Chapter 79: Tensions at the Table

“Huh?”

Do Yoon turned to Ji An.

“Oh, I just didn’t know Seung Hyun sunbae couldn’t eat cucumbers,” she said with an awkward smile.

Do Yoon muttered, expressionless, “Seung Hyun sunbae…?”

He glanced between us, giving a cold smile.

“You two must be close.”

“No, it’s not like that…” Ji An glanced at me, then looked away, embarrassed. “Seung Hyun sunbae is just really nice to everyone…”

“My brother does have that effect. Makes people misunderstand,” Do Yoon said, his tone dripping with ice.

I knew exactly what this was—Do Yoon was starting to notice Ji An. He always acted standoffish with people he liked. He was the same with Yoo Hyung Joo back when they became friends. Sun Woo jumped in eagerly.

“Exactly! He’s super upright. Great family, great character!” he laughed.

I was impressed. Sun Woo praised me while subtly boosting Do Yoon—a skill the HR team leader could learn from. Do Yoon grinned brightly.

“The great one’s hyung. Our family’s a mess.”

His blunt self-deprecation stunned the table. The poor office workers exchanged quick glances, unable to respond. I cleared my throat.

“He’s been in the States too long; his jokes are like this now. Pretty cool, right?”

“Not a joke. The adults in our family did nothing for me. Hyung’s all I’ve got.”

The mood grew colder. Sun Woo and Ah Young, at least, had heard the office rumors, and they seemed busy gauging how much of Do Yoon’s words were lies. Then Ji An, hands clasped, said innocently.

“You two must have such a great brotherly bond.”

As a junior with little tenure, she hadn’t heard the dirty chaebol sibling rivalry rumors—a perfect fit for the pure heroine archetype. Do Yoon smirked, then abruptly turned to Sun Woo and Ah Young.

“How’d you all get close to hyung? I’m curious.”

Huh?

Did he just blatantly ignore Ji An? I was puzzled but stayed quiet—it was too awkward to call out. Sun Woo answered.

“Uh, we’re just in sync. There were more of us, but some left. We three stuck together.”

Do Yoon glanced at Ji An, then fixed his gaze on me.

“And Bae Ji An? I heard you’re new.”

Thankfully, Ah Young answered first.

“Ji An’s my direct junior. Mentor-mentee thing. Eating together made us four.”

“Yep, Ah Young sunbae’s my mentor!” Ji An said with military-like enthusiasm.

I chuckled mid-bite. She turned, wide-eyed like a rabbit. I waved it off.

“Sorry, Ji An sometimes answers like a soldier. Did it at her interview too.”

“Oh… yeah…” Ji An blushed.

Do Yoon tilted his head at me.

“Interview?”

Ah Young chimed in.

“Right, Seung Hyun joined the practical interview then. Team Leader Kim Ju Hyun, now in Planning, was with us last year.”

“I know,” Do Yoon said.

“She said Seung Hyun was adorable, super nervous. He’s usually unfazed by anything.”

My face reddened. I didn’t know she’d said that.

Sun Woo piled on.

“Yeah, he’s got this detached vibe. Never gets mad, always prepared, like he’s on his second life.”

I nearly spat my water. Ji An, eyes round, countered.

“Seung Hyun sunbae wasn’t detached! He was calm, barely showed expression. Didn’t even smile, so I thought he was cold.”

Calming myself, I nodded.

“I guess I come off that way.”

“No, it’s not that. You… stared at me a lot. Asked tough questions too.”

I felt a pang of guilt but smiled harmlessly.

“What was scary? I just asked about your motivations.”

“It was like lasers from your eyes… I thought I’d fail. But Team Leader Kim said you gave me perfect scores. Thanks, belatedly.”

She bowed slightly. The table warmed up. I didn’t want this sappy moment mid-meal.

Sun Woo laughed, nudging me.

“Weren’t you staring because Ji An’s so pretty?”

I ignored him. I wasn’t staring because she was pretty—I was glaring to fail her.

“No, no way!” Ji An waved her hands, flustered. “And sunbae has a fiancée!”

She was more rattled than me. I felt guilty but stayed silent. My breakup with Ju Ria wasn’t public. Our engagement was secret, so the split was quiet too. If it leaked, it’d likely be chalked up to “personality differences” later, per Goryeo Ilbo’s wishes.

Sun Woo, sheepish, said.

“Can’t look if you have a fiancée? Ji An was famous for her looks since joining. As famous as you, Seung Hyun.”

I ate silently, tired of hearing that. Glancing up, I locked eyes with Do Yoon. I hiccuped. He was glaring at me menacingly again.

My brain felt pickled in brine, electrified. I nearly caused a scandal in front of the male lead. I said sternly.

“Absolutely not. Sun Woo, stop saying that. It’s rude to Ji An.”

“Hm? Rude?” Sun Woo grinned cheekily.

Do Yoon stared at me, then smiled softly at Ji An.

“Is marketing fun?”

“Yes! It’s what I always wanted. Everyone’s so supportive, I love it,” she replied, the model employee.

“But you interned in Content. Why Marketing?”

I was startled. That was my interview question. Creepy. When did he check her resume? They’d just met, but he was drawn to the heroine like a magnet.

“I wanted Marketing, but there were no intern spots.”

“I see…” Do Yoon’s tone turned sharp. “No interest in other teams?”

“I’m loving Marketing! I want to learn more.”

Ah Young smiled proudly. Do Yoon narrowed his eyes at Ji An, then dropped a bombshell.

“You’ve got a great reputation and adaptability. Ever thought of joining Strategic Planning? You’d do well.”

“What?!” Ji An gasped.

“What?!” My eyes widened.

He’s poaching the heroine already? That smitten? Do Yoon’s out of control!

Strategic Planning was the elevator to executive roles. He was acting like an emperor ruining a kingdom for love. Sun Woo and Ah Young’s faces filled with shock. Sun Woo dropped his spoon, blurting.

“W-What about me, Director?!”

“You’re already an ace in HR,” Do Yoon brushed him off, turning to Ah Young. “Or you, Ah Young? Come with Ji An. As I said, I’m interested in Marketing.”

Wow, this guy’s cunning.

Bringing Ah Young to deflect favoritism rumors. His protagonist scheming shone—subtly securing his interest. Ah Young waved it off.

“No, thanks. I love my work here.”

“Even if not Planning, let me know if you want another team. I’ll help.”

I cut in before his power-tripping worsened.

“Director, enough joking. Stop stealing my team.”

“Then come to my team, hyung. I’d like that.”

I glared, clicking my tongue.

“Choi Do Yoon, keep talking nonsense, will you?”

He shut up instantly. The others froze at my sharp tone. Sun Woo sneakily gave a thumbs-up under the table.