Taehong’s gaze methodically moved from one employee to another in the meeting room. He was the one who set the atmosphere of the meeting. The suddenness of the convened meeting had everyone cautiously looking around.
Even in a scheduled meeting, the tension was palpable; a sudden one like this was bound to be disconcerting. But that was for the team members to deal with. Taehong casually spun his pen.
“We’re considering a work reallocation.”
It sounded like a simple work adjustment, but in the Strategic Planning Team, this was almost equivalent to a second round of personnel transfers.
Everyone in the meeting room was uneasy, but Haegin remained composed. She already knew about the situation, just not how Taehong would rearrange it.
“Even though it’s abrupt, we’ve decided this for operational efficiency.”
Everyone held their breath, watching the live personnel changes unfold.
“First, Byung-su, delegate some of your significant tasks to Yeon-jung.”
“Team Leader, that’s…” Yeon-jung couldn’t hide her astonishment. The brand launch’s main axis had been Byung-su and Yeon-jung.
Transferring Byung-su’s tasks to Yeon-jung was akin to an implicit exclusion from the project.
Yeon-jung had been looking forward to the brand launch, believing it would increase her time with Taehong. That expectation had now flown out the window.
“Take it over, Yeon-jung.”
“Understood.”
Knowing Taehong rarely reversed his decisions, Yeon-jung reluctantly agreed.
Haegin pretended not to care but observed Yeon-jung’s deflated expression. It seemed funny but also somewhat pitiable.
“Affectionate Haegin, have you already forgotten how you got her in trouble?”
“Deputy Haegin, join Byung-su in the brand launch.”
“Yes, understood.”
Haegin remained calm. She was already aware and had filled her mind with thoughts of how to structure the initial phase of the project. Focusing on work certainly helped keep the distractions at bay.
But she had let her guard down, failing to pay attention to Yeon-jung’s increasingly red and purple face.
“Team Leader, I understand this is a crucial project for Yeonchang.”
Taehong’s cold gaze shifted to Yeon-jung, who flinched but seemed determined not to back down.
“Deputy Haegin was originally hired as your personal assistant, and now she’s part of the project? This is not a plan that just anyone can undertake.”
Byung-su looked worriedly at Yeon-jung but couldn’t intervene. The other team members nodded in agreement with her point but didn’t add their voices to it.
“Anyone.”
Taehong’s face twisted. Yeon-jung’s choice of word ‘anyone’ was a clear expression of how she perceived Haegin. But Haegin maintained her composure.
“Does Deputy Haegin even know what planning is? She doesn’t know the first thing about branding; inexperienced and unskilled, putting her in the project will only make our work harder.”
Haegin felt her pride scratched, but that was understandable. She was unknown to those who saw her merely as a parachute hire.
“And now, a mere secretary is part of the project? It’s as if you’re snatching our bread and butter.”
“Yeon-jung, how long have you been in the Strategic Planning Team?”
“Two and a half years.”
“That’s not a short time. Don’t you know me yet?”
Yeon-jung was well aware of what disobeying a superior’s decision meant. But she felt this was too much and summoned the courage to speak up.
“This project affects my standing too. Are you really going to let just anyone participate?”
Though Taehong gestured for her to respond, neither Yeon-jung nor anyone else dared to utter a word.
“I assign tasks because I deem it appropriate. Your livelihoods will be well taken care of, so focus on your assigned work.”
The reassurance that tasks were assigned for a reason was comforting. Haegin knew well what it meant to have someone’s backing.
During her time at Sion, it was her father who believed in her when no one else did, even when everyone said it couldn’t be done.
“Deputy Haegin, this involves the livelihoods of these people. You understand that, right?”
“Yes, I’ll do my best.”
Taehong nodded, seemingly satisfied with her response.
“Let’s give it a try. Since you’ll be working closely with Deputy Haegin, you can report directly to me.”
“Understood.”
With Haegin’s response, the issue was settled. Once the morning meeting ended and people started leaving, only Haegin and Byung-su remained.
“Deputy Haegin, are you sure you’re okay?”
After jotting down her last note, Haegin looked at Byung-su.
“I’m fine. I know what you’re worried about.”
Haegin gathered and organized the scattered documents on her desk.
“If I get overwhelmed, I know you’ll help me.”
Byung-su had been the one to create opportunities for Haegin to work with him, providing useful tips and showing a high degree of affection for Taehong.
“It seems the Team Leader thinks highly of you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Being in the direct line of the Team Leader. If you perform well, it’s a project set for rapid promotion.”
Already aware of this, Haegin just nodded.
“Yeon-jung must be quite upset.”
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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