Chapter 1

The large screen inside the office was playing a home shopping channel.

[The Moderato massage chair launched by Gangsan Tech is gaining incredible popularity. It’s already spreading by word of mouth among mothers.]

[Yes, and the advantages of the Moderato are…!]

[This Moderato massage chair is available at a special broadcast price sale…!]

[Moderato…]

Moderato, Moderato.

Taein, staring quietly at the screen, pressed down hard on the power button of the remote. The noisy sound cut off, and silence filled the office.

On the long black sofa, senior executives were seated. They watched the young man sitting in the head seat for any reaction.

“What is this.”

The oppressive weight in Taein’s voice made one of the executives flinch before he finally forced his mouth open.

“Well… the former CEO had already given instructions, so we went to persuade them several times but it didn’t work out…”

“I don’t care about that.”

The already quiet office became even colder. In a place like a bed of thorns, even breathing loudly felt dangerous.

“Why didn’t you resolve this before the Moderato line was released. You all knew, didn’t you.”

The executives avoided his sharp gaze, unable to say a word.

The previous CEO had been caught embezzling overnight and disappeared after losing the chairman’s trust. Then, a new young CEO suddenly appeared.

It was the very same infamous person no one wanted as a boss. Han Taein, executive director of Taesan Trading’s overseas branch.

“I’m asking you a question, everyone.”

The core of the Taesan Group was Taesan Trading, and a major reason it held such a dominant position was due to the influence of Executive Director Han Taein.

It had been about five years since he voluntarily took charge of the overseas branch. His plan had been to establish his position overseas, then slowly return home to secure the CEO seat at Taesan Trading.

Taein, who had been climbing the ladder exactly as planned, suddenly returned to Korea and headed to TS Electronics.

And not just any place. It was the most neglected affiliate of the Taesan Group, so much so that he hated even being called its CEO.

‘Taein, if you clean up TS Electronics within a year, turn public opinion around, and perfectly launch a new product, I’ll give it to you. All the shares of Taesan Trading’s overseas branch will be yours. How about it.’

If not for his grandfather, Chairman Han of the Taesan Group, he wouldn’t have been stuck in this ridiculous corner of a company.

The chairman had given an order to revive TS Electronics, which had always been his sore spot.

And Taein had answered with confidence.

‘I’ll normalize TS Electronics within six months.’

He remembered the pleased look on the chairman’s face on the monitor.

There had been a slight hiccup in his plan, but if he could just handle TS Electronics, he would be closer than anyone to the CEO seat of Taesan Trading.

He had a six-month plan for TS Electronics drawn clearly in his head.

Two months to resolve the same-name brand issue. Three months to turn public opinion around. Four months to see results from the new product launch. If everything ran simultaneously, it would all be finished smoothly within four to five months.

That was what brought him to TS Electronics…

But it was worse than he thought. The problem started internally.

Pressing his throbbing temple, Taein called out to the person who caught his eye.

“Director.”

“Ah, yes. Well… we reported it to the former CEO multiple times, but at the time it was a very small company. It wouldn’t have been strange if it had disappeared. And the former CEO liked Moderato, so…”

“So despite there already being a brand with the same name, you insisted on registering it anyway.”

“…”

“And you forced it through and created this mess.”

It was ridiculous, but not entirely unheard of. Small companies like that usually disappeared in the end anyway.

Who would have thought Gangsan Tech would hit the jackpot with Moderato.

“This is a complete mess.”

The former CEO, in other words his uncle, had appointed his own people as executives and had been running the company haphazardly.

No wonder it ended up like this.

Taein gave a disbelieving laugh as he took in the absurd situation he had inherited.

“Leave.”

Worried that Taein might change his mind, the executives quickly exited the office.

He rose from his seat slowly and addressed the secretary who had been standing in the same place all along.

“I’m replacing all the executives. Call in the HR team right away…”

“Yes.”

“Contact Gangsan Tech. Tell them I’ll be coming soon.”

A sharp glint flashed in Taein’s eyes. He planned to start with the quickest and simplest task.

* * *

A heavy atmosphere hung in the president’s office at Gangsan Tech.

President Yoon Junghoon, along with Executive Director Baek, Manager Kim, and Section Chief Park, all had their heads together.

“TS Electronics contacted us again. They want to have a talk…”

“It’s obvious. They’ll ask us to give up the Moderato name again, won’t they.”

