“Hello.”

As soon as she got in the car after leaving the store, Hae Yeon took out her phone from her bag and made a call.

[How was it? Was the information I gave you useful?]

A low voice tinged with laughter began to spread from the speaker. The owner of the voice, whose expression one could imagine just from hearing it, was Yoon Ho.

“Yes, it was really helpful. Thank you.”

[It’s nothing. Besides, I did it for compensation, so you don’t need to thank me that much.]

Two days ago, Hae Yeon contacted Yoon Ho again about Team Leader Shin. The fact that she had to borrow Yoon Ho’s hand again to solve this was regrettable, but among the skills she could use now, Yoon Ho was the most reliable.

However, it wasn’t just a one-sided request. It was clearly a topic that would be helpful to Yoon Ho as well. Because if they dug into Team Leader Shin, Lee Su Rin would surely be at the root of it.

Currently, Lee Su Rin didn’t know that she was in contact with Yoon Ho. If they acted without giving her time to respond while she was unaware, they could fish out evidence that she was involved in industrial espionage.

[If it’s this kind of deal, I welcome it too.]

That was Yoon Ho’s last words. After hanging up and starting the car, Hae Yeon felt lighter. Would she be able to see Team Leader Shin’s face at Dally Coffee tomorrow?

Whether he leaves or stays, there would be nothing she could decide with her own hands from now on.

Fatigue suddenly hit her. Hae Yeon stepped on the accelerator.

* * *

“I heard Sales Team 2’s Team Leader Shin resigned today?”

“I heard that too. Because of that, that team is supposedly thrilled to death right now?”

“But why did he suddenly resign?”

Hae Yeon, who had come to work at Dally Coffee, smiled inwardly as she saw the employees whispering from the morning.

It was the result of a dog eating human medicine. Having eaten it due to gluttony without knowing the taste properly, of course, there would be side effects. Team Leader Shin, who had severe indigestion, chose to confess on his own rather than receive everyone’s attention, so the employees didn’t know the exact reason for his resignation.

As Hae Yeon passed by indifferently, Lee So Jung, who appeared a step later, tilted her head at the unsettled atmosphere and approached the group.

“What? Really?”

“It’s true! That department is in chaos right now! The interesting thing is that everyone seems to be welcoming it despite the situation…”

So Jung, who had listened to the stories of employees from other departments for a while, ran towards Hae Yeon as soon as the conversation ended. With a face clearly showing excitement, she grabbed both of Hae Yeon’s hands and lifted them. Hae Yeon smiled seeing So Jung unable to hide her joy, but she remained serious.

“Miss Hae Yeon! Did you hear the news?”

“Yes, yes? Not yet…”

As Hae Yeon trailed off, So Jung, her eyes shining brightly, grabbed Hae Yeon’s hand and dragged her into the Management Support Team. The support team members were still busy preparing for their daily tasks, seemingly unaware of the news. So Jung approached quietly and whispered.

“I heard Team Leader Shin Gyu Sik was forced to resign.”

“Ah, really?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

When Hae Yeon asked with a bit of excitement, So Jung didn’t continue. Seeing her passive attitude, Hae Yeon wondered if Deputy Lee So Jung had also suffered a lot from Team Leader Shin, but her eyes widened at So Jung’s subsequent exclamation.

“Now that there’s no one to bully our Miss Hae Yeon anymore, you’ll be less stressed from now on!”

Hae Yeon felt something lump in her throat. So Jung, who had been anxious when Hae Yeon was dragged away and subjected to coercion and tyranny by Team Leader Shin over the past few weeks, was just a powerless rank herself.

Knowing this, even a single word of comfort from her would have been enough, but Hae Yeon didn’t know she was this sincere.

Only then could Hae Yeon sincerely enjoy the current situation. With her brown eyes gently curved, Hae Yeon smiled at So Jung.

Somehow, Deputy Lee So Jung reminded her of Do Hee.

All morning, the company was buzzing with Team Leader Shin’s resignation, but the higher-ups were quiet.

There was an atmosphere of hushing up the reason for Team Leader Shin’s resignation, which had the opposite effect, and the rumors didn’t subside easily. It seemed that this building would be covered with stories about Team Leader Shin for a while.

“Come on, if you don’t want to eat lunch late, let’s have the meeting quickly.”

It was Yu Jun. At his voice, loud enough for everyone in the meeting room to hear, the team members immediately started moving.

Hae Yeon also changed from her office slippers to the heels she wore when coming to work and moved to the meeting room. After confirming that everyone was seated, Yu Jun opened his mouth.

“Well, let’s proceed with the meeting. First, how about the talent donation cafe?”

Dally Coffee had developed a talent donation-type social contribution program that remodeled cafes in the local community where people with disabilities, youth, and vulnerable groups worked, which were run-down. In addition, they provided cafe operation education.

The Management Support Team was in charge of analyzing and evaluating the performance of the program, and Kim Hyun Woo, who was designated by Yu Jun, briefed on the progress.

“It appears that there has been a significant increase in positive aspects in terms of revenue and preference surveys compared to the previous year.”

Kim, who explained step by step, was clearly capable. It was bitter to think that such a competent talent was acting as an industrial spy for another company’s executive. Hae Yeon couldn’t shake off the bitterness.

“In particular, it seems that the systematization of barista education and the transfer of store operation know-how from directly managed stores have been helpful.”

“Yes. We’ve reached the target. Then, Deputy Lee and Miss Min Hae Yeon. You went to the site last time, was there anything else to supplement or add?”

This time, when Yu Jun asked So Jung and Hae Yeon, since the two had decided in advance who would speak, Hae Yeon opened her mouth. It was So Jung’s consideration.

“I think it would be good to establish cafes that support experience for employment or jobs along with talent donation.”

