Securing Evidence, Part 2
“Hello, this is Kyu-hwan Jung.”
Jung, who was pondering what to have for dinner, tilted his head at the unfamiliar number on his phone.
“Apologies for the sudden call. This is Spencer Stuart, a headhunting firm. Not sure if you’ve heard of us.”
“Headhunting, you say?”
Lowering his voice, Jung quickly stepped out of his office and headed towards the emergency stairs.
“Spencer Stuart is a multinational search firm with branches in over 50 countries. Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Jung, which is why we’re reaching out.”
As he walked down the corridor, the voice on the phone continued to praise the company and flatter him.
“Look, I’m not interested in changing jobs…”
“The important thing is to understand your true worth, isn’t it? While we know you’re a top talent at Sunyang Construction, are you being compensated accordingly?”
“I’m quite satisfied, actually.”
“Are you sure? The average salary for a department head at Sunyang Group is 50 million won, with a 600% bonus. If you’re content with that, you’re undervaluing yourself by 50%.”
His ears perked up.
Fifty percent?
But he quickly dismissed the thought. Wasn’t he a unique asset to the company, beyond mere salary?
He had received a special bonus that others could only dream of.
“Thanks for the interest, but I’m really not considering it. Goodbye.”
“Wait, Mr. Jung.”
A hurried voice came through the phone.
“How about just an interview? It’s not about changing jobs, but rather getting an objective view of your value. Everything remains confidential until you make a final decision. No need to worry about rumors.”
He had no intention of leaving his company, but his curiosity was piqued.
And, truth be told, he felt a bit flattered.
A company that needed him, that valued him. Would they really offer double the salary?
“How would the interview work?”
“It’s very simple. At a time and place convenient for you, like a café. It won’t take long.”
Hesitant, Jung left the door open with a brief response.
“I’ll get back to you. I’m at work, so I can’t talk further.”
With a light heart, Jung decided to meet them.
“HW Construction? Isn’t that the old Dae-A Construction?”
“That’s right. Thanks for making time for us.”
The business card Jung received bore the title of HR Director.
“These days, HR is more common than Personnel Department, huh?”
“That’s the American influence. Human Resources is a key focus for companies. That’s why we’re interested in someone like you, Mr. Jung.”
Jung didn’t mind the flattery.
“As you know, our company has grown rapidly since the Sangam DMC project. It’s a massive undertaking over a decade old. We’re always short on people, and good talent is rare. When we asked a headhunting firm, they immediately recommended you.”
HW Construction was indeed thriving. While others lamented the economic downturn, HW had secured a decade’s worth of work with just the DMC project.
“Like any rapidly growing company, our finances are a mess. We earn a lot, but we spend even more. And now, we’ve hit a major snag.”
“A snag?”
“Our major shareholder is an investment firm, right?”
“Ah, yes. Miracle…”
“The U.S. headquarters conducted an audit…”
The HR Director shook his head.
“They were furious, threatening to prosecute over every frivolous expense.”
Jung realized this wasn’t the place for him.
A company scrutinized by Americans with a fine-tooth comb? Even for ten times the salary, he couldn’t handle it.
He had come to gauge his market value, but there was no need to hear more.
“Director, I’m sorry, but let’s forget this ever happened. I apologize for wasting your time.”
Jung stood up abruptly.
“Wait, suddenly? At least hear our offer…”
“No, it was my mistake to come here lightly. I’m truly sorry.”
Bowing repeatedly, Jung hurried out of the café.
As the HW Construction director watched him leave in disbelief, someone approached.
“Director, what’s with him?”
“No idea. He just bolted. Did you get the shot?”
“Yes, a perfect two-shot of you and him. Want to see?”
“No need. Just deliver the photos. But seriously, why am I playing actor?”
“When the higher-ups say jump, we jump.”
The two men sipped their remaining coffee with resigned expressions.
“Are you quitting?”
“What? Where’s this coming from, Executive Director?”
“Don’t play dumb. Be honest, or I’ll fire you!”
Jung’s heart sank at Executive Director Jong-yoon Lim’s outburst.
Hadn’t he met them all the way in Nowon-gu to avoid being caught?
“Director, if this is about meeting someone from HW Construction, it’s a misunderstanding. They were persistent, so I just had a coffee.”
“Then this isn’t fabricated?”
