Episode 02
So, this whole marriage mess started because of one small lie by CEO Jungwoo.
It happened a few days ago.
She received a matchmaking proposal during a business meeting.
“CEO Choi, how about going on a blind date? There’s someone I really want to introduce to you.”
When Chairman Yoon of Hyunoh Trading said that, Jungwoo clenched her fist under the table.
After turning thirty, Jungwoo was more stressed about marriage than about work.
No matter where she went, people asked, “When are you getting married?” “Aren’t you dating anyone?” “If you marry late, when will you have kids?”
Why were people so interested in someone else’s marriage, anyway?
Every time, Jungwoo would answer, “I haven’t met my destined partner yet.” It was true.
In other words, no man had ever caught her eye so far.
She believed that when she met her destined man, she would marry… and saying that usually helped her avoid annoying questions.
But Chairman Yoon was really persistent.
This was already the third time he had suggested a blind date.
If he weren’t such an important business partner, she would’ve just said no firmly. But she couldn’t do that.
Jungwoo’s long-time dream was to export her cosmetics brand to North America.
In fact, North American customers were already crowding international websites to buy G Cosmetics products.
Seeing that trend early, Jungwoo even formed a special team to find a distribution partner in North America.
But in the end, she couldn’t sign a deal.
Because of how exporting works, the goods often had to be shipped by boat.
So, you had to reserve containers and cargo ship space years in advance.
On top of that, big corporations usually had their own cosmetic brands, so they didn’t want to partner with G Cosmetics.
They didn’t want to help Jungwoo’s rising company become even stronger in the cosmetics industry.
While she was looking into different options, Hyunoh Trading contacted her first.
—“CEO Choi, would you like to work with me?”
Chairman Yoon had a solid distribution network that could compete with big corporations.
With just a contract, G Cosmetics products could be shipped by boat to North American ports right away.
He already had a strong sales network in North America, making him a perfect partner.
But the problem was his old-fashioned business style — though that also had its advantages.
He was known for always keeping his promises and staying loyal once he formed a partnership.
Chairman Yoon even mentioned a business ritual from martial arts novels.
“In martial arts stories, there’s something called jakbae, where people clink glasses to seal a deal. It’s both a pledge and a show of loyalty.”
Because of his unique style, Jungwoo had shared several meals with him.
But when he added a blind date proposal during one of those awkward drinking sessions, Jungwoo felt annoyed.
Still, like the business expert she was, she lowered her eyes and calmly said,
“I’m truly grateful that you think well of me and keep offering this blind date. But if G Cosmetics expands into North America, I’ll probably get very busy.”
She used her work as an excuse to reject the blind date.
“You still eat even when you’re busy, right?”
“Well… that’s true.”
“Just meet him once. Afterward, you’ll understand why I kept insisting. You might even thank me, haha.”
Chairman Yoon laughed confidently, as if it was fate for her to meet this man.
Seeing that, Jungwoo looked down to hide her now cold eyes.
‘As I thought… is that what this is?’
It wasn’t just a casual blind date offer. He had already asked twice and hadn’t given up after two rejections.
Suddenly, she remembered something he had said during their last meeting—about his grandson.
He said his grandson didn’t take over the family business but became very successful in his own.
He kept bragging about his grandson, even though she wasn’t interested.
Now it seemed like he wanted to set her up with him.
Smiling slightly, Jungwoo repeated Chairman Yoon’s words back to him.
“Hohoho, that’s true. But I wonder why you’ve kept that fact hidden until now?”
Chairman Yoon stopped smiling and raised one eyebrow, as if he didn’t believe her when she said she had a boyfriend.
Was he trying to verify her words?
Feeling bold, Jungwoo pushed forward with the lie.
“I was afraid people would misunderstand and think I was neglecting my work because I was dating.”
“CEO Choi? Neglect work? That’s impossible. Out of everyone I know, you’re the hardest-working.”
“You flatter me.”
“It’s not flattery. Whoever your groom is, he’s a lucky man. It’s rare to meet someone like you these days. Anyway, congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
She thought she had gotten through it.
But then…
“By the way.”
Chairman Yoon looked at her with serious eyes.
What was this bad feeling?
“I don’t know if it’s because people heard that I might work with you, but CEO Park from Beauty Making contacted me with a better deal.”
At the mention of a rival company, Jungwoo’s eyes briefly turned sharp.
CEO Park Jaecheol of Beauty Making kept copying G Cosmetics’ best-selling products and stabbing Jungwoo in the back.
This year, he even tried to bribe G Cosmetics employees to steal new product information.
‘Now that didn’t work, he wants to steal the North American market?’
Jungwoo held back her boiling anger and spoke calmly.
“He must be nervous after hearing that our company is entering the North American market.”
“Oh? So that’s why he offered such a high commission?”
“Did… he?”
“He offered conditions that are very favorable for us.”
Park Jaecheol probably didn’t even care about profit margins or stock levels — he just wanted the deal.
Jungwoo bit the inside of her lip.
If Park entered the North American market first, G Cosmetics would fall behind.
She couldn’t let that happen.
So Jungwoo decided to take a bold step.
“Chairman, I’ll also review the conditions Park Jaecheol offered you.”
“Haha, that’s not why I brought him up.”
“Then why?”
When Jungwoo looked confused, Chairman Yoon spoke with a serious tone.
“I just wanted to say that no matter how much money someone offers, I won’t work with someone like CEO Park, who lies all the time.”
His expression turned strict.
“CEO Choi, take this to heart. In business, the people I avoid the most are liars.”
Jungwoo lowered her slightly trembling eyelashes and nodded.
“…Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Liars end up covering small lies with bigger ones. Eventually, nothing that comes out of their mouths can be trusted. But you’re not someone who would lie to me, are you?”
“…That’s a big problem.”
“What’s the problem?”
Chairman Yoon asked with a puzzled look, and Jungwoo replied in a quiet voice.
“CEO Park… he’s in trouble now. He can’t find a distributor, so his entry into the North American market is blocked.”
“Haha. That’s none of my business. I don’t care if a man who does business through lies fails.”
Watching Chairman Yoon laugh out loud, Jungwoo felt like her drunkenness had vanished completely….
