chapter 04
Let’s put aside the apology for now. He probably didn’t open the door knowing someone was outside.
But even thinking positively, the man holding the design book as if it were his own and staring at Seoha was clearly strange and rude.
“Could you give that back and move aside?”
After a weird staring contest, Seoha spoke first.
“Do you have business in the CEO’s office?”
“Yes.”
“The CEO is absent. Please come back later.”
The words “Who do you think you are?” rose to her throat but she managed to swallow them.
“Are you far? If you’re in the company, I can wait inside.”
“You are inside, but I have no instructions to admit anyone in the CEO’s absence. Who are you and which department are you from?”
“I’m the curious one here. Who are you to block the door?”
Instead of answering, the man flipped the design book back and forth, inspecting it like it were some suspicious object.
“Give it here!”
Seoha snatched the design book roughly from his hands.
“You are extremely rude. Asking about someone else’s affiliation before even stating your own, picking up someone else’s belongings and inspecting them… seriously—”
“Team Leader Yoon!”
A sharp voice called Seoha from down the hall. It was her mother and the CEO of KangYoon Company, Kang Haeseon.
“Oh, you’re here. You should’ve called first.”
Haeseon insisted on keeping professional boundaries clear and always addressed Seoha by her title in the office. Seoha returned the respect when others were around.
“Good morning, CEO. I brought the new designs to show you.”
“Bringing new designs first thing in the morning… must be something for Team Leader Yoon’s brand?”
Haeseon always said she would ensure her four brands succeeded before handing the company over to Seoha.
“Yes. Please review them.”
“Not review, discuss. Designs are completely Team Leader Yoon’s domain, and I trust you. Come in.”
Haeseon turned, and the man bowed slightly and stepped aside. Seoha entered the CEO’s office, glancing briefly at him. His gaze was anything but friendly. She couldn’t understand why a stranger would look at her that way.
“Who’s that? I don’t recognize him.”
As soon as the door closed, Seoha asked.
“Oh, that’s Secretary Ryu.”
“Secretary?”
Now that she thought about it, yes. Their long-time secretary, Secretary Choi, had resigned, and a new one had been hired.
“Choi resigned and introduced Ryu Kyungjun. I was worried because he seemed harsh, but seeing him work, I realized Choi chose well. He’s very smart and competent.”
“Harsh people often work well.”
Seoha spoke only that much about Ryu Kyungjun. First impression: rude and odd. But work is work, and personal matters are personal. In the fashion industry, full of sensitive and unique people, she didn’t want to report minor rudeness to the CEO.
But why had the secretary come out of the CEO’s office when no one else was there? She quickly dismissed the thought. Looking for files or simple tasks was part of the secretary’s job.
Seoha placed the design book carefully on the desk.
“Here’s the new design, CEO.”
“Well done, Team Leader Yoon.”
Haeseon’s sharp eye, honed by years in fashion, could easily overwhelm most designers. Though Seoha had confidence in her designs, she nervously swallowed as Haeseon flipped through the pages.
“Finally.”
Haeseon closed the last page and smiled at her daughter.
“KangYoon Company will be launching a new brand. Congratulations, Designer Yoon Seoha.”
Seoha’s face lit up with a bright smile. Every designer dreams of this: taking the first step toward their own brand.
“We’ll open a boutique in Cheongdam-dong. Invite VIPs and celebrities for a launch show. Then we’ll go to Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan for pop-up stores. Department store entries come last. We don’t beg department stores; they should approach us first. You can do this, Seoha?”
Seeing a design and immediately planning a launch strategy—that was her mother, a true businesswoman.
Seoha felt immense pride in her mother. Sharp, strong, confident. When Haeseon had outright rejected a takeover offer from the major Seongseong Group, Seoha had been bursting with pride.
“Of course I can. Who’s my mother, Ms. Kang?”
“Yes, yes. My beautiful daughter.”
Haeseon laughed and patted Seoha on the bottom.
“I’ll wait for the samples. By the way, you went with Seung-oh a few days ago, right? You should’ve called me first.”
It was the day she almost choked eating pancakes. Seoha frowned, recalling the unpleasant memory.
“I thought you’d be there, but you weren’t. I just met some weird woman.”
“Woman? What woman?”
Haeseon looked puzzled.
“You know, Aunt Nanju’s daughter. Was her name Jisoo?”
“Oh, Jisoo? I thought it’d be fine if you got along with her since she studies design. Why, was she bad?”
