Chapter 8

Chapter 7.

This is my opinion.

"Chairman, even if Mr. Heo Tae-sik is not the manager, there must be a manager."

Upon hearing Seong Hyun-woo's response, the chairman raised an eyebrow and asked.

"There are many people who can be a manager even if it's not Heo Tae-sik."

"Of course, there are many people among the headquarters executives who can be a manager. However, you specifically appointed Mr. Heo Tae-sik. I believe there must be a reason for that."

"So, you think I appointed Manager Heo with a significant purpose?"

"I can't know whether it's a big or small purpose. However, I believe there must be something you require from him as a hotel manager. I think you haven't taken any action because you still need Manager Heo, even though I don't know what it is."

Upon hearing this, Seong Gwan-gyu stared intently at Seong Hyun-woo.

His face still had a youthful look.

However, his words, posture, and tone of voice made him seem like a seasoned director or new executive in his late 40s.

Most importantly, Seong Hyun-woo seemed to know that he was using Heo Tae-sik.

In the end, Seong Gwan-gyu nodded, indicating his approval of Seong Hyun-woo's opinion.

"The team leaders have done well. It seems we've managed to stop the unnecessary money leaks at the hotel. You've achieved this in less than a week since you started. Do you have any requests? I know the position of general manager is currently vacant. Would you like it?"

"I think the position of general manager should remain vacant."

At this, Seong Gwan-gyu's expression changed.

He leaned forward and asked.

"Can you explain your reasoning?"

"The hotel has been running well under the management system. I don't think it's necessary to bring in a new general manager, which would only add to the chaos caused by the team leaders' disciplinary actions."

"About Heo Manager's role in the future..."

Seong Gwan-gyu cut himself off.

He seemed to understand Seong Hyun-woo's intentions.

So, he continued the test.

"The disciplinary actions for the team leaders were decided by you, right? Is there a specific reason you didn't fire the marketing and food and beverage team leaders? It seems like grounds for a lawsuit."

"What they did was very unethical."

"But?"

"They have extensive connections in the hotel industry. Even without firing them, the rumors will spread. They won't be able to work at hotels that compete with Future Hotel."

"What about the reason for ending the chef's disciplinary action at that level?"

"The chef admitted his mistake willingly."

"Even so, if someone makes a mistake, they should pay the appropriate price, right? Otherwise, it won't set a good example for the subordinates."

In response to the chairman's words, Seong Hyun-woo spoke more firmly.

"The hotel is also at fault for allowing such people to hold important positions."

"......!"

"Chairman, there are few employees who can ignore a request from a manager with hiring authority. If their difficulties are ignored, no one will keep quiet for their superiors."

Upon hearing this, Seong Gwan-gyu looked at Seong Hyun-woo again.

The marketing team leader, Jeong Hyun-jung, and the food and beverage team leader, Choi Jin-ju, had revealed everything in their statements.

On the other hand, they tried to minimize their personal gains.

The chef, on the other hand, had handled the matter more vaguely.

Moreover, Hwang Seon-ho and Park Jin-sung, despite thorough investigations, had only minor personal gains, which the chefs couldn't have been unaware of.

If these two had been treated the same as Jeong Hyun-jung and Choi Jin-ju, the morale of the kitchen would have plummeted, and trust in the manager and the group itself would have been lost.

Seong Hyun-woo had considered the situation after the disciplinary actions.

The chairman thought he was quite capable.

Most importantly, the headquarters had been using Heo Tae-sik to secure slush funds.

While the amount wasn't as large as what construction companies provided, it was still significant.

If Heo Tae-sik had been fired, it was uncertain what he might have done, given his talkative nature.

Seong Gwan-gyu nodded slightly and picked up his teacup.

A short while later, the secretary general, Kim Sung-wook, was sitting in front of him instead of Seong Hyun-woo.

"Does Hyun-woo have any organizational experience?"

"He has done part-time jobs and tutoring. This is his first experience in an organization."

"Really? His father only studied and didn't have much organizational experience. I wonder where he learned this."

"The support team leader seems to have already surrendered. He has quite a bit of experience."

"Is the support team leader someone sent from the headquarters?"

"Yes. In a way, this incident could be seen as a result of the support team leader not doing his job properly."

"If the support team leader didn't do his job well, it means the hotel's organizational structure and culture are unique. And Hyun-woo managed to handle it?"

After a long pause, Seong Gwan-gyu spoke.

"Let's see how Hyun-woo handles the hotel."

"The team leaders will be replaced, causing chaos. Manager Heo won't be able to speak up properly."

"So, let's see how he handles the situation. If he has ambition, he'll find a way to normalize things."

* * *

At that moment, the support team leader was receiving written agreements from Jeong Hyun-jung and Choi Jin-ju.

The agreements stated that they would not raise any objections against Future Hotel or Future Group and that they would deposit the amounts they signed within a month.

The support team leader, while putting away the agreements, said.

"The hotel and the group won't file charges against the two team leaders. We'll also issue any necessary documents for their next job, so let me know when you need them."

However, the two sighed deeply.

The hotel industry is known for being small.

Compared to other industries, the turnover rate is high.

Especially in the promotions department, hotel promotion managers maintain strong ties.

The food and beverage department has similar strong ties.

So, even with a certificate of experience, it's difficult to get a job at a top-tier hotel in Seoul like Future Hotel.

Thus, the two left the hotel with their shoulders slumped.

Simultaneously, the atmosphere in the marketing and food and beverage departments became as somber as a funeral.

