Should I Sleep with Yoon Jeha?
The heavy wooden door opened with a soft knock.
“Chairman, Secretary Gong has arrived.”
Director Kang stepped into Chairman Yang’s office and announced her arrival.
“Send her in.”
At that moment, Chairman Yang was quietly laying the groundwork to position his grandson as the second-in-command of Seohwa Group.
The first priority was to attach someone who would become his grandson’s perfect right hand. The two people recommended for the role were Han Taemin and Gong Juhee.
Jeha’s closest friend, Han Taemin, possessed ambition that matched his considerable talent. There was no one easier to handle than a man with grand ambitions but nothing to his name. As if to prove it, Taemin had been the first to step forward and declare he would marry Joo Haena—the very woman who had tormented Juhee like a little sister. To Chairman Yang, however, he was merely one of many stones on the baduk board.
Gong Juhee, on the other hand, was harder to read. Before assigning her to his grandson, the chairman had summoned her to gauge her personality and confirm her capabilities.
As soon as Juhee followed Director Kang inside and sat on the sofa, Chairman Yang asked without preamble,
“Director Yoon offered you extraordinary terms. Why didn’t you accept the transfer?”
Just as Professor Kang—who had an excellent eye for talent—had said, Gong Juhee was an outstanding secretary who outperformed graduates from prestigious universities. When her previous superior had tried to lure her away with even better conditions, she had chosen to remain at Seohwa Motors of her own volition.
“I joined the company because I liked Seohwa itself, not because of any particular boss. And I have a rather stubborn personality—I tend to dig only one well.”
That one well, of course, was Seohwa Motors.
In truth, even when Han Taemin—someone with no powerful backers—had been promoted to the youngest executive director in the company’s history and tongues had wagged, Juhee had stood by him out of loyalty. With her encyclopedic knowledge of Seohwa Motors’ internal affairs, executive relationships, and related operations, she had covered for him flawlessly. She had even managed his wardrobe, speech, and gaze. There was no area her hand had not touched.
The reason Taemin had earned recognition from the company in such a short time owed a great deal to Gong Juhee.
“You speak four languages, correct? Is there anything else you can do?”
“I’m currently studying French and Arabic. I’m not yet fluent in professional conversations, but I can manage everyday dialogue.”
After seven years in the working world, most people would have grown jaded, yet she remained as clear and tranquil as a stream of transparent water.
And that wasn’t all. Despite possessing uncommon beauty, she carried herself like invisible air. Unobtrusive, unassuming, calm, and quiet. That aspect pleased him greatly. To a businessman, a secretary was a shadow that moved silently; anything that drew attention was a demerit.
After asking a few more questions, Chairman Yang finally reached the main point.
“Our Jeha is a born manager. He’s exceptionally gifted in that area. However, his private life is a complete mess. His fashion sense is particularly terrible.”
“……”
“Times have changed, but Korea remains stubbornly old-fashioned. Why else would we be called the Land of Eastern Courtesy? If you want to do business in a country like this, you must manage your image well. No matter how capable you are, poor conduct will drag you down. That’s the reality of South Korea.”
Chairman Yang studied Juhee, who was listening attentively, and continued.
“By the way, you already know that Director Han will be engaged soon, yes?”
Juhee’s heart plummeted. Fortunately, her voice came out steady.
“Yes, I’m aware.”
The chairman knew. Yoon Jeha knew. Joo Haena knew. So I was the only one left in the dark.
“I know the two of you relied on each other since childhood and lived like family. But since you yourself said you only dig one well, from now on you will focus solely on my grandson. Just as you made the current Director Han who he is, ensure that no one dares speak ill of my grandson.”
“Before I make my decision, may I ask a few questions?”
Chairman Yang gave her a look that said, Go ahead.
“Why me, of all people?”
“There were several recommendations. Director Han was particularly insistent.”
Juhee nearly laughed out loud. She remembered how Taemin had wrapped his nonsense in the phrase “It’s the chairman’s wish.”
“Our Jeha’s temperament is so fierce that only someone equally strong can endure it. I’m giving him what’s mine, yet the hyenas keep baring their teeth. One wrong move and you could end up hunted alongside him. Still willing to try?”
