Lin Shaoyuan had nothing to say.
Tiffany wasn't a two-faced person; if she hated someone or were disgusted by them, it would be directly displayed on her face.
The sisters had never mixed, so Tiffany did not need to hide her true feelings.
Tiffany was obviously trying to kick Hwang Na-ri out of Hwang Corps. Plus, according to her usual methods, it was possible that she would completely uproot her and destroy any power that she still held within Hwang Corps.
Faced with Tiffany's bold att.i.tude, the shareholders couldn't help but feel convinced by her. Two victories in a row was something they had to acknowledge.
So, after the meeting ended, Tiffany directly instructed for Hwang Na-ri to be dismissed, not even leaving a simple role of secretary for her.
Hwang Na-ri stormed into the CEO's office, but Tiffany was nowhere to be seen.
"You won't even let your own sister off. Tiffany, aren't you afraid of retribution?"
In the end, Qiao Yusheng couldn't stand being ha.s.sled anymore and replied, "President Hwang said that she is in charge here. Dismissing you is her basic right."
"Tiffany...Tiffany, come out here and explain yourself..."
"Miss Hwang Na-ri, I think it's best if you go home and focus on your pregnancy. If anything happens to your child, we can't take responsibilty," Qiao Yusheng said as he blocked the office door.
"Tiffany, don't a.s.sume that you can kick me out of the company like this."
Inside the office, Tiffany was seated on the sofa resting her eyes. She had no intention of showing Hwang Na-ri any mercy.
"President Hwang, I've finally sent her away."
"Clean up the staff that are involved with Hwang Na-ri. Deal with them the way that they should be dealt," Tiffany replied with her eyes closed.
Qiao Yusheng nodded his head and took a deep breath, "I hope Hwang Corps would be at peace from now on."
"Peace?" Hearing this word, Tiffany sat up and laughed, "Hwang Na-ri still has a bargaining chip in her hands; the child in her stomach. Plus, did you think Hwang Na-ri managed to plan the leaking of the VIP list, all on her own?"
"What President Hwang is trying to say is...'
"Let's not talk about it for now and focus on preparations for the Product Launch instead," Tiffany did not continue. They were both smart people, so there were some things that did not need to be explained in detail.
Like this, Tiffany used her lightning-fast methods to take control of Hwang Corps.
And because of her two spectacular victories, she went from appearing on the entertainment news headlines to appearing on the financial news headlines.
The only thing that Tiffany was worried about, was the fact that her pregnancy would become harder and harder to hide.
After all, the baby in her stomach was growing bigger every day.
Everyone quickly found out about Hwang Na-ri being kicked out of Hwang Corps.
This was the second time that this had happened to her. The first time was when Elder Hwang kicked her out, this time...
...she was actually kicked out by Tiffany!
Hwang Na-ri's reputation had long been destroyed. It was originally expected that, after experiencing a fall, she would change for the better. But, seeing Tiffany kick her out of Hwang Corps so resolutely, it was obvious that a leopard could not change its spots...
As soon as Elder Hwang heard that Hwang Na-ri had been dismissed, he immediately put down his fis.h.i.+ng rod. This time he was in trouble, the person at home was going to be hard to deal with, "Couldn't Fany have been gentler?"
But, for the sake of the child in Hwang Na-ri's stomach, Elder Hwang calmed down and packed away his things to return home.
Just as a.s.sistant Leng drove in through the driveway of the Hwang Household, Hwang Na-ri could be seen kneeling on the ground soaked in rain water.
"a.s.sistant Leng, hurry," Elder Hwang immediately gestured for his a.s.sistant to bring Hwang Na-ri an umbrella.
a.s.sistant Leng seemed to have predicted this scene as he hurried over and covered Hwang Na-ri with an umbrella.
"What are you doing? How could you torture your body like this? You don't know how to act like a mother at all," Elder Hwang helped Hwang Na-ri off the floor, "Follow me into the house."
"Grandfather...in your heart, am I never comparable to Tiffany?" Hwang Na-ri's face was pale as she asked. Although she was putting on an act, she was actually filled with anger and resentment.
"Come home with me first," Elder Hwang dragged her into the house before he instructed the maids to help her get tidy up.
"Chairman, I'm afraid the issue hasn't ended," a.s.sistant Leng said as he watched Hwang Na-ri walk away.
