She tried to respond to those words, but at that moment, Chairman Baek’s speech began, and she closed her mouth.
“Ah, I don’t know how to express my gratitude. I sincerely thank all the shareholders who supported me. In the future…”

The calm yet concise speech of Chairman Baek continued. However, Mrs. Park, still with an uneasy look, whispered without hearing a word.

“Why hasn’t Kang Seobang come? Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know. Director Park is still trying to contact him, but it seems he can’t reach him.”

“Ugh… Nothing serious, I hope?”

“It should be fine.”

Although the answer was given that way, Serin’s anxiety was actually increasing. She was just masking her emotions with a nonchalant face.

But then, after concluding his impressions, Chairman Baek uttered surprising words.

“Oh, here in this gathering of shareholders, I’d like to propose something. As of today, I have become the CEO, not Chairman Baek. That means, the position of CEO is vacant. However, I just went up to that seat, and really… I think it’s an important position. There’s more to do than I thought.”

Amid the laughter of many people, Chairman Baek continued his words silently.

“So, I mean, without further delay, shall we fill the vacant CEO position right here today? Of course, with your consent.”

For a moment, the conference room fell silent as if cold water had been poured. It was an unexpected agenda.

Of course, someone would eventually fill the vacant position, but no one had expected it to happen today.

The directors, feeling tense in an instant, exchanged glances and adjusted their postures. They had contributed greatly to Chairman Baek’s rise to that position, so they were eagerly anticipating the outcome.

However, the expectation was in vain, as an entirely different name popped out of Chairman Baek’s mouth.

“Our Vice President Baek Serin, the legitimate daughter of our late chairman, who has created an unrivaled young legend and contributed significantly to spreading our support’s name. I think Vice President Baek is fully qualified. Don’t you agree?”

The faces of the directors, who had thought that one of their names would be called, turned almost pale. Unexpectedly, due to the unexpected agenda, another vote was held.

Of course, the result was as clear as daylight.

Even if the directors and other shareholders combined their strength to cast opposing votes, they couldn’t prevent Serin from becoming the CEO.

It was a story directly from Chairman Baek’s mouth.

Until now, due to Chairman Baek appearing to side with Serin, the opinions of Mrs. Park and Serin’s family had divided, causing a significant portion of the support to split. However, if their shares were combined into one, no one could resist their words.

Again, there was no change in the results this time.

“Congratulations, CEO Baek Serin!”

It was a rare moment when the entire Seongwon family gathered as one.

In fact, it was surprising for Serin as well, as it was something she had never expected. Mrs. Park also held her hand, shedding tears.
“Then Chairman Baek, please share a few words.”

Although she was completely unprepared, Serin stepped forward to the podium.

When Chairman Baek was standing there, she hadn’t realized it, but the place felt heavier than she had thought. It was even more so because she was receiving the gaze of many shareholders.

“Uh… Well, this is a situation I never expected, so I’m not sure what to say. But… thank you. As Chairman Baek mentioned, this is a weighty position with a lot to do, so I will work even harder…”

At that moment, the door to the conference room opened, and Director Park rushed in. Seeing Director Park urgently descending the stairs, Serin paused for a moment.

For an instant, she felt a chill all over her body.

Why that happened, she didn’t know. Perhaps the anxiety that had been gradually building up since the beginning of the shareholders’ meeting had suddenly exploded at the unexpected sight of Director Park.

Or maybe she instinctively sensed something.

“Uh, Vice President… I mean… Representative Kang has had a major accident…”

In that moment, she closed her eyes. Suddenly, her mind went completely dark.

“He’s currently at Haein University Hospital’s emergency room. The condition is still…”

Everything she loved was dying.

That cursed cycle was starting again.

At that moment, Taehyun heard someone’s mournful cry in his faint consciousness.

“Hehehe, please! Our representative…”

“What happened?”

“There was a traffic accident. And the crazy guy wielded a knife!”

Along with Sodam’s voice, the ambulance wailed loudly, followed by the bustling sounds of doctors and nurses. Amidst the cacophony, severe headaches struck him as all the disturbing noises rushed into his ears.

While his head was throbbing, the intense pain, which seemed to have originated from somewhere, was not trivial.

“Are you the guardian?”

“No, not the guardian, but…”

“Then contact the guardian right away. Right now.”

“I’ve already contacted. They’ll be here soon.”

“Patient, can you hear me?”

He could hear. And he understood how the situation was unfolding. However, his body didn’t respond, despite his attempt to react to the doctor’s words.

His last memory was the clear sky behind Minhyeong’s face, crazed with a sharp blade.

He had thought it was a perfect day for a proposal.

He didn’t know what had happened. Did Minhyeong forcefully thrust the sharp blade into him? He couldn’t remember anything. Simultaneously, severe pain surged again, and consciousness began to fade.

But at that moment, Serin’s voice echoed.

[Dash] Everything I love is dying. So… except for love, I’ll do everything.

It was a truly heart-wrenching statement. The moment she heard those words for the first time, her chest was so painful that she couldn’t breathe.
At that time… What did I say…

[Dash]Baek Serin, I love you. So… I’ll prove it. Even if I have to die, I’ll live one more day and die after you.

Ha, after saying that.

“Darn it! Feels like a cardiac arrest!”

“Ah! No! Please save our CEO!”

“Please leave. We’ll do our best!”

Maybe he won’t be able to keep that promise. However, he is more concerned about her being left alone than about his own fate, which seems to be nearing its end.

He doesn’t want to be greedy for much. What can he do to hold onto his failing heart in this moment?

He never believed in gods.

But this time, he wanted to summon even the god he didn’t believe in and negotiate.

Oh, god, save me.
Save me, so I won’t remain with the trauma of this pitiful woman.
I will pay the price in the next life.
So, in this life, please give me one more chance.
I don’t ask for much.
I will live just one more day than her.
Just, one more day…