Until just a moment ago, Bom had been thinking of Jung-hoo.
As a habit. Or maybe a reflex.
And she had just resolved—it was time to fix that. But there he was, right in front of her. Just days ago, he had been in New York. Who could’ve predicted she’d see him again in Korea—at work, no less—as her superior?
“Do you want to stay together?”
If she had known this would happen, she wouldn’t have said those words back then. They were born of desperation—spoken under the belief she’d never see him again. Bom bit her lip, feeling like this situation unfolding before her eyes was too contrived. Even less believable than running into him in New York.
“I’m Assistant Manager Lee Chae-won from Overseas Business Team 1.”
Jung-ho shook hands with Manager Lee, then extended his hand to Assistant Manager Yoon. He greeted each person in turn with a handshake, meeting every gaze.
“Assistant Manager Yoon So-hee from Overseas Business Team 1.”
“Looking forward to working with you.”
His voice came from right beside her. Bom couldn’t raise her head—she simply stared at the tips of his polished shoes. Then, his perfectly tailored shoes stepped toward her.
A smooth, graceful hand stretched toward Bom.
Her mind fogged over. She could only stare blankly at his hand. Assistant Manager Yoon gave her a nudge at the ribs. That finally snapped her back to reality, and Bom took his hand.
“I’m Assistant Manager Han Bom, Overseas Business Team 1.”
She barely managed to push out the words. The moment their hands touched, she felt the cling of cold sweat. At the same time, the night they had spent together surged in her memory. Her vision blurred, and she bit her lip harder.
“Han Bom, Assistant Manager.”
As he let go of her hand, Jung-ho called her name. Her gaze, which had been fixated on his tie, slowly lifted.
“You don’t look well.”
The moment their eyes met—those cold, impassive black eyes—her heart began to pound wildly. No, it had started the moment he stepped into the office. Sounds that had faded from her ears came rushing back with brutal clarity.
“I’m fine. Really.”
“Are you sure?”
His sharp eyes pierced through her, unwavering. Bom curled her open hands into fists by her sides.
“You don’t look fine at all to me.”
His gaze clung to her flushed face, which had turned red with heat. Bom instinctively wanted to press her hand against her cheek but restrained herself.
“If you need something, come up and get some medicine.”
With a flat, indifferent tone, Jung-ho passed by her.
Only then did Bom finally let out the breath she’d been holding.
He finished greeting the remaining staff.
“If time allows, I’d like to meet with each Overseas Business team leader for a quick one-on-one.”
The moment he mentioned meetings, everyone’s expressions tightened. No one had expected the new director to call them in for individual talks on his first day.
“I haven’t fully grasped the workflow yet. I’ll need your guidance. Don’t be too nervous—let’s meet in the conference room in ten minutes.”
Leaving those words, which felt more like an order than a request, Jung-ho exited the office.
Relieved sighs and murmurs filled the air.
He may have claimed he didn’t know the department well, but word of his competence had long spread throughout the company. Rumors hinted that his return to Korea had something to do with inheriting the company.
After all, he had already proven his skills by boosting revenue at the New York branch of Paramount Hotels by 30%. So no one could treat this meeting lightly.
“Are you okay, Assistant Manager Han?”
Only then did Bom relax her stiff expression at Manager Lee’s concerned voice. Assistant Manager Yoon clutched her chest in exaggerated relief.
“You don’t know how my heart dropped! I thought something serious had happened.”
“I’m sorry. I guess I got too nervous.”
Bom forced a smile and brushed it off lightly. Then, Assistant Manager Yoon reached out and touched Bom’s cheek, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Han Bom, you’ve got a fever. Are you coming down with something?”
“She didn’t look well when she came in today either.”
Bom had assumed her flushed cheeks were just from the shock, but now she gently touched her face—her cheeks were indeed hot.
“I’ve got some medicine on hand.”
She reassured them and sat back down. Her unfocused eyes stared at the monitor. Her mind had gone blank ever since she saw Jung-ho again.
Haah. How…
How could she be seeing him again—here?
She bit her lip hard, overwhelmed by the full force of Seo Jung-ho’s presence crashing down on her.
* * *
The only sound in the conference room was the soft rustle of papers being turned by a long, elegant hand.
With an air of leisure, he crossed his long legs and flipped the page. Though little conversation had passed, the team leaders couldn’t hide their tense expressions. Jung-ho’s commanding presence filled the room effortlessly.
