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What if he already knows everything about what happened yesterday?
Fear surged through Joo-eun, draining the color from her lips.
The more flustered she became, the more Kwon seemed convinced of his suspicions.
Under the table, Joo-eun’s trembling hands clenched into tight fists.
Focus… Stay calm.
The mere fact that he was asking such a question meant he wasn’t entirely sure yet—just speculating.
She needed to respond quickly and confidently, as if the idea itself were absurd.
Swallowing hard, Joo-eun forced herself to reply firmly.
“What relationship with Director Min-hyuk? How could you even ask such a thing?”
Her voice betrayed her by quivering slightly.
Oh no… Did he notice?
Avoiding his gaze, she tried desperately to steady her pounding heart.
Kwon scratched his thinning scalp and chuckled awkwardly.
“Right, right... What was I thinking? Hmm.”
Phew… Joo-eun let out an involuntary sigh of relief.
“But listen,”
“...Yes?”
Just as she began to relax, Kwon’s eyes narrowed again with renewed suspicion.
“Even if he’s comforting a subordinate employee, spending that much time together still seems odd, doesn’t it?”
A short but heavy silence hung between them.
Stay composed. Panicking would only deepen his suspicions.
With bated breath, Joo-eun added, “I cried a little yesterday, so he offered to drive me home instead of letting me take the subway. Please don’t misunderstand.”
“Oh… You cried?”
“Just a little.”
Her pointed stare carried the unspoken message: It was because of your ridiculous assignment.
Catching her drift, Kwon awkwardly scratched his neck.
“Hmm. I see. Now I feel even worse about this.”
“I told you before—it’s fine now.”
“Good, thank you. And please, don’t dwell too much on my earlier warning.”
Finally, the suspicious glint in his eyes faded.
Though relieved at having handled the situation smoothly, she couldn’t shake off his cryptic advice.
Why had he warned her to be careful?
Only when he was gone did Joo-eun finally manage to breathe properly.
“Whew… That was terrifying.”
The image of Kwon’s piercing, distrustful gaze lingered in her mind.
What now? Everything suddenly felt overwhelming. What if she really became the scapegoat for ruining all these critical matters, just as Kwon had suggested?
Buried under the joy of being pursued by such an extraordinary man, her worries had temporarily receded—but now they came crashing back like an avalanche.
How could she possibly avoid the impending disaster? Was escape even an option? The path ahead seemed impossibly dark.
---
“So, guess what my husband said?”
Despite Choi Manager’s abrupt question, Joo-eun remained lost in thought, staring blankly into space.
She didn’t register the question—or even realize she’d been asked anything.
“Song Joo-eun, are you listening?”
“Huh? Oh… Yes, yes. I’m listening. So, what did your husband buy you?”
Joo-eun’s nonsensical response crinkled Choi’s brow.
“Buy? Do you think he’s the type to do that?”
“Oh… Sorry. I was distracted for a moment.”
“Were you thinking about yesterday again? I told you to forget it.”
“No, no. It’s something else.”
“What is it?”
Choi leaned forward eagerly, intrigued as though something exciting had occurred.
“It’s… a situation where I need to decline something, but I haven’t been able to send a reply. It’s making me uneasy.”
“Sounds like your heart is staging a protest against rejection.”
“A protest?”
“You barely touched your lunch today. Clearly, your heart’s on strike. Maybe even fasting while protesting.”
Choi’s witty analogy drew a reluctant laugh from Joo-eun despite her complicated emotions.
“Could be.”
“Do you know what your heart’s demanding during this hunger strike?”
“I have a rough idea… But I don’t have the luxury of paying close attention right now.”
“Ah, how unfortunate—to be torn between body and mind. Whoever it is will surely get hurt.”
“Huh?”
Had Choi somehow figured it out? Joo-eun panicked.
“Don’t act surprised. Who is it? That guy from IT Team Daeri Gong?”
“No, it’s not him.”
As Joo-eun blushed, Choi clapped her hands delightedly, as if it were her own victory.
“This is wonderful timing! If only I could reject someone via text—I’d die happy. Take your time. Think it over. Your feelings might change.”
With a wave, she walked away.
Left alone, Joo-eun exhaled softly.
Will he… get hurt? Is it even possible for me to hurt someone like Director Min-hyuk…?
The mere thought filled her with guilt and sorrow.
But then Kwon’s suspicious glare resurfaced in her mind, snapping her back to reality.
If Kwon suspected something now, it was only a matter of time before word spread uncontrollably.
Right. If this relationship was doomed anyway, she needed to reject him as soon as possible.
