Truth Behind The Glasses | Exo D.o.

chapter 17

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The air crackled with excitement as I stepped into the sprawling conference hall, a sea of reporters and eager attendees buzzing with anticipation. I glanced at Jinah and Aunt Min, their faces a mix of determination and apprehension, and felt the familiar knot of anxiety twist in my stomach. We moved through the crowd, blending into the backdrop of flashing cameras and murmured conversations, cloaked in anonymity but acutely aware of the weight of our mission.

Mrs. Kang stood center stage, her presence commanding. She exuded confidence as she adjusted the microphone, her voice slicing through the ambient chatter. I clenched my fists at my sides, fighting against the overwhelming urge to confront her. The woman I once considered a mentor had twisted her narrative into something sinister, and every word that flowed from her lips felt like a stab to my heart.

"Thank you all for being here today," Mrs. Kang began, her smile broad and disarming. "As the new CEO of Kang Industries, I am thrilled to lead this company into a new era of innovation and excellence."

The audience erupted into applause, a chorus of approval that sent a wave of nausea through me. How could they celebrate someone so duplicitous? I fought to keep my composure as I studied her carefully constructed facade. Beneath the veneer of professionalism, I could sense the roiling ambition, the desperation to maintain control at any cost.

Jinah leaned closer to me, her voice barely a whisper, "We can't let her get away with this. We need to expose the truth."

I nodded, but the weight of uncertainty pressed down on me. Our plan felt fragile against the backdrop of Mrs. Kang's orchestrated success. Every second that passed felt like a countdown, the stakes rising higher with each fabricated smile she flashed to the crowd. I could see it in her eyes—there was a glimmer of something dark, a satisfaction derived from manipulating the narrative to her advantage.

The press conference unfolded like a meticulously choreographed performance, with Mrs. Kang playing the lead role. She spoke about progress, integrity, and a bright future, her words a thinly veiled mask over the reality of her ambitions. I felt the anger boiling inside me, my heart pounding in sync with my thoughts. I had to do something. I had to find a way to shatter her facade before it solidified into something unbreakable.

As the applause died down, Mrs. Kang gestured for the first question. A reporter in the front row stood up, his notepad at the ready. "Mrs. Kang, what steps will you take to ensure transparency within Kang Industries, especially after recent controversies?"

A flicker of irritation crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with practised ease. "Transparency has always been a core value of our company. We're committed to fostering trust with our stakeholders and the community. Moving forward, we will implement regular audits and open forums for feedback."

The audience nodded, many appearing impressed by her poised response. My skin crawled. I knew the truth behind her words—the very fabric of her leadership was woven with deceit. I exchanged a glance with Jinah, her eyes mirroring my frustration. This was a carefully constructed illusion, and we were the only ones who could see through it.

Suddenly, Aunt Min squeezed my arm, her voice urgent. "Kiara, we need to get closer. We might find a way to disrupt her presentation."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenge ahead. We navigated through the throng of people, inching our way closer to the stage. Each step felt like a defiance against the current of approval surrounding Mrs. Kang. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through me, a fierce determination igniting my resolve.