A Bad, Bad Act (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 7

[Our chairman’s request is simple. Of course, it might be difficult from your perspective, Yeo Eun.]

Cha Hyun clearly explained to her the specific task she had to carry out.

[Win Do Ha’s heart and clean up all those entangled women he’s currently mixed up with. While doing that, thoroughly polish his image.]

The rumors painting him as a reckless playboy are merely false fabrications—he’s actually a capable businessman and an incredibly charming man, Cha Do Ha.

[But you must never let your relationship with Do Ha develop into anything more. He’s supposed to be engaged to the second heir of ST Group.]

She mentioned that Hanju Group’s financial target tied to this engagement was in the trillions.

She added that if this engagement succeeded, Cha Do Ha could surpass his cousin Cha In Woo and become Hanju Group’s heir.

[Like I said, Yeo Eun—you’re Do Ha’s perfect type, and he’ll definitely try to pursue you. That’s when you guide him properly.]

She promised to support her with anything she needed.

But she also warned her to stay strictly within the boundaries.

She guaranteed that as soon as Cha Do Ha got engaged to ST Group’s second heir, every condition mentioned would be instantly fulfilled.

“Perfect type, huh.”

That’s a lie.

He’d said she wasn’t particularly pretty.

Yeo Eun bit down hard on her lower lip.

Just then, the medical staff signaled that So Jeong had calmed down.

Nodding, Yeo Eun left the hospital right away.

Since So Jeong had been given a sedative, she would fall into a deep sleep.

She needed to do what she could.

To escape this hellish reality.

* * *

Friday, 8 p.m.

Do Ha glanced at his left wrist to check the time and closed the meeting documents.

“It’s not like the answer’s going to magically appear if you keep staring at these reports.”

Tapping the strategic report from Hanju Properties for next year’s first quarter a few times with his fingertips, Do Ha rested his elbows on the table and interlaced his fingers.

He rested his chin lightly on his hands and continued speaking to Hanju Properties’ executives.

“Don’t spend your weekend playing golf—get out there and run around on your own two feet.”

His dark eyes showed no other emotion.

“Go visit some department stores, check out new tourist spots nearby, or even watch some YouTube videos if you have to.”

His voice wasn’t overly sharp—in fact, it was even calmer than usual.

“And don’t even think about treating yourselves to omakase meals.”

Yet the pressure was clearly felt by every executive as Do Ha locked eyes with them one by one.

“This isn’t a place where the Strategy Planning Headquarters writes your reports for you or wrings ideas out of thin air. Nor is it a sesame oil shop where you just collect freebies.”

Perhaps because it was the original foundation of the group, Hanju Properties had the most conservative culture—and it was also where Chairman Cha Ji Seop’s loyalists were most concentrated.

Thus, even though Cha In Woo, the eldest grandson of the owner family, had taken over as CEO of Hanju Properties last year with reform as his goal, he’d been getting pushed around without ever managing to raise his voice.

Of course, this was partly because In Woo was an extremely obedient grandson to his grandfather, Chairman Cha Ji Seop.

He simply couldn’t bring himself to say anything unpleasant to his grandfather’s people.

“There’s a limit to how much we can spoon-feed you. You know Hanju Properties is the biggest problem, right? And you’re all aware some of your desks will be cleared out again next year, correct?”

But Do Ha was different.

“If you submit this report as-is, it won’t get approved. Use the weekend to revise it, and we’ll reconvene Monday. At the very least, you need to earn your salaries properly.”

Within just six months of being appointed Head of the Strategy Planning Headquarters, Do Ha had already rendered Hanju Properties’ executives completely powerless.

The reason? Unlike In Woo, Do Ha was an extremely disrespectful grandson to his grandfather, Chairman Cha Ji Seop.

Right after joining headquarters six months ago, he announced the “Five-Year Strategic Plan for Hanju Group’s Future” and declared as his first move that he would replace a large portion of Hanju Properties’ executive team.

And he immediately proved he always kept his word.

As soon as Q3 began, he fired half of the executive management—most of whom were from Chairman Cha Ji Seop’s faction. These executives hadn’t even dared to protest before being swept out like autumn leaves.

As a result, empty seats now dotted the meeting room.

Still unsatisfied, Do Ha further declared he would replace half of the registered executives at the upcoming annual shareholder meeting early next year, repeatedly tightening the noose around Hanju Properties’ neck during every meeting.

Ironically, it was precisely this boldness that earned Chairman Cha Ji Seop’s high praise—so much so that he began positioning Do Ha as the public face of Hanju Group. Consequently, Hanju Properties’ executives could only tiptoe around anxiously.

“What are you all still doing here? Go home. I know none of you will actually work just by lingering here.”

Seeing executives hesitating to leave even after the meeting had clearly ended, Do Ha shot them a look of disdain before exiting the room first.

In Woo followed right behind him.

“Go a little easier on them. You scared the life out of those elders.”

At In Woo’s words, Do Ha let out a short, scoffing laugh.

“That’s exactly why I have to push hard—because you, Representative Cha In Woo, go so easy on them.”

He pressed the elevator call button and checked his watch again.

“That’s my role—to play the villain you, Representative Cha, can’t be.”

“What are you talking about? It’s not like that.”

In Woo looked awkward at Do Ha’s words and continued, meeting Do Ha’s gaze.

“By the way—are you heading somewhere else?”

Do Ha had been busy sending a message somewhere, seemingly in a rush.

“Yeah. I’m meeting Director Kwon from LI for a drink.”

