Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Royal Family 4-2
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Seo Ji-hyeok downed half his coffee in one gulp and flashed a faint smile.
"You're coming in hot. But identity? That's a bit vague, don't you think?"
"You know I worked in the Strategy Office, right?"
"Yes."
"When you're in the Group's Strategy Office, you end up building a ton of connections. Even if you don't want to. It's a core division, after all. People from every affiliate company are constantly reaching out, trying to gauge the Chairman's mood—both officially and unofficially."
"Makes sense."
"But after I got transferred to this Special Sales Department, all those lines went crazy. For one reason only: they all wanted info on Seo Ji-hyeok. If it's that intense for me, it must be the same for Manager Oh and Section Chief Bang, right?"
Ji-hyeok shook his iced Americano, and the ice clinked inside.
Perhaps his gesture sounded like Get to the point already, because Han Ji-young's face soured for a moment.
"Up until now, the Vice Chairman hasn't taken sides in the fierce power struggle among the three sisters—Kang Jin-young, Seon-young, and Mi-young. To be more precise, he's been purging the people from the Chairman's wife's faction—the collateral lines—and keeping anyone outside the three sisters from meddling in the power fight."
It was a story Ji-hyeok already knew well, but he listened quietly to Han Ji-young.
"But after cross-checking the info, it turns out the Vice Chairman is the one who tagged you with the title."
"Title?"
"Yes. Royal Family."
"Royal Family... If I take it literally, that means royalty. So you're saying I got hired because of that?"
"Yes."
"Kinda hurts my pride. I thought I aced the exams."
"There are only a handful of people classified as Royal Family at Taesung. Precisely: the Chairman and his wife, the three sisters, and their children. Even the sisters' husbands don't get that label. But Seo Ji-hyeok, you've been tagged with it."
Han Ji-young's gaze was cool and analytical, but Ji-hyeok just shrugged.
Then she continued.
"And all three sisters' sides have been demanding info on you. So that rules them out. Sure, there's the Chairman's late eldest son, but he died single in an accident. It was huge news—everyone in Korea knows. That leaves just one place. You know which, right?"
"No clue."
"Vice Chairman An Chi-hyeon. No blood relation to Chairman Kang Wook whatsoever, but they've shared fifty years of history. He's never left the Chairman's side, not for a moment. Rumors say the Chairman's will mentions him, and everyone thinks it's plausible given their bond. Let me be direct: What's your relationship with the Vice Chairman?"
Clink...
Ji-hyeok shook the ice in his cup again.
Then he leaned forward with a grin.
"Kinda disappointing? You missed the mark big time."
"Pardon?"
"That's for you to figure out, Assistant Manager Han. Isn't that your homework? Providing accurate info to all those curious folks in exchange for something. You're not gunning for executive director with your age, so youngest team leader? Bet that's on the table."
Ji-hyeok smiled, but his voice was ice cold.
His sharp words flushed Han Ji-young's face red in an instant.
Flustered and embarrassed, she glared at him briefly before speaking slowly.
"No. I turned down all offers. Even if you're really Royal Family, that kind of scheming isn't my style. That's why I'm sitting here with you now."
"Trying to cut a deal with me?"
"No. I've already drafted my resignation. If you're confirmed Royal Family, I'll jump ship. I don't want to get tangled in this power struggle."
"You're an idiot."
"What?"
"Isn't this an opportunity?"
"Sure. I admit it. It could be for someone. But I'd rather climb on my own merits than grab someone's coattails. Taesung isn't the only game in Korea—I could go foreign firm. I've got the skills."
It was a bold response, but Ji-hyeok smiled warmly—not mockingly, but genuinely.
For a moment, her pluck struck him as endearing.
"Does this only happen at Taesung? In any company, assistant manager to section chief, section chief to deputy, deputy to manager... spots dwindle exponentially the higher you go. Do all companies promote purely on merit?"
"You think I don't know that?"
"Then why run away?"
"Run away?"
"Or do you want me to hold onto you?"
Han Ji-young's heart plummeted at his words.
He had seen right through her.
She bit her lip, speechless.
But then—
"Here's a tip. What's the most important thing about any intel?"
"Huh?"
"Its authenticity. Start there. Am I really Royal Family? Priority one."
Han Ji-young's face fell like she'd been slapped.
What? Is he saying he's not Royal Family? Then why? Why did the Vice Chairman tag him? Why was our department created? For what?
As confusion clouded her mind, Ji-hyeok's voice cut through.
"Enough chit-chat. Shall we talk business?"
Chit-chat?
Was there anything more crucial at Taesung than "Royal Family"?
Not just the Group— all of Korea was watching Taesung's power plays.
The Taesung Group accounted for 20% of the nation's GDP, after all.
But Han Ji-young could only stare at Ji-hyeok, speechless.
"Eleven tonight, in front of Parabelum in Hongdae. Dress casual."
"Tonight?"
"Yes. Hongdae Parabelum, eleven. I'll explain then. No pressure to show. Shall we head out? Don't want to leave our seats empty too long."
Not waiting for her reply, Ji-hyeok grabbed his phone from the table and stood.
Han Ji-young stared blankly at his back for a second, then hurriedly snatched her wallet and phone and followed.
