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Chapter 18
“What? Manager Kim Ji-yoon had a miscarriage…?”
I had thought we shared our thoughts occasionally, but a miscarriage? I had no idea. Guilt and sadness toward Ji-yoon flooded over me at once.
When Da-hyun’s mouth fell open in surprise, Jin-sang lowered his eyes with a somber expression.
“Yeah. I didn’t tell anyone at the company because it wasn’t good news, but Ji-yoon had a miscarriage because of Choi Ye-na. She was constantly being harassed.”
“Ah…”
“I’m telling you this because I see you like a younger brother. We’re colleagues, but by age, I’m like an older brother. My little sister is the same age as Deputy Shin. That’s probably why I don’t see her as just anyone.”
“…Still, we have to do our best with what we can.”
Da-hyun said quietly, her expression complicated.
A ruthless woman, she’s determined to get the manager position, huh.
Jin-sang’s face twisted noticeably at Da-hyun’s words, but he added softly, almost coaxingly:
“Deputy Shin, if you become a manager, forget about leaving on time. You know that, right? Choi Ye-na can’t do anything on her own. Back then, Ji-yoon did everything for her.”
“….”
Da-hyun just chewed on her lips, saying nothing.
“And if you do become a manager, then who will raise the kid? You’re not planning to have another child?”
“…!”
Da-hyun drained the remaining coffee from her paper cup in one gulp. As she clenched the cup, it crumpled weakly in her hand.
The thought of her in-laws constantly asking when she would give them a grandchild suddenly made her face darken.
Watching the shadowed expression on Da-hyun’s face, Jin-sang leisurely delivered his closing remark:
“Think carefully. I’m worried about you, Deputy Shin. I’ll leave first. Take care.”
Jin-sang left the break room with a carefree smile, spinning around happily.
Left alone, Da-hyun’s mind felt tangled like a ball of yarn. She ran her hands through her hair nervously, smoothing it down repeatedly.
Sigh… What now? I worry whether I fail, I worry whether I succeed.
She didn’t want to give up just because Jin-sang’s words were sharp and piercing, but each word cut deep, tightening her chest.
Click. The break room door opened, and Da-hyun reflexively turned her head.
To her surprise, it was Executive Choi Ye-na.
Da-hyun, momentarily stunned, felt her heart drop like a thief caught in the act.
“Ah! Ex-Executive…!”
“Oh, there you are. I noticed you weren’t at your desk…”
“Ah, I was just tired, so I was having a cup of coffee.”
Da-hyun looked at the crumpled paper cup in her hand.
“I see.”
“Deputy Shin, do you need anything? Shall I get you a drink?”
“No, thank you. I’ll manage. Don’t worry about me.”
Ye-na waved her hand, truly meaning not to be bothered.
“Okay, then I’ll go first.”
As Da-hyun hurried to turn away, Ye-na asked:
“Is your presentation preparation going well for tomorrow?”
Da-hyun froze at the break room doorway, meeting Ye-na’s calm gaze.
She quickly organized her thoughts, trying to figure out the intent behind the question. Ye-na’s smile was gentle.
But Jin-sang’s earlier words about Ji-yoon’s miscarriage resurfaced, sending chills down her spine. She was nervous about accidentally saying something wrong and angering Ye-na. She just wanted to escape this uncomfortable situation.
Da-hyun forced a smile.
“Yes, I’m working hard.”
“Your daughter is still young, yet you manage work too. You must be very busy.”
“Oh, no. It’s naturally my responsibility.”
Wait… How did she know I have a daughter? What is she trying to say?
Da-hyun was confused by the sudden mention of her daughter. Was she being told to back off using her daughter as an excuse? She couldn’t read Ye-na’s intentions at all.
“I hope Deputy Shin performs well in tomorrow’s presentation and gets the promotion. You deserve it.”
“…!”
Da-hyun’s emotions surged unexpectedly.
It reminded her of words Ji-yoon often said before she died in an accident. Whenever Da-hyun felt stressed at home or at work, she would confide in Ji-yoon, who would always offer solid support.
“Da-hyun, have confidence. You deserve it.”
Ji-yoon’s words replayed slowly in her memory.
“…Th-thank you. I’ll do my best.”
