Once It’s Peeled Off
Chapter 24
“Drop it immediately and move to Construction.”
Mohyeon gave the order in a firm tone, looking at Hana’s smile with suspicion.
“Hand over JK Furniture to the Vice Representative.”
She had entrusted it to her because she was a fresh graduate, full of ambition, and seemed to have a different look in her eyes. But to think she was harboring greed behind her back. Feeling somewhat displeased, Mohyeon clicked her tongue.
“I doubt you feel threatened by a mere furniture company.”
Hana said as she sat down. To her annoyance, the words were true. Still, she had anticipated that this would be the start of her becoming even more greedy.
“I will only manage it until this quarter.”
Mohyeon hadn’t expected her to quit so easily. Managing Director Choi seemed equally surprised.
“Did you really think I would settle down at JK Furniture?”
“Well. Are you saying that isn’t the case?”
Mohyeon narrowed her eyes and scanned Hana.
Meanwhile, under Mohyeon’s gaze, Hana was sighing, feeling exhausted.
She had heard from Seon-ju that Managing Director Choi and Vice Representative Seok had met in secret.
She had also heard that Vice Representative Seok had been hounding Section Chief Kim, a direct subordinate of Department Head Wi, like a rat.
“That is not the case.”
Because of that, she had known it was only a matter of time before it reached Mohyeon’s ears.
Still, it was annoying and tiresome all the same. Hana watched the tea Yeojin was pouring in silence before continuing.
“Whether I change the company name or do something else, wouldn’t it be easier to sell if the revenue goes up?”
“That is exactly why your thinking is shallow!”
Mohyeon clicked her tongue and struck the armrest.
She meant that since the company that buys it will change it themselves, why bother changing it now? If the image becomes solidified the way Hana changed it, the number of potential buyers would decrease.
If the revenue only increased marginally, it would be neither here nor there.
Unless something big happened, it would be difficult to achieve that. It was because the period was short, and it was hard to expect major innovation from just a chair with a single painting printed on it.
“Your experience is lacking, indeed. So, learn a thing or two under Wooseok.”
Mohyeon, who had initially told her to learn under her daughter-in-law Mi-ok, was now telling her to learn under the eldest grandson, Wooseok.
It was as if she were saying that while she acknowledged her ability to some extent, that was as far as it went.
However, since she had expected her to say that, Hana didn’t mind much.
“Understood.”
She couldn’t reveal her entire plan, so she agreed for now.
Even if she intended to sell it, it was still JK’s property. If they found out it was going into the hands of Tae-oh of the Seohan Group, they would oppose it.
Even though Mohyeon was holding hands with Seohan for now, she still harbored a sense of rivalry.
Back when she was Hoyeon, she had served as the Chief Secretary for over a decade. Hana could clearly predict Mohyeon’s thoughts.
“Please, just let me handle it for this quarter. It’s not even a month away, is it?”
Managing Director Choi and Mohyeon watched Hana, who was still smiling, as if observing her.
In the past, she would have jumped up and down and begged. She had certainly become composed.
Just like Jung Hoyeon.
Feeling uneasy, Mohyeon didn’t answer and hesitated. Even though they were locking eyes, Hana didn’t feel intimidated at all.
“Leave the company name as it is.”
Mohyeon said firmly, pursing her lips. Hana replied with a bright smile.
“I refuse.”
“What?”
Perhaps not expecting her to push forward so confidently, Mohyeon’s jaw dropped in apparent shock.
“Representative Jung Hana. This time, it would be best to listen to the Chairman’s opinion….”
The gaze that had been meeting Mohyeon’s flew toward Managing Director Choi.
As their eyes met, Managing Director Choi’s voice trailed off involuntarily. He felt as though he had failed to distinguish where he belonged and where he didn’t. Managing Director Choi’s Adam’s apple bobbed with tension.
“Chairman.”
Hana withdrew her gaze and said to Mohyeon.
“I will only manage it until this quarter.”
Having achieved her will with a smile, Hana stood up, as if there was nothing left to hear.
“I’ll be going now.”
Hana left the study immediately, savoring the look of bewilderment on Mohyeon’s face. No one stopped her, as if there was nothing more to be said.
“…….”
Mohyeon’s interference would begin now.
She had intended not to inform anyone until the day of the change, as it was clear Mohyeon would oppose changing the company name.
If she walked a path that deviated significantly from Mohyeon’s expectations, she would start interfering now. A hint of annoyance clouded Hana’s face as she headed toward JK Furniture.
She would have to move more quietly.
She could cover up the name change to some extent.
Even if she sold it to another company, if she handed it over to Seohan, the number one in the business world, it would make them so bitter they wouldn’t be able to swallow their food. They would keep a close watch on her every move, knowing that Hana had intended to hand it over.
However, if she handed it over to Tae-oh, her future husband, and then brought it back, she might be able to avoid Mohyeon’s anger and arrows.
The timing would have to be right, though.
“I’ll be giving it away only to take it back.”
When she handed it over to Seo Tae-oh personally, not the Seohan Group, she had set a condition that all employees must be kept on.
What kind of face would he make if she asked for it back?
“He might ask for something else instead.”
Seo Tae-oh hadn’t been very favorable when she first put JK Furniture on the table as a condition. Hana felt a headache coming on. She hoped it wouldn’t be a difficult demand.
She had to tear JK Group apart, limb by limb. That was her goal.
After raising the revenue, changing the company name, and seating Department Head Wi Hyeok-su in the representative position, she would separate it from the JK Group.
If she did that, she could ensure that all the current employees wouldn’t be lost.
