Only Bad for Me (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 10

Blackstone Partners Building, 6th Floor, Conference Room D.

The first executive meeting was being held after the new CEO had been appointed.

“Vice Chairman Song and his second son Song Nam Jun have joined forces. They reportedly demanded an extraordinary general shareholders’ meeting the day before yesterday, so the management dispute has reignited.”

Kwon Jae Ha, seated at the head of the long, wide table, gave a light nod.

As if he had heard everything and agreed.

A heated debate was unfolding over the issue of “On Table,” the fresh food delivery company that Blackstone was interested in.

“That’s because they demanded cooperation for due diligence and other essentials for the share sale, but didn’t get it. Vice Chairman Song’s side will gather directors who have shown positive intent toward selling shares as quickly as possible and push for the sale of management rights.”

Jae Ha, eyes fixed on his laptop screen, nodded again.

From the moment the meeting began, he had only given a short greeting in perfect Korean and had shown no particular opinion on the discussion.

Because he already knew everything.

He had read all the documents related to today’s meeting in the car on the way to work.

It hadn’t taken long to look up all the relevant information and reach a conclusion.

This wasn’t something that required sitting around wasting time like this.

Knowing full well it was delicious prey.

Yet hesitating whether to devour it or not, just drooling without nutrition. It might be faster to calculate the probability of a competitor snatching it away.

“Some are completely ignoring the sale rumors. Looking at Vice Chairman Song’s behavior so far, once he secures management rights, there’s a high chance he’ll push to return to management as if the sale talk never happened. Song Nam Jun’s 17.42% stake will ultimately play the decisive role. Earlier this year, Vice Chairman Song regarding the no-dividend policy…”

Still, he nodded again.

Like a parent who doesn’t easily scold children who are at least trying in their own way.

Sure. The fact that their points had some merit might already deserve praise. If they had been completely wrong, he would have already stormed out.

His mind had long been elsewhere.

Heh. Kwon Jae Ha let out a laugh without realizing it. Every gaze instantly turned to him.

“It’s nothing. Please continue.”

The faces of the executives in their mid-to-late 50s all wore the exact same expression. The new CEO gestured toward them as they broke into a cold sweat.

Continue.

It was just a formal gathering to get to know faces anyway.

The welcome party with the obvious ulterior motive of drinking Korean-style had already been put on hold.

Excluding the one who returned to America with the former CEO Hampton and the two who retired around the same time, there were 18 people.

Through Secretary Kang, he had received reports on the performance, capabilities, and any notable personal issues of all 18 present.

Director Kim, who was speaking passionately right now, was a returnee from overseas studies with excellent drive. He had produced quite impressive results with his own know-how.

The flaw, if it could be called one, was that he was keeping a second household after seducing a young secretary who had worked under him.

[Apparently she was beautiful enough to have aspired to be an actress before joining the company. Here…]

It was a photo of a woman shopping at a mart.

Men lose their minds at the sight of a beautiful woman. It’s an instinct-driven reaction, so it’s not something to unconditionally condemn.

Even though he has a devoted wife and children at home.

Kwon Jae Ha’s gaze landed on Director Kim, who was stating his opinion.

A woman pushing a cart, heavily pregnant. Suddenly, Yoon Eun Jo’s face overlapped with hers.

“It was super boring.”

Forty minutes. Jae Ha checked the time on his wrist, then slipped the fountain pen he had been holding into his inner pocket.

This was enough.

Matching the rhythm of this idiotic charade leading to an obvious conclusion.

The new CEO, who had been listening attentively the whole time, muttered to himself, “Really, it was the most boring thing ever.” Those sitting nearby who overheard turned half-pale. Director Kim, who had immediately shut his mouth, watched the CEO’s movements.

“I’ll be leaving now. If you think further discussion is needed, please continue.”

The sound of whispering reached him just before he closed the conference room door.

Secretary Kang, who had moved with Jae Ha, sidled up close and spoke.

“You still have no manners.”

“You’re still so blunt. Kid.”

“Kid? This is the company. Sir.”

“Whatever. Secretary Kang, connect me to Lee Yeon Kyung.”

“She must be really busy right now.”

“That’s her problem. I want to move into my house as soon as possible, even if it’s just one day sooner. Hurry.”

I need to get home. No matter what it takes. I’m sick of this damn hotel life.

What on earth is that stubborn woman thinking? She’s still silent. Has the begging already ended? What is she planning?

Through the phone Secretary Kang was holding, Jae Ha could hear the ringing tone going through.

Soon, a curt female voice clearly rang out with a “Why?”

“Wait a second. Your client wants to…”

[Yes? Yes?? You keep trying to match me…]

Secretary Kang exaggeratedly shuddered and handed over the phone. Jae Ha smirked at the sight.

