Chapter 14: It’s Personal

Standing in front of the door marked Hojin Group—Vice President’s Office, Seo Ji-Han took a deep breath.

With a short knock, the door to Min-Guk’s office opened.

Seated behind his desk, signing off on documents, Vice President Seo Min-Guk put down his pen.

“Have a seat.”

His sharp gaze landed on Ji-Han, who entered with a proper bow.

“I’ll finish up these urgent approvals first.”

“Take your time. I’ll have some coffee while I wait.”

A warm cup of Americano was placed in front of Ji-Han as he sat down on the sofa.

Noticing Ji-Han’s subtle glance, Min-Guk’s secretary bowed politely and exited the room.

The sound of paper rustling as approvals continued eventually came to a stop.

Soon, Seo Min-Guk joined Ji-Han, sitting across from him.

“I heard you met with Vice President Kim Young-Min.”

“Yes. As I previously reported in writing, the contract is valid for three years, and the merger and acquisition process will begin after that period.”

As Min-Guk listened to the succinct report, he nodded. Recalling the contract details regarding the merger between W Group and Hojin Group, he set his cup down.

“Wouldn’t it be better to proceed with the merger immediately? Why are we waiting three years?”

It was a sharp question.

His narrowed eyes fixed keenly on Ji-Han, but Ji-Han met his gaze calmly, showing no hint of intimidation.

“It’s not possible to merge immediately. There are shareholders on Chairman Yoon’s side who oppose it.”

“…Hmm.”

“Besides, even on Vice President Kim Young-Min’s end, three years are necessary to establish legitimacy. In the meantime, we’ve agreed to receive capital investment in advance.”

The merger had originally been decided as a strategy for expanding into construction.

Min-Guk rubbed his chin, his unreadable gaze locked on Ji-Han.

“My wife is not running away, is she? I’ll receive Yeo-Jin’s shares right after the marriage.”

“……”

“I plan to invest W Group’s capital into Intech.”

Ji-Han had been entrusted with the investment project into the construction machinery company Intech as part of Hojin’s expansion into the construction business.

For the first time, a faint smile appeared on Min-Guk’s otherwise unreadable face.

“Now you’re finally starting to look competent.”

“…Thank you.”

“I’ll report this to the chairman myself.”

Overwhelmed by emotion, Ji-Han stood and bowed deeply to Min-Guk.

As Min-Guk returned to his desk and adjusted his glasses, he asked, “I haven’t seen the bride since the wedding plans fell through. What are you two planning?”

“We intend to hold the ceremony next year. After the shareholder meeting, we’ll file the marriage registration first.”

“Given everything going on, that’s probably for the best.”

Min-Guk nodded in satisfaction, then casually asked as Ji-Han was about to leave, “So when exactly is this shareholder meeting?”

***

I was seated in the studio, preparing for the 9 a.m. radio broadcast.

Flipping through the news script in front of me, I eventually set the papers down on the desk.

‘I need to review the script, but I can’t focus.’

The events of last night kept circling in my mind, breaking my concentration.

In the end, I lifted my eyes from the script I had been blankly staring at.

My head was still full of the conversation I had with Jae-Ha—the one that had kept me up all night.

“They’re discussing a new business expansion within Hojin.”

“It’s a major project being led directly by Seo Ji-Han.”

Even after returning home, I couldn’t shake off the shock of learning the project involved Intech.

Fragments of vaguely remembered incidents began piecing themselves together.

And even now, right before my broadcast, the thoughts I wrestled with all night refused to settle.

“They’re actually going through with that project…?”

Suddenly, my eyes snapped open. “A project led by Seo Ji-Han.”

I didn’t know much about business—only what I learned in university or through watching my grandfather run his company.

I may not have been trained as an heir, but even I knew this: Intech is the key.

The group nearly collapsed once before because of that reckless investment. If Ji-Han goes through with acquiring Intech again, Hojin Group will definitely fall.

Depending on my next move, I might even be able to pull the trigger sooner.

‘I think I’ve found the thread to unravel this revenge.’

Tapping the capped pen against the script, I reached for my phone.

After a brief hesitation, I dialed a familiar number.

“I need a favor.”

****

Thanks to the back-to-back radio broadcasts, the morning passed quickly.

After finishing the afternoon news segment, I returned to the office.

But the atmosphere inside was noticeably more animated than usual.

“So what’s the schedule looking like?”