Until she had arrived here, Juhee had planned to leave Seohwa once her former boss’s reply came through. Then the chairman’s summons had arrived. She had come because she couldn’t refuse—and another truth had changed her mind.
It felt too unfair, too infuriating to simply walk away like this. The ones who had done wrong were Han Taemin and Joo Haena. Yet she was the one who had to run.
“If I survive without being hunted, what can you promise me?”
Apparently finding her answer rather bold, Chairman Yang burst into hearty laughter. But his mirth vanished quickly, replaced by a piercing gaze.
“I intend to hand Seohwa over to our Jeha. In that case, the position of chief secretary to the next chairman will naturally become yours. How could a mere executive director compare to the chief secretary of the group’s future leader? Don’t you agree, Secretary Gong?”
Taemin had never shown it openly, but Juhee knew the jealousy and inferiority he felt toward Jeha. She would use that inferiority complex to flip the tables while working at the same company. She would endure fiercely, earn recognition in front of everyone who had looked down on her, and prove them all wrong.
Once her resolve hardened, her voice grew even calmer.
“When should I begin?”
If the greatest revenge she could take on Han Taemin was to serve Yoon Jeha, then Juhee was prepared to walk a path of thorns without hesitation.
After leaving Seohwa, Juhee headed to a café.
She had just finished her coffee when Joo Haena appeared. From head to toe, Haena was wrapped in luxury brands—still as excessive as ever.
“You haven’t changed at all.”
“You’ve become even more pathetic? My god, look at you.”
Haena scanned Juhee from head to toe with a mocking gaze. Her plain hair tied low in a single bundle without any styling, the large horn-rimmed glasses that covered half her face, the neat but oversized two-piece suit that didn’t fit properly, and the chunky-heeled uni-heels.
“We’re not exactly on friendly terms. Why did you want to see me?”
Haena asked with an overtly bored expression.
“I saw you with Taemin oppa at his place yesterday. You slept with him, right? And you received a proposal.”
“Oh my, you heard all that?”
“Yep, I heard everything.”
“Juhee, you really are something. How could you just walk away after hearing that?”
You should have thrown a fit. It would have been so entertaining.
Haena’s sparkling eyes seemed to whisper exactly that.
“I’ll give you ten minutes. Say whatever you want. Or don’t—it doesn’t matter. Even if you don’t tell me, I’ll just go ask Taemin oppa directly.”
Haena, who could only feel satisfied after grinding someone beneath her heel, was hardly going to miss this opportunity.
“What exactly are you curious about? The proposal oppa gave me? Or when we’re getting engaged and married?”
“……”
“Oh, that’s right. You haven’t even slept with him yet, have you? Then you must be even more curious about what oppa is like in bed.”
“……”
“Taemin oppa has always had a great body, but he’s been working out hard, so it’s gotten even better. And did you know? A man’s strength doesn’t come from his waist but from his thighs. Oppa’s thighs are no joke……”
“Four minutes have passed.”
With an utterly indifferent expression, Juhee started a timer on her phone. Haena’s words sped up.
“As soon as I returned from France, my parents told me to go on a blind date. They said even though his background wasn’t impressive, he had good looks, great ability, and could help Grandfather’s company. So I went without much thought—and it was Taemin oppa.”
Haena continued with a face that screamed how desperate she was to brag.
Since they were meeting anyway, she had confessed the feelings she’d harbored since childhood. Taemin had accepted them so easily. They drank together, went to a hotel by mutual consent, and their physical chemistry had been incredible. He had charged at her like an unstoppable locomotive until dawn, and it had been exhausting.
When Juhee still showed no strong reaction, Haena finally snapped.
“Hey, Gong Juhee! Don’t pull that victim act again like you did back then! Taemin oppa switched to me because you have no charm and no use! And let’s be honest—you two were never even married. I have nothing to be ashamed of!”
Juhee’s eyes turned icy.
It was always like this. The victim carried scars for life, while the perpetrator never reflected—only shifted the blame and said it was all the victim’s fault.
“Still, I can give you some consolation money. Consider it a bribe so you don’t cling to our responsible oppa.”
“How much?”
“Pathetic gold-digging bitch.”
