* * *
After the weekend, the Business Strategy Division was officially launched.
A notice was even posted on the company bulletin board, along with a list of assigned employees.
It was clear just how much the executives were invested in this project—and how much influence Director Choi wielded.
‘This is too much pressure!’
How did he even end up in this mess when he never wanted to be here in the first place?
As soon as he arrived at work, Wookyung found himself sighing at his monitor again.
He had always planned to live a quiet office life, staying out of sight…!
“In other words, if this project flops, we should be prepared to offer up our heads.”
Oh Chanwon from the Overseas Sales Team 2 delivered this delightful prophecy with a grin.
“Come on, Oh Chanwon! Don’t jinx us like that,” said Assistant Manager Pyeon from the Marketing Team, horrified.
“Seriously. We just started—let’s not be so pessimistic.”
“Yeah, let’s try to think positively. Positively!”
Senior Associate Sun from the Design Team and Assistant Manager Lee from the same department chimed in while sorting their desks.
“It’s been a while, Assistant Manager Gil. We’re working together again.”
Among the chatter, a hand was extended towards me, smiling warmly.
Pale, slender fingers.
“Yes, looking forward to working with you, Assistant Manager Pyeon.”
He shook hands briefly and nodded.
He had worked with Assistant Manager Pyeon on a project a year ago.
“I’m relieved to see you here, Assistant Manager Gil. Please take care of me.”
“What’s this? You two? Were you close? How?”
The same Oh Chanwon, who had been predicting our downfall moments ago, popped his head over the partition with curiosity.
“We worked on the Australian business project together a year ago.”
“Ah… That was a major deal. I didn’t realize Assistant Manager Gil was part of it. I was on a business trip to the U.S. back then, so I wasn’t involved… Guess you’re more capable than you look.”
Wookyung could see it in his eyes—he was evaluating him from head to toe, wondering, ‘A Beta? And you actually have skills?’
Typical.
Every department had at least one person who believed Alphas were inherently superior to Betas.
But what Oh Chanwon didn’t seem to know was that Assistant Manager Pyeon was also a Beta—and had been promoted because of the success of our last project.
“Not just Assistant Manager Gil—Senior Associate Lee and Senior Associate Sun from the Design Team were also part of that project.”
Hearing their names, the two raised their hands in greeting.
As their job titles suggested, the TF team was composed almost entirely of experienced staff, with only one exception.
Though the experience requirement was set at two years, it was clear they had chosen people with a track record in major projects.
“So the only ones here who haven’t worked together before are me… and that new guy from Planning Team 1?”
Oh Chanwon’s gaze landed on an employee quietly cleaning his desk.
Naturally, the rest of the team followed suit.
In truth, Wookyung had been meaning to introduce him, but the timing never seemed right.
“Oh, that’s right. This is Choi Siwon, our new hire in Planning Team 1.”
Normally, he would have greeted everyone politely, reading the room as he always did.
But with the lively atmosphere, he seemed hesitant to step forward.
So Wookyung did it for him.
“Ah… that new hire.”
“Ohh…”
A murmur rippled through the group.
‘I knew this would happen.’
There was no way they wouldn’t know.
A newcomer in Planning Team 1, with the surname Choi?
“Ah, so you’re Choi Siwon. Nice to meet you, I’m Oh Chanwon from Overseas Sales. Since we’re both Alphas, let’s get along.”
Oh Chanwon made a point of emphasizing “Alpha” while extending his hand.
Assistant Manager Pyeon, raising an eyebrow at this, simply shrugged before turning to Choi Siwon with a friendly smile.
“Nice to meet you, Choi Siwon. I’m Pyeon Jinyoung. You can call me Assistant Manager Pyeon. Since I’m second in rank after the Director, if you need anything, feel free to tell me directly. Or you can go through Assistant Manager Gil.”
Choi Siwon, encouraged by Assistant Manager Pyeon’s open attitude, finally smiled and nodded.
Once the team had settled in, Director Choi arrived—like a protagonist making an entrance.
