Deputy Department Head Hyun I-su quietly compared the data brought by Team Leader Kim Jin with the paper handed down from above.
“Vice President.”
“It’s fine to call me Vice President today since it’s the first day, but from now on, address me as Deputy Department Head. I’m here as the Deputy Head of the Restructuring Headquarters.”
Kim Jin, who still thought Hyun I-su should have become the Head, flinched at the way Hyun drew a clear line.
Hyun I-su knew what the team leaders were thinking.
And, in truth, he himself hadn’t fully accepted the situation either.
But that didn’t mean he could openly present the title of Vice President in front of others.
Sensing Hyun’s intent, Kim Jin quickly corrected himself.
“Deputy Department Head.”
“That’s right. Go ahead.”
“The data from our side and the evaluation from above are strangely similar. Is it possible that you memorized the first-round personnel evaluation chart in such a short time?”
Hyun I-su shook his head at Kim Jin’s words.
“No. There’s no way the content, even those not present in the first round, could match up like this. The first round was based mainly on work performance, wasn’t it? But the second round includes a person’s character, accumulated reputation, even hidden assets—things that can’t be judged by work alone. Look here. Director Choi from Accounting. If I recall, he got good marks in the first evaluation. But look. In the second round, his corruption was exposed… and on the chart the Headquarters Head filled out, Director Choi is classified as someone who absolutely must be let go. If I’d just memorized the first round, it wouldn’t line up like this.”
“Then, as you mentioned earlier, could the personnel issues have already been settled through back channels?”
“That thought is growing stronger. That’s why I told you to look into it.”
Just then—
Knock, knock.
There was a careful knock, and Kwak Seok-gi entered the room.
“The preparations for the board meeting in the conference hall are complete.”
“It’s already that time? Let’s get moving.”
“Yes, understood. I’ll go up and bring the Headquarters Head.”
“All right.”
Hyun I-su nodded, and Kwak Seok-gi glanced at both Kim Jin and Hyun I-su before quietly stepping out.
Handing the chart he’d been reviewing back to Kim Jin, Hyun spoke.
“Of the ones marked with stars here, check again on those who don’t match up with our side.”
“Do you think we might have made a mistake?”
“Not a mistake. I think there might be something we missed.”
“Couldn’t the Headquarters Head have misjudged things?”
Hyun I-su shook his head and stood up.
Walking toward the door, he spoke.
“A few executives came to me privately and said something.”
“What did they say?”
“They only talked about the weather, dramas, or sports. They didn’t even ask about my personal life.”
“What? Is that true?”
Kim Jin couldn’t hide his shocked expression.
Gripping the doorknob, Hyun I-su turned to Kim Jin before opening the door.
“The executives must have their pride, so they couldn’t tell others. They asked me why I alone was being questioned like that, and do you know what I thought at that moment?”
Kim Jin answered Hyun’s question with his expression.
Hyun’s face hardened as he looked at Kim Jin.
“I wondered if Park Jin-hyuk up there wasn’t aiming just for DS Construction.”
“Sorry? What do you mean by that… surely not?”
“That’s right. We’re standing at the prelude to the DS Group succession war.”
With that, Hyun I-su finished speaking, opened the door, and left.
Kim Jin stood in a daze for a moment, then followed Hyun out.
*****
As the doors to the conference hall where the board meeting was being held opened, Park Jin-hyuk entered.
All the executives seated stood up in unison, bowing their heads in greeting to Park Jin-hyuk.
“Lift your faces, everyone. I’m just as annoyed as you to have a meeting at this late hour. But what can we do? We need to deal with the unpleasant things quickly, so please understand.”
As Park Jin-hyuk spoke and took his seat, the other executives also sat down at once.
“Since the Headquarters Head has arrived, let’s proceed with the board meeting.”
Hong Myung-jin of the Planning Team picked up the microphone and began to preside over the meeting.
“Today’s agenda concerns the dismissal of the CEO. Former President Park committed embezzlement and breach of duty, causing significant losses to the company. We propose his dismissal, and the acting CEO role will be taken over by Restructuring Headquarters Head Park Jin-hyuk, Executive Director. If anyone wishes to speak before the vote, please raise your hand.”
There wasn’t a person present who didn’t already know about this matter, especially since a storm had swept through that morning.
However, the surprise was that the acting CEO would be the Headquarters Head, Park Jin-hyuk; the executives exchanged glances, unsure of what to do.
Since no one stepped forward, Park Jin-hyuk placed his hand on the mic button and began to speak first.
“Normally, the Chairman would appoint the President and ratify it at the shareholders’ meeting. But our situation is a little special, so I have no choice but to temporarily take the position. You know this is only temporary. The official President will be chosen during the New Year’s executive appointments and formally approved at the shareholders’ meeting. Until then, I’m only holding the role so the company doesn’t waver. And as you know, overall management will be handled by the Restructuring Headquarters, so I’m just a name on the door.”
No one dared voice a dissenting opinion.
They had only just met with Park Jin-hyuk, uncertain if their heads would roll, and no one wanted to speak up against him.
Park Jin-hyuk, smiling at the room, gestured for Hong Myung-jin to proceed.
“Then, with no other objections, we’ll proceed to a show-of-hands vote.”
Unanimous.
The dismissal of the former president and the appointment of Park Jin-hyuk as acting CEO were completed in less than five minutes after he entered the hall.
“Then, onto the next agenda. Regarding restructuring—”
Park Jin-hyuk raised his hand, stopping Hong Myung-jin mid-sentence.
Surprised, Hong Myung-jin, the other team leaders, the seated executives, and even Deputy Department Head Hyun all stared at Park Jin-hyuk.
Meeting their gazes, Park Jin-hyuk felt a surge of satisfaction.
