Without waiting for a response, he led the way toward a corner of the office. Sliding what seemed to appear to be a concealed door with a smooth motion, revealing a private dining room hidden within.
Kiyonari's breath caught. The room was nothing short of breathtaking. Warm golden lighting reflected off polished marble floors, while an elegant dining table sat at the center, adorned with pristine tableware and delicate arrangements. The space felt both luxurious and intimate, designed with impeccable taste.
Dishes were already laid out—steaming bowls, intricately plated courses, and an array of delicacies that looked almost too beautiful to eat. The aroma alone was enough to make his stomach tighten in both hunger and awe.
It was unreal.
Kiyonari could hardly believe such a place existed inside an office, let alone one at a Korean company. Everything about it screamed wealth and power.
Once they were seated, the chairman leaned forward slightly, a gentle smile softening his features.
"Thank you for coming, Mr. Soo," he said. "I understand you were only just discharged, yet you still took the time to join me for dinner."
"Oh! It's really no trouble, sir," Kiyonari replied quickly, offering a shy smile.
"Honestly... I was wondering how I'd even manage to make dinner tonight. So this invitation actually helped me a lot."
The chairman paused for a second, then burst into laughter.
"You're right," he said, amused. "With that cast on your arm, cooking would've been quite the challenge."
This time, Kiyonari smiled more naturally as he couldn't help but feel surprised.
The Chairman was nothing like he had imagined, that cold, rigid image of a powerful businessman who controlled an empire. Instead, he seemed approachable and almost like an ordinary grandfather.
But that illusion didn't last long.
Chairman Je cleared his throat, and as tone shifted. "I believe you already know why I asked you to come here, Mr. Soo."
Kiyonari paused, the air growing heavier.
"... Yes."
Resting his elbows lightly on the table. "I would like to thank you once again for going out of your way to rescue my grandson. You even put your own life at risk."
Kiyonari blinked, then gave a small nod. "You're welcome, sir. I've been told that many times since I woke up."
"Oh?"
"Even though..." his voice lowered, losing it's earlier lightness. "I still think what I did was nothing that impressive."
Glancing dow ln briefly. "I acted out of desperation. I even beat someone up in the process. I'm not really impressed nor proud of my method to find Director Je's whereabouts."
[...]
"I ended up interfering with Detective Lee's operation."
The Chairman exhaled quietly.
"Even so, you found Soo-hyun faster than the authorities did."
In truth, Soo-hyun's case hadn't even been part of the operation. It was a coincidence and an unexpected overlap. No one had anticipated that an elite like him would end up as part of that underground auction.
"So," the Chairman continued, his voice gentler now, "I believe you should give yourself more credit."
Kiyonari looked at him. He had heard to those same words before from Wukyeong. But hearing them from someone like the Chairman carried a different kind of weight.
Slowly, he allowed himself a small, accepting smile. "Thank you, sir."
The Chairman leaned back slightly, shifting in his seat. "Now then," he said, tone steady once more. "What kind of reward would you like?"
The question came so suddenly that Kiyonari froze, chopsticks still in hand.
"... Pardon, sir?"
The Chairman's expression turned more serious. "Have you considered what you would like in exchange for saving my grandson?"
"Eh... um..."
Kiyonari hesitated. He's quite blunt.
Truthfully, he had never once thought about rewards nor had wanted any. To him, saving someone who's in danger wasn't something to be compensated for with anything grand such as, money and whatnot.
But in front of someone like the Chairman... things were different. In that world, every action carried weight. Every favor demanded a return, and refusing such an offer would be seen as nothing but disrespect.
Kiyonari was at a loss for words.
He cleared his throat softly, swallowing the nervousness lodged in it before finally speaking. "I've never really thought about wanting anything in return, sir," he admitted, gaze lowering slightly toward the table.
Silence settled for a brief moment between them.
"To be really honest with you, sir..." He continued carefully, "I already think all these gifts are too much for me. But even so, they're more than enough as a thank you."
The old man raised a brow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "You truly don't want anything?" He asked.
He folded his hands together. "Money is already a given. Or perhaps... a higher position within the company?" His tone remained calm, yet probing.
"A promotion would make your path much easier to achieve success. This is your opportunity to ask for what you want."
Indeed, for many people, an offer like this would have been a dream come true. After all, they will never have to work so hard to climb the ladder to success.
But Kiyonari had never once imagined ascending through favors or using a good deed as leverage. That simply wasn't how he had been raised.
