Chapter 8 - The Fall of the Uncle
The call to Seoul lasted exactly four minutes.
Seo Kang-dae, speaking through an interpreter from his high-rise office in Gangnam, had started the call with threats of ruin and family honor. He had called Dojin a "street dog" who had forgotten his place.
But as Grace read the lease termination notice over the speaker, her voice calm, steady, and entirely professional, the silence from the other end of the line became heavy.
"The Brooklyn terminal is the heart of our shipping route," the interpreter said, his voice trembling slightly. "You... you cannot do this."
"I have already signed the order," Dojin said, his English clear and sharp. "The port authority is currently clearing the terminal. If your ships do not leave by midnight, they will be impounded."
There was a long pause, followed by a rapid, angry conversation in Korean.
Then, the line went dead.
Ten minutes later, the financial tickers in Seoul showed that the freeze on Dojin’s assets had been lifted. The hostile takeover had been withdrawn.
Reed entered the room, carrying a bottle of expensive champagne and three glasses.
"It’s over," Reed said, his face relaxed for the first time in weeks. "The Seoul board has officially confirmed Dojin’s chairmanship. Your uncle has resigned from the board."
Dojin didn't look at the champagne. He looked at Grace, who was sitting at the table, her head resting on her hand, her eyes closed from sheer exhaustion.
"Go home, Reed," Dojin said. "We will celebrate tomorrow."
When Reed left, Dojin walked over to Grace’s chair. He knelt down beside her, taking her hands in his.
"You're tired," he said.
May you like
"My final exams are next week," she murmured, her eyes still closed. "I haven't studied for my audit class."
"You don't need to study," Dojin said, pulling her into his lap, his arms wrapping around her like a shield. "You just taught the entire city of New York how to audit an empire."
