“Yes, elder brother Jae Kyung.”

Ga Young replied with a nasally voice, smiling from ear to ear.

“Are you testifying that CEO Hwang Min Jun committed personnel misconduct?”

“What? Oh… No, not that.”

Ga Young blushed, flustered.

“Please refrain from making unconfirmed statements.”

Had Jae Kyung taken her side? Bo Mi looked at Jae Kyung with disbelieving eyes.

Jae Kyung escorted Yeon Hee to the elevator without any change in expression.

“Jae Kyung. Grandmother seems to be pushing you too hard in many ways… but please take good care of the new business as well.”

“Don’t worry.”

“I believe in you, Jae Kyung.”

Yeon Hee looked at her son with a tender expression. After her husband Do Won Il died in an accident, most people turned to support CEO Hwang Min Jun.

Her father-in-law Chairman Do Jun Seok and mother-in-law Lee Hae Young did not protect the two of them, and instead showed a cold attitude, saying that Do Won Il had tarnished Do Won Group’s image. The media pursued them relentlessly, and Yeon Hee and Jae Kyung became mentally weakened. There was even an incident that threatened Jae Kyung’s life.

She suspected that all of this was done by CEO Hwang Min Jun’s forces, who feared Jae Kyung might succeed Do Won Group.

Yeon Hee decided to go abroad for Jae Kyung’s safety.

Jae Kyung, who had lived abroad since he was about ten years old, returned to Korea six years ago.

As heirs were scarce in the family, Chairman Do wanted to pass the company to his grandson rather than keep his promise with Chairman Hwang. Yeon Hee returned to Korea, determined that it was time to finally resolve her wronged husband’s resentment. The day before the party where Jae Kyung was to be announced as the successor, Jae Kyung met with an unexpected accident.

It was a sorrow incomparable to when her husband died. The incident of almost losing Jae Kyung shook Yeon Hee’s entire life. Although she had raised him harshly for revenge, she couldn’t bear to lose her son so futilely after her husband.

“Take care on your way in.”

Jae Kyung curtly bid farewell and turned back to the director’s office.

“Mother, please invite me to your house too.”

Ga Young clung to Yeon Hee, smiling brightly. Yeon Ga Young. The arranged marriage partner to proceed with as a gesture of reconciliation with CEO Hwang Min Jun. In looks, personality, and ability, she was unsatisfactory in every way as Jae Kyung’s partner.

But it didn’t matter. If Jae Kyung’s life could be fully guaranteed, she could endure the humiliation of accepting the enemy’s relative as a daughter-in-law.

‘Do Won Group and Hwangdo Construction are one family. Marrying someone from CEO Hwang’s side can strengthen the relationship and stabilize things externally. Jae Kyung is young, isn’t he? Do Won Group will be inherited by Jae Kyung anyway, and it’s bad for the image if word spreads that your father-in-law is breaking his promise.’

Yeon Hee had to swallow her rising anger at her mother-in-law Hae Young’s words. It was true that there was instability within Do Won Group due to long-standing factional fights, as Hae Young said. The union of the two families might be a necessary process for future profit generation and development. But if it was just to deprive Jae Kyung of his opportunity…

Moreover, Yeon Hee sighed involuntarily at the vulgarity of Ga Young, who was to become her daughter-in-law.

It even felt like Hae Young’s plot to curse Won Il’s bloodline by trying to match him with such a girl.

If only the Chairman were still alive, she wouldn’t have to suffer such humiliation.

“I’ll make a cake and bring it. I’ve been taking bride lessons lately, so I can make quite a few things.”

“Alright. I’ll be in touch.”

Yeon Hee blurted out in an indifferent tone, hiding her distaste for the interaction. Through the closing doors of the elevator, she saw the woman said to be sponsored by CEO Hwang Min Jun following Jae Kyung into the director’s office. She had seemed familiar since seeing her at the secretary’s office.

Where have I seen such a girl before… As the woman suddenly turned her head, the line of her profile overlapped with someone else’s.

Yeon Hee furrowed her brow. Wondering who she resembled, that detestable woman came to mind.

The woman who died with my husband. Han Ga Eul.

Dealing with a woman drenched in perfume since morning brought on a headache. Jae Kyung’s appearance as he entered the director’s office after seeing his mother off looked precarious. He gritted his teeth, knowing it was dangerous to show such a sight to anyone.

