Episode 24. The Big Picture (5)
The repercussions of the various illegal activities that were successively revealed, centered around CEO Kim Cheong-san, were immense enough to shake Ettoile’s foundation to its core.
In an instant, the quarterly operating profit was halved.
It was once again felt how important corporate image was, a topic that had come up in conversations between Kang Dae-oh and Kang Yeyoung.
Public opinion was also emerging from various places, suggesting that Ettoile should be sold off.
Kang Dae-oh, who had been closely observing the situation by carefully examining the articles, called Kang Yeyoung, who had just finished video editing and came out of her room, diligently touching her laptop with her small, fern-like hands.
“It seems like the timing is right. What do you think, my daughter?”
At the word ‘timing’, Kang Yera and Kang Yebin, who were sitting amicably watching TV in the living room, simultaneously tilted their heads.
“Timing?”
“What do you mean, Dad?”
The two were still unaware of the Ettoile acquisition plan that Kang Dae-oh and Kang Yeyoung were conspiring.
What had happened so far.
Why Kang Yeyoung had struggled to receive an advertising offer from Ettoile.
Kang Dae-oh explained it to the two, summarizing it as much as possible.
Since Kang Yera and Kang Yebin also knew well what would happen in the future, they understood instantly with just their dad’s brief explanation.
“Indeed. Ettoile is a bakery that’s too good to just let it go bankrupt.”
“If Dad takes it over, the picture will turn out well.”
The older sisters also showed active support for the plan set up by the youngest.
However, the important thing was the timing.
When would be a good time to throw their hat into the ring for Ettoile’s acquisition?
Matching this timing inevitably required the help of his daughters.
This was Kang Dae-oh’s first time ever acquiring a company.
Kang Yeyoung, who squeezed between her sisters and took a seat on the sofa, told Kang Dae-oh the answer.
“I think mid-month would be good. Before that, have a close talk with Ettoile, and after reaching some agreement, contact reporters and have them publish an article saying that Amare is pursuing Ettoile’s acquisition.”
You shouldn’t just release an article about the acquisition when nothing has been decided or agreed upon.
Because that might provoke other companies that weren’t interested in Ettoile, providing an opportunity for them to jump into the acquisition battle.
What Kang Dae-oh wanted was one thing.
To finish all the groundwork and bring this matter to the surface.
Then it would naturally be promoted. It seemed it wouldn’t be bad.
Kang Yera glared alternately at Kang Dae-oh and Kang Yeyoung and said,
“You were planning such an interesting thing without us knowing… That’s too much, Dad. You should have at least given us a hint.”
Kang Dae-oh gave an awkward smile at Kang Yera’s resentful voice.
In fact, if you think about it, it’s not just a fun thing.
Because both Ettoile and Amare are thriller adventure stories carrying significant risks.
‘I should contact Executive Director Yu In-seok first sometime this week.’
He intended to entrust him with the role of a bridge between Ettoile and Amare.
Believing that Executive Director Yu In-seok would be a reliable bridge.
Kang Dae-oh began to complete the preparations for coloring the big picture that Kang Yeyoung had handed over, one by one.
As the door of Amare’s main branch opened, a familiar customer to Kang Dae-oh appeared.
“Excuse me. I am Yu In-seok, who was scheduled to meet with CEO Kang Dae-oh today.”
The staff quickly reacted to the words of the neatly dressed middle-aged man.
“Just a moment. I’ll call him right away. Boss!”
Kang Dae-oh, who was spending some time inside the store, came out towards the store hall at the sound of his name being called.
As soon as he met Executive Director Yu In-seok, a short gasp escaped Kang Dae-oh’s lips.
“Executive Director! Why have you lost so much weight?”
No, rather than saying he had lost weight, it was more accurate to say he looked haggard.
Executive Director Yu In-seok gave a bitter smile and explained what had happened.
“If you look at the recent articles related to Ettoile, you’ll probably find the answer.”
It was a sad reason that couldn’t be laughed at.
Kang Dae-oh led Executive Director Yu In-seok to a window seat on the second floor.
Upon ascending to the second floor, a scene of even more customers filling the seats than on the first floor came into view.
Executive Director Yu In-seok was greatly impressed by Amare’s success.
“I’ve heard about it through rumors, but truly, the customers never stop coming. On my way here, I saw a long waiting line outside as well.”
It wasn’t even the busy lunch or dinner hours.
Executive Director Yu In-seok was simply envious that there were so many loyal customers even on a weekday afternoon.
Ettoile also had such a glorious time.
Now, it felt like a distant memory from long ago.
“What would you like to drink?”
“I’ll have an iced Americano, please.”
“Understood. Se-in! Two iced Americanos, and you know ‘that thing’ I mentioned earlier? Can you bring that too?”
Choi Se-in nodded vigorously and replied that she would do as Kang Dae-oh said.
Meanwhile, Executive Director Yu In-seok showed deep interest in ‘that thing’ Kang Dae-oh had mentioned.
“It seems you’ve prepared something.”
“Yes. It wouldn’t be fun if I told you beforehand, so let’s talk about it after you see it yourself later.”
It seemed Kang Dae-oh had also been influenced by his daughters’ fondness for surprise events, as he postponed the joy for later.
