hand which had no ribbon on it unlike the others, Who were all wearing their ribbon due to the last meeting.

"Yet, you too voted against creating the CHNs company" Mrs Seo remarked using an awkward silence falling in the room, everyone exchanged awkward glance at each other, Mrs Seo audacity was something else, sang tae gazed at his grand father, shocked by the news

"Mrs Seo!" Mr Baek called out sharply, offended by her rudeness towards the oldest and the most respected, the tension in the room had now rise, every one sharing uncomfortable glances at each other while Minjae just observed

Minjae rose from her seat from her sit, signaling the end of the discussion

"Until the next meeting, this session is adjourned" she announced as murmurs rosed in the room. She continued

"By the next meeting, i expect you all to have already discussed and decided on one firm" she added.

She made to leave, but then stoped half way turning to Mr Geum, she called his name softly

"Mr Geum" she said, her voice calm

"You are not wearing your ribbon" she pointed out noticing that everyone was wearing Theres except Mr Geum and Mr Lim, but she didnt asked Mr lim because he originally dont have it___his family was'nt among the Original elite family, they joined many years after, therefore he doesn't have the ribbon to inherit from his family.

She waited for Mr Geum's answer as sang tae also gazed at his grand father skeptically, he wasnt sure what Minjae was trying to acquire from this, but something seemed off.