Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
Seok-kyung picked up the phone.
—”Yes, Vice President.”
“Set up a meeting with Chairman Park.”
—”Understood, Vice President.”
Satisfied with Won’s crisp response, Seok-kyung hung up and turned his gaze back to Eun-chae’s resume.
Three years ago, they had divorced. In between, she’d worked at another company, but like now, she was on a contract basis. She’d been with Studio FIRST’s planning team for nearly a year, and in about a month, her contract renewal review would take place.
“How amusing. What should I do with you, Lee Eun-chae?”
He tapped her photo lightly with his fingertip.
The memory of her wide, startled eyes peering at him through the closing elevator doors lingered vividly in his mind. Those pure, innocent eyes that once seemed untainted by the world.
When his grandfather announced plans to expand Baekdo Group into media content, Seok-kyung had opposed it. Yet here he was, handed the reins of this very project.
His visit to Studio FIRST yesterday had been a preliminary walkthrough before the merger. The acquisition was still top-secret, known only to the management team, so none of the employees—including Eun-chae—were aware of what was coming.
Which meant her fate now rested entirely in his hands.
Suddenly, the acquisition he’d shown no interest in sparked an intense curiosity. Not just about Studio FIRST, but also about the woman who had once been his wife.
With a cold smirk, Seok-kyung closed the stack of resumes with a thud.
---
Eun-chae hadn’t slept a wink all night.
Exhausted, she tied her short hair back with a black rubber band. Three years ago, her chestnut locks had cascaded down her back, glossy and luxurious. Now, maintaining such hair felt like an unaffordable luxury.
To save time and money, she’d cut her hair short and filled her wardrobe with similar neutral-toned outfits. Today, as usual, she wore a gray half-turtleneck sweater, black slacks, and carried her oversized shopper bag containing her lunchbox.
After transferring buses twice to reach the office, she felt ready to collapse.
Should I move closer to work? But then I wouldn’t be able to afford rent.
This internal debate had dragged on for a year.
When she entered the planning department, she found her colleagues whispering animatedly among themselves.
“Good morning!”
“Eun-chae! Did you hear?” Hyun-jung rushed over, bombarding her with questions.
“Hear what?”
“Our CEO is changing!”
“What? Why? What about our current CEO?”
“Well, you know about the company’s financial struggles. Apparently, the CEO sold the company’s shares—to someone else.”
“To whom?”
“Guess who? Baekdo Group!”
“…What? B-Baekdo Group?”
“Yeah! Shocking, right?”
Why would a conglomerate like Baekdo Group acquire a mid-sized company like Studio FIRST?
Eun-chae’s head spun.
Now it made sense why she’d encountered Seok-kyung in the elevator. He’d come to oversee the acquisition.
“You know Baek Seok-kyung, right?”
“Huh?”
“The grandson of Baekdo Group’s chairman. You know him, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
“He’s going to be our new CEO.”
“What?”
This was a nightmare.
How could she possibly work under Seok-kyung? It was unthinkable.
But leaving wasn’t an option either. If she quit, where would she go?
At least here, she was building her career and had a chance to transition from a contract position to a permanent one. Plus, the salary was higher than what other companies offered.
“Isn’t this great? We’ll become part of a conglomerate, and our salaries might increase too. Isn’t it perfect?”
“Y-yeah, perfect.”
Looking around, everyone seemed thrilled about the merger.
Of course—they didn’t share Eun-chae’s predicament.
She was the only one dreading it.
---
A few days later, as rumored, Seok-kyung officially became the CEO of Studio FIRST.
Eun-chae had no choice but to attend his inauguration ceremony in the auditorium. Sitting among her colleagues, she kept her head bowed, hoping to remain invisible while listening to his speech.
“Isn’t he incredibly handsome?”
“Don’t you think so, Manager Yang?”
Beside her, Hyun-jung and Manager Yang whispered conspiratorially.
“A man like that being divorced—who could have been foolish enough to let him go?”
