Chapter 96
Hallway
Gyeonhee was still limping, as if walking remained uncomfortable.
“Are you okay?”
At Secretary Kwon’s question, Gyeonhee shook his head slightly, his expression stiff.
“The pain is worse than I thought.”
“Should I casually ask Eunyoung if something happened?”
After a brief moment of consideration, Gyeonhee nodded. Holding his phone, Secretary Kwon quickly stepped out of the forum hall.
Gyeonhee looked down at the top of his foot again, regret flashing across his face.
I want to run there right now, but…
The Assemblyman Kang he was about to meet today wasn’t someone he could treat lightly either. On top of that, he was already late. Gyeonhee hurried his steps.
Inner Room
When Gyeonhee opened the door and entered, Seo Madam and Assemblyman Kang were in the middle of a conversation.
Across from Seo Madam, Chae-gyeong was also seated.
“You’re quite late.”
At Seo Madam’s reproachful greeting, Gyeonhee simply bowed silently.
“Welcome.”
Assemblyman Kang greeted him with a bright smile.
Instead of greeting him verbally, Chae-gyeong looked at him with a fresh, cheerful smile.
Looking for an empty seat, Gyeonhee had no choice but to sit beside Chae-gyeong.
“What a perfect-looking couple,” Assemblyman Kang remarked, glancing at the two of them.
Seo Madam and Chae-gyeong both wore polite smiles, while Gyeonhee alone forced a bitter, uncomfortable grin.
“Oh, by the way, I hear there’s some good news coming soon?”
Assemblyman Kang asked Seo Madam casually.
“The families have already settled things, but young people these days value their own opinions, don’t they? We’re planning to prepare carefully.”
“As expected—you’re very considerate.”
The two continued exchanging pleasantries.
“We’re aiming for the best timing for both our families. Thank you for your concern.”
At Chae-gyeong’s perfectly courteous reply, Assemblyman Kang smiled with satisfaction.
“You must be pleased to have such a daughter-in-law.”
Seo Madam smiled at his words.
At that moment, Gyeonhee, who had been silent until now, couldn’t hold back any longer.
“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of getting married.”
“CEO Woo.”
Seo Madam called him in a low voice.
“I’m saying this because it seems there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“Hm. I see. It seems this old man misunderstood.”
Assemblyman Kang spoke with a smile, but everyone could sense that his mood had soured.
“I apologize.”
Seo Madam stepped in quickly.
“No, it’s fine. Let’s talk business.”
With a slightly hardened expression, Assemblyman Kang placed documents in front of the three of them.
“As for the passage of this bill…”
In a stiff, rigid voice, he laid out his plans.
The once warm and friendly atmosphere froze in an instant.
Parking Lot
After the meeting, Gyeonhee walked toward his car with a heavy expression.
“CEO Woo.”
A familiar voice called out from behind him.
He stopped, and Seo Madam approached him, her high heels clicking sharply.
“You’re still as reckless as ever.”
Her sharp words carried unmasked emotion, something rare for her.
Her icy expression made it clear how angry she was. Still, Gyeonhee met her gaze directly and spoke.
“I’ve never acted thoughtlessly.”
“I thought I explained it clearly enough?”
“I never said I would follow your instructions.”
Seo Madam paused, staring at him silently.
“Is that so?”
She let out a faint laugh.
It was a smile that pressed down on the viewer with intimidation.
“You must really like being CEO of Consencio. Seeing you so confident. But it seems that position will soon change hands…”
She deliberately trailed off, smiling.
“You think so?”
Gyeonhee countered calmly.
“Recent indicators show Consencio’s growth. If the company is growing, why should the CEO be dismissed? Just because he didn’t obey the vice chairwoman? That doesn’t seem enough to convince the shareholders.”
This time, Gyeonhee smiled.
His words were true.
Consencio’s previously steady growth had surged dramatically over the past few weeks. Rerouting distribution lines to Southeast Asia and Europe to avoid the China restrictions had paid off.
Yet Seo Madam’s smile did not fade.
“That’s something anyone could have done, not just you.”
Gyeonhee’s expression stiffened.
“With the recent drinking incident and other matters, I believe there are sufficient grounds to remove you as CEO. But it seems you disagree.”
Recalling the incident from a few days ago, Gyeonhee’s face darkened further.
“So you’ll have to accomplish something that only you can do.”
In other words, if he failed to acquire DNBM, he would be forced out of the CEO position.
“I’m sorry I can’t give you much time.”
Her face showed not a trace of apology.
After delivering her message, she turned without hesitation and got into the car waiting for her.
Vrrrm.
As her car disappeared, Gyeonhee’s expression sank.
He had acted confident in front of her, but he knew well the weight of every word she spoke. Clenching his lower lip tightly, he struggled to suppress his anger.
“This is the biggest crisis yet.”
At that moment, Chae-gyeong approached.
“…Don’t get involved.”
“This is my man’s problem. How could I not get involved?”
Not in the mood to deal with her as well, he moved to get into his car.
“I’ll introduce you.”
Her unexpected words made him stop.
