“Go join Ju-hyuk’s company.”
The document the Chairman handed her was none other than Ju-hyuk’s job offer from CK Cosmetics. The department and job title were listed, but in her state of shock, she couldn’t focus on any of it.
“What do you mean? Ju-hyuk’s company?”
“I told you I had a position ready for you, didn’t I?”
The Chairman’s words reminded her of a conversation they had before. He had told her to come to Korea, saying he had made a spot for her in the company, and all she needed to do was show up. At that time, she was too distracted by the thought of meeting Ju-hyuk again to really listen to him.
“Chairman, still… this is…”
“When I decided to marry you off to Ju-hyuk, I didn’t want you to just be a support for him. It’s a sin to have talent and not use it.”
She knew very well how much the Chairman valued hard work. A man who had endured discrimination and cold treatment in Japan just to learn weaving skills years ago—he was someone who had worked tirelessly to build up the Cha-gang Group.
The company was his blood, sweat, and tears.
And the Chairman didn’t want his children or grandchildren to just enjoy privileges. He had always pushed them, making them take on the responsibility of leading the company even in difficult times.
Many people admired Ju-hyuk for his background.
But if they were actually shown his day-to-day life and asked to live like him, very few would want to.
Ju-hyuk’s life, hidden beneath the glitter, was filled with a killer schedule, where even his words were put to the test.
“Chairman, but still… you know how much Ju-hyuk cares for this company.”
Ju-hyuk, the one who resembled the Chairman the most, was known for his perfectionism. He was so meticulous in his work that even those who worked with him were afraid of him. She knew he wouldn’t settle for being an employee.
“That’s why I’m saying join. Be a strength for Ju-hyuk.”
“…”
“With your experience, you could get into a better company than his. Use the knowledge you’ve gained in the U.S. and your time working at top companies to contribute to the company Ju-hyuk values.”
“…You’re overestimating me.”
“Chaerang.”
When the Chairman called her name, she shook her head.
She wanted to listen to the Chairman as much as Ju-hyuk. She was grateful and felt guilty toward him as well.
But this was different.
‘It’s already dangerous enough just being at home…’
She would have to live with him for a year in the same house. And then, they would part ways.
It was a relationship that was already destined to end.
The more memories she made, the harder it would be to part.
The Chairman didn’t know this, but Chaerang couldn’t accept his offer.
“I’m sorry, Chairman.”
“…”
“I’ll do my best to support Ju-hyuk at home. But joining the company is too much for me. I’m really sorry for troubling you.”
The Chairman didn’t press her further after hearing her serious voice.
Instead, he pushed the folder back to her and spoke.
“Take it with you. You can always change your mind.”
Chaerang couldn’t refuse anymore, so she nodded.
“…Alright.”
The next day, after breakfast with the Chairman, Chaerang returned to her room and packed her bag.
As she was putting in her phone and cosmetics, she froze when she saw the folder the Chairman had given her last night.
“Sigh…”
The Chairman’s voice urging her to support Ju-hyuk echoed in her mind.
Even though he had treated him so harshly as the successor, he still seemed worried about him. Chaerang understood his feelings, but…
“No matter how I think about it, I can’t work at the same company.”
Spending the whole day from home to the company, seeing him all the time, would make her heart race nonstop.
So, reluctantly, she shoved the folder into her bag.
Meanwhile, Ju-hyuk was in a morning meeting.
Sitting at the head of the table, his sharp eyes scanned the discussion, making all the employees tense up.
The next presenter, Manager Choi from the Design team, began his presentation.
“The order is current status, improvement direction, and new business growth plans…”
Before Manager Choi could continue, Ju-hyuk interrupted.
“Skip the current status.”
Manager Choi turned red in confusion.
“Sorry?”
“We need to balance the portfolio that’s tilted toward China. It’s essential to dominate the U.S. market to ease external risks, but we can’t ignore China either. Everyone here knows the current situation.”
“…”
“Or do I need to know something more?”
“No, sir. I’ll continue…”
Manager Choi quickly shuffled through his presentation and spoke again.
“Then, I’ll talk about the second half’s global strategy.”
Following Ju-hyuk’s nod, the presentation resumed.
“Most of CK Cosmetics’ products are modeled after naturalism…”
Ju-hyuk, who was normally thorough, seemed even sharper today. Perhaps because he hadn’t slept well, his handsome face had a hint of irritation, though it still made him even more attractive. But for the employees working under him, it was the worst atmosphere.
The others were silently hoping Manager Choi wouldn’t mess up, praying that the meeting would end without a hitch.
“Wait.”
But their hope was unlikely to be fulfilled.
“Yes?”
“So, what’s the point of this presentation?”
“…Sorry?”
From far away, they could see Manager Choi gulping nervously, sweat dripping down his face.
Of course, it wasn’t just Manager Choi who was nervous.
“Using eco-friendly packaging for natural cosmetics is great, but is this something only our company does?”
“Ah, that’s…”
“I think I could find twenty similar products just by looking at our competitors.”
“Well, lately, due to environmental issues, the cosmetics industry has been focusing on sustainable packaging…”
“Manager Choi.”
“Yes?”
“Who said we shouldn’t protect the environment?”
Ju-hyuk’s cold question made the atmosphere in the room even heavier.
“Where’s the person in charge of marketing for this project?”
“Yes, CEO. I’m here.”
Leaving Manager Choi behind, the next target, an employee with a pale face, raised their hand.
“How is the marketing team collaborating with the design team for the new product line?”
“Uh, well…”
The employee couldn’t even answer a basic question, making Ju-hyuk’s eyebrows twitch.
He knew that people were scared of him, and although he often tolerated things for a while, his patience was starting to run out.
“Actually, since the head of the design team left last month, communication hasn’t been smooth… I’m sorry, we’ll fix it.”
The employee tried their best to explain, but Ju-hyuk’s expression remained unfazed.
The heavy tension continued as if a bomb was about to explode.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by an unexpected sound.
Rrrrrr-
Everyone glanced around, wondering who was making that crazy noise.
And then, the culprit appeared.
Ju-hyuk casually took out his phone from inside his jacket.
But what shocked them more was the strange smile on his face as he looked at the screen. Everyone froze in fear at his mysterious grin.
Then, the unexpected words came out of his mouth.
“This meeting is over.”
“…?”
“Honestly, there’s no point in continuing with the data we have right now. Manager Choi, please revise the design with CK’s unique style and report it to me next week.”
Everyone was bewildered by his words. They had prepared for a harsh grilling, not for this.
Then, he turned to the team and asked.
“Or should we continue?”
“No, no, sir!”
“Thank you, CEO!”
Finally, everyone jumped up from their seats as they realized the meeting was over. As they left with the documents in hand, they all had the same thought.
‘Who is he?’
They were all genuinely curious about what kind of person Ju-hyuk was to make a CEO smile like that and calm his anger.
But for now, escaping was the priority.
Fearing that he might change his mind, everyone rushed out of the room.
Once they were all gone, Ju-hyuk pulled out his phone again.
“Hey, Chaerang.”