“Yes. Terribly.”
Business is business, personal is personal. Fortunately, Lee Jisoo stayed strictly in the personal realm. She’d probably run to mom with complaints instead of handling professional matters.
“She came to return a borrowed outfit. But it was mine. You know, the one I bought in Europe during college. I really cherish it. And when I asked where she got it… well…”
Seoha proceeded to recount the irritating events of that day. She intended it lightly, but Haeseon’s expression grew serious.
“That happened?”
“I felt like I was the bad person. I was just minding my own business and got blindsided.”
Haeseon thought for a moment, then spoke.
“You shouldn’t let her come to our house anymore. And you and Seung-oh shouldn’t go there for now. Call me before visiting.”
“They said they were coming to see you. Is that okay?”
“Of course. Jisoo coming to our house is not a given; it’s a courtesy. Why should I make exceptions for someone who upsets my child?”
“She works with Aunt Nanju, so I don’t want to cause trouble with you.”
“Seoha.”
Haeseon looked at her daughter with loving eyes.
“The important person to me isn’t Lee Jisoo or Park Nanju—it’s you, Seoha. If something goes wrong because of you, we’ll fix it, but you’ve done nothing wrong. I’ll tell them never to touch your things or enter your room. Even if there’s a snack wrapper lying around, it’s yours—don’t let anyone touch it.”
“Hehe.”
Seoha smiled foolishly. Knowing there’s someone who always has your back is reassuring and happy. Being born with silver spoons was one thing, but nothing was better than her mother.
“Now go downstairs. Make sure the designs are stored safely in the treasure chest.”
The “treasure chest” was a small, sturdy safe. Seoha stored all her colored-pencil designs inside; only she and Haeseon knew the code.
“Got it. I’ll go now, CEO!”
Seoha bowed and left the office. Ryu Kyungjun—the strange man—was still standing by the door.
“Secretary Ryu Kyungjun?”
Calling his name, she got the same unfriendly look. She didn’t care, lightly lifting the corners of her mouth into a flawless business smile.
“I heard about you from the CEO. I’m Yoon Seoha, chief designer and team leader in the design department.”
“Oh, yes.”
He said nothing more. Seoha shrugged and continued.
“We’ll see each other often. Please don’t block my way next time.”
Again, he only said, “Yes.” She expected it, so she continued smoothly.
“Do you come in and out of the CEO’s office without appointment?”
Ryu Kyungjun asked, his tone entirely unfriendly.
“Excuse me?”
“Even Executive Director Choi uses the secretarial office to enter.”
“I—”
“I know. CEO’s daughter.”
When he said “CEO’s daughter,” a hint of contempt passed over his lips.
“How does it feel, being the CEO’s daughter?”
“What’s your intention with this question?”
Kyungjun leaned slightly, whispering close to her ear.
“I’m really curious. Someone young like you, chief designer and team leader, going in and out of the CEO’s office as if it’s your room, promised a personal brand launch. Someone whose life is smooth without obstacles… what do you think about every day?”
He straightened and smiled.
“Nothing more.”
Seoha had heard this kind of prejudice before. Excelling in studies, music, or design didn’t matter—some people’s conclusion was always the same: Yoon Seoha has a silver spoon.
She wasn’t particularly upset.
“Think? Well, if I had to—”
She raised her right hand slightly. Kyungjun leaned closer to her mouth.
“This is f***ing exciting.”
He frowned slightly. She added, clearly and in a lower voice:
“Long live the silver spoon! In my next life, I’ll be born with a silver spoon too, cruising in an open-top car on a smooth road!”
“……”
Kyungjun looked at her as if seeing a hallucination.
“Do you always speak so crudely?”
“As rude as Secretary Ryu usually is.”
“Don’t you worry about your reputation?”
“Just like Secretary Ryu doesn’t worry about getting fired.”
“And if I spread rumors?”
Seoha had always acted with perfect, conventional attitude since childhood. She had learned early that it prevented unnecessary gossip.
“Go ahead and spread them. ‘Yoon Seoha is so excited, bragging about her silver spoon.’ People will believe it?”
She could see it clearly—Kyungjun, maintaining a superficial facade, was shaken. He hadn’t expected a counterattack.
It was time to retreat.
“Well, I’ll take my leave. Good luck, Secretary Ryu!”
Seoha left briskly, her footsteps echoing down the hall. Kyungjun watched her until the elevator doors closed, muttering quietly:
“Still annoying as ever, Yoon Seoha.”
