Jin-woo returned home earlier than usual, a quiet satisfaction settling over him as he walked into the house. His wife, Soo-ah, and his sister, Ha-neul, were both resting in their rooms, having come down with an unexpected illness that morning. They were none the wiser that it had been Jin-woo himself who had orchestrated this situation. With a carefully prepared meal the previous night, he'd added subtle ingredients that would leave them feeling slightly unwell but not enough to raise suspicion. This forced "sick leave" was his way of keeping them safely at home while he handled the delicate matters involving Min-joon's wife, Ha-eun.
Jin-woo moved through the house with quiet steps, first checking on Soo-ah, who was curled up in bed, pale but softly dozing. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, allowing his fingers to linger as he reassured himself that she was alright. This orchestrated illness had kept her out of Min-joon's sight for the day, exactly as he'd intended.
Next, he made his way to Ha-neul's room. She was awake, sitting up with a blanket wrapped around her, sipping tea to soothe her stomach. Seeing Jin-woo, she offered a tired smile.
"Jin-woo, you're home early," she said, her voice soft and a little hoarse.
"I wanted to make sure you and Soo-ah were alright," he replied, taking a seat beside her. "How are you feeling?"
She shrugged, leaning into his presence. "Just tired. It's strange; I was fine yesterday. But thanks for coming home to check on us."
"Of course," he murmured, patting her hand gently. "You're both the most important people in my life. I'll make sure you're taken care of."
As Ha-neul rested her head on his shoulder, Jin-woo felt a momentary pang of guilt. His actions, calculated as they were, involved people he cared about. But he reminded himself that it was all for their safety — every move he made was to secure their future and protect them from threats like Min-joon.
Satisfied that both Soo-ah and Ha-neul were comfortably resting, Jin-woo made his way to the kitchen. He prepared a simple, soothing meal to help with their recovery, choosing ingredients that would help them regain strength without any lingering effects from his earlier interference.
With every piece set in place, Jin-woo took a moment to lean against the counter, allowing himself to envision the broader plan unfolding. Min-joon's influence was crumbling, his trust with his wife shattered, and his reputation teetering on the edge. Jin-woo felt an almost grim satisfaction knowing that soon, Min-joon would feel as vulnerable and powerless as he once had.
For now, though, he was content to spend a quiet evening at home, tending to his family with the same careful precision that had become his hallmark.
The next day brought surprising news. Min-joon had been officially disowned by his father, the company's CEO. The decision had been swift and brutal, and word traveled quickly. Colleagues murmured in hushed voices about the CEO's harsh statement, condemning his own son's actions of cheating on his wife. As his wife left him and viral the photos and evidence to public even though it was all fake and they were just friends for now. The negative news spread faster and have more affect than positive one. It's a twisted the world. It's easy to erase the truth but not the lies the Jin Woo spread. The CEO had no choice but to vow to protect the company's reputation above all else.
Jin-woo read between the lines. This wasn't a matter of morals or justice — it was a calculated move by the CEO to save face, one that sacrificed his son to keep his own position untarnished. But Jin-woo knew better. He had noticed the CEO's lingering gazes on Ha-neul, his sister. For the CEO, this disownment was likely more than just preserving the company's image; it was also a convenient way to detach himself from a scandal while opening paths to new "interests."
Jin-woo didn't take the CEO's calculated ruthlessness lightly. He saw the man for what he truly was — ambitious and willing to sacrifice anyone, even his own family, to keep his power intact. It was a clear warning that the CEO would be a far more formidable adversary than his son.
As he thought through his next steps, Jin-woo decided he'd need to handle this situation with more finesse. Direct confrontations would be dangerous; instead, he'd chip away at the CEO's foundation piece by piece, exposing his true nature to the board and, eventually, the public. The key would be subtlety and timing.
In preparation, Jin-woo began gathering information on the CEO's dealings, specifically his personal and financial interests. He quickly found a trail of indiscretions — quiet deals and favoritism that hinted at corruption and misuse of power. He also took steps to quietly place his own allies in critical areas of the company, people he trusted to keep an eye on the CEO and report back any suspicious activity.
At home, he kept a close watch on Ha-neul, subtly guiding her away from any interactions with the CEO. He knew she was unaware of the man's intentions and wanted to keep it that way. He made sure to offer her support and encouragement as she focused on her career aspirations, assuring her that she deserved every bit of success without needing to rely on anyone else's influence.
A week passed, and the CEO remained blissfully unaware of Jin-woo's quiet machinations. Confident in his position, he even began arranging small, "coincidental" encounters with Ha-neul at the office. But Jin-woo was always a step ahead, ensuring that each attempt failed subtly, leaving the CEO frustrated but unaware of who was orchestrating the interference.
Then came an opportunity. The CEO had arranged a high-profile meeting with a client, one that would involve delicate negotiations over a multimillion-dollar project. Jin-woo saw this as his chance to lay the groundwork for his eventual move against the man. With a careful adjustment of information, he subtly influenced key details, ensuring the CEO would face unexpected difficulties in the negotiations.
When the day arrived, Jin-woo watched from the sidelines as the CEO struggled to keep control. The client expressed dissatisfaction with certain terms, and the CEO's usual charm fell flat. Jin-woo felt a small thrill of victory — this was only the beginning.
In the coming weeks, Jin-woo planned to continue chipping away at the CEO's power, creating subtle disruptions that would erode the man's confidence and reputation. All the while, he would keep his family safe, protecting Ha-neul from the CEO's gaze and Soo-ah from any further trouble.
