Rumors Begin

The next morning, Jung Ji-hoon walked into Taejin Group with a determined smile. 😊 Although yesterday had been exhausting, he promised himself he would make fewer mistakes today.

As soon as he entered the Marketing Department, he noticed something strange.

Everyone was looking at him. 👀

Some employees whispered to each other, while others quickly looked away when Ji-hoon met their eyes.

"What... is going on?" he muttered.

Just then, Choi Min-seok rushed over with a worried expression.

"Ji-hoon! You're famous already." 😅

Ji-hoon blinked.

"Famous? What do you mean?"

Min-seok leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"People are saying the CEO personally helped you with your report yesterday."

Ji-hoon's eyes widened.

"...What?"

"And they also heard that you were called into the CEO's office twice on your first day."

Ji-hoon covered his face with both hands.

"This is ridiculous..." 😩

Meanwhile...

On the top floor, Kim Tae-jun stood in front of the large glass window inside his office. 🌆

His secretary, Ms. Yoon, entered with a stack of documents.

"Sir, today's meeting schedule."

Tae-jun nodded silently.

After placing the files on the desk, Ms. Yoon hesitated.

"Sir... there's a rumor spreading in the company."

Tae-jun didn't even look up.

"I don't care about rumors."

"It involves you... and the new employee, Jung Ji-hoon."

For the first time, Tae-jun paused.

"...Continue."

"Employees think you've taken a special interest in him."

The room became silent.

A few seconds later, Tae-jun calmly replied,

"Let them think whatever they want."

But for some reason...

His mind immediately pictured Ji-hoon's bright smile from yesterday. 😊

That annoyed him more than the rumor itself.

During lunch break, Ji-hoon and Min-seok headed to the company cafeteria. 🍜

The moment Ji-hoon entered, conversations suddenly became quieter.

"...Isn't that him?"

"The CEO's favorite?"

"I heard he even argued with the CEO."

Ji-hoon sighed.

"I've only been here for two days..."

Min-seok laughed.

"Congratulations. You're already a celebrity."

"Not funny." 😑

Ji-hoon grabbed his tray and looked around for an empty seat.

Every table was full...

Except one.

The table near the window.

Without thinking much, Ji-hoon walked toward it and sat down.

A few seconds later...

The cafeteria became completely silent. 🤐

Ji-hoon looked up in confusion.

Then he froze.

Someone had just placed a tray across from him.

Kim Tae-jun.

The CEO calmly sat down without asking permission.

Ji-hoon's eyes widened.

"Sir...?"

Tae-jun simply continued eating.

The employees around them stared in complete disbelief. 😳

"No way..."

"The CEO is eating lunch with the new employee?"

Ji-hoon wanted to disappear.

He leaned forward and whispered,

"Everyone is staring."

Without looking up, Tae-jun replied,

"I know."

"...Then why are you sitting here?"

Tae-jun took another bite before answering.

"Because every other table is noisy."

Ji-hoon wasn't convinced.

"That's definitely not the real reason."

For the first time, a tiny smile appeared on Tae-jun's lips.

"You ask too many questions."

After lunch, Ji-hoon returned to his desk.

Just as he sat down, his computer received another notification.

CEO's Office – 5:30 PM

Ji-hoon dropped his pen.

"...Again?" 😭

Min-seok peeked at the screen.

"Oh..."

Then he slowly patted Ji-hoon's shoulder.

"Good luck."

"Stop acting like I'm going to my execution." 😑

At exactly 5:30 PM, Ji-hoon knocked on the CEO's office door.

"Come in."

He stepped inside.

Tae-jun was reviewing several documents.

Without looking up, he said,

"Close the door."

Ji-hoon obeyed.

A moment later, Tae-jun finally looked at him.

"I heard about the rumors."

Ji-hoon quickly replied,

"I didn't tell anyone."

"I know."

Another silence filled the room.

Then Tae-jun spoke again.

"Ignore them."

Ji-hoon looked surprised.

"People will always talk."

For the first time, Ji-hoon noticed something different in Tae-jun's voice.

It wasn't cold.

It sounded...

Tired.

As if he had spent years listening to people judge him.

Ji-hoon smiled softly.

"I don't really care what people think."

Tae-jun looked at him for a long moment.

"...You're strange."

Ji-hoon laughed.

"You've already said that before."

For the first time in years...

Kim Tae-jun found himself smiling without realizing it. 🖤

And neither of them noticed someone standing outside the office door...

Watching everything through the glass.

Their expression was filled with jealousy. 👤

To Be Continued... 🖤✨

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