🔊 TTS Settings
Episode 4
In Naegok-dong stood a two-story mansion. Even in winter, the garden remained elegant with its ever-green trees.
The mansion was always bustling every morning, 365 days a year, regardless of the day of the week. Mondays, in particular, were twice as hectic.
The house staff busied themselves in the kitchen.
“Sir, could you taste this for seasoning?”
“Of course, let me try.”
The man who tasted the food the helpers handed him was Seo Kyung-soo, Lee Jun’s father.
“The seasoning’s perfect today. All right, let’s set the table.”
“Yes, sir!”
Once Kyung-soo gave the signal, the helpers quickly carried out the dishes.
A variety of food was prepared according to each family member’s preferences. Kyung-soo placed a flower vase at the center of the dining table to finish the setup.
One by one, the family members began to take their seats, and at the head of the table sat the CEO of AE Cosmetics, Lee Jeong-ae.
With her short, curled bob, she radiated sophistication even in her sixties, befitting the head of a cosmetics company.
“I made your favorite radish soup today. The seasoning’s light—just the way you like it.”
Since his wife built the company, Kyung-soo had taken charge of the household affairs.
“Thank you. I haven’t had much of an appetite lately, but thanks to you, it’s coming back.”
Her praise brought a smile to Kyung-soo’s face, and soon the family began their meal.
“Jun, I heard you came home late last night?”
Before touching her food, Jeong-ae asked about her second son and youngest child, Lee Jun.
“I got caught up talking with some friends from school, so I was home late,” Jun answered casually, sipping his dark coffee.
“Did you drink?”
“……”
He avoided her follow-up question.
“You didn’t forget about your meeting tonight, did you? You’re not about to show up hungover, are you?”
Jun stayed silent, so his older brother Il-ha answered for him.
“Come on, CEO Lee. Jun doesn’t seem all that eager about this arranged meeting. Last Friday’s meeting didn’t go too well either, remember?”
Sensing the tension around the table, Kyung-soo stepped in.
“……I’ll take care of it myself,” Jun muttered after finishing his coffee.
“Your brother’s reckless marriage was enough. Tonight must not go like Friday. I expect you to behave properly.”
The woman from Friday’s meeting had asked for a second meeting, but Jun had politely declined. He’d only gone in the first place because of his mother’s insistence.
“If you were dating someone, would I be arranging these meetings? Clear your schedule. No excuses.”
Jeong-ae’s firm tone cast a heavy silence over the table.
Every Monday morning, AE Cosmetics’ Marketing Strategy Team held a briefing.
“This afternoon, we’ll be meeting with the development team. The new color palette for next year’s F/W season is out. Compare it carefully with last year’s palette.”
The meeting was led by Jun, the team’s director and executive.
By his decision, all employees, regardless of rank, shared the same open workspace. About ten team members sat listening attentively.
As always, Jun was impeccably dressed. His perfectly tailored suit highlighted his broad shoulders and tall frame, projecting a flawless image.
“First and foremost, security. Make sure next year’s new colors don’t leak to our competitors.”
One of Jun’s strengths, highly valued by the company, was his keen sense for new colors.
He was famous for understanding exactly how to appeal to the company’s main customer base—women—and he himself always stood out with color combinations that suited him perfectly.
“I’ve received reports that Universal Maker has been approaching our team members under the table. Be especially vigilant about this.”
Universal Maker had recently entered the Paris market and was quickly catching up to AE Cosmetics, the domestic industry leader.
“Depending on this S/S season’s sales, the new F/W line will be unveiled in Paris, so maintain security until then. For the meeting with the development team this afternoon…”
Jun’s words trailed off as his gaze landed on one spot.
He couldn’t take his eyes off the man sitting next to Lee Ryeong.
He saw this scene every day, yet for some reason, today it irritated him.
“Assistant Manager Baek Hyun-wook, you’ll represent the strategy team in today’s meeting.”
His tone carried extra weight. But Hyun-wook, who had been playfully tapping Ryeong’s hair, didn’t notice the sudden chill in Jun’s demeanor.
“Assistant Manager Baek? Did you hear me?”
Jun’s voice came out louder, directed toward Ryeong this time.
Was she feeling unwell? She sat with her head lowered, only the neat bun of her hair peeking up.
“Assistant Manager Baek?”