"Of course I know it hasn't ended," Elder Hwang sighed as he put down his walking stick. "But, I also understand why Fany did what she did. Hwang Corps has long needed a clean out."
"What should we do now?"
"Apart from comforting her, what else can I do?" Elder Hwang said before he went into his bedroom. After changing into a set of comfortable clothes, he walked over and entered Hwang Na-ri's room.
However, Hwang Na-ri was dangerously standing on the edge of the balcony.
"Na-ri, come here, what are you trying to do?"
"Grandfather, I'm divorced now and have no family. On top of that, when I went into the office, I was kicked out. What reason do I have to continue living? I've been kicked out by my own sister, can't she show mercy based on the fact that we are related?"
Elder Hwang sneered inside; it wasn't like Hwang Na-ri showed mercy when she schemed against Tiffany.
"Tell me, what do you want then?" Elder Hwang didn't want to go around in circles with her. After all, he was bound to be put in a difficult situation in the end.
"I want to get my split of the family a.s.sets. I want my shares and everything I deserve from having worked so hard over the years..."
She wanted to split the a.s.sets...
She wanted to walk away with a piece of the Hwang Family right now...
It seemed, she was dreaming about branching off and starting her own company.
"Come over here for now. Let's have a good chat," Elder Hwang took the opportunity to grab onto Hwang Na-ri's hand and pulled her to safety.
"I know you must think that Tiffany acted too ruthlessly. But tell me Na-ri, don't you think you've also done something unfair to Tiffany? Logically speaking, she would never go this far."
Lying was already embedded in Hwang Na-ri's genes. How could she possibly tell the truth?
"Grandfather, although Tiffany and I have been at odds for many years, I'm not the type of person to scheme against others behind their backs."
"How about this, let's talk about it after the Product Launch is over, OK?" Elder Hwang comforted. "You will need to endure it in the meantime."
"Grandfather, it's not that I am trying to ask for too much, but the Hwang Family no longer has a place for me."
"I understand. Hurry and get some rest. Don't forget, you are still a part of the Hwang Family, so you also need to attend the Product Launch."
"Grandfather, am I really still a part of the Hwang Family?"
After saying these words, Hwang Na-ri returned to her bed and covered herself with her blanket.
While Elder Hwang thought to himself: they only considered the child a part of the Hwang Family…
Right now, the only bargaining chip that Hwang Na-ri had was her shares and her child. She had already been pushed into a dead end by Tiffany.
Late at night, just around the corner from the Hwang Family Household, Hwang Na-ri boarded a slightly hidden black car,
"There are cameras everywhere. What would you do if we get caught?"
"How did Elder Hwang respond to you?" Lin Shaoyuan asked as he took a puff from his cigarette.
"On the surface, he appears to be treating me well. But, in reality, he is obviously siding with Tiffany." Hwang Na-ri went from someone that never admitted defeat to a pool of tears.
"You've already gotten to this point. What's the point of crying now?" Lin Shaoyuan asked.
"I can't think of what else I can do..."
"How could you not think of anything? You still have your shares and your child. It's apparent that the old man is still cautious when it comes to your child."
"So what? Tiffany has forced me into a dead end and I have nowhere to go..."
Lin Shaoyuan suddenly turned around and looked at Hwang Na-ri. Through the thin lens of his gla.s.ses, his diamond-like eyes sparkled with an icy coldness.
"The biggest difference between you and Tiffany is, Tiffany likes to act weak while concealing her real abilities; she always a.n.a.lyzes her surroundings quietly before she grabs onto the right time to strike and succeed in one shot."
"You, on the other hand, you can't contain your true feelings!"
This was something that Hwang Na-ri was well aware of, but she didn't like to admit. Over the years, she had tried so hard to be better than Tiffany, but never once did she succeed.
At this moment, Lin Shaoyuan suddenly fell quiet as he pulled out another cigarette from his pocket and lit it. The slight glow of scarlet was eye-catching and eerie against the darkness.
"So, you don't have any other ideas at the moment?"
"Take care of your child and wait patiently for the right time. I will teach you a few things during this time."
"Tiffany is endlessly changing. There is no reason for you to remain in the same spot."
