“I think she suspects she’s in trouble.”
“This isn’t the first time I’ve barged into Eugene’s office. He knows who to blame.” I.e., me. And then Dad for indulging and spoiling me—not that there’s anything wrong with that.
“But you gave her that look.”
I turn my head. “What ‘look’?”
“The I feel bad for you look. You always have it when somebody’s in trouble with the chairman.”
Ms. Kim’s being extra circumspect, but what she’s trying to tell me is that I use that look whenever I have Dad demote or fire somebody. I’ve only done it a handful of times—when I caught somebody stealing or being grossly negligent. Besides, I have never suggested to Dad how he should handle any particular matter. I leave that part entirely up to him, because he knows best how to manage the people who work at the company. It’s just that Dad quietly does what I think he should do.
“Ms. Hong has nothing to worry about. I was feeling bad for her for an entirely different reason.”
Ms. Kim’s phone buzzes. She checks a message, then puts it away. All my other assistants’ phones start going off as well.
The elevator arrives at the lobby, and I march out first. “Ms. Kim, can you make me a list of all job openings I can apply for with my skill set? Nothing from the Hae Min Group or its affiliates, though.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Hae, but I don’t work for you anymore.” Ms. Kim’s voice is tight and uncomfortable. If a voice could squirm…
I stop, turning to face her. “What are you talking about?”
“I received a message from HR. I’m to report to the admin pool.”
Shit. My stomach sinks. That was quick. Petty jerk. “What about your assignment? To sp—I mean, report to my mom about what I’m doing?”
“I suppose that’s over as well.”
Her shoulders are high and tense. She looks confused and upset. Probably dreading what this is about. Since she knows I’m not angry with her, she might be thinking it’s my mom who’s unhappy with her performance. And annoying my mom is never a good thing if you want to have a long and fruitful career at the company.
But I know for a fact it isn’t Mom who did this. It’s Eugene. He’s trying to ensure I have nobody around to help me.
Asshole.
I smile at Ms. Kim. “Well then. I wish you luck. Hope you have a good assignment.”
“Thank you, Ms. Hae.” She bows and leaves.
I turn to Mr. Choi. “How about you? Do you have to leave too?”
He nods, then clears his throat. “After I drop you off at your home. I’m sorry.”
I wave my hand. “No need to be sorry. It isn’t your fault.”
It’s my brother’s. And Mom’s for using him to get me married. She knows how Machiavellian he is. To him, everything justifies the end. The only reason he isn’t trying physical violence is that it isn’t his MO. Also, wedding photos look like crap when the bride is black and blue.
The other people in my entourage back away, bowing and mumbling apologies, and Mr. Choi drives me home. The car stereo plays Chopin’s Waltz in E minor, the rapid, turbulent notes reflecting my mood.
Unlike most Korean people of my age and circumstances, I don’t live with my parents at the “primary r
esidence.” The place is huge, with three different wings and additions, so I would have all the privacy I wanted. Eugene didn’t move out after getting married; he just occupied one of the wings with his family. But then, as the heir to the Hae Min empire, he’s expected to be at the primary residence. He always does what’s expected of him and doesn’t understand why I don’t. He forgets I don’t have to because I’m not part of the empire the way he is. I’m not even a replacement, because if anything happened to him, the entire conglomerate would go to the management of an outside executive.
So Dad lets me live in a large luxury condo complex in the tony section of Seoul called Gangnam, which became famous all over the world thanks to Psy’s song “Gangnam Style.” I wonder how much longer I can stay there without Eugene finding a way to kick me out. Unfortunately, the lease is under the company’s name for complex legal reasons I never quite understood.
And if he does, do I get to move back to the primary residence, or do I have to find an apartment on my own?
Probably on my own, because he specified not using family money. The primary residence has to fall under that category.
Tapping my fingers to another waltz, I mentally go through a list of friends in Seoul I might be able to stay with, then shake my head. None of them will take me in, not if Eugene makes a call. All of them have some kind of business dealings with Hae Min or its subsidiaries. Friendships are fine until your market cap is at stake.