Hwamyeong had a new chairman appointed. A grand inauguration ceremony was held at a Hwamyeong affiliate hotel to welcome her.
After the ceremony, Hwalyeon immediately entered the headquarters. Rather than gathering executives for a speech on her first day, she began communicating with employees by touring the company’s departments.
The first place she headed was the Business Planning Team. It was a core department of the headquarters and produced executives, which is why both Hwalyeon herself and former chairman Jin Gilnyeong had passed through it.
And her cousin, who was once her competitor, was also in this department.
Some employees glanced at Suhwan, who stood there with a bright face. Though he was Hwalyeon’s family, he was still just an employee who couldn’t attend the inauguration ceremony, so he was happy to see Hwalyeon even from a distance. Seeing Suhwan, employees whispered quietly.
“Look at him smiling. Seems he has no pride.”
“I bet he’ll be demoted to a regional office soon.”
“Surely she wouldn’t go that far.”
The follow-up comment suggesting that would be too harsh even had a hint of amusement.
There were already various opinions about how Chairman Jin Hwalyeon would deal with her young cousin who had been her only competitor. It was well-known that the two had a bad relationship for a long time. Moreover, Suhwan had a poor reputation. Unlike the former chairman Jin Gilnyeong who had been quick to protect him, the prevailing opinion was that Hwalyeon would firmly push Suhwan away.
Although he had given up his succession rights, for Hwalyeon who had just become chairman, Suhwan’s existence was merely a dangerous sprout that could choke her at any time.
“I look forward to working with you.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
After briefly greeting the managing director of the Business Planning Team, Hwalyeon quickly surveyed the large department. Employees watching her from their desks applauded in unison. Hwalyeon observed this and then moved her eyes as if looking for someone.
“I think you need to visit other departments now.”
“I see.”
Her secretary approached and whispered. The schedule was tight, so there wasn’t much time. Hwalyeon spoke with a composed face.
“I want to create a new Hwamyeong with all of you moving forward. Of course, I’ll need to focus more than any of you.”
The employees laughed quietly at Hwalyeon’s joking remark. Although laughing at a superior’s unfunny joke was expected, somehow natural smiles emerged for Hwalyeon. Perhaps it was because she spoke with a weighty tone while unexpectedly using a considerate manner that suggested they should relax. The atmosphere was surprisingly warm for a meeting with the chairman.
“And.”
Hwalyeon, beginning her statement, glanced at someone standing far away. Some employees who noticed her gaze tensed up. Hwalyeon continued immediately.
“Please take good care of my brother who is here. He’ll be helping me with important work from now on.”
“…!”
“Well, see you next time.”
Having finished her greeting, Hwalyeon turned away without hesitation. Multiple secretaries followed hurriedly behind her. The remaining employees watched with bewildered faces before collectively turning their gaze.
“…?”
Suhwan, who had just been smiling at the meeting with Hwalyeon, was flustered when all the employees’ attention turned to him. He hadn’t expected Hwalyeon to mention him directly, but he was simply happy to see her looking after him as family.
But Hwalyeon’s words weren’t that simple. She had practically declared that she would embrace Suhwan, her former political rival, and nurture him as an executive. From now on, not a single employee in Hwamyeong, at least in the core department of the headquarters, would dare think lightly of Suhwan.
‘Impressive.’
It was something that couldn’t be done without considerable trust. Or perhaps she was incredibly magnanimous. Yunhyun muttered to himself.
Still, it would be possible if one knew Suhwan’s true character. Unlike the rumors, Suhwan didn’t have a bad relationship with Hwalyeon. Rather, it seemed like they had been pretending to have a bad relationship until her inauguration as chairman.
‘I picked the right person to align with.’
Though he had just been following his instincts, Yunhyun smiled when his eyes met Suhwan’s, realizing he’d unexpectedly gained a huge advantage. To him, Suhwan looked like a gleaming golden rope.
And so, Hwalyeon’s grand inauguration as chairman came to an end.
***
After making the rounds to important departments, Hwalyeon finally entered the chairman’s office. A nameplate engraved with Hwalyeon’s name greeted her. Looking at it, Hwalyeon slowly surveyed her surroundings.
“I don’t feel grandfather’s presence at all.”
“Yes, we thoroughly removed it.”
“Good.”
Hwalyeon nodded and approached the desk. Sinking into the plush leather chair, she silently listened to the report.
“Have you found an employee to handle the HS investment case?”
“Yes, here’s the list.”
“Hmm.”
Since the investment in HS had to be carried out secretly, finding the right person was particularly difficult. Moreover, Hwalyeon had not yet created trusted confidants among the headquarters staff.
Carefully examining the secretary’s documents, Hwalyeon narrowed her eyes at someone’s name.
[Cha Yunhyun, Assistant Manager]
“This person is in the same department as Suhwan.”
“Yes, and he’s been in charge of the young master since his internship.”
“Hmm.”
Although his parents were from judge and lawyer backgrounds, due to their honest nature, the family had little connection with the chaebol world. Yunhyun’s brother, a prosecutor, was the same. Perhaps because he was raised by such parents.
“He seems good.”
Hwalyeon liked him. The reference notes mentioned that he got along well with Suhwan, and other employees’ evaluations of him were also positive.
“I’d like this conversation to be concluded today if possible.”
“Understood.”
The HS matter needed to move quickly. Although she had just been inaugurated and had many tasks, she needed to appoint someone in charge before Hansung made another move. Her secretary immediately nodded, understanding Hwalyeon’s intentions.
***
Suhwan was in a great mood until it was time to leave work. It was because Hwalyeon had become chairman. Although he could only see her from a distance, he felt proud and happy seeing Hwalyeon’s impressive figure.
But as it became time to go home after work, the events of the previous night began to surface in his mind. He had gotten drunk, made a mess of himself, and ended up spending the night with Seunghyun. He couldn’t remember much from that time, but a few scenes came to mind. It was the image of himself clinging to Seunghyun when the latter tried to stop.
“Haah.”
I must have been crazy, really. No matter how sexually frustrated I was, I shouldn’t have done that. I really wasn’t in my right mind.
He sighed deeply and left the office. Yunhyun had been called by the department head and hadn’t returned to his desk by the end of the day. It was a bit strange, but since this had happened occasionally before, he left work without worrying about it.
“Huh?”
As soon as he left the office, a vibration rang near his chest. Startled, Suhwan quickly took out his phone. After checking the caller, Suhwan gulped once and answered the call.
“Seunghyun.”
—Hyung, did you finish work?
“Yeah.”
—I’m in the lobby now.
“What? Didn’t you go to the reading room today?”
—My exams are over today.
“Ah.”
Come to think of it, he remembered the note Seunghyun had left in the morning. His saying he’d return early was because his exams had ended. Suhwan asked with an awkward voice.
“Did your exams go well?”
—Thanks to you.
“Yeah… right.”
It was a response with a unique nuance. He couldn’t tell if it meant he did well thanks to him, or if he failed because of him. As Suhwan responded glumly, Seunghyun said quietly.
—Then I’ll wait for you.
“Okay.”
Suhwan gulped again and nodded. After hanging up, he continued walking to take the elevator.
After getting off the elevator and approaching the lobby, he could easily find Seunghyun waiting for him. People were glancing at the noticeable beauty as they passed by.
“Seunghyun.”
Somehow feeling anxious, he hurried toward him. Seunghyun turned his head and stared at Suhwan with unreadable eyes.
“Hyung.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