"You're also attending Hwang Corps' Annual Product Launch, right? Don't let Tiffany look down on you again..."
To reduce her exposure in front of the public, Tiffany actually had no intention to attend the Product Launch.
But, thinking about the troublemaking Hwang Na-ri, she decided she may still make an appearance sitting amongst the guests without anyone knowing.
This time, Hwang Na-ri endured for quite some time without using her child as a bargaining chip. It seemed, she had not reached her limit yet.
But, suddenly the thought of what Taeyeon previously said, suddenly popped up in Tiffany's mind.
Taeyeon once said that he wished to see Hwang Na-ri being separated from her child and the expression on her face.
So, at this moment, she too wanted to see her expression.
"Recently, I haven't had to call you to know what you are up to. Please...are you trying to be known by everyone?"
It was rare for Sunny to visit Tiffany at Hyatt Regency. And just like she said, whenever she wanted to know anything about Tiffany, it was as easy as opening up a newspaper.
Tiffany smiled but did not say a word.
"Have you actually decided to take over Hwang Corps and no longer act?'
"Of course not..." Tiffany said with a deeper meaning..
Sunny paused for a moment before she smiled and said, "I heard you've kicked Hwang Na-ri out of Hwang Corps..."
"Yep, this was the entire motive for why I joined the company."
"Woah, black belly, so black belly! You're almost a mother, can't you use gentler methods?"
With the mention of becoming a mother, Tiffany subconsciously looked at Sunny's stomach. She knew deep down that Sunny's heart hurt every time she saw her.
"I'm fine, you don't need to worry," Sunny understood what Tiffany was thinking as she shrugged her shoulders. "As long as Sooyoung is on my side, then I have the strength to carry on."
"Both of you are still young."
"Tiffany, you wouldn't understand," Sunny suddenly took a deep breath. "It's not that Sooyoung's parents don't treat me well. In fact, they treat me too well. With so many eyes on me, I can't help but feel pressured."
"Has Sooyoung done a medical examination?" Tiffany suddenly asked.
"Yes he has and the doctor said he's fine."
"Then it must mean your time hasn't arrived..."
"Maybe," Sunny nodded her head as she reminded herself not to show Sooyoung her dull expression. "So, will you be attending the Annual Product Launch?"
Tiffany shook her head, "I don't need to."
"You're going to allow Hwang Na-ri to take control of the event?"
In reality, Tiffany knew that the person that was going to cause trouble at the event wasn't Hwang Na-ri, but someone else.
Tiffany did not say word. As a result, Sunny understood and also shut her mouth.
It didn't take long before Hwang Corps' Annual Product Launch was to be held in Seoul and it had attracted a high-degree of attention. This was because the Hwang Family had produced two attention-grabbing people. Apart from Tiffany, there was also Minho who had a large number of fans!
His own family was launching a new perfume, so of course he had to make an appearance.
Ever since the incident with Jimin, he had been completely consumed in work. But, during this busy stage, where he barely even had time to sleep, he slowly began to take notice of someone...
His manager, Se-ra.
Se-ra had a one-sided love for him; this was something that everyone knew. After all, she had announced it in front of everyone. But, in her everyday life, she was a professional and capable manager. She cared for him, but...
...she did not step over the boundaries of a friend.
"I've prepared an outfit for you to wear to the Product Launch. It is hanging in your closet. As for your shoes, you can wear whatever you like."
Minho stared at Se-ra for a while before he snapped out of his daze, "Will Noona be attending?"
"Fany Unnie has a lot to take into consideration. I'm not sure whether she will attend," Se-ra replied.
"Se-ra, will you get married and have children in the future?" Minho suddenly asked.
"Of course," Se-ra replied naturally.
Minho suddenly tried to hide his smile, "I don't think I'll get used to not having you around."
"I will take care of you until you become an international superstar. By then, you will no longer remember a tiny insignificant manager like me," Se-ra smiled. "When that time comes, I will take my leave."
"Why not choose to enjoy the glory with me?"
"I'm satisfied just by watching you." Se-ra picked up her bag from the sofa and left the apartment that Minho had recently bought.
However, even after she had left, her words still echoed in Minho's ears.
If Se-ra was to leave him after he became a superstar, then why should he become one?
Minho was surprised that he even had this thought...
