Eavesdropping at Soseonjae
“Good morning!”
Gu Eun-chae, the president of Soseonjae, arrived at work beaming with her usual radiant smile. Heading to her office as always, she suddenly remembered something and called out to a staff member.
“Hyun-kyung.”
“Yes, President.”
“What’s the reservation status for today?”
“Noon has three bookings, including President Kang Du-seong.”
“Push the others—except Kang Du-seong—to tomorrow with some excuse.”
“Pardon? Right now? Is something going on?”
“Nothing major, but he’s the eldest son of JK Group, after all—we’ve got to roll out the red carpet. He hates crowds anyway. No issues, right?”
“Of course. I’ll make the calls and smooth it over.”
After mentally reviewing every scrap of data she had on Du-seong, she added, “President Kang loves ganjang-gejang, so prep plenty. Kongnamul-guk, galchi-jorim, and pajeon too.”
“Got it, President. Main building for seating?”
“You’re quick. Obviously. VIPs always go there.”
“Time’s almost up—I’ll get everything ready now.”
She slipped into her office for a quick touch-up, changed outfits, and emerged. From Soseonjae’s highest vantage point, she gazed toward the entrance.
The war’s already kicked off... Kang Du-seong showing up out of the blue has to mean something...
Right on cue, a familiar car pulled in. She hurried to the main gate to greet it.
The man who stepped out was Jeong Dong-gyun, the secretary chief.
Jeong’s glued to Kang Du-seong? What’s the play here?
Masking her thoughts behind her signature bright smile, she welcomed him warmly.
“Oh, Secretary Jeong! Long time no see!”
“President Gu, you’ve been well?”
“You bet—thanks to you.”
“The president? Not here yet, I hope.”
“Thank goodness, no.”
Jeong Dong-gyun let out a heavy sigh.
“Left early, but traffic accident up ahead had me sweating we’d be late.”
“Still twenty minutes to go. Staff’ll guide you. Come in, have some water at least.”
“Cold water... Yeah, down the hatch...”
His eyes lingered on her, brimming with unspoken regret. No explanation needed.
“Life’s full of trees that won’t topple after ten whacks. You say you’ve quit, but those eyes tell a different story.”
“Didn’t even hint—how’d you know? Tell me when the president arrives; gotta pay respects.”
“Relax, treat it like your own home.”
She smiled, but her mind churned.
This guy’s only claim to glory is that secretary title... Puppet through and through. What’s Kang Du-seong after?
She wove together every thread of intel she had, but answers stayed elusive. Arms crossed in thought, she formed a hypothesis.
Real power’s with Mun butler... He’s Team Min-ho. So empty-handed Kang Du-seong’s best bet is this pants-wearing secretary? Weak sauce, but better than zilch...
Du-seong’s car rolled in just then. She stood straight and prim, merely observing.
Du-seong rarely cracked a smile with his grave demeanor, but Gu Eun-chae was the exception. He strode up briskly and extended a hand.
“President Gu. Looking well.”
“All thanks to you, President.”
“A vision of beauty unmatched. Prettier every time.”
Even Kang Du-seong grinned. It was that kind of allure.
“I think so too. Secretary Jeong’s waiting inside.”
“No leeches tagging along?”
“Wouldn’t that be the real shock? Thanks for coming. This way.”
They headed to the main building. As the door opened, Jeong shot to his feet with a bow.
“President, you’ve arrived?”
“This is off the record, man. Loosen up.”
“Yes, sir.”
Gu Eun-chae, eyeing them intently, chimed in. “No need to pick a menu—I’ve handled it all. That work?”
“Naturally. President Gu always nails it. Extra care today; I’m footing the bill for Secretary Jeong.”
“No worries. Right out.”
She stepped out, gave a nod, and the table groaned under platters of food.
“How’s this? All your faves, Big President. To your liking?”
“Ganjang-gejang, galchi-jorim, kongnamul-guk... How’d you nail my tastes? Eye for detail’s spot-on.”
“Child’s play.”
She resolved on a test. Instead of excusing herself, she slid casually into an empty seat.
“Mind if I watch you dig in, Big President?”
If it was casual chatter, no refusal. If sensitive, he’d balk.
“Sorry, not today. Could you give us the room?”
“Bummer, but okay. Next time, you and me—dinner together!”
“Deal. First free slot, I keep my word.”
She shut the door and retreated to her office. Double-checked the lock, donned her headset, and flipped the switch in the corner.
Won’t let me sit? Means big talk... Time to eavesdrop.
***
Du-seong silently lifted the soju bottle. Jeong fumbled for his glass, hesitating. One wrong move meant career suicide.
“President... Drove solo, so sorry, but booze...”
