* * *
Throughout his commute to work, Hahyun had been preoccupied with thoughts of Juwon, but he completely changed his expression at the entrance to the CEO’s office. Even with important matters ahead, he couldn’t shake thoughts of Juwon. Remembering that Juwon hadn’t told him he would choose him until the very end this morning made him anxious again.
‘Maybe I should have been rougher?’
He had done it because he needed the assurance that Juwon wouldn’t hate him no matter what he did, but when he saw Juwon in pain, Hahyun couldn’t do anything more.
“Oh? You’re early today, sir.”
Kang Sojeong, an assistant manager from the secretary’s office who was particularly kind to Hahyun, approached with a smile and greeted him. Hahyun put on a business smile, shaking off the thoughts of Juwon that filled his head.
“Is Director Kim not in yet?”
“No. He already came in and went out on business.”
“Ah… If he left without saying anything to me, he must have left his schedule with the secretary’s office.”
“…”
Sojeong closed her mouth with an awkward expression.
Hahyun slowly walked toward Sojeong. Her shoulders flinched at Hahyun’s sudden movement.
“What do you think, Assistant Manager Kang? Does it make sense that no one knows the specific work schedule when a company director goes out on business? Was it like this when CEO Seo Hajin was here too?”
“…”
Since Sojeong couldn’t criticize Director Kim, who was her direct superior, there was no way she could easily answer Hahyun’s question. Hahyun stared at her intently while shaking his head as if disgusted. Sojeong’s eyes were trembling rapidly.
“It’s not your fault… I took out my anger on the wrong person. I’m sorry.”
“No, no, I should have known the schedule in advance…”
“I know I’m just a puppet CEO. So there’s no need for you to comfort me like that.”
“Sir, why would you say such a thing…”
As Hahyun turned around with a gloomy expression, Sojeong didn’t know what to do and just shuffled her feet anxiously.
After turning around, Hahyun raised the corners of his mouth. It was a risky thing to say, but Sojeong’s reaction wasn’t bad.
‘It was a good decision to bring Sojeong in.’
He needed to call Director Seo Sanghyun to the company and make plans, but even if he was discovered later, he wanted to devise the plan without Director Kim knowing for the time being. To do that, he had to first bring people who acted as Director Kim’s eyes and ears to his side.
Fortunately, it seemed that Hahyun’s strategy was working, as Sojeong’s gaze remained fixed on him the entire way to the CEO’s office.
Once inside the CEO’s office, Hahyun ran his hand under the desk. As expected, he felt what was clearly a listening device planted by Director Kim.
“How can someone be so predictable?”
Muttering that, Hahyun pressed the intercom. Soon after, Sojeong entered the CEO’s office.
“Sir.”
Without saying a word, Hahyun held up the listening device that had been placed on the desk. Sojeong’s eyes widened as if wondering what it was. Hahyun wrote “listening device” on a piece of paper, showed it to Sojeong, and then put his index finger to his lips. Sojeong nodded.
Hahyun took Sojeong out to an empty emergency exit.
“I don’t want to make a big deal out of this, so please call the security team discreetly.”
“Yes.”
“Who do you think installed the listening device in the CEO’s office?”
“I’m not sure. Then I’ll go call the security team…”
“I’ll assume you didn’t know about it. And I trust that you won’t tell Director Kim about today’s events.”
Sojeong immediately sensed that Hahyun already knew the listening device had been installed by Director Kim.
Sojeong reconsidered Hahyun’s words. On the surface, he was saying he wouldn’t suspect Sojeong, but underneath was a threat that if she divulged today’s events to Secretary Kim, he would hold the secretary’s office responsible for the listening device. Having calculated whose side she should take, Sojeong asked Hahyun with a puzzled expression:
“But if Director Kim installed the listening device, won’t he notice right away when it goes offline?”
“You’re right. But I don’t particularly want to hide the fact that I found the listening device.”
“Then…”
“The directors will be coming as early as today. We just need to avoid being discovered until then. So I’m just asking you to keep quiet for a little while.”
Sojeong, understanding the request for confidentiality, answered briefly.
“I understand what you’re saying.”
“Thank you, Assistant Manager.”
Soon, the security team rushed in and found a total of five listening devices. Hahyun calmly had them deactivated and then ordered the security team:
“There should be CCTV footage showing when the devices were installed. If the security team isn’t on the same side as the person who installed them, the footage should still exist, right? I’ll be waiting for your results.”