“Specifically.”

As Yu Jun demanded, placing his hand holding the pen to his forehead, Hae Yeon swallowed hard. Since graduating from university, she hadn’t had the opportunity to present in front of people until now. How did she do it so unhesitatingly back then?

Hae Yeon explained what she felt when she went on an outside errand with a slightly trembling voice.

“The number of out-of-school youth and non-college-going young adults is increasing every year. I think if our Dally Coffee operates cafes that support vocational training or work experience, it would align with the purpose of social contribution.”

“That’s a good opinion. Then, come up with a plan and method for that by next week. Ah, Deputy Lee too.”

“Yes, Team Leader.”

With the tension slightly eased, Hae Yeon focused more on the meeting. The team meeting continued for another hour.

“Let’s stop here for today.”

It’s almost lunchtime. Fortunately, they could finish before mealtime, so the team members left the meeting room with happy hearts.

The cafeteria was already full. Hae Yeon and So Jung stood in line waiting for their turn.

“Wow−, today’s menu is good! This is why I don’t eat out!”

So Jung, who was standing behind Hae Yeon, checked the menu and laughed brightly. Indeed, Dally Coffee’s cafeteria was rumored to be delicious in the industry.

“Oh really? Then I’ll have to pay more attention from now on.”

“Huh? Who is it?”

So Jung turned around at the sudden voice. Confirming who had just spoken to her, So Jung froze in that state.

“Ma’am Executive Director!”

As Ju Ah grinned, So Jung, coming to her senses, hurriedly bowed her head.

Hae Yeon also bowed her waist in bewilderment. After all, although Ju Ah might be a silly friend outside, she was clearly a superior in this building. And a very high one at that.

Turning her head slightly, Ju Ah winked at Hae Yeon.

“Ahem, I guess you’re the specially recruited new employee?”

Ju Ah pretended to be nonchalant, emphasizing ‘specially recruited’. So Jung was surprised that Ju Ah, a high-ranking executive of Dally Coffee, knew about the existence of a new employee like Hae Yeon, but quickly nodded her head.

Hae Yeon, watching this situation, felt her face burning. Hiding her reddened face, she quickly greeted. If she left it any longer, who knows what Ju Ah would do.

“Hello, I’m Min Hae Yeon from the Management Support Team.”

“Oh my, no need for greetings. It’s okay, it’s okay. Rather than that, I’m curious about our new employee’s impressions of joining. Would you like to have a meal with me over there? There’s a rumor that you received the highest score in this special recruitment.”

Ju Ah winked, saying things she shouldn’t have said. Embarrassed, Hae Yeon smiled awkwardly and bowed her head.

“Deputy, enjoy your meal.”

Hae Yeon changed the subject and led So Jung to scoop rice onto the tray. So Jung, still dazed, whispered to Hae Yeon.

“How does the Executive Director know Miss Hae Yeon? It’s amazing, our Executive Director is rumored to have face blindness.”

“Face blindness?”

“It’s famous. For example, the secretary in the Executive Director’s office has been serving her for 3 years, but she still calls her name wrong.”

“Ah.”

It was hard not to laugh, but she had to hold it in. It was definitely like Ju Ah. In fact, it was about 2 years after becoming friends with Ju Ah that she accurately recognized Hae Yeon’s name as ‘Hae’ instead of ‘Hye’.

Basically, Ju Ah had a somewhat slack side, so she tended to gloss over small things. It’s really puzzling how her younger brother Yu Jun is so sharp when you see him working, while her older sister is the complete opposite.

“Oh? Miss Min Hae Yeon. The Executive Director went that way. Hurry and go.”

“Yes. Enjoy your meal, Deputy.”

“Okay. Don’t be nervous.”

So Jung encouraged. Hae Yeon, who was smiling at her, turned her head and frowned deeply. Still, seeming to have some sense, the table Ju Ah chose was in the innermost part of the cafeteria.

As she approached, Ju Ah smiled slyly, and Hae Yeon was exasperated. Conscious of people’s gazes, Hae Yeon bowed her head once again.

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

Ju Ah smiled and spoke kindly, leaning her upper body so that the next table couldn’t hear. With a look that said ‘Why didn’t you come quickly. Should this sister have to wait?’, she spoke in a triumphant tone.

“How is it? Our company’s food is delicious, right?”

Indeed, Dally Coffee’s food was good enough to be recognized by Hae Yeon, who had to learn cooking since her teens. But somehow, seeing her more excited than usual, Hae Yeon opened her mouth, thinking maybe.

“You seem especially happy today?”

“Does it show?”

“Yes, very much.”

Only then did Ju Ah calm down a bit and scratch her cheek.

“Hearing the news that Team Leader Shin, that guy, is out, I can’t calm down, you know.”

As expected, the reason for Ju Ah’s high spirits was none other than the news of Team Leader Shin’s resignation. Seeing Ju Ah, an executive, more pleased than the employees, Hae Yeon’s smile also grew slightly.

“Suddenly yesterday evening, he came with all the irregularities he had committed and turned himself in.”

Ju Ah complained about how busy she was at the company yesterday because of that incident. As she was the very person who had moved Team Leader Shin, Hae Yeon felt sorry for Ju Ah throughout the conversation.

“Really, whoever made Team Leader Shin, no, Shin Gyu Sik turn himself in, they should be truly blessed.”

Ju Ah, who had been whining continuously, said something with a strange meaning and looked at Hae Yeon. At Ju Ah’s subtly probing posture, Hae Yeon smiled shamelessly.

“Yeah, they really should be blessed.”

Muttering, Hae Yeon sipped the soup with her spoon. Indeed, the food in Dally Coffee’s cafeteria was delicious.