The headquarters had returned to its usual rhythm.
Fast. Efficient. Unforgiving.
Inside the main conference room, the strategy team gathered around the long glass table. Screens lit up one by one as presentations loaded.
Ji-Ah stood at the head of the table.
Back straight. Expression calm. Voice precise.
"Let's begin."
The island trip had delayed several important decisions. Now everything needed to move forward quickly.
Hye-Rin opened the first slide.
"This is the coastal development project that was paused last week," she explained. "Construction timeline, investor partnership, and marketing launch are still pending approval."
Ji-Ah nodded once.
"Continue."
Charts appeared on the screen. Financial projections. Market analysis. Logistics planning.
The discussion quickly became intense.
One manager spoke up."The main issue is coordination with Ho Group. Some details are still unclear."
Another employee added,
"Should we arrange a direct meeting with Mr. Ho?"
The room fell quiet for a moment.
Ji-Ah tapped her pen lightly against the table.
"No one meets Mr. Ho directly," she said calmly.
Everyone already knew that.
Ho Group was powerful but strangely private. Their projects appeared everywhere—from real estate to media investments—but their owner remained unseen.
Different companies believed Mr. Ho was a different person.
Some thought he was an older businessman.
Some believed he was a group of investors using the same name.
No one had ever confirmed anything.
"Contact his office," Ji-Ah instructed. "We'll clarify the remaining details today."
Hye-Rin nodded immediately.
An hour later.
Ji-Ah returned to her cabin while the team continued reviewing documents.
Her office overlooked the entire city skyline. Glass walls, minimalist furniture, and a large desk covered with organized files.
Hye-Rin set a laptop on the table.
"The Ho Group assistant connected the call."
Ji-Ah sat down.
The screen lit up.
Camera: OFF
Only a simple black window remained.
Then a voice spoke.
Calm. Deep. Controlled.
"Good afternoon, Director Ji-Ah."
Ji-Ah straightened slightly.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Ho."
Hye-Rin glanced at the screen briefly.
Still no camera.
Ji-Ah opened the project file.
"We have a few technical points regarding the coastal project," she said. "Timeline adjustments and investment distribution."
The voice answered immediately.
"I've reviewed the documents."
Ji-Ah paused for a second.
Something about the tone felt strangely familiar.
But she ignored the thought.
Business first.
"Your team requested changes in the development phase," she continued. "Can you explain the reasoning?"
On the other side of the call, Min-Ho leaned back in his private office chair.
His camera remained off.
A separate secure office handled all Ho Group business operations. Only his personal business assistant knew the truth.
To the outside world—
Mr. Ho remained invisible.
He answered calmly.
"The coastal market will shift within six months. Adjusting the timeline prevents financial loss."
Ji-Ah listened carefully.
The logic made sense.
"Understood," she said.
Hye-Rin typed notes quickly beside her.
The discussion continued.
Construction planning. Budget allocation. Marketing launch.
Everything was efficient.
Professional.
Yet once, during the explanation, Ji-Ah spoke at the same moment as the voice.
They both stopped.
"Go ahead," the voice said.
"No, you first."
A small pause followed.
Neither of them spoke for two seconds.
Then Ji-Ah cleared her throat slightly.
"Continue."
The conversation resumed as if nothing happened.
But something subtle lingered.
When the final point was clarified, Ji-Ah closed the file.
"Thank you, Mr. Ho. The project adjustments will be implemented."
"Good."
The voice paused.
"Director Ji-Ah."
"Yes?"
For a moment, it sounded like he was about to say something else.
But he didn't.
"Nothing further," he said finally.
The call ended.
The laptop screen went dark.
Hye-Rin looked at Ji-Ah.
"That was… quick."
Ji-Ah nodded slowly.
"Yes."
She leaned back in her chair.
Professional discussion completed.
Problem solved.
Yet something about the conversation stayed in her mind.
That voice.
Calm.
Controlled.
Strangely familiar.
But impossible.
Because no one knew who Mr. Ho really was.
Across the city, Mr.-Ho closed his laptop.
His business assistant stood beside the desk.
"The project is moving forward," the assistant said.
Mr.-Ho nodded.
"Good."
His another assistant knocked on the door at that exact moment.
"Sir, the car is ready."
Mr. Ho stood up, adjusting his jacket.
But somewhere across the city —
Ji-Ah was still thinking about that voice.
And why it sounded just a little too familiar.