“I’m curious what Go Director thinks company protection means.”

Gil Seop interjected.

“It’s literal. As an executive representing the company, there needs to be a move from the company to protect Director Shim. For example… I think it would be a good method to write a statement so the public can understand Director Shim’s actions.”

The dumbfounded Joo Hyuk closed his mouth for a moment.

Go Gang Jin.

After graduating early from a science high school, he entered New York University as the top student and immediately started a doctorate program. Gang Jin started as a manager, not a mere employee. But Joo Hyuk had always been annoyed by his gloominess that didn’t match his brilliant mind. Even when he smiled, it didn’t seem like he was sincerely smiling.

“Are you serious? Director Go?”

“Yes, Director. I’m not the type of person to joke around in such a big meeting.”

“If it’s not a joke, it’s even more chilling.”

Gang Jin’s smooth eyebrows furrowed sharply.

“The relationship between a company and employee isn’t one where they exchange friendship rings. I don’t understand at all why the company has to cover for the rude act of a single employee. The company can only cover for an employee when they made a mistake while working for the company.”

“It’s even harder to understand you saying the company doesn’t protect its executives.”

“Is what I’m saying that difficult? Should I write it down and explain it to you?”

“……”

Gang Jin didn’t refute Joo Hyuk’s opinion. He just clenched his lower lip with a sharp gaze. The tense confrontation between the two continued throughout the meeting.

After the meeting ended, Gil Seop approached Joo Hyuk.

“Make sure this incident doesn’t spread any further by suppressing it early on.”

“How can I possibly do that? It’s a clear case of who should be beaten up. You think I can stop it even if I try?”

In the first place, Joo Hyuk had no intention of protecting Yeon Seok. What kind of world is it these days? The public isn’t dull enough to be fooled by pretending not to see.

“Look, Joo Hyuk. The public reacts differently depending on how we package and throw it at them. What Director Go said earlier wasn’t entirely wrong. No, it’s closer to a more realistic opinion.”

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“It’s better in many ways to resolve it nicely. Hasn’t Director Shim helped the company before? Not only that, but even if Director Shim’s issue gets bigger and talked about in the media, it will only negatively consume the airline’s image.”

Gil Seop’s words weren’t wrong. If they’re not careful, ACS Airlines could be wrongly image-made as a gapjil airline because of Yeon Seok alone.

“So for example, we could make up a story that the flight attendant was actually not in a normal state when you look into it. And that Director Shim endured it and endured it until he exploded. An executive is the face of the company. There’s nothing good about Director Shim being berated nationwide.”

Even so, he had no desire to make up stories that didn’t exist, downplay them, or distort them.

“Chairman, you’re saying something that could lead to big trouble. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.”

Joo Hyuk, who was walking confidently, stopped in his tracks. He turned around and spoke to Gil Seop, who was standing there with a dumbfounded expression.

“Ah, and there’s a misunderstanding. Director Shim Yeon Seok is not the face of the company. He’s the gapjil man who threw ramen at a flight attendant.”

***

The next day, ACS Airlines swiftly posted a public apology. There was no attempt to protect Yeon Seok or make excuses from his perspective. While some felt refreshed that a large corporation took immediate action, many also felt that an apology without the perpetrator apologizing made no sense.

[… We will start anew. We will take the lead in creating a society where common sense prevails. We will strive to ensure that power is never again used to be rude to employees. We promise to take strict measures against the offending executive…]

A thick wrinkle formed between Gang Jin’s brows as he read through the public apology. Although it was written politely and in detail, the underlying meaning was that Yeon Seok had gone crazy and done whatever he wanted, so please don’t criticize in connection with the company. In any case, the company would also discipline Yeon Seok as much as possible.

Even though he had expressed his opinion like that in the emergency meeting.

“That bastard with no manners.”

Gang Jin swore as he read through the public apology. Yeon Seok’s expression, who was sitting across from Gang Jin, was also not good.

“Then you should have done well to not get it filmed. You should have snatched the cell phone and broke it. If you had handled it properly, Director Shim, it wouldn’t have become this big of a deal.”

“Whew, I didn’t imagine someone would be filming like a rat.”

In the end, it turned out the way Min Joo Hyuk wanted. The public apology turned out like cutting off Shim Yeon Seok’s tail.

