A child who looks like me

“I… uh, uh-huh…”

Jo Si-nae burst into tears and collapsed on the spot instead of answering.

Jo Yu-ri, who had come running late and didn’t know what was going on, rushed over to help Si-nae up. Eun-bi, who had been standing behind Ji-heon, couldn’t bring herself to approach Si-nae.

“Jo Si-nae, don’t cry. Just tell us what’s going on. Why is the computer like that?”

Ji-heon asked, his expression stern as he pressed for answers.

Huh-uh, huh-huh…

Si-nae could only cry.

Due to the hardships she faced in school because of Lee Jeong-oh, she had come to resent him. She had no reason to like Chae Eun-bi, Ji-heon’s girlfriend, either. Si-nae had deliberately tormented Jeong-oh in front of Eun-bi.

Then, following the incident with the drinking party with Daewon Liquor, Si-nae found herself in a position where she had to report to Ji-heon daily. Ji-heon showed no hesitation in humiliating her, flaunting how Lee Jeong-oh had manipulated him.

What started as an act to win Eun-bi’s heart gradually turned into genuine resentment. She despised Jeong-oh so much that she wanted revenge.

Si-nae walked around with a USB that could plant a virus on devices, always looking for an opportunity.

When Jeong-oh had something to do, the chance came quickly. Taking advantage of the moment he left his seat, she spread the virus on his laptop and headed to the rarely occupied C printing room to delete the files he had uploaded to the cloud.

That day, she felt great. Chae Eun-bi seemed very annoyed that Ji-heon was close to Jeong-oh, but Si-nae didn’t care.

What she thought would pass as a minor incident turned into this disaster today.

“Jo Si-nae, this can’t go on. Let’s talk again tomorrow. You can finish your work for today and head home.”

“B-but, Director, Jo Si-nae has materials that need to be sent to the advertiser by today,” Yu-ri said to Ji-heon.

“I’d like Yu-ri to handle it instead.”

“……”

“I can’t entrust company business to an employee whose identity is suspicious.”

Ji-heon issued his cold command. Yu-ri’s eyes widened in fear.

“Jo Si-nae, I’ll need to take this USB for investigation.”

Ji-heon took the USB from Jeong-oh’s hand. He hadn’t even heard the whole story yet, but he knew exactly that the USB belonged to Si-nae.

I’ve fallen into their trap!

The realization filled Si-nae with rage, and she cried even harder.

Once the crowd dispersed, Chae Eun-bi walked up to her.

“Jo Si-nae, I hope you can clear your name quickly. If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know… I’m really sorry about what happened.”

“……”

“But… did Jo Si-nae cause my Ji-heon oppa to work overtime with Lee Jeong-oh?”

Eun-bi’s cold reprimand made Si-nae feel as if an arm had been ripped off.

Si-nae gaped in shock, staring blankly at Eun-bi.

Eun-bi then turned to Jo Yu-ri, who was standing next to Si-nae.

“Jo Yu-ri, hurry up and get to work.”

“Ah, yes, yes. Yes, ma’am.”

Yu-ri let go of Si-nae’s arm, awkwardly getting up to follow Eun-bi.

Si-nae was left alone.

She had been raising Jo Si-nae like a maid, but it all came to nothing.

Eun-bi clenched her jaw, swallowing her anger.

Once again, it was Lee Jeong-oh and now Jeong Ji-heon.

The two had conspired together to bring down Jo Si-nae.

In truth, Eun-bi had known what Si-nae did last Thursday. After Si-nae disappeared for a while, the chaos ensued, and Eun-bi had caught on.

Showing her dislike so openly, she’s bound to be found out soon.

Eun-bi lamented Si-nae’s foolishness.

She despised Jeong-oh even more for closing the gap with Ji-heon while making various excuses.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

The next day.

A detailed analysis of the data contained in the USB Si-nae had was conducted, and it was confirmed to match the virus found on Jeong-oh’s computer.

After receiving the results, Ji-heon immediately summoned Si-nae to his office.

“Jo Si-nae.”

“……Yes, ……Director.”

Si-nae answered in a trembling voice.

“No matter how much you deny it, Jo Si-nae, the results have come out this way, and the company cannot overlook it.”

“……”

“We cannot dismiss any possibility that you are an industrial spy, have a personal vendetta against Lee Jeong-oh, or have some other motive, so we can no longer entrust you with important tasks.”

Ji-heon spoke sharply. He seemed utterly devoid of compassion. Though Si-nae was filled with frustration, she couldn’t retort.