But, he did indeed think this. If he could keep Se-ra by his side, even if he didn't become an international superstar, he would still hold some value.
Hwang Corps' Annual Product Launch was fast approaching, but the public had not received word of whether Tiffany would be attending.
After solving the issue with the leaked VIP list, Tiffany had once disappeared from everyone's sight. Even as an Acting CEO, she barely made an appearance, so the staff at Hwang Corps barely got to see her.
3pm. Guests began to gather in the waiting rooms of the Crown's Star Hotel, where Hwang Corps' Annual Product Launch was to be held. But, Tiffany was still nowhere to be seen.
Inside one of the waiting rooms sat Hwang Na-ri. Her outfit and makeup was ready as she looked at herself in the vanity mirror. Beside her stood Lin Shaoyuan and her makeup artist. The makeup artist scanned her eyes in detail across Hwang Na-ri.
"Mr. Lin, she's ready," the makeup artist put down her tools and retreated behind Lin Shaoyuan.
Lin Shaoyuan looked calmly at Hwang Na-ri. The woman in the mirror was no longer like an evil rose...
Her makeup was light and her expression was gentle; she looked like a completely different person.
"Remember my words: smile more and talk less."
Lin Shaoyuan clearly knew the schedule for the Product Launch, and he of course knew that Tiffany had designed a creative way to reveal the new perfume. So...
...he instructed someone to tamper with that segment of the event.
He a.s.sumed that Tiffany didn't make an appearance yet because she was going to appear at the finale. After all, she was a model, how could she possibly miss out on an event like this?
But, Lin Shaoyuan was wrong. Tiffany did not intend to appear, because she had no interest in creating a publicity stunt. She had already entered the venue early on and was already seated amongst the guests disguised in simple clothes to not draw any attention.
Below the stage, Tiffany and Taeyeon sat amongst the guests in a slightly hidden spot. Taeyeon had a hat on as he protected Tiffany. Their clothes made them appear like they were a part of the staff.
"You've really decided to not go on stage?" Taeyeon leaned into Tiffany's ear and asked. Hwang Corps was hosting such a grand event and Tiffany planned most of it. Although he was used to Tiffany's low-profile personality, he did not want his wife's hard work to be claimed by someone else.
"Our baby is more important." Tiffany rubbed her stomach. "When have I ever cared about a little bit of glory?"
Taeyeon smiled warmly and did not say another word. Reality proved that the more capable a person was, the more of a low profile they kept. Plus, Tiffany did not lack praise and applause.
Meanwhile, over at the Hwang Family, after the night that Hwang Na-ri asked Elder Hwang to split the a.s.sets, she suddenly fell into silence and no longer caused a commotion. Her mood was also abnormally calm.
Elder Hwang was finding it harder and harder to understand her temper. He began to suspect that she had so many tricks because there was someone giving her ideas behind-the-scenes. In the past, it was Mother Zhong, but who could it be now?
It didn't take long before famous people from a variety of industries arrived at the scene of the Product Launch.
Amongst those that were invited, there were also a few celebrities. After walking down the red carpet, they made their way to their seats. Because of these guests, the Crown's Star Hotel was surrounded by a variety of fans.
Amongst them, the majority of fans belonged to Tiffany and Yun-ho.
_"Yun-ho...Yun-ho, a sparkling star that casts a thousand beams of light on the Earth..."
_"Yun-ho, you're so handsome! We will always support you and your family's perfume..."
_"Other members of the Hwang Family are attending. What about My Fany? She wouldn't be absent from such an important event, would she?"
Outside the hotel, fans erupted into a heated discussion. As per Tiffany's orders, the hotel arranged a shelter for the fans to avoid the cold weather so not to catch a cold.
As a part of the Hwang Family, not only Minho but also Hwang Bora also put aside her work and attended the Product Launch.
So, the good-looking young men and women from the Hwang Family were seated in a row amongst the other guests.
However, Tiffany was nowhere to be seen. The guests were quite surprised. They had originally wanted to experience a taste of Tiffany's presence.
A moment later, the host appeared on the grand stage and started introducing all the guests. Inside the packed venue, professionals from a variety of industries were filled with curiosity towards Hwang Corps' new product.
"How come Fany isn't here?" Bora turned to ask Minho while the host was talking. "Isn't she going to attend such an important event?"
