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Chapter 11
After Tae-gyu’s family left, Seo-hee went to see Chairman Han again. She had provoked Tae-gyu during dinner, but that hadn’t been part of her plan anyway.
She had merely been swept up in the mood—and it had also served as a warning to Yi-soo, who always seemed determined to corner her.
If she wanted to begin her plans without revealing her true intentions…
It was time to borrow a little help from her grandfather.
Seo-hee went down to the first floor and knocked on the door of the study where Chairman Han stayed. Knock, knock.
A calm voice from inside granted her permission to enter.
“Grandfather.”
Her tone was composed, but a faint smile lingered in her voice. For a brief moment, her eyes swept across the study.
It felt strange to face him again in the place where he had once met his end. The memory of the chairman lying collapsed on the floor flashed in her mind, and unconsciously, she bit her lip.
“You said you were tired and were going to rest.”
Chairman Han lifted his eyes from his papers and looked toward her.
Snapped out of her thoughts, Seo-hee quickly adjusted her expression, as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
“You said you had something to tell me earlier?”
“You mean about wanting to work at Shinsung Electronics? I thought that matter was settled.”
“No. There’s something I didn’t get to say.”
Chairman Han gestured with his hand. “Come, have a seat. Let’s talk properly.”
He asked if she wanted tea, but she shook her head. As she walked to the sofa, the chairman rose from behind his desk and took his seat at the head of the table.
“Did you change your mind already?”
It had indeed sounded strange when she said she wanted to learn management.
After all, this was the same girl who’d always said her dream was to be a good wife and mother—so how could she suddenly want to work?
“No. I really do want to learn management.”
Her answer surprised him; he’d expected her to act spoiled and retract her words, claiming it had only been a passing whim.
“You’re not just saying that because of that Tae-gyu brat, are you?”
Chairman Han asked again, testing her resolve.
“No, I’m not.”
Her expression didn’t waver.
What could have changed her mind so completely?
Chairman Han studied her face closely, trying to read the reason.
Seo-hee met his sharp gaze head-on, her eyes filled with quiet determination.
For nearly thirty years, Chairman Han had led the conglomerate and dealt with countless people. His ability to read character was sharp—he had learned that spotting and placing the right talent was the core of management.
And now, he could tell: Seo-hee’s resolve was genuine. Whatever had caused it, her heart had truly changed.
After a moment, he spoke slowly.
“I see. Then what else is it that you wanted to say?”
“Please send me to Shinsung Telecom.”
Chairman Han blinked in surprise.
“Not Shinsung Electronics?”
After all, Shinsung Electronics was the group’s flagship company. Anyone wanting to learn management should start there—not at Shinsung Telecom, which had been struggling.
“Yes, Shinsung Telecom.”
Seeing his puzzlement, Seo-hee smiled faintly and confirmed once more.
“Why?”
He didn’t reject her request outright, nor did he order her to choose Electronics instead.
That’s the grandfather I know, she thought, as expected.
“I don’t want to work under my uncle.”
“There must be a reason for that?”
Even as he asked, the chairman examined her tone and expression carefully. Something in her demeanor had changed.
Until recently, she’d called him “Uncle” with affection—now it was the more distant “my father’s younger brother.”
And there was an undeniable air of maturity about her.
He was curious about many things, but he pretended not to be, waiting for her answer.
He already suspected it would be something interesting.
“How could I learn anything under someone who doesn’t want me there?”
He’d thought she would just ask for an easy position, but his prediction was completely wrong.
“Then it doesn’t have to be Shinsung Telecom, does it?”
He wasn’t wrong.
If not Electronics, then the duty-free, hotel, or department store branches would have been better choices—not a company ranked at the bottom of the group.
Seo-hee might have chosen that in her previous life, but not this time.
If she wanted to move without Tae-gyu’s interference, she needed to start somewhere that didn’t stand out yet.
And if she planned to use Jin Woo-hyuk later, Telecom would be the most suitable place.
Of course, she couldn’t tell the chairman all that, so she gave a plausible explanation instead.
“You’re right. But, Grandfather—”
“Yes?”
