I had a rough idea why CEO Cha Yoonjung had brought this up.
Once again, it was because of that detestable Assistant Manager Park.
After I left the company, Park—the one put in charge of negotiations with IntelliOn—had demanded "hospitality" from CEO Cha Yoonjung. He'd said that if a small venture like IntelliOn wanted to sign a contract with a major conglomerate like Hwangsan, they should at least show that much "sincerity."
Hearing that directly, it wasn't unreasonable for CEO Cha to misunderstand and assume that such a culture existed.
"Whew…"
I set down the wine glass I'd emptied in one gulp.
Thanks to the alcohol, my face felt unnecessarily hot.
"At least as far as I know, that kind of thing absolutely does not exist."
I stated it firmly.
While I was still there, even Park had never dared pull something like that.
"But what about places you didn't know about?"
Of course, I didn't believe that everything I knew was the whole truth. There was always a possibility—however small—that unimaginable things happened outside my sight.
But this was not something I could concede.
"The times have changed. The era when that kind of approach worked ended long ago. Assistant Manager Park is nothing more than a remnant of a bygone age—an outdated relic that should disappear from society."
CEO Cha took a graceful sip of wine before replying.
"But Manager Kang, even in today's world, aren't all the people in power still from that bygone age?"
"…That's true, in a way."
It was undeniably true.
People older than CEO Cha—people my age, people like Park, and even older men—those elderly figures still firmly held the reins of society. In corporations, in politics—everywhere.
"Then doesn't that mean we have to follow their ways to be in their good graces?"
"CEO."
I wasn't entirely sure what she was trying to say.
But even if there was some truth to it, CEO Cha didn't need to follow that logic.
"At the very least, you don't have to do that, CEO Cha Yoonjung. IntelliOn has the technical power to challenge the world on its own. You don't need to bow your head to anyone—no matter who they are."
The era where large corporations could throw their weight around simply because they were big was over. From now on, companies like IntelliOn—small but armed with powerful technology—would lead the times.
I spoke with conviction.
But then, unexpectedly, CEO Cha said something completely different.
"Even if that person… were you, Manager Kang?"
"…Excuse me?"
Why me?
As I stared at her blankly, CEO Cha twirled a strand of her hair around her finger and whispered,
"If I said I wanted to make a good impression on you, Manager Kang… and offered you some kind of hospitality… what do you think you'd say?"
"E-Excuse me? I—I don't quite understand what you mean…"
I was thrown into confusion.
I never imagined that that word—hospitality—would lead the conversation in this direction.
CEO Cha continued calmly.
"You were the first person at the presentation who truly recognized us. After that, you didn't forget about us and pushed for a deal with Hwangsan. Whenever I wanted to give up, it was you who helped me back on my feet—who gave me courage."
Strictly speaking, she wasn't wrong.
But was that really something that deserved such praise? I'd simply done my job as an employee of Hwangsan.
"And now you're even offering to invest directly and help us… If I don't try to make a good impression on someone like you, then who should I try to impress?"
"CEO."
I was grateful that she thought so highly of me.
But this was something that could be resolved with a few words of thanks. Bringing hospitality into it would only cheapen that gratitude.
"There's no need for that. I'm the one who was captivated by you and IntelliOn. Any investment or cooperation I offer is for my success—not as a favor to you. You don't need to feel indebted."
"I'm doing this because I want to."
She cut off my carefully worded refusal instantly.
Then she lowered her head slightly, looking a little lonely.
"Or is it that… you just don't like me, Manager Kang…?"
"Th-That's not—"
What was I even supposed to do in a situation like this?
Men were always forced into battles where they were at a disadvantage.
"I know I'm lacking. I've never really dressed up prettily, never tried to act cute for a man. But I wanted to look good to you, Manager Kang… That's why I even wore clothes that don't really suit me. I just wanted to look pretty in your eyes."
If that was her goal, I wanted to say she'd already achieved it.
CEO Cha Yoonjung possessed a sparkling youthfulness. Even in her usual plain business suits, she was more than appealing.
And now, dressed up like this and coming at me head-on—how many men could really resist?
"You're already beautiful, CEO Cha. You don't need to do any of this."
"Th-Then…?"
"I said this earlier too. I'm investing in and helping IntelliOn for my own sake. So there's really no need for you to go this far."
That was my final refusal.
If she took even one more step forward, I'd have no choice but to surrender. In truth, I didn't even have a real reason—or the heart—to keep refusing. All of this was just to preserve my own dignity.
And then—
CEO Cha Yoonjung took one more step forward.
"Then how about this? I'll treat you today… and in return, you promise to help IntelliOn to the very end. Even if the company fails, you won't abandon us."
It was an enticing proposal.
After all, IntelliOn wasn't going to fail. Which meant I'd simply be the one receiving the hospitality.
"…I have a superstition."
I nodded, as if resigned.
"The better my luck with women, the better my luck with money gets. It might sound silly, but it actually tends to come true."
Right. Let's just blame everything on superstition.
If that superstition came true and IntelliOn succeeded, wouldn't that be good for both of us?
"Looks like IntelliOn is going to hit it big. My luck with women has exploded this much."
We'd finished our meal.
I stood up and extended my hand toward her.
