Chapter 5 – Found
Files containing internal employee profiles were stacked neatly on Kang-woo’s desk. He casually accepted the folder Secretary Shin handed him and began flipping through it.
“There are twelve members in total. We shortlisted candidates by rank. All were selected based on outstanding performance over the past three years and strong internal evaluations. There are three candidates per rank, and their strengths are summarized on the first page.”
Kang-woo silently turned the pages as Secretary Shin briefed him. He then looked to Jinho, who had been reviewing the materials alongside him.
“What do you think, Director Kim?”
“Not bad. Ideally, they should speak at least three languages.”
“Agreed.”
The formation of the Strategic Planning Team had been prepared since New York.
Without notifying the Korean branch employees, Kang-woo had already been coming in for two weeks. He was well into pushing new initiatives forward.
As his eyes skimmed swiftly over the detailed profiles of elite employees, they suddenly stopped.
He stared at one particular file—for a full minute.
Secretary Shin found the unexpected pause puzzling.
“Is there a problem, Vice President?”
“Secretary Shin.”
The way Kang-woo called him—quietly—carried an oddly pleasant note.
“Yes, Vice President?”
“How long have you worked under me?”
“Five years. Is there a reason you ask?”
“Because this might be the best thing you’ve done so far.”
Neither Secretary Shin nor Director Kim knew what exactly he meant, but praise from Kang-woo was rare enough to make both of them stare in surprise.
Secretary Shin replied aloud while silently questioning Director Kim with his eyes.
“…Thank you.”
The two exchanged glances, sensing something was different today. Kang-woo leaned back in his chair, holding onto a single employee file.
His gaze never left the folder.
He stared intently at the small rectangular photo, then slowly read through her information.
A solid university graduate. A diligent résumé. A model employee who had entered the company without incident as a new hire.
One detail stood out—there was no information about her father. She carried her mother’s surname.
Kang-woo examined every line carefully.
An idea—perfect for a dramatic reunion—formed in his mind, and the corner of his lips lifted.
“Is tomorrow my official first day?”
“Yes.”
“Schedule a meeting with the Strategic Planning Team. I want to meet them.”
Only then did Kang-woo finally look at Secretary Shin. His expression—smiling—looked brighter than ever.
After Chaekyung’s transfer to the newly established department, envy and jealousy followed close behind—along with congratulations from those she was close to. The sudden attention made her uncomfortable; she had always lived quietly.
Before the vice president officially arrived, department transfers and preparations had to be completed. After a week of nonstop work, she wrapped things up and handed over her duties.
“Assistant Manager Min, you’re moving to Strategic Planning starting tomorrow, right?”
Yuna, a new hire who had worked closely with Chaekyung, asked with envy shining in her eyes.
“Yes. I’m worried about whether I’ll do well.”
“You’re my role model! You’ll do great!”
“Oh, Yuna. Find a better role model than me—I still have a lot to learn.”
Yuna had always supported her, a junior Chaekyung relied on greatly. Being called a role model felt like pressure, but she was grateful. It made her want to focus even harder on her work.
Her busy routine helped. She resolved to stop overthinking and immerse herself completely in her job at the new department.
When she returned to her desk, a message had already arrived on the intranet—addressed to her under her new department name. It contained a meeting schedule with the incoming vice president, set for two days later.
A department directly under the executive team…
She rarely interacted with executives. The thought made her nervous and uneasy.
With a quiet sigh, Chaekyung gathered her belongings and headed to the new office.
“That looks heavy. Let me take it.”
“Oh—no, it’s fine, but thank you.”
Among her new teammates, the only person she knew was Assistant Manager Choo Jungseok—her equal in rank. Friendly and easygoing, he had a knack for getting along with anyone.
Before she realized it, Jungseok had taken her box and was already striding toward the elevator.
“Nice to be in the same department, Assistant Manager Min. Looking forward to working with you.”
“I should be saying that. Thank you, Assistant Manager Choo.”
Chaekyung was shy around strangers, but Jungseok’s casual conversation made things comfortable—even in the elevator. She found herself responding naturally.
As they walked into the office together, Manager Jang—who had been tidying up—cracked a joke.
“You two look good standing together. Give it a shot.”
“Should we? I’d be honored.”
“It’s been a while since we had an office couple.”
“Has it?”
