Chapter 155 - Moving On

Jeong took a deep breath before continuing, "Dear, there are some problems in the company…"

"Yeah, the share price is unstable…" Kiaraa was about to speak but Jeong interrupted her.

"It is more than that. Lee Min Seo and Lee Man Sik are filling their pockets with the company funds and they are doing it so perfectly, there is no evidence against them." Jeong worriedly told her.

"How much of the company funds did they mess with?" Kiaraa calmly asked, trying to control the rage building inside her.

"A lot, we will be in a huge mess soon. The salaries that need to be credited and the money we need to fulfil a few contracts is going to take us down." Jeong was slightly sweating.

"Why did you not tell us this earlier?" Kiaraa questioned him.

"You were mourning your parents' death and I with a few others tried to handle this situation by ourselves but we couldn't. So, I finally had to call you out" 

"Was dad aware of this situation?" Kiaraa asked him.

"Yes, just before his death he was planning to make you the CEO of this conglomerate and explain the whole situation to you"

"But this accident happened before that" Kiaraa sadly muttered.

"Hmm, I know you are still in the shock of your parents' death but can I request you to come back to the Lee conglomerate and get yourself involved in it" Jeong requested her.

Kiaraa nodded her head seriously as she was understanding of how critical this situation is.

"I'll start coming to the office tomorrow. If there is something important, I should know, please mail all the files to me" Kiaraa suggested.

"Yeah, and the reason I requested to keep this meeting a secret is because we don't know who all are secretly working for your aunt and uncle. I am not sure whom to trust and whom not to." Jeong explained his actions.

Kiaraa understood his dilemma and after discussing a few work-related stuffs, she took her leave.

After driving to some extent, Ian joined her in her car.

"Oh god, Kiaraa, I can't believe your aunt and uncle are messing with company funds" Ian said as soon as he sat in the car.

"Yeah, me neither. Will have to see how the situation will be tomorrow" Kiaraa seriously said, her mind was already processing how to handle this situation.

…

Next day Kiaraa went to Lee conglomerate surprising her aunt and uncle, who immediately felt wearied of her presence.

They didn't let it reflect on their faces as to how much they were upset about Kiaraa's presence.

The first thing Kiaraa did was to enter her dad's office and took his seat.

All these days, the Lee siblings didn't dare to sit on their dead brother's chair as they didn't wish to alert any employees of their intentions but the same was not the case with Kiaraa. She didn't care about such stuff.

Kiaraa immediately ordered her dad's assistant to mail the important documents and financial statements of their company.

Her whole day went by in going through the current condition of the company, which was worse than what she expected.

If her father was here, the situation could have been handled with ease but now with him gone, the share price took a toll and that was one of the reasons why they were such a situation.

Kiaraa brainstormed what to do as there was indeed no proof that her uncle and aunty ate some of the company funds. They managed to steal money very well. If Mr Jeong himself wouldn't have been the one, who informed Kiaraa of this then she would not have been able to find out about her aunt and uncle laundering money.

'I always underestimated these two, I never thought these two were smart enough to put the whole conglomerate in trouble' Kiaraa frustratedly thought.

Just then her dad's assistant visited her in the office and informed her it is too late now and she should go home.

When she checked the time, she realized it was indeed very late and post office hours.

"I didn't realize time to pass away so quickly" Kiaraa tiredly said.

"I understand dear, the problem is like that. Don't worry we will soon find a solution" The assistant knew Kiaraa since she was a child and he too saw her as a daughter, so he assured her understanding what she must be going through right now.

Kiaraa lightly smiled at the assistant, "Thank you for always sticking around" she politely bowed to him and they left for their homes.

When Kiaraa reached home, she was surprised to see some guests there.

Ji Seo Yun, Aera, grandpa Lee and grandpa Song were sitting in the living room. Ji Seo Yun was lovingly holding Aera's hand and was talking about something.

When these four people saw Kiaraa, they asked her to join too in their conversation.

"Is everything alright?" Kiaraa worriedly asked as she could see Aera was in tears.

"I was thinking of taking Aera with me to the Song Mansion for a few days. She needs a change in atmosphere" Ji Seo Yun informed Kiaraa.

"Actually, Aera is supposed to start shooting for her drama. They have shot all scenes which do not require her presence and they need her to be back on the set. Sa Da Hye requested the drama producers for one more week break as Aera is still not willing to go for her shooting" Grandpa Lee informed Kiaraa about Aera's situation, who had been staying at home every day and crying.

"Grandpa, I already said, I'll quit that drama. They can replace me. Whatever losses they have faced because of me, I'll compensate it" Aera firmly said.

"No need for all that. You have one more week break, in this time try to move on dear. I know what happened was tragic, but life goes on and we need to get back to our regular lives. Look at your sister, she too started going to office today. It is time you too try to get out of home and try to get back to your normal life" Ji Seo Yun tried to console Aera, as she was worried about her state.

"Nothing is anymore normal. Without mom and dad nothing is normal" Aera again broke down in tears.

"I think Aera needs change in atmosphere. If she stays here, she will keep thinking about Lee Myung Soo and Chu Yu Ri. Therefore, uncle Lee please allow me to take Aera to my home for a few days. If she stays at Song Mansion, she might feel better." Ji Seo Yun made a request.

"Yeah, but wouldn't it be a trouble to you people…" Grandpa Lee said.

"What trouble? She is anyway going to be the grand daughter-in-law of my house. Someday, when she marries Song Ji Hun, she anyway has to come and stay with us. Think of this as a trial run" Grandpa Song joked, trying to ease the situation.

"Yeah, even that is one of my worries. Song Ji Hun is young and so is Aera, they both living under the same roof…" Grandpa Lee hesitated a bit in sending Aera away.

"Uncle Lee, even if something happens, why would it matter? They are anyway going to be get married soon. I was actually thinking of getting them married this year, Song Ji Hun is already twenty-nine and I don't see a reason as to why we are delaying it" Ji Seo Yun spoke her heart out.

"Dear, calm down. One thing at a time" Grandpa Song signalled his daughter-in-law to not talk about marriage now as it hasn't been long since Aera's parents' demise.

Ji Seo Yun realised her mistake and changed the topic, "Anyway, I will take care of Aera and will ensure she feels safe and comfortable at my home. Please uncle Lee, let me take her with me. My worry for her is not letting me at peace" Ji Seo Yun again requested.

"Fine dear, the final decision is of Aera's. If she is willing to go and stay with you, I don't mind" Grandpa Lee left the decision to Aera.

After thinking for a while, Aera looked at Kiaraa, "What do you think I should do?" she asked her sister surprising her.

Kiaraa was startled with Aera's sudden inclusion of her, "Why are you asking me? Do whatever you want to do"

"It's just that, if I'll leave you have to sleep alone in the room. Will you be fine?" Aera asked her sister as these days they both sleep in their parents' room. 

For a moment, Kiaraa felt touched as Aera considered her state. She lightly smiled and assured her, "I'll be fine. I slept alone since my childhood and I am stronger than you think. You should go to the Song Mansion and stay there for a while and indeed get over this tragedy.. We need to move on. Come back stronger"