His low baritone filled the office, and everyone turned their attention toward Hyun-wook and Ryeong.
“Ah, sorry, sir. I heard you. I’ll attend the afternoon meeting.”
Hyun-wook scratched his head sheepishly, grinning.
Everyone burst out laughing. It was obvious he was interested in Ryeong.
“It’s Monday. You can’t be slumping over at the start of the week. Sit up straight.”
Jun, irritated by the warm atmosphere, started nagging more than usual—specifically at Ryeong, who was avoiding his gaze.
As the newest member of the strategy team, Ryeong shared a desk with her mentor, Hyun-wook, per Jun’s orders.
But today, their close seating arrangement bothered him.
“Do you know how much strain that posture puts on your spine? Want to spend 1.5 million won on back surgery? That’s not covered by work injury insurance. Sit up straight.”
Hyun-wook glanced at Ryeong, puzzled by the executive’s odd remark.
He hadn’t noticed earlier how much she’d been slumping forward.
“Ryeong…”
She ignored him. If she looked up now, her eyes would meet Jun’s.
“Ryeong.”
But he kept whispering.
She could feel his warm breath uncomfortably close. Normally a kind mentor, today he was being clueless.
“……Yes?”
She lifted her chin slightly, feigning nonchalance.
“Sit up straight. The executive told you.”
“Oh, right. I’ll do that.”
Forcing a smile, she straightened her back.
Hopefully, that would make Jun stop paying attention to her.
“Are you feeling okay? Your face is red.”
“I’m fine. It’s just a bit warm, I guess.”
She was flushed from sitting hunched over. She fanned herself quickly, but loose strands of hair only tickled her skin.
“How could it be warm in this weather? Are you sick? Do you need medicine? Should we go to the hospital?”
Hyun-wook fussed over her, loud enough for everyone to hear.
The real trouble wasn’t Jun, but Hyun-wook. And since his face was full of genuine concern, she couldn’t exactly snap at him.
“I’m fine, really. Don’t worry.”
She forced a smile and waved her hands.
“I can’t help it, I’m worried.”
He leaned in dramatically, clearly enjoying the attention.
“I’m fine, really, Assistant Manager…”
Instinctively, she leaned back and held out her hands defensively, as if to block him.
“You really don’t look fine. Are you sure?”
“Yes. There’s no need for you to worry, sir.”
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Jun—who had been staring at her intensely the entire time.
“Let’s get back to work.”
There was a subtle shift in his tone.
No anger, no irritation—just his usual calm voice.
Was she imagining it? She pressed her tongue to the inside of her cheek and snuck another glance at him before turning back to her monitor.
Maybe she was imagining things. She felt relieved… but oddly disappointed.
She had been tense all morning, worried that things might be awkward between them after “that day.”
But Jun was exactly the same—keeping his distance, acting as if nothing had happened.
[Get a grip. Stop having stupid thoughts.]
She scribbled her feelings on a sticky note and tossed it in the trash.
For a moment, she had hoped the subtle change in his voice meant he was interested in her.
But that was just wishful thinking.
She was just a temporary contract employee slouching during a meeting. Anyone else would have scolded her harshly.
Jun had simply handled it professionally without embarrassing her.
She was overanalyzing everything.
She’s lost it. Completely lost it.
She bit her lip and shook her head hard to clear her thoughts.
“Ryeong, are you really okay?” Hyun-wook whispered again.
Why was this man being like this? She hid her discomfort behind a faint smile.
Then she straightened up and looked toward Jun’s desk at the front of the office—but his monitor blocked him from view.
“I’m fine. It’s just the cold weather that’s a bit worrying.”
She quickly packed her bag, ready to leave for her assignment.
He clearly didn’t care, so why should she?
“Where am I headed today?” she asked Hyun-wook.
“I sent official notices to the Cheongdam department store and nearby branches. You won’t need to go undercover as a mystery shopper this time.”
Thankfully, the assignment wasn’t far from the office.
She gave him a bright smile and left the room.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Jun couldn’t focus on work at all.
He tapped his desk with his fingers, suppressing sighs again and again.
He had a pile of documents and external emails to get through, but his attention kept drifting to the easy camaraderie between Ryeong and Hyun-wook.
And when he caught a glimpse of her leaving the office, his expression hardened completely.