‘So this is what it feels like to command attention in a place like this.’
Back when he did sales, his seat in meetings like this was always where Hong Myung-jin sat.
At product presentations, he stood where Hong was now, sweating buckets as he tried to win over the people at the table.
And each time, the executives sitting there wore blank, bored expressions that drove him to the brink of madness.
But now, it wasn’t him who was desperate—it was those sitting before him.
Executives on a bed of nails, unable to see their future.
Even those ostensibly on his side, bewildered by what Park Jin-hyuk might do next.
Everyone stared at his lips, sweating, and Park Jin-hyuk even felt a thrill.
He savored that feeling for a moment before speaking.
“My philosophy on restructuring is simple. If you don’t belong in your seat, you’re out. That’s it.”
At the mention of downsizing from Park Jin-hyuk’s mouth, everyone swallowed hard.
“Ordinary restructuring drives out people at the peak of their careers under the guise of voluntary retirement. Section chiefs, deputy department heads, and department heads are the first to go. Some companies even target assistant managers and new employees, then boast about their restructuring, but I don’t think that’s right.”
As he spoke, Park Jin-hyuk watched the executives’ faces one by one.
And then, he gave a sly smile.
The memory of the restructuring he suffered during Yoo Jung-geol’s era flashed through his mind.
‘Bastards.’
He cursed inwardly and continued.
“DS Construction will start from the top. The executives are first on the list. The selection criteria are based on our interviews. Of course, your work at DS Construction will be considered, so I believe you’ll find it fair. Those who got a hint during our conversations, don’t show it. If anyone speaks up about it, you’ll find yourself on the list—remember that.”
The executives, whose only conversation during the interviews had been trivial chitchat, suddenly turned pale.
‘All I did was make small talk—did the others discuss work?’
‘A hint? Did anyone get a hint?’
Time constraints and pride meant many didn’t even have the chance to talk to others, and now, faces flickered with confusion.
Deputy Department Head Hyun and the team leaders, though aware of what happened in the president’s office, were equally unsettled.
Watching their reactions, Park Jin-hyuk resumed speaking.
“An executive’s position is one of responsibility, isn’t it? The assistant managers and section chiefs do most of the work. Yet, the workers are sent away, while those responsible keep their seats—how is that restructuring? We won’t do that. If the company faces hardship, those responsible should go first. So, we’ll start with the executives, then the department heads, and gradually the section and assistant managers. Once the company normalizes, we’ll need workers, won’t we?”
“Headquarters Head, our children are at an age when they need the most money.”
The words an executive had said to him when Park Jin-hyuk left the company suddenly echoed in his ears.
Hearing that, Park Jin-hyuk felt his blood boil.
“In raising your children to that age, haven’t you enjoyed enough benefits? Meanwhile, the section chiefs and assistant managers, who haven’t even had a chance to raise children, are kicked out. Do you think that’s right? If you’ve enjoyed privileges, you should know when to let go. Team Leader Kim Jin, how far along is the selection?”
Startled by the sudden question, Kim Jin stood up from his seat in the back and answered.
“After receiving the interview results from you, we’re currently cross-checking them with our own data.”
“I’ll give you three days. Sort it out and give me the list within three days.”
After saying that, Park Jin-hyuk leaned in close to the mic.
“I’m not kicking you out unprepared. Those who receive notice will get a chance. If you resign first, you’ll be compensated generously for your service to the company. But if you insist on fighting over your legally defined term… then I’ll have no choice but to shake out the dust in your pockets. If you’re confident you won’t cough from that dust, go ahead.”
Finishing, Park Jin-hyuk stood up.
It was a one-sided declaration, with no intention of listening to anyone else.
The executives started to stir.
They had expected a tense atmosphere during the restructuring, but never imagined they’d be the first to go.
Without glancing at them, Park Jin-hyuk left the room.
Even the Restructuring Headquarters staff were caught off guard by this unforeseen development.
Expecting two or three hours of tedious discussion, some had even prepared snacks, but before they could even get a glass of water, Park Jin-hyuk had already left them in confusion.
“Vice President Hyun, did you know about this?”
“What’s going on? Is this the Chairman’s order?”
“I knew the executives would be targets for restructuring, but to start with us? DS Construction’s problems aren’t just our fault, are they?”
“That’s right. Did you think we devoted ourselves to DS Construction all this time just to be treated like this?”
Voices of discontent erupted everywhere.
Deputy Department Head Hyun stood up, looking at them.
“You all just had interviews with the Headquarters Head, right? Think carefully about those conversations. You’ll know whether you’re being let go or if you’re someone who will help overcome this crisis. If you expected to be let go but haven’t received notice… that means he’s giving you a chance, so work even harder. That’s exactly what the Headquarters Head wants.”
At Hyun’s words, those venting their frustrations fell silent.
Realizing they hadn’t had a proper conversation during the interview, they started to fear they were on the chopping block.
And at the mention of possibly being given another chance, they clung to a thread of hope.
It was a perfect example of how hope soothes anxiety.
After surveying the twenty-five executives, Hyun turned to call the team leaders as he left.
“Let’s go. If we want to finish within the three days the Headquarters Head gave us, we can forget about going home today or tomorrow—so get ready.”
As Deputy Department Head Hyun walked out, Kim Jin caught up beside him.
“Do you think he really gave hints to those he wanted to keep? Or did those who heard not say anything because they’d been told not to?”
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Kim Jin asked, thinking back to how the executives complained they’d wasted their time chatting with Hyun I-su.
Hyun kept walking, glancing at Kim Jin as he replied.
“We’re not the only ones thinking that.”
He cast a glance toward the conference hall where the executives had gathered, then headed toward the twenty-first floor.