Chapter : 13
Power Play
The conversation between Rey and Chaekyung is in English, and the conversation between Rey and Kang-woo is in Spanish that Chaekyung cannot understand. The phrases marked in green with brackets are Spanish. I have indicated them as [Spanish: …].
The moment Kang-woo appeared, Rey’s expression was no longer as friendly as a moment ago.
Both men watched each other with sharp eyes.
Rey curled his lips into a smile—yet his eyes stayed cold.
[Spanish: I didn’t expect to see you here.]
Fluent Spanish rolled off Rey’s tongue. Kang-woo frowned, taken aback that Rey wasn’t more surprised.
The tension between them was so thick Chaekyung felt she needed to hold her breath.
Kang-woo answered in Spanish as well.
[Spanish: That’s my line. Aren’t you supposed to be in Switzerland?]
[Spanish: My place, huh…? Isn’t that just a prison without bars?]
[Spanish: If that’s how you feel, you shouldn’t be wandering around so fearlessly.]
[…]
Kang-woo’s gaze, fixed sharply on Rey, swung toward Chaekyung.
His cold voice attacked her work ethic.
“Assistant Manager Min Chaekyung. Why aren’t you preparing the presentation?”
“I’ve already finished.”
“You’re certain there won’t be any mistakes?”
Rey’s earlier comment came back to her, and she couldn’t force herself to answer confidently.
“I’m sorry. I’ll go back up and check again.”
Kang-woo stepped aside, clearing her path, clearly eager to send her away.
[Spanish: Thank you for today.]
Right before leaving, Chaekyung bid Rey a final farewell.
[Spanish: Let’s meet again somewhere we won’t be interrupted.]
Rey softened his eyes and returned her goodbye.
At his suggestive wording, Kang-woo’s eyes narrowed. Flustered, Chaekyung couldn’t respond and simply bowed before walking away.
[Spanish: Get going.]
Kang-woo tossed the words coldly.
[Spanish: Do you like that woman?]
Rey drawled, as if determined to get under his skin.
[…]
Kang-woo looked back without expression. Rey didn’t flinch at his stare—he seemed used to it, as if to say you’re doing that again.
[Spanish: Then why are you so on edge trying to pull me away from her?]
Deciding it would be dangerous if anyone else understood, Kang-woo continued in Spanish.
[Spanish: Don’t play those “ruin someone’s life” games like you used to.]
[Spanish: You’re the one who ruined it.]
Rey glared, expression stiff.
Kang-woo gave a short laugh.
[Spanish: Rey. This is why you always lose to me.]
[…]
Kang-woo pivoted toward the elevator where Chaekyung was waiting.
Imagining Rey shaking with anger behind him was just enough to keep his own mood from completely crashing.
Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined Chaekyung would have any connection with Rey. Seeing the impossible unfold before his eyes sent a chill through him.
A surge of anger—aimed at he didn’t know who—boiled up.
The walk toward the two had felt unbearably long. The sight of Rey smiling at Chaekyung made him want to hit the man, and he clenched his teeth to swallow the rage.
He strode forward, stopping the elevator doors just as they were closing.
Chaekyung glanced up, but he didn’t look at her.
She lowered her gaze, facing forward.
Clearly, the two men knew each other—and clearly, they were enemies. Chaekyung couldn’t help being curious.
“Um… do you know Mr. Rey?”
“Stay out of it. All of it. Anything about that bastard.”
Chaekyung stayed silent and looked up.
Kang-woo finally glanced at her from the corner of his eye, demanding an answer.
“Answer me.”
She had no reason or business with Rey. But neither did she see a reason to treat someone with hostility when they had been nothing but polite to her. It wasn’t something Kang-woo had the right to order. And she was curious.
“Why should I?”
Kang-woo turned to glare, threatening now rather than just overbearing.
“Does it look like I’m saying this lightly? It’s a warning. Ignore it, and whatever follows is on you.”
Feeling he misunderstood, Chaekyung decided she should explain.
“I just happened to get help from Mr. Rey today, so…”
Kang-woo’s face twisted with displeasure. Brow furrowed deeply, he delivered his final words and stepped off the elevator first. A chill seemed to trail behind him.
“Whether profit or loss—from him, stay away.”
He took a seat at the front of the meeting room. Soon afterward, Chief Shin entered and handed him documents.
About ten minutes before the presentation, attendees began arriving.
Four professors, the core of the advisory committee, came in with Rey. Kang-woo, who had requested the committee, shook hands—until he saw Rey, and his face soured.
“I was told the advisory group included four professors. Who is this?”
It was a blunt question—why is this uninvited guest here?