Park shuddered as he recalled last year when TS Electronics employees had sprawled out on their office floor. It had been the moment when everyone’s illusion of a large corporation shattered.

“But this time, it feels a bit different. There’s a new CEO, and even the employee’s voice over the phone had some power behind it…”

Baek, who had taken the call, tilted his head as he remembered, and Manager Kim spoke quietly.

“It was on the news too. He’s young and studied abroad. That company that won the resort contract in the Middle East, that was Taesan Trading, right. They said the person who led it is the new CEO.”

“Why would someone like that come to TS Electronics. Everyone knows it’s been struggling and practically abandoned by the group. Did he get kicked out or something. Isn’t that right, sir.”

At Park’s words, Junghoon, who had been lost in thought, lifted his head.

“Maybe they finally decided to draw their sword.”

For the first time, the thought crossed their minds that they might really lose Moderato this time.

The four people who had built Gangsan Tech couldn’t relax their faces.

At that moment, there was a knock, and someone peeked in.

“Are you busy?”

At the sound of Jaei’s voice, the atmosphere changed instantly.

“Oh, the home shopping went well this time, right.”

“Sales were twice as high as last month. I was a bit worried since it’s a pricey item, but I think it went pretty well.”

Ha, ha, ha.

The awkward jokes from Manager Kim and Section Chief Park ended, leaving only uneasy laughter echoing through the quiet office.

As Jaei stepped in, her eyes narrowed.

“Oh, Jaei’s here. Haha, you’re getting prettier every day. The most beautiful woman in Gangsan Tech.”

“I’m not falling for that, Manager.”

“Ah, the staff are calling me.”

Manager Kim deftly slipped out of her line of sight and turned to Executive Director Baek.

“Sir, what is it.”

“It’s nothing, Jaei. Nothing at all.”

“It’s not nothing.”

Sweating nervously, Baek had been like an uncle to Jaei since she was a child. He was her father’s closest friend.

“Ah, Uncle.”

“Uncle? This is the company, young lady. Ahem.”

Then Baek awkwardly retreated as well.

Park had already disappeared without a sound, leaving only her father Junghoon in front of her.

“What were you all talking about. Why did they all run away when they saw me.”

“Haha, who knows. What brings you here without notice.”

Junghoon stood and welcomed Jaei warmly.

“Can’t a daughter come see her dad.”

“I’m just happy to see you.”

“I was on my way back from meeting a client and stopped by.”

As they chatted, Junghoon asked if she had eaten and what kind of drink she wanted.

Jaei shook her head and sat down on the sofa, interrogating him about what was going on.

“What is it this time. Is it TS Electronics again.”

“It’s nothing like that.”

“I heard TS Electronics changed their CEO. If they contact us again, promise me you’ll tell me right away. Don’t get into another power struggle like last time.”

Muttering about the law and why it exists, Jaei pouted while Junghoon only laughed softly and glanced at the clock.

The time TS Electronics said they’d visit was drawing near.

“Oh, Jaei, good timing. Do me a favor.”

“What is it.”

“Take this to Junseo.”

Junghoon took out a paper bag from under his desk and handed it to her. Inside was a box that was surprisingly heavy.

“What is this.”

“Nothing special. Just deliver it without Section Chief Park finding out.”

“That jerk Park Junseo asked you for something again, didn’t he.”

“It’s nothing like that. Go on, deliver it.”

She found it suspicious but stood up anyway.

“Go straight there, don’t stop anywhere. Got it.”

“Alright. Make sure you eat properly. Don’t skip meals just because you’re busy. And come home sometimes.”

Even as she left the office with her father seeing her off, Jaei kept nagging.

“I’d be too scared to go home with a daughter like you.”

Park’s joking remark made her pout.

“You’re the one who keeps staying at the factory instead of your house. Since we’re on the topic, you should all go home once in a while.”

“Oh my, she’s lecturing us. Go on, Jaei.”

“Haha, bye sweetheart. Call me later.”

“I will.”

With their urging, she got into the car, waved, and drove off.

She couldn’t stop thinking about how everyone had been staying at the factory lately just because business was going well. She wished they’d take care of their health.

As she exited the factory and drove onto the road, a line of luxury sedans passed by in the opposite lane.

For a very brief moment, through an open car window, her eyes seemed to meet those of a man inside one of them.

Glancing at the cars through the side mirror, Jaei felt an odd sense of unease.