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Chapter 15
The next morning at 7 a.m., she left the house with barely any breakfast.
The air, uncomfortable throughout breakfast, pressed heavily on her chest. Choi Kang-jun and Na Hwa-seon were almost silent, as if by unspoken agreement, and Na Hwa-seon didn’t even glance at Yena the entire time.
“Good morning, Executive Director,”
Hyun-seung, looking neat as always, was waiting outside the house.
“Good morning,”
Yena bowed slightly. Hyun-seung’s gaze lingered on Yena’s face, shadowed by the early sunlight.
The car ride to the company was silent.
Yena pressed her clenched fist to her lips and stared out the window, deep in thought. Hyun-seung furrowed his brow slightly, noticing that the profile of her clenched fist against her mouth reminded him a lot of Ji-yoon.
Breaking the silence, Hyun-seung spoke.
“Executive Director, are you all right?”
Snapping out of her reverie, Yena turned to him.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You look tired.”
Yena lowered her hand and relaxed her expression.
“Oh… maybe it’s because I came back to work after a long time yesterday.”
“I see. I was worried because of Kang Min-hyuk visiting yesterday.”
“Oh, no. That… was nothing.”
What happened with Kang Min-hyuk yesterday was just a minor incident. She wouldn’t let anything like that happen again, so there was no reason to worry.
Her real concern was how she should establish herself in the company and at home.
“Then that’s a relief.”
“Was there anything unusual at the company while I was away?”
She had received reports all day yesterday from Jin-sang, so there shouldn’t have been anything Yena didn’t know. But she wondered if she might have missed something. She needed to solidify her position at the company.
Hyun-seung considered the intent behind her question and replied.
“No, nothing major has changed. Everyone has been busy preparing for the launch of the golf wear brand ‘J.U.N.’”
J.U.N
It was a golf wear brand created by President Choi Kang-jun, a golf enthusiast, named after himself. Unlike traditional conservative golf wear, the concept focused on young, trendy pieces that could also be worn casually.
Choi Kang-jun, always interested in fashion, had started the brand somewhat impulsively. However, because it carried the president’s name, Iseong Trading was investing serious effort into it.
Yena’s eyes sparkled.
It was an opportunity. A chance to stay in Korea instead of being sent to the U.S.
Having spent her life studying and working, Ji-yoon was confident in handling company tasks better than anyone. If she could successfully launch Choi Kang-jun’s beloved J.U.N brand in the market, she might even win his favor. Feeling a glimmer of hope, her heart raced.
“Has the launch event proposal been prepared?”
“Yes. I understand there are several options being considered. The final approval should come from you, Executive Director.”
“Of course. And also, please clear out Manager Kim Ji-yoon’s position. We can’t leave it vacant indefinitely.”
“……!”
A brief crease appeared and disappeared on Hyun-seung’s brow.
“So… are you planning to hire someone new?”
“No. I plan to promote Deputy Shin Da-hyun from our team to manager.”
There was no one more suitable than Shin Da-hyun to replace Ji-yoon. Though she had a gap due to maternity leave, she was recognized within the company for her strong sense of responsibility and diligence.
“What about the other employees…?”
Hyun-seung was curious about Yena’s plans for Jin-sang. Judging by the four separate reports she made him give yesterday, it was clear she intended to bring Jin-sang under control. Perhaps, he wondered, Yena was observing Jin-sang for the same reasons he was.
Hyun-seung’s lingering attention to Jin-sang stemmed from the same concern. Even though Jin-sang’s wife died in an unfortunate accident during her pregnancy, he had shown little emotion, and had returned unharmed himself. That was suspicious.
In a dry tone, Yena said:
“The rest of the team will maintain their current positions. If needed, we’ll hire new staff later. And from now on, I will participate in all tasks as team leader. Please make a place for me in the planning team as well.”
“Yes…?”
“From now on, everything must be done properly.”
Even Hyun-seung, usually unshaken by anything, was taken aback. He glanced at Yena sitting beside him.
Yena faced forward without a flinch. Her unwavering gaze and tightly pressed lips made her appear almost like a commander heading into battle.
Executive Director Choi Yena had completely changed in just a few days.
