32

Everyone lost their sleep the moment they heard the news. "Jimin? CEO? So where does that leave you?" Tae's question was ringing in Hoseok's head as he drove back to Kim Mansion. Truth is, he didn't know the answer. Does Jimin know about it? Do his parents know about it? He drove to Kim Mansion his mind etched with so many questions. As he entered, he bowed to the security parking his car next to many of their cars. He went inside, his movements like a robot. The newspaper was lying on the table which fell on Hoseok's eyes. Something in his gut told him to check the paper. The moment he saw, his eyes went wide.

The news hit Hoseok like a truck. He can't believe what he is reading. His steps led unconsciously to Jimin's room. He didn't even bother knocking. He saw Jimin sleeping. His brother-in-law, his best friend he looked at him tears forming, his mind would never accept the fact that Jimin would do something like this.

He sat on the side of the bed. "Jimin...."

"Jiminah...", he called again.

Jimin turned in his sleep and saw a worried Hoseok. He rubbed his eyes, "Hobi? What is it?"

"Wyatt Inc is planning a lawsuit."

"What? Why?"

"They said I am not the CEO anymore."

"What are you talking about?" Hoseok gave Jimin the newspaper.

"What is this, Jimin?" Hoseok asked who took the paper and looked at the news.

"IN THE WAKE OF CHANGE: JUNG HOSEOK FACES UNCERTAINTY

WITH KIM JIMIN AS JUNG CORP'S NEW CEO."

Jimin felt his soul leave his body. What the hell...!!!! "What the hell? Hobi...I swear...I didn't know...I don't know anything about this....I...", Jimin was equally shocked. His mouth fell open at the news unable to think anything. Why would Hwan uncle do something like this?

"Hobi...believe me. I didn't."

"I don't know what to say...or believe." Hoseok said sadly. Yes, he trusted Jimin with his life but he couldn't unsee what was right in front of him.

"This has to be a mistake." Jimin took out his phone but it was engaged.

At the Jung mansion, Hwan banged his fist on the table jolting Jae from her seat. "What is it Hwan?" It was a casual morning at Jung Mansion. Hwan took out the newspaper to check the news when the news flashed on the front page.

Jae snatched the paper and looked at the news. She was equally shocked. What did Jin do? Why did he name Jimin the owner of Jung corporation? What is he trying to achieve? "What the hell is this? Hwan? Hwan? What is the meaning of this?"

Hwan was in complete shock. He was lost in thoughts when his phone started running. It was from a newspaper confirming the news. He didn't know what to say. He just hung up the phone. Another call came up. It was from one of the board of directors. This changes everything. He needed to talk to everyone...especially Jimin but not right now. He quickly dressed himself and dashed to the office. Right now, he needs to fix the situation.

********************

The moment Hwan parked his car, he was swarmed by reporters who were flooding him with questions. His secretary, Eileen was waiting for him. "Sir, the reporters have been hogging since early morning. They are waiting for you and....so are the board members. They want an answer."

Hwan's eyes went wide in shock. "Why are the board members here? Who called them?"

"I don't know sir. They were here when I came", Eileen said earnestly.

Hwan ran his hand through his hair. "Eileen, look I just got to know about this in today's paper. Give me some time to prepare myself. Now call Jimin and Hoseok and tell them not to come to office until I tell them. Ask them not to answer any calls until I confirm. I will talk to the board members now. And who informed the press?"

"I don't know sir", Eileen said sadly.

"Ask them to wait in the media room." He walked towards the conference room where the board members were waiting for an answer.

One of the board members yelled at Hwan, "Do you think the board members are stupid? Who gave you the right to make such a decision? Don't you understand how serious this is? We understood the gravity of the situation the first time, because your son ran away....but to do it again? Even the company's legal team is not aware of this."  The members were appalled as to how Hwan could be so oblivious that this decision could drive stakeholders away from the company and discourage future investments. "This kind of behavior will not be tolerated Hwan.", said one member.

"I know Mr. Park but...", Hwan tried to reason but he was cut off by another member.

"You do realise we can file a lawsuit if we found you guilty", said another member.

"I understand everyone's situation but please give me some time. I assure you, this was done without my knowledge. I will soon find out who did this." The board members were arguing with Hwan and he was trying his best to console them. His mind was racing with thoughts. Did Jimin do such a thing? He trusted Jimin and he knew in his heart that Jimin won't do such a thing. There was someone behind this. He needed to find out. He was trying to convince that he will find out the truth but they weren't believing. Finally, after felt like eternity, he convinced them to give him time even though he knew he was running out of it.

