Daesin Electronics headquarters.

As San Ha entered the lobby, he smiled and greeted the employees who were saying hello.

“Yes, good morning.”

Choi, the secretary, followed behind him.

He stood in front of the executive-only elevator.

He always stood out, being at least a head taller than others.

Employees whispered secretly at the cafeteria in one corner of the lobby.

“The director is still happy. Now’s not the time for that.”

“I know. How can he be so cheerful when his brother was appointed as the Executive Director of Strategic Planning? Doesn’t he know that position leads straight to the CEO seat?”

“He must have given up already. That’s why he’s so carefree.”

Even though the dress code had been relaxed, most employees preferred neat attire.

But he looked like a basketball player in faded jeans, flip-flops, and a long black padded jacket.

His messy hair made it seem like he had just finished playing a game.

“It’s better to be at ease. Why stake your life on a position you can’t get anyway?”

“That’s true.”

“I feel bad for the director. Originally, that should have been his position, not Gu I Seok’s.”

“That’s what happens without a mother. What does it matter if he’s the eldest son?”

“Right. Our chairman divorced his first wife after just a year of marriage. If they were that incompatible, how could he love a child from his ex-wife? Compared to that, the current madam is gentle and kind-hearted. Plus, she gave birth to twins right away. Anyone would prefer a sweet pillow talk.”

“I heard there might be some issues with the director himself though?”

Everyone instinctively huddled closer.

“What do you mean?”

“Rumor has it that the director suffered a severe head injury in a car accident and is a bit slow now.”

“Hey, are you talking sense?”

“Look at his appearance. Is that how a company executive dresses?”

At those words, everyone looked back at San Ha standing in front of the elevator.

His attire was certainly far from the authority of the owner’s family and out of season.

What’s with flip-flops in this winter?

“They say that’s why the chairman only gave him a nominal director position. He’s not quite right up there.”

He tapped his head.

“No matter what, that can’t be true. The director graduated from S University’s Business School and even served in the special forces in the military.”

“They say the accident happened after he graduated from college.”

“Really?”

“And he went to the military to hide that problem. Hey, what chaebol heir goes to the military?”

“Gu I Seok went to the military too, didn’t he?”

“That’s true, but… Anyway, I heard the director caused a major car accident while driving. One of his friends became a vegetative state because of it, and the director was in a coma for 3 months. After he woke up, he became a bit strange.”

They looked at San Ha again.

Just then, the elevator arrived, and San Ha disappeared from their sight.

“Now that I think about it, it makes sense. You know how the director sometimes spaces out? And sleeps anywhere? I was shocked when I saw him sleeping in the corner of the conference room last time.”

“They say it’s all because of the impact to his head. Apparently, his brain shuts down occasionally and he falls asleep. That’s why the chairman assigned three secretaries to him even though he doesn’t do much.”

“Hearing that makes me feel bad. To think that sleep is an aftereffect of the car accident.”

“Indeed.”

The employees nodded, now seeming to understand the cause of his somewhat sloppy appearance.

“If things are that bad, the group will definitely go to Executive Director Gu I Seok now, right?”

“I guess so?”

“Ugh, how annoying.”

One employee immediately said,

“How much is Gu I Seok going to squeeze us with that nasty personality of his.”

“Plus, there’s talk of layoffs coming soon.”

The coffee-drinking employees let out deep sighs.

*

“Congratulations, Executive Director!”

The executives in the main conference room stood up and cheered as I Seok appeared.

They rushed over, eager to bow to him.

“How happy I was when I saw the appointment notice!”

“I too was so moved I shed tears. Finally, Daesin has found its rightful owner.”

I Seok spoke politely to the middle-aged men bowing and flattering him.

“Thank you.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

They bowed again, trying to leave a good impression even one more time.

Just then, the front door of the conference room opened and San Ha entered.

“You were already here?”

San Ha approached with a bright smile.

The executives crowded around I Seok glanced at each other.

“There’s no need for that. I felt sorry, but you even bought me a bouquet to congratulate me. Brother, are you really okay with me becoming the Executive Director of Strategic Planning?”

“Of course.”

“See? Our brother is so unambitious.”

I Seok smiled.

“But Director Gu, what brings you to the executive meeting at this hour?”

San Ha had rarely attended morning meetings.

The executives all knew the reason was because of his excessive sleep.

“I had no choice due to the chairman’s summons.”

Just then, the door opened and the chairman’s secretary entered.

The executives hurriedly returned to their places and stood.

Soon, a middle-aged man with a tall stature and broad shoulders, exuding charisma at first glance, entered and sat at the head seat.

He was Gu Dae Han, the head of the Daesin Group.

“Begin the briefing.”

As soon as he spoke, the executives sat down and began presenting their prepared reports.

Chairman Gu listened attentively to the executives’ statements, scrutinizing with eagle eyes.

I Seok, sitting right in front, also had a serious attitude.

But everyone’s eyes occasionally glanced at San Ha, who was sitting at the very end of the table.

He sat properly for a while, but soon he was propping his chin, then yawning continuously, and now he was nodding off.

I Seok shook his head as if exasperated.

Shortly after, the executives’ briefing ended.

Chairman Gu called out to San Ha.

“Director Gu.”

There was no response from him.

Chairman Gu’s voice grew a bit louder.

“Director Gu San Ha.”

Only then did San Ha raise his head that he had been resting.

“You toured the nationwide factories this time, right?”

San Ha answered, sitting up roughly.

“Yes.”

“What are your thoughts after seeing them?”

I Seok and the executives all looked at San Ha.

“Umm…”

Instead of answering, San Ha only made a short humming sound.

