Dilemma
***
JK Credit Info president's office.
Unlike Kang Du-seong, who always treated Butler Moon with outright hostility, Myeong-seon took a different tack. She never spoke to him rudely and even showed a fair bit of respect. Of course, it wasn't coming from the heart. It was all calculated, a deliberate strategy born of cold logic.
Butler Moon knew every little secret about the royal family. Information on the royal family was key to money, power, and influence. Myeong-seon had just one thing on her mind: Was he a gain or a loss for her? She couldn't predict the future, but right now, Butler Moon was clearly a gain.
"The guest you mentioned has arrived, President."
"Bring him in."
Even though she knew full well he was coming, Myeong-seon played dumb, acting warmer and more affable than usual.
"Oh, Butler! What brings you here at this hour?"
"I should have called ahead. My apologies."
"What kind of talk is that between us? You must be tired from the trip—sit down, quick."
"I won't disturb your work, miss. I'll just deliver the chairman's message and go."
He didn't even glance at the steaming coffee, setting his prepared bag on the table for swift business.
"What's this all of a sudden? It can't be a birthday present for me."
"The chairman always said the same thing about how to treat employees."
"I know. 'Reward those who merit it generously—enough to make others envious. That's how you get more.' Right?"
"Exactly."
"And as you know, that's how I run things too."
"The chairman instructed me to deliver this bag. Would you like to open it?"
Though she knew damn well what was inside, Myeong-seon feigned ignorance and unzipped it. An over-the-top reaction came as a bonus.
Inside were stacks of 10,000-won bills—packed full. Enough to buy a Gangnam apartment: 100 million won.
She'd expected it, but Myeong-seon couldn't fathom why. She tilted her head.
"100 million... There's no reason to give this to me... Is it 'Give it all to Min-ho' or something?"
"It's a bonus for the entire group."
"Oh? Really?"
"Use it however you like—company outing, dinner, rewards. But the chairman specified: Every member of the credit team gets at least 1 million won."
Myeong-seon had witnessed everything that evening when Min-ho rode off to Seongbuk-dong in Butler Moon's car. No matter how she racked her brain, she couldn't figure out what had gone down there. But this money was clear proof: The chairman's view of Min-ho had changed.
What the hell did Min-ho say to Dad?
She didn't know the process, but the outcome was undeniable.
Myeong-seon smiled slyly.
"'A rough stone gets the chisel'? So, 'Take care of everyone so no one's left griping'?"
"Precisely. As you know, miss, office politics being what they are—when one person soars too high alone, others want to drag them down."
"True. Min-ho's shot to the stars, while everyone else is stuck on Earth, just craning their necks."
"The young master is hiding his identity for now, but if it comes out, everything he's built could vanish overnight—just because he's the chairman's grandson."
"So all this is Dad's idea?"
"Yes."
"Got it. I'll handle it."
The chairman's sudden change of heart. Myeong-seon was dying to know why. Even knowing the answer, she probed gently.
"You won't give specifics, will you, Butler?"
"I'm sorry. I can't say anything right now."
"Actually, I saw you driving Min-ho out the back gate. What happened?"
"No matter the question, my answer stays the same. My apologies."
Myeong-seon furrowed her brow and pressed again.
"What the hell is Dad thinking?"
"You know my position better than anyone, miss."
"Meaning no answer this time either?"
"I'm sorry I can't respond."
"No, it's fine. Dad's orders—you've got nothing to apologize for."
"I'll explain everything when the time comes."
Myeong-seon sipped her coffee, eyes locked on him.
"From the look on your face, there's more to come... You can at least tell me that much, right?"
"Yes, miss. There are additional instructions. Though on the details..."
"Forget it. No need to answer."
Butler Moon sat like a stone, deep in thought. Then, as if decided, he spoke slowly.
"Do you know anything about Section Chief Hwang Jeong-min's usual conduct?"
"He's average. Nothing standout, nothing prickly. Why the sudden interest?"
Butler Moon knew she tracked everything in the company—especially anyone tied to Min-ho. With a heavy, meaningful tone, he dropped the bomb.
"You don't know? Or do you know and just let it slide?"
"What don't you know, Butler? How'd you even hear about that?"
"I can't go into specifics."
"Yeah, I've heard he gripes behind Min-ho's back since the kid's been succeeding."
"Why no action?"
"What can one section chief do?"
Myeong-seon had a point. A section chief's complaints were harmless. But Butler Moon thought differently. Per the chairman's orders, he'd already resolved to nip it in the bud. In a grave tone, he continued.
"A massive wildfire starts from a single cigarette butt—not a blaze."
"You're being awfully roundabout today. Personal opinion?"
"Since he's not essential staff, better to cut it off early."
"I know, but I had no pretext."
Myeong-seon didn't realize, but Butler Moon wasn't proposing—he was seeking permission. He already had a plan tucked away.
"May I handle it?"
"You? How?"
"Using Deputy Manager Seo."
Mentioning Seo carried layers of meaning. Myeong-seon's cigarette burned faster between her fingers.
"You mean..."
"The chairman ordered Deputy Manager Seo into the next executive slate."
"I was about to bring that up with Dad myself. Perfect."
