Chapter 28

Friday morning carried an edge I couldn’t quite shake.

I sat behind my desk, fingers resting on the armrest of my chair, staring at the untouched papers in front of me. Yesterday’s conversation with Haemin replayed in my mind like a bitter aftertaste I couldn’t swallow. He was leaving today—for three days. To Busan. To see his aunt.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself not to let the irritation show. Three days. It sounded short, almost insignificant, but to me, it wasn’t. Three days away from him felt like an eternity. Still, I had given him permission. I had even smiled when I said it, though there was no warmth behind it. I reminded myself firmly—it was the last time. After this, once he started working by my side, there would be no more discussions, no more requests. He would remain where he belonged—next to me.

The thought steadied me, but only slightly.

A knock broke my thoughts. The door opened, and Harin stepped in with her usual brisk efficiency. “Chairwoman, the Daehan Group Vice Chairman and her team have arrived. They’re waiting in the conference room.”

I stood up, adjusting my suit, my face composed as if my earlier storm of thoughts had never existed. “Let’s go.”

Walking down the hallway, I forced myself into the calm I was known for. Whatever personal frustrations I carried, no one would see them. By the time we entered the conference room, my mask was firmly in place.

Inside, Hwang Sera sat elegantly at the table, her presence commanding as always. She looked calm, like someone who had already prepared her move in a chess game.

“Good morning, Chairwoman Seo,” Sera greeted with a practiced smile.

“Vice Chairman Hwang,” I returned evenly, taking my seat across from her.

But then she tilted her head slightly and said, “Actually, before we begin, I’d prefer to speak with you privately.”

The room stilled. My eyes narrowed slightly. “Privately?”

“Yes,” she said without hesitation, her tone soft but carrying weight. “Just the two of us. I’d like our teams to step outside.”

I caught Harin’s brief glance, but I raised my hand lightly. “Very well. Please wait outside for a few minutes.”

Once the door closed, the silence pressed in heavier. Sera leaned back in her chair, still poised, still utterly in control of herself.

I folded my hands on the table. “So. What is it that requires such privacy?”

Her eyes met mine directly, sharp and unwavering. “I know you’re planning to reject our proposal.”

I arched a brow, a cold smile tugging at my lips. “You sound very certain for someone who hasn’t even heard my response.”

“You don’t need to say it,” Sera replied smoothly. “I know you. Back in university, you were the same. You never bent easily, and you never accepted an offer unless it gave you absolute control. That hasn’t changed.”

Her words carried a sting, though her voice stayed calm.

“You asked for privacy to state the obvious?” I asked.

Sera’s lips curved faintly. “Not just that. I wanted you to hear it from me directly—that Daehan isn’t approaching you blindly. I know your nature, Seo Yuna. You’ll push back, you’ll reject us… but I also know you can’t afford to ignore us forever.

I tilted my head slightly. “You seem very sure of Daehan’s value.”

“I am,” she said simply. “We control the largest logistics chain in the country. You may reject us now, but sooner or later, you’ll realize you need us. And when that time comes, we will meet again—this time with me as the Chairwoman of Daehan Group.”

I stayed calm on the surface, though irritation stirred inside.

I leaned forward slightly, my voice quiet but edged. “You speak as though you already know the ending to this story. But tell me, Sera—what makes you so sure I won’t simply find another path, one that leaves Daehan behind?”

Sera didn’t flinch. Her eyes glimmered with confidence. “Because no matter how brilliant you are, Yuna, you can’t build everything alone. Even you have limits.”

I gave her a faint, cold smile. “We’ll see.”

She leaned back, her posture still elegant, her voice steady. “You know, when I was in Europe managing Daehan’s branch, I faced a similar situation. Major companies thought they could resist us. They believed in independence, in surviving without relying on us. At first, I let them believe it. I even entertained their stubbornness. But one by one, I dismantled them.”

Her lips curved slightly, but it wasn’t a smile—it was the satisfaction of someone reliving a victory. “I still remember their faces, Yuna. The moment they realized it was over. That there was no way out. Some begged for partnerships, others for mercy… but I gave them nothing. And in the end, they all disappeared.”

Her eyes glimmered coldly. “That is what I enjoy most—the look of defeat. Watching them realize everything they built meant nothing against me.”