In Woo practically jumped at that.

“Hey, Cha Do Ha—it’s Grandmother’s death anniversary today…”

“Hyung.”

Do Ha cut him off with a faint smile.

“Have you ever once seen me attend a family event?”

You know the answer—why ask?

He patted In Woo lightly on the shoulder, tucked his phone into his pocket, and watched the elevator floor indicator climb higher.

It was a clear gesture that the conversation was over.

But In Woo kept nagging.

“Grandfather said you must attend every family event starting this year. You’re now the face of Hanju Group. You need to meet people from other conglomerates…”

“Representative Cha In Woo.”

Do Ha’s smile vanished, and his eyes turned icy as he fixed them on In Woo.

“Why do you keep doing this?”

His slightly slanted eyes radiated pure defiance.

Stepping closer to In Woo, Do Ha’s demeanor was so domineering that their two-year age gap seemed meaningless.

“Do you genuinely not understand—or are you just pretending not to understand—what it really means for me to become Hanju’s ‘face’?”

He leaned in until his lips nearly brushed In Woo’s ear and whispered softly.

“And if a good-for-nothing like me becomes the face of Hanju, the company will collapse. Our family business, passed down for three generations, will be utterly ruined.”

Pulling back, Do Ha’s face softened again with a faint smile.

“So go convince Grandfather properly. Tell him to stop talking nonsense, okay?”

Just then, the elevator arrived. Do Ha stepped inside and gave In Woo a slight nod of farewell.

“Well then—I’m off.”

Through the closing doors, he saw In Woo reaching out toward him with a stunned expression. Do Ha gave him one last smile—then the moment the doors shut completely, his smile vanished.

He was utterly exhausted by his family elders’ transparent schemes, and even fake smiles no longer came easily.

After reaching the basement parking lot, Do Ha paused briefly.

He spotted someone standing anxiously by their car.

A crisp short-sleeve blouse, an A-line skirt, neat shoes, hair tied up neatly, and glasses—it all made her look not just proper but rigidly stiff. Do Ha let out a quiet snort.

Then he resumed walking toward his car.

The woman straightened her back as soon as she saw him and approached him directly.

Do Ha fixed her with a cold stare and spoke.

“Back to your usual self, I see?”

No—if anything, she looked even more combative than before.

Apparently, she saw her glasses and tightly tied-up hair as both armor and battle gear.

The thought struck him as so absurd that he couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

Her shoulders tensed slightly in response.

He saw a pale vein briefly appear and fade on her white neck.

She must be grinding her teeth.

“Your expression is awfully combative—but I doubt you came here to pick a fight with me.”

At that remark, a faint pink blush spread across her pale cheeks.

“Then why did you come?”

He asked, watching the slow blush creep over her face.

Fascinated by how the pink hue reached even her earlobes, he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

At that moment, she gave him the most ridiculous answer.

“Udon.”

Her moist lips moved slightly before she spoke in a quiet voice.

“I’m here to repay you for the udon you bought me. If you’re free, would you like to have dinner together?”

It was laughable.

She wanted to repay him for a 6,000-won bowl of udon.

To him—Cha Do Ha.

“Is this a business pitch? Or a date request?”

Whichever she chose, he was ready to scold her for giving such a ridiculous answer.

But the woman tilted her head slightly, her deep brown eyes glinting mysteriously as she asked,

“Which one would make you agree to have dinner with me?”

She was actually asking him to decide—exactly the kind of silly woman he’d expected.

Do Ha snorted and tilted his head, studying her.

“Either way, it’s a bit inconvenient.”

He should’ve hurled harsh words and sent her away—but oddly, he found himself curious about what she might say next.

“In that outfit, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere with you. I happen to be quite particular about visuals.”

He smirked pointedly at her glasses,

making sure to add a disdainful scoff to show how unimpressed he was.

Her earlobes turned bright red, but she lifted her chin defiantly and shot back,

“Was the last time better?”

The way she tried so hard to hide her trembling voice and flushed eyes only subtly stirred his sadistic urges once more.

“Barely, maybe?”

He almost wished she’d just burst into tears—it might finally rid him of this uncomfortable itch.

Just as he thought that—

She bit her plump lips firmly and took off her glasses.

Her damp, glistening brown eyes now fixed on him with startling clarity.

“How about now?”

She raised a hand and undid her tightly bound hair.

The well-maintained strands cascaded gently over her shoulders.

“Will you have dinner with me now?”

He scoffed sharply, turning his head aside.

What an utterly ridiculous woman.

Even more ridiculous was the fact that, despite his irritation, he didn’t actually feel bad about it.

A low chuckle finally escaped his lips.

Their eyes met as he laughed, and her earlobes turned an even deeper red.

Do Ha watched her intently as he pulled out his phone,

never once breaking eye contact even as he dialed.

“Director Kwon?”

Her face trembled faintly with each syllable of his voice, and the more he watched, the more amused he became.

“I’ll have to drink alone tonight.”

Her dark pupils, nestled within her brown irises, seemed to widen slightly.

“Then wait.”

He also found it strangely compelling how her red tongue briefly swept over her plump lips, as if her throat burned from tension.

As soon as he hung up, her grip tightened on her handbag strap.

Watching her, he slowly parted his lips.

“One hour from now.”

Her eyes, filled with hopeful anticipation, held his gaze steadily.

“Will that be alright?”

He thought he glimpsed a flicker of exhilaration in her brown eyes.

“That’s more than enough.”

That pleased him greatly.