Chapter 87
*Ding*
*The elevator doors slid open*
*Footsteps echoed across the marble floor*
*Employees straightened instantly.*
"Good evening, Ms. Yoo."
I gave a brief nod. "Good evening."
"Good evening, Assistant Yoo."
Their voices followed me as I walked past.
I stopped in front of the Chairwoman's office and knocked once.
"Come in."
I pushed the door open and stepped inside, bowing politely.
"You called for me, Chairwoman?"
Seo Yuna was seated behind her desk, eyes fixed on the documents spread before her.
"Sit."
I took the seat across from her.
*Silence*
"The Jeonghwa Construction consortium," Yuna said, her tone calm and emotionless. She flipped a page in the report without looking at me. "They submitted a bid for the southern redevelopment project this morning."
I straightened slightly. "Yes. Based on the evaluation criteria, their bid won't rank high enough. Even without interference, the review committee is unlikely to advance them."
"That won't be necessary. I don't want their bid rejected. I want the company removed."
I hesitated. "Removed? Do you mean forcing them to withdraw the bid voluntarily?"
Yuna finally lifted her eyes to meet mine.
"No. I mean I want them to lose the ability to compete at all."
A chill ran down my spine.
"They've been approaching local officials and subcontractors behind the scenes," she continued. "They know they cannot compete with us financially or structurally, so they are trying to secure influence instead. I will not allow a company like that to place a single brick on this project."
"Chairwoman, if we act too aggressively, it may draw attention from the Fair Trade Commission. If an investigation is triggered, it could delay the entire redevelopment schedule."
Yuna did not react.
"Delays are acceptable," she said flatly.
She reached for a folder and pushed it across the desk toward me.
"Inside are records of their illegal subcontracting practices over the last three years. They used shell companies to bypass labor regulations and underreported safety violations on two sites."
I opened the folder, my eyes scanning the documents.
"These aren't confirmed reports yet," I said carefully. "If we expose everything at once, it will be obvious that Nara Group was involved in bringing this to light."
"That is why you will not expose everything at once. You will leak the information in stages. First to their investors. Then to the local press. Finally, you will ensure the audit schedule reaches the regulatory office at the right time."
I looked up. "If their investors pull out and the audit begins simultaneously, their cash flow will collapse."
"Yes."
"They may file for restructuring, or bankruptcy."
Yuna's expression did not change.
"That is their problem. They made the choice to enter a market they do not belong in."
I tightened my grip on the folder. "Chairwoman… this will effectively end the company."
"Yes, that is exactly what I want."
"…Understood. I will handle it as instructed."
Yuna nodded once.
"Do it cleanly. I don't want traces that lead back to us."
"I will make sure of it."
And just like that, the matter was closed.
Yuna flipped to the next file, her attention already drifting away from me.
"Anything else?" she asked, eyes scanning the page in front of her.
I hesitated for half a second, then shook my head. "No, Chairwoman."
I rose from my seat, ready to leave.
"Wait."
I stopped.
Her gaze lifted slowly, settling on my face and lingering longer than usual.
"I've noticed you've been distracted lately. Your reports are still accurate, but you've been slower. That isn't like you."
My shoulders stiffened instantly.
"I apologize," I said quickly. "It won't happen again."
She leaned back slightly in her chair, fingers tapping once against the desk.
"If there is something you want to say, say it now."
The room felt heavier.
I lowered my gaze. "…There's nothing, Chairwoman. I'm fine."
For a moment, she studied me in silence, as if deciding whether my answer was worth accepting.
Then she nodded once.
"Make sure it stays that way. You are not just my assistant. You act in my name. Any mistake you make will reflect on me."
"Yes, Chairwoman," I replied without hesitation. "I understand."
Her eyes returned to the documents.
"You may go."
I bowed deeply. "I'll proceed with your instructions."
I turned and left the office.
Back in my own office, I shut the door and leaned against it for a brief moment, my head falling back with a quiet sigh.
