“This isn't everything I am,” Eunjae replied, “and this isn't the end, either.”
“You're right. It's not the end at all. This fight isn't over until I say it is.”
Haewon was poised to say something further, but she fell silent when Soyeon rose from her chair. “That's enough.” She turned to face her sister, the tracks of tears still gleaming on her face. “Ari fought well. He's won, fair and square. Let him go.”
“I can't believe this. You're giving up again.”
“Haewon-ah. Do you remember how it all started? The dream we had and the company we wanted to build? Because it isn't this. Who we've become, it's not anything like who we wanted to be.”
Her gaze fell upon Eunjae and each of his brothers, one by one. The noise died down instantly, save for Haewon’s sharp intake of breath as Soyeon said, “As the majority shareholder of Emerald Entertainment, I approve the termination of Ari Goldsmith-Song. He is free to seek representation by an agency of his choice, and I wish him a long and successful career. Any career he might want to pursue.”
Eunjae could hardly process it. He bowed again. He bowed as low as he could, and all around him, his brothers bowed as well.
“I'm a majority shareholder too,” Haewon interjected. “You can't authorize that on your own. Not without the full board behind you.”
“I own more shares than anyone with a stake in Emerald, including you. Did you forget that, too? You insisted.” Soyeon’s voice was gentle, but weighted down with sadness. “Because I'm older, and because I was leader. Not that I've acted like much of a leader, these past few years.”
“You're still not leading. You're being a coward. We could fight this, fight them together, but you won't. It's like you don't care what this will do to us. I feel like we’ve gone back in time.” Bitterly, Haewon added, “Why should they have it all when we never could?”
She left the room, then. Soyeon didn't turn to watch her go.
“Furthermore,” she went on, a slight tremor in her voice, “I find the remaining members of Apollo to be in violation of company policy as willing accomplices to Ari. All members assisted Ari in failing to meet contractual obligations. I hereby terminate their contracts as well.”
Soyeon plucked a sheet of paper from the table, then flipped it over. “Who has a pen? Jungwoo, I know you always carry one around.”
With a trembling hand, Jungwoo drew a pen out of the front pocket of his shirt. He gave it to Soyeon, who wrote several lines in clean, steady script across the blank page. At the bottom, she signed it with her name.
“Here,” she said to Eunjae. “Now you have it in writing. It's good enough for the time being.” And then she bowed to them, too. Careful to speak loudly enough for both phones to record, Soyeon added one more statement.
“As per the contract terms cited by Ari, the members of Apollo retain the rights to their music, all related royalties, and the trademark to their name. No penalties are invoked.”
Soyeon reached out to clasp Eunjae's hand. He pulled her into a hug, rendered speechless, and she let go of a sob she must have been holding in the whole time. Seven more pairs of arms wrapped around them both.
“You're free,” she said, and Eunjae found his voice again at last.
“Thank you.”
Transcribed from videos shared on Instagram by self-professed Apollo superfans Vanessa C. (@kazu_my_prince) and Jenna F. (@apollogize2me) on the night of the group’s departure from Emerald Entertainment
The members of Apollo run onto the stage carrying Ari on their shoulders. They're all either cheering, grinning like idiots, or both.
Vanessa- (smacking her friend in the arm) They’re here!!!! THEY’RE HERE!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!! OMG LOOK AT MY PRINCE!!!!!! LOOK AT HIM!!!!!!!!
Kazu- Sunshines, it’s a nice night! (waits for other members to join him, then counts to three in Korean) Hana, dul, set.
All Members- Shine bright, it’s Apollo!
Vanessa- (incoherent shrieking)
Jesse- You guys are up past your bedtime.
Kei, in Japanese- Says the baby who’s up past his bedtime.
Jesse- (pointing at him) You're a baby too! I know how old you are!
Nick- SUNSHINES I LOVE YOUUUUUU!
Crowd- (applause, yelling, screaming, crying)
