The Not so Ugly Duckling

The End of a Friendship between an Ugly Duckling and a Wolf

"CEO Jung! Do you have any comment about the situation?"

"Did you really force your lead researcher to sign the documents, not mentioning to him the contents?"

"Mr. Jung! Is it true you signed off on using cheap dangerous chemicals!?"

"CEO Jung! We've heard that the FBI is investigating you and your entire department!"

"Mr. Jung, do you have plans to resign from your position as Co-CEO of Jung Corp.?"

Daehyun merely closed his eyes in frustration, pushing past the field of reporters so that he could get into his damn building. The noise and flashing lights were likes knife stabbing his brain. His migraine had a migraine. Jongup and security managed to push the press back enough for Daehyun to get into the lobby in one piece, but all Daehyun wanted to do was to go back home and sleep. Sleep and pray that he was just living a bad dream. But he wasn't. He was living in hell. Hell and confusion. Cleaning up a mess that he had no clue where it came from. He swallowed his saliva thickly, the fluid grating against the back of his throat as if he was eating sand.

"They're like f**king vultures..." Jongup growled, dusting off his clothes as the two of them entered the elevator to their floor. Daehyun simply let out a hum, contemplating how everything had literally and truly gone to f**king shit.

"Get that document," Daehyun immediately ordered Jongup. The younger looked at Daehyun confused, but Daehyun's expression only hardened. "I don't care how you get that document Jongup, but get it now." Daehyun growled, immediately turning off the computer and leaving only silence between the two of them.

"You can't believe that Young-"

"Of course I don't," Daehyun put his hands together, staring intently in front of him. The gears of his mind going through to find a way to dissipate the situation. "Youngjae has worked too hard for this. And he isn't an idiot to sign off on tainted drug."

"I know. But that signature looks legitimate." Jongup felt disgusted admitting that. But it was a truth that the both of them had to face.

"That's why I need you to get that document. F**k..." Daehyun ran his fingers through his hair. "And then I need you to make a call to the press..."

"Daehyun...what are you going to do..." Jongup eyed the elder suspiciously, suspecting that Daehyun was about to do something reckless.

"Damage control. If the public realizes that Youngjae was the one that signed the document his reputation, his accomplishments. All of it will be put in question and be tainted. Not to mention my old man will sue his ass for all he has." Daehyun chewed his bottom lip roughly, tasting the slight tinge of iron from the blood that leaked through.

"Daehyun, don't tell me you're gonna-" Daehyun only replied Jongup with a smile.

"Don't worry about me, Guppie. I've handled worst," Daehyun chuckled. That was a lie. He had never handled something worse than this. Not only was he heartbroken, exhausted physically and mentally, he was now about to become the most hated man in Seoul. "Call Himchan too. Make sure he keeps Youngjae away from the news," Daehyun flashed Jongup a sad smile. "By tomorrow they'll find someone else to blame."

Daehyun slumped in his chair, rubbing his temples in an attempt to soothe his pounding head. For the past week the phone rang continuously, his lawyers telling him to keep mum about the entire situation. His father calling to yell his ass off again. Threatening to disown him if he didn't deal with the situation. Ready to throw his son under the bus to save Jung Corp. if authorities were further involved. Investors and board members abandoning him and joining the Woojin bandwagon. Many calling for Daehyun to be dismissed as CEO. Woojin and his mother laughing at his suffering. Daehyun knew if he didn't resolve the problem soon, he would be out of a job, out of a home, and probably in jail.