Chapter 75: Misunderstandings and Confrontations

I furrowed my brow and replied.

“Whatever you heard, it’s not true.”

“Come on… everyone’s talking about how you fought with the new Strategic Planning Director.”

“What?”

I stopped eating, stunned, as Kwak Sun Woo whispered.

“They say you two argued on the rooftop hallway. You yelled at him for ghosting you all this time. It’s all over the office.”

Damn it…

They’d caught only the parts ripe for misunderstanding. I thought no one was around, but someone had overheard like a ghost. This is why you keep your mouth shut at work.

When I didn’t respond, Sun Woo nodded solemnly, like a reporter who’d fact-checked everything, and said.

“I’d be pissed too. He was taunting you, saying he’s glad you’re mad. Isn’t that psychopath behavior?”

“Who’s spreading this stuff? Who’s the rat…”

I snapped, but Sun Woo waved his hands as if dousing a fire.

“It’s not just one person—it’s everywhere. Anyway, those who’ve worked with you know you’re the real deal. Don’t worry. I think it’s outdated to care about legitimate or illegitimate heirs. The capable one should lead, right?”

My eyes nearly popped out.

What’s that supposed to mean? Had my family’s birth secret been exposed too? A chill ran down my spine. If random coworkers uncovered it so easily, why did novel-Do Yoon have to dig so hard?

Sun Woo glanced around, then whispered to my shell-shocked self.

“So, it’s just you with a different mother?”

What?

He nodded, convinced, without waiting for my reply.

“Makes sense. Why would the older brother start as a regular employee while the other’s a director? That’s harsh. But you’ve built your career from the ground up… I’m on your side.”

“…”

What’s going on? So I’m the outcast stone in the Haewon family now?

“Is that the rumor going around?”

“Our team leader’s been kissing up to the director like he’s hit the jackpot. It’s pathetic—obviously trying to snag a spot in Strategic Planning.”

“Do Yoon graduated last June…”

I mumbled defensively, but Sun Woo, more heated, lowered his voice.

“Exactly. He worked at Haewon E&M’s U.S. branch but barely showed up. Last time was around August? Then he pops up here as director. Makes sense?”

My eyes widened. He was in E&M in the States?

Since when was he interested in this?

Regardless, his trajectory was suspicious. Novel-Do Yoon would’ve been diligent.

“By the way, avoid the HR team leader. He might mess with you to curry favor with the director.”

What could he do when we’re not even on the same team? But if Sun Woo was right, the office thought Do Yoon and I had swapped roles. It was a plausible misunderstanding.

If coworkers uncovered my birth secret first, that’d be a crazy plot twist.

It’d turn this into a nonsensical, incoherent story. I frowned, pondering.

Should I correct the rumor?

Sun Woo, trying to comfort me, said.

“Man, you’re the older brother… must’ve been tough at home.”

“Yeah, well…”

“Didn’t you feel betrayed?”

“Huh?”

“When we were new hires, your brother visited a lot. I thought you were close.”

I was genuinely shocked.

“You remember that?”

“Of course. How do you forget a face like his? Ah Young remembers too. Probably the convenience store clerk downstairs does.”

Today, Ah Young was eating with her direct junior, Bae Ji An, likely to give me space amid the rumors. It wasn’t a topic for a fresh hire, but if she really cared, she should’ve taken Sun Woo too. Being alone with him was mentally draining.

“You can’t judge people by looks. That angelic face, smiling innocently for years, then blindsiding you like this. Scary.”

Left unanswered, he spun a tale of chaebol ruthlessness. Sometimes I couldn’t tell if Sun Woo overthought or didn’t think at all. Still, his gossip kept me in the loop, so he wasn’t useless.

Listening to his ramblings, I decided not to correct the rumor.

There was no need to clarify, and since it wasn’t entirely wrong—given Grandfather’s lineage—it didn’t matter. Plus, stirring things up could trouble Do Yoon later. If I wanted to survive, I couldn’t afford to mess with the male lead.

Sorting my thoughts, I said flatly.

“Let’s go if you’re done.”

“You’re smoking again? Have coffee—I’ll treat.”

Sun Woo flashed a thumbs-up, like a cheerful sidekick consoling a weary protagonist. Too stunned, I missed my chance to reply.

“What’s this?”

Instead of coffee, he handed me hot chocolate. I stared, baffled, at the sweet aroma. Sitting across from me, he grinned.

“Sweet stuff’s the best for stress.”

Glaring at the murky chocolate, I took a sip at his urging.

Oh?

It was… pretty good. I never liked sweets before, but the sugary taste was oddly calming.

“Not bad, right? I come here when the team leader pisses me off. Our café’s great.”

I took another sip. Too sweet, but it had a strange pull. I nodded.

“Not bad.”

Excited, he pushed a sandwich he’d bought toward me.

“Try this too. It’s amazing with the drink.”

“We just ate lunch, and now a sandwich?”

“Not me—you barely ate.”

I was surprised. I thought he was clueless, but he’d noticed. I examined the wrapped sandwich—thick with egg, lettuce, and tomato.

Then, rapid footsteps approached. Before I could react, someone snatched the sandwich from my hand. Looking up, startled, I saw Choi Do Yoon glaring down at me.

You again?!

Sun Woo and I gaped. Recovering, Sun Woo scrambled up, bowing.

“Hello, Director.”

Do Yoon ignored him, glaring at me.

“Why are you eating this?”

“What?”

Was he saying that in front of the guy who bought it? Shocked and disappointed by his rudeness, I shot back sharply, still seated.

“What’s it to you?”

His face stiffened. Poor Sun Woo, caught between us, looked lost. Do Yoon turned to him coldly.

“Can you give us a moment? I need to talk to my brother.”

“Of course. Have a good time.”

I glared at Sun Woo. Good time, my ass. This isn’t a hotel.

But he bowed 90 degrees and scurried off. Do Yoon elegantly took his seat, drawing whispers from the café crowd.

I’m going crazy.

Now rumors would spread that Do Yoon hated me so much he stole my sandwich. Rubbing my temples, I said.

“What’s this about? Make it quick. Lunch break’s got ten minutes left.”

“Why are you mad at me?”

Should I have hugged him and patted his back? I stared, incredulous, but he glared back, genuinely upset.

“Why are you so careless?”