"With the condition: He keeps the position while the young master is in the credit team."
Now Myeong-seon saw the card Butler Moon held. Brutal, maybe, but for Min-ho's sake, no alternatives.
Arms crossed, she pondered, then spoke.
"You're using this to settle it?"
"Yes. No need for you to move, miss. You might get tangled in something messy later."
"Permission? Or just notice?"
"Both. And any extra info on Section Chief Hwang, please."
Defying the chairman left her nothing. She pulled Hwang's file from her drawer and handed it over.
"Better to cut the weed than cross Dad. Handle it and just report the result. I'll stay out."
"Understood."
Butler Moon bowed to leave, hand on the doorknob—but paused, as if words lingered. After a hesitation, he offered advice.
"To reach where you want, you need even finer caution. Forgive my presumption."
"No. Better this than headaches from Min-ho troubles."
"I'll take my leave."
Min-ho's Seongbuk-dong trip had her head spinning already. Butler Moon left her with a massive dilemma.
No matter how she thought, nothing was clear. Just follow the chairman's orders.
***
In a quiet restaurant near JK Credit Info, a rare scene unfolded.
Butler Moon sat at a corner table; across from him, Senior Deputy Manager Seo Gwang-hun.
"Never dreamed you'd seek me out, senior. After all these years—I'm overwhelmed."
"We ate from the same pot. Gotta catch up now and then."
"No news is good news. This meal's plenty."
Moon Sang-oh was Seo's college senior and former JK Credit Info boss. Quite the age gap, but their shared history bred deep trust.
"When I made deputy manager, you were senior deputy, right?"
"Yeah. I sat where you are now."
"Looked great back then. But sitting here? The pressures pile up."
"No one to gripe to?"
"You were the best senior deputy I ever saw. That sharp gaze, making clear calls—still vivid."
"Enough flattery. Add salt to the soup."
"Still beating around the bush, I see."
Seo swallowed well-cooked pork belly, staring at Moon for a long beat before lowering his voice.
"That incident back then—is it buried for good?"
"Take it to the grave. Don't bring it up—bad for you. Finish eating."
"Got it."
Moon placed tender meat in Seo's bowl and cut to the chase.
"Good news and bad. Which first?"
"Good first."
"Always the optimist..."
Moon delivered the news Seo craved.
"Next executive review—you're in. Unless some grave disqualification."
"Me...? Really? The chairman ordered it?"
"Watch your step till then."
"Of course. Hearing this from you? Unbelievable."
Seo nodded like he'd conquered the world, beaming. Moon remained stone-faced.
"One condition."
"If I make it that far, what can't I do?"
"You mean that?"
"You know me, senior. Why the suspense?"
Moon nodded, pulling out the Hwang file from Myeong-seon.
"What's this, senior?"
"See for yourself."
Seo scanned it, shock plain. Every misdeed of Section Chief Hwang Jeong-min laid bare.
Debtors facing collectors do desperate things to buy time: Threaten with kitchen knives under coffee pretexts, sob on knees. Most common? Bribes for delays. They'd empty pockets into the collector's, who pocketed it for "time given," then falsified reports of no-shows.
A rotten custom managers winked at. Only Moon Sang-oh and Seo Gwang-hun never played along.
"Can't have ankles grabbed mid-leap... Gotta uproot it to promote."
"Senior Deputy, everyone knew but looked away. It was custom, except a few."
"I'm not giving you a choice, Gwang-hun."
"Pardon? Fire Jeong-min?"
Moon closed his eyes, nodding.
Cut a subordinate to climb to executive? A shock to Seo.
False reports and kickbacks were illegal, sure. But dredging up years-old dirt now? He sensed more but couldn't pinpoint.
After agonizing, Seo asked carefully.
"Senior, if I say no...?"
"Deputy manager for life."
Seo treated his team like family. He squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head.
To them all—including Hwang—family.
Lifetime dilemma. Sacrifice Hwang for the dream—or watch it vanish.
"Can't rethink it? Jeong-min's like my brother. All of them are."
"Your call. I never force."
"There must be another way! Senior, please—say something."
For Min-ho, the chairman, JK Group—Moon had to be firm. Even a cold-blooded type like him was human; Seo's pleas could sway him. But no alternatives. Stay cold: best now.
Moon set down his chopsticks sharply.
"Sheep or goat—for sacrifice, slit the throat. Tremble at blood splatter, you both die. All on you."
Seo clawed his hair, voice ant-like.
"Then... timeline...?"
"30 days. Fail, I handle it. You're the sacrifice."
Proposal in name, ultimatum in truth. Moon rose.
"I'll cover the bill. Eat up."
"Senior! Wait!"
Despite Seo's near-scream, Moon left coldly.
The table groaned with tempting food. Pork belly smoked, charring slowly.
Moon's "offer" was nightmare fuel for Seo. Head bowed like a criminal, he suffered in silence.
No one to confide in. Begging changed nothing. His choice alone.
Stick with Hwang—or sacrifice him for the executive dream.
Seo sighed like the earth caving, filled his glass with soju, downed it.
Meanwhile, word of Chairman Kang Jin-gwang's bonus spread. The credit team erupted in celebration.