ABCD 30

Chapter 30

Lee Han mulled over the conversation he had just overheard between Haru and Tae-in.

“So this was the suspicion Dan Haru mentioned before?”

He began to suspect that it was Tae-in who had deleted the translation file Haru had been working on.

No—judging by Tae-in’s expression earlier and Haru’s reaction, it was closer to certainty than mere suspicion.

Back in the CEO’s office, Lee Han summoned Chief Kim.

As soon as he sat down at his desk, he spoke.

“Is the company’s security system running smoothly these days?”

“Yes. As far as I know, there haven’t been any issues.”

“And outside visitor access is being managed thoroughly?”

“Yes. No special problems have come up… may I ask why you’re bringing this up?”

Chief Kim cautiously probed.

Meeting his gaze, Lee Han casually began.

“I heard there was an incident in the Flex team where an entire translation file was deleted.”

Chief Kim froze, unsure how to respond.

How had such a trivial matter within the team reached the CEO’s ears?

Even he was hearing of it for the first time.

“Tell the security team and that department to investigate thoroughly whether it was an external breach, and report back to me.”

Chief Kim was curious why Lee Han was so invested in this matter.

But it wasn’t his place to ask. He would simply obey orders quietly.

“Yes, understood.”

Bowing his head, Chief Kim left the office.

Alone again, Lee Han tugged his tie loose in frustration.

Haru’s devastated expression from earlier came back to him.

The sight of it made his blood boil—he’d already wanted to smash that bastard senior’s nose in, but even that wouldn’t be enough.

“If you commit a wrong, you deserve punishment.”

A cold smirk tugged at Lee Han’s lips.

If he found even one shred of proof, he would drag Tae-in through the mud without mercy.

On her way home, Haru’s body felt drained of strength.

Each heavy step left her sighing like she carried a thousand pounds.

“Would they really fire me? The company isn’t some corner shop, and I even signed a contract!”

Tae-in’s words lingered endlessly in her mind.

He had been the one to recommend her for the position, and in terms of experience, she couldn’t compare to him.

On top of that, he seemed to be close with team leader Ahn Ki-seok as well.

Whatever the reason, it was true that missing the deadline by a day had caused problems for other employees.

“Am I going back to the hell of part-time jobs?”

She had only just been overjoyed at landing a full-time position.

Why was her happiness always so fleeting?

Face clouded, Haru trudged forward, drained of all positivity.

“You’re just getting home now?”

When she reached her doorstep, a familiar voice called out.

Startled, Haru finally lifted her gaze from the ground.

“Oh? Mr. Cha Seung-jae, what are you doing here?”

Her eyes widened at his unexpected appearance.

Holding up a paper bag, Lee Han said,

“Chicken and beer?”

The savory smell of fried chicken hit her nose.

“You said you liked it. Let’s eat together.”

With a warm smile, he gestured toward her home.

“I was just in the mood for a drink.”

Muttering under her breath, Haru placed forks and glasses on the table.

Lee Han opened the chicken box with a quiet laugh.

“No wonder I felt like buying some.”

Across from him, Haru peered into the box.

Golden crispy fried chicken and glossy red sauce-covered pieces looked mouthwateringly good.

Chicken half-and-half—of course.

Pleased by his thoughtfulness, Haru swallowed hard.

“Here.”

Lee Han speared a drumstick with a fork and handed it to her.

As she accepted it, he poured beer into her glass.

Foam rose to the top. Quickly snatching the bottle from him, Haru said,

“Give me that. I’ll pour for you.”

She filled his glass.

Watching her, he replied,

“I have to drive later. Just the glass for me.”

“Oh, I see.”

Lee Han slid his glass toward her.

Clinking it loudly, Haru immediately took a long gulp.

She downed it without pause, then let out a sigh of relief.

“Ah, now I feel alive again.”

Good food and cold beer—it was almost enough to brighten her mood.

But sensing the sadness underneath, Lee Han carefully asked,

“Something happened today?”

