Younger Man at Work (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5

Seon Ah stared at Eun Seo with an exasperated look in her eyes.

“Back when we were kids, there was that huge scandal—about the missing chaebol madam!”

“Oh!”

Eun Seo couldn’t possibly not know. It had been all over the news, and back then, when she and her mom were frantically searching everywhere for Eun Ho, they’d bumped into people looking for that missing madam several times.

What she hadn’t known was that it was Kwon Seung Joo’s biological mother.

“So that was our company’s affair all along…”

The search had stayed in the headlines for years. Eun Ho had gone missing years ago, and by then even the police had practically given up—but for a wealthy family’s wife, they kept deploying police resources for so long, which had left Eun Seo feeling bitter at the time.

“So in the end, they never found her?”

Seon Ah nodded.

“After five years, she was legally declared dead, and that’s where things stand now.”

By law, a missing person is declared dead after five years—that much Eun Seo knew better than anyone.

“Right after the declaration, the Chairman remarried his second wife immediately, and that’s your CEO’s stepmother.”

“If he remarried, she’s a concubine—why call her ‘second’?”

Seon Ah rolled her eyes.

“The second son, born to your stepmom, is only three years younger than the CEO!”

“Oh…!”

Eun Seo nearly slapped her knee in realization. Now she finally understood Kwon Seung Joo’s intense reaction that morning—of course he’d resent someone who entered the family through an affair calling herself his mother.

“Honestly, Eun Seo, I can’t believe it. Everyone in the country knows this story, yet you, as an employee, didn’t know? That woman’s nickname is literally ‘The Nation’s Second Wife.’”

“Sorry, I really didn’t know.”

Eun Seo had always been out of touch with worldly matters. Her entire focus had been on finding her younger brother, leaving no room to care about anything else. She didn’t even know the latest hit dramas or songs, and back in school, clueless classmates often treated her like an alien.

“By the way, Eun Seo, when was the last time you ate proper meat?”

Seon Ah suddenly pressed her. They’d just had lunch together—why was she asking this now? Eun Seo replied, slightly confused.

“I just ate—spicy stir-fried pork.”

“That dry, completely fat-free lean meat doesn’t count as ‘meat’! I mean real meat—when did you last grill something properly on a hot plate? Tell me the most recent time.”

When Eun Seo just smiled instead of answering, Seon Ah rolled her eyes as if she’d expected exactly that.

“See, see! We had pork belly two weeks ago, and you haven’t had any since, right?”

“…”

“At home, you’re probably just pouring water over cold rice and pairing it with kimchi again, aren’t you?”

“…”

Seon Ah let out a sigh and declared firmly,

“I’ll buy meat and come over this weekend. Let’s grill pork belly in your yard.”

Knowing Eun Seo never ate proper meals and always made do with scraps, Seon Ah occasionally stepped in to take care of her like this. Eun Seo was grateful, of course, but she quickly waved her hands.

“No, it’s fine. I’ve got to prepare for moving this week.”

“Moving? Why suddenly?”

“My landlord’s demolishing the house to build a new building. I’ve got less than two weeks—I need to get ready fast.”

“What? They just gave you notice out of the blue?”

“That’s how it turned out.”

“Wow, what a ruthless landlord! Kicking someone out overnight like that!”

Utterly unaware that this “landlord” was none other than her beloved Kwon Seung Joo, Seon Ah clenched her fists in outrage.

“Well then, do you even have somewhere to go? You don’t have money, Eun Seo.”

“I’ve got my deposit back. I can use that to rent a small studio on a monthly basis.”

Truthfully, she was deeply worried—her finances were already tight, and now she’d have to pay monthly rent on top of everything—but she deliberately spoke cheerfully. She didn’t want Seon Ah to worry.

Seon Ah responded briskly,

“Then I absolutely have to come over. We’ll eat pork belly and pack your moving boxes together. I’ll even stay overnight to help.”

“Are you sure that’s okay? Won’t you be tired? You should rest on weekends too.”

Though she felt it was shameless of her, Eun Seo’s ears perked up. She’d lived in that house for so long that packing was already a huge concern—and with barely ten days left until demolition, time was running out.

“What are you talking about? Since when do we stand on ceremony with each other?”

Seon Ah’s eye-roll made Eun Seo’s nose sting unexpectedly. Though they’d met after entering society, Seon Ah was a better friend to her than any school classmate—better than anyone.

“Thank you, Seon Ah.”

As she said this, Eun Seo suddenly wondered:

‘Should I tell Seon Ah the truth?’

She briefly considered revealing Kwon Seung Joo’s accident but quickly shook her head. Seon Ah would worry too much—and more than that…

‘Wait, why did the CEO get hit by a car instead of you?’

