Saejoon sat in his office, the dim light of his desk lamp casting long shadows across the room. Stacks of reports and legal documents were piled high, remnants of the chaos he was slowly but steadily untangling. At eighteen, he was now the chairman of Shin Group, but the title felt more like a cage than an honor.

The whispers of betrayal lingered in his mind, growing louder with each passing day. Hana was his only family now, and the thought of anyone jeopardizing her safety or the legacy of their parents ignited a cold fury within him.

A Fractured Boardroom

The boardroom was eerily silent as Saejoon wheeled himself to the head of the table. The directors were seated, their faces a mixture of feigned respect and unease. Since the accident, Saejoon had been meticulously observing them, noting every misstep, every slip of the tongue, every subtle exchange of glances.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice calm but steely, “today’s meeting will be brief. We’re here to discuss the restructuring of the company’s leadership.”

The directors shifted uncomfortably.

One of them, Mr. Kang, a seasoned businessman with years of service under Saejoon’s father, cleared his throat. “Chairman Shin, I hope you’re not suggesting any drastic changes. Stability is crucial for the company, especially in light of recent events.”

Saejoon’s lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. “Stability, Mr. Kang, is built on trust. And trust, as I’m sure you’re aware, is not given—it’s earned.”

Mr. Kang frowned, but before he could respond, Saejoon continued.

“I’ve conducted a thorough review of the board’s activities over the past five years,” Saejoon said, sliding a thick dossier across the table. “What I found was... illuminating.”

The directors exchanged nervous glances as Saejoon’s gaze swept across the room, cold and unrelenting.

“There are discrepancies in our financial records. Suspicious transfers, unexplained losses, and decisions that have cost the company billions,” he said. “Decisions made by some of the very people sitting in this room.”

A murmur rippled through the boardroom.

“Chairman Shin,” another director, Mrs. Jang, said cautiously, “surely you’re not accusing us of misconduct without concrete evidence.”

“Oh, I have evidence,” Saejoon said, his voice sharp. “But I’m not here to debate. Effective immediately, the current board is dissolved.”

The room erupted in protests.

“You can’t do this!” Mr. Kang exclaimed. “The board was appointed by your father! We’ve served this company for decades!”

“And now you’ll serve it by leaving,” Saejoon said coldly. “I’m the majority shareholder. My decision is final.”

Security personnel entered the room, standing by the doors. The directors realized there was no room for negotiation. One by one, they filed out, their faces a mix of anger and resignation.

Hana’s Quiet Strength

That evening, Saejoon found Hana in the family library, curled up on a large armchair with her stuffed rabbit. She looked up as he entered, her face lighting up with a faint smile.

“Oppa,” she said softly.

“Hana,” he greeted, wheeling himself closer. “What are you reading?”

She held up the book—a children’s story about a brave rabbit.

Saejoon couldn’t help but smile. “You like that one, huh?”

Hana nodded. “It’s about a rabbit who lost its family but still found a way to be happy.”

His heart clenched at her words. Hana rarely spoke about the accident, but it was clear it weighed heavily on her.

“Do you think... we’ll be happy again, oppa?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Saejoon reached out and took her hand. “We’ll find a way, Hana. I promise.”

She smiled faintly and leaned against him, her small frame a reminder of just how much she needed him.

The Search for Truth

Saejoon didn’t trust easily anymore. The accident that claimed his family haunted him, not just for the loss, but for the unanswered questions surrounding it. The brakes of their car had failed—an inexplicable mechanical failure in a vehicle that had been inspected just days before.

He began digging into the details, hiring private investigators to uncover the truth. Days turned into weeks, and though his responsibilities as chairman consumed much of his time, he never let the investigation fall by the wayside.

A Glimmer of Suspicion

Late one night, Saejoon sat in his office, poring over a report from his investigators. One name kept appearing in the documents: Mr. Kang.

“Kang Seungho,” Saejoon muttered, his eyes narrowing.

Mr. Kang had been a trusted advisor to Saejoon’s father, but the evidence suggested he had been involved in backdoor dealings, siphoning company funds for years. And more disturbingly, he had ties to the company responsible for maintaining the family’s vehicles.

Saejoon’s hands clenched into fists. Could he have orchestrated the accident?

The First Confrontation

The next morning, Saejoon summoned Mr. Kang to his office.

“Chairman Shin,” Kang greeted, his tone ingratiating. “What can I do for you?”

Saejoon studied him for a long moment before speaking. “I’ve been reviewing the financial records and your personal connections, Mr. Kang. It seems you’ve been busy.”

Kang’s smile faltered. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Saejoon slid a folder across the desk. “Care to explain this?”

Kang opened the folder, his face blanching as he read the contents.

“I-I can explain—”

“I’m not interested in excuses,” Saejoon said, his voice icy. “Did you sabotage the car?”

Kang’s eyes widened in shock. “What? No! I would never—”

“Then explain your connection to the maintenance company,” Saejoon demanded.

Kang stammered, his composure crumbling under Saejoon’s piercing gaze.

“Get out,” Saejoon finally said. “You’re done here. And if I find proof that you had anything to do with my family’s death, I’ll make sure you pay.”

Kang stumbled out of the office, leaving Saejoon alone with his thoughts.

Closing Scene

That night, as Saejoon sat in his room, Hana knocked softly on the door.

“Oppa, can I sleep here tonight?” she asked, clutching her rabbit.

“Of course,” he said, motioning for her to come in.

Hana climbed onto his bed and curled up beside him. Saejoon rested a hand on her head, his heart aching for the innocence she had lost.

“I’ll protect you, Hana,” he whispered. “No matter what.”

As she drifted off to sleep, Saejoon stared out the window, his resolve hardening. He would uncover the truth. And when he did, nothing would stop him from delivering justice.