chapter 4
“Oh, I was reviewing the CEO’s meeting minutes earlier and saw many mentions of the lab. I’m not yet familiar with the layout of our company.”
“The lab is located behind the main building.”
“Okay, thank you.”
Jae-in mentally marked the lab’s location, then pretended to refocus on her work by opening the internal directory page.
There it is.
The faces, names, and positions of the lab staff filled her screen, and she quickly began memorizing them. Then her eyes paused on the name Im Sera.
She’s the person my brother spoke to on the phone during business calls.
Just then—
“Seo Ki‑heon.”
Startled, Jae-in snapped her head up to see Manager Kim standing over her. Thankfully, her laptop had already switched to work documents, and Kim didn’t seem suspicious as he said:
“Prepare for the executive meeting with Deputy Manager Kim Miri.”
“Yes, understood.”
Once the secretary left, Jae-in exhaled in relief—only for anxiety to wash over her moments later.
Now it begins.
Jae-in followed Kim Miri toward the conference room. It was spacious and modern, with a large screen on one wall and high-tech equipment throughout.
“What kind of meeting is this?”
“It’s an executive meeting. All department heads are attending, so the agenda is important and sensitive. Security is tight; we must handle all materials carefully.”
Jae-in nodded and began placing meeting packets at each seat.
My brother must have attended meetings like this.
The thought weighed on her heart, slowing her movements.
“Ki-heon, could you help here?”
Miri’s voice pulled her back to the moment.
“Yes!”
They arranged chairs, set out water and snacks, and time flew by.
“The executives will arrive soon. Don’t be nervous—act naturally.”
Jae-in nodded, taking a steadying breath.
Soon I’ll see Han Do-hyeok again.
At that moment, the door opened. Executives began entering one by one, and Jae-in bowed respectfully.
“Good afternoon.”
Nervous tension rippled through the room—especially from the lab director, a middle-aged man anxiously wiping his palms.
They’re all so tense.
Finally, the secretary entered, giving both Jae-in and Miri a brief directive.
“You two stay at the back and remain on standby.”
“Yes.”
They moved to the back, where Jae-in tried to stay composed—but the anxiety only grew. What if clues about her brother’s death emerged here?
Then the sound of footsteps outside the door stilled the room—executives looked up, and Jae-in turned too.
“The vice president is arriving.”
She took a deep breath as the door opened and Do-hyeok entered. The air seemed to freeze; his presence was stronger than ever.
He calmly took the head seat, undone one jacket button, and spoke in a low, deep voice:
“Begin.”
Lights dimmed and the screen brightened.
“Let’s start the meeting. First…”
During the meeting, Do-hyeok’s incisive questions cut through departmental reports.
“Why is the new product release delayed?”
“We had issues with overseas part suppliers…”
“Was that contingency not considered in advance?”
The marketing team leader turned pale at Do-hyeok’s cold reproach, the room tightening like the night three years ago.
“What’s the status on the new tech development?”
The lab director hesitated.
“Ah, yes. We’re in phase three testing.”
“At this stage, shouldn’t it be in final development?”
“Yes—well…”
“Exactly what issues are preventing it?”
Beads of sweat appeared on the director’s brow. Jae-in watched, recalling her brother.
Did he endure this atmosphere too?
All the executives were tense, and as she saw their expressions, she felt a strange emotional pull.
What was my brother thinking under pressure like this?
Her mind drifted to that night three years ago, and words from that hotel-room conversation echoed:
“Can you tell me your real name?”
That time, she gave a false name—now she stood before him with another. The irony made her swallow a bitter smile.
“Complacency like this is the worst response.”
The meeting pressed on, with Do-hyeok’s sharp critique unceasing. Jae-in watched each phrase, gesture—desperate for clues, haunted by that night.
Then—his gaze suddenly rested on her.
…
Jae-in’s heart stopped. One second… two seconds… time seemed to freeze. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t hear anything.
Did he recognize me?
Cold sweat formed on her palms.
“Vice President, we’ll report the phase-three results as soon as available,” came a voice, breaking her trance. Do-hyeok nodded.
“Very well.”
She let out a silent, relieved breath and stared at him with trembling eyes. His gaze had already returned to the room.
Stay calm. I’m Seo Ki-heon right now—I’m here for my brother and for me.
She forced herself not to dwell on that night.
That afternoon, as quitting time neared, staff began packing up. Jae-in remained at her desk, studying the screen.
“Ki‑heon, aren’t you leaving?”
Kim Miri asked.
“Oh, I’m reviewing something for tomorrow.”
“Don’t overdo it on your first day. Go home and rest.”
“Yeah, I will soon. Thanks for the help.”
One by one, the office emptied. Jae-in surveyed the quiet room with sharp eyes.
Now I’m the only one left.
She stood, gathered documents, and headed toward the security monitor she had scouted earlier—outside Do-hyeok’s office.
Kim jibed about not entering when the vice president isn’t around…
But she felt she had no choice. Finding the truth behind her brother’s death was the only mission.
Knock knock—Jae-in composed herself and knocked.
No reply. She paused, feigned hesitation—then opened the door.
If I’m caught, I’ll say I came to leave tomorrow’s briefing notes.
Given it was her first day, maybe one slip would be forgiven. But she needed to finish quickly.
She moved through the office efficiently. Everything on the desk was meticulously arranged.
Just like Do-hyeok.
She donned latex gloves and opened a drawer, rifling through documents. Everything was neat—evidence of his rigorous nature—but nothing related to her brother.
Is there nothing? Or did he destroy it?
She clenched her lips in disappointment but refused to give up. Her gaze moved to the bookshelf.
One book stood out—it was slightly pulled forward.
Something’s off.
She carefully removed it—and thud—a small USB fell to the floor.
This is it!
Her heart pounded. She briefly considered pocketing it but stopped.
If I take it, I’ll get caught. Better to just check it and leave it back.
She slipped the USB into Do‑hyeok’s computer, her hands shaking. Please… something about my brother.
Files appeared on the screen. Jae-in’s eyes widened as she skimmed the contents.
