In a narrow alley behind the bustling business district of Gwanghwamun, Yeon Woo stopped in front of one of the old diners known only to a few.

The sign, haphazardly painted, was nearly illegible, but matched the name given by Kim Ju Hwan’s secretary.

‘Why does the chairman want to see me?’

Swallowing dryly, she opened the creaky aluminum door and entered the diner. Inside, she noticed a prominent elderly man with white hair dining alone in a corner.

Yeon Woo approached him respectfully and bowed.

“Good day, Chairman.”

“Ah, you’re Jun Hwi’s secretary, Deputy Kim Yeon Woo, correct?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Please, take a seat. I’m just finishing my meal. Is that alright?”

The chairman gestured to the chair opposite him and returned to sipping his soup. Yeon Woo sat upright, nervously fidgeting with her clasped hands under the table, wondering why she was summoned.

Rumors of one-on-one meetings with the chairman were unheard of at Lo&Yul.

“Your performance reviews have been quite good,” the chairman began unexpectedly.

“They say you’re excellent at training new secretaries.”

Yeon Woo straightened up, tense and flattered.

“Thank you.”

“Your impression is very positive, diligent. Ah, do people dislike such compliments these days? I’m being cautious.”

“No, not at all! Thank you.”

But surely, this wasn’t the only reason she was called in.

The chairman, unconcerned by her anxiety, slowly fiddled with his kimchi as he continued.

“You’re familiar with C Pharma, one of Jun Hwi’s clients, right?”

Had she heard that right? C Pharma again!

“I have something to deliver there. Since Jun Hwi is in charge of the account, could you personally deliver it?”

At that moment, an individual from another table approached and handed her a heavy external hard drive.

“Give this to Vice President Park Hyun Soo. You’re already acquainted with him.”

“A…”

“Any problem?”

The chairman’s sharp gaze halted, piercing through Yeon Woo with an insightful shimmer.

‘Is he sending me to Park Hyun Soo on purpose?’

Yeon Woo was sure of it, feeling chills down her spine.

“No problem. I’ll deliver it to C Pharma.”

“Make sure you go yourself. You understand what I’m saying.”

“…,”

Suddenly, Park Hyun Soo’s menacing face, warning her not to regret her decisions, flashed in her mind.

If Park Hyun Soo was behind this, to what lengths would he go to torment someone?

Was rejecting someone’s advances such a grave mistake?

How could he involve even a company’s chairman to bring someone down like this?
The chairman was taking Park Hyun Soo’s side, but why? Had Park resorted to a similar sort of blackmail to coerce the chairman for a long-term contract?

The sudden upheaval in Yeon Woo’s otherwise simple life felt like an unfair bombshell. She felt like crying out of frustration and helplessness.

But she couldn’t let herself cry in front of the chairman, because of that man, Park Hyun Soo.

Yeon Woo clenched her fists under the table, holding back her tears with all her might.

“It’s nothing complicated. Young people often meet through friends for blind dates. If an adult arranges it, it’s matchmaking.”

The chairman added leisurely, looking at the quiet Yeon Woo with her head bowed.

“Chairman, I…”

This was absurd!

“Park Vice President spoke so highly of Deputy Kim Yeon Woo that I became curious to see what kind of lady she was. And now I understand why he was impressed. You two seem like a perfect match.”

Yeon Woo had to make her refusal clear. Despite her trembling voice, she spoke firmly.

“I am in a relationship. And I’m uncomfortable with Vice President Park Hyun Soo.”

“And if this discomfort leads to the collapse of the trust built between C Pharma and Lo&Yul, that’s not a problem?”

“That’s…”

“How hard did Attorney Kwon Jun Hwi work to win over C Pharma, a client that was closely tied to another firm and spending billions annually?”

The chairman was blaming her.

The most painful accusation made Yeon Woo seal her lips.

As she didn’t respond as he expected, the chairman’s kindly face turned increasingly irate.

“Was all that praise for your work a sham? So selfish. No loyalty to the firm, unwilling to cooperate, and utterly clueless. Tsk.”

“…”

“What did you do to make a client come to me? You’re about to ruin a deal that the attorney has built.”

The chairman’s criticism grew harsher, accusing Yeon Woo of potentially ruining Kwon Jun Hwi’s efforts.

“You can’t even humor him till you get the contract signed? Meeting with C Pharma’s heir wouldn’t be too bad for you, Deputy Kim. Are you naive or just foolish?”

Yeon Woo was shocked to discover such a low mentality in the chairman of the firm she worked for.

“Your words are excessive.”

She couldn’t just sit and listen. If she did, she might actually end up meeting Park Hyun Soo as arranged.

However, Chairman Kim Ju Hwan casually dismissed her trembling voice and remained adamant.

“I’m a businessman too, so I won’t fire you over this. I don’t plan to. But if you successfully close this deal, I promise a substantial reward.”