Ignoring him, Du-seong overfilled the glass and said, “Think I dragged you to Soseonjae for kicks? Staff’ll get you home safe, drunk or not. Unwind and drink up.”
“Understood.”
Clueless why he’d been summoned, Jeong turned away and drained his glass in silence.
“How’s it going lately? Work bearable?”
“As you know, slammed with JK Card.”
“Others flailing from boredom... Busy’s a blessing...”
He looked up at Jeong. “Min-ho... In and out of the chairman’s office a lot?”
“Yes. Chairman calls him occasionally.”
“And Myeong-seon?”
“Lately busier, it seems. Fewer visits.”
“Secretary chief my ass—core’s hollow, and your answers suck.”
“Not at all. Ask away; I’ll spill what I know.”
Jeong’s heart hammered. He’s fishing... knows something...
Silence could hold for now. But Du-seong ascending to vice chairman—or chairman—sealed Jeong’s fate. No words needed.
Slamming his glass irritably, Du-seong cut to the chase. “How much do you know?”
“Pardon? Not following.”
“Plain English: Min-ho. Spill.”
“Still unclear. Be specific...”
“Think I’m blind to Father shielding Min-ho?”
“.............”
Exhaling a long plume of cigarette smoke, he pressed on. “My HQ trips dried up lately. Figured nothing, but Min-ho filled the void. Wild, huh?”
Answer: trouble. Silence: trouble. Flustered, Jeong dodged. “President, sorry—not getting it.”
Normally, Du-seong would’ve exploded. Today? Just laughed—like a madman, booming for ages.
“Knew that’d be your line, Dong-gyun. Loyal dog... Father’s blood pumping in those veins?”
“No, sir. Just doing my job as secretary chief.”
Zeroing in on the weakness, Du-seong skewered him. “Nice spin: puppet... How long you content with that? No pride, company boy?”
Real boss was Mun butler, undeniable. Jeong had the title but zero power—just followed orders. He knew it; no counter to the chairman’s shadow.
Du-seong poked the pride raw. “With Mun there, you’re a husk. Can’t climb. Can’t off him. Stuck, right?”
“No, President.”
“Twenty years watching you. Think I don’t read you? Switch fate, grab my rope—I’ll give the shot.”
Stuffing soju and pajeon, he demanded, “Min-ho: your intel?”
“Sorry. Can’t say a word.”
“Fine, my turn. Myeong-seon’s limbs hacked off. Seo Gwang-hun stuck in Pocheon. Father’s guarded by Min-ho. Need me to say Athena?”
“You... know everything?”
Filling Jeong’s glass, Du-seong said, “A man needs fire in his gut. Stay put, I’m just ‘eldest,’ you’re powerless puppet forever. That the life? Truth.”
He kept stoking the greed. Stonewalling Jeong finally wavered. Sick of the “pants” tag, the leash-chafing. Du-seong, prime heir, extended a hand.
No repeat chance. As he pondered, Du-seong played the ace: wallet out, blank check on the table.
“One not enough? How many? You know JK’s vaults.”
“..........”
“Grab my hand: cash galore, power topping Mun’s. Picture it—chairman, vice, then you.”
“Truth is...”
“Min-ho takes Father’s seat? He’ll hail you founder? Dream on—thank your stars he doesn’t boot you.”
Dirty betrayal, but one blink: wealth and throne, per Du-seong.
Long agonize, then: “If I side with you... Promise you’ve got my back if it flops.”
“Damn right. Full coverage, sworn. Choose now.”
Du-seong filled two glasses.
“Left: golden path. Right: puppet stigma, fade away. No pressure. Your call.”
Two glasses. Two roads. Pick one.
Grinning rotten, he lit a cigarette and placed it in Jeong’s lips. “Time till it’s ash.”
Chaos reigned. Heart lips quivering on the cig.
Brief reflection: Mun envy. Chairman grudge flashing.
Yet hesitation. Min-ho factor.
No hate for the kid—awed by genius moves, pegged next heir privately.
Prime for personal gain. But group’s future? Min-ho on the throne.
Hot heart knew reason; cold brain eyed the blank check.
Cig burned low.
Self or group?
Stared long at glasses. Stubbed cig, hand crept out slow.
Future—his, JK’s—hung on which.
Gulped, lifted one.
“All I am to President Kang Du-seong.”
Du-seong nodded; Jeong downed it sans pause.
“I’ll safely usher President Kang Du-seong to chairman.”
Du-seong clapped, beaming. “Knew you’d pick wise. Check’s your signing bonus. Spend free.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, Secretary Jeong—everything you know. No holds barred...”
Jeong opened up, igniting full war.
Gu Eun-chae, absorbing it all, curved a smile of cryptic meaning.