“What did you say?”

The voice, more distinct than a little while ago, belonged to Manager Jung. Chaeyoon walked towards the direction where the voice was coming from while muting the vibration sound.

“He said it was a mistake, and if mistakes are this frequent, it’s considered skill. Well, I thought it was just something he said because he didn’t like me. He kept apologizing, saying it was his fault. But if he suddenly doesn’t understand how his performance evaluations have been all this time, he wants to call the team leader. Oh, the team leader from the previous team.”

Manager Jung’s words flowed smoothly from Jaewoo’s office.

“Anyway, I thought it was just something he said because he didn’t like me. But then, that crazy bastard actually made the call. Yeah, he really did. He blatantly asked, ‘Manager Jung, is it normal for you to work like this?’ He said if he can’t understand how the employees’ conditions are like this while he’s making such evaluations, then he needs to call the former team leader. Uh, the one who was the team leader before.”

At that moment, as if the memory had just surfaced, Manager Jung groaned slightly while rolling his eyes.

“Is it over? Sounds like it’s over. If he keeps talking like that, even though the employee conditions are like this, he called me and scolded me. Wow… you really should have seen it. Uh. In the end, he said he would conduct a comprehensive performance evaluation. That jerk. So, he’s been promoted to a director at that age.”

Listening to the whole process of a minor mistake by a small employee turning into a full-scale audit, Chaeyoon sighed.

Why did it take so long? Oh, it was because of that reason.

“His face? Forget it. Now, I don’t even want to see that face. It’s more pitiful for Song Chaeyoon living with him. Take care of her? Bullshit. Where did that temper go? …Oh, never mind. Soon, he’ll either quit or find a way to leave this place.”

The conversation that was no longer worth hearing continued.

Quietly, Chaeyoon turned around and entered a nearby meeting room. After lowering the blinds, as if worried Manager Jung might pass by, she confirmed Kyunghee’s call.

Although she didn’t know what she was trying to say, perhaps due to the series of incidents, Chaeyoon consciously suppressed the tension in her heart and called Kyunghee.

The call was disconnected not long after being connected.

[Dash] Busy?

The moment Chaeyoon heard Kyunghee’s voice, chills ran down her spine. It was the sensation she felt when hearing about Jipil’s story. Feeling the chilling sensation throughout her body again, Chaeyoon swallowed dry saliva and pressed the recording button.

“Why did you call?”

[Dash] Did you let your father listen to the man’s audio file?

“No.”

[Dash] Really? But then why would your father say such things to me?

The sharpness in Chaeyoon’s eyes flickered.

“What did my grandfather say?”

[Dash] He told me not to think about divorcing Jaewoo.

“……”

[Dash] Since your father said it so seriously, there must be a reason. I thought you had told me everything.”
It was Jaewoo. It seemed like Jaewoo had let Jipil listen to the man’s audio file.

[Dash] Chaeyoon. Did I misunderstand when we agreed to get along well back then?

The tone, which had been warm, became chilly at the end of the sentence.

[Dash] Oh, she can’t answer right away.

Chaeyoon, who had been silent, finally spoke up.

“I don’t know why your grandfather said such things, but I haven’t mentioned anything about that incident. If you called me to threaten me, I’ll end it here.”

At Chaeyoon’s firm voice, Kyunghee chuckled softly.

Ignoring it, Chaeyoon tried to end the call. However, an undeniable statement caught her attention.

[Dash] There will be an article about Jaewoo soon.

“……”

[Dash] The article’s title is ‘Taeyil Group’s Jaewoo Illegal Lobbying Suspicions.’

“……”

[Dash] Maybe, if this article comes out, there will be a lot of noise, saying that Congressman Kwon Donggyun also received bribes from Jaewoo.

“……It’s going to be exposed as a lie, and you’re doing something unnecessary.”

Kyunghee’s laughter grew louder.

[Dash] Is Jaewoo like that? He says he didn’t do anything wrong, so you can be relieved?

“……”

[Dash] Oh, our Chaeyoon. You still don’t know the ways of the world. Of course, your father probably exaggerated and exaggerated everything to me without knowing what your father would say. Right?

Since denying this seemed useless, and there might be another reason for leading the conversation in this direction, Chaeyoon asked a straightforward question rather than a negative answer.

“What do you want?”

The answer came back quickly.

[Dash] Within an hour. As soon as possible.

“……”

[Dash] I’ll tell you the exact details later, do whatever it takes. Got it?

“……”

[Dash] Well then, keep a tight lip until then, and see you soon?

With a gentle tone, the call was disconnected.

Chaeyoon stared at the screen where the call was cut off in silence.

While Kyunghee spoke as if Jaewoo’s article were true, Chaeyoon’s thoughts were different.