Chapter Text
The construction industry had always belonged to two names: Kim and Edwards.
So when rumors of a rapidly growing competitor began circulating, few paid them any attention.
But while the industry laughed, the company grew. They acquired land at an alarming rate, secured high-profile projects, and expanded faster than anyone thought possible. By the time executives started taking notice, the newcomer was no longer an outsider looking up at the summit. It was standing at the foot of the throne, preparing to take it.</p
The government's announcement sent shockwaves through the industry. A multi-billion-dollar housing development project, designed to provide affordable homes and essential infrastructure for thousands of struggling families, was now open for bidding.
Every major construction company in the country wanted the contract, but public opinion quickly narrowed the competition to three names.
For decades, the Kims and the Edwards had stood uncontested at the top, yet the rise of a powerful new rival had disrupted the balance. If the two industry giants truly wished to remain on top, they would have to do something neither family had ever considered before. They would have to work together, form an alliance.
The Kims and the Edwards were not exactly friendly acquaintances, but there was a certain respect that came with spending decades battling the same opponent. They knew each other's strengths, weaknesses, and ambitions better than anyone else in the industry. The emergence of a third company changed the rules of the game.
Neither founder was willing to watch an outsider reap the rewards of a throne they had spent years fighting over. If an alliance was what it took to protect their legacies, then so be it. After all, it was one thing to lose to a rival. It was another to be replaced entirely.
The real problem that came along with the proposal of an alliance was not to the Chairmen of the respective groups, but to their respective heirs, Kim Juhoon and Martin Edwards.
Both the groups had agreed that they let their respective heirs take the lead on the Project through the Alliance, which means that they had to work together.
Born into families that are in a constant competition with each other in the industry, just added to the fact that they truly could not stand each other. They had spent their entire lives crossing paths, they attended the same academy and university. They had competed in everything, be it academics or athletics. They had well established that they despise the very shadow of the other. Their rivalry had begun at a classroom and had continued onto the boardroom.
Which is why both of them were against the terms of this alliance.
"You can't be serious" snapped Martin
"I'd like you to know that I very much am" replied Mr.Edward
"You want me to work with that stuck up snob?"
"I want you to co-lead the project with the Kim group"
Martin huffed "It's the same thing"
"So then be it, I want you to work together with Kim Juhoon, a very reputable young man, on a very reputable project, and prove that you're indeed worthy of inheriting my legacy" stated Mr.Edwards calmly.
Martin scoffed "So that's it? We spend years treating each other like rivals, and now we're supposed to smile, shake hands, and play nice? Why can't we take this project on our own? Why am I being forced to work with him? Doesn't that just make us look weak?"
Mr.Edwards looks up from his laptop for the first time "We are not weak,you mistake cooperation with weakness,we Mr.Kim and I are doing what we ought to do to secure our positions at the top, I am not obliged to be entertaining your middle school squabble with Juhoon and risk drifting down the industry so suck it up, act like you've graduated middle school and get ready to co-lead."
Martin shot back "I'd rather drift down than join hands with that prick"
"Which is exactly the reason you're not sitting in my chair" Mr. Edwards leaned back in his chair.
Martin felt defeated,he could argue no more, he knew his father had the last say and he had no choice but to comply but the thought of having to work together irked him to death.
"Now if you'll excuse me I have actual issues to tend to" added Mr.Edwards.
"I can't work with him,he's a self absorbed punk, also i can't tolerate him and I think you're making an impulsive decision with this alliance thing" huffed Juhoon.
"Juhoon"
"I'm serious"
"So am I"
The chairman set down his pen.
"You are one of the most intelligent people I know"
Juhoon blinked.
The compliment felt suspicious.
"Thank you"
"Which is why I find this conversation particularly disappointing"
The words caught him off guard.
The Chairman folded his hands,"You sound less like a future chairman and more like a grade schooler that doesn't want to pair up with someone for a group project,and let me tell you son,this is no group project"
The Chairman looked serious now.
"This alliance is a matter of who gets to stay at the top,this housing project is the biggest contract this industry has seen in years,if we lose it,we lose our influence, and along with it our postion.The Edwards group is facing the same issue.This alliance was well thought about and just because you don't 'like' Martin we can't go ahead cancel it,the stakes are high", finished Mr.Kim
Juhoon looked defeated but he understood what was at stake.
The Chairman continued, "This is about survival,and now if we've moved across the playground of discussions,I'd like for you to prepare for what is to come. Am I understood or do u want to add more points of how you think Martin's colouring technique is incorrect and hence don't want to work with him?"
"I understand father" answered Juhoon.
"Good"
And thus the alliance was formed and accepted by both the groups.
Within a month the contract was inevitably handed to the Kim and Edwards alliance due to their reputation and strategy of the alliance.The easy part was over,now they move on to the part where the so claimed rivals have to work together.
To prevent disputes over territory and eliminate any accusations of favoritism, the alliance was assigned a separate headquarters dedicated exclusively to the housing project,situated in the heart of the city, the building would serve as neutral ground for both groups throughout the duration of the partnership.
The decision had been made jointly by the founders, who were well aware that placing either heir within the other's corporate headquarters would only fuel unnecessary arguments.
Despite being placed in the same building on the same floor in order to co-operate with each other, Martin and Juhoon were fortunately given separate offices, but it was not so fortunate when their offices were situated right next to each other with a door connecting them. This would surely fuel the spirit of unity and togetherness along with professionalism thought whoever placed the connecting door between the two offices, but little did they know that they were about to be utterly wrong.
They were given the 14th floor of the building and the rest of the floors were made up of equal number of employees from both groups.
No one could predict what could possibly be the outcome of these Terms of The Alliance.