ALRE 13

Chapter : 13

“Then I’ll trust only you. Once the interview date is set, contact me. Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

There he goes, President Kang.

Rush, rush.

Before he could even properly say goodbye, President Kang had already left the office.

It took a moment for Jaewon to collect himself, and he hurriedly followed, seeing him off to the elevator.

“Please be careful on your way in.”

“Go on, go on. I’ll wait for your call.”

As the elevator doors closed, leaving Jaewon alone, he placed a hand on his hip and let out a sigh.

What on earth is going on?

Exhaling sharply through his shoulders and furrowing his brow, he noticed Manager Kim and Assistant Lee peeking at him like meerkats.

“Manager Kim, bring me some ice water.”

“Oh, yes, sir.”

Jaewon returned to his office and picked up the resume that had been carelessly left on the table.

Plop.

Sinking deep into his chair, he scrutinized the resume.

She had graduated from Korea University’s College of Fine Arts—which meant she was an alumna of the same university as him.

Taijin Officetel, Unit 1004.

He had heard that she recently compiled a defect checklist for the officetel and sent it neatly formatted to the officetel office.

It was said to be so perfectly organized that it could be used as a standard inspection checklist for tenants.

Could that lunatic really adapt well here?

Even if she was a parachute hire, the HR team would likely provide some initial training, but Jaewon remained skeptical.

Jaewon glanced at Lee Young’s photo on the resume and let out a short, dismissive laugh.

The picture showed her looking like a proper, refined young lady.

Where was the scam here?

If someone didn’t know her, they would probably be completely fooled.

Lee Young was a problem, a real conundrum in Jaewon’s life.

“Hello, I’m Kang Lee-young. I’ve come to meet the president.”

Suppressing her trembling heart, Lee Young spoke in a calm voice.

“Oh, one moment.”

Although her father had more or less forced her to come here, Lee Young’s face was bright with a smile.

Won Interior.

The name alone was dazzling: a legendary company founded in one’s twenties, and by the early thirties, the founder had already written a success story. And now, Lee Young was here, standing at that very company.

She hadn’t realized her father had such far-reaching influence.

The building owners of Gangnam were nothing in comparison.

The moment to meet President Jaewon was approaching in real time.

Her father had commanded her to gain experience at a large company for the future, and this reluctantly accepted opportunity felt like a stroke of luck.

“Dad, I’ll work hard.”

Compared to her father’s company, Human Interior, the gap was immense—like a corner shop versus a massive supermarket—but Lee Young felt confident.

“Please, come this way.”

A staff member confirmed via intercom and then led Lee Young to the president’s office.

Even the staff boasted a beauty far beyond her own.

Lee Young straightened her narrow shoulders and lifted her head.

Phew, I’m glad I listened to Dad.

Still, since it was her first interview, she had insisted on dressing properly. She arrived in a dark wool skirt suit, with neatly styled hair.

Had she known it was Won Interior, she would have put in even more effort, but her makeup was done, so this would suffice.

Taking a deep breath to bolster her confidence, Lee Young stepped into the president’s office.

Thud.

The secretary who had guided her closed the door and disappeared.

“Hello, I’m Kang Lee-young.”

She bowed politely and greeted in a bright voice. The sunlight streaming through the glass made it hard to see the president’s face clearly.

She could only faintly make out a masculine silhouette.

Biting her lip, Lee Young clasped her hands together, waiting for him to speak.

Her heart pounded.

Screech.

The president rose from his chair, wheels rolling smoothly, and tapped a small pad.

The transparent glass instantly turned a deep blue, semi-opaque, removing the harsh sunlight.

With the view now calm and orderly, his face came into clear focus.

And those deep, cold eyes pierced through Lee Young’s face.

Wh-why is it him?!

Feeling as if her entire body had frozen, Lee Young clenched her fists.

Her heart seemed to plummet to the floor, but he remained completely composed.

“Why are you so surprised?”

Dressed in a dazzlingly white shirt and dark pants without a wrinkle, he looked noble as if straight out of a magazine, stretching his long legs as he approached Lee Young.

“…?”

Intimidated by his presence, Lee Young took a step back.

“Pretending you didn’t know me… do you think that makes it better?”

Flustered, Lee Young blinked and spun around.

I have to get out. This isn’t right, this isn’t right.

Her trembling hands grasped the door handle.

All she had to do was open it and leave.

But why couldn’t she?

It was obvious that her father had carefully orchestrated this entire situation.

Biting her lips, she closed her eyes tightly and then opened them.

If she retreated now, she would regret it and probably lose sleep over it.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned back.

“I’ll properly introduce myself. I’m Kang Lee-young. I look forward to working with you, President.”

She lifted her head slowly.

Her awkwardly upturned lips quivered slightly.

So this was the Jaewon she had heard about. That’s right, it was him. Hahaha.

But the weight of the name “Jaewon, President of Won Interior” nearly crushed her spirit.

Frustrated by that, she straightened her chin even more.

Despite her panicked inner thoughts, Lee Young acted composed, unwilling to show defeat.

“Alright, let’s proceed with the interview. Take a seat.”

He pointed to the sofa and went to his own seat at the head of the room.

Though his posture was impressive enough to elicit admiration, first impressions are hard to erase.

Lee Young felt more familiar with building owner President Jeong.

Deciding to see him as a highly formal figure, she walked to the sofa and sat down.

Meanwhile, Jaewon sank deep into the sofa and crossed his arms.

After President Kang had left, he set the interview for three days later.

The audacious woman had appeared boldly, showing no shame.

Well, at least she had guts.

Since this was a request from President Kang, Jaewon decided to hire her on a one-year contract.

Of course, there would be a probation period, but barring any serious issues, they would work together.

This interview was mostly a formality.

Still, appearances had to be maintained.

Jaewon’s sharp eyes swept over Lee Young.

Dressed similarly to her resume photo, she looked competent.

Her short hair was neatly tamed, whatever product she had used keeping it in place.

Completely different from the scruffy jacket she had worn before.

Had she prepared thoroughly for the interview?

Then she must have brought this.

“Portfolio.”

Jaewon requested her portfolio.

Lee Young carefully took the file from her bag and handed it forward.

In this field, the easiest way to assess skill was through a portfolio.

“Here it is.”

Although she hadn’t majored in interior design, she had compiled what she could in her spare time.

Jaewon took it and began flipping through the pages.

It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Lee Young watched his slightly pursed lips, waiting for any comment.

Really… could this man be Jaewon, the legendary President?

Even looking again and again, it was hard to believe.

Still, being in his office suggested that he indeed was.

Ah, life.

Lee Young didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

She just hoped this moment would pass quickly.

After carefully going through the entire portfolio, Jaewon stared at her silently.

Swallowing nervously, Lee Young braced herself for criticism.

“You graduated from an art school, huh… The basic sketches are decent enough. You did the CAD work yourself?”

Lee Young nodded in response.

“Yes.”

Relieved that the evaluation was better than expected, she responded, though something in his gaze seemed… off.

Could it be that he didn’t trust her?

“Good. I’ll trust you.”

…Trust me?