Chapter 16: Counter Schemes

The Rift Within

Albeirt sat in a private booth of an upscale restaurant, a glass of expensive wine in hand. Across from him were two new recruits to his cause: Mr. Hwang, a disgruntled investor who had lost money due to one of Wang Soo's earlier ventures, and Ms. Seo, a marketing consultant who had felt sidelined by Wang Soo's dominance in a previous campaign.

"I know we all have our reasons for wanting Wang Soo to fail," Albeirt began, swirling his wine. "But this isn't just about revenge. It's about ensuring that people like him don't get to trample over others and come out unscathed."

Mr. Hwang grunted, tapping his fingers on the table. "He always acted like he was smarter than everyone else. I want to see him brought down to earth."

Ms. Seo nodded. "The way he dismissed my ideas... he made me feel insignificant. I'm in."

Albeirt smiled. "Good. Together, we'll ensure his project never sees the light of day."

Wang Soo's temporary office buzzed with activity, but the atmosphere was tense. Nan Dok noticed it first—the subtle glances, the hushed conversations, and the lingering doubts in the air. Wang Soo, oblivious to the whispers, focused on his laptop, drafting plans and schedules.

"Boss," Nan Dok finally said, breaking the silence. "I think we need to address something."

Wang Soo looked up, raising an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Nan Dok hesitated. "There are... concerns among the team. Some people are questioning the secrecy of this project. They're worried it might backfire."

Wang Soo leaned back in his chair, his expression hardening. "Secrecy is essential. The moment any details leak, everything we've worked for could be compromised."

"I understand that," Nan Dok said, his voice calm. "But you need to reassure them. They're on edge. A little trust goes a long way."

Wang Soo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright. Schedule a meeting for tomorrow. I'll address their concerns."

Back at Lee's family home, Wang Soo sat at the dinner table, lost in thought. Lee placed a plate of food in front of him, snapping him out of his reverie.

"You're distracted again," she said, sitting across from him. "What's going on?"

"Just work," Wang Soo replied, picking at his food. "There's so much to do, and not enough time."

Lee leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "You're doing great, but don't let this consume you. You're not alone in this, remember?"

Wang Soo looked at her, a small smile forming. "Thanks, Lee. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd probably starve," she teased, lightening the mood. "But seriously, be careful. There are people out there who would love to see you fail. Don't let them get to you."

"I won't," Wang Soo promised, feeling a renewed sense of determination.

Later that evening, Wang Soo received a call from an unknown number. Hesitating for a moment, he answered. "Hello?"

"Wang Soo, it's Park Ji-yeon," the voice on the other end said.

Wang Soo frowned. Ji-yeon was a name he hadn't heard in years—a former colleague who had parted ways with him after a bitter disagreement. "Ji-yeon? What's this about?"

"I heard about your project," she said, her tone serious. "And about the people trying to sabotage you."

"How do you know about that?" Wang Soo asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

"I have my sources," Ji-yeon replied. "Listen, I know we didn't part on good terms, but I believe in what you're doing. And I want to help."

Wang Soo leaned back in his chair, processing her words. "Why now? Why would you want to help me after all this time?"

"Because I've seen what Albeirt and his cronies are capable of," Ji-yeon said. "And because I know you're the only one who can pull this off. Think of it as my way of making amends."

Wang Soo considered her offer, his mind racing. "Alright. But if you're serious about this, you'll need to prove it."

"I will," Ji-yeon said confidently. "Just tell me where to start."

The next morning, Wang Soo gathered his team for a meeting. The tension from the previous day still lingered, but he was determined to address it head-on.

"First, I want to thank all of you for sticking with this project," he began, his tone sincere. "I know it hasn't been easy, and I understand the concerns some of you have."

Nan Dok watched as the team's expressions softened slightly. Wang Soo's acknowledgment seemed to ease some of their worries.

"To address those concerns," Wang Soo continued, "we're going to implement a new strategy. From now on, every team member will have a specific role with limited access to the overall plan. This way, we can ensure security while maintaining trust."

The team exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. Wang Soo felt a small weight lift from his shoulders. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was a step in the right direction.

As the meeting concluded, Wang Soo's phone buzzed with a message from Ji-yeon: "I have some information that might be useful. Let's meet."

