The moment they saw the man standing in front of them, Lee Seung Oh’s face turned to confusion.

“Secretary Ryu.”

“Secretary Ryu.”

Seo Ha also stood up awkwardly, taken aback.

It was a mistake. She didn’t expect someone who had work to come so quickly.

Did he hear it? Or did he not?

Seung Oh, who had the same thought as Seo Ha, asked on her behalf.

“Did you just arrive? You said you’d come after finishing the rest of your work.”

“I just got here. It ended sooner than I expected.”

There was no noticeable change in Kyung Jun’s tone or expression. However, it was too early to feel relieved. Ryu Kyung Jun was more skilled at hiding his true feelings than anyone else.

Kyung Jun entered the room. However, instead of taking the seat next to Seung Oh, as he should have, he went around the table and sat down naturally next to Seo Ha.

“It looks like the meal has just been served.”

Kyung Jun glanced at the empty salad bowl and spoke. Seung Oh, who didn’t seem too pleased, belatedly raised his hand and called a staff member.

“For our new guest, please prepare a separate salad for the next course. Also, bring a bottle of the chef’s recommended sake.”

“Would you like the sake warmed?”

“Just as the chef recommends.”

Soon, three bowls of abalone porridge were served in front of each of them. There was also a salmon salad in front of Kyung Jun. Seo Ha wiped her mouth with a napkin after finishing the abalone porridge with a heavy heart.

“What do you have to say, CEO?”

“Something to say?”

Seung Oh shrugged his shoulders.

“Do I have to have something to say? I just wanted to have dinner with Seo Ha, so I called.”

“Since Secretary Ryu has joined us, I thought there might be something related to the company to discuss.”

“You catch on quickly. That’s why I like Seo Ha.”

Seung Oh sent a wink to Kyung Jun. It was a signal asking him to speak on his behalf.

“It’s about the establishment of Design Team 2. The plan is to create a new design department with Jo Seo Ha as the main focus.”

“… Me?”

Seo Ha pointed at herself with a dumbfounded expression. It was unexpected that Seung Oh, who was known for ruining companies, and Ryu Kyung Jun would agree to this plan.

No one knew that the core designer was actually her, and now wasn’t Jo Seo Ha an inexperienced but talented newcomer designer?

“It’s a matter that has been decided at the executive meeting. You don’t need to feel burdened. Ji Soo Team Leader played a big role in making this happen.”

“Team Leader?”

Seo Ha looked at Seung Oh with eyes asking for an explanation as Kyung Jun’s words became more and more incomprehensible.

“With the previous disciplinary incident and putting my personal feelings aside, I thought that Seo Ha might quit the company because of Team Leader Ji Soo. If the core designer of this season is gone, the loss would be tremendous, wouldn’t it?”

As she listened to the explanation, Seo Ha’s mind was busy thinking.

It certainly wasn’t a bad offer. However, she had already figured out how to return to her original body. Once she knew what would happen to Jo Seo Ha, she could become Yoon Seo Ha anytime.

So, Jo Seo Ha couldn’t become a team leader. She shouldn’t take on such a responsibility.

Seo Ha quickly reached a conclusion and raised her head.

“What about the team members?”

“We’ll leave it up to their discretion. People who wish to move from the existing teams will transfer.”

“I don’t think anyone will want to.”

Seo Ha spoke honestly. Really, no one would want to move.

Who would want to be compared to the already spotlighted genius newcomer designer? Especially knowing that they would be hated by the real power holder, Team Leader Ji Soo.

“Jo Seo Ha will be fine on her own. We’ll provide enough support, and she’ll be able to focus solely on her work. It’s an environment where all she needs to do is work hard.”

Seung Oh put a freshly cooked abalone dish in his mouth and chewed it.

“It’s a decision made through a meeting, so it’s hard to go back on it. I’ve made an extra effort for you, so just work hard. Well, it would be even better if you bought me tteokbokki sometime.”

“CEO.”

Kyung Jun called Seung Oh in a low tone. The meaning of ‘don’t pull any unnecessary tricks’ was so clear that Seo Ha could feel it.

“Secretary Ryu, can’t I even get a plate of tteokbokki?”

“You always need to be cautious.”

“That’s why you’re so picky.”

Seung Oh shook his head and smiled playfully.

“What do you think, Seo Ha? Do you really need team members?”

She could handle the work by herself. Rather, being freed from the menial tasks that the youngest designer should do might be more efficient.

However, Seo Ha needed a team leader. A team leader who could take over and complete the remaining work even if Jo Seo Ha suddenly disappeared.

Where could she find such a person right away?

Seo Ha let out a small sigh in frustration.

“If no one wants to join, I’ll try my best on my own for now. I hope you’ll find additional members later.”

“Brave. I like it.”

Seung Oh seemed quite satisfied, and Kyung Jun had nothing more to say.

The next dish and warm sake arrived. Seung Oh picked up the bottle first and filled Seo Ha and Kyung Jun’s glasses, then filled his own.

“To the new team of Designer Jo Seo Ha.”

Seung Oh emptied his glass first, followed by Kyung Jun. Seo Ha only lightly touched her lips to the glass and put it down.

“Seo Ha, can’t you drink alcohol?”

“I’m not good at it. I also have to manage my condition…”

“Managing your condition is good. But have just one drink. After all, this is a gathering for Jo Seo Ha.”

It wasn’t that she couldn’t drink if she tried. She just didn’t want to drink while looking at Seung Oh’s face.

“You’re not drinking? I’m disappointed.”

Seung Oh urged her. Seo Ha reached for the glass filled with alcohol, intending to drink it and be done with it.

“CEO.”

Just before Seo Ha picked up the glass, Kyung Jun’s hand grabbed it in the nick of time.

“I’ll drink it on her behalf. Seo Ha needs to focus on managing her condition.”

Without giving her a chance to object, Kyung Jun gulped down the alcohol, letting it all slide down his throat.

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