“Exactly. If I were her, I’d rather die in his arms than leave.”
“How lucky we are that he’s single now.”
“Yes, isn’t it?”
Eun-chae squeezed her eyes shut.
That “foolish woman” they were talking about—it was her.
If she had stubbornly clung to him, refusing to divorce, what would their lives look like now?
Perhaps people would pity Seok-kyung for staying married to her.
I made the right choice, she reminded herself.
Though she regretted falling for Cha Yeo-sa’s lies and divorcing him, looking back, it was probably for the best.
It hurt, but there was no turning back.
“So, we will reduce unnecessary personnel at Studio FIRST.”
Seok-kyung’s voice jolted Eun-chae upright.
Personnel reduction? What did that mean?
“I’ve noticed there are more contract workers than necessary compared to the workload. Everyone will need to reflect on whether these positions are truly essential.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, especially among contract employees.
But Eun-chae understood immediately. This wasn’t directed at others—it was aimed squarely at her.
She could tell from the way his cold gaze lingered on her just a fraction longer than anyone else’s.
He’s kicking me out? Of course, he wouldn’t want to work alongside me.
This was unfair. To be ousted because of personal grudges wasn’t right.
“It’ll be fine. He’s just talking. Our company has a union, after all.”
“That’s right, Eun-chae. These days, companies can’t fire people arbitrarily. Especially not capable employees like you.”
After the ceremony, Hyun-jung and Hyun-woo tried to console her on their way back to the department.
“Firing someone is easy if you fabricate a reason. As a conglomerate executive, he can do whatever he wants. Just slap on some excuse.”
Manager Yang snickered.
“Manager Yang, comforting her isn’t helping…”
“What comfort? Honestly, what does Eun-chae even do? She’s practically a salary thief, showing up to the office without contributing anything.”
“Salary thief? That’s harsh.”
“Am I wrong? I’m just stating facts. Are you offended, Eun-chae? If so, I apologize.”
Yang’s insincere apology only deepened Eun-chae’s frustration. Normally, she might have brushed it off with a smile, but today, she remained silent.
“Team Leader, I need to step out for a moment.”
“Hmm? Sure, go cool your head.”
Thankfully, Team Leader Park didn’t press further and gave her some space.
Knowing it was futile, Eun-chae marched toward the CEO’s office anyway.
She couldn’t just sit back and accept being pushed out without saying something.
At least I’ll try. Better than doing nothing and regretting it later.
With trembling resolve, she stepped off the elevator and strode toward the CEO’s office.
Pushing open the glass door, she saw Seok-kyung standing inside with the man who had exited the elevator with him the day before.
As Seok-kyung turned to enter his office, Eun-chae quickly approached.
“Excuse me, may I speak with you…?”
“How may I assist you?”
The man beside her blocked her path. On his desk sat a nameplate reading “Secretary General Won Ki-chang.”
“Hello, I’m Lee Eun-chae from the planning team.”
Even as she introduced herself to Secretary Won, Eun-chae’s eyes followed Seok-kyung, who was halfway into his office.
“I need to speak with the CEO…”
“I’m sorry, but the CEO is occupied with another appointment. Please come back later.”
Before she could protest, the door closed firmly, shutting her out.
“When should I return? This is urgent!”
“What seems to be the issue?”
“Well…”
I’m a contract worker, and I believe this layoff is unfair. How can you fire me just because I’m your ex-wife?
The words hovered on her lips, but she couldn’t bring herself to say them.
No one at the company knew she had been married to Seok-kyung—or that she was divorced.
How could she explain being targeted by the new CEO for reasons no one would understand?
Just then, the office door reopened, revealing Seok-kyung’s icy expression.
“Lee Eun-chae? Come in.”
“Sir, the team leader meeting is starting soon…” Secretary Won interjected nervously.
“We still have 20 minutes.”
Seok-kyung’s sharp reply sent Won retreating like a scolded puppy.
Google Sites
Report abuse