“Let’s formally introduce ourselves. I’m Choi Saheon, the director in charge of this project.”
A round of self-introductions followed.
“Alright, let’s get started with the meeting.”
After a quick scan of the room, Director Choi’s eyes landed on Wookyung. As if this had been his goal all along.
“Everyone, please gather over here. Assistant Manager Gil, I’ll need your help with something.”
Of course, he was singled out.
There were only six of them, including the Director—what could he possibly need help with?
But, well…
‘When the boss tells you to do something, you do it.’
Wookyung reluctantly took a seat next to him at the head of the oval table.
For some reason, his face felt hot.
Why does Director Choi keep looking at him like that?
It’s so uncomfortable.
He averted his gaze, only to lock eyes with Choi Siwon at the far end of the table.
‘What’s with him lately…?’
His eyes were practically burning.
He could only hope it was just his enthusiasm for work.
Better to just focus on his laptop.
“If you check your emails, you should find files and materials I sent individually. Today, we’ll review our assigned tasks, and if there are any issues, feel free to discuss them with me.”
Director Choi looked at each team member in turn as he spoke.
Was this eye contact thing a habit?
‘Must be from living abroad.’
Wookyung vaguely recalled that direct eye contact was a thing in foreign cultures.
Either way, hr had no intention of engaging in an unspoken staring contest.
But when has Director Choi ever done what hr wanted?
“Assistant Manager Gil, let’s have a separate discussion. We need to go over the project planning in detail.”
Director Choi eyes curved into a smile, making Wookyung feel like running for his life.
“I’d like to join the meeting as well.”
But then, an unexpected ally spoke up.
Choi Siwon.
While everyone else blinked in surprise.
“Ah… This must be the first time Mr. Choi Siwon is participating in a project like this, correct? In that case, there won’t be much you can do right away. For now, focus on familiarizing yourself with the workflow.”
Choi Siwon’s thick eyebrows twitched.
It seemed he didn’t like being told so bluntly that he wasn’t capable of contributing just yet.
Wookyung felt nervous, remembering the heated argument we had on the rooftop, but fortunately, Choi Siwon simply nodded quietly.
“Oh, Assistant Manager Oh?”
“Yes?”
“I’d like you to take care of it. Things like the workflow process and how to use the necessary programs.”
Without realizing it, Assistant Manager Oh had been assigned to train Choi Siwon.
His expression darkened.
“That’s actually supposed to be Assistant Manager Gil’s responsibility, but… understood.”
He cast a subtle glance at Wookyung, grumbling under his breath, but at the silent gaze of Director Choi, he quickly backed down.
For someone who flaunted his alpha pride so much earlier, he sure shrank in the presence of someone stronger.
Wookyung eyes met Assistant Manager Pyeon’s across the table. He simply shrugged.
“Alright. Everyone, get a grasp on your tasks, and let me know if anything is unclear. That concludes the meeting.”
As Director Choi wrapped things up, the team dispersed, heading back to their desks.
“Assistant Manager Wookyung.”
He was just about to stand up when Wookyung heard his name and turned his head.
“Yes, Director Choi.”
“Still calling me ‘Director Choi’?”
Oh, right.
He had asked him to drop the last name.
“…Ah, yes. Director.”
Wookyung did as he requested, so why did he still look dissatisfied?
What does he want from him?
Wookyung looked up at him with a neutral expression.
Now that he thought about it, he was really tall.
Wookyung wasn’t exactly short, but still.
“Do you really have to use my last name?”
…What?
Wookyung looked at Director Choi again.
What’s with that odd gaze?
“Really… It’s a shame. That I didn’t know Assistant Manager Wookyung was this kind of person…”
It should have ended there.
But it felt like he had murmured something else at the end.
“…Pardon?”
“No, never mind. More importantly, can you stop using my last name? It feels too distant when you say it like that.”
Nope, that’s not it.
“…Understood.”
Wookyung answered briefly.
He hoped he wouldn’t pick up on the fact that his response really meant, ‘I hear you, but I’ll do as I please.’
* * *