"Shall we go, CEO? I'll be in your care tonight."
CEO Cha Yoonjung smiled shyly and took my hand.
Her small hand trembled slightly—tense, but warm.
At the same time—
Park Sojeong was venting her fury to her mother.
"You said he was a doctor!!"
Earlier that day, she'd gone to meet the man herself to hear the truth directly.
Whether he really wasn't a doctor. Whether the vice director title was nothing more than a name. Whether he was even set to inherit the hospital.
Park Sojeong's mother, Yoon Myeonghee—who had never approved of Kang Suhyeok because of his family background and finances—was the one who had dragged her daughter to that blind date, insisting she meet the son of a doctor she knew.
"He's not a doctor at all! He's just an office worker!"
That was the result.
And it was news to Yoon Myeonghee as well.
"What are you talking about? Explain it properly!"
Park Sojeong told her everything.
What she'd heard at the gathering. What she'd confirmed by questioning the man directly.
That the vice director position was just a title. That he wasn't a doctor. And that he wouldn't inherit his father's hospital.
"…Wait. Just wait a moment. I—I'll call and check."
Yoon Myeonghee immediately called the plastic surgeon—the hospital director and father of the man she'd introduced.
But no matter how many times she called, there was no answer.
Whether he was intentionally avoiding the call or simply busy with hospital work, she didn't know.
All she knew was that both mother and daughter were burning with anxiety.
"Argh! Seriously!"
Park Sojeong screamed hysterically and stormed out of the room.
In her mind, the conversation she'd had with her younger sister not long ago replayed like a nightmare.
"Park Soyeon."
A chilling voice called out to Park Soyeon as she stepped out of Kang Suhyeok's car.
Under the shade of a tree, her older sister, Park Sojeong, was glaring at her.
"Oh, unni. You were watching?"
Despite the sharp gaze, Soyeon smiled brightly and replied without hesitation.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you getting out of Kang Suhyeok's car? What were you doing with him just now? You two—don't tell me it was that?"
Sojeong openly suspected them.
She had seen it clearly—inside the car, the two of them looked like they were hugging, even kissing.
"Hah."
But Soyeon only scoffed at her sister's interrogation.
"So what? What does it have to do with you?"
"…What?"
"You told me yourself—if I wanted to date him, I should. So I'm making a move on him now. And I'll keep doing it. So stop interfering."
The sisters had never been particularly close.
But Sojeong couldn't remember the last time her younger sister had talked back this boldly.
"…Are you out of your mind?"
"Why? Feeling regret now?"
Sojeong's shoulders trembled.
She had just come back from a gathering where she'd learned the shocking truth—that the man she was currently dating wasn't actually a doctor.
The decisive reason she'd broken up with Kang Suhyeok had been the alternative—the doctor boyfriend.
Now that alternative had collapsed, she couldn't help but consider reconciliation with her ex.
"Too bad. Looks like Suhyeok oppa doesn't want to be tangled up with you anymore."
"…."
Sojeong bit her lip, listening to her sister's taunts.
Now wasn't the time to lash out. She needed to draw out any information Soyeon had.
"Oppa told me this. If you found out we were meeting, you'd definitely make a fuss. And he doesn't want to get tangled up with you over something like that. That's why he told me not to come looking for him either."
"He just doesn't want to hear unpleasant things from me."
"Do you really think so?"
Soyeon's smile deepened.
"If he had even the slightest intention of getting back together with you, using me—the person between you two—would've been the easiest way. He could've sent you a message through me. But he doesn't want that either. He told me not to approach him at all."
"That's just because you're being annoying."
"Maybe. That could be."
Park Sojeong hadn't firmly decided that she had to get back together with him.
Reconciliation was only one possible option among many. She believed she could meet plenty of other men—Kang Suhyeok was just one of the candidates.
And yet, deep inside her chest, an uncontrollable black smoke was rising.
That emotion was directed squarely at her sister, Park Soyeon.
Every word Soyeon spoke—her audacity in inserting herself between Sojeong and Kang Suhyeok—grated on her nerves.
"But you know what, unni?"
The corner of Soyeon's lips curled upward.
That mocking smile was clearly aimed at her sister.
"You look… really pathetic right now."
At the whispered words, Sojeong clenched her fists.
Me? Pathetic? In what way?
She wanted to ask—but the words wouldn't come out.
Because the moment she heard the answer, she felt she'd truly understand just how ugly she'd become.
"Whatever happened between you and that so-called amazing doctor boyfriend, don't ever show up in front of Suhyeok oppa again. You hurt him and dumped him—so what face do you think you have, crawling back now?"
That was right.
She was the one who had dumped him.
Not the other way around.
Remembering that, Sojeong could only let out a hollow laugh.
"Hah. Who do you think you are? What right do you have to say that to me?"
She tried to gather some strength—but her sister didn't back down at all.
"I'll never forgive you. The wounds you gave Suhyeok oppa—I'll heal them. You're just a germ that would make his wounds fester. So don't even go near him."
Soyeon brushed past her sister.
And as she passed, she left her with one final sentence.
"Suhyeok oppa will never go back to you. Never."
Sojeong could only bite her lip and silently glare at her sister's retreating back.