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Joo-eun hesitated, stunned, as she received the file from Team Leader Gam.
“Why am I attending this meeting…?”
The title on the document—”GB Group Investment-Related Business Plan”—was utterly baffling.
How could they possibly entrust her, someone who only knew of such investments through rumors, with something so critical?
She couldn’t even muster the courage to glance at its contents.
Watching her reaction, Team Leader Gam loosened his tie in frustration.
“I’m just as shocked. I’d only heard rumors about a major contract with GB Group, but I have no idea why they suddenly assigned this task to our team. And specifically you, Song Joo-eun.”
Joo-eun bit down hard on the tender flesh inside her lip.
‘Could it be… Lee Chaerin, that woman…?’
Her eyes trembled as she stared at the document in her hands.
Who else but Lee Chaerin would single her out and summon her to GB Group?
Gam scratched the back of his head, looking equally perplexed.
He seemed worried she might refuse to go, which would only complicate matters further.
“Hmm. Don’t stress too much. Just say it’s not your responsibility—just delivering the materials—and come back. The rest will be handled by the strategy team anyway.”
“Yes…”
“Stop all other tasks until then. Focus solely on memorizing this document. They said to meet at 6 PM in the lobby of Lari Hotel, so leave work early.”
“Understood.”
What choice did she have? If told to do it, she had to comply.
Returning to her desk, Joo-eun opened the file.
It was as heavy as her heart—a monumental investment proposal filled with staggering figures on every page.
‘Alright. First, read through it and try to memorize what I can. This is such a massive investment; surely, they didn’t call me here for some prank.’
Straightening her back, she took a deep breath.
Her sharp gaze reflected determination as she began cramming the contents line by line.
Unaware of the cruel hours awaiting her later that day, poring over the document repeatedly was the best she could do right now.
Min-hyuk surveyed the filming set, his presence shining brighter than the actors themselves.
The staff darted their eyes around busily.
They were eager to catch a glimpse of the infamous “Knife-Wielding Tyrant Director,” rumored to be devilishly handsome.
“Please ensure there are no delays in the shooting schedule. This is our flagship content for next year’s marketing renewal.”
His voice was perfect—every tone, every pronunciation flawless.
Once seen, no one, man or woman, could tear their eyes away from him.
“Yes. We’ll do our utmost.”
The gray-haired director adjusted his crooked hat before responding.
“If there’s any part where the budget feels insufficient, please let us know anytime.”
“We’re already providing ample support. In my 20 years in the drama industry, I’ve never filmed under such generous conditions. Hehe.”
“I’ll step back now and leave you to it. Please continue working hard.”
Min-hyuk gave a slight bow, prompting the older man to bend nearly in half.
“Oh, please don’t say that. Our staff was so excited when they heard you were coming. We’ve prepared light refreshments in the lounge inside. Won’t you take a break and look around more?”
“I appreciate the thought, but I have another appointment in Seoul. Share it with the hardworking staff later.”
“You’re heading to Seoul? Even after traveling all this way, you still have plans? Your dedication truly lives up to its reputation.”
“You flatter me. I’ll take my leave now.”
Though he received countless compliments, Min-hyuk remained expressionless, focused solely on practicality.
As he strode briskly toward the exit, the crew scrambled to keep up with his long legs, sweating profusely.
After wrapping up his tight visit to the set, Min-hyuk headed toward the waiting car at the entrance.
“I’ll be leaving after checking everything.”
“Thank you for coming all this way and boosting morale. With all the rumors about DK Media’s financial struggles lately, people were worried the drama might get canceled.”
Min-hyuk’s brow furrowed sharply at the assistant director’s words.
“That won’t happen.”
The icy glare sent shivers down the man’s spine as he gulped audibly.
“Haha. Of course! Everyone’s spirits are soaring. Yes, hmm…”
“More important than anything else is safety. I trust you’ll always prioritize it.”
“Yes. Absolutely no accidents until the final cut. We’ll keep that in mind.”
“Then I’ll leave it in your hands.”
Min-hyuk bowed slightly, prompting the entire staff to bow deeply in unison.
Without hesitation, he climbed into the car.
Through the rearview mirror, Jang Wook cautiously observed him.
“Director, it’s already 4 PM. Shall I take you home?”
Glancing at his wristwatch, Min-hyuk exhaled softly.
As much as he wanted to rush back to the office, realistically, arriving by 5 PM—or even 6 PM—seemed unlikely.
“Let’s go h—wait a moment.”
He raised his palm toward Jang Wook, signaling him to pause.
The expression on Min-hyuk’s face hardened with each passing second of the call.
What could this call be about? Jang Wook swallowed nervously, watching him intently.
