Corporate Villain
Copyright© 2025 by K.W
Chapter 1
(I can’t let everything be taken from me)
“Then how about you marry me?”
I doubted my ears.
Daeyoung Group, the leading conglomerate in the country.
Kang Moon-jung, the sole legitimate executive of Daeyoung.
Those words came from her, the woman I serve.
“What?”
She seemed displeased with my reaction.
I know it too. Pretending not to hear and asking again, I know how tired she gets of this conversation tactic.
It doesn’t make sense for me, her executive secretary from the group’s secretariat, not to know that much.
But that was the best reaction I could show at the moment.
As if she never had a displeased expression, she smiled again and asked.
Like luring a child with a stick of candy.
“It’s fine whether you do it or not. Now, I’m not even sure if marriage is necessary, but the thought of living alone for the rest of my life feels strangely unsettling. How about trying out that marriage with me?”
Contrary to what people know, Executive Kang Moon-jung is quite introverted.
Her demeanor in business and in non-work-related spaces is polar opposite.
In business settings, she’s flamboyant and powerful, presenting herself with energy over poise, aggression over refinement, but the moment business ends, she always wants to be alone.
I’ve never seen her meet friends outside of university alumni gatherings or the social meetings of conglomerate heirs.
And now, that executive is making expressions in front of me.
She’s doing business with me.
“You’re not one to joke, so I’m asking seriously. Are you being serious right now?”
With a nod, she answered my question, leaving me speechless.
“Did you say 10 billion earlier? Just about 10 billion would be enough to live comfortably for the rest of my life without worrying about money, doing what I want. I’ll give you that money.”
“Sir, Executive Director...”
Suddenly, I began to feel scared.
The words I had casually thrown out couldn’t have been just offhand.
He’s not someone who acts on impulse, at least not in business.
His spontaneity is all an act, a calculated performance.
How meticulous he is.
It wouldn’t be a mere joke either.
He despises meaningless pranks, especially if it’s not someone he needs to step over.
Unlike his half-brother, Vice President Kang Young-jin, Executive Director Kang Moon-jung possesses what you might call the refinement of the powerful.
That’s why I was afraid.
The words weren’t just thrown out there, nor were they a joke, which meant that whatever answer I gave, our relationship could never return to how it used to be.
I joined the conglomerate as an assistant manager, skipped the manager position to become a deputy manager in the secretariat, serving as the Executive Director’s aide until today.
The past eight years under the vast umbrella of Daeyoung flashed before my eyes like a zoetrope.
“First, 5 billion won. The remaining 5 billion will be given on the day you stamp the divorce papers. Of course, I’ll also provide generous special bonuses along the way, and I’ll support the maintenance costs for the dignity befitting my side as much as you want. But.”
Honestly, I wasn’t listening to a word.
“On the condition that Deputy Manager Yoon doesn’t create any scandals that would tarnish my reputation by your side.”
I had to ask.
“Why does it have to be me?”
“Why?”
“Yes.”
“From the world’s perspective, you, Deputy Manager Yoon, would be the most shocking choice as my marriage partner.”
Shocking, to say the least.
“And with just a little bit of storytelling, you could be the most convincing candidate.”
“Convincing?”
He nodded again and continued.
“You know the atmosphere within the group, don’t you? If I don’t attract the world’s attention like this ... if I don’t try something, I’ll just watch as everything I own is taken away.”
It sounded like a candid confession, using me as a last resort.
“I need an issue. An issue that will continuously remind the shareholders and the public that I am the rightful heir of Daeyoung. For that issue to arise, it needs to be backed by credibility as strong as the issue itself. Only then will the issue gain strength and last. If, when the lid is finally lifted, there’s something worthwhile inside, and it meets expectations to some degree, then a positive image is created.”
And with that, I felt a sense of dread.
Executive Kang Moon-jung.
A remarkable person indeed, and despite the image portrayed outwardly, I knew from the start that he was an ambitious individual capable of turning those ambitions into reality. But I never anticipated it to this extent.
And with the thought of fear, a smoldering desire began to rise.
Of course, there would be much to endure.
But ten billion.
Even if one were to work themselves to death for a lifetime, they could never touch ten billion. Haven’t I been promised that sum?