Like a junior shadowing her senior...
Back at the office, Han Ji-young spent the rest of the day until quitting time staring at a blank monitor.
Orphan... Wandering... GED... Korea University... Royal Family.
Her mind was filled with one thing: Seo Ji-hyeok. Those three syllables.
Flaming Friday, electric night.
The street in front of Hongdae Parabelum was packed to the gills.
Han Ji-young parked a ways off due to the lot being full and walked up. The long line snaking in front of the club left her flustered.
Insane. This many people at this hour?
Truth be told, the walk from her car had been a shock.
Since middle school, her life had been clockwork.
Not Korea University maybe, but a solid school she could boast about. Hired at Taesung Group, assistant manager in the Strategy Office after two years.
A life with evenings?
Never wanted it, never could.
She knew better than anyone: indulging meant no promotion in two years flat.
Hongdae at eleven through her eyes? Pure shock.
Insane.
No better word.
A bit shell-shocked, Han Ji-young scanned around and pulled out her phone.
But then—
"You made it."
She turned at the voice behind her. There stood Ji-hyeok.
Seeing him flustered her more.
He was in his exact office outfit.
Meanwhile, she'd rushed home to her officetel, scoured the internet for club attire, rummaged through her closet for something flashy but not too much, not too little—just right. Suddenly, she felt like a fool.
That frantic pick was her current outfit.
A boldly V-necked knit she'd bought but never worn, with jeans...
So her voice came out sharp.
"Why the hell did you drag me here at this hour?"
"Let's head in first."
"Huh? The line..."
The queue for club entry stretched so far she couldn't even see the end.
But Ji-hyeok headed not to the back, but straight for the entrance.
She started to protest about lining up, but before he took a few steps, a woman in eye-searingly flashy clothes emerged from the door and approached Ji-hyeok.
"You came, oppa?"
Oppa? What's this? They know each other?
But Han Ji-young quickly realized.
Ji-hyeok had turned to her.
"Brought the car?"
"Yeah. Parked it down in the lot."
"Keys."
"Here..."
Han Ji-young hesitated and handed over the car key. Ji-hyeok took it and passed it to the woman.
"Heard that? 4652. Park it out back."
"Got it. I'll have the guys handle it. This way, oppa. Let's go in."
Click-clack, click-clack...
The woman's stilettos rang out crisply.
But Han Ji-young caught on: she was stomping louder on purpose.
Men might miss it, but women knew.
And as intended, eyes from the line turned her way.
Men's eyes especially.
Who's that chick?
The woman didn't stop at the heel clacks—she shrugged one shoulder, letting the strap slip down.
Male gazes grew stickier, and irritation surged in Han Ji-young.
Because those eyes trailed from the woman to her, following behind.
Thus subjected to unwanted comparisons, she reached the entrance in a foul mood.
But even then, the door shocked her again.
One entrance, two doors. The line was for the left one—she realized that now.
They discriminate this openly?
Faced with blatant capitalism, Han Ji-young froze—but then she got it. She'd misread.
The stares on her and Ji-hyeok bypassing to the right door weren't envy or jealousy.
It was admiration.
With Han Ji-young still bewildered, Ji-hyeok led her inside. The manager escorted them to a VVIP room on the floor.
The table was already set with snacks and booze, perfectly arranged.
"Oppa, pour you a drink?"
"Yeah."
Ji-hyeok sat in the middle of the L-shaped sofa; naturally, Han Ji-young took the right side.
The manager deftly opened a bottle engraved with a spade card suit, poured into two champagne flutes, and handed them to Ji-hyeok and Han Ji-young.
"When do they usually show?"
"Soon. They're always a tad late. I'll let you know when."
"Okay."
"I'll leave you to it. Have fun."
The manager winked at Han Ji-young on her way out.
Caught off-guard by the wink from another woman, Han Ji-young felt a bigger awkwardness envelop her once the door closed, leaving her alone with Ji-hyeok.
"Uh... Seo Ji-hyeok. This place..."
"Business later. Taste the champagne first. Four million won a bottle."
"What? Say that again?"
"Basic setup for renting this room on weekends, apparently."
"Why the hell..."
"Cheers first."
Ji-hyeok had sidled up and raised his glass. Reflexively, Han Ji-young clinked hers.
Ching!
Ji-hyeok sipped lightly from the tall flute.
"Hmm, it's good, but honestly? Can't tell why it's four mil."
But then—
"Seo Ji-hyeok! I'm done playing fool. Explain now."
From arriving in Hongdae to now, her haunted expression had sharpened into resolve as she shot up from the sofa.
No more being led around.
Even if he was Royal Family.
Ji-hyeok settled back in the sofa's center and eyed her standing form.
As silence grew awkward, he finally spoke.
"Kim Jeong-sik will be in the next room soon."
"Who's that?"
"Grandson of Ilshin Chemical Chairman Kim Ho-sun."
"Huh?"
"My head hurts. Sit, will ya?"
At "Ilshin Chemical," Han Ji-young's face hit peak shock for the day.
Her eyes shook wildly, then she slid back onto the sofa as if her legs gave out.
Ji-hyeok smiled faintly at the sight.