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“Ugh, seriously. Increasing the number of permanent employees like this... Wouldn’t it be better to hire capable new people? But I’m not saying anything against Eun-chae becoming a regular employee.”
“Do you want to recruit interns and train them from scratch? That’s something you’d have to handle, Manager Yang.”
“Eugh, just thinking about it makes me cringe.”
As Hyun-jung interjected, Yang shuddered visibly and scowled.
“I need to step out for a moment...”
Overwhelmed by emotion, Eun-chae rose from her seat and hurried to the restroom.
She had finally escaped the anxiety of possibly being fired from the company.
If she hadn’t passed this regularization review, she would’ve been thrust back into the job market—a painful journey she didn’t want to endure again.
Gratitude toward Seok-kyung welled up inside her for keeping his promise.
And yet, I haven’t kept any promises to him...
“Eun-chae.”
Splashing cold water on her flushed face, she suddenly heard Manager Yang’s voice.
Looking up, she saw him leaning against the restroom entrance, glaring at her with suspicion.
“Yes?”
“What’s your relationship with our CEO?”
“...What?”
Caught off guard by the abrupt question, Eun-chae hesitated.
“I mean, you went to see the CEO directly after the inauguration ceremony, right? What did you talk about? Did you cry or beg him for something?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Manager Yang.”
“Really? You don’t know?”
“No, I don’t.”
Eun-chae denied it outright.
It was true that she had gone to his office, and yes, she had made a deal with Seok-kyung—but confessing the truth wasn’t an option.
“Is that so? Then what did you say to him?”
“That’s…”
What should I say? What excuse could make Yang drop this?
Unable to think of anything, Eun-chae bit her lip.
“Listen, listen. There’s definitely something going on. What exactly did you do to secure your regularization? Did you throw yourself at him or something?”
“That’s too much, Manager Yang.”
Suddenly, Hyun-woo’s voice interrupted from outside.
“Whoa, whoa. Who’s making such baseless accusations loud enough for everyone to hear?”
“Who’s listening? And why are you lurking around the women’s restroom, Manager Hyun?”
“Lurking? I was passing by and overheard your nonsense. It irritated me.”
“Hmph. Aren’t you curious too, Manager Hyun? Why did she visit him that day? And why did the CEO, who seemed ready to cut everyone loose, suddenly decide to convert contract workers into permanent employees?”
Yang pressed on without backing down.
“The company must’ve seen value in keeping her. Besides, that day, Team Leader Park specifically asked Eun-chae to deliver something to the CEO, so she went to meet him.”
“What?”
“Right, Eun-chae?”
Hyun-woo turned to Eun-chae, who had been silently listening to their exchange.
“Ah, yes. That’s correct.”
“What? So that’s what happened? Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
Flustered, Yang reddened and quickly left the restroom.
“Thank you, Manager Hyun.”
“Don’t pay attention to Yang. He’s always been difficult to deal with.”
“Yes… About that day… Well…”
Though Eun-chae couldn’t reveal the full truth even to Hyun-woo, she felt compelled to offer some kind of explanation.
“You went to plead your case, didn’t you?”
“Huh?”
“After hearing such unexpected news, you probably thought it was worth trying to approach the CEO directly, right?”
Hyun-woo smiled gently, as if he already knew everything.
“Ah, yes…”
“Eun-chae may seem quiet on the surface, but she has guts. I wouldn’t have dared to do something like that.”
I wouldn’t have either, if the CEO weren’t Seok-kyung.
Eun-chae silently replied in her mind.
“Anyway, congratulations. Looks like we’ll be seeing more of each other. That’s a relief.”
“Thank you.”
Bowing slightly, Eun-chae watched as Hyun-woo chuckled, waved, and entered the men’s restroom.
Tall, handsome, kind-hearted, and highly competent, Hyun-woo was adored by many female employees. Eun-chae had noticed his growing fondness for her.
Whenever she faced bullying from Yang or took on extra work burdens, Hyun-woo was always there to help.
But accepting his feelings was impossible.
How shocked he’d be if he learned I was once married to Seok-kyung?
Shaking her head, Eun-chae dismissed the thought. She had no intention of dating anyone else. Though she didn’t plan to spend her life pining for Seok-kyung, falling in love again felt like an unattainable luxury.