My legs felt heavy as I walked to my desk.
I sat down, then slumped back into the chair, all the tension I'd been holding finally crashing down on me.
The office was silent.
Slowly, I turned my chair toward the monitor.
[Resignation Letter]
I stared at the screen, unmoving.
It's been almost nine years. Isn't it time to stop?
I think I've already fulfilled my promise to the late Chairman, to help Yuna rise to the top. But when I look at things clearly now, she doesn't really need my help anymore, does she?
Working beside her…
I don't know.
It feels like I've been losing myself little by little every day. Somewhere along the way, I started becoming something like her too. Cold and detached.
I don't know what turned Yuna into this person.
Or maybe she was shaped this way because of how coldly the Chairman treated her all those years. I'm not sure.
But how would Yuna react if she saw this letter?
A quiet sigh slipped past my lips.
Whether she likes it or not, I still have to leave.
Because it's time for me to return to—
*Buzz*
My phone vibrated on the desk, shattering my thoughts.
I frowned slightly and reached for it to answer.
_____
The restaurant was quiet when I arrived. I spotted him immediately, seated at a corner table with his back to the wall.
He stood when he saw me.
"Ms. Yoo."
"Sit," I said, taking the seat across from him. "Let's hear it."
He nodded and opened the slim folder he'd brought.
"First, regarding his aunt. The rental payment for her restaurant has been settled for the next twelve months. I spoke directly with the building owner and arranged the payment under a third-party name, as you usual."
I gave a small nod.
"And the supply issues she had last quarter?"
"They have been resolved as well. I contacted the distributor and negotiated extended payment terms with no penalties."
"Good. That's enough for now. Since she's doing just fine, just watch from a distance. Don't create unnecessary attention."
"Yes, Ms. Yoo."
I took a sip of water before continuing.
"Now tell me about Haemin."
The man straightened slightly.
"His academic performance this year has been outstanding. He is ranked at the top of his class. Several teachers have mentioned him during evaluations, especially praising his aptitude in mathematics and economics."
A faint smile touched my lips before I could stop it.
As expected of my little brother.
I looked away to hide it.
"And socially?"
"There has not been much change. He still keeps a small circle. He has a few friends, but he does not actively seek out social interactions."
I sighed quietly.
He is already at this age. If that is his nature, then there is no need to force him to change, as he is comfortable living that way.
After a brief pause.
"What about the girl who attempted to get close to him previously?"
"That matter has already been taken care of. The girl comes from a wealthy family, but her father's company is involved in several bribery cases. None of it has gone public yet. As for the girl herself, she has a reputation for being problematic. She likes to use her status to intimidate others.
I followed your instructions and met with her father in private. I made it clear that if he wished to keep his company's affairs out of the public eye, he would ensure his daughter stayed away from Mr. Kim. Shortly afterward, he transferred her to another school."
"That is acceptable."
I leaned back slightly in my chair, holding his photo and examining every detail of his face.
Haemin had grown up well. His face now looked even more striking and delicate. But isn't this too much? Is that why the girls were all rushing to get close to him?
Fortunately, he was reserved and didn't pay them much attention.
Still, an uncomfortable feeling settled in my chest. Jealousy. But I pushed it down immediately.
I need to accept reality. Sooner or later, Haemin would have someone he liked, and I had no right to stop that.
But that did not mean just anyone could enter his life.
If someone wanted to get close to my little brother, her family background had to be clean. I wouldn't allow him to be dragged into anyone else's problems.
"Continue monitoring the situation as usual. If anything changes, report it to me immediately."
"Yes, Ms. Yoo"
The man nodded and excused himself.
I remained seated for a long moment, my gaze fixed on the night scenery outside the restaurant. Rain streaked down the window.
Haemin…
Please wait for me.
Just a few more months. Just a little longer, until everything is finally settled.