"I'm not sure either," Minho shook his head. After all, he could never guess what Tiffany was thinking. Plus, Hwang Na-ri was seated next to him, so he quickly scanned his eyes across her and scoffed.
Bora understood what Minho was annoyed about, so she gave him a slight nudge, "At least give grandfather some face. Don't cause trouble at a place like this."
Minho did not say anything, so Bora also relaxed. Meanwhile, sitting beside them, Hwang Na-ri smiled indifferently like an elegant socialite as she stared at the stage.
"We have once again reached the date of Hwang Corps' Annual Product Launch. As a perfume empire, Hwang Corps has consistently kept our city, country and even the world fragrant."
"Before we reveal the newest addition to our collection, please welcome our chairman onto the stage to provide a few words..."
Elder Hwang was dressed in a white suit, looking lively and n.o.ble. He walked onto the stage supported by his walking stick and turned to face the guests, "This will be the last time I attend Hwang Corps' Annual Product Launch. This world now belongs to the young people..."
The young guests weren't as sentimental as the old man, so they began whispering amongst themselves,
_"I only see Hwang Na-ri, is Tiffany staying away because of Hwang Na-ri?"
_"To be honest, if we don't take intelligence into account, Hwang Na-ri is actually very beautiful. Look at all the guests present. How many of them have the same presence as her? Of course, this is only the case if she keeps her mouth shut..."
_"I bet you didn't know that Tiffany is her jinx. Think about it, Tiffany's legs have been named as one of the" ten most beautiful in the world. If Tiffany makes an appearance today, Hwang Na-ri would be left in one corner and ignored."
Hwang Na-ri listened to the discussions behind her and gritted her teeth as she endured her feelings of envy and anger.
_"Don't you think that Tiffany is amazing? No matter which industry she steps foot in, she manages to perform spectacularly."
_"Keep your voice down. I agree she is better than the person in front of us..."
The sounds of laughter and ridicule did not cease, but Hwang Na-ri remained silent.
_"Why should I keep my voice down? Are you afraid that she would hear us? Which part of what I've said isn't the truth?"
"That's enough!" Hwang Na-ri couldn't stand it anymore as she stood up from her seat interrupting the entire event. "Everyone, I have something to say."
Lin Shaoyuan watched as Hwang Na-ri stood up with a trace of disappointment. Back when Tiffany was wrongly accused of killing Sooyeon and was scolded by the entire nation, what did Tiffany do?
She did not make a single sound!
He had been wrong!
Tiffany's endurance was what put her well ahead of Hwang Na-ri. Hwang Na-ri wasn't worth teaching.
"Na-ri, if you have something to say, let's wait until the Product Launch is over and we can discuss at home," Elder Hwang understood Hwang Na-ri's temper.
She had suffered a bit of provocation, so disregarded everything and ignored the importance of the situation they were in.
"I can't stand it anymore!" Hwang Na-ri yelled, "Ever since I was a child, I was always the one that put in the most effort. I knew, as a part of the Hwang Family, I had a responsibilty to uphold. As a result, I treated my work seriously and never slacked off for a second."
"Over the years, I've dedicated myself to the Hwang Family, and in order to pa.s.s on our family's perfume, I've put in my best efforts. But, the thing I never expected was, not too long ago, I was actually kicked out of Hwang Corps by the Acting CEO..."
"I mean, for the sake of the Hwang Family, I can endure it, but grandfather, can you not hear the discussions that are going around? Do you really feel that you have been fair? I've worked so hard, but you've never praised me once. Yet, Tiffany made one simple gesture and you immediately treated her like Hwang Corps' only hope. Don't you think you are being a bit bias?"
Elder Hwang could tell that Hwang Na-ri had wanted to say these words for a long time...
The provocation she just received had merely ignited her fuse.
The entire venue placed their focus on the aggravated Hwang Na-ri. This included the frustrated Lin Shaoyuan...
Was she crazy?
Didn't she consider where she was?
It seemed, all the wrong b.u.t.tons in her brain had been pressed.
"Since you insist on getting an answer today, then I will say a few words regarding this matter. From the time you were a little girl, you had always been arrogant. Plus, you constantly compared yourself to Fany."