Though he was a powerless CEO, Hahyun still held their necks in his hand. Faced with an order that couldn’t be easily dismissed, the head of the security team responded with an expression suggesting he would produce footage even if none existed:
“We will definitely find it.”
“Yes, if someone installed listening devices in this room despite the security team’s surveillance, it’s likely someone who has access to this room. That should narrow down your search range.”
“Yes.”
After the security team left the CEO’s office, Hahyun sat down and exhaled deeply. Even if things went wrong, Hahyun had no intention of handing Fashion Group H over to Director Kim.
If both brothers lost in the power struggle with Director Kim, Yoon Juwon might return to the days when he gave his heart to neither of them.
So, just in case, Hahyun planned to gather as many of Director Kim’s weaknesses as possible before putting Hajin, who was putting on an act, back in the CEO position.
Loosening his tie, Hahyun checked his phone. Juwon’s name was on the screen.
[You seem busy today? I’m sending this message now in case you can’t reach me later when I’m napping. I’ve eaten, I’m feeling better, and I didn’t exercise haha]
The corners of Hahyun’s mouth naturally lifted. He wanted to reply right away with something like, “I miss you so much,” or “Are you awake now? Let’s talk for a moment,” but because he liked the casual interest Juwon showed when Hahyun didn’t pay attention to him, he firmly held his fidgeting hands.
If he wanted to never leave Yoon Juwon’s side in the future, he had to know how to suppress even small desires for the time being.
* * *
To form a cooperative relationship with Prosecutor Lee, Hajin had thoroughly searched through old files that had been sitting in his cabinet for a long time and sent them to him.
“All done?”
Watching Hajin stretching as if feeling relieved, Hyunwoo shook his head. It looked like he was determined to send someone away for good.
“It seems like overkill… No, if you were going to do this, why bother…”
Hyunwoo quickly changed the subject, feeling he already knew the answer without asking.
“No, forget it. Don’t answer.”
“Yeah, why bother asking when you already know?”
“So is that disgusting act over now?”
Hajin winked with a meaningful expression.
“Part one is over, but part two remains… But don’t worry. Part two will be healing.”
Hyunwoo shuddered at the statement that seemed to be hiding something more. Hajin stroked his chin and said:
“If Prosecutor Lee dances with the knife properly, it should be over soon. The problem is the directors…”
“What are you worried about? They’re people who only move toward profit anyway… Don’t tell me you’re going to connect with Director Kim and kick out all his people too?”
“Of course. If I had intended to spare Director Kim’s directors, I wouldn’t have made such a big deal out of it.”
“Sigh, of course you wouldn’t. Anyway, go home and get some rest before coming back. You look terrible.”
Hajin suddenly brought his face close to Hyunwoo’s.
“Do I look pitiful?”
Hyunwoo pushed his forehead away with his hand and answered:
“You look like a complete wreck.”
“Good, then I should go meet our Juwon like this.”
“Sure, do whatever the fuck you want.”
Hyunwoo grabbed his phone and car keys and went outside. Hajin followed behind him, smiling.
* * *
Since I had told Hahyun I’d be sleeping, I could relax for a while. I turned on the news while lying on the sofa, but somehow the articles that had been pouring in until yesterday were oddly quiet today, as if by agreement.
I hope it’s because there really is no news…
Anxiety built one after another. In my mind, I kept seeing the scene of Hajin standing in front of the prosecutor’s office taking questions from reporters. He seemed confident even in that situation, but since he wasn’t the type to reveal his true feelings, I couldn’t be completely at ease.
If nothing’s wrong, couldn’t he at least send a message?
Just as I was picking up my phone to contact him first, I heard the sound of the door lock opening at the entrance. I slowly got up. Familiar footsteps drew closer. As my heart was beating like crazy and I felt like I couldn’t breathe, I heard Hajin’s voice.
“Did you miss me?”
When I turned my head, the first things I noticed were his gaunt body and tired face from the past few days.
“Ha-Hajin…”
There were many words floating in my head, but I didn’t know which ones to say first or how to say them, so the words just circled in my mouth. Hajin opened his arms toward me.
“I’ve been through a lot. Aren’t you going to give me a hug?”