Gang Jin slowly rubbed his forehead. It was Gang Jin’s habit that came out when he couldn’t remember something.

“For now, it would be better for you to post a personal apology as well, Director Shim. There’s nothing good about pretending not to know and burying it.”

“An apology… you mean?”

“Yes, an apology. It doesn’t mean you were wrong, Director Shim. We need to at least pretend to apologize so we have something to say to the board of directors and shareholders later.”

Even if he didn’t have the heart to apologize, it was right to at least pretend. As it was an issue that drew nationwide attention, criticism toward Yeon Seok would not easily subside, and if that happened, it could become an obstacle in drawing internal public sentiment.

“I’m not good with words.”

“That’s what a secretary is for. Don’t worry. Just think of it as borrowing Director Shim’s name.”

Only then did Yeon Seok’s tense expression relax.

“Then, when should I post it?”

“There’s nothing good about being late. Let’s write the apology today and spread it on SNS by tomorrow morning at the latest.”

“Yes, Director. I’ll keep that in mind.”

***

The area around the headquarters building was crowded with various civic groups and women at quitting time. It was too many people to control with the company’s manpower.

“Don’t push the person in front! Everyone, calm down.”

The security guards shouted and tried to subdue the angry crowd. But all that came back were rough swearing and shouts.

Yeon Seok, who had left work with a light heart, was startled by the scale of the crowd near the headquarters entrance. Seeing the chants they were shouting and the slogans on the pickets, he could tell at once. They were people who had come to criticize him.

The pickets read gapjil director, ramen director, resign on your own, and some people had actually brought cup ramen to hold in their hands.

‘This is really absurd.’

Yeon Seok hesitated in his steps, feeling a fear he had never experienced before. He had never in his life seen so many people expressing hostility toward him so blatantly.

“There he is!”

When someone pointed at Yeon Seok, the converging angry voices of the crowd grew even hotter. Yeon Seok recognized the seriousness of the situation, but he had no desire to show a frightened appearance.

‘Who am I? I’m a director of ACS Airlines, the best airline in Korea.’

Wasn’t it a position he had climbed up to while experiencing all sorts of trials and tribulations? He had to be confident. Besides, he was planning to write an apology today and post it on various SNS as early as tonight or by tomorrow morning at the latest.

No, what more do they want me to do here?

Anyway, Korea these days was going strangely. Not only did they criticize over trivial issues, but they couldn’t wait to hate. To begin with, was this incident something that hundreds of people should storm the headquarters building and cause a commotion over?

Yeon Seok’s expression distorted fiercely then smoothed out. He wanted to shout and chase them all away if he could.

Yeon Seok was about to cross the building with his shoulders wide open. That’s when someone urgently grabbed his sleeve.

“Director, you mustn’t go out now.”

The one who grabbed Yeon Seok was his secretary, Wan Jin. He was a capable secretary with quick judgment. Apparently, he thought the moment Yeon Seok showed his face to them, it was only a matter of time before a riot broke out, so he stopped Yeon Seok.

“Why?”

“It seems… with various issues complexly intertwined, public sentiment is not good. I think it would be best for you to stay out of sight.”

“Hey, Manager Park. Since when were you so timid? Who would dare to point fingers at Shim Yeon Seok to his face? Tell them to try it if they can. If they’re confident they can handle the aftermath.”

I don’t know where the confidence came from. Yeon Seok was overflowing with useless confidence.

“Director, then I’ll pull the car around and park it so you can get in right in front of the building…”

Executives’ cars were allowed to park in the ground parking lot behind the building, so if they did as Wan Jin said, they could reduce the time facing the angry mob.

“It’s fine, I hate being wretched.”

The logic was that he had no reason to avoid people because he was not guilty. Yeon Seok brushed off Wan Jin’s hand that was still grabbing his sleeve.

“Director…”

Yeon Seok heartlessly left Wan Jin behind and started walking. It was the moment Yeon Seok appeared at the central entrance of the headquarters building. From somewhere, a raw egg accurately hit his face. He couldn’t come to his senses for a while as the shell broke and the egg went into his eyes. Yeon Seok, who was suddenly attacked, fell into a state of panic.

“Who, who is it! You bastards with no manners!”