Wang Soo texted back, arranging a time and place. As he put his phone away, he felt a renewed sense of hope. With new allies and a solid plan, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Later that evening, Wang Soo sat in a quiet café, sipping on a lukewarm cup of coffee. Across from him sat Ji-Yeon, her hands clasped tightly around her mug. She looked at him for a long moment before speaking.

"I wasn't sure you'd come," Ji-Yeon began, her voice softer than Wang Soo remembered.

"I figured I owed you the chance to explain," Wang Soo replied. "What's this really about, Ji-Yeon?"

She took a deep breath, her gaze dropping to the table. "I need to confess something. When Albeirt started reaching out to people who had a grudge against you, I was one of the first to join."

Wang Soo's stomach sank, his expression hardening. "So this is just another scheme? Why should I trust anything you say?"

Ji-Yeon shook her head vehemently. "No, it's not like that anymore. At first, I joined because... well, you never saw me as anything more than a business partner. I worked so hard to prove myself to you, but you always kept me at arm's length. I thought bringing you down would make me feel better. But it didn't."

Wang Soo's expression softened slightly, though his guard remained up.

Ji-Yeon continued, her voice breaking slightly, "Then I saw what Albeirt was doing—the lengths he was willing to go to. And I realized... what's the point of earning your acknowledgment if you're in ruin? I don't want to see you destroyed, Wang Soo. Not like this."

He leaned back in his chair, scrutinizing her carefully. "So why come to me now? Why not just walk away from Albeirt and leave it at that?"

"Because you deserve better," Ji-Yeon said, her eyes meeting his. "And maybe... maybe I'm still hoping you'll see me differently someday. But for now, I just want to help you get back to the person you used to be—the one I respected, even if you didn't see me the way I wanted."

Wang Soo felt a pang of guilt but quickly pushed it aside. "If you're serious about this, then prove it. Work with me to undo the damage you've caused. Otherwise, this conversation ends here."

Ji-Yeon nodded, determination replacing the vulnerability in her eyes. "I'll prove it. Just tell me what you need."

As Wang Soo left the café, his thoughts swirled. He didn't know if he could fully trust Ji-Yeon, but her words lingered in his mind. For the first time in a long while, he felt like someone was genuinely rooting for him—even if their motives weren't entirely selfless.

That evening, Nan Dok called Wang Soo to join an emergency meeting in the conference room. The entire team was present, their faces tense with urgency.

"What's going on?" Wang Soo asked, stepping in.

One of the team leads, Min-seok, spoke up, "We've just received intel from Park Ji-yeon. Albeirt and his group aren't just spreading rumors—they're actively working to sabotage us. They're trying to infiltrate the project."

Wang Soo frowned, his suspicion flaring. "And you trust her?"

"She provided solid information," Min-seok said. "According to her, they're planning to act soon. We don't have time to debate her motives."

Another team member chimed in, "She said they're gathering intel on us. We need to finalize everything within seven days before they can strike."

Nan Dok added, "Boss, we can do this. But we need your approval to accelerate the timeline."

Wang Soo looked around the room, reading the determination in their eyes. Though he harbored doubts about Ji-yeon, he trusted his team. "Alright," he said. "Seven days. But this means we'll need to work nonstop. Prepare yourselves—we're living in the office until this is done."

The team nodded, their resolve unshaken. The room buzzed with a mix of fear and excitement as they began to strategize.

The following day, the team transformed their workspace into a makeshift living quarters. Sleeping bags, toiletries, and stacks of instant ramen filled the corners of the room. Despite the exhaustion etched on their faces, their spirits were high.

Nan Dok approached Wang Soo with a checklist. "We've divided tasks and assigned roles. Everyone knows what they're doing."

"Good," Wang Soo said. "I'll oversee the critical milestones and coordinate with Ji-yeon for updates."

Nan Dok hesitated. "Are you sure about her? What if she's leading us into a trap?"

"I'm not sure about her," Wang Soo admitted. "But I'm sure about all of you. If we work together, no one can stop us."

Nan Dok smiled faintly. "Then let's make it happen."

As the team dove into their work, Wang Soo took a moment to observe them. Despite the odds stacked against them, they were united. It was a sight that filled him with both pride and determination.

"Seven days," he muttered to himself. "We'll show them what we're made of."

End of Chapter 16