Fated by 'I Do'

Chapter 45 : Happy

Taehyung and Jungkook finally arrived at the hotel in Gyeonggi-do, their temporary stay arranged by Appa for their two-day visit to inspect the factory operations. Exhausted from the eventful journey, they took a moment to relax and freshen up. The luxurious suite offered a comforting ambiance, but neither of them lingered for long. Their purpose for being in Gyeonggi-do was to ensure the quality and ethics of Jeon Corp's manufacturing process, and they were eager to begin.

After getting ready, they headed to the factory. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the steady hum of machinery and the sight of countless workers bustling around the production lines. The factory manager, Mr. Daehyung, was summoned to show them around. However, his initial demeanor was indifferent, almost dismissive, as though he hadn’t been informed of their visit.

"We’re here to oversee the operations of the manufacturing unit," Taehyung explained calmly, introducing himself and Jungkook.

"Who gave you permission to barge in like this?" Daehyung asked, his tone bordering on rude. "This is my area, and I handle things my way. They want work, and I give them work—what’s wrong with that?"

Jungkook frowned, sensing something amiss. The workers, many of whom looked alarmingly young, avoided making eye contact. “Hyung,” Jungkook whispered, “some of them are minors. This is wrong.”

Taehyung nodded and turned back to Daehyung, his voice firm. "It’s not only unethical but also illegal to employ minors. Jeon Corp doesn’t stand for this kind of practice."

Daehyung crossed his arms, unimpressed. “Look, I run this factory efficiently. If you want your products on time and at a good price, this is how it’s done. I don’t see a problem.”

The tension in the room was palpable. Taehyung kept his composure, but Jungkook couldn’t hide his frustration. “This isn’t just about efficiency!” Jungkook said passionately. “These are children. They should be in school, not working here!”

The factory manager laughed dryly. “You rich types don’t understand. These kids are grateful to work here. Go back to your comfortable lives and leave us alone.”

Realizing they wouldn’t get through to Daehyung immediately, Taehyung pulled Jungkook aside. “We need to inform Appa about this,” Taehyung suggested.

“Hyung, I don’t think we can just leave it at that,” Jungkook said, his eyes blazing with determination. “These kids are suffering. We have to do something now.”

Taehyung placed a reassuring hand on Jungkook’s shoulder. “We will, Bun. But first, let’s gather evidence and report this to Appa. He’ll know the best course of action.”

Reluctantly, Jungkook agreed. They decided to stay longer at the factory to observe and gather proof of the unethical practices. Both knew that addressing the issue would take careful planning, but they were determined to make things right.

~×~×~×~

Taehyung and Jungkook spent the next few hours discreetly gathering evidence about the factory manager, Daehyung, employing minors. Taehyung, ever meticulous, carried a small notebook where he jotted down the number of underage workers and their working conditions. Jungkook, with his sharp eye for detail and love for photography, pretended to be taking pictures of the factory machinery but secretly captured photos of the young workers.

They spoke with some of the workers during their breaks, subtly inquiring about their ages and how long they had been employed. The children were hesitant at first, afraid of retaliation, but Jungkook’s gentle and approachable demeanor helped them open up. One of the boys, barely fourteen, whispered, “We have no choice but to work. My family is struggling, and Mr. Daehyung says if we don’t work, we’ll be replaced.”