Beneath the Cherry Blossoms

Chapter 1: A Clash of Worlds

The evening was buzzing with the kind of energy that only corporate events could muster. The grand ballroom of the Seoul Plaza Hotel was transformed into a glittering spectacle of polished marble floors, chandeliers that dripped with crystals, and tables adorned with elaborate floral arrangements. The occasion was a major one—celebrating the launch of the company's latest venture, a new product line that promised to revolutionize the market.

Yoon Ha-eun stood near the bar, nursing a glass of sparkling water. She glanced around at her colleagues, all dressed in their finest attire, mingling and exchanging pleasantries with the ease of seasoned professionals. This wasn't exactly her scene. She preferred the quiet intensity of the office, where she could pour herself into her work without the pretense of social niceties. Yet, as the head of the marketing team, she had no choice but to be here, smiling politely at every passing executive and pretending to enjoy the festivities.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Lee Min-seok, her childhood friend and the only person she felt genuinely comfortable with in such settings. Min-seok flashed her a warm smile as he approached, his easy-going charm evident even in the stiff environment of a corporate gala.

"Ha-eun, you look like you'd rather be anywhere else," Min-seok teased, holding out his hand for a light, friendly handshake.

"You know me too well," Ha-eun replied, her lips curving into a faint smile. "I'm just waiting for this to be over so I can get back to work."

Min-seok chuckled. "Always the dedicated one. But you should try to enjoy yourself, at least a little. It's not every day we get to dress up and pretend we're enjoying these overpriced canapés."

Ha-eun let out a small laugh, her tension easing slightly. "Maybe you're right. But you know how I am—work always comes first."

Before Min-seok could respond, the sound of a microphone crackling to life drew their attention. The room fell silent as the evening's emcee took the stage, a charismatic figure who immediately commanded attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here tonight as we celebrate the launch of our latest product line. But before we get to the main event, I'd like to introduce someone very special—our new CEO, Kang Joon-ho!"

The announcement was met with polite applause as a tall, impeccably dressed man stepped onto the stage. Ha-eun's eyes narrowed slightly as she observed him. Kang Joon-ho had only recently taken over as CEO, and while she hadn't interacted with him directly yet, she had heard plenty of rumors. The whispers in the office painted him as a cold, calculating leader, one who demanded perfection and tolerated no mistakes.

Joon-ho stood at the podium, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the room. His dark eyes were sharp, and his posture exuded an air of authority that left no doubt about who was in charge. When he finally spoke, his voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it that made Ha-eun's instincts bristle.

"Thank you for the warm welcome," Joon-ho began, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Tonight, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in bringing this product line to life. However, the work doesn't end here. This is just the beginning, and I expect nothing less than excellence as we move forward."

His words were met with another round of applause, though it felt more obligatory than enthusiastic. Ha-eun watched him closely, sensing the undercurrent of pressure behind his speech. There was something about him that rubbed her the wrong way, something that made her uneasy.

As the speech concluded and the night's activities resumed, Ha-eun found herself being ushered toward the VIP section by her boss, Mr. Park. He was a kindly older man who had always been supportive of her career, but tonight he seemed unusually tense.