“Understood. I’m on my way.”
Min-hyuk ended the call, his gaze piercing like ice.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen at the office?”
“You, get out.”
“Huh? Why…?”
Startled, Jang Wook froze in place.
There had only been two instances where Min-hyuk dismissed him and took the wheel himself: once when his mother was rushed to the emergency room, and…
“I’ll drive. Get out.”
Now.
A meeting here, of all places?
The café on the first floor of the hotel lobby echoed with voices, chaotic due to the constant flow of people.
The enormous chandelier above swayed ceaselessly, as if deliberately designed to mesmerize.
“Focus. Stay focused…”
Closing her eyes, Joo-eun inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly before repeating the process.
She was unbearably tense, terrified of making even the slightest mistake that might jeopardize this crucial project.
“You can do this. Even if you don’t fully grasp the project details, you understand how the company operates well enough.”
Shaking off distracting thoughts, Joo-eun reopened the document.
“Through this MOU signing, both companies will embrace the ‘Go Together’ spirit, leaping beyond Asia into the Americas and Europe. The first step involves…”
Murmuring to herself, she rehearsed sections she had already memorized.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed over the page detailing an astronomical investment amount.
Slowly raising her head, she met the haughty gaze of someone unmistakable…
“There’s no need to study it so intensely. That’s not why I called you here.”
This person was unfamiliar.
With exaggerated permed hair, a flashy dress, and oversized dragonfly sunglasses, she didn’t match any of the profiles Joo-eun had imagined.
It seemed there had been a misunderstanding…
As Joo-eun awkwardly rose, the woman noisily dragged a chair and sat across from her.
“Song Joo-eun?”
Surprised, Joo-eun blinked rapidly.
“Yes, I’m Song Joo-eun. Are you from GB Group’s strategy team…?”
“Strategy team? Don’t make me laugh. I’m Lee Chaerin’s mother.”
Joo-eun’s lips parted slowly. Her worst fear had materialized.
Heesu tilted her head smugly, scrutinizing the frozen Joo-eun from head to toe.
“After running a pension in Gangneung and failing, her family moved to Seoul. Her father died of acute liver cancer, and her mother has ongoing heart issues. She still owes debts, which she’s barely repaying with her earnings. No influential relatives.”
Recalling the report from her secretary, Heesu smirked disdainfully.
“For someone insignificant, you sure carry yourself well.”
Had she misheard? Joo-eun’s lips parted slightly in disbelief.
Calling someone “insignificant” upon first meeting?
Mother and daughter alike shared the same cheap, condescending attitude.
Deeming it unworthy of a response, Joo-eun simply stared at her.
The more she did, the more Heesu pressed aggressively.
“It’s all temporary. Once your youth fades, do you think Jeong Min-hyuk will even glance your way? In the end, money is all that matters.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. I’m here today solely to deliver the business plan for this investment exchange.”
“Investment exchange, my foot. Why would we pour our money into DK? It’s because Chaerin and Min-hyuk are getting married. And yet, you dare talk about investment exchanges while standing in the way of their marriage? Aren’t you shameless?”
Joo-eun’s fists clenched tightly beneath the table, trembling faintly.
“Whether your daughter marries the director or not is none of my concern. It has nothing to do with me.”
“Oh? So Min-hyuk plans to enjoy himself regardless of whom he marries?”
Thud. Heesu slammed photos onto the table, scattering them.
Dozens of images captured Joo-eun leaving Min-hyuk’s house.
“Throwing your body around so carelessly in your youth will bring consequences later.”
Heesu deliberately raised her voice, drawing curious glances from nearby patrons toward Joo-eun.
Biting her lip hard, Joo-eun tasted the metallic tang of blood.
Heesu arched an eyebrow mockingly, as if to say, What else can someone like you do besides grit your teeth?
“Answer me. Will you continue seeing him or not? We need to decide whether to invest that money based on your answer.”
Though she had zero intention of letting someone dictate whom she should see, the phrase “record-breaking investment” lingered heavily in her mind.
‘For the director’s sake, for the company’s sake… I need to end this relationship before it grows further. Right here, right now…’
Strangely, tears welled up in her eyes at the thought.
But why were the words “I won’t see him anymore” so difficult to say? His smiling face kept flashing in her mind.
As Heesu glared at Joo-eun’s reddened eyes, she pressed again.
“I said answer me! Stop stalling!”
“I’ll continue seeing him.”
“…!”
Both women turned simultaneously toward the source of the icy voice—Min-hyuk, glaring down at them fiercely.
“So, Madam, there’s no need to waste your money. That’s what I mean.”
Each word dripped with frost, chilling the entire lobby.
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