Chapter 76: Clashes and Concessions

I scoffed, incredulous. I couldn’t grasp why Do Yoon was suddenly picking a fight. With rumors already swirling and my head a mess, his attitude pushed me over the edge.

“Do I need to report what I eat to you? Are you trying to act like my boss now?”

His eyes wavered, looking hurt. But why was he the one looking hurt when I was the one wronged? I said sharply.

“The guy you just chased off is my boss—older and more experienced than you. Don’t be so rude. ‘Why eat this?’ What’s that supposed to mean?”

Do Yoon slowly placed the sandwich on the table, visibly angry.

“…There’s cucumber in it.”

“…”

His unexpected words left me speechless. I hadn’t anticipated that. His next statement stunned me further.

“And, sorry, but I’m not acting like your boss—I am your boss.”

“…”

He was right, but it pissed me off.

He stared at me briefly, then stood and left. Watching his retreating figure, I wondered if I should stop him but couldn’t find words.

The next day, the office cafeteria’s sandwich menu changed entirely. The variety doubled, but not a single cucumber sandwich remained.

Was this my brother’s thoughtfulness or a power play by the director? As I pondered, I overheard Bae Ji An whispering to someone.

“I loved the cucumber sandwiches they used to sell… They’re all gone.”

“I heard the new director hates them. My friend there said he got mad and ordered a complete overhaul.”

“Really? If he doesn’t like them, he could just not buy them. He seems weird.”

I flinched inwardly but kept typing, expressionless.

Sorry, heroine, your favorite menu’s gone because of me… Do Yoon probably lost points with Ji An, too. I felt oddly indebted to him.

Overhearing more would sting my conscience, so I diverted to a new hire with a trivial question.

“Did we reserve the first-floor meeting room?”

“Yes, sunbae-nim. It’s booked for an hour from now.”

We used the first-floor meeting rooms for external meetings since non-employees faced strict entry protocols. Today, we had a meeting with an ad agency.

But an hour later, I hit a snag. The room our team booked was double-booked with HR.

Arriving five minutes late, I found the HR team leader raging in front of the small meeting room.

“Where are we supposed to hold interviews then?”

In front of the door were the familiar HR team leader, his lackeys, and two of our team’s new hires. Sensing trouble, I rushed over.

“What’s going on?”

“Ah.”

The HR team leader’s bluster faded upon seeing me, but he didn’t hide his irritation.

“We have interviews today, but the room’s double-booked with Marketing.”

I glanced at our new hire, who stammered, pale-faced.

“But I… booked it…”

Sure enough, the digital sign read [2 PM Film Marketing Team 1]. I stared at the HR team leader, incredulous, as he cleared his throat.

“Well… we booked it too, but there was a glitch.”

I was floored. So we’re right? He was pulling rank. Annoyed but polite, I pressed.

“The system shows our team’s booking. So you’re saying HR messed up and now you’re bullying our team for no reason?”

He replied shamelessly.

“Errors happen, don’t they? All other rooms are full, and we have interviewees waiting.”

He meant we should yield. Three people sat awkwardly on the lobby sofa behind him. My face twisted. Was this guy holding interviewees hostage to pressure us?

I doubted he was the same person who’d once groveled to get me on the executive interview panel. Screwing up and acting so brazen?

To make matters worse, the ad agency arrived, crowding the entrance. Someone had to give up the room, but I wasn’t about to let this jerk win.

Then, someone entering the next meeting room called out.

“Seung Hyun, what’s up?”

It was Kim Ju Hyun, our former team leader from last year.

At the same time, Do Yoon appeared. Strategic Planning must’ve had something scheduled. My heart sank at the unexpected encounter. He glanced between me and the HR team leader.

“What’s the issue?”

The HR team leader, who’d been snapping at me, darted to Do Yoon, bowing respectfully.

“The meeting room was double-booked, so we’re discussing.”

“Double-booked?” I pointed at the sign. “It says [2 PM Film Marketing Team 1].”

The HR team leader, flustered, said.

“But you acknowledged errors happen, right, Seung Hyun? Our interviewees are already waiting, so we’d appreciate some understanding.”

When did I acknowledge that? And his tone was completely different with Do Yoon.

I recalled Sun Woo’s warning about the HR team leader messing with me to impress Do Yoon. Frowning, I realized this wasn’t just overzealous loyalty—it was blatant disrespect. Even if I were the Haewon family’s outcast, I’d still outrank this guy.

Fuming, I retorted.

“You didn’t say that earlier. You told our team to leave, despite our name on the booking.”

No way I was yielding.

But Do Yoon, overhearing, interjected, turning to Kim Ju Hyun.

“Team Leader Kim, can we use the upstairs room?”

“Of course.”

He looked at me.

“Seung Hyun, our booked room is bigger. Use it.”

I bristled. Think I don’t know it’s bigger? He was letting HR steal ours! I didn’t want to yield to them. In my anger, I slipped into informal speech.

“Hey…”

But I caught Kim Ju Hyun’s eyes widening. Snapping back, I realized we weren’t alone—tired ad agency reps and interviewees were watching. I couldn’t waste more time. Boiling, I took a deep breath.

“…Thank you, Director.”

Do Yoon grinned and turned away. Kim Ju Hyun winked at me, as if praising my restraint, and followed him with her team.

Thankfully, the meeting went smoothly. Despite the chaotic start, the spacious room’s comfort was undeniable. Mid-meeting, coffee and pretzels arrived, sent by Director Choi Do Yoon. A note read, [Don’t be mad.] I couldn’t help but laugh.

The HR team leader had riled me up, but maybe I’d overreacted. Without Do Yoon’s intervention, I’d have wasted everyone’s time fighting HR over pride.

After wrapping up, it was past regular hours. Then, a call came from an unknown number.

“Hello?”

<It’s Do Yoon.>

“Oh…”

I was thrown off. His new number and him calling first were both surprising. After so long, it felt more awkward than seeing him in person.

Should I thank him?

The cucumber sandwich and meeting room incidents swirled in my mind. He’d helped twice, and I hadn’t said anything. But then, he spoke seriously.

<I’m in the parking lot. I need to talk. I’ll wait until you’re off.>