Before Chaekyung could figure out how to respond, Jungseok smoothly brushed it off. Denying it outright would only invite more teasing.
“Manager Jang jokes like that a lot. Don’t take it the wrong way.”
“It’s fine.”
Thanks to Jungseok’s quick thinking and consideration, the moment passed easily.
From early morning, all eyes were on the vice president—still shrouded in mystery—as he arrived.
Meanwhile, the members of the new department were busy organizing their office.
Change didn’t settle quietly.
While brewing capsule coffee in the pantry, Woo-kyung looked at Chaekyung with shining eyes.
“Isn’t this unbelievable? I never thought we’d work on the same floor as the executive team.”
Although Motte was a multinational company, the Korean branch still operated according to local corporate culture. Executives and staff typically worked on separate floors, maintaining distance.
But the newly appointed vice president shattered expectations even before his first day.
Those who had only heard rumors of his horizontal leadership style now experienced it firsthand—and were thrown off balance.
The first shock was the office location.
The Strategic Planning Team sat on the same floor as the Vice President’s Office and the Secretary’s Office. Departments he deemed essential—and the meeting rooms—were all consolidated onto one floor. He even downsized his own office to optimize workflow.
“I feel like I have to be more careful now. I’m nervous.”
“Don’t worry. This office feels good. Everything’s going to work out.”
Ever-optimistic Woo-kyung comforted Chaekyung, who tended to overthink. Like her friend Yuna, she was someone Chaekyung needed.
Unexpectedly, Woo-kyung and Hyo-joo—whom she’d never interacted with before—got along well with her. With only three women on the team, they grew close quickly.
As the time for the vice president’s meeting approached, the team headed to the conference room one by one.
Inside, everyone—regardless of rank—sat tensely, speaking little.
“Even the department head hasn’t met him yet, right?”
“That’s right. This is new territory for me too. I’m curious—and nervous.”
Team leader Manager Yang had also only met Secretary Shin, the vice president’s chief of staff.
Even the normally composed Manager Yang looked tense.
The conference room door opened. Secretary Shin entered, followed by Director Kim—and a tall man.
Everyone stood.
The moment Chaekyung saw his face, she froze.
Why of all people does it have to be him?
Her thoughts came to a halt.
“I’m Ji Kang-woo.”
His name echoed in her ears.
Their eyes met—but he seemed not to recognize her, his gaze passing by without pause. After he sat down, everyone followed suit.
Chaekyung’s mind went blank.
Her highest superior at the company she had to attend every day.
And worse—her direct superior.
She never imagined they’d meet like this. She lowered her head, biting her lip. For a moment, she even considered quitting.
Secretary Shin began briefing the team on future plans.
The lights dimmed as the projector turned on. Everyone focused on the presentation.
The darkness brought her a sense of relief.
But it was an illusion.
Once the lights went out, she felt his gaze—undeniably fixed on her. As time passed, it grew hotter.
She turned toward the feeling.
Kang-woo was leaning back in his chair at the head of the table, watching her openly, a relaxed expression on his face.
Chaekyung felt trapped, desperate to escape.
His low voice cut through the room.
“Secretary Shin.”
“Yes, Vice President.”
The presentation stopped.
“I understand the briefing. We’ll go over the materials later. I’d like to conduct individual meetings with the team.”
All eyes turned to him. Though young, his presence demanded respect.
“Manager Yang. Is that acceptable?”
He wasn’t rude—but there was a force that naturally bent others to his will.
Even the seasoned Manager Yang inclined his head.
“Yes, Vice President. That seems appropriate for a new department.”
“Good. Everyone here is someone I believe Motte truly needs. I expect you to demonstrate your capabilities in your respective roles. The individual meetings will be held in my office.”
He stood, and everyone rose with him.
Kang-woo walked past the employees.
Chaekyung, still struggling to steady herself, lifted her gaze—and met his eyes.
How long has he been watching me?
He smiled.
The man who had pretended not to know her was gone. A persistent gaze followed her instead.
Her breath caught.
Startled, she dropped the documents she was holding.
Kang-woo stopped. He picked them up and straightened. Then he leaned in—his voice brushing her ear.
“I found you.”
Chaekyung’s eyes shook.
He handed the documents back to her, indifferent once more.
She couldn’t even process taking them—frozen beneath his gaze, her breath held.