Si-nae was immediately excluded from all her assigned duties and was transferred from the Planning and Production Division to the Management Division. She would now be tasked with guarding the reading room.

A design major guarding the library. It was the greatest humiliation she had faced since starting her career. However, since she hadn’t prepared for a job change, she had no choice but to comply with orders. Now, she would quietly prepare for her next career move.

While Si-nae’s situation was resolved cleanly, Jeong-oh was left with a lingering discomfort.

If it were me, I would have lectured her never to do such a thing again.

What she experienced was crueler than he had anticipated. Ji-heon’s decision was formidable. Still, it was an unavoidable choice since there was no way to confirm what kind of suspicious character Si-nae was.

“Ki-hoon, thank you so much for this.”

In the hallway heading to the conference room, Jeong-oh expressed his gratitude to Ki-hoon.

Yesterday, Si-nae had fallen into the trap they had set together. The fingerprint recognition mouse was something Jeong-oh had quickly purchased that day, and the company didn’t even have a system to store fingerprint data.

It was all thanks to Jeong-oh’s wit and Ki-hoon’s convincing acting. If Ki-hoon hadn’t cooperated, they wouldn’t have caught the culprit.

Ki-hoon replied nonchalantly.

“If you’re grateful, I have a wish too.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“Can I call you ‘noona’?”

“Pfft.”

“Then, I guess it’s fine to drop the formalities, right?”

This kid is being a nuisance. Jeong-oh playfully nudged Ki-hoon on the shoulder.

As Ki-hoon was pushed aside, he quickly returned with a grin.

“Sure, drop the formalities and curse if you want.”

“Why would I curse? Not at you, anyway. I just said that. I’ll continue to honor you and treat you well.”

What a joke.

The two of them were so caught up in their little world that they didn’t realize Ji-heon was walking in the same direction behind them.

They also had no idea Ji-heon was watching them intently, shooting daggers with his gaze.

Ji-heon felt slighted. Isn’t this too much?

Lee Jeong-oh. I was the one who helped entirely, yet why is he only thanking Song Ki-hoon?

I apologized when asked, found the culprit when asked, and took charge when asked. And now, I even dealt with the disciplinary action against Jo Si-nae.

I did everything you asked, so why is the credit going to that guy?

It was utterly frustrating.

Throughout the meeting, Ji-heon’s mood was heavy.

It seemed Jeong-oh and Ki-hoon’s bond had only strengthened.

He was also disappointed in Jeong-oh.

I mean, you went through the trouble of asking for an apology, but you can’t even say thank you?

Isn’t there anything you’re grateful to me for?

Ji-heon, who had been watching the production meeting with a sullen expression, sat there in silence and then left.

In the hallway leading to the office, he ran into Seung-kyu.

“What’s with that expression?”

“Why do you care?”

“Your expression seems a bit more sour than usual,” Seung-kyu pointed out, and Ji-heon found himself at a loss for words.

Once inside the office, Ji-heon flopped down onto the sofa, as if he were going to collapse onto it.

“I sent Jo Si-nae to the Management Division.”

“Yeah.”

Seung-kyu sensed that Ji-heon wasn’t in the mood to discuss work, so he quickly changed the subject. In truth, he had come to see Ji-heon for a favor.

“Next Monday, you know? You kept that time open, right?”

“What? What time?”

“Come on, how could you forget that? You promised to come to my house again in front of Dabin. Don’t you remember?”

Ah, that…

Only then did Ji-heon recall.

A girl with bright eyes and a fair complexion. She was as beautiful as a doll.

He had rashly made plans to meet her again one Monday.

Ji-heon hadn’t expected Seung-kyu to bring up such a casual promise again.

“Do the kids remember?”

“Of course! They definitely do!”

“…”

“Any promise made with kids has to be kept. They live for the joy of waiting for those promises. You’d understand if you were a dad, but it doesn’t seem like you’re getting married anytime soon… You don’t have any plans that day, do you?”

I don’t have any plans. I was supposed to be at the office since I don’t have any other schedule, but Seung-kyu’s nagging was making things awkward.

I can’t just hang out with the kids.

I don’t even know how to treat them.

“I’m not feeling confident.”

“Please just come!”

Seeing Ji-heon show such a weak side, Seung-kyu raised his voice.

“Come on, give me some face as a dad! Our Dabin wants to see you.”

“Not Dabin, but her girlfriend.”

“Right! Anyway! Please give Dabin some face!”

