Chapter 17 : Salary Negotiation – 2 (Part-2)

Han, the Chief Executive Officer, with a face that showed no signs of warmth or approachability, took the lead as they proceeded through the corporate space, guiding Yu, the Manager, along the way.

Rather than simply pressing the standard button to call the elevator, she took a moment to scan her identification card against the designated reader, allowing them access.

In response to the card swipe, the elevator began its ascent without the usual auditory cues or indicators that might suggest movement, such as the familiar ding or the sensation of motion one typically feels.

As they traveled upwards, Yu Manager’s attention gradually shifted, becoming fixated on an odd detail that caught her eye on the wall of the elevator.

She noticed a long, straight scratch that marred the surface.

Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a mark resembling one that could have been made by the sharp tip of a blade.

Yu Manager couldn’t help but marvel at the thought: could there possibly be others lurking in this area who also possess knives, in addition to herself?

I heard whispers about these individuals; they allegedly fired shots inside the department store, leading me to believe they might actually be quite serious about their intentions.

As soon as the elevator doors slid open, Yu Manager inhaled deeply, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead.

Hmm—a strong, unmistakable scent of gunpowder infiltrated her senses.

It appeared as if she had made an effort to air out the surroundings, yet she was not deceived by the attempts.

There had been various posts circulating on social media regarding the department store exhibiting a slight tremor.

That was likely a result of vibrations caused by an explosion.

Was there an internal conflict brewing?

Consider, for example, the scenario where CEO Han Siyeon crashed onto the scene and sought refuge, while her younger sister, CEO Han Siyeon, attempted to force her out?

The storyline seemed convincing enough.

“If this conversation is going to drag on, should we get rid of the military personnel first? It’ll be hard to continue the business otherwise.”

“Military personnel? What are you talking about?”

“Ha. Those people in front of the department store, checking customers’ faces, creating a threatening atmosphere. They’re not your people, are they, Yu Manager? If not, then you won’t mind if I call the police?”

“Yes. Call them.”

Yu Manager took a seat, elegantly crossed her legs, and wore a smirk that suggested she was thoroughly enjoying the moment.

The police? There was an unmistakable glimmer in her eyes that communicated a clear message: “Go ahead, call them if you dare.”

Han CEO found himself immobilized, caught in a state of panic as he trembled with fear and uncertainty.

Her fingers, which had been rhythmically tapping away at her phone with purpose, gradually began to slow down, the deliberate tempo shifting to a more languid pace.

A brief moment of silence ensued, heavy with unspoken tension.

With a mocking sneer that displayed her confidence and dominance in the situation, Yu Manager pressed the emergency number 112 on her phone and forcefully shoved it across the table, making her intentions unmistakably clear.

“Call them. You said it’s interfering with business, right?”

“Uh…”

“Call them, I said? While you’re at it, should I also call the bomb squad? The C4 smell on the first floor is pretty strong, and on the upper floors, there’s a strong smell of C2 explosives. Someone must have been trying to blow up the whole department store. We better hurry up and find the remaining bombs, CEO.”

Yu Manager grabbed Han CEO’s hand and pulled her toward the phone.

Her fingers were thin, but the strength in them was immense.

Even when she tried to resist, her hand shook, and she was ultimately forced to press the call button.

Drrr—click.

The wait didn’t even last a full cycle before the call was answered.

[Yes, is this Manager Yuara? How may I help you?]

“Uh, yeah. It’s me. I’m at the Oriental Department Store right now—”

“What do you want? Speak plainly, in our language.”

Before Manager Yu could finish, Han CEO grabbed her arm in a panic and clung to her.

Hee-hee— Manager Yu’s smile twisted grotesquely at the corners.

“No, it’s nothing serious. Keep up the good work, you ‘mighty tools of the people’.”

After hanging up the phone, Han, the CEO, exhaled deeply, releasing a breath that she had not even realized she had been holding onto for what felt like an eternity.

If the police were truly summoned, would they actually arrive at the scene to investigate?

Judging by how the call was initially answered, it appeared that only the subordinates of the Kimyeong Group would show up in significant numbers.

She hadn’t even completed the process of cleaning up the bodies yet, and the presence of grenade remnants in the emergency stairwell, as well as the bullet holes peppered throughout the walls, posed a grave risk. If these traces were discovered, it would spell disaster.

She understood that they were fully aware of all these potential repercussions, and yet, they still chose to wade right into the danger zone. Manager Yu found this decision utterly laughable.

“Han CEO. Your sister is here, right?”

“Why, why would you think that? I’ve told you already, it’s not the case.”

“Was it a Chinese proverb? ‘If you don’t make an issue out of it, it won’t become one.’ If you hand over Han Siyeon, the president of Oriental Shipping, we’ll let this matter go without further trouble. There are plenty of people at Kimyeong Group who hold the department store in high regard. She’s quite the epitome of a self-made success, who wouldn’t like her? But if a problem arises, it’ll be hard to turn a blind eye.”

Manager Yu’s gaze shifted oddly, no longer looking at Han CEO, but beyond her.

Behind the office, on the wall with the Oriental Department Store logo.

“This structure is quite strange, isn’t it? Given the size of the building, there should be more space back there. Is it being used as storage or something? If you wanted to hide something, that would be the perfect spot.”

“I don’t really know about that. I’d have to ask the contractor.”

“Hah. Han CEO, let’s decide. Should we tear down that wall with explosives and haul out the bloodied bodies, or would you prefer to open the wall yourself?”

“……..”

Han CEO’s mouth felt dry.

Manager Yu’s gaze, piercing and sharp like a laser, felt unbearable.

Her heart thudded painfully in her chest, and her trembling hands slowly reached toward the bottom of the table.

With a click of the switch, all she had to do was open the wall.

It was the most rational choice to save the department store, even if it meant giving up one enemy.

“Manager.”

“I’m busy. Later.”

“This is urgent. Just a moment…”

One of the suits barged in, and Manager Yu’s expression twisted sharply.

Why, just a step away, was she being interrupted?

She muttered under her breath, clearly irritated, before pressing her ear to the suit’s mouth.

The suit whispered quietly.

Ppudeuk- Manager Yu gritted her teeth and squinted her eyes shut.

This damn— She couldn’t hold back her anger, but let out a long sigh.

Han CEO had seen Manager Yu’s subtle anger before, but this was the first time she had seen her seething like this.

“Was this Han CEO’s doing?”

“Yes?” “Yeah.”

“Hah. Tch. No. I have urgent business. I’ll be going now. See you next time.”

Cursing under her breath, Manager Yu shouted at the employees, ordering them to hurry up, then entered the elevator and disappeared.

After confirming that the suits outside the CCTV had scattered and left in a hurry, Han CEO finally let out the tension that had built up in her body and collapsed onto the sofa.

The wall in the CEO’s office slowly rotated and opened.

Han CEO shouted at the inside.

“Min Cheol-woo? Is that him? What did he do?”

“Isn’t it obvious? What else could it be?”

“I really can’t take this. My heart hurts. Sister, get out… I’ll give you a safe house, go there, please. I feel like I’ve aged ten years in a single day.”

I just want to peacefully focus on managing the department store, so why is everyone, from my sister to Min Cheol-woo and Manager Yu, doing this to me?

Tears rolled down Han CEO’s cheek.