“Chairman Park would like to know when you’ll start working at CRC Holdings.”

My eyes dart to Mr. Reyes, who responds for me, “Lake will only be active as a shareholder.”

When the secretary translates the answer, the boring lunch transforms into something I’ve only seen in a drama.

Mr. Park shakes his head hard, and with a loud voice, starts saying, “No. No. No!”

He begins to ramble in Korean, which has me leaning into Lee. “What is he saying?”

She glances at me then back at Mr. Park, but begins to whisper, “He says you have to join the company. He won’t invest unless you do. He feels his investment should be looked after by my husband.”

“That was not the arrangement,” Mr. Reyes says, his voice calm in comparison with Mr. Park’s.

When Mr. Park begins to speak again, Lee whispers, “He wants it added to the contract that you’ll work at CRC Holdings.”

Before Mr. Reyes can reply, I say, “With all due respect, this is my future we’re discussing. I’d like to say something.”

Every pair of eyes settles on me, but I look directly at Mr. Park, and for once, he can’t just glance over me. “Are you aware of the percentage of shares my family holds?”

“Chairman Park is adamant. He wants you working at CRC Holding, or he would rather have his daughter marry Chairman Reyes’ eldest son,” the secretary says.

I can’t keep the smile from forming around my lips as I shake my head. When I stand up, Mason and Falcon instantly rise to their feet as well. Locking eyes with Mr. Park, I say, “Decisions regarding CRC Holding’s future are all made in the boardroom, Mr. Park.”

I’m well aware of the fact that I just insulted him by not using his title, and I pause a moment for that knowledge to sink in.

“I hold thirty percent.” I gesture to Mason. “Mr. Chargill holds thirty percent.” And I bring my hand up, resting it on Falcon’s shoulder. “Mr. Reyes holds ten percent. That gives us an overwhelming seventy percent voting right. We are a package deal, and Mr. Chargill will be the one to join CRC Holding.”

Somehow the secretary managed to listen to me and translate at the same time.

Damn, I need to learn Korean, so I can tell this man to go to hell in his own language.

“The Chairman asks what is stopping him from offering his daughter to Mr. Chargill.”

I feel Mason’s anger to my left, and glancing at him, I smile. “I’ve got this.”

Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I glance at Mr. Reyes first, and when he nods, my eyes go to Mr. Chargill. The corner of his mouth pulls up, and lastly, I look at my father.

“Speak your mind, son. I back whatever decision you make.”

I lock gazes with Mr. Park. “CRC Holding does not belong to one man. It belongs to three families. Out of the four sons, I am your only option.”

“What the Chairman needs to realize,” Mr. Reyes says, “is that the men in our families run CRC Holdings and have done so successfully for two generations. Our wives do not have a say in the business.”

I button my jacket, and I feel Falcon move the chair from where it’s right behind me. “Mr. Park.” I wait for him to look at me. “CRC Holdings will not be intimidated. Our foundation isn’t built on fear, it’s built on loyalty. Consider this before you insult me again. I might be the quiet one, but that doesn’t make me the weakest.”