SMBM 05

Chapter : 05 

Found

Files containing employee profiles were piled high on Kang-woo’s desk. He absent-mindedly took the folders Shin, the chief secretary, handed him and skimmed through them.

“There are twelve people in the department in total. I’ve shortlisted candidates across job levels. I selected those whose performance stood out in the last three years and who have solid reputations in the company. There are three candidates per level, and I summarized their strong points on the first page.”

Kang-woo silently turned the pages as Shin briefed him. He turned to Jin-ho, who was reviewing with him.

“What do you think, Director Kim?”

“Not bad. Ideally, they should all speak three languages.”

“Preferably.”

He had been preparing this team all the way from New York.

Without informing anyone at the Korea branch, he had already started coming into the building two weeks earlier. He was already moving forward with new work.

As he skimmed through the profiles of elite employees, Kang-woo’s eyes halted.

He stared at one employee’s file for a full minute. The chief secretary, Shin, was puzzled—this was unlike him.

“Vice President, is there a problem?”

“Chief Shin.”

The low voice calling him sounded slightly pleased.

“Yes, Vice President?”

“Have you worked under me for five years now?”

“That’s correct. Why do you ask?”

“I think this might be the best thing you’ve done so far.”

Shin didn’t know what he’d supposedly done well, but it was so rare for Kang-woo to compliment anyone that Director Kim also looked stunned. The two men exchanged baffled looks.

Shin answered Kang-woo while silently asking Kim with his eyes what was going on.

“…Thank you.”

Something was clearly different about the vice president today, and both men attempted to gauge his intentions. Kang-woo picked up the one employee’s file and leaned back in his chair.

His eyes never left it.

He stared at the small ID photo before reading her information line by line.

A respectable school, solid credentials, a model new hire who had worked steadily and proven herself. One thing stood out—there was no father listed, and she had taken her mother’s surname.

Kang-woo studied every detail meticulously.

Then an idea perfect for a dramatic reunion crossed his mind, and his lips curved up on their own.

“I officially start tomorrow, don’t I?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I want to meet the Strategic Planning Team tomorrow. Get the room ready.”

Only then did he raise his eyes toward Shin. His smile lit up his whole face.

When Chaekyung was reassigned to the new department, envy and quiet jealousy followed—along with congratulations from people she was close to. Having lived quietly until now, the sudden attention made her uncomfortable.

Before the new vice president arrived, she had to wrap up her old duties and prepare for the transfer. She spent a frantic week finishing projects and handing them over.

“Assistant Manager Min, you’re moving to the Strategic Planning Team starting tomorrow, right?”

Yoon-ah, the junior employee who had worked closely with her, asked with envy shining in her eyes.

“Yes. I hope I do well… I’m worried.”

“You’re my role model! You’ll be amazing!”

“Oh please, Yoon-ah. Pick someone cooler as your role model. I’m not all that.”

Yoon-ah had always supported her, a junior Chaekyung relied on often. Being called a role model was burdensome, yet it warmed her heart. It strengthened her resolve to focus only on her work.

Life was hectic and would stay that way. She decided not to overthink anything—she’d dive headfirst into the new team.

When she returned to her desk, she found an email already sent to her new Strategic Planning inbox—a meeting with the new vice president in two days.

A division directly under an executive…

Chaekyung, who rarely faced upper management directly, felt pressure and nerves tightening her stomach.

Sighing, she packed her things and headed to the new office.

“That looks heavy. Let me take it.”

“Oh—thank you, but I’ve got it. Really.”

Among the new colleagues, the only one she knew was Assistant Manager Choo Jung-seok, the same rank as her. He was friendly, easygoing, and got along with everyone.

Jung-seok casually took her belongings and strode toward the elevator.

“Assistant Manager Min, it’s nice to be in the same team. Looking forward to working together.”

“Please take care of me as well, Assistant Manager Choo.”

Chaekyung was shy with new people, but he carried the conversation warmly enough that the elevator ride wasn’t awkward. Their exchange flowed naturally, and she found herself relaxing.

They entered the office chatting, and Section Chief Jang called out teasingly as he tidied his desk.

“You two look good walking in together—see where that leads!”

“Should we? I’d be honored.”

