“Hello, how can I assist you?”
The woman standing at the reception desk was dressed in a wellfitted uniform.

She first politely greeted Eun Jo, who approached, with a bright smile.

“I’m here to see Representative Kwon Jae Ha.”
Eun Jo noticed the mirth fading from the woman’s eyes upon hearing that name. However, her red lips were still shaped in a smile.

“Did you make an appointment?”
“Well, it’s not that I made an appointment on a whim. I tried to call several times but couldn’t get through. However…”
“If you didn’t arrange an appointment in advance, it might be difficult.”
“Please just let him know that Yoon Eun Jo is here.”
With a firm voice, Eun Jo opened her round eyes wider.

It was comforting to know that she was wearing the best outfit from the clothes she had.

“Please wait a moment. I will try to contact the secretariat.”
The female employee who picked up the intercom sneaked a peek at Eun Jo’s face.

It was a pretty big building.

The marble floor was shiny and reminiscent of a gallery with its unique and elegant lighting.

The people walking through the open lobby, where no pillars were visible, their attire, faces, and even expressions, looked quite decent.

Compared to JS Pharm, the future of which was uncertain… ha…

She had received a strange contract, and everything in front of her eyes was dark. She had even heard shocking news like a bolt from the blue.

[It’s already over. Lee Sung Choon is not the owner of this company anymore, what president? That man is just an ordinary salaryman now.]

Even though what she had anticipated finally happened, the team leader’s voice was calm.

Honest and solid advice was added.

[Although I’ve heard that there won’t be restructuring right away, even if there is, it’s a bit far from us. Anyway, prepare a new portfolio in preparation for any eventuality. Let me know if you need my help.]

‘Blackstone Partners’

The building where Yoon Eun Jo was now standing belonged to the largest private placement fund operator in the United States.

She was stupefied by the fact that Kwon Jae Ha, who was now the leader of this massive, intimidating and ruthless corporation, was essentially her superior.

Eun Jo felt like she had become a pawn on the chessboard that Kwon Jae Ha was playing.

Moving in the direction and manner he desired… Just like that.

“Miss Yoon Eun Jo!”
“Yes? Yes.”
A sharp voice roused Eun Jo from her thoughts.

“Someone will be coming down from the secretariat soon. Please wait a moment.”
Okay Eun Jo nodded and walked over to the end of the reception desk, standing under a large picture hung on the wall.

“Why are you standing like that?”
This time, a deep voice made Eun Jo, who was looking down at the floor, lift her gaze.

“Ah, I was waiting. Someone was supposed to come down…”
“Didn’t you receive the message that a car is waiting at the main entrance?”
The receptionist’s face turned ghostly pale at the chilling tone of the representative.

“I’m okay…”
As she hesitated about what to say, a large hand grabbed her wrist.

“It would have been nice if you had called.”
Was it her imagination that his reprimanding voice sounded somewhat affectionate?

Eun Jo, who was being led away like a doll at a brisk pace, wet her dry lips with her tongue.

“I did. But the line was always busy.”
“Yoon Eun Jo called three times, didn’t she?”
“…twice.”
“Ha! It’s embarrassing, really.”
“I came abruptly because a meeting was canceled. I thought if I couldn’t meet him, I could just go home.”
“You did well.”
Jae Ha pushed the flustered Eun Jo into the passenger seat of the car.

And so, the car started. After a while of silence, Jae Ha suddenly pushed his mobile phone towards Eun Jo.

“……?”
“Change the settings. I’m driving, right? It’s for call waiting.”
Why bother sighing, Eun Jo who was fumbling with his mobile phone asked.

“But where are we going?”
“Somewhere quiet. If you’re hungry, somewhere quiet where you can eat.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You probably don’t want to be hungry.”
“Don’t be sarcastic. I came here to talk, not to eat.”
“You can talk while eating. Geez, it’s tough. Yoon Eun Jo. As always.”
“……”

.
.

The two walked along the Han River embankment without saying much for a while.

It was a weekday, so there weren’t many people. Perhaps because of the shower that had passed the night before, the air was clear and fresh.

The midday sun was hot enough to be felt, but the breeze along the darkened river was cool, befitting the season.

The moist wind pleasantly brushed through Eun Jo’s hair.

“Do your feet hurt?”
“I’m fine, why?”
“Over there.”
A brightly lit café was in view.

“Sit here and wait for a bit.”
Without waiting for Eun Jo’s response, Jae Ha walked swiftly towards the café.

And in no time, he appeared with drinks in both hands.

“There are many people inside. The music is also loud.”
“Hmm.”
“Milk tea, is that okay?”
“I like it. Thank you.”
Eun Jo took the tea he handed over, wetting her lips. Milk tea is one of the things she liked.

“It’s been quite a while.”
“Hmm? What, has?”