“What did you say?”
“I said I’ll set it up. The CEO of DNBM.”
At the mention of DNBM’s CEO, his eyes widened.
“There are still plenty of dates left, but well, you can pay me back later.”
After thinking over her words, he shook his head.
“I don’t need your help.”
“Think rationally.”
“I’ve never been more rational.”
“Doesn’t look like it.”
Smiling, she continued.
“Oppa, this is when you need help the most. Don’t be stubborn. You could lose everything.”
“…”
Gyeonhee couldn’t answer lightly.
She was right.
Denying reality to someone who knew everything would only make things more pathetic.
He could only stare at her in silence, his expression rigid.
“Don’t make that face. It’s scary. Smile.”
Chae-gyeong said, gently brushing his cheek.
“Tomorrow evening. I’ll set it up.”
With that, she slipped into her sports car. The engine roared as her car passed him. She rolled down the window slightly and waved as she drove away.
“Ha…”
Left alone, Gyeonhee let out a long, stifled sigh.
Kidsfan Office
While reviewing design drafts, Seon-i glanced at the time. It was already past 6 p.m., quitting time.
She checked her phone, but there was still no message from Gyeonhee.
Bzzzt.
At that moment, Eunyoung’s phone rang.
“Yes. Yes. Sounds good.”
After ending the call, Eunyoung grabbed her handbag and stood up.
“You’re not leaving?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I should.”
Seon-i replied to Eunyoung’s question.
“Why? No call from CEO Woo?”
“No. We didn’t plan to meet today.”
“Then let’s head out.”
“Yes!”
Ari answered in Seon-i’s place, jumping up as if she’d been waiting for it.
“Um… I still have some work left. You go ahead.”
“Why do you always do this? It makes people uncomfortable.”
Worried she might also end up working late, Ari glanced nervously at Eunyoung.
“It’s for tomorrow. I came in late earlier and couldn’t finish it. Please head home.”
Forcing a smile, Seon-i gently pushed Eunyoung and Ari out of the office.
Click.
Once the door closed, silence settled over the office.
“Whew.”
With a shallow sigh, Seon-i returned to her seat and resumed checking the drafts.
Bzzzt.
Her phone, lying on the desk, vibrated.
Excited, she quickly picked it up—only to see it was Eun-woo calling.
A hint of disappointment crossed her face, but she soon smiled and answered.
“Ah, Director. It’s been a while.”
—It really has. Have you been well?
“Yes, I’m fine. But what’s up?”
—Are you busy today?
“Today?”
Seon-i looked up at the office door.
Contrary to her hopes, no one came in.
“…I’m free.”
—I’m actually near your company. Want to have dinner together?
“Ah, yes. I’d like that.”
—Then I’ll call you when I arrive.
“Okay. Please do.”
After hanging up, Seon-i stared at her phone again.
Still, no message from him.
With a bitter smile, she hurried to wrap up her work.
Consencio Parking Lot
Gyeonhee remained lost in thought.
“I’ll introduce you. The CEO of DNBM.”
Chae-gyeong’s words wouldn’t leave his mind.
“What on earth is she plotting?”
Frustrated, he muttered to himself.
“What is?”
“Chae-gyeong.”
“Maybe she just wants to help?”
At Secretary Kwon’s innocent response, Gyeonhee shook his head.
It wasn’t like her to introduce the DNBM CEO with no strings attached.
“I can’t exactly refuse either. Ha…”
It was truly a dilemma with no easy way out.
To keep his CEO position, he had to succeed in the acquisition.
No—at the very least, he needed to get to the negotiating table to buy time.
“Heading home?”
“No. The office.”
“Okay.”
Secretary Kwon drove into the building’s parking garage and parked in the CEO’s designated spot.
After parking, he carefully turned around and spoke.
“Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well… if there’s no more work, I was wondering if I could head out first.”
Gyeonhee understood the implication all too well.
“No. Just go. Go already.”
“Why are you saying it like that?”
“The CEO’s dying of stress, and you’re going off on a date.”
“No, it’s a prior engagement.”
“Go! Just go!”
“If you say it like that, how am I supposed to—”
At that moment, another message arrived from Eunyoung.
She was almost at the meeting place.
“Sorry. I can’t today.”
Secretary Kwon hurriedly got out of the car and started running.
“Hyung!”
“Huh?”
“Where’s Seon-i?”
“Seon-i? Hold on.”
Secretary Kwon quickly texted Eunyoung.
“She’s working overtime.”
“Really?”
“Then I’m heading out. It’s after work, so don’t contact me.”
“What? Hey—ugh. Traitor.”
Gyeonhee bit his lower lip and sighed, yet a smile crept onto his face at the same time.
“Well. Spring’s finally here. He should enjoy it.”
Having watched him suffer because of Sera for so long, Gyeonhee could understand.
As he pressed the elevator button, he suddenly recalled Secretary Kwon’s words.
“Working overtime?”
There was a mountain of work waiting for him, but right now, he needed a brief recharge.
With a faint smile, he stepped into the elevator.
