After two intense weekends of carefully orchestrated takedowns, Jin-woo felt the weight lift slightly as he prepared to reenter the steady rhythm of his daily life. But with the recent shifts in his household, his next steps would require just as much finesse. His wife, Soo-ah, and his sister, Ha-neul, were both preparing to apply to positions at the company where Jin-woo worked. Although neither had formal educational qualifications, the original Jin-woo had spent years quietly coaching and preparing them, ensuring they'd be ready to seize opportunities that would typically be out of reach.
Jin-woo knew this was an opportunity to protect them from being taken advantage of. While their original applications placed them on a team notorious for exploiting new hires, he'd found a way to maneuver them into a safer department: his own.
Arriving at the office early, Jin-woo made a beeline for his team manager, Ms. Kang, a sharp and ambitious woman with a keen eye for company politics. She was known for wanting loyalty above all and for her readiness to shift her alliances based on what benefitted her most. Knowing this, Jin-woo approached her office with a plan already in motion.
As he entered, she looked up, a bit surprised by his sudden appearance. "Jin-woo, early as always," she noted with a raised eyebrow.
"Good morning, Ms. Kang," he greeted, flashing a respectful smile. "I was hoping to discuss something that I believe could be mutually beneficial."
She leaned back, intrigued. "Go on."
"I have two family members applying here soon, both of whom I've personally trained and can vouch for. They're currently set to be placed with a team that… let's just say, has a less-than-stellar reputation for how they treat new hires."
Ms. Kang raised an eyebrow, catching his drift. "And you're proposing that they work here, in our department?"
Jin-woo nodded, but he didn't stop there. He'd anticipated that she'd need more incentive. "To ensure this transition goes smoothly, I thought I'd share a few insights I've gathered about some of the other teams you've been eyeing. Specifically, things that might be… useful, should you be interested in a bit of leverage."
Ms. Kang's expression shifted, her interest unmistakable. Jin-woo carefully relayed selective pieces of information he'd gathered over time: whispers about one manager's misuse of company resources, a brewing HR issue in another department. Nothing that could be traced back to him, but enough to give Ms. Kang ammunition should she need it.
When he finished, Ms. Kang's lips curled into a sly smile. "Very resourceful, Jin-woo. I think I can arrange something for your… family members. We could always use fresh talent, especially if they're as well-prepared as you say."
Jin-woo inclined his head respectfully. "Thank you, Ms. Kang. They'll be an asset to the team. And of course, any future insights I come across, you'll be the first to know."
With his family's positions secured and the promise of their protection within the company, Jin-woo left Ms. Kang's office, feeling a new sense of control. His meticulous planning had not only secured Soo-ah and Ha-neul's entry into the company but had also strengthened his own standing. As he returned to his desk, he prepared for the new day, knowing his next steps were already taking shape.
Jin-woo knew that his enemies weren't limited to former friends or troublesome colleagues; sometimes, it was strangers or even the entitled sons of powerful figures who posed the greatest risk. Today, he anticipated two new threats — one targeting his family at home and the other in his workplace.
The night before, he had prepared his house with enhanced security measures. He had strategically placed small, discreet cameras and installed alarms on the windows and doors. In the main living areas, he'd set up alert triggers connected to his phone, allowing him to monitor anyone who entered unannounced or overstayed their welcome.
With these protections in place, Jin-woo felt more assured as he left for work, knowing his mother and mother-in-law were as safe as he could manage.
Once at the office, he immediately sensed something was off. Word had spread that the company CEO's son, a notorious flirt named Min-joon, had taken an interest in Soo-ah. Jin-woo knew Min-joon's reputation — privileged, careless, and accustomed to getting what he wanted. If Min-joon had targeted Soo-ah, it was only a matter of time before he tried something more direct.
During the morning, Jin-woo positioned himself strategically, working near Soo-ah while subtly guiding her attention to her work and away from Min-joon's frequent glances. He didn't confront Min-joon directly, not yet. Instead, he gathered small intel from colleagues about Min-joon's movements, his connections, and any whispers about his latest pursuits.
Meanwhile, at home, his mother received an unexpected delivery. The young man at the door was overly friendly, lingering longer than necessary and attempting to strike up casual conversation, complimenting her and hinting that he'd be back with another delivery soon. But as he crossed the threshold, an alert went off on Jin-woo's phone.
A quick check of the camera feed showed the delivery man loitering, clearly eyeing his mother. With a few taps on his phone, Jin-woo activated an automated recording with a strong male voice, one of the triggers he'd set up to create the impression that someone else was present.
"Your delivery is over. This is a private residence. Leave the premises immediately," the voice warned.
The delivery guy, startled and visibly unnerved, quickly backed off before advancing the conversation to where he wanted, leaving in a hurry as the audio continued to loop, reminding him that he was being watched. Satisfied, Jin-woo turned his attention back to the office.
After lunch, Min-joon made his move. He approached Soo-ah, leaning in too close and engaging her in a conversation that quickly veered into uncomfortable territory. Jin-woo observed from a distance, watching how Soo-ah tried to be polite but grew visibly uncomfortable. He knew it was time to step in.
Jin-woo walked over with a calm yet authoritative demeanor, his voice cutting through the conversation. "Excuse me, Min-joon, but I need to borrow my wife for a moment. We have a team briefing she can't miss."
