The drive to the manufacturing company took nearly forty minutes. Seoul blurred past outside the tinted windows in streaks of silver buildings, crowded streets, glowing signboards, and cold morning light reflecting against wet pavement from last night’s rain. I sat quietly in the backseat beside Mia while reviewing the final textile reports on my tablet. Across from us, the city looked fully awake now. Busy and alive. “The lead textile director will meet us first before the inspection,” Mia informed softly while scrolling through her iPad. “Then the executive negotiation begins around eleven-thirty.” I nodded once without looking up. The car finally slowed as it turned through large black gates surrounded by sleek, modern architecture and tall glass buildings. The manufacturing com

