II 2

Chapter 2

When the clock’s minute hand struck the hour, a line of luxury sedans rolled to a stop in front of Kangsan Tech.

From the four cars, the first two and the last one opened their doors — lawyers in dark suits stepped out.

That alone was enough to crush the morale of the kangsan Tech employees.

Then, from the remaining car, the door opened.
Long legs stepped down, followed by a tall figure — the new, young, foreign-educated CEO, Han Tae-in.

Between his elite team of lawyers, Tae-in stood still, taking in the sight of kangsan Tech’s building.

It was clear now — he’d come prepared, sword drawn.

“What do we do, sir? He looks… serious.”
“Yeah… this is on a whole different level from last time.”

Tae-in’s gaze swept across the whispering employees as he began walking.

His presence alone was overwhelming. The employees fell silent, unable to breathe properly.

Finally, he stopped in front of President Yoon Jeong-hoon, who met his gaze calmly.
Tae-in extended his hand politely.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Han Tae-in, CEO of TS Electronics.”
“Welcome.”

Jeong-hoon clasped the offered hand — though his expression was far from pleased.

* * *

Inside the small office, an uneasy standoff filled the air.

On one side of the central table sat the Kangsan Tech staff, on the other, TS Electronics’ legal team.

Tae-in, sitting comfortably on the sofa, glanced around the dated room while Jeong-hoon placed a stack of documents on the table.

“I read through this out of courtesy,” Jeong-hoon said flatly, “but it’s useless. Let’s not waste time.”

Tae-in’s gaze lowered to the papers, then slowly lifted again.

“Think it over once more. My offer isn’t bad, don’t you think?”

No answer.

“A brand-new factory, fully equipped with modern facilities, rent-free for thirty years. You’d save money, work in a better environment — what’s not to like?”

It wasn’t, by any measure, a bad deal.

A company that had been barely scraping by might normally jump at such an offer.
Yet, somehow, Kangsan Tech didn’t budge.

Jeong-hoon finally spoke, expression cool.

“This factory may look old, but it was top-notch when we built it. I own this building. No rent, no lease. So, tell me — why would I take your offer?”

Tae-in’s lips curved faintly.

“Ah… so this place belongs to you, Mr. Yoon. That makes it easier, then. Sell it to me. Name your price — any price. All I want is the trademark rights.”

Jeong-hoon exhaled sharply — almost a scoff.

“You really think money solves everything, don’t you?”

Kim, the senior manager, cut in before Jeong-hoon could respond.

“You must not know, but last year your company tried everything — and our president didn’t flinch. You have no idea what that name ‘Moderato’ means to us!”

The words made Tae-in’s eyes narrow.

Meaning?
Sentiment?
Those were harder to buy than trademarks.

He stiffened briefly but masked it with a polite smile as his chief legal officer spoke.

“We can adjust the terms if needed. Of course, take your time to reconsider.”

“We’re not rejecting it because of the terms!” shouted Park, another manager.

But Jeong-hoon silenced him.

“We’re not interested in any offer. We never were.”

That’s when Tae-in dropped his next move.

“I heard you have a daughter.”

Jeong-hoon’s expression hardened instantly.

“Wouldn’t it be better for her — to live in a more comfortable environment?”
“……”
“Along with the factory, we’ll provide a house for your daughter.”

“I’m sorry,” Jeong-hoon replied coldly. “My daughter doesn’t need anything from you. I think we’re done here.”

Normally, Tae-in would have backed off to give the other party “time to think.”
But before he could, a knock broke the silence.

The door opened — and a woman stepped in, her eyes clear and composed.

All heads turned. Kangsan Tech’s staff froze in shock.

And Jeong-hoon’s face sank — he knew that voice too well.

“Apologies for being late. I’m Yoon Jaei, legal counsel for Kangsan Tech.”

Her steps were graceful, her hair neatly tied to reveal a slender neckline.
Even seated, her posture was flawless as she handed Tae-in her card.

“Han Tae-in, CEO of TS Electronics.”
“I know who you are.”

Her jet-black eyes glinted like obsidian — sharp, intelligent, calm.

Something about the two — father and daughter — struck Tae-in with déjà vu.

“You two look alike,” he said.
“Of course. I’m his daughter,” Jaei replied coolly.

Jeong-hoon closed his eyes, frustrated. He hadn’t wanted his daughter involved in this at all.
She’d had a rough enough time last year handling those thugs from TS alone.

He had even sent her away today on an errand — how had she known to come back now?

“Ah… the daughter.”

Tae-in shot a look at his secretary, silently scolding him for not mentioning that detail.

“You shouldn’t be involved in this,” Jeong-hoon muttered.
“President Yoon?” she replied through gritted teeth.

Her tone carried a warning — sharp enough to silence the room.

Then she turned her gaze on Tae-in.

“From now on, if you have anything to say to Kangsan Tech, say it through me. Don’t show up here again.”

The voice was calm, precise — entirely devoid of emotion.
For some reason, that unsettled Tae-in more than anger would have.

So this was the woman who made even his uncle’s men back down.

He chuckled softly.

“I like that,” he said.

And he thought, If I can break her, everything else will fall apart.

Tae-in rose smoothly from his seat.

“I only came today to introduce myself. Please review my offer — and contact me anytime.”

Even as he said it, his eyes lingered on Jaei — long enough to make it clear she was now his focus.

“Contact you? Never!”
“Manager Park,” Jaei’s steady voice cut in. “Let them go.”

Tae-in smirked as he stepped out of the office.
His expression cooled as he spoke to his secretary.

“Find out everything about that woman.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Everything — and I mean everything.”

Before getting into the car, Tae-in turned back toward the window of the office.

“Yoon Jaei… huh.”

Inside, Jaei, feeling that gaze even from a distance, looked right back toward the window.

Then, as the sedans departed one by one, she turned around.

Her eyes were sharp — enough to make everyone avert their gaze.

“I told you to contact me if TS Electronics came again. Why didn’t anyone call? They showed up with a team of lawyers, and you had me sitting here uninvited?”

No one answered, though a few chuckled awkwardly.

“What, no one agrees with me?”
“We agree,” said Kim, scratching his head. “You’re talented, but technically you’re not our company’s lawyer. We never hired you officially, remember?”

Jaei gave him a withering look.

“You’re impossible. What if they actually file a lawsuit?”
“Then we fight it! We’ve been through worse. We already registered the trademark first — they can’t touch that.”

Park chimed in with a grin.

“Yeah, and last year, you’re the one who stopped them. Everyone knows that.”

But under her glare, both men went quiet.

“From now on,” she said, picking up the folder on the table, “TS Electronics is my case. I’ll handle it.”

Jeong-hoon frowned.

“That new CEO doesn’t seem like an ordinary man.”
“Dad, don’t you trust me? Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

She sounded confident — but her father’s face only grew darker.