Not long after.
Choi Se-in personally came out to serve the ordered drinks on a tray.
“Here are your two iced Americanos and the cake.”
“Cake······.”
Executive Director Yu In-seok’s gaze fixed on the two types of cake: chocolate and almond fresh cream.
“Please try some.”
“I’ll eat well.”
Executive Director Yu In-seok picked up a fork and cut the slice of cake into a bite-sized piece.
After putting it in his mouth.
After chewing for a while, he neutralized the cake’s sweetness with the bitter taste of the Americano.
Kang Dae-oh first asked Executive Director Yu In-seok for his thoughts.
“How is it?”
“The coffee is truly delicious. Seeing as it has a deep acidity, the beans must be from Ethiopia, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. You know your stuff.”
“Aren’t bread and coffee an inseparable pair?”
Kang Dae-oh already knew that Executive Director Yu In-seok had a deep understanding of coffee.
This was because during their last meeting, Yu In-seok himself had stated that he was very interested in coffee.
He even said he roasted his own beans on holidays.
It certainly wasn’t the skill level of an ordinary person.
Kang Dae-oh was very pleased with Executive Director Yu In-seok’s remark about the relationship between bread and coffee.
“As you said, Executive Director, coffee and bread are a perfect match. That’s why we at Amare are also focusing on bakery items in our dessert section. But the response hasn’t been as good as expected. As you’ve tasted it yourself, you’d know.”
Executive Director Yu In-seok didn’t say anything specific.
Instead, he just laughed hollowly.
It was an indirect way of indicating that Kang Dae-oh’s words were correct.
However, it would be awkward to directly say ‘This doesn’t taste very good’ in front of the boss.
So he adopted this attitude of trying to gloss it over with a laugh.
Kang Dae-oh didn’t get hurt by this at all.
Because to survive as a self-employed business owner, one must be able to objectively analyze the taste of the food sold in their own store.
There’s no guarantee that food that suits one’s own taste will also suit the customers’.
So Kang Dae-oh decided to reveal his intentions to Executive Director Yu In-seok.
“If Ettoile and Amare combine forces, don’t you think a good outcome would emerge?”
“Are you saying······.”
“We want to acquire Ettoile. I would appreciate it if Executive Director Yu In-seok could lend me some strength.”
“······.”
Currently, Ettoile has lost its control tower.
Branch managers operating the stores are continuously sending protests to headquarters, asking if everything is alright, and the internal situation is also chaotic.
Executive Director Yu In-seok and a few executives are trying their best to resolve the situation somehow.
Unfortunately, their efforts alone were not enough to solve it.
The M&A acquisition process is absolutely not something that can be done with just money.
Various complex procedures are required.
If someone with a certain level of influence within Ettoile were to help Kang Dae-oh and Amare.
This complex web of interests could be untangled more easily.
This was exactly what Kang Dae-oh was aiming for.
Perhaps not having expected to receive an M&A offer at this very spot, a look of bewilderment spread across Executive Director Yu In-seok’s face.
A moment later.
Executive Director Yu In-seok regained his composure and asked Kang Dae-oh what he was curious about.
“Why Ettoile, of all places?”
“Because I covet the baking recipes that Ettoile possesses. And if we acquire Ettoile, we can close down the stores that need to be closed, keep the ones that should be kept, and simultaneously expand Amare’s branches.”
“So, layoffs are unavoidable, it seems.”
“Yes.”
Kang Dae-oh was not a savior who appeared to rescue them.
He was also a self-employed business owner seeking profit.
Amare couldn’t simply take on all the executives and employees working at Ettoile as they were.
Because then Amare itself might falter.
“Haa······.”
A deep sigh escaped Executive Director Yu In-seok’s lips.
In his mind, the faces of the executives and employees with whom he had cried and laughed together flashed by like a revolving lantern.
Kang Dae-oh offered a final considerate remark to him, who was lost in agony.
“Still, we will accommodate as many as we can. So please don’t worry too much.”
“Thank you. Thank you very much. I know very well that I am not in a position to make demands, but… still, I earnestly ask for your consideration.”
He wanted to minimize the number of people who would be hurt.
Kang Dae-oh also knew well what Executive Director Yu In-seok was feeling.
“If we successfully acquire Ettoile, would Executive Director Yu In-seok be able to work with us?”
“Me······ are you talking about me?”
“Yes. Both in baking and, more importantly, I am still a person with very little business knowledge. But I know that Executive Director Yu has a lot of experience in management. I found myself wanting to keep you by my side and seek your advice.”
“It’s not really advice… You’re too kind.”
“It means you are an indispensable person to me. How about… I give you some time to think?”
It would be a difficult decision.
It was a matter that needed to be thought about slowly and over time.
Kang Dae-oh didn’t expect to hear an answer immediately at this meeting.
However.
“Yes, that sounds good.”
A positive response immediately came from Executive Director Yu In-seok’s lips.
The reason for accepting Kang Dae-oh’s offer was not grand.
“Because I can’t leave the Ettoile family behind and go somewhere else. Isn’t that what family is all about?”
At the word ‘family’, Kang Dae-oh smiled faintly.
“Yes, Executive Director, you are right.”
