“Assistant Lee. If you stare blankly at the night sea like that, you’ll be in big trouble. Come inside quickly.”

Director Jung, who had been following behind and watching Se Hee stop walking and gaze blankly at the sea, said loudly.

Only then did Se Hee come to her senses and turn her head.

“Oh my, that was close. I just saved you.”

Director Jung chuckled.

“Come in quickly. Hurry up.”

Director Jung, who had been calling Se Hee, only went into the restaurant, which was the company dinner venue, after confirming that Se Hee had started walking.

“What do you mean by ‘big trouble’? What are you talking about?”

Se Hee, who had followed inside, immediately asked with curious eyes as she sat in her seat.

“Ah. Don’t you know because you’re a city person? This night sea, you see. You must never go out alone.”

Suddenly, Director Jung created a strange atmosphere.

“That’s right. That’s right. That’s why they say night fishing is dangerous too. They say fishermen suddenly disappear.”

Manager Hong chimed in.

“P-people disappear?”

Se Hee asked in surprise, feeling a chill.

“Yes. If you stare at that night sea for too long, you’ll be completely enchanted by the water ghosts and dragged in mindlessly. And when you come to your senses? You’re already in the afterlife.”

Director Jung said with an eerie expression.

“N-no way.”

For a moment, goosebumps rose on Se Hee’s body.

“I’ve seen it many times. That night sea completely enchants people. So. Don’t even think about going out alone at night. If you’re lonely, call me. I’ll come running anytime.”

Director Jung smiled with a generous expression.

“No. Why would you call the director? Come to my house. My house is safe. My wife will protect you from the director too.”

Manager Hong interjected in alarm.

“What? This brat, really. What do you take me for? You punk.”

Director Jung scolded Manager Hong angrily.

Manager Hong pretended not to hear and just busily flipped the meat.

“Yes, yes. Thank you both sincerely. In that spirit, let me pour you both a drink.”

Trying to lighten the mood a bit, Se Hee grabbed a bottle of soju in one hand and beer in the other.

“What’s this? Is this the head office style? Half and half? Five to five?”

Director Jung opened his eyes wide.

“Are, are you trying to drink yourself to death? Now? Wow. I didn’t see you that way. Assistant Lee must be quite the drinker. A heavy drinker.”

Manager Hong stared with surprised eyes at the bomb shot Se Hee was making.

“Let’s have a proper welcome ceremony.”

Se Hee smiled brightly as if it was no big deal.

In fact, Se Hee’s alcohol tolerance was close to zero.

But Se Hee boldly challenged the bomb shot for two reasons.

First, she wanted to be intoxicated by this atmosphere of mingling with good people.

And second, it was because of that night sea that kept appearing from where she sat.

The blue waves tinged with black kept reminding her of Kyle.

His refreshing scent seemed to be carried on the wind from somewhere, sensitively stimulating Se Hee’s emotions.

So it felt like she had to get drunk.

If only she could erase his scent from her mind with the help of the tingling alcohol.

“Good. I like it. I warmly welcome you. Lee Se Hee.”

Director Jung raised his glass approvingly.

“Welcome.”

Manager Hong also raised his glass with a bright smile.

“Thank you. I’ll be in your care.”

As Se Hee raised her glass, the three clinked their glasses with a sound that seemed like they might break, and made a toast.

The dangerous bomb shot went down smoothly, cooling their throats.

And so the three of them continued drinking late into the night, not even realizing when dawn broke.

Unaware that someone watching from outside was getting more and more anxious.

* * *

How long had he been waiting?

Kyle, who had been standing motionless, checked his wristwatch.

The people with Se Hee today were spending even more time with her than yesterday.

In fact, Kyle had come to Yangyang yesterday too to meet Se Hee.

But he had to turn back without seeing Se Hee, and today there were other obstacles again.

After arriving in Korea, he heard from Dave that Se Hee had suddenly been transferred to Yangyang.