Now he needed to deal with the press. Hwan stood in front of the press. Eileen and a few staff of Jung Corporation were standing next to him. He had clearly informed Hoseok, Jimin or Jin not to come to Jung Corp. He knew he needed to handle this alone.

Reporter 1: "Mr. Hwan, can you clarify the sudden change in leadership? Hoseok and Seokjin were known as the owners, and then you removed Seokjin and listed Hoseok as CEO and now Jimin is listed as the CEO."

Hwan maintained his composure. "Please calm down. This all is a misunderstanding. Kim Jimin is not the CEO of Jung Corp. He is the COO, and he has been working hard to support my son, Jung Hoseok, who is the rightful heir and the CEO. I don't know who spread this false rumor, but we will find out the truth and clear this up as soon as possible."

Reporter 2: "How does this affect Hoseok's position in the company now that Jimin is the CEO?"

Hwan spoke calmly, "As I said, Hoseok is still an essential part of the Jung corporation. We are working diligently to ascertain who was behind all this rumours."

Reporter 3: "Does Jimin's new position mean a shift in the company's direction or policies?"

Hwan chose his words carefully, "Jimin has been a valuable member of our team, but any changes in leadership would be thoroughly evaluated by the board and executed with the company's best interests in mind. We are also talking to our legal team. We will sort out this confusion as soon as possible. Till then, Jimin will step down as COO."

All of a sudden, everyone's phone chimed. An anonymous message was sent that held another shock for Jung family.

Reporter 4 held up his phone: "What about this Will that seems to name Jimin as the sole heir of Jung Corp and all of Jung family assets?"

Hwan felt the ground beneath him slip up. "What?"

Another reporter asked Hwan, "We have got your Will where you have listed Kim Jimin as the next heir to the entire Jung property - Jung Corp. Jung mansion and all other assets."

"I...I am not aware of this", Hwan whispered as he felt the world around him spinning.

Reporter 3: "Mr. Hwan, so do you suspect that Kim Jimin has anything to do with this? Is he trying to take over Jung Corp behind your back?"

Hwan clutched his heart, feeling a sudden surge of pain. Eileen and the reporters rushed forward calling for assistance.

One reporter rushed towards Hwan, "Mr. Hwan, are you alright?"

Hwan struggled, "I...I need a moment. Water....Someone, please get me water." One of the concerned reporters fetched a chair, while Eileen rushed to get water.

"Sir, what happened? Are you okay?"

Hwan was breathing heavily, "I...I..."

One of Jung corp's representatives yelled, "We need a medic here! Someone, please call an ambulance."

Amidst this chaos, the camera flashes continued, capturing the unexpected turn of events. The security and the staff of Jung Corporation began clearing the media. Hwan struggled to maintain consciousness, leaving everyone in suspense about the truth behind the Will and the changes in the Jung Corporation.

*****************

Joon, Jimin, Hoseok and Jin were pacing around at Kim Mansion. Their minds were buzzing from the events that were happening and the phones were ringing nonstop. They were ignoring them. They had no choice. They were just following what Hwan asked them to do. Outside the Kim Mansion, few reporters were gathered but were prevented by Joon from entering. While Joon, Jimin and Hoseok were worried about the future of Jung Corporation, Jin was smirking in the background relishing every second.

They heard a police siren that halted in front of Kim Mansion gate. Out from the car stepped Jackson Wang who was flocked by the media. "Officer, are you here to question Kim Jimin?"

"What's the status of Jung Corporation?"

"Is Jimin the new legal heir?"

"We are investigating the matter. No comments as of now", Jackson wang freed himself from the reporters as he walked inside with the subordinates to Kim Mansion. The guard immediately closed the gate without paying any heed to media's commotion.

"Jackson", Joon nodded looking at his friend.

"Hey."

"What are you doing here?", Joon asked.

"We have a warrant." Jackson spoke calmly who was holding a paper.

"What?"

"We need to search your home, Joon."

"What?", Jimin, Joon and Hoseok shouted in unison.

"Why?", Hoseok asked.

"We just need to take a look. We are afraid Jimin might have forged the documents", Jackson said as he signaled his officers to check the room.

"You know that's my brother you are talking about...not to mention your friend?", Joon reminded Jackson.

"NO...Jimin has nothing to do with this. Jackson, you know it better than all of us", Hoseok stood his ground.