For them, it was as if they had suddenly lost their team leaders.

And it was due to very unethical behavior.

The team members were restless, as if they had lost their parents.

They were also worried that the same fate might befall them.

However, amidst this chaos, there were people eyeing team leader promotions.

Their efforts began immediately.

Especially the marketing assistants openly visited the support team.

They asked the support team's personnel assistant when a new team leader would be appointed.

They also asked if a job posting would be made.

It was impossible for the personnel assistant to answer such questions.

Those who didn't get the answers they wanted immediately knocked on the door of the audit team.

Fortunately, Seong Hyun-woo was not in his office at the time.

They approached Park Jin-sung.

"Mr. Park."

"Why are you coming in here? Don't you know that the audit team's office is off-limits?"

"Come on! Why are you being like this among colleagues?"

The marketing assistant grabbed Park Jin-sung's arm and dragged him outside, forcing him to drink coffee.

"Mr. Park, I have a question."

"......"

"It's not about the disciplinary actions, so please answer."

"What is it?"

"Mr. Park, your team leader fired our team leader. So, will the next team leader be chosen by the audit team?"

"Is our team leader the head of the personnel department? Why would our team leader appoint a marketing team leader?"

"Come on! Why are you being like this? I heard that the support team leader is intimidated by the audit team leader."

"I don't know. If you want to know, ask our team leader directly."

After saying this, Park Jin-sung stormed out of the cafe.

At that moment, Hwang Seon-ho was also being held by a hotel employee.

He was a guest room team assistant.

"Seon-ho, only Jeong and Choi team leaders were disciplined this time. Is our team leader really okay?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Seon-ho, you inspected the reservations, right? Since we're not completely unrelated to the marketing team, and only the marketing team leader was disciplined, I'm wondering if our team leader's discipline was intentionally delayed."

"Why are you asking this? Do you hope that Team Leader Kim will be disciplined? Are you eyeing the guest room team leader position?"

"Wh... What are you saying?"

"If not, don't ask such questions. Just hearing about discipline gives me a headache."

After this, Hwang Seon-ho put a "No Entry" sign on the audit team's door.

However, Park Jin-sung went even further.

He installed a lock and made it so that only audit team members could enter.

However, the employees' unrest continued.

Even departments with team leaders still in place felt uneasy, and the surviving team leaders were walking on thin ice.

But that was just the beginning.

The marketing and food and beverage departments were in deep sorrow.

Initially, it was due to the team leaders' disciplinary actions.

But now, it was because of the large-scale event the next day.

Around lunchtime, the marketing assistant, Choi Gyu-hyun, and the food and beverage assistant, Jeong Soon-jeong, discussed the matter.

Jeong Soon-jeong spoke first.

"The table settings are complete according to the function sheet provided by the promotions department."

"The grand ballroom is set up in a theater style, and one conference room is in a V-shape, the other in a semicircle, right? The lighting and sound are all prepared?"

"Yes. That's how it's done, but the problem is the grand ballroom. Look. How should we arrange the round tables? In what order should we serve the course meals? Whose standards should we follow for the dishes? What wine should we serve? What protocol should we use for VIPs? Who is in charge of this event? Who received it?"

Choi Gyu-hyun answered quietly.

"Our team leader."

"Then call and..."

"He won't answer. He probably hopes the event fails."

"Then what should we do? The event is tomorrow, and we have 500 people. How can we manage with this?"

As Jeong Soon-jeong said this, her face turned grim.

Her team leader, Choi Jin-ju, had been fired.

The banquet team leader, who was responsible for the event, was on leave.

According to rumors, he was preparing to resign.

Jeong Soon-jeong seemed to be scared.

The banquet team, though nominally a separate team, followed the food and beverage department's instructions.

So, this event would fall entirely on Jeong Soon-jeong.

"These people are very picky. They would have communicated everything in detail when they entrusted the event. It's ridiculous to ask about the event the day before. Assistant, do something!"

However, no matter how much Jeong Soon-jeong complained, Choi Gyu-hyun only scratched his head.

This event was brought in by Jeong Hyun-jung.

So, if they knew he had resigned, they wouldn't book the event next year.

Still, they had to manage the event tomorrow.

Choi Gyu-hyun hesitated several times before picking up his phone.

But the other party didn't answer.

"Assistant, did you call the person in charge?"

"I called Team Leader Jeong, but he didn't answer."

"Then leave a message."

Choi Gyu-hyun left a message for Jeong Hyun-jung and picked up his phone again.

But then his phone rang.

It was an unknown number.

"Ah! Yes. Team Leader."

"Yes."

Choi Gyu-hyun stood up with a bewildered expression.

Jeong Soon-jeong, who had vaguely heard the conversation, was already heading towards the elevator.

A short while later, the two went to the grand ballroom.

But when they entered, their eyes widened.

The grand ballroom had only round tables set up.

But the banquet team staff were already setting up the tablecloths.

Choi Gyu-hyun said, "We don't know what color tablecloths the client wants."

"It's a steak course tomorrow, right?"

At Seong Hyun-woo's words, Choi Gyu-hyun nodded.

"That company would have requested a dark-colored tablecloth when they eat steak."

"Ah!"

As Choi Gyu-hyun let out a weak exclamation, Seong Hyun-woo spoke to the two.

"Give me the briefing for tomorrow's banquet."

"......Yes?"

"I am the final person responsible for tomorrow's event. So, report to me, starting with who the client is, their contact information, and what is currently recorded in the promotions department."