“Yeah, I like money. So if you’re offering, I won’t refuse.”
The moment she answered, Juhee sent her account number to Haena’s phone. Apparently shocked that she would actually accept, Haena made a face like she had bitten into something sour. But soon she transferred the money with an expression of pure disgust.
“Take that and stay away from Taemin oppa. Got it?”
After checking the amount on her phone, Juhee looked disappointed.
“Not even three hundred million—just thirty million.”
“You seem to be misunderstanding something. That’s not settlement money. It’s a kind-hearted donation from me to a pitiful beggar, okay!?”
While fiddling with her phone, Juhee stared straight at Haena and made a call. It was as if she were saying, Open your ears wide and listen carefully.
The instant Juhee ended the call, Haena shrieked.
“What the hell did you just do?”
“I did exactly what you called a donation. Oh, you’ve never actually donated before, have you, Haena?”
“What is this pathetic bitch saying!”
“Even beggars donate. You should try it too. If you’re a chaebol, you ought to know how to spend money with dignity. Didn’t your parents teach you that?”
Right on cue, her phone alarm rang to signal that ten minutes had passed.
Whether Haena cursed her behind her back—calling her a crazy psycho bitch or worse—Juhee left the café without a shred of regret.
Even now, she could hardly believe it. That Han Taemin had abandoned and betrayed her. That he had slept with Joo Haena of all people and even gotten engaged to her.
Taemin had always despised the spoiled third-generation chaebol kids who lived well simply because they had chosen the right parents. For that very reason, he had hated Haena almost as much as she did.
So how could he have done this with her?
There was only one answer Taemin himself could give.
Juhee decided to hear it directly from the man in question.
Taemin, who had left work early, was at the hotel lounge bar to attend Yoon Jeha’s welcome-back party.
When Juhee stubbornly insisted on speaking today instead of tomorrow, he reluctantly led her to a small private room at the end of the corridor.
His face was rigid with displeasure at her refusal to listen to him.
“I just came from meeting Joo Haena. I heard it from her, but I still can’t understand or believe it. I wanted to hear it from you directly.”
When she held out the photo she had secretly taken with her phone the night before, a faint ripple passed through his previously emotionless eyes. That was all.
“Nothing to say? Then I’ll leave.”
As Juhee stood, Taemin finally spoke, as if forced.
“Sit down, Gong Juhee.”
What gives him the right to order me around? Instead of sitting, she glared at him. Taemin let out a sigh-like breath and began.
“The blind date was something the chairman suggested.”
Only then did Juhee sit back down.
“It’s a marriage that will greatly benefit the company. Since Jeha has no intention of getting married, the chairman told me to go instead. It was also an opportunity to prove I’m Jeha’s man, and the offer wasn’t bad, so I accepted.”
Not a bad offer.
Taemin’s answer—that he had betrayed her for something so trivial—felt like the sharp tip of a needle, pricking her heart again and again.
“We promised to get married. We promised a future together. You said I was the only woman for you. Was all of that a lie?”
“Gong Juhee, do you really not know why the chairman made me an executive director at Seohwa Motors?”
If she thought about it, she could probably figure it out. But she didn’t want to think about it. She didn’t want to know.
Why me?
“Juhee, I’m going to climb as high as a person like me possibly can. Weren’t we supposed to chase the same dream?”
“What a load of crap.” Juhee shot back coldly.
“Since when did you become the chairman’s dog?”
“Watch your mouth.”
“Do I look like I’m in any position to watch my mouth? Out of all the women in the world, you had to go on a blind date with Joo Haena, sleep with her, and propose to her? Since you’ve become the chairman’s dog, does that mean I should just become Yoon Jeha’s dog?”
“Gong Juhee!”
“Tell me—did that great chairman of yours also tell you to sleep with her?”
Taemin pressed his lips tightly together and furrowed his brow. Juhee didn’t need him to spell it out. Of course he hadn’t told him to sleep with her. That would be just like Taemin.
Not her, but Joo Haena. Not a future with her, but a future with Haena.
Hot tears welled up in her eyes. Staring at Taemin with eyes that looked ready to cry at any moment, Juhee asked with a mocking laugh,
“Then should I just sleep with Yoon Jeha?”