Young Hwa laughed helplessly as she looked at the work order handed to her by In Ha.

“Ha. It’s like… a carbon copy.”

With each page she turned, Young Hwa wondered if she might have compiled the work order herself.

Previously, she used to make slight changes to details or modify colors.

Of course, it was only to the extent of changing indie pink to pink, or slightly enlarging small flower prints.

This was at the level of making an exact copy.

They must have been extra careful due to anxiety about the upcoming review meeting where people from outside would be invited, not just internal staff.

They don’t trust themselves.

To make copies, Young Hwa moved the sticky notes attached to the work order to the back.

At that moment, Sun Woo and Jae Seok entered the office.

“Please gather around for a moment!”

Jae Seok called people to the table placed in the center of the design room.

Designers scattered here and there gathered around the table.

Young Hwa, who had been watching this scene, turned her head and focused on her own work again.

Young Hwa was an exception even during group meetings. She was just an assistant doing odd jobs for the designers in the office.

Rather than risk being scolded, it’s better to just make copies.

The designers gathered at the table were all unique. Being people who design women’s clothing, their attire was quite different from that of regular office workers, all quite flashy.

Moreover, the season was at the height of midsummer.

Even fashion styles unfamiliar in Korea boldly strutted about, to the point where one didn’t know where to look.

Anyway, due to the nature of the design room, male employees rarely entered.

Jae Seok, standing next to Sun Woo, checked if all employees had gathered.

“There. Over there, that person…”

Jae Seok’s gaze was directed at Young Hwa.

“Ah. You don’t need to worry about her. Young Hwa is just an office assistant.”

In Ha politely but dismissively threw out words that belittled Young Hwa to Jae Seok.

“No. I think everyone should be here together.”

Jae Seok stopped In Ha.

Sun Woo called out to Young Hwa in a loud voice, as if frustrated.

“Ji Young Hwa! Come over here. I said all employees should gather!”

Jae Seok clicked his tongue at Sun Woo’s attitude and scratched his forehead.

In Ha’s expression also slightly crumpled. It was unpleasant just to hear Young Hwa’s name come out of Sun Woo’s mouth.

“Pardon? Me too?”

“Come quickly.”

Young Hwa shook off the loose threads sticking to her hands and got up from her seat.

With Young Hwa, all members of the design room had gathered.

“The design room staff should listen more carefully. We plan to include a planned product in this review. In the first half of next year, The K is likely to widely advertise the merger news with U&I, and accordingly, U&I is planning a kind of gift concept product for regular and new incoming customers.”

Bright smiles appeared on the faces of the designers.

One of them raised their hand and asked a question.

It was the always cheerful and pleasant chief designer.

“Does it matter what category? Clothing? Accessories?”

Jae Seok smiled at the chief designer.

“Not only clothing and accessories concepts, but even 1+1 products are free. Design to your heart’s content.”

The chief designer laughed, even high-fiving with a colleague sitting next to her.

It seemed there could be no better material with as much merit as having no restrictions for designers.

However, Young Hwa felt a bitterness in her mouth.

She didn’t want to attend meetings like this.

A world she couldn’t be part of. It felt like oil entering water.

“The submission deadline is the end of this month. The qualification for entry is…”

Entry?

Young Hwa’s face lifted up again.

“There are none.”

Somehow, Young Hwa’s face burned as if Jae Seok’s gaze had reached her.

In reality, Jae Seok’s gaze was directed at Young Hwa as he spoke, and Sun Woo rolled his eyes in displeasure upon noticing their gazes meeting in midair.

In Ha raised her voice in surprise.

“Entry? Are you saying you’re going to hold a contest?”

Jae Seok raised both hands to express that it was obvious.

“This will be a product that announces The K’s clothing business. Of course, it’s planned to be a contest for employees of both companies, from The K employees to U&I employees. So the design room staff will need to work harder.”

“No, the design room can cover that sufficiently. Why go as far as a contest?”

In Ha was clearly flustered.

“Of course, I have no doubt that the grand prize will come from the design room.”

After finishing his talk, Jae Seok left the design room with Sun Woo.

Sun Woo’s hand naturally rested on Jae Seok’s shoulder.

“It’s heavy. Take your hand off.”

Jae Seok muttered as if annoyed.

