Chapter 2

When the minute hand of the clock struck the hour, a line of luxury sedans stopped in front of Gangsan Tech.

From four cars, lawyers in suits stepped out of the front two and the last one.

That alone was enough to intimidate the Gangsan Tech employees.

Then the door of the remaining car opened, and a pair of long legs touched the ground as someone stepped out.

It was different this time. The new young CEO who had studied abroad, Han Taein.

Standing among the elite legal team, Taein took a sweeping look at Gangsan Tech.

They really had drawn their sword. It was clear they had come prepared.

“What do we do, sir. They’re not ordinary.”

“I know. This feels like a whole different level.”

Taein looked at the whispering employees as he walked forward.

The Gangsan Tech employees were overwhelmed by his gaze alone and swallowed hard.

He stopped in front of Junghoon, who stood calmly, and extended his hand politely.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Han Taein, CEO of TS Electronics.”

“Welcome.”

Junghoon reluctantly shook his hand, with no warmth behind it.

* * *

In the small office, a subtle standoff unfolded.

On the left side of the central sofa table stood the Gangsan Tech employees. On the right, the TS Electronics legal team.

Seated on the sofa, Taein scanned the old-fashioned office. Across from him, Junghoon placed the documents down and spoke.

“I read them out of courtesy, but there’s no point, so let’s stop here.”

At Junghoon’s firm words, Taein’s eyes dropped briefly to the table. He stared at the neatly arranged documents, then raised his gaze again and opened his mouth.

“Think about it again. My offer isn’t bad.”

“…”

“I’m offering to lease a fully modern factory to you rent-free for thirty years. You’d save on rent and work in a more comfortable environment. That sounds pretty good, doesn’t it.”

No matter how you looked at it, it wasn’t a bad offer.

When a company that had only recorded losses suddenly climbed back into profit, it usually started by improving its environment. And he was even offering to cover the entire relocation cost. So why refuse.

With a puzzled tilt of his head, Taein looked at Junghoon.

“This factory may look old now, but it was state-of-the-art when I bought it. I own it, and I don’t pay rent. So why would I be tempted by your offer.”

Taein’s eyes curved faintly.

“Oh, so this factory belongs to you. That makes it even better. Sell it to me. Name your price. I’ll buy it no matter what. Just give me the trademark rights in return.”

“Hah.” A breath of disbelief slipped out.

Taein’s uncomfortable gaze lifted.

“You think money solves everything.”

“Excuse me, but you must not know. Last year, no matter what your company tried, our president didn’t budge. Do you have any idea what the name Moderato means to us.”

Manager Kim and Section Chief Park couldn’t hold back any longer and blurted it out, earning warning looks from Executive Director Baek standing beside them.

“What, we can’t talk now. Ahem.”

Taein’s eyes narrowed.

Meaning? They said it had meaning?

If it was about brand value, money could cover that. But if they gave the brand personal meaning, things became trickier.

His expression stiffened for a moment but quickly smoothed over as he leaned back. The head of the legal team standing behind him spoke up.

“We can revise the terms as much as needed. If you need time to think, of course we’ll give you time.”

“No, it’s not that we think your terms are lacking…”

As Park’s voice grew louder, Junghoon spoke.

“It’s not about wanting different terms. We have no intention of accepting in the first place.”

“I heard you have a daughter.”

Taein nodded lightly and mentioned Jaei with a relaxed look.

Junghoon’s expression hardened instantly.

“Wouldn’t it be better for your daughter to live in a more comfortable environment.”

“…”

“We’ll also provide a house for your daughter along with the factory.”

“I’m sorry, but my daughter doesn’t need any of that. I have nothing more to say. Please leave.”

Usually, they didn’t accept right away. Giving them some time to think and then stepping back was the usual process.

Knock knock.

A single knock was enough to shatter the mood.

Through the opening door, a woman with clear, bright eyes appeared.

All eyes turned to her, and the Gangsan Tech employees gasped softly.

With a knowing look, Jaei scanned her father and the employees, then met the man’s gaze.

