II - 74

The internet was ablaze with discussions about the AE Cosmetics assault incident.

I-jun received hourly updates but chose to let it simmer. He allowed the Gangnam branch to become fodder for netizens, letting the flames grow hotter.

Then, early Monday morning after the weekend passed, he called an emergency meeting.

Unusually, even department managers like his older brother were summoned to attend.

“Everyone here is aware that the company is in crisis due to the current situation.”

I-jun stood at the center to lead the meeting.

“It’s undeniable that today’s market will likely see a downturn.”

All executives present stared intently at I-jun, trusting as always that Seo Lee-jun, the senior managing director, would resolve the issue.

His older brother, Il-ha, was among them, his eyes fixed solely on his younger sibling. The grave mistake made by his wife was beyond his ability to handle alone. No matter how much she and their mother-in-law pressed him hour after hour, minute after minute.

“AE’s primary customer base is women. Yet a female customer was falsely accused, and a female employee was physically assaulted. The gender of the staff involved doesn’t matter—what stands out clearly is that the victims were women.”

After the company remained silent throughout the weekend, netizens began threatening a boycott campaign.

“There are two victims in this case. Compensation measures have already been arranged for the customer, along with preventive actions discussed.”

“The remaining victim is our headquarters employee—and my daughter-in-law.”

At that moment, CEO Lee Jung-ae broke her silence to interject.

The shock from watching the video when first briefed on the incident still lingered.

“To think it involved family... Especially since you’re married to her, emotions might cloud your judgment. How do you plan to resolve this?”

Jung-ae intended to leave the resolution entirely up to her youngest son and his wife, selfishly hoping it wouldn’t provoke backlash from executives or shareholders.

I-jun silently gazed at his fidgeting older brother seated near their mother.

He couldn’t muster even a sigh of pity. I-ryeong had mentioned receiving no contact from Il-ha or his wife over the weekend.

If they couldn’t address the issue directly, they could’ve at least contacted him. His disappointment in his brother was palpable.

“We failed to contain the damage early. Reputational harm is now inevitable.”

Suppressing his emotions, he continued.

“Why wasn’t there any response? This could’ve been resolved over the weekend.”

“Rumors spread that the Gangnam branch is run by family members, making intervention impossible. Covering up incidents without proper solutions only reinforces negative perceptions, so I advised against hasty action.”

Despite his mother’s reproach, I-jun remained steadfast.

“If we had a viable solution, we wouldn’t have hesitated. So, what’s the plan?”

“Leave everything to me. I’ll take full responsibility for restoring our image. Secretary Kim?”

As a large screen appeared behind I-jun displaying data, murmurs erupted among the executives. Particularly, his older brother clenched his fists in shock.

“As you can see, sales at the Gangnam branch are lower than those of small regional stores.”

He announced that significant investments couldn’t be justified for a flagship store with such underwhelming performance.

“The Gangnam branch will transition from being a sales-focused space to an experiential one where customers can directly engage with AE products.”

Additionally, he requested assigning I-ryeong to oversee the store.

“Employee Cha Eun-ryeong stood firmly by the victimized customer and confronted the manager. This resonated deeply with potential customers.”

Among enraged consumers, I-ryeong was the only employee capable of bridging the gap—even if driven by sympathy.

I-jun capitalized on that point.

“But involving family caused problems before. Won’t the same issue arise again?”

“Not at all.”

Despite his mother’s skepticism, I-jun exuded confidence.

“Managing Director Seo, why are you so certain? No one knows how things will unfold.”

“Take a look at this material.”

Last year’s reports compiled by I-ryeong during her field visits appeared on the screen.

Her meticulous monitoring of stores across Seoul and Gyeonggi Province was evident.

“She has an excellent reputation among branch managers for genuinely listening to their concerns.”

Her reports had resolved several operational issues.

“How much more effective must she be with customers?”

The executives nodded, seemingly persuaded to some extent.

“Furthermore, legal action will be taken against the Gangnam branch manager.”

“What?! Are you insane? Who are you accusing? How dare you accuse your sister-in-law! Come here right now!”

Il-ha exploded upon hearing about filing charges against Yoo-jin. However, Jung-ae sharply reprimanded her eldest son.