I listened, unmoved, my hands resting lightly on the table. “You seem very proud of crushing small players. But Nara is hardly the kind of firm that would give you the same pleasure.”

Sera’s composure didn’t falter. If anything, she looked more intrigued. “That’s why I find this exciting. I already know your history, your strengths and your flaws. Breaking you would mean more than breaking any of the others.”

I leaned back slightly, calm and unshaken. “Break me? You give yourself too much credit, Sera. Nara doesn’t fall. It watches others exhaust themselves trying.”

Sera crossed her legs gracefully, her tone soft but edged. “Then let’s see. Daehan will continue to expand. And I will continue until nothing stands in my way. At the end of the day, only one of us will remain at the top.”

I leaned forward, meeting her gaze without blinking. “Then let me make one thing clear. If you’re hoping to see my defeat, you’ll be disappointed. Because I don’t lose, Sera.”

Silence lingered in the room, heavy but controlled. Two rivals, two predators—both calm, both unwilling to yield.

Finally, Sera rose gracefully from her seat, her heels clicking softly against the floor. She extended her hand. Her expression calm but carrying an unmistakable edge.

I rose as well, meeting her eyes as I took her hand firmly.

Her lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile. “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear.”

Her grip tightened slightly, daring me.

“Then we’ll see,” she added, her voice smooth but sharp. “Between us, only results matter.”

I matched her without hesitation, my own smile faint but razor-sharp. “Then remember this, Sera—results have always favored me.”

Sera’s lips curved again, not wide, just the smallest flicker of satisfaction. She didn’t answer, but the silence between us spoke louder than words.

__________

After Sera left, I remained at the table, reviewing a few notes in silence. A moment later, the door opened again and Harin stepped inside.

Her careful steps breaking the silence. “Chairwoman,” she said gently, “is everything alright?”

I glanced at her. “There’s nothing to worry about.” I rose from my chair and straightened my suit. “Everything is exactly as I expected.”

Harin’s brows drew together. “As expected?”

“Sera was never truly interested in the collaboration. From the start, all she wanted was to make her intentions clear—Daehan’s warning delivered in person.”

Harin frowned slightly. “What a roundabout way to do that.”

A faint smile touched my lips. “Not really. She only wanted to see if I was still the same person she once knew… before she makes her move.”

Harin nodded, though her eyes lingered on me a second too long, as if trying to read what I left unsaid.

“By the way,” I said as we started walking back to my office, “did you handle what I asked?”

“Yes,” she replied quickly. “Mr. Kim’s flight ticket has already been sent to him. I also spoke with the airport staff. They’ll let him through directly, without requiring the usual security protocol.”

A small, satisfied breath escaped me. “Good.”

Harin hesitated before adding, “I thought he wanted to take the train?”

I stopped mid-step and turned to her. “That’s exactly why I don’t leave these decisions to him. A train? Sitting for hours surrounded by strangers, wasting his time when he could travel in comfort? No. I won’t allow it.” 

Even though I hated being apart from him, his convenience would always be my priority.

Harin lowered her eyes slightly, nodding.

“Are there any meetings today that can be rearranged?” I asked.

Harin hesitated for a moment, as if weighing how best to answer. “I already tried, Chairwoman. After this Daehan meeting, I managed to push back several smaller reports. But the one scheduled for this evening is with key partners from overseas. It’s too important to postpone.”

I clicked my tongue in irritation, my steps halting for a second. Of course it had to be today. What I wanted more than anything was to send Haemin off myself. The thought of him leaving without me even seeing him to the airport tightened my chest.

Before I could dwell further, my phone buzzed. A message from him.

[Thank you for the ticket. But you really didn’t need to… I could’ve just taken the train.]

I stared at the words and let out a quiet sigh. My thumbs moved quickly across the screen.

[You don’t need to think about that. Just take the flight I arranged. And once you land, send me a message. Don’t forget to video call me tonight.]

His reply came almost instantly. [Okay. I’ll call you tonight. Don’t work too late.]

A faint smile tugged at my lips.

“Let’s go,” I said at last. Harin matched my pace as we walked down the corridor.

It’s just three days, I reminded myself, 

Nothing will happen..

right?