Not for the First Time - Chapter 32

“Let’s leave out Sung Myung.”

Chairman Cha immediately understood what Sung Hyuk meant.

“It seems someone from Sung Myung Construction has upset you.”

“I know Oh Chang Geun, Chairman Oh’s youngest son.”

“The youngest son, you mean the one he brought in from outside?”

“Yes.”

Chairman Cha silently stared at his son’s impassive face before nodding.

“It’s your first request, so I can’t refuse.”

He didn’t ask for details because he knew if Sung Hyuk had wanted to explain, he would have done so from the start.

He believed there must be a good reason for his son, who had never disappointed him, to make such a request.

As long as it wasn’t illegal, he would gladly grant even greater favors, but this request seemed almost trivial. Of course, for Sung Myung Construction, it would be a tremendous blow.

“Is there anything else you need besides removing Sung Myung from the consortium?”

“No, that’s all.”

“I’ll tell them your orders are the same as mine, so contact President Song.”

“Thank you.”

“If you’ve decided to crush them, show no mercy. If you can’t do it properly, it’s better not to start at all.”

Not distinguishing between business and personal matters ran in the family. Chairman Cha was strict with his family, but even stricter with those who opposed or challenged his family members.

“I understand.”

Sung Hyuk’s thoughts aligned with his father’s. That’s exactly what he intended to do.

[This is the timeline separator]

After work, Hae Yoon took Young In to a pork belly restaurant and, after downing a shot of soju with a piece of crispy pork belly, began to speak.

“Team leader, please eat a lot. You treated us to beef, but due to my disastrous credit card situation this month, I’ll substitute with pork.”

“You’re treating today, Hae Yoon?”

Young In, who hadn’t known Hae Yoon would be paying, widened her eyes in surprise.

“The beef I bought last time was to keep your mouth shut.”

“Since I failed to keep my mouth shut after eating the hush money, I should pay it back.”

“Did you spread rumors about the CEO and me somewhere?”

“That’s not it…”

Hae Yoon confessed what she had said when she was called to the CEO’s office a few hours ago.

As Hae Yoon finished her story, a sigh escaped Young In’s lips.

“Why did you say such things?”

“Because I thought you would never say it yourself, Team Leader. There’s no guarantee Baek Hee Ran won’t go further than she already has. So I thought it would be good for the CEO to know too.”

Hae Yoon, who had been defending herself confidently, suddenly hunched her shoulders and lowered her head.

“I’m sorry for overstepping my bounds.”

“I know you said it because you were worried about me. I’ll let it slide just this once, so don’t do it again.”

“Okay…”

Young In, still feeling uneasy despite hearing the response, added one more thing.

“You know that if the CEO gets involved, things will get even bigger, right?”

“It’s just my feeling, but I don’t think the CEO will step in directly. When I said you wouldn’t want that, he seemed to agree.”

“I hope your feeling is right.”

Hae Yoon, who had been watching Young In’s reaction, carefully changed the subject.

“There’s something I want to ask you, Team Leader.”

“What is it?”

“Do you like the CEO?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Young In hesitated for a moment.

“…Why are you suddenly asking that?”

“The CEO told me to ask you directly.”

“…Huh?”

Hae Yoon belatedly revealed the words she hadn’t finished earlier. Including how Sung Hyuk had said, “I like Young In very much.”

“From what I can see, it seems like you like the CEO too, right? Am I correct?”

“Oh, I do like him.”

Young In admitted it readily because she didn’t want to deny her feelings with a lie. She also knew that Hae Yoon had already noticed before, so she didn’t want to play dumb.

“Then why don’t you date? You two really suit each other well.”

“No, we really don’t suit each other at all.”

“That’s nonsense.”

“It’s not nonsense.”

Is there anyone who suits each other less than us?

Erasing the bitter smile from her face, Young In raised her voice towards a passing employee.

“Can we have another bottle of soju here, please?”

[This is the timeline separator]

After taking Hae Yoon, who had become drunk from guzzling soju saying it went down especially well today, back to her apartment, Young In was about to call a taxi but changed her mind.

She decided to walk a bit and enjoy the night breeze. It was just past 9 o’clock, and there were still a few people passing by, so it wasn’t too scary.

As Young In walked through the dark residential alleyways, she kept mulling over what Hae Yoon had told her today. The more she thought about it, the more her anxiety grew.

Deciding to get a definitive answer and shake off her unease, Young In called Sung Hyuk.

-Oh, Young In.

She felt newly grateful for how naturally he answered the phone, making her hesitation seem pointless.

If he had reacted with “Why are you calling?” or “What’s the matter?”, she would have to think even longer the next time she needed to call him.

“I heard from Hae Yoon.”

-I figured that’s why you called.

“I don’t want you to get involved. I’ll handle my own affairs.”

-Don’t worry. I have no intention of intervening in your issues with Baek Hee Ran.

“Really?”

-Really.

“Promise me.”

-I promise.

“Okay then.”

