Gwang Seong’s POV

"According to our informant inside Azure Corp, Mr. Azure is already preparing to dissolve Late Notice, sir. He was also able to get a draft of their separation agreement. Here it is."

My secretary handed the document to me from his leather clipboard.

As I scanned the document's two pages, my secretary proceeded. "It is clear that they want to quiet the members with the money they owe the corporation from their training days. Although they were the best-selling Asian boy band for five years, their pay cut took a toll on the 360-degree contract they signed prior to joining the company.

I smirked. How things have changed. In the end, business will still be business.

"They will give the boys the option to take the blame and quietly leave the company in exchange for having their debts forgiven and receiving separation pay, or they will be forcibly removed for the debt they owe, with the company suing them for the harm they have caused to the company's reputation."

Even if you are in a dire position right now, Azure, I can't believe you would use such a sleazy, predictable ploy on the same kids you were oh-so proud of before.

You acted superior with your humanitarian principles and sensitivity and how you strive for equality in this field, but in truth, you were similar to me. Treating these hopeful, youthful, naïve, and gullible artists as pawns of our empire.

At least I was honest and straightforward about how cruel I was. I did not conceal myself in sheep's wool. While, you knew how exactly to make yourself good while tearing others down.

Such a sly fox. Such a skilled manipulator, you are.

Unfortunately, you went to my den. You thought you could defeat me, but I was the hunter, the apex predator in the food chain.

"They realized it would be futile to refute the string of allegations we leaked to the media and the anonymous key witnesses we paid,"

The conniving nature you have used in the past to achieve success is what will help me bring you to an end, particularly now that I have evidence.

Be busy picking up the crumbs of your supposed success now, Azure. When I swing the final blow on you, I’ll make sure you won’t get back up.

THUD! 

My office door suddenly opened abruptly, breaking my train of thought. My secretary, who was more startled than I was, could not help but shriek as his folder flew across the floor. Good thing he clipped it earlier. How smart of him. 

He picked it up in a flash and then turned to see who swung the door open. He resembled a ferocious, feral tiger that was eager to devour his prey. Because of his look, my irritation towards the individual who had just arrived virtually subsided. He seemed more distressed than I did. Pfft.

"You can’t do this to us, Mr. Gwang!" 

A voice reminded me of another presence in the room, interrupting my delight with my secretary's expression. I am displeased as I glance up at his face. It was the leader of Gekko, a group that I had sponsored before but no longer wanted to associate with.

I knew exactly what he was here for. 

He tried to approach me, but my secretary blocked him. My secretary’s nervousness was evident as I made it clear to him from the beginning that I didn’t want other people going inside my office but him and me.

They argued for a while until the other man slammed my secretary violently to the ground, leaving us stunned. My secretary, though, was fast on his feet and sprang up in an instant to headlock him.

The other man was unable to move much and was forced to retreat, despite the apparent lack of tightness in the grip, which prevented him from choking.

"Plea…! Just lis-ack! Ter Gwang.." He begged, even with some of his words being incomprehensible. 

"Release him, secretary Kim."

The words I spoke staggered them both to a halt. "S-sir..?" My secretary made sure I was certain about my decision.

I reasoned with a small nod. "He entered with such imprudence that he neglected his manners." As I passed over the other man's face, I could see that he was bearing the displeasure he must have had for me. Isn't it true that the last thing he needs right now is to irritate me?

I took off my glasses and set them on the table. "Let’s hear what he is so desperate about." I then displayed my killer business smile.