What could have changed her so much? Was it because of Manager Kim Ji-yoon’s death? Was Ji-yoon really that important to Yena?
“Can you take care of it today?”
“Yes, I’ll arrange it as instructed.”
“And I plan to present the J.U.N launch event proposal this Friday. Please ensure that all team members are prepared to give presentations of about fifteen minutes each.”
Hyun-seung tried to maintain a neutral expression.
“…Is contract employee Min Joo-young included?”
“Of course. Everyone must present under the same conditions.”
“I understand.”
Hyun-seung tightened his grip on the steering wheel, lips pressed together, lost in thought.
As far as he knew, Yena had never given such detailed instructions before. Until now, Ji-yoon handled everything, and Yena only approved electronically without checking the content. What on earth was she thinking?
Everything about Yena had changed 180 degrees in just a few days, leaving Hyun-seung astonished.
After arriving at work, Yena spent the entire day examining the reports Jin-sang had prepared, skipping lunch entirely.
“A lot happened while I was away for two weeks.”
When Yena joined Iseong Trading’s fashion division after graduating from college in the U.S., her first project was opening a boutique for overseas luxury brands—a concept shop introducing high-end designer brands and emerging labels from Europe, America, and Japan.
The intention was to introduce lesser-known high-quality brands to Korea, but in practice, Yena mostly ordered clothes she liked while traveling abroad. As a result, items were either ridiculously expensive for the general public or overly unique and provocative, which failed to attract much market attention.
Thanks to the backing of the Iseong Group, stores opened in major department stores and even a large flagship store in Cheongdam-dong, but annual losses skyrocketed.
She also rushed a fast-fashion brand to follow trends without proper market research, failing to differentiate it from existing brands.
Amid all this, Choi Kang-jun created the J.U.N golf wear brand, which Yena now had to manage.
Yena placed the stack of documents on her desk, pressing her temples to calm the buzzing in her head.
Phew… this is quite a mountain to climb.
For now, she needed to focus on the successful launch of J.U.N. Since it was personally created by President Choi, she had to ensure it succeeded in the market to gain recognition.
So far, Yena had been nothing more than a figurehead at Iseong Trading. Despite holding the title of Executive Director at a young age, no employee recognized her as such. She could be pushed out or sent to the U.S. at any moment.
Gaining recognition at work and solidifying her position was the most urgent matter.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
“Vice President, wait a moment. This really isn’t proper.”
Before Hyun-seung could stop him, Na Dae-ro, the Vice President, strode into the executive office.
“Oh, Executive Director Choi Yena, you’re here. Haven’t seen you for a while. Long time no see.”
Yena slowly stood and bowed. Na Dae-ro’s sarcastic tone irritated her, but she forced a smile.
“Vice President, you came?”
“Yes. And you’re even greeting everyone today? I’m honored to be greeted by Executive Director Choi.”
Na Dae-ro’s oily face seemed extra shiny today. Yena, expressionless, asked:
“What brings you here?”
Instead of answering, Na Dae-ro leaned against the sofa, crossing his short legs.
“Don’t you serve drinks here?”
He pouted, and Yena turned to Hyun-seung, who stood at the door stiffly glaring at him.
“Assistant Director, please prepare some tea here.”
Yena softened her eyes and smiled, easing Hyun-seung’s tension. He relaxed and asked:
“Vice President, what would you like?”
“Hmm… a strong espresso for me.”
Na Dae-ro wiggled his feet in crossed legs.
“And you, Executive Director?”
“I’m fine.”
Yena sat upright across from Na Dae-ro, spine straight.
Why is this guy here again?
Na Dae-ro was the brother of Yena’s stepmother, Na Hwa-seon.
Unlike the slender Hwa-seon, he was short and stocky, with an oily face, making him the number one person everyone avoided in the company. With little ability or respectable job experience, he became the fashion division vice president overnight thanks to his sister marrying into a chaebol family.
Choi Yena and Na Dae-ro were both unnecessary, surplus figures in the company. Though they could have bonded over that, there was always a subtle tension between them. Beneath the surface, they constantly engaged in a silent battle of wits, trying to push the other aside.