Min-joon's eyes flickered with annoyance, but he didn't challenge Jin-woo. With a forced smile, he nodded. "Sure thing. But we should catch up soon, Soo-ah," he said, his tone suggestive.
Jin-woo's eyes narrowed, but he held back any reaction until they were away from Min-joon's earshot. Once they were alone, he looked at Soo-ah reassuringly. "If he approaches you again, let me know immediately."
Soo-ah nodded, looking relieved but grateful. "Thank you, Jin-woo. I didn't know how to handle him without making a scene."
"Leave it to me," he replied with a slight smile, his mind already planning the next step.
That evening, Jin-woo's preparations proved invaluable. By intercepting threats both at home and at work, he had safeguarded his family and subtly warned his adversaries that they were not to be underestimated. For now, he'd achieved what he'd set out to do: protecting those closest to him while building a quiet reputation as someone not to be crossed.
As Jin-woo arrived home, he found his mother waiting for him in the living room, her expression curious. She had noticed the recent security upgrades around the house and was eager to understand his sudden vigilance.
He sat beside her, choosing his words carefully. "Mom, I want you to know why I've been setting up extra security here. There are… people who don't respect boundaries, who see women as things to be used and discarded. I've heard stories, especially about delivery guys targeting women alone at home."
His mother's eyes widened slightly, processing what he was saying. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Jin-woo. I didn't realize there were people like that out there. I just thought you were being overly cautious."
Jin-woo nodded, reassuring her. "I'm just trying to make sure we're safe."
The next morning, he returned to work with a new focus. Min-joon had overstepped, and Jin-woo knew he couldn't let it slide. But confronting Min-joon directly wouldn't be enough — he needed leverage.
Jin-woo started gathering information, quietly asking around and collecting pieces of Min-joon's routine and habits. Soon, he uncovered Min-joon's weakness: he had a penchant for late-night partying and often used company resources to finance his escapades, something that could easily turn into a scandal if made public. Jin-woo discreetly noted the bars he frequented, the accounts he used, and the people he contacted regularly.
Meanwhile, Jin-woo also kept tabs on his wife, Soo-ah. He didn't want her to feel like he was keeping secrets, but he had to balance protecting her while ensuring that she didn't fall under Min-joon's influence at work.
In the following days, Jin-woo crafted his plan, each step meticulously designed to expose Min-joon without drawing unnecessary attention to himself. First, he gathered incriminating evidence: photos of Min-joon with various women at high-end clubs, records of unauthorized expenses billed to the company, and even emails in which Min-joon arranged private "business" meetings. Then, he secured them all in a file, planning to use them if Min-joon dared approach Soo-ah again.
In the meantime, he maintained his usual, diligent routine at work, making sure not to raise any suspicion. Every time Min-joon glanced in Soo-ah's direction, Jin-woo would intercept with a subtle reminder that she wasn't alone. He wanted Min-joon to feel the pressure, to understand that Soo-ah was off-limits without ever needing to say it directly.
When the time came to confront Min-joon, Jin-woo planned to do it with quiet precision. With the information he'd gathered, he was ready to dismantle his boss's son if needed. For now, he would let Min-joon feel the weight of his gaze, a silent promise of consequences for any misstep. In protecting his family, Jin-woo was willing to cross any line necessary.
Jin-woo had anticipated his encounter with Min-joon's wife, Ha-eun, would require subtle persuasion to sow doubt. He arranged the meeting by disguising himself as a reputable businessman, all with Min-joon's unwitting approval. The setup was flawless; Min-joon believed he was sending his wife to discuss a supposed investment opportunity, completely unaware of Jin-woo's real intentions.
The moment Ha-eun welcomed him into her home, Jin-woo could see traces of loneliness and suspicion in her eyes — signs that Min-joon's behavior hadn't gone unnoticed by her. Jin-woo got straight to the point, laying out photos and evidence of Min-joon's indiscretions, detailing late-night escapades and misused company funds. Each revelation seemed to deepen the anger in her gaze.
"I wanted to show you the truth," Jin-woo said softly, feigning sympathy. "No one deserves to be kept in the dark like this."
A moment passed in heavy silence as she processed it all. To Jin-woo's surprise, Ha-eun didn't resist or make excuses for Min-joon; instead, she accepted the evidence with an almost resigned determination. In a low voice, she admitted, "I've suspected him for a while now, but seeing it laid out like this… it's different. I'm done with his lies."
That resolve quickly shifted to a need for revenge, and Jin-woo found himself pulled into her plan. It didn't take long before Ha-eun's simmering anger became something else — a desire to reclaim her own power. She wanted to hurt Min-joon as he'd hurt her, and Jin-woo found himself drawn into an unexpected intimacy with her that blurred the line between alliance and something more.
For Ha-eun, it was about reclaiming her agency, and for Jin-woo, it was another step toward destabilizing Min-joon's influence. In the quiet aftermath, as he left her home, he knew that he'd not only deepened the rift in Min-joon's marriage but also gained an unexpected ally in Ha-eun.
With Ha-eun now questioning her loyalty to her husband, Jin-woo could leverage this alliance in ways Min-joon would never see coming.