I Seok said,

“If you looked around for a week, unless you’re a fool, you must have some thoughts? Director Gu, say anything, it doesn’t matter what.”

Finally, San Ha answered.

“The newer factories are fine, but employees at the older factories complained about safety risks.”

“Risks?”

“Yes. Especially at the Geoje factory, it seems we need to replace all the facilities completely.”

I Seok asked,

“Did the Geoje factory manager say that?”

“No. The employees eating at the cafeteria said so.”

“Cafeteria?”

“The employee cafeteria inside the factory. All the employees I met there said they’re too scared to work. They said someone might die. They said the head office never listens when they speak up.”

I Seok shook his head as if exasperated.

Reading his intention, an executive said,

“Director Gu, do you know how much money it would cost to replace all the facilities?”

“Probably a lot, right?”

The executives chuckled quietly at San Ha’s question.

“Director, a complete replacement isn’t just about money, it means shutting down the factory entirely. Besides, if we listen to every complaint from employees, we won’t be able to get anything done.”

“But if we don’t, won’t there be accidents and strikes? Isn’t that a big problem?”

“Those people always threaten to strike at the drop of a hat. If we keep giving in, it’ll only make them more unruly.”

“That’s right. These days, the labor unions are too militant, it’s a big problem.”

The executives spoke in unison.

“Is that all you got from touring the factories for a week? That there’s a problem with the Geoje factory?”

It was Chairman Gu.

“Yes.”

I Seok and the executives struggled to hold back their laughter.

“Let’s end the meeting here.”

Chairman Gu stood up and left without further comment.

“Our director is just too nice.”

It was the executive sitting next to San Ha.

“Not really?”

He smiled slightly, waved goodbye to I Seok, and went out.

The executives immediately flocked to I Seok’s side.

“Executive Director, you’ve worked hard.”

They crowded around him on both sides like bodyguards as they left.

“Executive Director.”

One executive called I Seok quietly.

At his eye signal, I Seok looked ahead.

San Ha, who had left earlier, was talking and laughing with a middle-aged woman cleaning the hallway.

“Our director is really so innocent.”

“Right. He never seems to have any worries.”

Though they spoke mockingly, I Seok didn’t stop them.

He walked to his office with the executives who kept bowing to him.

*

“You… you’re not going to upload this recording to the site, are you?”

Ha Eun asked anxiously as soon as Yeo Reum sat on the sofa in her room.

Just before, there was a recording attached below the text message Yeo Reum had sent.

It was Ha Eun’s stream of curses directed at Yeo Reum at the Busan police station.

She had been relieved thinking it was gone since Ju Hwa had destroyed the phone on the day Yeo Reum came to this house, but to think it would appear like this.

“Your room is really nice. It’s truly a princess room.”

In contrast, Yeo Reum was admiring Ha Eun’s room.

The beautifully decorated, spacious area was more than enough for a whole family to live in.

The view outside the window was also artistic.

“Hey, answer me. You’re not going to upload that, right?”

“Well…”

“…Do you know how much this could negatively impact the PR Group? If my aunt finds out about this. You’re dead.”

“That’s my business. Hurry up and apologize to me?”

“Delete the video you uploaded to the site right now! And get rid of all the recordings too!”

“I already said I won’t. And I clearly gave you a chance.”

“Hey!”

“I need to go now. Well, bye.”

Yeo Reum left Ha Eun’s room.

But Director Pyo was standing in front with an angry face.

Yeo Reum asked,

“Are you done mopping?”

“That’s Jung Yeo Reum’s job. Go do it right now.”

Director Pyo pushed the mop towards Yeo Reum again.

“The more I see you, Director Pyo, the more I think your hearing must be bad.”

“What did you say?”

“Didn’t the young lady of this house say earlier? That mopping is Director Pyo’s job. Why are you trying to pass it off?”

“Stop talking nonsense and go mop!”

Unable to control her anger, she tried to forcibly put the mop in Yeo Reum’s hand.

Just then, Yeo Reum’s phone rang.

“Wait.”

Yeo Reum raised one hand in a ‘stop’ gesture to the agitated Director Pyo, then pressed the call button.

―Hello, customer. This is the card service team from Won Il Bank.

Yeo Reum answered cheerfully.

“Ah, hello! But just a moment, please.”

Yeo Reum quickly covered the phone’s mouthpiece and said to Director Pyo,

“It’s Director Ahn.”

Even Director Pyo, who had been on edge, hesitated at the mention of Director Ahn.

Yeo Reum took a few steps forward and uncovered the mouthpiece.

“I’m sorry. Please go ahead.”

―We have a new product from our bank this time. It’s a card with really many service benefits. And no annual fee.

“Is that so?”

―Instead of eliminating the annual fee, the point benefits have been greatly increased. Of course, it can also be linked with other cards.

The bank employee continued with a kind explanation for a while.

―If you want more detailed consultation, please inquire at our bank. Have a good day.

She finished explaining the contents and hung up.

But Yeo Reum kept nodding, saying “Yes” or “I see” repeatedly.

“Just finish the call and hang up. Are you not going to work?”

Yeo Reum looked back at Director Pyo behind her and said,

“What are you saying? Oh, Director Pyo keeps telling me to clean this house. What? You’re saying I shouldn’t pay attention to Director Pyo’s words? And you have important things to say, so we should go somewhere quiet and talk again? I understand.”

As Director Pyo approached, Yeo Reum quickly lowered her phone.

“You heard, right? Director Ahn told me to talk again in a quiet place. Said it’s important. Well then, excuse me.”

Director Pyo was unsure, but Yeo Reum had already gone down the stairs.

She looked at the mop still in her hand, then finally threw it to the floor in frustration.