“They’re taking applications until the end of the week. Camera tests are scheduled for sometime next week. Are you applying?”

“I mean, I’d love to apply. It’s one of those dream positions, right? But I’m not confident I’ll pass the audition…”

“That’s fair.”

As I entered the office, everyone’s gaze lingered on me briefly before the room returned to its lively buzz.

Groups had formed all around, animatedly discussing something.

‘What are they all talking about?’

It was the first time I’d seen the usually quiet office this noisy.

After sitting down at my desk, Senior Announcer Yeong-Joon swiveled his chair toward me and spoke.

“Announcer Yoon, you’re going to apply, right? I mean the announcement on the company board.”

“…What announcement?”

Whatever it was, people had gathered in clusters around their monitors, clearly interested.

“What? You haven’t seen it?”

Looking surprised, he pointed at his screen.

“They just posted the audition notice for the 9 o’clock news main anchor position.”

He slid the internal job posting across to show me.

Ah… so that’s why.

No wonder the usually calm programming department was abuzz with excitement—it was because of the main anchor selection.

“This is why everyone’s so worked up.”

“Oh, I already knew about the audition.”

From across the partition, I heard voices from the other department. I lifted my head.

“Seo-Rin, you’re applying too, right?”

“Yeah. I’m going to give it a shot. It’s such a great opportunity.”

Perhaps because it was a rare chance, Seo-Rin’s face was more flushed with excitement than usual.

The internal audition for the anchor position had no prerequisites. Anyone could apply.

Knowing that Ji-Han had changed the rules for her left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“But why the sudden change? They originally said it would be a closed selection. Turning it into an open audition all of a sudden—it’s kind of strange.”

I locked eyes with Seo-Rin, who was discussing the public screening with her close colleagues.

Before I could dwell on it, Yeong-Joon’s excited voice redirected my attention.

“You’re going to do it, right? Come on—say yes.”

His gaze was determined as he stared at me.

He was already anchoring the 9 o’clock news—why was he pushing this so much?

As I turned on my computer and set aside my script, he pressed again.

“Just submit an application. At least try.”

“You’re more excited than I am, aren’t you?”

For some reason, he looked genuinely happy.

“You want to anchor with me?”

“Of course. You were always the easiest to work with. I don’t want to be stuck with some ‘legendary’ senior.”

That sounds about right. His blunt honesty made me laugh.

I still remembered working with him for years before I stepped away from the anchor desk in my previous life.

Well, I liked working with you too.

He wasn’t the type to hog the spotlight—he valued chemistry with his co-anchor. A great partner.

I gave him a quiet smile and said, “I already applied.”

“Really?! Wow, nice!”

The noisy office fell into a hush, as if a bucket of cold water had just been poured over it.

Seo-Rin jumped from her seat, apparently having overheard.

“Unnie… You’re saying you’re going to audition?”

Just moments ago, she’d been surrounded by younger announcers laughing and chatting—now the atmosphere around her turned icy.

Her frosty gaze and the stares I was getting made it clear: something was off.

Has she been gossiping about me again?

It wouldn’t surprise me.

After all, she had an affair with her senior’s husband—making up rumors about me would be child’s play for her.

I turned to face Seo-Rin, who was still staring at me, waiting for my answer.

“That’s right.”

“You only just returned to the radio department. Are you even eligible to audition?”

The shock of my participation must’ve rattled her—she bit her lower lip tightly.

“They said it’s fine. And it’s open to everyone, isn’t it?”

“…Good for you.”

She forced a smile, as if unsure what else to say.

But I could already imagine the spiteful things Seo-Rin would soon be spreading about me.

“It’d be nice to do the news together again, like old times.”

“…”

Her face darkened at the emphasis I put on “like old times.”

I looked at her steadily for a moment, then turned and walked toward the assignment board near the door.

Her glare followed me, sharp and unrelenting—but I didn’t care.

I found my name under Friday’s radio news slot and erased it.

“Huh? Yeo-Jin, are you taking a day off tomorrow?”

Senior Yeong-Joon had been about to leave the room but turned back when he saw the schedule change.

“Yes.”

“What’s going on? You rarely take time off if you’ve got a broadcast. This is unusual.”

He was right—I almost never missed a broadcast.

Even Seo-Rin frowned at my sudden schedule change.

But soon, her expression began to shift—as if she realized what that day off really meant.

“I have something to take care of. Something personal.”

Something personal and incredibly important.

Something that could change the course of my life.