"You thought you could do anything and that you were invincible, but you didn't realize it was only because Tiffany went easy on you and hid her true abilities out of a false sense of guilt."
"When you were little, you went to the same school. To keep your pride intact, Tiffany held back on her scores and never got higher than you. Have you never wondered why?"
"Eventually, Fany had no choice but to leave the family home and take on a career which I was against - she became a model!"
"Na-ri, don't tell me you still haven't figured out where you stand."
"But, I've worked so hard for the Hwang Family for so many years. How many drops of perfume has Tiffany created for the family? How many times has she gone down to the lab? And how many experiments has she done? She practically knows nothing about perfume!"
Hwang Na-ri was aggravated and emotional...
She actually made people feel like the Hwang Family had wronged her and that the Hwang Family and Tiffany owed her.
If someone else had caused trouble, the issue would have been easily handled by security, but she was a Hwang Family member and she was also pregnant. So, they did not dare to act recklessly. After all, everyone knew that Hwang Na-ri wasn't someone that was easy to deal with.
Tiffany and Taeyeon were sitting not too far away as they watched the scene playing out in front of them.
Amidst the darkness, Taeyeon held tightly to Tiffany's hand as a source of comfort.
He was well aware of how Tiffany's life used to be in the Hwang Household, but he never knew she had gone easy on Hwang Na-ri to this extent.
"How many days has Tiffany spent with the Hwang Family over the years? Not to mention, she's already married, grandfather..."
"If you guys hadn't acted too ruthlessly, I wouldn't have made things difficult for you at a place like this. But, my heart is seriously in pain and I feel extremely wronged."
A normal Product Launch had suddenly been turned into a family warzone and Hwang Na-ri had clearly expressed her viewpoint.
If Elder Hwang didn't give her an explanation today, then they would be an embarra.s.sment together.
It seemed, Hwang Na-ri felt she had nothing to lose.
"I don't understand. No matter how I think about it, I don't understand..."
The host originally wanted to step out and end the event, but at this time, a voice suddenly resonated from the crowd, "What do you not understand?"
Everyone looked around for the owner of the voice before they finally spotted Tiffany sitting amongst the guests.
After removing her cap and coat, all she wore was a loose-fitting dress. As usual, she hid her stomach all...
Everyone watched as she walked towards the stage.
_"Who would have thought, Tiffany was here all along..."
_"It seems like Tiffany never intended on revealing herself. But, I guess she couldn't continue watching what was happening."
_"What should Hwang Na-ri feel unfair about? Look at Tiffany's presence. She is indeed a million times better than Hwang Na-ri..."
Because of Tiffany's appearance, the venue erupted with noise. After all, everyone wanted to discuss what was happening.
Tiffany made a hush gesture and the room fell into silence. Everyone looked at Tiffany seriously, except for the crying Hwang Na-ri.
"You've always been sneaky like a mouse. You hide amongst the shadows and jump out when you see an opportunity to s.n.a.t.c.h something away from me."
"Do you really not know the reason why you were kicked out of Hwang Corps?" Tiffany was not in the mood to play around with her as she jumped straight to the point.
"What other reason could there be? It's because you turned a blind eye to injustice!"
Tiffany laughed and asked in a cold voice, "Can I ask you a few questions? If you manage to answer them, then I'll give you the position of Acting CEO."
"You said that I don't understand perfume, but who created 'Night Spirit', the perfume that you won an award for in Switzerland?"
Hwang Na-ri froze as a shocked expression appeared on her face.
At the same time, Elder Hwang was also shocked. He never expected that the perfume that made Hwang Na-ri famous all those years ago, didn't actually come from her hands.
"I..."
"I..."
"Don't you remember that you took the recipe from my notebook? If that was too long ago, then let's talk about something else. Just before I left the Hwang Family, I discovered an issue with the longevity of that year's perfume, but somehow you took the credit for it and became quite famous in Hwang Corps... Don't tell me you also forgot about that?"
Tiffany brought up one old incident after another.
"I also discovered an issue. Why is it solely your credit?"
"You still won't admit defeat? Fine, let's just say I don't understand perfume. I don't want to linger on it, so let's talk about something else..."
How could she be considered as someone that didn't understand perfume?
Everyone felt shame on behalf of Hwang Na-ri…
**********
What now Hwang Na-ri?