Three days later, the workplace seemed something unusual when the second Sunoo entered. Everywhere was silent unlike usual. Near the elevators, nobody was chatting or laughing by the coffee machine.
He laid his bag down gently. A few tables over, an elderly woman half-covering her mouth was whispering to her colleague. Eye darting around, someone else was typing quickly.
Sunoo strove to keep cool. He had knew this would happen. Just not this quick.
Manager Choi strolled in at midmorning, her features sterner than he had ever seen them. When she spoke, she didn't look at anyone especially.
"Mr. Kang seeks everyone in the main conference room; now."
People quickly got upright. The only noises were the dragging of feet and the creaking of chairs.
Sunoo blended in with the others as they filed down the hall. His heart was beating too quickly. When he entered the conference room,the air felt heavier.
Sunghoon was already there. He was standing behind the long table, a folder in front of him. He didn't sit down.
No one dared speak.
When he finally lifted his head, his face was blank. It wasn't the cold look he usually wore—it was something worse.
"Our partners in Tokyo," he said, voice even, "received sensitive materials last week. Documents we were negotiating. They thought it was odd we sent them twice and we also checked the CCTV,the perpetrator is very smart because they were no footage there."
A murmur started in the back and someone shifted from foot to foot.
Sungjhoon overlooked it. He glanced at the folder then back up.
He said, "Those files were never emailed; they were never added to any shared drive. Once printed, they were preserved in my office."
Sunoo's ears rang from the profound silence.
Sunghoon continued, "Someone entered my office unauthorized." Though his voice didn't increase, it did sound throughout the room. "Someone grabbed those papers and leaked them."
Sunoo focused on the far wall. He neither blinked nor blinked. He was uncertain what would be shown on his face if he turned to face Sunghoon.
"You all think I don't pay attention," Sunghoon said. "But you're incorrect. I know precisely who arrives and departs. And I will learn which of you believes you might betray me. I know who is striving ahead and who is too afraid to act.
Someone close to the door gulped audibly.
Sunghoon's gaze descended slowly along the row of workers. It hovered for a second too long when it arrived at Sunoo. Sunoo felt his neck hairs rise up.
Everybody began at once, murmuring low, concerned tones to one another.
Sunoo went outside with the others. Though his palms were sweating, he let himself wipe them on his pants until he was practically back at his desk.
He sat down, took a slow breath, and turned his attention to the computer screen.
He had brought everything, just as Mr. Han had requested.
But he felt something he had not expected when standing there with Sunghoon's eyes cutting over the room like a blade.
Guilt.
He swallowed it down and pushed himself to work since it was far too late to undo any of it.
.
.
.
.
Everyone had already been questioned, so Sunoo was the last one. He sat still in the chair as they kept asking questions for the past five minutes, responding to each one in the same cool voice.
"No."
"No."
"No."
After some time, the man in the suit grew irritated and began to flip his papers more forcefully. Manager Choi's lips tightened more and more. She exploded after he gave the last "no."
"Are you kidding me right now?" she exploded. Her voice echoed throughout the little space.
Sunoo turned to gaze. I'm telling you the truth."
She said abruptly, "You're telling us nothing. Just sitting there saying no, no, no, like you don't even care. Do you understand you are Mr. Kang's assistant? Do you believe you can just smile at him and get away with everything?
"I don't...," she continued, her voice rising, "You believe no one notices the manner you act? You're always hiding, always so quiet, always feigning you're harmless." Still, you aren't.
Sunoo stared back at her, but his palms were icy.
"You assume you resemble some shy little boy and no one will doubt you," she said, her voice descending lower. "But I'm not trusting you." I never do.
He swallowed. "I responded every query."
You didn't reply at all, she barked. "You merely sat there. Let me so ask you once more: Did you have anything to do with this?"
"No." Manager Choi slumped in her chair and let out a brief, mirthless chuckle. "Fine." Make it your way.
The man in the suit choked. He murmured swiftly, "That's all for now; you may leave."
Sunoo sprang up. Manager Choi remarked, quieter but just as brutal, "You're not as bright as you believe," before he could turn to exit.
He didn't answer. He departed without turning back.
.
.
.
.
Back in his office, Sunoo was trying to appear busy. For twenty minutes he had been arranging the same heap of reports without actually reading a single word.
His heart continued to thumping. He had already concealed his phone and erased any evidence of his misdeeds. Still, he thought someone was about to haul him from his collar.
A rapping shook the door.
"Come in," He said hoping his voice was acceptable.
A youthful assistant popped inside and stood close to the door. "Manager Choi wants you downstairs right now."
Sunoo swallowed and asked, " Why?" The youngster seemed uneasy. "Just...she said now." Manager Choi stood near to the reception desk with arms folded and she was furious. "Lee Sunoo," she yelled,her voice resounding throughout the crowd.
"How lovely of you to finally
come join us." He moved across attempting to maintain a straight face.
Heat crept up Sunoo's neck as he drooped his head. "I didn't know..."
Choi then intervened." You didn't know?, Of course you didn't. You never know anything, do you? "
Though his jaw clenched, a few people behind her laughed aloud and said nothing.
Choi faced the guards stationed nearby and said, "Start the hunt."
Opening drawers, going through folders, inspecting lockers they started. A plastic container gathered everybody's phones from one guard.
Soojin, approaching her row's conclusion, appeared ready to collapse. She clutched her handbag against her chest.
Still where he was, Sunoo struggled to breathe. His hands were cold and clammy.
No one spoke until someone whispered behind him, "Aish, this is crazy…"
Another voice said, "I bet it's the girl who never talks to anyone ."
Soojin's hands trembled. She looked around as if hoping someone would defend her.
The guards moved closer to her desk. Sunoo felt a sick twist in his stomach.
He'd done this and now he was standing there like everyone else, pretending to be surprised.
TO BE CONTINUED...