The polished floors of K&H Mall gleamed under the skylights, reflecting the crisp silhouettes of CEO Min-jae, Secretary Ga-young, Director Ban, and the assembled staff from Teams 6 and 7 as they moved in stride. Shoppers cast fleeting glances, whispering at the sudden appearance of the entourage, but Min-jae didn't break focus. His gaze swept over storefronts, displays, and the rhythm of foot traffic with a calculating eye.
"Why is the lighting uneven here?" Min-jae's voice carried precise calm authority, directed at no one in particular. Instantly, Ga-young scribbled notes into her tablet while Director Ban exchanged a wary glance with the heads of the two teams.
A few paces later, Min-jae slowed in front of a boutique window. The mannequins were draped in seasonal wear, yet the arrangement left empty spaces between racks. His eyes narrowed.
"Wasted opportunity," he remarked flatly. "This display doesn't guide customers—it confuses them. Who approved this layout?"
Director Ban swallowed hard. "It was coordinated last quarter, sir. We—"
"Then we'll fix it before next quarter," Min-jae cut him off sharply, resuming his stride. His questions followed like hammer blows: How many sales have dropped in this wing since last season? Why is traffic heavier on the west end than here? What's being done to redirect customers?
Ga-young's pen never stopped, her calm composure the perfect counter to his relentless pace. Director Ban, however, kept adjusting his glasses, his jaw tightening each time Min-jae's eyes flicked his way—as though bracing for the next blow.
The teams trailed behind, shoulders tense, yet beneath the pressure an undeniable spark stirred: every observation, every demand, was chiseling the mall into something sharper, stronger. Min-jae wasn't just walking through a shopping center—he was dissecting its heartbeat.
Then he stopped. His eyes landed on another boutique window.
"The last time I was here, this display was less of an eyesore. Why was it changed?" he asked, his tone clipped.
The mall manager stepped forward quickly. "Sir, the display was altered for our Thursday Showcase. Every Thursday of the month, select boutiques redesign their windows to highlight limited collections and seasonal themes. It's part of a strategy to generate recurring foot traffic."
Min-jae turned toward her, his gaze sharp enough to make her stiffen. "Who's the couturier behind those designs?"
Director Ban straightened his suit and replied, his tone deliberately steady. "Madame Han Ok-sun. She was once one of Korea's most celebrated couturiers—her work defined an entire generation of style. But she stepped away from the industry years ago, refusing every offer from major houses and organizations." He adjusted his tie as though delivering the most important revelation of his career.
"So she doesn't work on designs anymore?" Min-jae asked.
The mall manager shook her head lightly. "No, sir. It is believed she went private and into hiding. For the past few years, no one has heard from her."
"If I may," Ga-young interjected smoothly, "there were recent traces of her activity. It's said she founded an orphanage in Daeju Town and also owns one of the largest schools there."
Min-jae's eyes slid to her. "How legitimate is this information?"
Ga-young bowed slightly. "I can't confirm much beyond reports, my apologies, sir."
Min-jae nodded once, decisive. "I would like to meet her personally."
Ga-young raised her head. "I'll send a message about your arrival, sir."
"Don't." His interruption was swift. "We'll go as visitors, not business personnels."
"Yes, sir," Ga-young replied, her tone even.
"Let's continue," Min-jae said, resuming his steady stride, the entourage falling back into formation behind him.
---
Ji-sung from the design team burst into Namjoon's office, panting as though he had sprinted the entire hallway. But Namjoon didn't flinch. He sat at his desk, flipping through a thick stack of files, the only sound in the room the quiet shuffle of paper against paper. The silence dragged on so long that Ji-sung shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. Almost an hour passed before Namjoon finally set the files aside, leaning back in his chair with calculated calm.
"It seems you've stumbled on something important to barge in here without an appointment," Namjoon said, his tone cool but sharp enough to cut.
"Yes, sir," Ji-sung replied eagerly, bowing slightly, his voice trembling with urgency.
"Go on," Namjoon urged, his gaze piercing.
"CEO Min-jae successfully sealed a deal with Adore Enterprise on Monday," Ji-sung announced.
Namjoon's brow arched. "And today is what?"
"Wednesday, sir. My apologies… the information was classified." Ji-sung immediately dropped to his knees, lowering his head as if the very weight of his mistake pressed him down.
Namjoon exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing as his fingers tapped against the desk. "He knows I'm onto him," he muttered under his breath. Then, louder: "Anything else?"
Ji-sung swallowed hard. "He visited K&H Mall today… and it appears he's seeking an audience with Madame Han Ok-sun."
"The famous couturier?" Namjoon's lips curved into a thin smile, equal parts intrigue and disdain.
"Yes, sir."
Namjoon waved a hand dismissively. "You may leave."
"Yes, sir." Ji-sung scrambled to his feet, bowing deeply before rushing out as if escaping a storm.
The office returned to its suffocating quiet. Namjoon leaned forward, pressing his knuckles against his jaw as he rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "Madame Han Ok-sun," he murmured. "How does he plan on winning her over?"
His eyes flicked to the corner, where his secretary had been standing silently the entire time, as still as a shadow.
"Find me everything—her history, her contacts, her weaknesses. I want nothing left unseen."
"Yes, sir," the secretary said, bowing quickly before hurrying out the door.
Left alone, Namjoon let out a low, bitter laugh, his teeth clenched. "You're trying too hard, Min-jae. All these moves… all this effort. It's getting exhausting." His fingers curled into a fist on the desk.