No regrets later.
Determined, Joo-eun headed toward the emergency exit.
Taking a deep breath as if preparing for a monumental task, she began typing a message:
“I have to go to the hospital with my mom after work.”
Was this rejection too weak…?
She’d sent it with resolve, but now it didn’t feel like rejection at all.
Fine. She’d wait. If he suggested another day, she’d decline again. Eventually, he’d catch on.
Clutching her phone tightly, Joo-eun waited anxiously for a reply—but the notification count stayed stubbornly at one.
Lunch break wasn’t over yet. Had he already dived back into work?
The thought made her regret sending the text. Knowing him, he’d probably skipped lunch entirely to focus on tasks.
As her mind grew more tangled, a reply finally arrived.
“Is she unwell?”
“Ah… Not exactly…”
Joo-eun muttered unconsciously.
After a brief pause, she typed back:
“Just… a cold.”
“I know a professor. Let me arrange for you to visit and get checked.”
His genuine concern for her mother tugged at her heartstrings.
Thinking of how much her mom adored him only weighed heavier on her chest.
“Thank you so much for offering…”
“What are you doing this weekend?”
Oh… Please stop asking…
Biting her lip, Joo-eun typed a response with tears threatening to spill.
“I need to visit the orphanage. Sunday’s scheduled for a big cleaning session.”
Right. Visiting the orphanage and cleaning—that wasn’t a lie.
She reassured herself as she stared wistfully at the screen.
No further messages came.
The sudden end of their exchange mirrored the abrupt severance of their connection, leaving her heart aching.
“I did the right thing, Song Joo-eun… This should hurt any man’s pride enough…”
Let alone someone like Jeong Min-hyuk, the crown prince of DK Group. How deeply must his pride be wounded?
“I’m sorry… I know I’m rejecting good fortune, but I can’t handle it…”
Leaning weakly against the wall, she typed “DK Group” into the search bar.
Ironically, here she was, pushing away a man who’d fallen into her life unexpectedly, while scrolling through articles about DK Group and GB Group.
Yet, she couldn’t help herself. The looming storm terrified her.
Fortunately, there were no reports of strained relations between the two companies.
Still, Chaerin and her mother’s threats echoed vividly in her mind.
Perhaps they weren’t influential enough. Or maybe they were simply biding their time.
Either way, her unease persisted.
The eerie calm felt like the eye of a hurricane—too quiet, too unsettling.
“Sigh… Even now, he really is handsome…”
Every photo accompanying the articles radiated brilliance.
One comment read, “The most beautiful product DK Electronics has ever produced is Jeong Min-hyuk.”
Chuckling softly, Joo-eun smirked.
“Since I agree, I’ll give it a thumbs-up.”
As she extended her thumb to click, a voice startled her.
“Were you hiding here?”
“Mommy…!”
Startled by the sudden warmth near her ear, Joo-eun jumped, causing her phone to fly into the air.
Min-hyuk caught it effortlessly with his long arm.
“Did you receive my apology?”
Joo-eun’s eyes widened in disbelief. The dazzling man she’d just seen in photos now stood inches away.
Handsome, indeed.
But surely, he hadn’t noticed what she’d been doing?
Cold sweat trickled down her spine.
“Yes? Oh, absolutely. Very well received.”
Now, if only he’d return the phone. She pleaded silently.
“I’ve dealt with the matter thoroughly, so nothing like that will happen again.”
“Yes, yes.”
Please, just give me the phone…
Reading her desperation, he hummed knowingly and handed it over.
But as his gaze brushed past the screen, his brow furrowed faintly.
“Were you reading comments?”
Oh no.
“Gi—give it back!”
Reaching out, Joo-eun leapt upward—but her fingertips barely grazed his elbow.
“Give it back.”
Finding her frantic attempts amusing, he raised the phone higher.
Frustrated, she scowled and continued jumping.
“Are you really going to act like this?”
“What were you looking at that made you so flustered?”
Oh no.
“Don’t look!”
Her cry coincided with him tilting his head to examine the screen.
His expression hardened instantly.
So busy rejecting calls, yet here she was liking comments praising his looks.
How hypocritical must she seem?
Her face burned crimson.
He murmured icily, “Dislike?”
“Huh?”
With a slow, deliberate smile, he held the phone up to her face.
The glaring red “Dislike” button stared back at her mockingly.
“Not only rejecting calls but now actively disliking things?”
No, it wasn’t like that… This wasn’t what it seemed…
Tears welled up in her eyes as she shook her head fervently.
Oh no. Please save me. Her silent plea begged for mercy.
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