He couldn’t show Jae Kyung’s weaknesses to those looking to find fault with Do Jae Kyung. It had been a while since he suffered from headaches…

Jae Kyung furrowed his brow at the sweet scent. He felt his mind becoming calm and clear.

“…sir.”

As the woman’s voice was heard, it seemed like a bright light was entering his darkened vision.

“Director.”

“Ah. CEO Han Bo Mi.”

Should I go to the hospital? The intervals between headaches have been getting shorter lately.

“What happened to our office?”

Jae Kyung strode into the director’s office, gesturing for her to follow.

“Director.”

Bo Mi called out to Jae Kyung again, following him with quick steps, feeling frustrated.

“I’m not deaf, so come in and we’ll talk.”

As they entered Jae Kyung’s office, the Do Won Group’s annex building hanging at the end of the wide glass window came into view. The Hwangdo Construction and Resort Business Division and the Housing Business Headquarters were using it, she recalled.

She suddenly remembered someone from the staff boasting that the company cafeteria was more popular on the annex side because a former hotel chef was in charge.

“Didn’t we agree not to terminate the contract?”

Bo Mi protested in an aggrieved voice as she followed Jae Kyung.

‘I’ll do it. I’m the Director’s person.’

She had swallowed her pride and taken Jae Kyung’s hand for this project.

‘CEO Han Bo Mi. Do you know what you’re saying?’

Jae Kyung had sneered at Bo Mi’s too-easy acquiescence with an arrogant expression.

‘I’ll repay the favor according to my circumstances. What’s most precious to me right now is.’

The most precious thing… Protecting Narae Creative was the way to be able to live with Yeo Reum.

‘Protecting Narae Creative.’

After saying all that, to go back on his word now, he really was a terrible person.

“We are proceeding with the contract termination.”

Jae Kyung held out the contract termination documents.

“Ha… you bas…”

Bo Mi picked up the documents and almost let a curse slip out.

“CEO Han Bo Mi, you’re unexpectedly foul-mouthed.”

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

“A wise decision.”

Jae Kyung handed Bo Mi another document.

“Because we need to write a new contract.”

“What do you mean?”

“The project management has changed from Do Won Distribution to the Strategy Headquarters.”

“Is it supervision?”

When Bo Mi asked with a serious face, Jae Kyung laughed instead. Seeing the dimples that sank deeply into his cheeks, Bo Mi was suddenly reminded of paradise.

“Do I look that free to you?”

“Then…”

“Read it. The outlet collaboration proposal from Do Won Distribution was well-received within Do Won Group, so we decided to work together on the resort being constructed this time as well.”

For Bo Mi, the expansion of the business scale was beneficial.

“The project investment and development costs are…”

“What about our office?”

“Didn’t you see it on the way to the Strategic Planning Headquarters?”

She remembered hearing that the office in charge of projects managed by the Strategic Planning Headquarters was on the same floor.

“I look forward to working with you, CEO Han Bo Mi.”

“No… how can you handle things like this…”

Bo Mi’s cheeks puffed up as she grumbled.

“If you don’t explain properly…”

“I apologize for that. This matter was brought up yesterday and approved this morning.”

It was Lee Hae Young, the acting chairperson, who urgently summoned Jae Kyung and ordered him.

‘For this resort and outlet business project constructed by Hwangdo Construction, have Jae Kyung proceed with introducing the AR system. If you want to gain support from other executives, you need to succeed in such major projects.’

The planning proposal for Do Won Distribution’s outlet business was a new attempt that strengthened entertainment functions targeting young family demographics and key consumer groups.

As the demand for offline stores decreased due to online shopping, they reinforced elements that could make people visit offline stores in person.

Future plans include integration with the metaverse, expecting simultaneous profit generation both online and offline.

Even three-year-olds can operate smartphones in this world. Hae Young had a feeling this business would do quite well, and she was wary of Do Won Distribution taking all the credit.

If they proceed together with Hwangdo Construction’s resort business team, they could give credit to CEO Hwang Min Jun if it goes well, and if it goes wrong, they could just blame Do Jae Kyung.

‘I won’t spare my support, so do your best if you can.’

Jae Kyung couldn’t have failed to grasp Hae Young’s true intentions behind her seemingly supportive encouragement. While it was good that he got to supervise CEO Han Bo Mi, it seemed like it would be a difficult battle for Jae Kyung in many ways.