Lim tossed a few photos onto the table.
Jung bit his lip at the sight of himself smiling with the HW HR Director.
He was relieved he’d confessed first. Who knew they had such solid evidence?
“I did meet them, but only to tell them to stop contacting me. Please believe me!”
Even as he pleaded, a strange thought crept in. Where did these photos come from? Had he been followed, his every move tracked?
“You idiot! Of all people, you shouldn’t be doing this. Right?”
Their exchanged glances spoke volumes.
Sharing the Vice Chairman’s dark secrets meant they couldn’t leave the company, not until they were told to.
Jung realized his curiosity had led to a grave mistake.
“Of course. I only met them to cut off contact. We didn’t discuss anything significant. I made it clear I wasn’t interested in their offer.”
Lim’s skeptical gaze made Jung uneasy.
“But Director, how did you get these photos?”
“The HR team gave them to me. Someone must have tipped them off.”
“Director, you don’t really suspect me, do you? I’m committed to Sunyang Construction.”
“Crazy fool. A loyal employee meets a rival HR director for coffee? Are you thinking at all?”
Jung cautiously asked what he was truly curious about.
“Director, did the President or Vice Chairman see these photos? What if they misunderstand?”
“Misunderstand? You really don’t know when to stop, do you? How can I be sure you weren’t considering leaving for more money?”
Lim’s scolding left Jung pale.
“Get out. If you pull any more stunts, I won’t forgive you. You’ll pay dearly. Now get out!”
Jung bowed deeply and left Lim’s office, feeling defeated.
Back at his desk, he slumped into his chair.
The thought that his curiosity might ruin everything made him break out in a cold sweat.
Sharing secrets was like walking a tightrope between ally and enemy. There was no middle ground.
Until now, he had been a trusted ally of the company’s top brass, but growing suspicion could turn him into a target.
The stress of this minor mistake weighed heavily on him.
Ding!
A text alert interrupted his thoughts.
Another message from an unknown number.
[Check your email.]
Rushing to his company email, Jung’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Photos of him on a date with a young female employee, who had recently brought joy back into his life, filled the screen.
Laughing over a meal, linking arms in a hotel elevator, and, most damningly, sharing a passionate kiss in a car.
Without hesitation, Jung deleted the email.
This was either a warning or blackmail.
If it was sent to the Vice Chairman, it was a warning.
If it came from an unknown source, it was blackmail.
A warning meant to stop any funny business, while blackmail would demand something before exposing the affair.
Then his phone rang.
The same number that had sent the text.
It was blackmail.
With trembling hands, Jung answered the call.
“Who are you?”
“The one who sent the email. You know that.”
“What do you want?”
His loud voice drew the attention of his colleagues, so he quickly stepped outside.
“Who the hell are you? You sent the email, right?”
“We need to talk. I’ll text you the time and place. If you stand me up, those photos will be sent to all Sunyang employees. And your family in the U.S. Goodbye.”
Ding!
As soon as the call ended, another text arrived.
“You… who are you?”
“Do you know me, Mr. Jung?”
As the door to the office opened, Jung stood there, jaw dropping in disbelief.
“Jin Do-jun…?”
“That’s right. Come on in. You didn’t come all this way just to turn back, did you?”
I left him standing there, dazed, and returned to the sofa in the living room.
He didn’t seem like he was going to leave. Once he calmed his nerves, he’d come in.
A few seconds later, I heard the front door close.
Mr. Jung approached quietly and sat down in front of me, looking rather subdued.
“Relax. I’m not here to make things difficult for you.”
Mr. Jung couldn’t even open his mouth, just kept glancing at me nervously.
He must be utterly confused, unable to make sense of the situation.
“If you’d just said yes to the offer of double your salary and a hefty bonus, none of this would be happening. Do you think you might have changed your mind if you’d at least heard the proposal?”
“Th-then, the construction… is it…?”
“Yes. There’s an easier way to handle this, so why make it complicated? Anyway, since we’re here, let me make the offer again.”
“W-wait a minute. What is this…?”
“Goodness. You’re in such a rush that you’re missing opportunities that won’t come around twice in a lifetime. Right now, Mr. Jung, just keep your mouth shut and listen to what I have to say until the end. Understand?”
I glared at him, and he nodded, startled, eyes wide with surprise.