He headed to Yangyang immediately after finishing his schedule, worried that Se Hee might be surprised by his sudden appearance, and arrived at the SY Hotel Yangyang staff quarters, but.

Se Hee was not alone.

Ban Seong Jae.

She was with that man.

As SY Hotel was being sold off, the existing owners were proceeding with separating the main branch and local branches, so the Time Group had jumped into the acquisition race by targeting not the SY Hotel headquarters but each local branch.

And Ban Seong Jae seemed to be at the center of that.

But coincidentally, just when Ban Seong Jae came to inspect Yangyang in person, Se Hee happened to be transferred to the Yangyang branch.

Seeing Ban Seong Jae’s expression as he enjoyed this unexpected coincidence as good fortune made Kyle’s anger rise.

He wanted to grab the guy by the collar right then and there, but he was worried about Se Hee.

His own appearance itself would shock Se Hee.

Unaware of this fact, Ban Seong Jae, who had thrown away his chance, Kyle vowed to deal with him later.

Though it was painful, like barely holding back a volcano about to erupt, Kyle was enduring it all for Se Hee’s sake.

But today he felt quite different from yesterday.

Unlike yesterday’s uncomfortable expression, Se Hee’s appearance today looked joyful.

She even looked admirable as she blended in well with her department colleagues and endured bravely.

So he decided to wait gladly today too.

He didn’t want to destroy Se Hee’s efforts in her own territory.

Kyle, who wanted to protect the small wounded bird as much as possible, was watching over Se Hee today with a somewhat more relaxed mind than yesterday.

He took in Se Hee’s brightly smiling face, each expression, as if engraving them in his eyes.

As a result, Dave unexpectedly ended up being forced to witness the beautiful sunrise over the East Sea by Kyle’s side.

* * *

Because they had gone too late into the night, Se Hee found it difficult to even open her eyes.

But such is the power of an office worker.

Though creaking like a zombie, her footsteps were already heading towards the hotel office.

For the sake of the two who may have been killed by the bomb shot she had so crudely made, Se Hee didn’t forget to buy hangover coffee.

Thinking she would probably be the first to arrive, she entered the office door, but to her surprise.

The two were already at work.

And they were looking at Se Hee with very relaxed expressions.

“Ah, good morning.”

Se Hee looked at the two with a surprised expression.

The time she had entered was just past 8 AM.

“Good morning! Assistant Lee. Is that in your hand perhaps for us?”

Director Jung gestured.

“Huh? Yes. I brought hangover coffee for you both to drink.”

Se Hee put down the coffees she was holding onto the table, one by one, with a dazed expression.

“Oh. Thanks.”

Manager Hong, who had become comfortable after drinking together yesterday, naturally spoke casually.

Indeed, it seemed difficult to surpass these two who had more than twice Se Hee’s work experience.

Se Hee sat down in her seat with a feeling of respect.

“My goodness. They say the world changes when you wake up, but this is crazy, just crazy.”

Director Jung, who was checking the company bulletin board, smacked his forehead.

“It really seems amazing.”

Se Hee’s ears perked up at Manager Hong’s words, who seemed to already know the content.

“Quickly check the personnel email. It looks like Evans has acquired our company. How can they do this so quietly without any rumors? They say their funds are enormous, wow.”

Director Jung clicked his tongue.

In that moment, Se Hee spit out the coffee she was swallowing.

“Assistant Lee. Is your stomach not feeling well? My goodness. Your alcohol tolerance is too weak. And yet you suggested drinking. What a letdown.”

Director Jung chided her.

“It’s okay. I can’t drink that much either.”

Manager Hong, who quickly stood up from his seat, hurriedly handed Se Hee some tissues.

“Ah. Yes. Thank you. But did you just say E-Evans?”

Se Hee hoped she had heard wrong.

“Yes, you know Evans Hotels, right? The world-famous hotel with headquarters in England. I thought they were fiercely building hotels and resorts everywhere these days, but I didn’t know they would take over Korea this quickly.”

Manager Hong explained in more detail.