“My dear Jae Seok. You know how grateful I am, right?”

“Shut up. Do you know I age a year every day because of you?”

The first thing Sun Woo checked upon arriving at U&I was how Young Hwa was treated in this company.

Of course, through prior investigation, he thought Young Hwa’s educational background would make it difficult for her to work receiving normal employee treatment.

But minimum wage salary, working as an assistant in a non-existent position in the design room…

It didn’t feel like something a family that claims to consider her family would do.

It must be because appearances are important.

Externally, it appears that Kang Seok, concerned about his wayward daughter who couldn’t enter high school, had her take the GED and then employed her in his company to work.

It was obvious this was an act for that purpose.

But the facts learned through Jae Seok were very different.

She was accepted to an arts high school but couldn’t enter.

She was accepted to Korea University’s Fashion Design department but gave up admission.

And then came the news of In Ha’s admission.

Somehow, the gears of these two seemingly different events fit together too well.

“Ah, but Han Jae Seok!”

Sun Woo quickly lowered his hand that had been on Jae Seok’s shoulder.

“What?”

Whenever Sun Woo called him by attaching his surname, Jae Seok always prepared for some trouble or for Sun Woo to cause trouble.

So just hearing those words made Jae Seok tense up.

“Why are you making eye contact with my woman?”

Jae Seok smiled and gritted his teeth. As a result, his voice came out hoarse.

“What did you say, Sun Woo?”

“I clearly saw it. Your gazes stuck together quite stickily in midair.”

Jae Seok raised his hand and then dropped it.

“I should either kill this guy or change jobs. Ugh. It’s infuriating.”

Jae Seok pushed Sun Woo aside and went forward.

“Hey, Han Jae Seok. Hurry up and explain. What did you two talk about with your eyes?”

“If you don’t shut up now, you’ll die by my hand. Even if you shut up now, you’ll die. Either way, you’ll die by my hand!”

Jae Seok turned around and lunged at Sun Woo.

***

After Sun Woo left the office, Young Hwa returned to her seat.

Her heart was pounding, and heat rose to her face.

If it’s a contest hosted by The K, wouldn’t it be possible at least?

Her lips were dry, so she drank all the water in her tumbler in one gulp.

A flower garden bloomed in her head.

She was happy and ecstatic to have the opportunity to try something again.

Meanwhile, In Ha gathered the designers and they murmured as if having a meeting.

“Is everyone okay?”

The gentle voice sounded like it was comforting the designers.

“Of course. We’re grateful if you look over our work once, Team Leader. We love your insight so much. Every year, you pinpoint exactly and only produce the best products.”

“I see. I’m grateful that you think that way.”

In Ha sent the employees back to their seats and came to Young Hwa’s desk.

Tap tap.

In Ha’s hand tapped Young Hwa’s table.

Young Hwa looked up.

“You heard, right?”

“Heard what?”

“Even though you probably won’t participate in any contest anyway… if you’re thinking of doing it, submit it to me.”

Young Hwa twisted her lips at In Ha’s ridiculous words.

“What did you say?”

“Well, you’re part of the design team too. I decided to look over our team members’ proposals once. They say opportunities should be given equally. So do it if you’re thinking about it.”

The rising heat subsided.

“And if I don’t want to?”

In Ha held up a piece of paper.

“Do you know what this is?”

“What?”

“It’s the contest participation form. If you don’t intend to follow my policy, I’ll mark you as not participating.”

What a transparent person. In Ha.

In Ha was clearly gambling right now.

She probably doesn’t have the brains to come up with a planned product herself, but if she doesn’t give Young Hwa a chance from the start, she won’t be able to steal the design either.

If a decent design comes out, she’ll steal it, and her goal is to prevent Young Hwa from participating.

She’s not smart, but she’s cunning.

“I’m not doing it.”

In Ha’s expression hardened.

“What? Why… aren’t you doing it?”

“Do I have to do it? I’m not particularly interested in such planned products.”

Even with her head turned, Young Hwa could picture In Ha’s face turning pale.

“You like money, don’t you? The prize money for winning here is quite substantial.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m telling you because you don’t seem to know. For your reference.”

“For something meant as a reference, you’re quite pushy. It’s as if you really want me to participate.”

Is she trying to steal the employees’ designs this time?