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A foreboding sense of dread often proves accurate. It’s as if all your life experiences have seeped into your nerve cells, whispering, “You won’t get through today peacefully.”
For Deputy Manager Kim, today was exactly that kind of day.
Ding dong. The familiar chime of a phone notification prompted Kim to check her messages out of habit. Her pupils dilated instantly, nearly bulging out of their sockets. She barely managed to stifle a scream with her palm.
“Urk.”
Explicit photos of her secret rendezvous with HR Manager Ko Myung-Soo had been sent to her phone. Beneath the images was a chilling message:
“Do you want to handle this yourself, or should I take care of it for you? I’ll give you the chance to choose.”
Kim racked her brain, trying to figure out who could have sent the photos. Unconsciously, she muttered aloud,
“Han Seo-Yeon, you damn bitch…”
But then she paused. Would someone like Han Seo-Yeon really send something like this? After all, wasn’t Seo-Yeon the type of employee who thrived on efficiency, handling tasks quickly and cleanly? Such a convoluted act of revenge didn’t seem like her style. Kim’s voice cracked.
“Then who the hell is it? This is driving me crazy.”
Nervously chewing her nails, Kim examined the photos more closely. Judging by the background and clothing, they were clearly taken recently—on the very night when Ko’s wife had stormed into the office and caused a scene. That same night, after beating his wife, Ko had met Kim in his car.
“Don’t worry, I’ve handled the wife properly,” he had panted into her ear, his hot breath sending shivers down her spine. Believing him completely, Kim had willingly granted him ecstasy.
That night, Kim had stroked Ko’s engorged member until it was fully erect. After beating his wife, Ko had gently caressed the back of Kim’s head with the same hands before exploring her inner thighs. Her soaked panties soothed his troubled mind. This pride in his virility was his true source of vitality.
“A man can end up with an office wife or two while navigating social life, right? Isn’t that normal?”
As Ko rationalized their affair, he abruptly shoved his hand into Kim’s panties. His blunt index finger aggressively probed her entrance, eliciting a slick, squelching sound. A milky-white fluid clung to his fingers. In a sultry voice dripping with coquetry, Kim asked,
“Hnn, aaah… So suddenly?”
Unsatisfied with how easily his fingers slid in, Ko added a few more, filling her loosened opening. Gasps spilled from Kim’s lips as she diligently worked her hand over his erection.
Though they were accustomed to spacious settings, the cramped confines of the car added an unexpected thrill, intensifying their pleasure.
“Climb on top, hurry.”
At Ko’s urging, Kim reclined the passenger seat as far back as it would go. Straddling him, Ko’s bulky frame folded awkwardly. But the pain was overshadowed by physical ecstasy, and he twisted her nipples to endure the discomfort. Soon, the sensation of climax overwhelmed him.
Normally, at this point, he would withdraw and slap her vaginal opening rhythmically with his palm—a routine—but the tight space made that impossible.
“Damn, everything’s great except… it’s too cramped.”
Resigned, Ko roughly pinched her sagging breasts, eliciting a moan that leaned more toward pleasure than pain. As Kim felt his hot release flood her insides, she sought one final confirmation.
“Hnn, haa… You’re sure it’s all settled, right? I don’t have anything to worry about, do I?”
“The dirty rumors will be on Han Seo-Yeon, and I’ve crushed my wife’s spirit. Your life will remain flawless. Trust me.”
Snapping out of her recollection, Kim felt cold sweat trickling down her forehead. Ko’s words had been nothing but lies.
Gasping for air to steady her fraying nerves, Kim failed to notice someone approaching.
“Deputy Manager Kim?”
Even as a colleague called out to her, Kim couldn’t tear her eyes away from her phone.
“What are you looking at so intently? Aren’t you going to answer?”
As the female coworker leaned in, Kim startled violently, hastily hiding her phone behind her back. But it was too late—the damage was done. Shame and humiliation painted her face vividly.
The coworker openly regarded Kim with suspicion.
“...Manager Kim?”
Flushing crimson, Kim snapped, her heart pounding wildly.
“Why are you snooping at someone else’s phone? What kind of manners are these? Are you insane?”
“What do you mean, snooping? I just happened to see it. I’ve been calling you for a while now.”
Though flustered, the coworker couldn’t hide the sharp glint of curiosity in her eyes. It was clear she’d seen the photos. Pale as a ghost, Kim didn’t forget to issue a warning.
“This is the workplace. It’d be wise to watch your words. Pretend you didn’t see or hear anything. Got it?”
Trembling, Kim fled the office as if escaping. Left behind, the coworker mulled over Kim’s words—not frightened, but instead biting her lip thoughtfully.
“So, Han Seo-Yeon wasn’t the protagonist of JB Company’s office affair scandal after all? Wow, look at that mistress acting so brazen.”
Smirking, the coworker stared at Kim’s now-empty desk. The urge to share this explosive revelation with her colleagues made her throat tingle. Grinning mischievously, she headed toward the pantry, where clusters of employees were brewing coffee.
“I’ve got some incredible news. It’s about the protagonists of the office affair scandal.”
All eyes turned to her. With a triumphant toss of her head, she began her explanation.