He straightened slightly before bowing his head once more.
"I'm grateful for the offer, sir," said with a sincere tone. "And I know a higher position would be beneficial. I wouldn't have to struggle so much to work my way up." A small smile touched his lips.
"But... it's just not for me."
The Chairman remained quiet, listening. As Kiyonari's expression softened warmly.
"I became a secretary under someone important," he said. "It wasn't even a position I applied for, yet I was chosen anyway. To me, that alone already feels like the biggest opportunity I've ever received."
His voice carried genuine admiration as he continued. "It's an honor to work under someone like Executive Director Je."
Chairman Je's eyes widened ever so slightly at the unexpected sincerity in those words.
"That's why," Kiyonari added, his gaze steady now. "I want to continue serving him for as long as he'll have me... until the day he decides to fire me."
There was no hesitation in his voice. No greed nor hidden ambition and only determination.
The old man studied him carefully, almost as if trying to decide whether the young man before him was foolishly naïve or simply honest to a fault. And had half expected opportunistic ambition, perhaps even desperation. Instead, all he found was unwavering sincerity. A small grin slowly formed on the Chairman's wrinkled face.
"I see."
"Sir, you're not actually going to—" Joon began from the side, sounding surprised.
The Chairman raised a hand, silencing him immediately. "Understood," he simply said.
Kiyonari blinked in surprise.
"If that's truly what you want, then so be it," the old man continued, tone firmer this time. "But understand this, young man. This is a one-time offer. There won't be another opportunity like it."
Kiyonari swallowed hard.
"If you ever come asking me for favors in the future," he added, leaning back leisurely in the chair, "I won't consider today's events and help you freely."
His sharp eyes settled directly on Kiyonari.
"That's simply how I operate."
He crossed his arms comfortably, though amusement lingered in his expression.
"Most people your age are desperate to climb higher," he added. "They chase power and status... anything to rise above others."
A quiet chuckle escaped him. "And yet you want nothing."
The Chairman's quiet laughter lingered in the dining room before slowly fading into silence. The warm lights above reflected against the polished table, while the untouched dishes between them released soft trails of steam into the air.
Kiyonari sat stiffly in his seat, unsure whether he had just made the right choice or offended one of the most powerful man in the country.
Staring at him for another long moment before speaking again.
"You know," he said leisurely, "this is the first time I've met someone who rejected an offer from me without even hesitating."
The boy immediately straightened. "I-I'm sorry if I came off rude, sir."
He waved dismissively. "No, no. If anything, it's refreshing." A faint grin tugged at his lips. "Most people would've already started listing demands before I even finished speaking."
Joon quietly stood on the side, observing the exchange without interrupting.
"Though I must admit..." he picked up the teacup and took a slow sip before continuing. "Now I understand why Soo-hyun kept insisting on keeping you close."
At the mention of Soo-hyun, Kiyonari blinked. "Director Je... said that?"
"Hm." The old man nodded lightly. "When I suggested assigning another secretary after the incident, he rejected it immediately."
Kiyonari's eyes widened slightly.
"He even argued with me over it," said sounding amused. "Quite stubbornly, I might say."
A strange warmth stirred inside Kiyonari's chest. For some reason, hearing that made him unexpectedly happy. The Chairman rested his chin lightly against the hand and eyes sharply narrowing with curiosity.
"Tell me honestly, Mr. Soo."
Kiyonari stiffened again. "Y-Yes, sir?"
"What exactly do you think of my grandson?" The sudden question nearly made him choke on air.
"Pardon?!"
Joon quietly lowered his head, already expecting the reaction.
Chairman Je chuckled. "Relax Mr. Soo. I'm only asking because I'm curious."
Kiyonari awkwardly fumbled with his chopsticks, clearly caught off guard.
"W-Well... Director Je is..."
He paused.
How was I supposed to answer that? Cold? Strict? He's all at the same time.
He wondered why the Chairman asked a sudden question about Soo-hyun. Perhaps, they just wanted to know how well Director Je's subordinates and employees are. Expecting a positive review for their work experience...
But is the Chairman aware of how Director Je treats all his hired secretaries? Maybe not.
Both of them raised a brow and looking at the young man with curious eyes. Waiting for what he'll say next. Meanwhile, Joon silently adjusted his glasses from the side as the words were just about to leave Kiyonari's mouth when a sudden commotion erupted outside the office.
Hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway, growing louder and closer by the second. Mixed with them were muffled voices—employees sounding panicked as they repeatedly tried to stop someone from advancing further toward the private dining area.
Kiyonari instinctively turned toward the noise. Surprisingly, the Chairman remained completely unfazed. If anything, he looked as though he had been expecting it all along.
Leaning back comfortably against his chair, Chairman Je slowly shifted his gaze toward the concealed entrance and let out a quiet hum.
"Speak of the devil," the old man muttered clearly. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"He's right on time."
Kiyonari blinked, confused for only a brief moment before his attention snapped fully toward the doorway. Then the hidden door slid open, and his eyes widened.
"Director Je..." he murmured under his breath, surprise evident in voice.
Standing at the entrance was Soo-hyun.
Several employees lingered anxiously behind him, clearly having failed to stop his sudden arrival. "We apologize for interrupting, sir."
"It's alright."
Soo-hyun stood perfectly still despite it all, chest rising faintly as though he had come rushing here the moment he heard the news. His expression was unreadable. Yet the sharpness in his eyes alone was enough to make the atmosphere tense.
Brows drawn tightly together, gaze cold and intense... it felt as though those eyes could cut straight through a person.
Chairman Je simply smiled. "Glad you could make it, Executive Director Je."
But Soo-hyun didn't respond. He only stared at the old man in silence.
Joon quickly stepped forward and bowed politely. "Directly Je, we didn't anticipate your sudden arrival. Had we known beforehand, we would have—"
"Why don't you join us for dinner, child?"
The Chairman interrupted casually.
Soo-hyun let out a sharp breath through his nose, eyes never leaving his grandfather.
"What exactly is all this, Chairman Je?" He asked, voice low and edged with restrained irritation.
The Chairman merely smiled wider.
"Dinner, of course," he replied calmly. "With Secretary Soo."
A hand gestured leisurely toward Kiyonari.
Soo-hyun shifted his weight slightly, expression still cold and unreadable. "No," he said flatly. "I don't need dinner."
Without another word, he stepped forward toward the table.
"Why not?" Chairman Je asked with a faint snicker. "I think Mr. Soo here would appreciate that as well."
Before Kiyonari could even process the exchange, Soo-hyun abruptly stopped beside him. He flinched as a hand suddenly grabbed the wrist firmly, pulling him up from the chair.
"We're leaving," Soo-hyun said coldly.
"What?" Kiyonari blinked in confusion, nearly stumbling from how sudden it was. "W-Wait a second, Director Je...!"
"We're leaving now," Soo-hyun repeated, already turning toward the exit while dragging the taller man along behind him. "And no buts...!"
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly as Chairman Je watched them calmly, gaze following their retreating figures.
"What's the matter, Soo-hyun?" He asked evenly.
Midway toward the door, the boy stopped. His grip tightened and Kiyonari felt it. For a brief second, silence hung heavily in the room before he finally spoke without turning around.
"I'm sorry, Chairman Je," said slowly, "but I don't think this is the right way to deal with the problem."
"Problem..." the old man repeated slowly. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."
That was enough to make Soo-hyun spin around sharply. "You know exactly what I mean!"
The sudden raise in his voice made even Joon glance sideways in surprise. Soo-hyun's brows were drawn tightly together now, frustration clear beneath the surface.
"I already told you," he continued, "I'll handle everything myself. You didn't need to call Mr. Soo here just to discuss whatever plans you and the others came up with regarding him."
"Eh?" Kiyonari looked between them, completely lost. "Regarding... me?"
Chairman Je only let out a low chuckle. "So that's why you rushed over here," he mused, almost amused. "You really do think poorly of your own grandfather, Soo-hyun."
Soo-hyun gritted his teeth faintly.
"Rest assured, Director Je," Joon stepped in politely, attempting to ease the tension. "The Chairman merely invited Mr. Soo here to personally thank him for his heroic actions."
"Heroic?" Soo-hyun raised a brow.
What a load of bullshit, he spat internally.
"You really didn't need to go this far, sir," Soo-hyun said coldly. "Mr. So was simply doing his job. Even if protecting me wasn't something he originally signed up for."
His sharp gaze briefly flickered toward Kiyonari.
"I already thanked him myself," he continued. "I sent gifts and compensated him properly for the trouble of saving me, so there's no need for anything more."
"Really?" Kiyonari blurted out, eyes widening in genuine shock.
Soo-hyun immediately shot him a glare. "Just shut up," he muttered.