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Chapter 16
Yena didn’t bother to hide her discomfort and spoke dryly.
“Is something the matter?”
“Executive Director Choi, shouldn’t you discuss team personnel matters with me first?”
“I’m not sure what you mean…”
“No, I heard that you’re planning to promote Assistant Manager Shin Dahyun to Manager…”
Only then did Yena understand why Executive Director Na Dae-ro had rushed in, tie flapping, in such a hurry.
“Oh, that? Well, Manager Kim Jiyoon passed away in an accident, so the position is vacant. We thought Assistant Manager Shin Dahyun would be a suitable replacement.”
Na Dae-ro’s voice rose sharply.
“Hey! You decide such an important matter without consulting me? Don’t you know that Shin Dahyun took several months of maternity leave? Even now, she’s always complaining that her child is sick or that there’s no one to take care of the baby, and she can’t even properly do her work. And you want to promote someone like that?”
It was obvious who must have relayed such complaints to Na Dae-ro. Yena calmly asked,
“Then, Executive Director, do you have a specific candidate in mind?”
“There’s Assistant Manager Lee Jinsang in that team. He’s competent, and since the late Manager Kim Jiyoon was his wife, if we replace that position, naturally her husband, Lee Jinsang, should get it. Isn’t that right?”
Just as expected. Na Dae-ro wanted to give the Manager position to his own person, Jinsang.
“Hm, well… Assistant Manager Lee Jinsang has issues with his work attitude.”
“Ha! Who says so? What issues?”
Na Dae-ro’s eyes bulged as if it were absurd. Yena remained calm.
“You can see from Lee Jinsang’s personnel evaluation. Since joining, several issues have been consistently pointed out.”
“Assistant Manager Choi, personnel evaluations are far too subjective. You can’t judge people based on that. Why are young people so rigid?”
“Assistant Manager Lee and Assistant Manager Shin joined at the same time. Since joining, Shin Dahyun has consistently had better evaluations.”
“Seriously! Wait a minute… Choi, are you a feminist? Favoring her just because she’s a woman?”
Yena hesitated for a moment. She closed her eyes briefly to calm herself. The outrightly aggressive remark stirred her emotions, but she quickly regained composure.
“Executive Director, I made my decision purely based on ability.”
“Then why insist on Shin Dahyun? Did you receive some bribe or something?”
Yena bit her lip tightly at this over-the-line insult. Na Dae-ro smirked, glaring at her provocatively, as if waiting for her to explode. It was a stalemate neither could yield from.
“…Executive Director, do you have some deal with Lee Jinsang?”
Na Dae-ro’s greasy face flushed red with anger at being cornered.
“What’s this, Choi! Talking back to me like that—do you do the same to Hwaseon? Huh? Is that it?”
“….”
Yena closed her mouth at the mention of her stepmother. She couldn’t give Na Hwaseon another reason to attack her. For now, it was better to lower her head.
“Because of you, Choi, other employees probably take me lightly too.”
Yena remained silent, and Na Dae-ro waved his arms, raising his voice.
“…I apologize.”
Seeing her slightly softened response, Na Dae-ro reinforced his point.
“Anyway, Shin Dahyun will never do. Promote Lee Jinsang to Manager, understood?”
Yena quietly clenched her jaw. The thought of Jinsang taking that empty position made her stomach churn.
She couldn’t let her death inadvertently grant Jinsang a promotion. That had to be stopped at all costs. Yena lifted her head and said,
“Then, how about evaluating this Friday’s public PT before making a decision?”
“Public PT?”
Na Dae-ro’s eyebrows twitched.
“Yes. This Friday, the team members will each give a personal PT. You can attend and evaluate then.”
“Hmph! Well…”
“Your judgment is highly regarded, so it would be great if you could attend. Other executives will also be present.”
With other executives attending, Na Dae-ro had nothing to say. With an awkward expression, he reluctantly replied,
“Ah, alright then. We should do that.”
“Yes. That seems the fairest way. The one who performs better in the evaluation between Shin Dahyun and Lee Jinsang will be promoted to Manager.”
“Hm. Fine.”
Na Dae-ro, displeased, stood up and bumped into a secretary bringing in espresso.
“Quick, aren’t you?”
Looking disdainfully at the secretary, Na Dae-ro hurriedly gulped the espresso standing up.