Jin-woo knew that with each move, he was one step closer to securing his family's future and dismantling the powerful forces that threatened them. The CEO might have sacrificed his son to protect his empire, but Jin-woo was ready to ensure that empire crumbled, brick by carefully placed brick.
Jin-woo arranged a private meeting with his team leader, Ms. Kang. She was sharp, respected, and ambitious, someone who had worked tirelessly to build her career. She was also painfully aware of the CEO's reputation. Rumors had circulated about how he used his influence to manipulate and control employees, especially women, turning their hard work against them to satisfy his whims.
When Jin-woo finally broached the subject, he laid out the CEO's intentions without hesitation. "Ms. Kang, I know you've likely sensed it yourself. The CEO isn't just after company growth — he's targeting you, personally. And you're not the first. This is a pattern for him, and you deserve better."
Ms. Kang's face hardened as he spoke, the spark of realization mixing with a trace of anger. She'd been wary of the CEO's overtures, but hearing it so plainly from Jin-woo, who had nothing to gain directly from her involvement, made it clear he was being genuine.
"And why should I trust you, Jin-woo?" she asked cautiously, her gaze sharp. "You're ambitious too, and aligning with you means risking my position, maybe even my career."
Jin-woo nodded, acknowledging her doubts. "I understand the risk, and that's why I came to you. This isn't just about the CEO's actions; it's about protecting the people who work here — my family included. Alone, I can only do so much. But with someone of your caliber, Ms. Kang… we could not only protect ourselves but secure a future without having to bend to his will."
Ms. Kang studied him intently, weighing her options. Then, in a determined voice, she said, "Alright. I'm in. But if we're going to do this, it has to be smart, calculated and specially careful. We can't just make accusations. We need proof that will make him lose all his powers and control."
Jin-woo's smile was a blend of relief and satisfaction. With Ms. Kang on his side, he had gained a formidable ally, someone with the influence and knowledge to challenge the CEO directly. Together, they crafted a strategy, using Ms. Kang's position to gather more evidence and subtly expose the CEO's manipulative patterns to the board and key stakeholders.
The plan was simple but potent: each action Ms. Kang took would be a step toward isolating the CEO, eroding his support. She would subtly rally trusted colleagues to their side, people who had been quietly mistreated or overlooked by the CEO in the past. Bit by bit, they would chip away at his empire from within, without him ever suspecting where the loyalty shifts were coming from.
As they finalized their plans, Jin-woo felt the weight of their alliance settle firmly. In the original timeline, Ms. Kang might have been forced into the CEO's control. But now, standing by his side, she was about to become one of the strongest assets in his battle to secure a future free from manipulation and exploitation.
With Ms. Kang, Jin-woo knew he was one step closer to toppling the CEO's reign — and ensuring his family's safety once and for all.
Jin-woo and Ms. Kang worked swiftly, gathering all the information they could about the CEO's influential client, a powerful businesswoman named Eun-seo, who held a substantial share in the company's most lucrative projects. She was known for her no-nonsense attitude and keen insight — not an easy person to sway, but Jin-woo saw an opportunity. He knew Eun-seo valued loyalty, integrity, and results, all traits the CEO had been steadily undermining with his personal interests.
With Ms. Kang's help, Jin-woo prepared a discreet letter, one that would not only expose the CEO's predatory tactics but frame it as a genuine concern for the company's welfare. The letter was signed by Ms. Kang, stating in carefully crafted words that she believed Eun-seo, as a woman and a highly respected figure in the business world, would understand why the CEO's behavior was not only morally wrong but also a dangerous liability for their partnerships.
He hand-delivered the letter to Eun-seo's office, arranging to meet her in person the following day. When Jin-woo arrived, he found her seated behind an immaculate desk, her expression cool but interested.
"So, Jin-woo," she began, tapping her fingers on the letter in front of her, "you're suggesting that the CEO's behavior isn't just morally questionable but could harm our entire business structure. You're aware this is a risky accusation, especially since you're not exactly high-ranking."
Jin-woo nodded, choosing his words carefully. "I understand the risk, Ms. Eun-seo. But I also believe in protecting the integrity of our company and the people who dedicate their lives to making it thrive. The CEO's actions have crossed lines that can't be ignored. Ms. Kang, and many others, have witnessed how he operates — and we're concerned it's only a matter of time before his personal actions hurt the company's reputation and revenue."
Eun-seo studied him, the gears turning in her mind. "If I were to support this… alliance of yours, what assurances do I have that this isn't just a vendetta?"
Jin-woo leaned forward, his gaze steady. "I don't expect blind trust. I'm more than willing to prove my dedication to the company's well-being. All I ask is for your guidance in navigating this situation — and the resources to gather irrefutable evidence. My goal isn't to undermine anyone for personal gain. I want a company where people can work without fearing manipulation."
After a moment's silence, Eun-seo smiled slightly, a spark of approval in her eyes. "Fine, Jin-woo. I'll keep an eye on this situation and support you, but only if every move you make aligns with the company's best interests. If you can do that, you have my backing."
Jin-woo inclined his head, grateful and determined. "Thank you, Ms. Eun-seo. I won't let you down."
With Eun-seo now in their alliance, Jin-woo knew they had a powerful new ally. Her influence would serve as a shield, allowing him and Ms. Kang to gather the evidence they needed while ensuring the CEO stayed unaware of the tightening web around him.
Now, Jin-woo could feel the tides turning. His carefully crafted network was growing, and with each new ally, the CEO's power waned just a little more. Soon, Jin-woo would be ready to reveal the CEO for what he truly was — and secure a safer future for his family and those who had suffered under the CEO's oppressive tactics.