Promotion To Your Heart

Part 6

It was like cold water was splashed on Chaeyoung's face. The sight of her father's name flashing on her phone brought her back to reality, particularly on her objective in this business conference. It took her quite a few rings before she finally gathered the courage to answer. "Hello, Mister Chairman.." she greeted. It was one of the things her father imposed, which is to never address him as her father.

"How is everything going?" Chairman Park asked.

"Everything is going well, Mister Chairman." she responded in a soft voice.

Her father noticed the uncertainty in her, "Why do you sound unsure? Are you telling the truth?"

"Yes. I believe I delivered my speeches without mistake, and those were well received by my fellow attendees."

"Good. Though, I have been reading the news and have not seen anything regarding you.." the Chairman said back.

'With hundreds of participants and dozens of topics, he expects me to hit the headlines? It's like he's asking me to squeeze water from a stone,' she thought. Yet, she knew it is something she could never dare to say on her father outright.

"I expected a lot from you." the Chairman said. "Did I make the wrong decision to send you there alone?"

"I'm sorry, Mister Chairman. I will continue to do my best on the remainder of the conference."

The Chairman sighed, "Remember, you are a Park. I don't want people to think I have a substandard daughter. Never bring disgrace to my name."

"Yes, Mister Chairman."

"Have the obnoxious woman from JK Group badgered you?"

"N-no.." she lied. "But we exchanged greetings. That was all."

The Chairman mocked a laugh as if irritated, "Probably she thought highly of herself again. She probably didn't see you as a threat."

She only responded a silence. She knew if she'd say more, her father might notice their relationship evolved expeditiously in just two days.

"Are you proving her right? That, you are not a threat to her?" the Chairman continued. "Don't ever forget the reason why you took over. It will be a big embarrassment for me if I will retake the position."

"Yes, Mister Chairman. I always keep it in mind."

"That is all. Do not forget the management meeting tonight with our U.S. investors. I am expecting three-hundred percent of your effort there."

"Yes, Mister Chairman."

Her father hung up the call without even bidding goodbye. That mere short call with her father made Chaeyoung's energy to be drained entirely. The pressure was back again, which she had lost since she started to get closer to Jisoo.

The reason she was promoted recently was all because of Kim Jisoo. With the name of her 'lover' starting to dominate their industry line for the past few years, Chairman Park's competency as a CEO had been challenged. Since Jisoo took over her family company, new innovations have been brought into the industry. In her sixth year, JK Group had successfully overthrown Claire from the top in terms of profits and assets. The media speculated that Claire's magic was beginning to fade, alleged to be due to the Chairman's age.

As a result, he decided to step down and had Chaeyoung take over the role of CEO, just to show the public that Claire is also taking heights on giving fresh new ideas to the industry. Yet for Chaeyoung, it was all just a frontal act. It was still her father, who is in control of the whole business operations.

Nonetheless, she had no choice but to abide. So, she had to prove herself here so her father would no longer be in her shadow. Yet, she felt it would take a long time before that will happen. Perhaps, it wouldn't happen at all.