“It’s been ages since we’ve had an office couple here.”

“Really?”

Chaekyung was still trying to think of how to respond when Jung-seok brushed the joke aside effortlessly—any denial would only encourage the teasing.

“Chief Jang likes those jokes. Don’t take him too seriously.”

“I won’t.”

With Jung-seok’s easy explanations and tact, the moment passed without issue.

From early morning, all eyes were on the arrival of the mysterious vice president.

Meanwhile, the new team was scrambling to organize their workspace.

The excitement of change hadn’t chased away their disorder.

As Woo-kyung made capsule coffee, she grinned at Chaekyung with exaggerated awe.

“Isn’t this wild? I never imagined we’d be working on the same floor as executives!”

Even in a multinational like Mot, the Korea branch followed local norms—strict hierarchy, and separate floors for the ranks.

But the new VP had already broken the mold.

The executives and employees, who had only heard about his horizontal leadership style, were stunned now that they were experiencing it firsthand.

His first radical move was the placement of the new team’s office.

The Strategic Planning Team was now on the same floor as the vice president and his secretaries. He had gathered what he needed—staff, meeting rooms, support—on one efficient floor, even shrinking his own office to make space.

“It makes me nervous. I feel like I have to watch every move.”

“Don’t worry. The energy here feels good. I think great things will happen!”

Woo-kyung, ever optimistic, reassured her anxious teammate. For cautious, thoughtful Chaekyung, people like Woo-kyung were as important as old friends.

Woo-kyung and Hyo-joo, though they had never met Chaekyung before, turned out to match her surprisingly well—and since they were the only women on the team, they bonded quickly.

With little time before the vice president meeting, they filed one by one into the conference room.

Regardless of rank, everyone was tense and quiet.

“You haven’t met the VP either, right, Manager?”

“Correct. This is a first for me as well. I’m nervous about what kind of person he is.”

Even their leader, Manager Yang, had only dealt with Chief Secretary Shin—not the vice president himself.

Even his calm demeanor couldn’t hide the tension.

The door opened—Shin entered, followed by Director Kim and a tall man.

Everyone stood.

Chaekyung happened to glance at the man’s face—and froze.

Of all people… why him?

Her thoughts stopped.

“I’m Ji Kang-woo.”

His name pounded in her ears.

Their eyes met, but he didn’t seem to recognize her. His gaze slid away. He sat, and everyone followed.

Chaekyung’s mind went white.

Not only was he the company’s highest-ranking person she would see every day—

But now she was directly under him. Of all situations, she hadn’t imagined their reunion like this. She bit her lip and lowered her head, wondering if she should quit.

Shin began briefing the team’s agenda.

The lights dimmed for the projector, and everyone focused on the presentation.

In the dark, she felt safe.

It was a mistake.

The instant the lights went off, she felt his stare—bold, scorching hotter over time.

She turned toward the source instinctively. Kang-woo lounged in the head seat, leaning back, eyes locked on her with casual intensity.

Her body stiffened—flight instinct rising.

His low voice filled the room.

“Chief Shin.”

“Yes, sir.”

The presenter paused.

“As for the briefing—you’ve explained enough. They can read on their own. I’d like to hold one-on-one interviews.”

Everyone looked at the vice president. Young as he was, his presence demanded respect.

“Manager Yang. Any objections?”

He wasn’t rude, but something about him compelled deference.

Even seasoned Manager Yang inclined his head.

“None, sir. As we’re a new department, that seems appropriate.”

“Good. Everyone here is someone Mot considers essential. I expect you to excel in your respective roles. Individual interviews will be in my office.”

He stood, and everyone rose.

He walked out between the rows of employees.

Chaekyung tried to gather her shattered thoughts and lifted her head—just in time to meet his gaze.

How long has he been watching me?

His lips curved upward.

The man who pretended not to notice her earlier was gone; the gaze that followed her now was relentless. Her breath caught.

Startled, she dropped the file folder she was holding.

Kang-woo stopped, picked it up and stood slowly. He halted beside her ear. His low whisper hit like a spark.

“Found you.”

Chaekyung’s eyes trembled.

He straightened and casually handed her the folder.

She couldn’t even take it properly—his gaze had stolen all her breath.