The episode commences with a hint of an anonymous woman and man engaged in an office affair as the narrator delves into the power dynamics at play. We are then introduced to Noh Ki-jun, an assistant manager in Haemu Group's head office audit team 1. He is meticulous and unafraid to confront Director Kang, who was caught doing business with overseas competitors from North Korea.
Haemu Group is divided into three audit teams. Teams One and Two handle major cases such as embezzlement, malpractice, collusion, and informational leaks. Meanwhile, Team Three is responsible for minor matters within the company, such as employee complaints. It ensures that employees adhere to the code of conduct and that there are no employee-related scandals.
From the conversations between Ki-jun and his colleagues, it is evident that other audit teams look down upon and despise Team Three. In the morning, Ji-hye pulls Ki-jun up the stairs at the office and passionately tries to kiss him, but Ki-jun pushes her away. It turns out they once had a fling, and Ji-hye wants one final intimate moment before she gets married, but Ki-jun turns her down.
Later at the office, Ki-jun and his colleague, Ahn Min-su, discuss his potential promotion for catching Dr. Kang. Suddenly, Doo-gi rushes in with the news that Joo In-a is returning, and all the employees are restless. News of her arrival spreads like wildfire, and it's clear that the employees deeply resent/fear her. They all hold their breath, wondering which department she will be assigned to.
While the employees are racking their brains, the HR department head, Boo Se-young, is still debating whether to send the notice of her assignment. In-a gets off on the 14th floor, and the audit and planning teams shudder in fear. The planning department celebrates because she is the new Department Head of the Audit team.
In-a's first act of leadership involves personally interviewing every member of the department, leaving them either in tears or so exhausted that they require assistance to return to their desks. When Ki-jun's turn comes, he enters the office with excitement, but that enthusiasm quickly fades. In-a assigns him to Team Three, tasked with handling personal misconduct cases. Ki-jun is taken aback, and she doesn't offer any explanation for the transfer. He tries to plead his case, explaining that he's working on a vital case involving several executives and that he's the only one suited for the job. In-a simply laughs, reminding him that no employee is irreplaceable and that the project will survive without him since he's not special. He persists in seeking a reason for the transfer, and In-a responds that he's the best person for the job.
Ki-jun struggles to accept the transfer and work with his new team, including team leader Mu Gwang-il, bookkeeper Pyun Hae-young, Manager Cha Sung-tae, senior associate Baek Hyun-kyu, and assistant manager Yoon Da-ye. His first day at work is overwhelming, as he's constantly receiving calls about insignificant reports while other employees complain. At one point, he has to rush to the bathroom to handle an employee who brings him used tissues as proof of infidelity.
Meanwhile, Young-hee, an employee's wife, begins to suspect her husband, Son Myung-soo. He comes home late and doesn't pick up her calls when he claims to be going out for a team dinner. She shows up at the restaurant to embarrass Myung-soo and later at home, she carefully inspects his clothes and finds a strand of hair.
At home, Ki-jun becomes more depressed while watching a singing and dancing competition. One of the competitors, who's been leading and is skilled at singing and dancing, is forced out. He reflects on how no one stays at the top for long in rankings and that staying there becomes a battle for survival.
The next day at work, Ki-jun runs into Young-hee, who's here to report her husband for infidelity. She brings the strand of hair as evidence. Ki-jun wants to dismiss the case since the evidence isn't sufficient, but Gwang-il assures her that they'll investigate it further.
Ki-jun learns that they must follow procedures for any report, including completing paperwork and speaking with the employee in question. He's assigned to the case but dismisses it after overhearing other employees discussing the incident at the restaurant. When he returns to his desk, Gwang-il calls the team together for an important assignment from higher-ups. Ki-jun is excited but realizes they're supposed to look for poppies around the garden. While he's frustrated, Young-hee keeps pestering him for updates on the investigation, and he ends up yelling that she's delusional and should see a doctor.
Ki-jun sends In-a a report concluding that Myung-soo and Mi-young are not having an affair, but she notices their behavior is peculiar while waiting for the elevator. Later that night, she runs into the food branding team on their way to dinner. Mi-young and Myung-soo aren't with them, so she asks them to head back to the office as she'll order delivery for them. It turns out that Mi-young and Myung-soo are indeed having an affair, and the whole team witnesses it. On their way out, In-a asks Ki-jun to send her a new report on the case. At the end of the episode, Young-hee tries to hit them with her car. She's angry that Ki-jun called her delusional and didn't follow up on those having an affair.