Seung-kyu exaggeratedly displayed his disappointment.

“I’m not asking for a promotion or for you to get Dabin a job. All I’m asking is that you hold my hand and come to my house next Monday. Is that too much for a friend?”

“Why would I hold your hand?”

“Hey, that’s just a figure of speech! Why are you being so prickly today?”

His friend really did look upset.

Realizing he had been talking too much about himself, Seung-kyu reflected on Ji-heon’s feelings.

He decided to bring up a topic that seemed fun.

“So, any progress with Lee Jeong-o?”

It was a light question, but Ji-heon’s expression turned serious.

As Seung-kyu sat directly in front of Ji-heon, Ji-heon opened up about his concerns.

“She said I resemble my dad.”

“…Huh?”

“She said I look like her deceased father.”

“Lee Jeong-o said that?”

“…”

“Wow. That’s awkward.”

How tragic.

It seemed nearly impossible to start anything with a girl who said he resembled her late father. Seung-kyu felt pity for his friend, who appeared to be starting a difficult romance.

“Still, it’s a complicated feeling, but maybe there’s still room? It’s better than being disliked, right?”

At that moment—

“What are you talking about?”

The door swung open, and Eun-bi entered.

The unexpected visit made both of their expressions sour.

Eun-bi was having a hard time composing herself as well, her face twitching slightly.

“Did Lee Jeong-o say that you resemble someone?”

Having noticed Ji-heon’s uncomfortable expression during the meeting, Eun-bi gathered her things and rushed to the office. She suspected that Seung-kyu and Ji-heon were present. The faint sound of their conversation reached her ears.

Taking advantage of the secretary’s absence, Eun-bi pressed her ear against the office door and was taken aback by what she heard.

Lee Jeong-o said to Ji-heon that she resembled her father?

“Hah. Lee Jeong-o said that? To you?”

Eun-bi questioned Ji-heon as if demanding an answer. Ji-heon remained silent.

Though Eun-bi usually maintained her manners around him, she was beyond caring at this moment.

Lee Jeong-o, what a schemer!

Unable to hold back her anger, Eun-bi stormed out of the office.

“Ugh, wow. It looks like Manager Cha Eun-bi is angry. I’ll take my leave then. Handle it well! Contact me if you need help!”

Seung-kyu felt that it wasn’t his place to intervene and hurriedly exited the office.

Eun-bi organized the meeting room and called out to Jeong-o, who returned late.

“Lee Jeong-o, come here for a moment.”

“Yes?”

“Hurry.”

As he was about to sit down, Jeong-o went back out into the hallway.

“What is it?”

“Let’s go; I have somewhere to be.”

Eun-bi grabbed Jeong-o’s wrist. Startled by her swift and forceful grip, Jeong-o stumbled but was pulled along.

“Can’t you let go?”

“Just follow me quickly.”

When Jeong-o resisted, Eun-bi released her grip and walked ahead.

Despite feeling upset, Jeong-o followed Eun-bi just to see what she would do.

Eun-bi led Jeong-o to Ji-heon’s office.

As Jeong-o entered the office, Ji-heon’s eyes widened in recognition.

“Jeong-o, you explain it.”

Eun-bi stood between Ji-heon and Jeong-o, confronting Jeong-o.

“You’ve never seen your dad, right? You don’t even know who your real father is.”

Jeong-o’s eyes trembled.

“That’s what your mom said when you were in your first year of high school. She begged our teacher to look after her daughter. She said she didn’t know who her father was but that she had never caused her mom trouble.”

“……”

“You’re from a single-mother family, aren’t you?”

“…”

“Or not? If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize.”

Jeong-o clenched his fists tightly against his hips. An unusual emotion surged within him.

It was a side of himself he didn’t want Ji-heon to see. He could have told the Ji-heon from seven years ago, and he had, but he never wanted to reveal that truth to the Ji-heon of today.

It was humiliating.

Eun-bi let out a loud, mocking laugh and continued speaking.

“What? Ji-heon oppa looks like your dad? What a scam.”

“Cha Eun-bi, enough.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Ji-heon spoke to Eun-bi. But she didn’t stop.

“This guy even lied to oppa to get close to him!”

“Cha Eun-bi.”

“It’s true! Isn’t that right, Ji-heon?”

It was Jeong-o who interrupted Ji-heon’s words.

“Actually, it’s not my dad; it’s my oppa. Ji-heon doesn’t resemble my dad; he looks like my ex-boyfriend.”

He swallowed his tears and spoke the truth.