“I don’t think I’d have anything meaningful to do in a stable affiliate.”
“Why’s that?”
“To them, I’d only be ‘the Shinsung heiress with massive shares.’ Nothing more.”
Indeed, for executives caught in stock and power struggles, she wouldn’t be family—just an ally or an enemy.
That was why she had to avoid any subsidiaries under her uncle or aunt’s control.
“And Shinsung Telecom is different?”
She smiled and nodded.
“Yes. A company that needs results will want Han Seo-hee the passionate worker, not Han Seo-hee the shareholder.”
“Are you confident?”
“Don’t you trust me?”
There was a new weight in her gaze—serious, unwavering.
Chairman Han’s eyes mirrored that gravity.
He was no longer looking at her as his granddaughter, but as a potential talent.
“A capable employee proves themselves through results, not words.”
“I know. I’ll bring you results you can be proud of.”
Her voice brimmed with confidence.
“I’ll look forward to it.”
“You know, right? No one can know who I really am, so please don’t do anything.”
Chairman Han had already kept her identity secret at school, so he wouldn’t expose her now. Even if she’d begged him to announce her as a nepotistic hire, he would never allow it.
“When have I ever paraded your face around the company? As you said, I’ll do nothing.”
Everything was going just as Seo-hee had planned.
The first step was complete—now all that remained was to proceed carefully, one step at a time.
The sound of her alarm buzzed in her ears, making Seo-hee frown.
Maybe she still couldn’t believe she had come back from death; sleep had eluded her last night.
After tossing and turning until dawn, she’d finally fallen asleep, so waking up was hard.
And there was a small, creeping fear—what if this was all just a sweet dream that would vanish when she opened her eyes?
“Phew…”
Lying flat on her back, she took a deep breath with her eyes closed, then slowly opened them.
It was her room, but still felt a little unfamiliar.
Thank goodness. It’s real.
Relieved, Seo-hee sat up.
Normally, she would have slept in, eaten with Yi-soo, and gone to campus late—but not today.
“It’s time to start moving properly.”
8 a.m. She had plenty of time to get ready and head to a place that bought used luxury goods.
After planning her day in her head, she went to wash up, then came downstairs.
“Oh—Miss!”
Hearing her footsteps, Oh, the housekeeper, hurried out from the kitchen, startled.
“Oh my, young lady?”
A hint of confusion crossed her face.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Oh, yes, I did. But… what brings you up this early?”
Seo-hee smiled brightly.
“I guess I woke up early because I was hungry. Can I have breakfast now?”
The housekeeper chuckled. “Of course! You don’t need to ask that,” and hurried to the kitchen. Seo-hee followed her leisurely.
Soon, Oh prepared breakfast for her.
“I’ll make your usual. Please wait a moment—”
“Just give me what Grandfather had.”
“He only eats light breakfasts, you know?”
Usually, it was just coffee and toast—or nothing at all.
“Just rice and soup, please. I want a proper meal today.”
“…All right, then.”
Seo-hee had always been polite but rarely yielded when she wanted something.
Being the beloved granddaughter of Chairman Han, she’d often blurted things out impulsively, like a spoiled child.
So Oh’s unease was understandable—Seo-hee had been acting different since yesterday.
As she placed the dishes before her, Oh asked gently, “Are you… okay, Miss?”
It was a careful way of saying You seem different. Are you all right?
Seo-hee simply took a spoonful of soup and replied casually,
“Of course. I feel great.”
And she meant it.
The first morning after her return was, without question, the most refreshing morning of her entire life.
“The seasoning’s perfect.”
She ate her breakfast with genuine appetite.
When she finished, she immediately began preparing to go out.
She decided to start with small but valuable items—things she could carry out discreetly.
She packed a few watches, accessories, and clutches into large and paper bags, then stepped outside.
As soon as she opened the gate, the cool, crisp air greeted her.
She breathed it in deeply.
Spring had passed, and summer was just beginning—neither hot nor cold.
The clear blue sky and fresh air made it a perfect morning.
With such a good start, she thought as she began walking, the ending can’t be bad either.