Returning to her desk, she ignored Yang’s hostile glares from across the partition and resumed working.
Only then did the reality of the regularization announcement sink in.
At least now, she could breathe a little easier.
---
During lunchtime, Eun-chae and Hyun-jung headed to the employee cafeteria—an unusual move for Eun-chae, who usually brought her own meals. However, they encountered an unexpected situation.
“Oh my, so you’ve been bringing lunch every day, but now that you’re a permanent employee, you’re eating here?”
Manager Yang, dining with colleagues from another department, immediately started provoking Eun-chae.
“What about your lunchbox? Didn’t bring one today?”
“No...”
She hadn’t been able to prepare one.
Lost in thoughts of Seok-kyung while returning home from his apartment, she’d forgotten to buy groceries. With only a few eggs left, packing a lunch wasn’t feasible. And ironically, today was the day the regularization notice arrived.
“Wow, isn’t that strange? It’s almost like she knew she’d become a permanent employee. Right?”
Seeking agreement, Yang addressed the others at the table, who nodded awkwardly.
“I’m really curious how she secured that permanent position…”
“Her performance evaluation scores were high.”
“Oh, Mr. CEO!”
Seok-kyung’s sudden interjection startled not only Yang and Eun-chae but also the other employees, who all turned to look at him.
“Do you have an issue with my directive?”
“Huh? No, no! Of course not!”
A pale-faced Yang frantically waved her hands.
“Then what is this? Workplace harassment?”
“N-no, absolutely not!”
Already pale, Yang’s face turned ashen as she stammered.
“I-it was just casual conversation. We were joking around.”
Joking?
Eun-chae suppressed a snort.
Arguing further wouldn’t help. It would only fuel Yang’s suspicions about her connection to Seok-kyung.
“Is that correct?”
Seok-kyung’s icy gaze landed on Eun-chae.
“Yes. It seems there’s been a misunderstanding, CEO. We were just joking around.”
Eun-chae forced a natural tone and plastered on a strained smile.
Though Seok-kyung likely saw through her lie, she hoped he’d let it slide for now.
“Very well. If there’s ever any workplace harassment, report it immediately. Understood?”
“Yes, CEO.”
After hearing her response, Seok-kyung continued to glare coldly at Yang before leaving.
“Phew—why does the CEO even come down to the employee cafeteria?”
Yang muttered under her breath, seemingly forgetting she’d just been saved.
“Let’s go. Staying longer will only invite more trouble.”
Hyun-jung quickly pulled Eun-chae away.
As they moved to another spot, Eun-chae glanced briefly at Seok-kyung’s retreating figure, now distant and blurred.
How did he know to come here? Did he check the CCTV?
No, it must’ve been a coincidence. What am I even thinking?
Shaking her head slightly, Eun-chae dismissed the absurdity of her own thoughts.
---
Standing before the firmly closed bedroom door, Seok-kyung sighed deeply. The sight awaiting him beyond the door still felt unfamiliar, even after a month.
Still, he knocked twice and entered.
In the center of the spacious bedroom stood an antique, grand bed. Lying atop it was his father, Baek Seung-chan, eyes closed peacefully beneath the covers. The tranquility was broken only by the rhythmic sound of the ventilator connected to his nose.
The room was filled with lush greenery, creating an almost serene atmosphere.
“You’re here?”
At Cha Yeo-sa’s voice, Seok-kyung shifted his gaze from his father to her.
“Yes. How is Father?”
“The same as always. But thankfully, there are no signs of declining vitality.”
She stood by the window, carefully wiping the leaves of an orchid with a damp cloth.
A month ago, Baek Seung-chan had suddenly fallen into a deep sleep, unresponsive despite attempts to wake him. Rushed to the hospital, tests revealed he’d suffered a stroke while unconscious.
“He’s in a coma, but recovery isn’t impossible. Typically, patients regain consciousness within days to weeks, so please don’t worry too much,” Dr. Hong had assured them.
Relieved, Seok-kyung and Cha Yeo-sa had breathed a sigh of relief.
Baekdo Group’s chairman falling into a coma became a closely guarded secret. In his absence, Cha Yeo-sa assumed full authority—a role she’d effectively played behind the scenes anyway.
However, as a month passed without improvement, rumors began circulating in financial circles about Chairman Baek’s health.
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