She could vividly picture Seon Ah’s wide-eyed, demanding expression.

‘Yeah… I don’t know either.’

Eun Seo muttered under her breath and let out a soft sigh.

*

When she got home after work, a huge man was standing silently in front of her gate. As she approached curiously, Eun Seo nearly screamed in shock.

“…!”

It was Kwon Seung Joo.

She’d only ever seen him in impeccably tailored suits, so she hadn’t recognized him immediately in casual clothes. That morning he’d been in a hospital gown, and now he wore a form-fitting sweater and cotton slacks.

‘He must’ve been discharged already—but why’s he showing up at my house?’

Her heart suddenly dropped. Right before his accident, the last thing she’d said to him had been:

[“Born as the eldest son of a chaebol, with a director title handed to you—you must think everything in this world is easy. Climbing to CEO in just four years, everyone else must seem laughable and stupid to you.”] [“Someone like you—have you ever even felt real pain in your life? Ever lost sleep from stress? Ever cried until your chest hurt?”] [“Let me give you one piece of advice: People like you shouldn’t give advice to others.”]

Now that she thought about it, it had been a tirade of harsh words. No wonder he’d come chasing her down the moment he regained consciousness—she must’ve been furious.

“Um… are you feeling better now?”

She asked timidly, bracing herself. Kwon Seung Joo gazed at her blankly.

“Thank you so much for saving my life.”

Eun Seo bowed deeply. Though she still resented being evicted before her contract ended, he truly was her lifesaver—that much was undeniable.

“I’m truly sorry for my rudeness that day. I’m deeply grateful for the comfortable life you’ve given me all this time…”

She’d meant to add, “I’ll quietly move out,” but the words stuck in her throat.

“Who are you?”

Kwon Seung Joo asked out of nowhere.

Eun Seo’s heart sank—she assumed he was being sarcastic. As if to say, “Who do you think you are to act familiar with me?”

After all, she’d spoken to him so disrespectfully—he wouldn’t just let it go. Maybe he was even planning to fire her. If she lost her job on top of being evicted…

“I’m really sorry. I wasn’t myself that day—I was too angry.”

She bowed deeply again, but his expression remained full of suspicion.

“What are you doing here at my house?”

Taken aback by this sudden assertion of ownership, Eun Seo timidly objected.

“Well… yes, it’ll be demolished soon, but I’m still the tenant right now—and legally, it’s my home for the duration of my lease…”

Whether he heard the rest or not, the man reacted fiercely only to her first words.

“Demolished? Who gave them the right to demolish it?”

After giving the order himself, why was he playing innocent now? Eun Seo’s anger began to simmer.

“Who else? You gave the order yourself!”

“My father did?”

Suddenly, his face turned furious.

“Go tell my father clearly: No matter what, I won’t set foot in his house.”

“What?”

Eun Seo asked in confusion.

“This is my house—Grandmother gave it to me. My father has no right to touch it.”

“…?”

“If he wants to demolish it, fine—go ahead. I’ll pitch a tent right here and keep waiting for my mom.”

She couldn’t understand a word of this. He’d clearly given the demolition order himself—why drag the Chairman into it now?

All she could sense was the hostility radiating from his face—a different, fiercer kind than his usual coldness—that made her shrink inwardly.

“Um… I don’t understand what you’re saying… Father?”

Only then did Kwon Seung Joo ask, looking bewildered,

“Aren’t you my father’s secretary?”

What on earth was he talking about? He didn’t seem to be joking, and Eun Seo felt dark clouds gathering slowly around her.

“No, I’m not.”

The big man finally looked flustered, unsure what to do, and suddenly bowed his head deeply.

“I’m really sorry. I thought Father sent you to bring me back…”

Now it was Eun Seo’s turn to be shocked.

Bowing? Kwon Seung Joo—bowing to her?

What on earth was going on? As she stared at him in disbelief, he asked carefully,

“Um… Nuna, sorry—but could I borrow your phone for a moment? I lost mine.”

His first words had hit so hard she hadn’t even processed the rest.

Nuna?

“I need to call my cram school to say I won’t be coming today.”

When Eun Seo stood frozen, speechless, he asked anxiously again,

“Nuna?”

He spoke completely naturally, but to Eun Seo, it felt as if every hair on her body stood on end.

A million thoughts raced through her mind in an instant.

“Um… this is really inappropriate to ask, but…”

Trembling with dread, she asked,

“May I ask… how old you are this year?”

The big man answered without a second’s hesitation,

“I’m in my second year of high school—eighteen years old.”

Though her eyes were wide open, everything went black before her.