“This isn’t home; it’s the company. Either stay quiet or leave immediately.”

With even their mother refusing to side with him, Il-ha reluctantly returned to his seat, seething.

Though he desperately wanted to storm out, his wife had instructed him to hear everything thoroughly, so he resolved to endure until the end.

“The Gangnam branch’s sales figures don’t align with inventory levels. Tax evasion is suspected, and once the legal team completes their review, further charges will follow.”

“You can’t!”

Il-ha couldn’t bear sitting still any longer. If he stayed passive, his wife would inevitably face consequences under his younger brother’s hand.

“A formal apology issued by the CEO will be posted online today.”

Yet I-jun remained unfazed, steadily delivering his points.

No matter how close the relationship, he couldn’t forgive anyone who harmed his wife.

---

While pulling an all-nighter at the office, I-jun received a single text message.

[“Honey.”]

He read and reread the short message several times.

“Ho, ney…?”

When he finally said it aloud, his face flushed, and his heart fluttered uncontrollably.

It seemed the late-night work session would have to be canceled.

“What’s this? You’re contacting me first for once?”

- I’m in the lobby.

As soon as she answered his call with those words, I-jun shot up from his seat.

He told Secretary Kim to go home and rushed to catch the elevator, but tonight it felt agonizingly slow to arrive.

“I’ll be there soon. Just wait one minute.”

- Take your time.

Her calm response only made him more impatient.

I-jun pushed open the emergency exit door and hurried down the stairs. The quiet stairwell echoed with the sound of his hurried footsteps.

“I-jun?”

I-ryeong spotted him emerging from the emergency exit and waved cheerfully.

“Haa... Haah. I-ryeong, when... when did you get here?”

Breathless from running, I-jun pulled her into a tight embrace, momentarily forgetting they were in the company lobby.

“The moment I thought about seeing you, I came right over.”

“What if I hadn’t been here when you arrived? Why come to the office?”

“You wouldn’t have been home either, staying late at work like always.”

I-ryeong nestled into his arms, smiling brightly.

During her stay at her parents’ house, she had slept on the living room couch. Though her parents and Jung-min had offered their rooms, she declined and chose to endure the discomfort.

“So, you couldn’t sleep?”

“Mm. Put me to bed, will you?”

I-ryeong tilted her head up, her eyes sparkling. She fervently, passionately conveyed that she wanted him—right now, tonight.

The couple quickly left for a nearby hotel to quench the heat between them.

Once the hotel room door closed behind them—

“Hmmph!”

I-jun immediately claimed her lips. He couldn’t resist tasting the lips that spoke such sweet words.

Their mouths pressed together, pulling and releasing each other in a tantalizing rhythm.

“Mmm, mmm...”

Every time their lips parted slightly, I-ryeong was overwhelmed by the surge of emotions coursing through her.

Her mouth glistened from his kisses, and his heated tongue slipped in and out of the slick opening, teasing her relentlessly.

Their tongues intertwined, unwilling to let go.

I-ryeong wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging to his neck.

“Mmm...”

She writhed against him, driven mad by the sharp, dizzying sensations he evoked. Begging silently for him to fill her completely.

The couple devoured each other, exploring every inch of skin until it turned rosy red.

“You have no idea how much I wanted to hold you close that day.”

I-jun cupped her breast, confessing the depth of his feelings. Watching her cry endlessly that day had nearly driven him insane with worry.

“Thank you.”

I-ryeong stroked his hair as he lavished attention on her chest.

Without him, she might have lived her entire life as the jealous, selfish older sister who kept pushing her brother away.

“How did you know? It felt like you suspected something for a while.”

“The two of you look exactly alike. How could I not notice?”

He paused his meticulous ministrations to glance up at her, then chuckled softly.

“When Jung-min smiles, he looks just like you. How could I miss it?”

With a mischievous grin, he ran his fingertip along the inside of her thigh, teasing her slowly, inching closer to her most sensitive spot.

“Don’t underestimate me. This won’t do. I’ll have to punish you all night.”

“Eeek!”

A shiver of pleasure coursed through her body, and I-ryeong twisted her hips in response.

Through the long night, I-jun showed no intention of letting her go, diving back into their passionate embrace.