Chapter 8
The 20th floor of Last Hotel.
Through the large office window, the view of Hannam-dong, Itaewon, and the towering Namsan Tower was spectacular.
“So, Ji-hwan… how is he doing?”
Wearing a white two-piece pantsuit, with a platinum eagle brooch gleaming on her lapel, CEO Kim Young-sook, the leader of Last Resort Group, stood with her usual commanding presence.
“He has lost a bit of weight, but he’s holding on better than expected.”
“Oh? He lost weight? That’s amusing.”
At Manager Min’s report, Young-sook almost smiled.
She had expected him to give up within three days—but he was still enduring.
That, surprisingly, made her feel a bit proud.
“He’s never done hard work in his life. I’m surprised he hasn’t run away.”
“But didn’t the young master complete his military service?”
“He served as a KATUSA in the U.S. Army. Still, he’s not completely incapable of adapting.”
Young-sook walked toward the window with her hands behind her back, holding a Wedgwood teacup.
Her gaze paused for a moment, as if searching for something in the scenery.
“There won’t be any problems, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“The girl assigned to him. That housekeeping employee… she’s 26, right?”
“Didn’t you feel reassured after seeing her resume photo?”
Young-sook set down her teacup.
Still, something seemed to bother her.
“Are all the housekeeping staff at work now?”
“Yes, they should all be in by now.”
Manager Min checked her watch.
After nearly 20 years of serving her, she could read her thoughts just by her expression.
“Shall we go down?”
“You’ll go in person?”
“Yes.”
***
Meanwhile, the housekeeping office was in an uproar.
Before even starting the morning briefing, they had received word that the CEO herself was coming down.
“There’s no need to be nervous. She’s just stopping by briefly to encourage everyone.”
The manager tried to calm them, but the staff couldn’t hide their surprise.
“What’s going on this early in the morning?”
“Has the CEO ever come down here before?”
“She did during the anniversary event two years ago, remember?”
“Quiet, please.”
The manager lowered his voice to settle the room.
Assistant Manager Jung-mi told everyone to check their uniforms.
As they adjusted their name tags—
The office door opened.
“Everyone, thank you for your hard work.”
The CEO entered with Manager Min.
Every staff member, regardless of age, stood respectfully.
Though nearing sixty, Kim Young-sook radiated authority.
“Good work, Manager Park.”
“Not at all. Thank you for coming in person.”
After a brief greeting, Young-sook gave a short speech, praising the staff for working quietly on the front lines to maintain the hotel’s image.
“You are Assistant Manager Choi Jung-mi, correct?”
“Oh my—You remember me, CEO!”
Overwhelmed, Jung-mi clasped the CEO’s hand with both of hers.
“I deeply respect you—”
“Ah… my hand hurts. That’s enough. Here—this is a bonus.”
Young-sook handed out envelopes to each staff member.
The envelopes were thick.
The staff erupted in cheers.
“Oh! Mrs. Shim, it’s been a while. You’re in good health, I hope?”
“It’s all thanks to you, CEO.”
As she handed out envelopes one by one, Young-sook’s gaze sharpened slightly.
“…Eun Kkot-nim. That’s a pretty name.”
“Hello, CEO. I’ll do my best!”
A national weightlifting gold medalist, 59kg class.
Height: 160 cm. Average weight: 65 kg.
Graduated from a specialized sports high school.
Did not attend college.
Both parents deceased.
Sent both younger sisters to medical school.
All of this had been investigated by Manager Min.
“You seem very sturdy. Did you do sports?”
“Yes… I did.”
Her features weren’t particularly striking.
Broad shoulders, noticeable trapezius muscles even in uniform, thick neck—
Seeing all this in person, Young-sook looked strangely reassured.
“Employees like you make me feel confident.”
“Thank you! I’ll work hard!”
***
Finally, she stood in front of her son—Seo Ji-hwan.
Her successor.
Her greatest concern.
“You must be the new employee. Did you not sleep well?”
As Manager Min had said, he looked thinner.
His eyes were sunken, dark circles forming.
He was practically begging with his eyes—
Please get me out of here.
“This job is extremely difficult, ma’am.”
The air in the office froze instantly.
Everyone’s expressions stiffened.
Even Kkot-nim, standing beside him, was stunned.
“I see. Everything is difficult at first. You’re still young, so work hard.”
“Is there anyone here who doesn’t work hard? The workload is beyond imagination. I’ve been practically dying for two weeks—”
Kkot-nim stomped hard on his foot.
“Understood. But with such an experienced senior guiding you, I’m sure you’ll adapt.”
Young-sook, clearly displeased, moved past him.
Then—
Something shocking happened.
Ji-hwan grabbed her shoulder.
The entire office seemed to freeze.
Then he said—
“Excuse me, why didn’t I get a bonus?”
“…There must be some misunderstanding. New employees are excluded. You’ll have another opportunity.”
“What? Are you serious? Shouldn’t new employees get more encouragement, not less?!”
“Grab him!”
At the manager’s shout, the entire staff—including Jung-mi—jumped on him.
“…This new hire is quite unusual.”
“Let’s go, ma’am.”
As Young-sook left with Manager Min, Ji-hwan’s desperate voice echoed behind them.
“Mm— With such low pay, you exploit workers and still take away the bonus?! Give me the bonus! I need money—mmph!”
***
Inside the elevator, Young-sook spoke calmly.
“No problems, right?”
“Yes. Eun Kkot-nim is absolutely not the type men like.”
Young-sook visibly relaxed.
She had been secretly worried her son might repeat the same mistake as her late eldest son.
“I know my son’s taste. Someone who values aesthetic beauty would never be interested in her.”
“Exactly. Based on the women he’s dated before, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Manager Min had observed all of Ji-hwan’s past relationships.
Kkot-nim was the complete opposite.
“He’s being pushed hard, though. His cheeks have gotten thinner.”
“It seems the training is quite tough for him.”
“Good. Then stop monitoring him so closely.”
“Shouldn’t we keep watching a bit longer?”
After all, they had seen how the two glared at each other like they might kill each other.
There was no concern about romance.
If anything, it looked like they might start a fight at any moment.
“No need. I guarantee it. Focus on the Jeju land acquisition and Last Holdings in Japan.”
Young-sook was certain—
Nothing like what happened with her eldest son would repeat.
And yet…
Despite seeing everything with her own eyes,
A faint, almost unnoticeable unease lingered deep inside her.
