After Sungmin's departure, the office held an atmosphere charged with unspoken tension. Ahn Cho Hyun, seated at her desk, stared pensively at the laptop screen, the glow reflecting in her indifferent eyes.
As the door swung open, Ahn Cho Hyun's diligent assistant, Park Min Ji, hesitated at the threshold. She swallowed nervously, keenly aware of the weight of the impending conversation.
"Ms. Ahn," Min Ji stammered, her eyes darting around the room. "Mr. Ahn Sungmin just left, and there's an urgent collaboration meeting awaiting your presence. It's happening right now."
Ahn Cho Hyun glanced up from her desk, her gaze piercing through Min Ji with an icy intensity. "Right this moment?" she remarked.
Min Ji nodded, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "Yes, they insisted it couldn't wait, and they're only holding off until you're there."
Ahn Cho Hyun leaned back in her chair, her fingers steepled. "How lucky," she drawled, sarcasm dripping from each syllable. "I suppose they've been twiddling their thumbs, waiting for my presence."
Min Ji bit her lip. "I apologize for the inconvenience, Ms. Ahn. I tried to inform you as soon as Mr. Ahn Sungmin left."
Ahn Cho Hyun nodded, impressed by her assistant's efficiency. "You've done well, Min Ji. Let's not keep them waiting any longer."
As they walked down the corridor, the rhythmic echo of Ahn Cho Hyun's heels underscored the anticipation in the air. The meeting room awaited, a realm where alliances were forged and shattered.
Upon reaching the door, she paused. The air inside was palpably frigid, a chilling contrast to the warmth outside. The heavy oak door swung open, revealing a tableau of executives, their eyes predatory.
Ahn Cho Hyun entered, commanding attention with each step. Seated at the head of the imposing conference table, she surveyed the room with a composed gaze. The chill in the air couldn't penetrate her poise.
The executives, accustomed to wielding power, found themselves subtly disarmed by the calm confidence she radiated. She took her place, a queen at the chessboard. Their eyes spoke volumes—curiosity, rivalry, and a silent acknowledgment of her strategic prowess.
Her eyes locked onto the ESR representatives—a duo of formidable figures who exuded confidence. The lead presenter, a man with black hair, leaned forward, a charming smile on his lips.
"Greetings, Ms. Ahn," he began smoothly. "We at EcoStone Resources are honored to explore this collaboration with Red Moon International. Working together can help both of our businesses succeed."
He elaborated on ESR's impressive portfolio, emphasizing their expertise in material supplies. Charts and graphs show on the screen, illustrating past successful collaborations. The presentation flowed seamlessly, each point strategically placed to highlight ESR's strengths.
Ahn Cho Hyun listened intently, her expression unreadable. The ESR representatives proposed a fifty-fifty split of the profits and shares, a standard arrangement. However, as the details unfolded, it became apparent that their definition of 'equal' was skewed.
Ahn Cho Hyun's sharp gaze narrowed as she absorbed the proposed terms. ESR planned to take a lion's share, leaving Red Moon International with a meager portion. The audacity of the proposal was staggering, proof of them underestimation Ahn Cho Hyun's business acumen.
When the floor was finally open for discussion, Ahn Cho Hyun spoke with her usual voice. "Your proposal is intriguing, indeed. However, I find the division of shares rather disproportionate. I believe Red Moon International's contributions merit a more equitable arrangement."
The ESR representatives exchanged glances, a flicker of surprise quickly masked by composed smiles. The lead presenter responded, "Ms. Ahn, we understand your concerns. However, considering your age and limited experience in such collaborations, we've meticulously crafted this proposal to ensure a fair distribution."
The room seemed to freeze at the subtle insult. Ahn Cho Hyun, who had meticulously built Red Moon International into an industry giant, was being dismissed as inexperienced. The tension escalated as Ahn Cho Hyun's eyes flashed with a dangerous gleam.
"Age does not dictate expertise," she retorted, her voice dripping with icy disdain. "My track record speaks for itself. Red Moon International became number one under my leadership. I trust you won't underestimate the power of experience again."
The ESR representatives, caught off guard, struggled to maintain their composed facades. Sensing their vulnerability, Cho Hyun seized the opportunity to turn the tables.
"Let's revisit the terms," she continued, her tone biting. "Red Moon International will not settle for anything less than a sixty-forty split in our favor. If you doubt the wisdom in this, I suggest you reconsider our collaboration altogether."
The room fell into a heavy silence as the ESR representatives exchanged uneasy glances. It was a bold move, a gamble that could either solidify Red Moon International's dominance or shatter the collaboration entirely.
In a last-ditch effort to salvage the situation, one of the ESR representatives, a woman with an air of arrogance, spoke up. "Ms. Ahn, while we acknowledge your accomplishments, it's important to acknowledge the collective strength our collaboration could bring. However, your request for a higher share is, in all honesty, quite ambitious for someone of your standing."
Ahn Cho Hyun's eyes glinted with a dangerous calm. "Ambition is a trait often underestimated. Let me clarify—Red Moon International will not accept anything less than a sixty-forty split. If you fail to recognize the value we bring to the table, I suggest you seek collaborations more suited to your understanding."
The meeting room, once buzzing with anticipation, now echoed with the weight of a failed collaboration. Ahn Cho Hyun rose from her seat, her departure signaling the end of negotiations. The ESR representatives, left in the wake of their miscalculation, watched as the door closed, sealing the fate of what could have been a powerful alliance.
The corridor outside the meeting room echoed with the click of Ahn Cho Hyun's heels as she retreated from the battlefield she had strategically conquered. The tension seemed to dissipate with every step she took, replaced by a sense of quiet triumph. The ESR representatives, left to contemplate their misjudgment, could only watch as the doors closed behind her.
Back in her office, a fortress of solitude, Ahn Cho Hyun reflected on the meeting. 'Crazy bastards,' she thought, the fire of determination still burning within her.
News of the unsuccessful negotiation spread like wildfire through the office. The lingering tension from Sungmin's departure was momentarily replaced by a collective sense of satisfaction. The employees, who had witnessed the clash of corporate titans, now whispered praises for their strong and impressive leader.
Yet, amidst the triumph, Ahn Cho Hyun couldn't shake off the subtle sting of the age-related insult. As she pondered the audacity of the ESR representatives, a knock on her office door interrupted her thoughts.
It was Park Min Ji, her diligent assistant, entering cautiously. "Ms. Ahn," Min Ji began, her eyes reflecting a mix of admiration and concern, "you handled that brilliantly. They never saw that coming."
Ahn Cho Hyun acknowledged her with a nod. However, the unresolved issue lingered in the air. With a calculated glint in her eyes, she decided it was time to address the lingering doubt that had been cast upon her experience and capabilities.
"Min Ji," she said, her voice calm but laced with determination, "schedule a meeting with our executive team. I want to discuss strategies for further expansion and showcase the projects that have catapulted Red Moon International to the forefront of our industry. It's time to ensure that our achievements speak louder than any misguided assumptions about age."
Min Ji's respect for her boss deepened. Red Moon International was already at the top, yet Ahn Cho Hyun's determination to prove her worth further was inspiring.
On the other side, Ahn Cho Hyun was resolute, determined to make EcoStone Resources eat their words.