“Why don’t you two just date? Stop wasting energy.”

At Jae Ha’s words, Secretary Kang’s eyes widened. But that was it—no denial followed.

The person on the other end was the same.

[What is it? I’m busy dying here. Tell me quickly what you’re curious about.]

“What do you think? Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

[No, Kwon Jae Ha. Those are all clothes, right? How can there be so many clothes? How many boxes are there exactly? I’m canceling the promise to finish by tomorrow.]

Kwon Jae Ha was one of the few people who treated him casually. He first shot a glance at Edward Kang standing beside him.

Then, growling toward the other one—Lee Yeon Kyung on the line—he said,

“This is already the third time you’ve pushed the deadline. No more.”

[You’re the one who wanted all those hard-to-find materials in Korea! This house was already built by an architect, so there was no need to…]

“Is that something an interior designer should say? So?”

[I was planning to finish today, but when I saw what’s going into the dressing room, I got pissed. If I knew it would be like this, I would’ve called more people.]

“I’ll assign more people.”

[What? Fine, then. If you’re doing that anyway, at least two strong ones. Still no guarantee it’ll be done by tomorrow.]

.

.

[You’re an adult now.]

Yoon Eun Jo, who had spoken calmly while forcing an awkward yet pretty smile.

Yoon Eun Jo, who had held on with nothing but her proud self-respect.

Even at 21, she was far from impulsive. She was cautious and always considered every possibility in every situation.

Especially to avoid negative or unpleasant outcomes, she would think twice, thrice—no, dozens of times before deciding.

That meant fewer mistakes on average, but the major drawback was missing critical timing.

Completely the opposite style from Kwon Jae Ha, who judged and decided quickly.

You’re an adult now? You’ve changed? How much could having and raising one child have changed her?

She said she’d do anything, but she was the type to break rather than bend—Yoon Eun Jo.

And now there’s not even any contact. Isn’t she doing something completely unexpected? It’s making him nervous.

For example, contacting the child’s father because of money.

Jae Ha, who had been tapping the desk with his fingertips the whole time, finally picked up his phone.

[I really need your “pure help” today. I’ll send the address. Please take good care of it.]

The message arrived the moment she stepped out of the company’s main gate.

Given the situation, it was sent by someone who could become a picky and eccentric employer.

Eun Jo stopped walking and stared at the words “Please take good care of it” for a long time. It clearly meant “Do it well.”

“…….”

A while ago, a line from an actress in a famously trashy drama had gone viral. Back then it had seemed funny without context.

[I’ll just kill you and then kill myself. There’s no other way.]

Right now that line was completely filling Eun Jo’s head. She felt like laughing even though she should be crying.

“Ha…”

She hadn’t even brought her car. Shoulders drooping, Eun Jo headed toward the taxi stand.

“We’ve arrived. That building over there, but taxis can only go up to here.”

“Yes, thank you.”

British Heritage.

Getting out of the taxi, Eun Jo looked at the entrance of the rather large and beautiful building.

From what she had searched, it was introduced as a work by Professor Hong Kyu Won, who had received an architecture award from the American Architecture Community (TAC).

Should it be called a townhouse? It was a luxury residential complex with only four buildings and eight households in total.

Even though it was called “shared,” each unit had separate entrances and completely divided spaces. A structure where neighbors never had to see each other’s faces.

That’s exactly it. What the super-rich need isn’t neighbors—it’s employees.

“…….”

The two men standing in front of the spacious management office looked just like doormen at a five-star hotel entrance.

She made eye contact with a neatly suited man whose hair was perfectly combed back. Eun Jo greeted first.

“Hello, I’m here to visit Oak Tree House. My name is Yoon Eun Jo.”

“Welcome. Oak Tree—that would be CEO Kwon’s place. Let me see… Yes, Ms. Yoon Eun Jo. You may go in, it’s right over there. The first building on the left—do you see the red brick one?”

“Ah, yes.”

She didn’t see any giant oak tree. They probably gave each building a symbolic name.

Still, on the vast grounds stood rows of trees that looked quite old. Thanks to that, the air felt unbelievably fresh for being in the middle of the city.

The path made of differently shaped basalt stepping stones was natural yet beautiful.

Arriving at the wide front door, Eun Jo unknowingly let out a small sigh.

Because she saw several huge boxes. And… the door was open about a hand’s width.

Someone’s home. Looking at the white SUV parked in front, she rang the doorbell.

“Just a moment! Coming!”

Someone shouted, and soon the front door swung wide open.

A stylish woman with perfectly straight bobbed hair was staring with wide eyes.

“Who are you?”

It was clearly Korean, but the accent was strange.