“I’m late. I’m Yoon Jaei, legal counsel for Gangsan Tech.”

Her graceful walk seemed almost like she was gliding on clouds. Her hair was tied up neatly, revealing her pale neckline behind her.

Even seated on the sofa, her posture remained perfectly upright. She extended her business card across the table with composed elegance.

Taein took in every detail of her without missing a thing and spoke.

“I’m Han Taein, CEO of TS Electronics.”

“I know.”

Her eyes, staring straight at him, were so dark and radiant that it felt like pieces of obsidian were set into them.

Then, as he took in Junghoon and Jaei together, an odd sense of déjà vu washed over him, and the thought slipped out.

“You two look alike.”

“Yes. She’s my daughter.”

Jaei answered matter-of-factly, while Junghoon shut his eyes tightly as if a headache had hit.

He didn’t want her involved in this.

He remembered how much trouble she went through last year dealing with those shady men on her own.

He had purposely sent her away on an errand to avoid this meeting, so how did she end up here anyway.

“Oh… your daughter.”

Taein’s eyes slid toward the secretary. It was a silent rebuke for not mentioning that Yoon Junghoon’s daughter was a lawyer.

“You shouldn’t get involved.”

“President Yoon Junghoon?”

The way she called her father made her clench her teeth.

Taein’s gaze returned to Jaei. She had grit her teeth, yet a faint smile danced in her eyes.

She turned her head, and as soon as their gazes met, the smile vanished and her voice came out crisp.

“From now on, if you have anything to say, go through me instead of visiting like this.”

Her tone was level, without a hint of emotion or fluctuation.

Taein felt a subtle discomfort.

So this was the lawyer his uncle’s subordinates couldn’t stand up to.

“CEO Han Taein.”

“I like that.”

As their wide eyes met, he knew instinctively.

He only needed to break Yoon Jaei.

His eyes curved softly, almost mockingly, as he rose from his seat.

“I only came to say hello today. Please review my proposal and contact me anytime.”

His gaze lingered on Jaei before he finally looked back at Junghoon and turned to leave.

“Contact you, my…”

“Manager.”

Jaei’s firm voice stopped the fuming Park from speaking further.

As Taein stepped outside, he gave a faint laugh.

It quickly faded, and he spoke to the secretary who was sticking close to him.

“Find out everything you can about that woman.”

“Yes, sir.”

“As detailed and fast as possible.”

Just before getting into the car, Taein turned his head toward the office.

Yoon Jaei. Yoon Jaei…

* * *

Flinch.

She probably couldn’t see him.

Even so, Jaei watched the gaze directed at her through the window.

Once the sedans left one by one, she turned back.

Her eyes were sharp.

To avoid her gaze, everyone pretended to be busy. Jaei let out a short breath and spoke.

“I told you to let me know if TS Electronics came again. They brought a whole legal team, so why didn’t Gangsan Tech contact your own competent resource.”

She called herself the competent resource without hesitation, but everyone only laughed awkwardly.

“No one agrees with me. How cold.”

“Oh, we agree. You are competent, but you’re not Gangsan Tech’s lawyer. We’ve never officially hired you or anything. Ahem.”

At Manager Kim’s words, Jaei gave him a wounded look.

“That’s harsh. What if they really file a lawsuit this time.”

“Then we’ll fight it out in court. It’s not like we’ve got anything to be scared of.”

Park agreed, and Kim nodded along.

“Exactly. We’ve already been through this. We registered the trademark ages ago, and there’s nothing they can do about it. Everyone here knows they’re just being stubborn. Last year you worked so hard on that…”

As Jaei glared, Kim trailed off with a cough.

She let out a quiet breath and picked up the document envelope on the table.

“I’ll handle everything related to TS Electronics from now on. Consider it decided. I’ll settle this once and for all.”

“I get the feeling this CEO isn’t ordinary.”

“Dad, don’t you trust me. Don’t worry.”

Jaei spoke boldly, but Junghoon still looked uneasy.