Chapter 5
The conference room.
“Then, let’s wrap it up here.”
Do-kyung’s calm voice echoed through the room.
Today’s meeting had been arranged to discuss adjustments to the sponsorship contract periods for the sports teams at Yu-yeong High School and Yu-yeong Middle School, located on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province.
Do-kyung, who had worked at the Global U.S. branch of the Youngjae Group, had returned to Korea six months ago. Since then, he had assumed the position of head of the Youngjae Foundation.
He prioritized underfunded or less popular sports teams, focusing on young talents who would otherwise be unable to pursue their dreams without support.
Today was no exception.
“Sir.”
Just as Do-kyung was about to step out, someone called after him.
“Please accept this.”
The person handing over the envelope was the coach of Yu-yeong High’s Taekwondo team. Do-kyung naturally accepted it with a light nod of acknowledgment.
“Thank you, as always!”
The coach’s hearty voice carried behind him as he walked away.
“Shall we depart?”
Do-kyung’s executive assistant confirmed that he had fastened his seatbelt.
Leaning back in his seat, Do-kyung opened the white envelope. It was quite thick. As he checked the contents, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
To our always-appreciated and deeply grateful director,
Inside was a letter. From a sponsored student. The handwriting was deliberate and heartfelt, reflecting the sincerity of the writer.
Park, Do-kyung’s assistant, watched him read the letter through the rearview mirror. The soft curve of his lips and gentle expression were a stark contrast to the cold, sharp gaze he displayed during meetings.
Do-kyung’s observational skills were exceptional. Coupled with his memory and relentless persistence, his insight was almost frightening.
This insight extended perfectly to recognizing potential in students. Six months ago, after personally watching a match, Do-kyung had identified a student who went on to win the youth Taekwondo tournament.
That student had even considered quitting at the end of the season due to a slump in performance. Do-kyung personally persuaded him to continue, ultimately leading to outstanding results.
Park marveled at him. After more than five years at the side of Chairman Cha Seok-jae, Do-kyung represented an entirely new type of figure. Even just looking at the Youngjae Foundation, it was evident.
Originally, the foundation had been a showpiece, meant to demonstrate the Youngjae Group’s noblesse oblige. The chairman had intended to place his favored grandson in another affiliate, but Do-kyung had steadfastly claimed the foundation’s leadership.
In just six months, the operation of the foundation had shifted 180 degrees.
As a result, the image of the Youngjae Group had soared, thanks to Do-kyung. Some might say he had planned it, but Park thought otherwise.
After all, a person’s eyes cannot lie. Even now, as he read the letter, that gaze carried no deception.
“Will we go out the back entrance today?”
Chairman Cha Seok-jae’s expected arrival overlapped with tea time. On such occasions, Do-kyung always entered through the back to avoid crossing paths.
“…Hmm. No, let’s go through the front today.”
Park was surprised by the unexpected answer but kept his composure.
“Understood.”
The car smoothly cut across the road and arrived at its destination.
Opening the front door, Do-kyung was greeted by Mrs. Jeon. As he returned the greeting, she spoke.
“Shall I bring coffee to your study?”
From the faint noise reaching the entrance, it seemed tea time was in full swing. Do-kyung checked his wristwatch.
Fifteen minutes had already passed since tea time had begun.
Was he late? Just as he was about to respond to Mrs. Jeon, a piercing crash rang out. Startled, Mrs. Jeon flinched, but Do-kyung remained perfectly still, focusing on the sound.
‘Hey! What are you doing right now?’
‘Hah, talk about bad luck!’
Lady Jeong’s sharp voice carried all the way to the entrance.
‘Is this how you deliver coffee? Can’t even do that properly, huh?’
Do-kyung’s handsome brows furrowed slightly at her words.
‘Consider yourself lucky it spilled on your hands. This outfit… much more valuable than your clumsy hands.’
“I can’t allow that.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Please bring a wet towel and an ice pack instead. Also some ointment.”