Yes he knew. Jimin was funny, clever, short-tempered, sassy....anything but a fraud. However, now his duty is his priority. "Hoseok, I understand. But...", Jackson was about to say something but Joon cut him off.

"It's okay Hobah. Let him do their duty. I understand Jackson." Joon nodded.

"But...", Hoseok tried to reason but Joon cut him off.

"No Hobi..its okay." Joon assured.

Jackson and his team started looking through the big house. They checked every room carefully, with Hoseok and the others following along. They didn't know what was going on back at Jung Corp. Some officers went into Jimin's room. After a while, Jackson heard one of his colleagues calling him. "Sir... we found something." Jackson and everyone hurried into Jimin's room. In Jimin's closet, they discovered the original agreement and will written by Hwan.

"We discovered this," one of the officers announced. Jackson examined the documents closely. They included the Will and Agreement in which Hwan appointed Jimin as the COO and Hoseok as the CEO. Additionally, there was the original Will listing Jin and Hoseok as the heirs to all of the Jung properties and company documents designating Jin as CEO and Hoseok as COO.

Everyone looked at each other not knowing what to say. "What is it Jackson?", Joon asked as he walked near his friend. "Jimin, what is the meaning of this?", Jackson asked equally shocked. Never did he ever think that Jimin would do such a treason. Jimin walked hurriedly towards Jackson and snatched the papers. His face went blank. "No No No.....I didn't do....no...I don't know anything about it. Joon hyung. I swear. Jackson, I swear. I had nothing to do with this."

He began panting. This was nowhere on his mind. For the first time in his mind, he felt helpless. He was in fact grateful to Mr. Jung for giving him an opportunity. He ran towards Hoseok who was looking at him stunned. "Hobi...you believe me, right? Believe me Hobi, I would never do that." He clasped Hoseok's hands who was too shocked to speak. Jimin looked at Jin who kept a poker face but his eyes were glittering with happiness. "Him...You...It was you. You did it. I know it's you." Jimin ran toward Jin and grabbed his collar. "You fucker...its all your fault. I know it was you. You messed up my brother's life now you are ruining mine..." Jin tried to wrench away but Jimin was strong. Hoseok and Joon darted towards Jimin and pulled him away. But Jimin didn't stop. He pushed Joon and Hoseok and pounced on Jin throwing him on the ground. "You asshole...rot in hell, Seokjin." Jimin was throwing curses punching him when Joon used all his strength to pull Jimin and pushed him back.

*SLAP*

A hard slap and the room fell silent. Joon just slapped Jimin who came back to his senses. Hoseok cupped his mouth in shock. Did Joon just slap his brother?

"Enough Jimin. You think Jin did this? What's wrong with you? Stop blaming people for your incompetence.".

Jimin looked at his brother in shock. Not once did Joon raise a hand on Jimin in their entire lives. Hoseok ran to help Jin and held him stand back up. "Hoseok, take care of Jin. I will be right there with you." Joon said firmly to Hoseok.

"Hyung...", Hoseok looked at his elder brother whose nose was bleeding. Jin glared at Jimin but his eyes softened as he looked at Joon's expression which was full of concern. His plan was working. "Let's go." Jin told Hoseok. As they began to walk out, Hoseok's phone rang. He took out his phone. It was his mother. "Eomma....What???? Where?"

Hoseok let go of Jin and collapsed on the floor. "What is it Hobah?", Joon asked as he ran towards his husband.

"It's Appa. He...he had a heart attack". Hoseok whispered his mind lost in a train of thoughts.

Jackson spoke up. "Namjoon-ah, you take Hobi and Jin to the hospital. I am sorry but I need to question Jimin."

Joon's eyes went wide. "Seriously Jackson? Now?"

"Yes."

"Jackson, he had nothing to do with this."

"Yes, Jackson...Jimin is family. He would never do that. We all trust him." Hoseok assured.

"I know but we have no other choice. This is evidence." Jackson said as he showed the documents in hand. "Take him but no interrogation till I arrive." Jackson told his subordinates.

"Jimin?", Jackson called Jimin waiting for him to respond who simply stood still and couldn't utter a word.

Jackson walked towards Jimin, "Mr. Kim Jimin, you are being detained on suspicion of falsification of documents." He read Jimin his rights and asked Jimin to cooperate. Jimin nodded. Jackson looked at Joon who nodded sadly. Jackson and Jimin walked together to the police station altering their relationship altogether.

-----------------------------------

TBC...............