-I agreed not to intervene because I agreed with An Hae Yoon that you wouldn’t just sit back and take it. Remember that.

“Should I pull Baek Hee Ran’s hair or something?”

-I recommend doing it in a crowded place.

Young In burst out laughing.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

A soft chuckle tickled her ear.

-Where are you?

“I’m on my way home after parting with Hae Yoon.”

-Be careful on your way back.

Young In suppressed the urge to ask, “Where are you right now?”

“Okay.”

After hanging up, a faint smile lingered on her face.

She had a feeling that today was a little easier than before, and tomorrow would be a little easier than today.

[This is the timeline separator]

The next day at noon.

Sung Hyuk arrived at the Japanese restaurant in SL Hotel.

It was the venue for the luncheon meeting between SL Construction and Sung Myung Construction for the final coordination regarding the consortium.

When he entered the room after being guided, three men were already waiting. One of them was Oh Chang Geun.

Chang Geun’s eyes widened as soon as he saw Sung Hyuk.

“Cha Sung Hyuk? Why are you here…”

“I’m here as the representative of SL Construction.”

“…Huh?”

Sung Hyuk calmly asked the other two men for permission.

“Would you mind giving us some privacy?”

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the two executives from Sung Myung Construction hurriedly left the room. Only then did Sung Hyuk move to sit in the chair opposite Chang Geun.

Leaning back in his chair and elegantly crossing his legs, Sung Hyuk’s face wore a relaxed smile. In contrast, Chang Geun’s face was visibly anxious.

“I heard you went to SL Entertainment, but have you already moved to SL Construction?”

His mouth went dry at the thought that if that wasn’t the case, there would be no reason for Sung Hyuk to be here, even as he hoped it wasn’t true.

“No, don’t worry. I won’t be moving to Construction for the time being.”

“I’d be happy if you came to Construction.”

Chang Geun put on airs, unaware that the relief was clearly showing on his face.

“Why would you be happy?”

“Well, having a friend there would…”

“Who’s your friend?”

“…”

When Sung Hyuk became serious, Chang Geun awkwardly closed his mouth.

“I’ve never thought of you as a friend. Be careful about spreading such nonsense. I won’t let it slide.”

Chang Geun nodded and subtly changed the subject.

“Then… why are you here…?”

“To deliver the news that Sung Myung can’t join the consortium.”

Chang Geun couldn’t believe his ears.

“…What?”

These days, Sung Myung Construction was facing its biggest crisis since its founding. Participating in the consortium was chosen as a breakthrough for their poor performance, and for him, who was putting his all into this consortium to gain recognition from his father, it was like a bolt from the blue.

“Is your ear clogged?”

Sung Hyuk frowned in annoyance.

“I said Sung Myung can’t join the consortium.”

Finally realizing the reality, Chang Geun’s eyes bulged.

“What’s the reason?”

He was unaware that Hee Ran had said the exact same thing when he informed her about the contract termination.

“To make things difficult for you.”

“What do you mean…”

“I heard you used Young In as an excuse when you told Baek Hee Ran her advertising contract wouldn’t be renewed.”

Chang Geun finally understood the situation.

“It wasn’t an excuse, it was the truth…”

“Why were you angry at Young In? Because she rejected you and played hard to get?”

“…”

“Aren’t you angry at me? You’re pissed that I stole your blind date, right? But why aren’t you taking it out on me? Is it selective anger? Is it because Young In is easy to target and I’m not?”

Sung Hyuk calmly cornered Chang Geun with a steady voice.

“Baek Hee Ran is harassing Young In well, just as you planned. Are you satisfied now?”

Chang Geun, momentarily agitated, retorted sharply.

“You blocked Sung Myung from joining the consortium just because of something like that?”

“Something like that? That’s not for you to judge. I make the judgments here.”

“…”

Chang Geun felt like he had been doused with cold water. He realized he should be groveling instead of speaking such nonsense.

“I’m not generous enough to leave someone who holds a grudge against my woman alone.”

“Are you and Young In possibly…”

“What do you mean possibly? Why are you so slow to understand?”

Chang Geun, now desperate, licked his dry lips and shifted in his seat.

“I didn’t know, I really didn’t know. If I had known, I wouldn’t have done it.”

“How can you be so clueless? Did you really think I stole your blind date simply because I disliked you? Did you actually believe me when I said that?”

“No matter how I thought about it, it didn’t make sense that you would like someone like Chae Young In…”

Chang Geun swallowed his words as he saw Sung Hyuk’s expression turn savage.

“Sung Hyuk, I’ll talk to Hee Ran again. I’ll renew the advertising contract. So please reconsider our participation in the consortium.”

“If there was room for reconsideration, I wouldn’t have started this in the first place.”

“…”

A shadow of despair flickered across Chang Geun’s face.

“The food here is delicious, so eat a lot before you go.”

Because you won’t be able to eat like this for a while.

Sung Hyuk stood up with a slight smile and leisurely left the room.