He called it a “meeting,” but no one was fooled.
This was an evaluation of the team leaders.
When someone of influence changes, everything shifts. Departments get created or dissolved, and a single team leader being removed is nothing unusual.
Especially by someone like him—who despised people who flaunted authority despite having no real skills. He knew how to recognize that type. He’d encountered enough during his time abroad.
“I’ve been briefed on how the Overseas Business Division operates.”
Industry trends, competitor strategies, upcoming initiatives, current projects—
It was everything he’d heard in the past 30 minutes. And it all matched what he already knew by heart.
Jung-ho adjusted the cufflink on his left sleeve with his right hand. That small movement made the team leaders swallow dryly.
“From today, all approvals should be submitted directly to my office.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And I’d also appreciate it if personal tasks weren’t delegated to subordinates.”
At the unexpected comment, the three team leaders exchanged puzzled looks. Then Jung-ho’s gaze, once calm, sharpened.
“I assume none of you would go so far as to make your employees do your child’s homework.”
Team Leader Kim, who was sipping coffee, choked and coughed violently, his face turning red. Meanwhile, Team Leaders Kang and Min looked utterly confused, as if hearing it for the first time.
“I’ll say this now—these subordinates are just as educated and qualified as you. So I suggest you refrain from using them for personal errands. Without my permission.”
His voice was polite, but the message behind it was crystal clear: a warning.
Kim dabbed his reddened face with a handkerchief.
A slow smirk tugged at the corners of Jung-ho’s lips.
“Did I strike a nerve?”
“N-no. I’ve never done such a thing.”
His overly vehement denial was practically an admission.
“I wasn’t referring to you, Team Leader Kim.”
Kim, embarrassed, glanced nervously at Jung-ho.
“You’re all busy, so you may leave. I’ll start individual meetings with Overseas Business Team 1. Have Assistant Manager Lee Chae-won come in first, in five minutes.”
He closed the file, signaling the end of the meeting. The three men stood and bowed stiffly before exiting the room.
As soon as they left, Jung-ho raised one arm to cover his eyes.
He hadn’t rested since the weekend. The fatigue weighed heavily on his eyelids.
There were those who scoffed at his age—barely thirty—and sought every opportunity to tear him down. That was why he pushed himself, working tirelessly to cement his place.
And it paid off. His results spoke for themselves.
As the tension subsided, a woman’s face rose in his mind.
Wide, startled eyes. Slightly parted lips. A pink flush blooming on her cheeks.
One after another, pieces of Han Bom’s expression replayed vividly in his mind, stirring a quiet upheaval in his chest.
* * *
The team leaders returned to the office with grim expressions. They offered no answers to curious glances, only wiping cold sweat from their brows.
Of them, Team Leader Kim looked the worst.
“Assistant Manager Han.”
Bom raised her head at his call.
“Yes, Team Leader.”
He looked like he had something important to say—but then shook his head.
“Never mind. Carry on.”
He sat at his desk with a blank face, clearly lost in thought.
It made sense. Back when Bom was still an intern, he had asked her to help with his son’s homework a few times. The fact that the new director somehow knew about that was baffling.
Could it be that Bom had complained?
He considered the possibility, but quickly dismissed it. She and the director had no personal contact.
It had to be a coincidence—he must’ve simply guessed and struck a nerve. Kim wiped his damp forehead with a handkerchief.
“What’s with all that sweating?” Assistant Manager Yoon leaned over to whisper.
“He must’ve had a rough time in there.”
“I hope Manager Lee does okay…”
Both women turned to glance at Manager Lee’s desk. As soon as Kim returned, Manager Lee was summoned to the conference room.
“Is it my turn after her? What do I do—I’m so nervous.”
Despite her words, Yoon’s face glowed with anticipation. She’d been gushing about the new director’s looks since morning.
“You’ll do great, I’m sure.”
Some time passed. Then Manager Lee returned to the office.
Just as Assistant Manager Yoon straightened her clothes and rose to her feet—
“Assistant Manager Han.”
To her dismay, it was Bom’s name that came out of Manager Lee’s mouth.
Bom blinked, startled.
“He’s asking for you.”
Bom bit down on her lip.
She didn’t understand—why had he skipped over Assistant Manager Yoon to call for her?