“Ahh! Hot! What is this?”
Startled as if in a fit, he glared at the secretary. The secretary was flustered and didn’t know what to do.
“Oh! Executive Director, are you alright? I’m really sorry.”
As the secretary reached out to wipe the spilled espresso off his shirt, Na Dae-ro snapped irritably,
“It’s fine. Really. Just unlucky.”
When things didn’t go his way, Na Dae-ro’s nerves were on edge. He had thought a single word from him could easily settle Jinsang’s promotion, but Yena’s firm stance caught him off guard. Muttering as he left the office:
Choi Yena, that insolent woman! Not much longer for you. Once my nephew Sihoo becomes successor, you’re done for, done for.
Drip… Drip…
Jinsang’s latest high-end phone on the desk vibrated. Seeing the caller, he immediately answered.
“Executive Director, hello?”
-
Hmm, yes. Come see me for a moment.
“Yes, understood.”
At Na Dae-ro’s sudden summons, Jinsang hurriedly put on his jacket and headed to the executive office.
“Executive Director, did you call me?”
Na Dae-ro seemed subdued. Knowing his emotions were always on display, Jinsang tensed, unsure what he would say.
“Hmm. Sit over there.”
“Yes.”
Na Dae-ro remained silent for a while before speaking with effort.
“…Have you heard the news?”
“What… news?”
“Choi Yena is planning to promote Shin Dahyun to Manager… Haven’t you heard?”
Jinsang’s black eyes flickered anxiously, unable to believe it.
“Eh? Shin Dahyun promoted to Manager?”
“Yes. Personnel is handling it.”
“Ha… I’m here, so how could Shin Dahyun go first? Even before, Manager Kim Jiyoon, younger and with less experience than me, got promoted first. How can this happen again?”
Jinsang muttered in a strained voice, showing his frustration.
“So, I went to meet Choi Yena and talked it over with her.”
“Ah! Choi Yena did what?”
Leaning forward, Jinsang spoke urgently.
“She said Shin Dahyun has better evaluations than you. They joined at the same time, right?”
Jinsang’s face crumpled.
“…Yes, that’s true. But Shin Dahyun took long maternity leave, and even now, she can’t fully focus due to her child.”
“I know that. I’ve been told. But… Choi Yena said she’d decide after this Friday’s PT results.”
“Ah…”
“Why? She’s been away for a while. Surely she hasn’t lost her touch. You’re not worried about losing to a mom, are you?”
Na Dae-ro narrowed his eyes, looking at Jinsang. Jinsang replied firmly:
“Yes, of course. I’ll do my best.”
Surprised by the unexpected turn, Jinsang’s resolve flared. He had already been beaten by Kim Jiyoon once; losing again to Shin Dahyun was unacceptable. Moreover, he had secretly resented Shin Dahyun’s consistent diligence. This was the perfect chance to show who was superior.
“Good. Show her what you’ve got.”
“Yes, Executive Director.”
“But by the way, Choi Yena seemed different today. What happened? She suddenly started giving instructions and speaking politely.”
Na Dae-ro leaned back on the sofa, tilting his head.
“The staff are all talking about how strange Choi Yena’s become. Yesterday, she made me do reports she never even asked for before, so I was busy all day. She hadn’t come to work for nearly two months, and now suddenly…”
“Tch! Always napping or filming videos in the office, now acting like this?”
“Exactly. No idea what her angle is.”
Jinsang fiddled with his clasped hands.
“Hm, we’ll see. Anyway, prepare well for the PT this week and flatten both Choi Yena and Shin Dahyun’s noses.”
“Yes, Executive Director. Don’t worry. I’ll give it my all.”
Hearing Jinsang’s confident declaration, Na Dae-ro’s expression brightened.
“Good, good. Prepare well.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, our Sihoo must grow up quickly and take the successor position. Then I’ll have the Ilseong Group firmly in my hands, and all these troublesome matters will be gone! Hahaha.”
“Of course, Executive Director. That’s how it will be. And don’t forget my contribution later. I’ll always remain loyal to you.”
“Of course! You just trust me. I’ll push you hard. Ha-ha.”
“Thank you, Executive Director.”
Jinsang stood up straight and bowed deeply from the waist.
Watching him, Na Dae-ro grinned with satisfaction.