“I apologize for the lack of proper communication.”

Jae Kyung had sent Secretary Kim thinking of Narae Creative, but it seems Secretary Kim didn’t explain well.

“I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions without knowing the full story.”

Bo Mi also softened at Jae Kyung’s apology. She began to sign the documents, picking up a pen. Along with the rustling sound, her hair fell and swayed. Bo Mi’s plump lips pursed pointedly as she concentrated.

Jae Kyung felt an inexplicable thirst and rubbed his neck. Unlike the headache, he hadn’t been feeling well since earlier.

The biggest problem was that he couldn’t take his eyes off Han Bo Mi.

“By the way, Yeon Ga Young who left earlier.”

Jae Kyung opened his mouth as if trying to break the awkward atmosphere while checking the documents Bo Mi had signed.

At the name Ga Young, Bo Mi tensed up. If he was trying to confirm that she had worked as a maid at CEO Hwang Min Jun’s house, how should she answer?

“If it’s about explaining my past, I have nothing to say.”

Bo Mi, jumping to conclusions, answered before Jae Kyung could even bring it up.

In the past, Min Jun didn’t come to his family home for a while after getting married in an arranged marriage not long after Bo Mi arrived.

Hwang’s wife, Min Jun’s sister, said she would educate Bo Mi herself and gave her a small room, making her do housework.

‘Han Ga Eul. Are you trying to hold Min Jun back even in death? How dare you entrust your daughter? If you have any shame, don’t think about getting free meals.’

Hwang’s wife hated Bo Mi’s mother, and that hatred was passed on to Bo Mi intact. As if such an atmosphere was contagious to children, Hwang’s wife’s children Ga Jin and Ga Young also joined in bullying Bo Mi.

“I’m grateful for your help earlier. But…”

“CEO Han Bo Mi. I’m not that interested in you.”

“Pardon?”

Her white skin, like camellia flowers falling on snow, turned red.

Jae Kyung found Bo Mi’s flustered expression cute.

“Or is CEO Han Bo Mi interested in me?”

Bo Mi swallowed for a moment before shaking her head vigorously.

“No. I’m not interested. Really not interested.”

Really? She’s not interested in me? Is that even possible?

Jae Kyung tried hard to swallow the laughter that was about to burst out at Bo Mi’s strong denial.

Every time her short hair swayed, her reddened earlobes peeked out conspicuously. This woman’s expression of swallowing whenever she lies is familiar.

It must be my imagination?

“Team Leader Yeon Ga Young will be coming from Hwangdo Resort Business Division as the project team manager for this project.”

Jae Kyung didn’t offer any words of comfort, even though Bo Mi’s future didn’t look very bright judging from Ga Young’s attitude.

Bo Mi seemed shocked at the news that she would be working with Ga Young.

Somehow, after signing the new contract, work increased, money increased, and good things happened…

From now on, she could already imagine how difficult it would be for the newly formed team.

Whether Bo Mi wanted it or not, that moment finally arrived.

“Hello? I’m Yeon Ga Young, the manager in charge of the Paradisus project team. It’s an honor to work on this project with all of you.”

Ga Young greeted the people from Narae Creative and Do Won Distribution Marketing Team 1 employees.

“I look forward to working with you, CEO Han Bo Mi.”

Ga Young extended her hand for a handshake with a kind smile. Bo Mi reached out her hand, hiding her anxiety.

When she was young, she remembered Ga Young pretending to shake her hand but actually digging her nails into the back of Bo Mi’s hand in front of Min Jun, pretending to get along well.

It was a miserable thing to see the crescent-shaped deep wound swelling up red.

She was scared by Hwang’s wife’s threats that if she told Min Jun, she would be kicked out.

Bo Mi’s aunt had refused to take care of her because she had just gotten married and was living with her in-laws, so Bo Mi had nowhere to go if she left CEO Hwang Min Jun’s house.

Scared of being kicked out, she endured the bullying from Ga Jin and Ga Young. Fortunately, the house was big, so there were days when she could avoid being bullied if she hid well.

“I look forward to working with you.”

Thankfully, today’s handshake was just an ordinary handshake.

“CEO Han Bo Mi. You’ve come up in the world, haven’t you?”

Ga Young shook off Bo Mi’s stiff hand as if it were dirty and raised one corner of her mouth crookedly.