Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters other than the original character that I'm responsible for, neither do I take credit for the pictures I have put and will put in the other chapters. The credits go to the owners of those photos.

Note: single quotes ' .....' are thoughts and "....." doubles are spoken words.

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Your POV

I started out by explaining the project that was given to me and handed the judges the copies of the project and the data I collected. I was so scared at this point that my hands were shaking. Nervous would be an understatement to describe my exact state at that time.

I had started to get a grip and speak a bit more loudly when one of the judges interrupted me.

“I’m sorry to stop you at the beginning but I think you haven’t understood the project at all.”

My heart was hammering against my chest so fast and loud that I feared everyone could hear it. The hall was completely silent. Somewhere on my left I could hear a giggle which I could swear was Seoyoon. I took a deep breath and faced the judge who had spoken.

“I have understood the project that was assigned to me. The files you have will show you the research from different food marts around the area that the proposed mart site.”

Again interruption.

“Then why do we see a site design for a restaurant and if I’m not wrong, a sushi restaurant?”

I was searching for words as I was stumped by their questions when another question was thrown.

“Why do you think that a sushi restaurant is the answer to a food mart proposal? What gave you such an idea?” the 3rd judge looked at me with a serious but not harsh tone like the others were using.

I recognized this as an opportunity to speak and said, “I did a research on all the food marts around that area and observed that no matter how big or small or technically equipped they are they’ll still be the same, offering the same types of products, services and competing with others in the business with prices, quality. KN Group has always held No. 1 position in whichever business sector it operated on. If this food mart is created with fancy designs it’ll still be just one of the food marts in the area. The novelty of the new building will wear off eventually and the company will be forced to lower prices or give offers to compete with the other companies.”

“So you think that a Japanese restaurant will make the KN Group No. 1?” the 4th judge now spoke with a stern look. “The proposed land for the food mart currently has a sushi bar operating and Ms. ______  you are an employee there, am I correct?”

Crap. Kyu was right. These guys do their homework on you really well.

“Y-yes.”

“So basically you’re just trying to save your job and the restaurant, am I wrong?”

Kyu POV

‘Oh God! What are you gonna do now __________-ah?’

Your POV

I knew it would come to this. I need to do this. This job would mean nothing if it would be achieved out of destroying the sushi bar. I can’t live with myself knowing what I did. Business is a harsh world; you have to take a lot of steps that would hurt a lot of other people in order to get yourself ahead of your competitors. But Dad would always say ‘If you don’t help and save your friends & supporters then no one will help you no matter how rich and powerful you become.’

I looked up at the judge who had asked and the rest of the judges as well before taking a deep breath and said, “Yes. I’m proposing a sushi restaurant instead of a food mart. I’m proposing the continuation of the sushi restaurant already in place with a new design.”

The judges started murmuring among themselves and it didn’t seem like anyone was in favour of the idea.

I said, “But I’m not saying this just to save the restaurant, I have logic and reasoning to back up my words.”

It looked like they didn’t hear me after the Yes at all. The judges were all huddled close discussing over the matter. I was left to wait for an answer. This was going very badly. I haven’t even presented my point yet and things were going downhill already.

After a few minutes they seemed to have decided something and faced me again.

“Ms _________, you’re disqualified from participation in this round and from this inter-------”

The judge was stopped by one of the assistants standing behind him who bent down to whisper something to him. The judge looked highly displeased with whatever news was told to him. He then looked at me and said, “It seems you’ve caught the interest of the assistant chairperson. You may present your point and your fate will be decided based upon that.”

It feels like I died and was brought back to life again. The moment the word ‘disqualified’ was uttered I felt like the judge punched me in the stomach instead of just speak. Now he does a complete U-turn and says I get another chance to speak before the chairperson whoever it is decides whether I stay or not????? For a moment I don’t know what to say or even react to show I heard him. Then I was brought back to reality by one voice, one that belonged to a very annoyed and angry girl named Seoyoon.

“You can’t do this!!! She didn’t prepare her project as was expected! We all did according to instruction then why is SHE getting special treatment!!!” Her eyes and her tone clearly showed how much she loathed me.

The judge spoke again this time looking at Seoyoon, “The decision to give her the chance to finish her presentation comes from higher up, if you object you are free to leave or register a complaint in our grievance box.” That shut her up though she was fuming still.

The judge now turned to me and said, “We’re all ears _____________-ssi.”

I thanked the heavens in my heart at this second chance and started to explain the concept again.

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Hi my fellow authors, readers and subscribers!!!! The new chapter is up! Feel free to comment your thoughts and suggestions! ^_^