First JK Furniture, then the Mart, the Plaza, Textile, Construction, Electronics, and so on. And finally, the hotel.
All of them. She would scatter them to the winds.
“There will be nothing left in your hands.”
The initial anger had subsided, but the goal had not. Her eyes, planning to tear them down one by one with composure, shone sharply.
“Welcome back. Vice Representative Seok Hong-jun is waiting for you.”
As soon as Hana entered the secretary’s office, Secretary Park greeted her. She nodded and pushed open the door to the representative’s office.
“Well, well. Representative Jung. I didn’t think you’d be coming back.”
Vice Representative Seok, who had been sitting in the representative’s chair with his legs propped up on the desk, said with nonchalance.
He had assumed that with his cunning tongue, Mohyeon would have sent Hana off to the construction division immediately. Seeing her back, he figured she must have somehow managed to sweet-talk Mohyeon. Is it because they share the same bloodline?
“Is that so?”
Through the door she had intentionally left open, she could feel the gazes of the staff in the secretary’s office. Hana glanced back and spoke to Seon-ju.
“Secretary Park. Bring me a chair.”
It was a command to bring another office chair, as she had no intention of sitting in the chair Vice Representative Seok was currently occupying.
However, the Vice Representative did need to vacate the seat. After all, he was blatantly taking up the center of the desk.
*Clatter.* With a sliding sound, an office chair was placed beside her.
“…….”
She looked down at Vice Representative Seok in silence and then offered a bright smile. The Vice Representative’s cheek twitched, momentarily flustered by the refreshing smile that seemed so out of place for her age.
*Thud—*
“Ugh…!”
A loud impact echoed through the office, followed by a short scream from Vice Representative Seok.
Hana had kicked his chair, sending it sliding away.
Everyone looked stunned, clearly not expecting her to use such a violent method.
“The chair.”
At her calm voice, Seon-ju placed the newly brought chair in front of the desk. The staff members’ lips were pressed tight, as if they were holding back bursts of laughter.
“…….”
Pushed off to the side, Vice Representative Seok sat with his mouth agape, blinking in confusion, unable to find a way to express his absurdity.
“Did you have something to say to me?”
As Hana sat in the chair and spoke as if nothing had happened, he finally began to seethe.
“Representative Jung!”
His booming voice echoed through the office. Curious about what was happening, the staff members rushed toward the representative’s office in surprise.
“Why are you calling for me?”
She asked calmly while checking the documents laid out before her.
Her utter nonchalance made the back of Vice Representative Seok’s neck prickle. Seeing the staff huddled together to watch the spectacle as if it were a show only made him angrier, and he roared at them.
“What are you looking at? Get lost!”
Hana’s brow furrowed at his crude language. She looked straight at him and spoke.
“Do not treat my staff with such disrespect.”
“What did you say?”
The phrase *my staff*—was she trying to say they were no longer his? Vice Representative Seok trembled with a face turning bright red.
“Hey. Close the door.”
Vice Representative Seok pointed at Seon-ju, issuing an order.
However, Seon-ju only looked at Hana. Hana, who had been staring at the Vice Representative, gave a nod to Seon-ju.
“Go back to work.”
“…….”
Secretary Park cast a look as if asking if she would be alright. Only when Hana nodded with a serene expression did she close the door and leave.
“Hoo…!”
The representative’s office fell silent at once.
The Vice Representative took a slow, deep breath, seemingly trying to suppress his rage.
After all, she was part of the Royal Family. Dong-yun had told him to handle her with care, and this wasn't a situation that could be solved with physical force.
“Representative Jung. How do you expect to run a business acting so recklessly?”
Running a hand through his hair with trembling fingers, he approached and leaned on Hana’s desk.
“I’m saying this because you’re like a niece to me, you understand?”
So, take it to heart. It never hurts to listen to your elders.
Though he spoke in a coaxing tone, his cheek twitched, still clearly resentful.
“I will take it to heart.”
Hana replied in a tone that suggested she would do no such thing.
The Vice Representative gritted his teeth, glared at her with bulging eyes, and continued.
“First of all, congratulations on your marriage.”
He had come here to wait, he claimed, intending to offer his congratulations—as if he were asking, *Are you going to treat me like this after I came all this way?* He went on about how a true leader should be able to work flexibly with people much older than themselves.
“Ah, yes.”
She didn't bother to hide her scoff as she listened to him.
“Hmm.”
Noticing that his words were going in one ear and out the other, the Vice Representative made a disgruntled sound.
“Is the business proceeding well?”
It was obvious he was holding back, waiting to pass information about the national project on to Dong-yun. Hana raised one corner of her mouth and cast a gaze at the Vice Representative.
“Now, I am the Vice Representative; wouldn't it be a problem if I knew nothing about the company’s affairs?”
His excuse was grand. He had been off playing golf, ignoring everything since he was sent to the main office. Besides, why would a mere Vice Representative of JK Furniture need to know about the affairs of the owner’s family?
“Vice Representative.”
Hana smiled, wrinkling her nose slightly as she spoke.
“I hear you’ve been helping yourself to quite a lot.”
“Y-yes?”
His flustered eyes darted back and forth.
He held his tongue, seemingly trying to gauge how much she actually knew.
“Was it delicious?”
Observing his face with composure, Hana added.
“I’m afraid you might burst.”
As her gaze drifted toward his protruding belly, Vice Representative Seok instinctively took a step back.
“You should be careful.”
At Hana’s chilling voice, the Vice Representative’s jaw trembled. And because he felt he had to give some kind of response, he barely managed to open his mouth.
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