Episode 25
“I’ve lived my whole life for this company. Honestly, we could’ve made much better ginseng sticks than the ones we
showed you. The ingredients and everything could’ve been way better. But… they took advantage of our financial
problems…”
“Are you saying Team Leader Chae really did all this?”
“Yes. He came to me a few days ago and said those things.”
Ha-yoon gently helped the factory manager get up off the floor.
Looking at his expression, she could tell he wasn’t just lying to escape the situation. He was telling the truth. Team
Leader Byung-wook had planned everything to sabotage Team 1’s live broadcast.
Tae-jun looked around and asked the manager,
“Do you have any CCTV footage here?”
“Well… yes, but… when he came, he spoke to me in the blind spot, so… it probably won’t be helpful…”
It made sense. Byung-wook probably hoped that, just like his team once messed up a live broadcast, Tae-jun’s team
would fail too. He must’ve thought this would give Team 2 a chance to climb back up.
Right now, Byung-wook’s position at the company was shaky. Team 1 had taken all the top time slots, so he was
clearly desperate to do whatever it took to get back on top.
Still, there are lines you shouldn’t cross.
Plus, Tae-jun was currently acting as Team 1’s leader. If something like this got exposed—selling fake products
during his live show—it would be a total disaster.
It could destroy Team 1 entirely, and Tae-jun might lose his reputation completely. A major scandal.
Tae-jun frowned and thought deeply for a moment, then let out a sigh and looked at the manager.
“Alright. I understand now. Thank you for telling the truth. I guess you didn’t have much choice in that situation.”
Tears welled up in the factory manager’s eyes.
It wasn’t hard to imagine how desperate he must have been. One live show might’ve been the only thing that could
save his failing factory. He probably gave in because Byung-wook threatened to cancel the deal and shut down his
factory.
“But even if you were desperate, you still share some of the blame. You should’ve told me instead of hiding it.”
“I’m so sorry. Truly, I am.”
“We won’t be signing any contracts. Once trust is broken, we can’t go forward with selling your product.”
“Ah…”
The manager’s head dropped low.
“But since you told the truth, I won’t press charges.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Jung Ha-yoon, let’s go back to Seoul.”
The manager’s crying echoed throughout the factory, but no one went to comfort him.
“Director, you’re back already…?”
The team was surprised by how quickly Tae-jun returned from the field trip.
He entered the office and walked toward Byung-wook, who was lazily scratching his cheek while staring at his
monitor.
Byung-wook had been saying there weren’t many live shows lately, so he’d spent a lot of time lounging around the
office. Ha-yoon let out a small, bitter laugh at the sight.
“Team Leader Chae.”
Byung-wook frowned when Tae-jun suddenly approached. He stood up reluctantly and greeted him.
“You’re back. Do you… need something from me?”
“Yes. I do. Something important.”
“What kind of ‘important’ thing could we possibly have to discuss?”
“Instead of talking out here, let’s go to my office. This is something we should discuss privately.”
At that, cracks started forming in Byung-wook’s expression. His face twisted in annoyance, and his breathing grew
sharp.
“Director, that’s kind of insulting. You’re talking like I’ve done something wrong.”
He also didn’t like Tae-jun’s commanding tone. His voice turned sharp, and the atmosphere between the two grew
tense.
Tae-jun gave a short, sarcastic laugh, clearly unimpressed by Byung-wook’s attitude.
“Did you just laugh at me?”
“If you don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of the entire office, I suggest you come quietly. This is the last bit of
respect I’m giving you.”
The air in the room turned icy. Everyone’s attention was on the two of them. Watching Byung-wook glare at Tae-jun,
some of the staff nervously swallowed their saliva.
Maybe realizing everyone was watching, Byung-wook stood up suddenly and stormed toward Tae-jun’s office.
He clearly hated having to follow orders, but he knew that if he caused a scene now, he could get completely kicked
out of the company.
He’d already been scolded once by upper management for messing up a previous live show. They warned him: raise
your voice again, and you’re gone.
Now, with leadership watching him closely, he couldn’t afford to step out of line.
“Jung Ha-yoon, come with me. Everyone else, keep working. There will be a meeting soon—we’re restarting the live
show plan from scratch. Expect to work late tonight.”
The team groaned, but Tae-jun ignored them and gave instructions to his secretary.
Ha-yoon bit her lip nervously. He wants me to walk into the tiger’s den with him?
She gave Tae-jun a pleading look, silently asking if she could stay out of it. But he just jerked his chin, signaling her to
follow.
With no choice, she followed behind him, nearly in tears.
Inside the meeting room, Byung-wook stood with his back turned, hands in his pockets, looking furious. When the
door shut, he spun around with a mocking laugh.
Now’s not the time to be so smug…
“So? What do you want from me? You dragged me in here and embarrassed me in front of everyone. It must be
something really important.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t waste your time with something small. Please, sit.”
Tae-jun and Ha-yoon sat on one side of the table. Byung-wook sat across from them.
“Alright, Director. Let’s hear it. I’m dying to know what you think is so important.”
His words were sarcastic and rude. Tae-jun didn’t react. Calmly, he motioned to Ha-yoon with a finger.
She immediately understood and placed her phone in his hand.
Tae-jun opened the voice recorder app and looked at Byung-wook one last time before pressing play.
“I’ll ask you one last thing.”
“Go ahead.”
“If there’s anything you’ve been hiding—anything you want to confess—now’s your chance. If you speak up now, I
might be a little more understanding.”
“I’m sorry, Director, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. I seriously don’t. If you think I’ve done something
wrong, just say it clearly. But I swear to the sky, I’ve done nothing wrong.”
He raised his hand dramatically toward the ceiling, trying to look confident.
Ha-yoon couldn’t help but laugh quietly. How could someone be so shameless?