“…Shall I bring them to the study?”
“To the dining room. Oh, wait.”
Mrs. Jeon’s expression registered confusion. Ointment and an ice pack? Could he be taking care of the madam?
The current madam was, in effect, an enemy to both Do-kyung and the late madam. Mrs. Jeon tilted her head in puzzlement.
“What happened?”
When Do-kyung appeared in the dining room, everyone looked surprised. Understandably so—he rarely stepped foot in this room.
“Who’s this? Isn’t this Do-kyung?”
“Yes, I’ve returned.”
Young-seok’s face lit up with delight. Do-kyung gave a polite bow.
“Even living together, it’s hard to see your face. Marry, and you might forget what I look like entirely.”
Do-kyung humored Young-seok’s mock complaint, then shifted his gaze to Ye-eun.
As he lowered his eyes slightly, he saw Ye-eun’s hand, reddened as he had anticipated. Tilting his head, he noted the situation.
Lady Jeong, who had been relentlessly harassing Ye-eun, now stood glaring at Do-kyung, all her frustration directed at his sudden appearance.
Her intentions were completely transparent.
Do-kyung let out a small chuckle, then signaled to Assistant Park, standing by the dining room entrance.
Understanding the cue, Park approached Chairman Cha with a file.
“What’s this?”
“Please read it.”
Do-kyung’s lips curved into a faint smile. Seeing this, Young-seok guessed that Do-kyung had accomplished something significant; he always smiled like that when he pulled off a major feat.
As expected, Young-seok’s eyes widened as he read the documents. This was the issue that had troubled him for months.
“Do-kyung… how did you manage this?”
The proposal had been handled perfectly. Young-seok couldn’t hide his astonishment.
Taking advantage of Young-seok’s distraction, Do-kyung turned his attention to Lady Jeong, whose expression had darkened further.
“It’s been a while.”
To an outsider, this was a courteous greeting. But Lady Jeong did not take it as such.
Instead of replying, she glared at Do-kyung with eyes blazing. He, unbothered, said:
“You seem quite busy.”
Then, leaning close, he whispered something into her ear. With each word, Lady Jeong’s face paled, her body trembling as if in convulsions.
Suddenly, she bolted upright.
“I… I’m not feeling well. I’ll take my leave for today.”
No one stopped her. The sudden turn of events left Ye-eun momentarily dumbfounded.
Do-kyung shrugged nonchalantly, then gestured toward the tray.
“Is this mine?”
It was the espresso that Ye-eun had prepared after some deliberation.
“…Yes.”
Do-kyung picked up the demitasse and plopped into a chair.
“Please bring a wet towel.”
On the table, a clear latte stain was visible. Ye-eun answered briefly before heading to the kitchen.
Wet towel… where was the wet towel?
She was so focused on retrieving it that she forgot the pain in her hand.
“Yoo-eun? Yoo-eun?”
Mrs. Jeon appeared in the kitchen, calling for Ye-eun—or rather, Yoo-eun.
“Yes?”
“Here you go.”
Mrs. Jeon handed over the wet towel that Ye-eun had been looking for.
“And this too.”
“Oh, thank… huh? This is…”
What Mrs. Jeon handed over wasn’t just the wet towel. She also gave Ye-eun the ice pack and ointment, one by one.
“The executive told me to deliver these to you.”
…Executive? Do-kyung, he did this?
“And he also said you should go in now.”
Go in?
Before Ye-eun could respond, Mrs. Jeon left the kitchen without hesitation.
Watching her retreating figure, Ye-eun finally felt the cold sensation in her palm and regained some composure.
Removing the ice pack, she saw her reddened hand. Once she focused on it, a sharp sting reminded her of the injury.
The burn covered a wider area than she had realized. Frowning slightly, she gently wiped the area with the wet towel and applied the ice pack.
The cold sensation dulled the aching pain.
How had he noticed she was hurt so quickly?
“They said you have good observation skills… and they weren’t exaggerating.”
