Echoes of Asael: A Manager's Second Chance

'Trump Card'

"Unnie, can you tell me how you do that?" Eun-ju leaned her chin on my shoulder spontaneously. I chuckled softly at her behavior, reminiscent of a child seeking a mother's attention.

"Do what? I don't understand what you mean, Eun-ju," I replied. Eun-ju was fond of speaking in metaphors. Sometimes I understood her, but there were times when her words left me puzzled.

She grinned widely at me, her eyes squinting. She resembled a pet rabbit being gently stroked by its owner.

"I see Soojin Unnie as someone very humble and calm. Even though you're not as strict as other managers, ASAEL members obey your words without question. They trust you completely. How do you manage to do that? They're like an obedient puppies."

Did I hear her correctly? Did she just refer to her team members as puppies? Why compare people to animals?

I pretended to cough to avoid answering Eun-ju's strange question. I hid my discomfort from her as best as I could.

"Haha, why are you asking me a question like that? They listen to me because I'm the Manager responsible for you and the other members. Let's get back to the training room. They're waiting for us."

...

At that moment, I didn't fully grasp Eun-ju's words filled with implied meanings. If it weren't for my naive trust in those who wore masks of deceit, ASAEL might still be standing strong today.

And, I wouldn't be facing such a tragic end.

"She compares them to animals, yet she behaves more like one herself. Better to be a cute little puppy than a wild dog that barks at midnight."

...

I tapped on the door of the studio in front of me gently. Anxiety crept into my mind. In my previous life, I never imagined, let alone dreamed of entering this room on the top floor of the AZ building.

It belonged to PD Oh Jihye, the Founder of AZ Company.

"Come in," a gruff male voice emanated from inside the studio. With utmost care, I opened the door and stepped inside. PD Oh gestured for me to sit in front of him.

"Who are you?" he asked me.

"I'm Kim Soojin. I'm the Manager of ASAEL," I replied succinctly. I knew PD Oh was not one to waste time. That's why he preferred spending his time working in this studio rather than roaming around and monitoring his subordinates on the lower floors.

I needed to get PD Oh to agree to my request. It was the only way to avoid my first problem: Kang Eun-ju.

"What brings you here? Speak clearly," he demanded, his voice so sharp it could make anyone's heart skip a beat.

"PD Oh, allow me to propose adding another member to the ASAEL group. If permitted, I'd like this person to take on the role of leader for ASAEL," I said without hesitation.

I could see PD Oh's expression change from slightly furrowed to downright fierce. It seemed he didn't like my suggestion.

"Kim Soojin, you've just started your career here, and you already dare to defy me?" his voice sounded harsh, and the firmness of his tone made my hands tremble.

I needed to be brave. I couldn't show weakness in front of this man.

"Lee Yaara."

If he didn't want to hear my reasons, then I had to my pulled my 'trump card'.

I dared to raise my head to see PD Oh's reaction when I mentioned that name. With a tight knot forming in my stomach, I watched as PD Oh's eyes widened. Though the man showed no sign of surprise when I mentioned her name earlier, I could sense that my statement had piqued PD Oh's interest in my topic.