“It seems like HR sent out an all-staff email about the acquisition decision.”

Manager Hong said as he returned to his seat.

“A capable person is capable indeed. They must have offered irresistible conditions. I heard the CEO is young, he must be quite something.”

Director Jung spoke casually as if talking about a child.

“I heard his personality is no joke? From his business drive to starting with just one Evans Hotel in England and turning it into a group in no time. I heard he’s known for being scary even within the group.”

Manager Hong nodded his head.

This can’t be happening.

Se Hee felt like she couldn’t breathe.

Just yesterday, it had been announced that Whalens was going through the final steps of the acquisition as if all decisions had been made.

How could such a thing change in an instant?

As easily as turning over your palm?

No way.

Kyle wouldn’t be coming as a hotel manager himself, would he?

No. That can’t be possible, right?

The Evans Group is so huge.

Plus, he’s currently the CEO of the shipping company too.

But the phrase ‘young CEO who prefers direct management in new businesses’ that she had seen while searching for information about him was stuck in her mind.

He was the one who personally checked even the first sailing schedule of the cruise line.

Hah.

Se Hee let out a heavy sigh and dropped her head on the desk with a thud.

“What’s wrong? Lee Se Hee. Did you collapse? Hey! Go get an IV drip. How could you drink so much when you can’t handle alcohol? Geez. Really. We got quite a catch. Manager Hong. Quickly take her to the hospital.”

Director Jung, thinking it was because of yesterday’s excessive drinking, jumped up from his seat in surprise and shouted.

At this, Manager Hong rushed over to Se Hee again.

“Assistant Lee? Are you okay? Huh? Try to pull yourself together.”

Manager Hong supported Se Hee.

“Yes. I-I’m fine.”

Se Hee quickly raised her body, waving her hands.

“Your face is pale white. This won’t do. Let’s go, there’s a clinic where my wife works just in front. You’ll feel better after getting an IV. Let’s go.”

Manager Hong lifted Se Hee up, looking as if she wasn’t okay.

“No. I’m really fine.”

Since it wasn’t because of alcohol, Se Hee frantically waved her hands.

“Lee Se Hee. Listen. Take the day off today. Get an IV and go back to the staff quarters to sleep it off. Come in tomorrow. Got it?”

Director Jung, worried about Se Hee who was stubbornly resisting, threatened her to go home right away.

“Do as he says. You’ll feel much better after getting an IV. The director is worried too. Come on, get up.”

Manager Hong spoke to Se Hee as if coaxing her.

“Huh? Yes. I understand. I’ll get up. But Manager Hong. Can I just check that HR email you mentioned first…”

Se Hee wanted to check that email right away.

“Lee Se Hee. Is the email important right now? Go to the hospital this instant. Once you lose your health, it’s over, you punk.”

Director Jung yelled at Se Hee who was dawdling.

Se Hee had no choice but to get up.

But it wasn’t because of alcohol.

That’s why the HR email was more important.

Was it really acquired by Evans?

Who was the CEO?

Was he coming?

Se Hee, who was pushed out, felt like she was going crazy from frustration.

“Manager Hong. I’ll just go straight to the staff quarters and rest. I really don’t need an IV.”

Se Hee pleaded.

“Really? Why don’t you at least get a vitamin shot?”

“No, I’m really okay.”

“Alright then. I’ll have some porridge delivered to you later.”

Manager Hong, who had followed Se Hee to the staff quarters, took care of her until the end.

“Yes. Thank you. Please go back now. I’ll go up too.”

Se Hee, who needed to send Manager Hong away quickly, immediately said goodbye.

“Okay then. Get some rest.”

Manager Hong finally turned to leave.

Se Hee, who had been watching to make sure Manager Hong had completely left, came out looking around cautiously to go to a nearby PC room where she could use the internet.

As Se Hee slowly came out of the building again, she froze in place.

She caught sight of someone’s silhouette in the distance.

The moment she saw the familiar back of a man standing looking at the sea.

Her heart immediately reacted and began to race wildly.