Normally, she was always smiling and cheerful.

He had already seen the shadows clouding her face earlier, and it was the reason he’d come here. But he feigned ignorance.

“I might get fired.”

At that, Lee Han frowned slightly.

“I thought at least for a year I’d have stability… guess I was careless.”

A bitter smile crossed her face.

Maybe her life really was that of a mayfly.

Her hand reached again for the beer.

Watching her empty the glass, Lee Han spoke.

“You’re not going to be fired.”

“How would you know that?”

Haru gave a dry laugh.

“Because it’s not going to happen. So don’t worry.”

It was strange hearing such certainty from someone who didn’t know all the details.

Yet somehow, the words reassured her.

“Even just hearing that… thanks. It’s comforting.”

She bit into the drumstick.

While she ate, Lee Han refilled her glass.

Lifting it, Haru sighed.

“Too bad you’re not drinking too. Feels weird drinking alone when someone’s right across from me.”

“What, planning to drink all night again?”

His teasing reminded her of the hotel incident before, and she chuckled.

“I thought I could, but you turned out to handle alcohol too well.”

“Try me again then.”

He nodded at the untouched beer in front of him.

“What if I drink this, and then stay here tonight?”

“Huh?”

Haru blinked, beer foam still on her lips.

“This time, I won’t be acting the gentleman.”

He was recalling the night he had tucked her in and then called a driver to take him home.

“If I drink this, I’ll be lying next to you in bed tonight.”

Gulp.

His steady, matter-of-fact tone made her throat tighten.

Should she drink it? The choice was hers—his eyes said as much.

Her heart pounded wildly—until suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Eyes wide, she glanced at Lee Han, who seemed equally puzzled.

“At this hour? Who could it be?”

Maybe it was the landlady again?

While she muttered, a loud voice called from outside.

“Dan Haru! You in there?”

A man’s voice rang out, and Lee Han’s brows furrowed with displeasure.

“Who’s that?” he asked, but before she could answer, the voice called again.

“It’s me! Open the door!”

Only after hearing it again did Haru realize who it was.

Her younger brother, Hanul—who lived back home with their parents.

But why had he come without warning?

“Let’s see if the passcode’s still the same.”

To her shock, Hanul began pressing buttons on the door lock.

Panic-stricken, Haru jumped up and whispered urgently to Lee Han.

“It’s my little brother. You have to hide.”

“Hide?”

“In the bathroom! Hurry!”

She dragged him up and shoved him inside, shutting the door.

Quickly, she stuffed his shoes into the cabinet—just as the door lock beeped and swung open.

“The code still works.”

“What are you doing here without calling first?”

“What do you mean? You were home the whole time, why didn’t you open the door?”

Dressed in a suit, Hanul stepped inside, taking off his shoes.

“Tomorrow I’ve got a friend’s wedding in Seoul. Mom wouldn’t stop nagging me to bring you these, so here.”

Shaking his head, he handed her containers of side dishes.

Still dazed, Haru took them and set them on the counter.

“I’ll tell Mom thanks. No, I’ll call her myself.”

“Yeah, do that.”

He shrugged off his jacket, loosened his tie, and flopped onto the sofa.

“You’re not leaving?”

“Leaving? I’m staying here tonight.”

“What? Why?”

“I just told you—I’ve got the wedding tomorrow morning. I came early so I could crash here tonight.”

“But why here?”

“Where else? You live in Seoul. Why would I pay for some sketchy motel?”

He shook his head, then spotted the table.

“Eating chicken by yourself?”

“Oh? Uh, yeah.”

“Perfect, I was starving.”

“Wait, where are you sitting?”

“Come on, what’s with you today? Let’s just eat together!”

And with that, Hanul plopped himself at the table.

This is a nightmare.

Haru sighed quietly in dismay.

“Hold on. Why are there two glasses?”

His sharp gaze landed on the table.

Haru froze, swallowing hard.