“Fighting!”
Ye-na clenched her fist and bent her arm in a cheer. Da-hyun, embarrassed, gave a shy smile and lowered her head slightly.
“Well, then.”
Da-hyun left the break room, leaning against the door in a daze.
This was the first time she had received such warm encouragement and a kind smile from Ye-na.
Does she even know my name properly? Maybe… Executive Choi Ye-na is a good person.
But why do I keep thinking of the deceased Ji-yoon when I see Ye-na lately?
Da-hyun pondered Ye-na’s recent behavior. She remembered Ye-na drinking banana milk earlier that morning, shook her head, and smiled faintly.
No, that’s impossible. Pull yourself together, Shin Da-hyun.
Jin-sang had been busy from the morning. Isung Industries didn’t have a strict dress code, so casual clothes were fine, but today was different.
Today was very, very special. The day he would finally be promoted to manager.
He carefully put on his cherished Thom Browne suit, fastened a shiny Rolex on his wrist, and a newfound confidence surged through him.
“Ah, but something’s still 2% off…”
Jin-sang studied his reflection in the mirror and put on black-rimmed glasses.
“Oh, yes. This is it. Gives off that competent employee vibe! That’s the look for today.”
He turned his head side to side, admiring his clean reflection.
“No wonder women don’t resist me. Heh, I really am handsome.”
He smirked, winking at his reflection, and left the house earlier than usual.
As always, he carried a Starbucks iced coffee and entered the office, his heart pounding with excitement and anticipation.
“Oh, Deputy Jin looks very sharp today.”
Seung-min Jung, at the office entrance, commented, and Jin-sang shrugged proudly.
“Important presentation today. Seung-min, why aren’t you in a suit?”
“Well, I don’t really have a proper suit, so I just came as usual.”
“You should at least have one decent suit in a big company.”
Jin-sang eyed Seung-min from head to toe, clicking his tongue in mock disappointment.
“I’ll definitely get one when I get my salary this month.”
“Yes. Use your money wisely. Looks are a form of competitiveness.”
“Yes, sir.”
Even though Seung-min might have felt offended, he smiled politely and returned to his desk.
Tsk. At his age, no wonder there’s no woman around. Watching Seung-min’s shabby back, Jin-sang thought:
Even though Seung-min is in his 20s, he looks much older than me, in my late 30s. I’m certain my age gives me a relative advantage in charm. Feeling this superiority, Jin-sang grinned unconsciously.
Full of self-satisfaction, he sat at his desk with an easy expression.
All morning, the office was quiet. Everyone was tense, preparing for individual presentations in the afternoon. No one spoke freely.
Da-hyun was too busy preparing for her final presentation to even eat lunch.
Yes. I’ll do my best without shame. Focus on today only. Show everything I’ve prepared without regret.
She muttered this to herself, squeezing out the last of her energy.
The presentations started with contract employee Min Joo-young.
Fresh from university, Joo-young exuded a lively charm and conducted the presentation cheerfully.
“I thought our ‘J.U.N’ brand needed bold launch events to stand out from existing golf wear brands. Therefore, I propose hosting a party-style launch event at <Zenith>, a popular club in Itaewon among the younger generation.”
Pfft.
Na-dae-ro, who had been munching candies and chocolates on the table, laughed. Everyone’s gaze naturally turned toward him.
“Wait, was your name Min Joo-young?”
“Yes.”
“Are you seriously suggesting a company event at a club, lowering our company’s prestige? Isn’t that just an excuse to go party at that club?”
Caught off guard by the harsh comment, Joo-young stammered.
“No, it’s not like that. Our brand’s target audience is younger, so the event is meant to match them…”
Na-dae-ro cut her off sharply:
“Min Joo-young, that’s enough. No need to continue. What are you doing wasting busy people’s time?”
Ye-na’s face, which had been attentively listening, briefly twisted but relaxed again. She softened her expression and spoke:
“Vice President, I’m sorry, but the detailed plan isn’t complete yet, so let’s hear the rest.”
“Executive Choi! All of our executives are busy people. Do we really need to listen to this nonsense till the end? And since we’re talking, why is a contract employee giving a presentation in front of executives?”
For a moment, the atmosphere in the meeting room turned heavy.
