“Good afternoon.”

Following Yeon Woo’s polite greeting, the response that came back was a dismissive sigh.

“What’s this? Your attitude is completely different from before? Suddenly playing it all mild.”

He must realize his mistake. The man across from her, muttering in English, stepped forward with an air of interest towards Yeon Woo.

Instinctively, Yeon Woo, with her professional smile still in place, hurriedly moved towards the office.

“Hey! Hey, where are you going?”

“I’m really sorry, but I have urgent work to attend to in the office. Please excuse me[Dash].”

“Are you from Lo & Yul? A lawyer? Which team?”

Should I answer honestly?

Fearing that ignoring the question would worsen her standing, Yeon Woo hesitated.

But to explain that she was Jun Hwi’s secretary, she would likely have to mention his name directly, which was also a daunting prospect.

Caught in internal conflict even in that brief moment, Yeon Woo was in a real bind.

That’s when it happened.

“She’s on my team.”

Jun Hwi, emerging from the office, answered with a deep voice.

“Ah, on the same team as Lawyer Kwon?”

“She’s my secretary.”

Striding towards them, Jun Hwi came to a halt right behind Yeon Woo.

“Really? I didn’t see her when I came in.”

Park Hyun Soo, his gaze still fixed on Yeon Woo, raised an eyebrow.

Sandwiched between two tall and robust men, Yeon Woo, like a lettuce leaf caught between thick burger buns, felt herself wilting.

How to resolve this awkward situation? While she pondered, people from C Pharmaceuticals began to emerge en masse.

“Vice President, shall we go now?”

Seizing the chaotic moment, Yeon Woo tried to make a quick exit.

“Hold on, hold on. Secretary? You haven’t finished answering my question yet.”

“What is your question, Vice President? If it’s work-related, I’ll answer it.”

Jun Hwi, standing firmly behind her, interjected again.

It’s really kind of him to protect me like this, but showing any closeness with Yeon Woo now would only harm them both.

Seeing the Vice President’s hostility, Yeon Woo couldn’t shake off the bad premonition she had had earlier.

That due to their unpleasant past encounter, Park Hyun Soo would grow to dislike Lo & Yul even more.

Especially with Jun Hwi growling protectively over his territory like a fierce animal, it would only aggravate the other party.

“I’m not asking about work, but your name. I still don’t know your name.”

“……”

“Just want to know your name before I leave. You were so sure you knew all about me last time. It’s only fair that I know yours.”

It’s just a name. Yeon Woo decided to reveal it and end this. As she was about to speak:

“My name is Kim Yeon Woo[Dash].”

“Here’s the elevator. Let’s go. I’ll escort you.”

Interrupting Yeon Woo, Jun Hwi subtly nodded towards the elevator.

Always polite and well-mannered in front of clients, this side of Jun Hwi was unfamiliar, making Yeon Woo even more anxious.
“Please, if you keep provoking the Vice President like this, what will happen to this deal!”

Unaware of Yeon Woo’s inner turmoil, Jun Hwi once again urged Park Hyun Soo with his eyes.

Park Hyun Soo smirked as if amused and then shifted his gaze from Jun Hwi to Yeon Woo, looking her up and down.

“Let’s meet again, Miss Kim Yeon Woo.”

He then pulled out his wallet from inside his suit jacket and handed her a business card.

“Ah…”

Yeon Woo inadvertently accepted the card.

The pearly, beige card was quite thick, exuding luxury with a subtle sheen. On the piece of elegant card, there was nothing but an 11-digit phone number.

Park Hyun Soo boarded the elevator with the other C Pharmaceuticals people.

‘It didn’t work out, even after all that effort…’

Having been caught by the Vice President, Yeon Woo’s shoulders drooped with worry. Just as she turned to return to the office, someone snatched the card from her hand before she could properly look at it.

“Lawyer…”

Calmly getting into the elevator, Jun Hwi’s profile appeared somewhat rigid.

Yet the piece of paper that had been in Yeon Woo’s hand was now mercilessly crumpled in his fist.

Their eyes met through the closing elevator doors. His expression was colder and more indifferent than usual.

The pleasant sound of Jun Hwi signing documents filled the drowsy afternoon office.

“Lawyer Kwon Jun Hwi.”

Since the encounter between Park Hyun Soo and Yeon Woo, Jun Hwi had been under a cloud.

His sharp gaze seemed even more pointed.

Junior lawyers who entered his office to report came out looking pale and shaken, suggesting that Jun Hwi was in a particularly frosty mood.

Yeon Woo should have explained immediately, but lunchtime came, and she was busy until she finally found a moment alone with him under the pretext of signing.

It was unfair to have to tread lightly around Park Hyun Soo, but appeasing her upset boyfriend came first.

Yeon Woo cautiously waited for a chance to speak beside him.

“Go ahead.”

“Sir?”

“Explain. You said you met the Vice President of C Pharmaceuticals before.”