“You won’t believe what I just saw. Pfft!”
Even as she was urged to hurry up, the female employee took a few seconds to roll her eyes dramatically before finally launching into a detailed description of the photos she had just seen. The listeners’ faces filled with shock as they absorbed her words.
---
That evening, Attorney Jeong arrived at JB Company’s parking lot dressed in a sharp suit. By his side stood Ethan, the silver-haired man, smiling faintly. These days, Ethan felt like he barely had enough time in the day. Managing private investigators and intimidating Deputy Manager Kim were just two items on his overflowing to-do list.
Attorney Jeong crossed his arms lazily and spoke.
“I’m a busy man. I don’t usually wait around for anyone.”
Ethan sniffed the air around Jeong openly, grinning like a playful puppy. Though Jeong wasn’t exactly Ethan’s type, there was no denying that he’d be quite popular in certain circles.
“Lawyers are in the service industry too, aren’t they? Let’s not play power games, fellow service workers. I’ve been so busy today I only had time for a sandwich.”
Jeong chuckled at Ethan’s bold remark. His laugh, somewhat frivolous for someone wearing such an expensive suit, carried a light and carefree tone. After laughing for a moment, Jeong tilted his head slightly to meet Ethan’s gaze.
“Oh right, I forgot I’m in the service industry. So, how much longer do we have to wait?”
Glancing at his watch, Ethan replied in a relaxed tone.
“Hong Gyu-Yeon, CEO of JB Company. Less than ten minutes until he leaves. I’ve been observing him carefully for days.”
With a nod of his chin, Ethan pointed to a luxury car nearby.
“That car over there—it’s extremely expensive.”
Almost immediately after Ethan finished speaking, a man in his fifties appeared with his chauffeur. As soon as the two men got into the car, the engine roared to life.
“They say when you talk about a tiger, it appears. Looks like CEO Hong is our tiger.”
Jeong smirked at Ethan’s comment and muttered under his breath as he strode forward.
“Tiger? No, this isn’t about tigers. This is what happens when someone doesn’t act like a proper gentleman. You young fool.”
Jeong leaned down and tapped lightly on the car window. As the window rolled down, CEO Hong’s stiff voice emerged.
“Who are you?”
“If you roll the window down a bit more, you’ll recognize me.”
Though Jeong was proud of his well-known face from frequent media appearances, his words came off as unbearably arrogant to Hong.
Still, curiosity was a tempting distraction from the monotony of daily life. Hong lowered the window further and, upon recognizing the famous attorney, his tone softened noticeably.
“Attorney Jeong Seung-Min? What business do you have with me?”
“Good evening, CEO Hong. I have something to discuss with you regarding the audit team lawsuit involving JB Company.”
Hong furrowed his brow, deep in thought. His next appointment was a crucial IR presentation to secure additional investment funds—a major event for JB Company. He couldn’t afford to be late.
Sensing Hong’s hesitation, Jeong delivered a sharp remark.
“All things prosper when harmony reigns at home. You must take care of your household matters if you want external affairs to go smoothly. CEO Hong, this will only take a moment.”
Another arrogant statement, but one that struck a nerve. Hong’s brow furrowed even deeper. Turning toward the driver’s seat, he said,
“Give us some space.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be nearby.”
As the chauffeur stepped out, Jeong opened the rear door and slid in beside Hong. With a friendly smile masking his underlying confidence, Jeong exuded an air of absolute authority.
“CEO Hong, I’m about to make you an offer you can’t refuse.”
Though JB Company was considered a small but strong enterprise, Hong’s pride still stung at the implication. Adopting the high-pressure tone typical of CEOs, he pressed Jeong.
“Who makes proposals like that? A lawyer who doesn’t even know the basics of negotiation?”
“Whether this becomes a negotiation or a threat depends entirely on how you handle yourself, CEO Hong.”
Jeong’s sly smile accompanied a concise rundown of JB Company’s legal violations against Han Seo-Yeon under labor law. Though visibly irritated, Hong didn’t seem overly shaken—yet.
Chuckling again with that same frivolous laugh, Jeong finally broached the real topic.
“Now, let’s get to the main point. Taesung Asset Management, a subsidiary of Taesung Group, is proposing an investment in JB Company. Officially.”
Hong, who was on blood pressure medication, barely managed to swallow a gasp while maintaining his composure. However, he couldn’t stop himself from straightening his posture instinctively. His voice trembled as he asked,
“H-How can Attorney Jeong Seung-Min propose such a thing on his own?”
“Gahan Law Firm has officially partnered with Taesung Group. Their second-generation heir owes me a favor.”
Unaware that “the heir” in question was none other than JB Company’s new employee Shin Jin-Hyuk, Hong’s face lit up with excitement. An investment from Taesung Asset Management? It was a dream JB Company had never dared to entertain.
For the next several minutes, the car doors remained closed as their conversation continued. Nearby, the waiting chauffeur chain-smoked cigarettes, glancing repeatedly at his watch.
“The meeting’s running long. What should I do? He said the investment meeting was urgent.”
The chauffeur’s patience was wearing thin, his frustration mounting with each passing minute.