“This is Professor Rey Rolfe of the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. He’s here working on practical AI applications for an internal project and found strong relevance to today’s agenda, so he joined.”
[Spanish: Pleased to meet you. I’m Rey Rolfe.]
At Rey’s brazen “first-meeting” act, Kang-woo frowned then smoothed it over, matching the game.
[Spanish: Yes, pleased to meet you. I’m Jason Ji.]
Their handshake stretched taut.
Chaekyung was taken aback—Rey was lying without flinching, and his expression changed so quickly he could have passed for an actor.
Once everyone was seated, Chaekyung began briefing the advance proposal.
“Good afternoon. I’m Min Chaekyung from Mot’s Strategic Planning Team. I’ll present Mot’s preliminary concept for spray-type AI application.”
The unexpected idea caught interest.
After her calm briefing, a professor spoke.
“It’s impressive you’re considering commercialization of such technology domestically. The research group stationed at the Seoul Center might be able to support this. If you have time, please visit the center to see our work in person.”
“If it’s connected research, we’ll visit as soon as possible.”
The meeting ended smoothly after information exchanges. Chaekyung let out a breath of relief.
The party moved to the center’s restaurant where refreshments awaited.
Chaekyung, delayed by cleanup, arrived late.
She was heading for a quiet corner among about ten people when two voices called out simultaneously.
“Assistant Manager Min Chaekyung.”
[Spanish: Chloe.]
Kang-woo and Rey.
They spoke in different languages but were calling the same person.
The two men turned to look at each other. Chaekyung froze halfway into her seat.
“Yes?”
“Sit over here.”
[Spanish: Come sit here.]
Again, they spoke at the same time, turned toward each other—and everyone else looked at them.
Chaekyung flushed with embarrassment as her mind raced. She glanced between the two. With all eyes on her, she felt cornered.
Kang-woo spoke quietly, driving a wedge into the tension and meeting her gaze. His eyes warned her exactly where she should sit.
“Come here and explain your proposal, Min.”
“Oh—yes. Of course.”
Even as she agreed, Chaekyung couldn’t help but wonder why Kang-woo was so unusually tense today. She shook off her thoughts and took a seat beside him.
He was her boss, and she didn’t want to make him angry over something trivial.
[Spanish: This feels like a guy confessing and getting rejected.]
Rey winked playfully from across the table.
For Chaekyung, the refreshments felt like an extension of the briefing—her nerves remained tight. Rey noticed and took care of her thoughtfully.
He poured tea into her empty cup and placed cookies in front of her.
While grateful, she became increasingly aware of Kang-woo’s bristling glare.
Unfazed by it, Rey continued acting familiar.
Caught between two feuding whales, she could feel her shell cracking.
Thirty uncomfortable minutes later, the gathering wrapped up.
“I’m meeting the university president before I leave. Email the advisory members with cooperation requests and gather whatever materials you need. Call me when you’re done. And remember what I said—don’t get tangled with him.”
Kang-woo warned her again, waiting for her reply.
“Yes, Vice-President.”
Only after she answered did Kang-woo leave with Chief Shin to meet the professors and university president.
When Rey approached, Chaekyung simply bowed and slipped away.
From the morning’s unexpected trip, to a stranger’s kindness, to Kang-woo’s hostility—it had been exhausting.
In her rush, she made a mistake. Carrying a laptop and her things, Chaekyung left her phone behind at the restaurant used by the researchers and advisory group.
Trying to avoid Rey had caused the wrong problem.
Without Kang-woo nearby and now without her phone, she had no idea how to navigate the huge campus.
She sighed.
“What a mess.”
* * *
At that moment, Rey stood holding Chaekyung’s phone, debating what to do.
At first, his goodwill had nothing to do with Kang-woo. But now that he understood Kang-woo’s mood—and saw Chaekyung leave as if avoiding him—it felt like a shame. Then he noticed she’d left her phone. He had rushed after her but she was already gone.
“How do I return this?”
Rey smiled quietly.
It had been a long time since a woman held his interest.
They had grown up together, and the reason they never got along was because Kang-woo was prickly, emotionally cold, and uninterested in people. To Rey, who always read the room and cared about others’ feelings, Kang-woo’s disregard was intolerable. And now that same Kang-woo was tracking a woman with those indifferent eyes—it intrigued him even more.
More interesting than she looks… that dreamy gaze, an offbeat charm…
Just then, the phone in Rey’s hand buzzed. He checked the caller and smiled wider.
“This is getting fun.”
He answered.
—“Min Chaekyung, where are you?”
—[Spanish: Hello.]
Rey’s voice was relaxed, playful. He could already imagine Kang-woo’s expression.
—[…Rey. Why are you answering that phone.]
Kang-woo’s furious voice burst through the line.