Once I finish everything I need to do, I will stand in front of you properly. I will tell you everything I never had the courage to say back then. I will apologize for everything.
It does not matter if you forgive me or not. It does not matter if you accept me again or push me away.
I just cannot keep hiding this longing anymore.
The ache in my chest had grown too heavy.
*Buzzzt*
My phone vibrated in my hand.
I froze when I saw the caller ID.
Yuna?
It was rare for her to call me outside of office hours.
I answered immediately.
"Yes, Chairwoman?"
"Harin. Where are you right now?"
"I am outside at the moment. Is there something wrong, Chairwoman?"
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line.
"…It is quite annoying for me to say this, but I have been involved in an accident."
"What?" I stood up abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor behind me. "Chairwoman, are you alright? Are you hurt? Where are you right now? I will come immediately."
"It is nothing serious," Yuna replied, sounding mildly irritated. "The car only skidded slightly. I am not badly injured. I will send you my location now."
"Understood," I said, already reaching for my coat. "I will be there right away."
_____
I drove quickly through the city, the security vehicles following closely behind me.
Even though Yuna had said she was fine, I could not relax. An accident involving the Chairwoman of Nara Group was never just a small matter. If anyone caught wind of it, even a minor incident could be exaggerated and turned into unnecessary speculation.
I kept my eyes on the road, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
The GPS indicated I was almost there.
As the rain fell steadily against the windshield, a bus stop came into view.
From a distance, I saw Yuna sitting there.
Beside her, there was another figure.
Because of the rain and the dim streetlights, I could not see the person's face clearly.
The security team stepped out first, moving quickly to secure the area and take care of Yuna's car. The accident itself was minor, just as she said, but that did nothing to calm the unease settling in my chest.
I opened the door and stepped out, immediately raising the umbrella against the rain.
"Chairwoman."
Yuna looked up at me.
"It was unnecessary to bring so many people."
"My apologies, Chairwoman. But this must be handled according to protocol."
Only then did my gaze shift fully to the man beside her.
He was standing now, slightly damp from the rain, holding his own umbrella loosely at his side. His clothes were simple, his posture polite but cautious, as if unsure whether he should stay or leave.
And the moment I saw his face clearly—
My breath stalled. The umbrella nearly slipped from my hand.
No… why is he here?
Why is—
Haemin… here…?
The world seemed to stall for a brief second, the sound of rain dulling in my ears.
My thoughts scrambled, but I forced myself to move before Yuna noticed anything strange.
I stepped closer to her and gently reached for her arm.
"Careful, Chairwoman."
She shifted her weight slightly. "My ankle twisted a little, I think."
I immediately adjusted my grip when I noticed the faint bruise forming beneath her stocking, supporting her more carefully.
"The car is ready," I said, steadying my voice. "We will have a doctor look at it."
As I helped her stand, I felt his gaze.
I looked up instinctively.
Haemin was watching us quietly.
Our eyes met for a brief moment.
But—
Nothing happened.
He was just looking at me like a stranger he had never known.
My chest tightened painfully.
…So he really does not remember.
The realization settled heavily inside me, bringing with it an ache I had not prepared for.
I looked away quickly, afraid that if I kept staring, something would betray me.
"And by the way," Yuna said suddenly, turning her attention to him. "What is your name again?"
"I'm Haemin," he replied politely. "Kim Haemin."
"I will remember that."
Haemin.
He was standing so close. For a fleeting moment, my body reacted before my mind could stop it.
I wanted to reach out to him. But I could not. This was the first time I had been this close to him after all these years of longing.
And I had to let him go again.
"Let's go, Harin."
Yuna's voice snapped me back to the present.
"Ah—yes," I replied immediately, tightening my hold on her arm. "Please walk carefully, Chairwoman."
We turned away and left.
The timing was still not right.
I just need to be patient a little longer.
Soon.
I would meet him again properly.
And just like that, the night passed.
I thought I would not be able to be this close to him again for a long while.
…Or so I believed.