Late afternoon sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows of the office floor.
The atmosphere inside the headquarters was intense.
Teams moved quickly between departments. Phones rang constantly. Screens filled with spreadsheets, project timelines, and strategy boards.
The island vacation had delayed several important tasks, and now everyone was working to catch up.
Inside her cabin, Ji-Ah stood beside her desk reviewing multiple files.
Three active projects.
Two investor negotiations.
One product launch preparation.
Every schedule was packed.
Hye-Rin knocked lightly before entering.
"Director."
Ji-Ah looked up.
"Yes?"
Hye-Rin placed a new folder on the desk.
"A proposal just arrived from Lee Group."
Ji-Ah paused slightly.
Lee Group was not a small company.
It was one of the most influential investment groups in the city.
She opened the file.
Inside were detailed plans for a luxury urban development project.
Large scale.
High budget.
Strategically valuable.
Ji-Ah leaned back in her chair, thinking.
"It's a good opportunity," Hye-Rin added carefully.
"Yes," Ji-Ah agreed.
Her eyes moved toward the project timelines on the tablet.
Every team was already overloaded.
Taking another large project immediately would strain the company.
Ji-Ah closed the file slowly.
"Schedule a call with Lee Group."
Hye-Rin nodded.
A few minutes later, the call connected through the office laptop.
The screen displayed a professional conference interface.
This time, the camera was on.
A man appeared on the screen.
Tall posture. Calm expression. Perfectly tailored suit.
Lee Jae-Hyun.
He looked composed and confident, but his smile was polite rather than arrogant.
"Director Ji-Ah," he greeted.
Ji-Ah nodded professionally.
"Mr. Lee."
Hye-Rin sat quietly beside her, taking notes.
Ji-Ah spoke first.
"I've reviewed the proposal. It's an impressive project."
Lee Jae-Hyun smiled slightly.
"I'm glad you think so."
Ji-Ah continued calmly.
"However, I want to be honest about our current situation."
She opened the schedule document.
"Our company is currently completing several major projects that were delayed recently. Because of that, our teams are already working at full capacity."
Lee Jae-Hyun listened carefully.
Ji-Ah folded her hands on the desk.
"If the timeline for your project is urgent, we may not be the best option right now."
Hye-Rin glanced at her briefly.
Ji-Ah's tone remained calm and professional.
"We would need approximately three months before starting a project of this scale."
She continued clearly.
"If that delay creates inconvenience for you, I completely understand if you choose another firm."
For a moment, the room fell quiet.
Lee Jae-Hyun leaned slightly forward.
His expression didn't show disappointment.
Instead, he looked thoughtful.
"Three months," he repeated.
Ji-Ah nodded.
"Yes."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"That's acceptable."
Hye-Rin blinked in surprise.
Ji-Ah remained composed.
"You're willing to delay the project?"
"Yes," Lee Jae-Hyun replied calmly.
He clasped his hands together.
"To be honest, Director Ji-Ah… we approached your company specifically."
Ji-Ah raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Specifically?"
"Our board reviewed several development firms," he explained. "But your company's project execution and leadership style stood out."
His tone remained respectful.
"No other company handles projects quite the way you do."
Ji-Ah acknowledged the compliment with a small nod.
"Thank you."
Lee Jae-Hyun continued.
"If waiting three months means working with your team, then the delay is not a problem."
Hye-Rin looked between them quietly.
Ji-Ah considered the response.
From a business perspective, the situation was positive.
The investor was patient.
The partnership could be valuable.
"Very well," Ji-Ah said finally.
"We can schedule preliminary planning during that period."
Lee Jae-Hyun smiled again.
"Perfect."
His tone remained professional, but something in his eyes suggested curiosity.
Interest.
Not only in the project.
But in the woman leading the company.
Ji-Ah, however, noticed none of that.
For her, this was simply another business negotiation.
She closed the discussion smoothly.
"Then our teams will coordinate the next steps."
"Looking forward to working together," Lee Jae-Hyun replied.
The call ended.
Hye-Rin leaned back slightly.
"Well… that was easier than expected."
Ji-Ah nodded.
"Yes."
She returned her attention to the next project file.
For her, it was simply another partnership.
Another responsibility.
Another task in a long list of work.
But somewhere across the city—
Lee Jae-Hyun closed his laptop slowly.
His assistant stood nearby.
"You seem satisfied, sir."
Lee Jae-Hyun smiled faintly.
"Yes."
He looked out toward the skyline.
"Director Ji-Ah is… exactly as impressive as I heard."
His assistant hesitated.
"So the project is confirmed?"
Lee Jae-Hyun nodded.
"Yes."
Then he added quietly,
"And now we'll have plenty of opportunities to meet."