A Cracked Empire:
The boardroom was filled with murmurs, some of disbelief, others of disappointment. The silence that hung in the air was deafening, and Yuna could see the effect her revelations were having on the board members. Seok Jin's face had gone ashen, his mask of control slipping for the first time since this war had begun.
She stood tall, her gaze unwavering as the board began to turn their eyes toward her. Every move she made had led her to this moment. No longer just the daughter of Joo Hyun Lee, no longer just a woman in a man's world—Yuna was in command.
"You can't do this," Seok Jin spat, his voice rising in anger as he stepped forward, trying to regain his footing. "You think the board will turn on me just like that? They're loyal to me, Yuna. They'll never choose you."
Yuna locked eyes with him, her voice calm but lethal. "They're loyal to the truth, Seok Jin. And the truth is—you've been manipulating them, just like you've been manipulating everyone else."
Her words sliced through the tension in the room, and Yuna could feel the shift. The weight of her father's betrayal still pressed heavily on her chest, but she was no longer fighting for his approval. She was fighting for herself, for her future, and for the company that was rightfully hers.
She turned to the board members, who were still deliberating quietly, their faces a mix of shock and hesitation. "The choice is simple," Yuna continued. "You can back a man who has built his empire on lies and deceit. Or you can stand with me, someone who believes in transparency, loyalty, and the future of this company. I promise you—if you choose the latter, you'll see the real potential of what we can achieve together."
There was a long pause as the room held its breath. Finally, one of the senior board members, an older woman named Hana Park, spoke up, her voice firm and measured. "Yuna is right. We can't continue down this path of corruption. I choose to stand with you."
Yuna's heart skipped a beat. One by one, more voices joined in. Some were hesitant, but as the evidence she had presented sank in, more board members began to fall in line.
Seok Jin's eyes flickered with panic as he looked around the room, the walls closing in on him. "You're making a mistake," he hissed. "You have no idea what you're up against."
But it was too late. The tipping point had come.
The votes were counted. Yuna had won.
---
Victory at a Cost:
As Seok Jin stormed out of the boardroom, slamming the door behind him, Yuna couldn't help but feel a small surge of triumph. She had done it. She had won the company back.
But as the board members congratulated her and the weight of the victory began to settle in, she felt the heavy ache in her chest. This wasn't just about business anymore. This was personal. And while she had beaten Seok Jin, the cost had been far higher than she had anticipated.
She glanced at Jiwon, who was watching her with a mix of pride and concern. "You did it," Jiwon said softly. "But are you okay?"
Yuna nodded slowly, though she knew her friend could see through the facade. "I will be," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
It wasn't just Seok Jin she had to worry about now. It was the aftermath of all the sacrifices she had made. There was no going back from this.
---
A New Alliance:
As Yuna left the boardroom, still reeling from the intensity of the vote, she felt a presence at her side. She turned to find Seung Ho Lee standing there, his expression unreadable.
"I've been watching you," he said, his voice low and steady. "You've proven yourself, Yuna. And I'm not just saying that because I'm your stepbrother."
Yuna raised an eyebrow, still wary of the man who had once tried to claim her as his own. But there was something different about him now—something that told her he had changed.
"You've always been loyal to Seok Jin," Yuna said, her voice cautious. "What makes you think I can trust you now?"
Seung Ho's gaze softened. "Because I don't want to see this company fall into the wrong hands. Not anymore. And not to someone like Seok Jin."
Yuna studied him carefully, trying to read the sincerity in his eyes. After a long pause, she nodded. "If you're serious about this, then you have my trust. But it's not just about Seok Jin anymore. It's about what comes next. We have a lot of work to do."
Seung Ho smiled faintly. "Then I'm all in. Let's rebuild this company. Together."
---
The Storm Isn't Over:
Later that evening, Yuna sat alone in her office, looking out at the city lights that stretched endlessly below her. The victory had been hard-won, but it was still just the beginning. There was so much more to do, so many challenges yet to come.
Her phone buzzed again, and Yuna's heart skipped a beat when she saw the name on the screen.
Seok Jin
Yuna hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Are you proud of yourself?" Seok Jin's voice was cold, the venom laced in every word. "You've won the battle, Yuna, but you haven't won the war."
Yuna's grip tightened on the phone. "I don't need to win the war, Seok Jin. I just need to make sure you lose."
A moment of silence passed before Seok Jin spoke again, his tone dark and ominous. "This isn't over, Yuna. Not by a long shot. You'll regret this."
Yuna ended the call before he could say anything more, her jaw clenched with resolve. She knew this wasn't the end, but she wasn't backing down. She would fight, no matter the cost.
---
End of Chapter 26
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In this chapter, Yuna secures her victory over Seok Jin, winning the board's loyalty and regaining control of the company. But her success comes at a cost, and the battle is far from over. As new alliances are formed, Yuna faces the looming threat of Seok Jin's revenge