The following morning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains of Yun-ji's bedroom, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. Unlike the restless mornings of her previous life, today she woke with purpose. There was no hesitation, no uncertainty clouding her thoughts. Every minute she gained was another step toward changing the future she once failed to protect.
She sat at her desk with a notebook spread open before her. Neatly written figures, stock prices, projected profits, and handwritten calculations filled the pages. The investment she had made only days ago had performed exactly as she remembered. The shares had climbed rapidly, multiplying her initial capital into an amount that would have seemed impossible to anyone else.
Yun-ji smiled faintly.
"Just as I remembered..."
Money itself had never been her goal. Wealth was simply a tool. This time she intended to use every resource to protect the people she cared about.
Her eyes wandered toward the large window overlooking the neighbouring property beside the Choi Residence.
The house had remained empty for years in her previous life before eventually being sold to strangers. It had always been close enough to reach through the backyard yet secluded enough to provide privacy.
Perfect.
"If I buy that house now..."
She tapped her pen thoughtfully.
"The basement can become a laboratory."
A laboratory equipped with advanced medical equipment would allow her to conduct research privately, prepare medicines, and continue developing treatments long before she officially became a renowned doctor.
The upper floor...
A soft smile tugged at her lips.
"A painting studio."
A place where Min-Ho could paint without interruptions.
No criticism.
No pressure.
No expectations.
Just endless canvases, sunlight pouring through wide windows, and complete freedom to create.
She closed her notebook with quiet determination.
"It has to happen."
Yun-ji arrived at the headquarters of FORTUNE unannounced. The sleek glass building buzzed with employees beginning another busy workday. Dressed in a simple cream blouse beneath a tailored beige coat, she didn't look like someone seeking attention. She simply approached the reception desk and politely asked if Director Kim Won-Shik was available.
Before the receptionist could respond, Won-Shik's personal secretary, Secretary Han, happened to step out of the executive elevator with a stack of files in his arms.
His eyes landed on the young woman standing in the lobby.
He frowned slightly.
Isn't she... Miss Choi?
He had seen her once before from a distance.
Walking over, he offered a courteous bow.
"Miss Choi?"
Yun-ji returned the greeting with a polite smile.
"Yes."
"I am Director Kim's secretary, Secretary Han."
She nodded.
"I was wondering if Director Kim has a few minutes to spare."
Secretary Han hesitated for only a second before smiling.
"I'm sure he'll want to see you. Please follow me."
Instead of making her wait in the reception lounge, he personally escorted her to the executive floor.
The executive floor was noticeably quieter than the bustling lower offices.
However, employees couldn't help noticing the unfamiliar young woman following Director Kim's secretary.
Whispers began almost immediately.
"Who's she?"
"I've never seen her before."
"She went straight to the CEO's floor."
"Did Director Kim schedule a meeting with someone our age?"
"Maybe she's from an important family?"
"No... if she were a business client, she'd have come with a team."
Within minutes, curiosity spread through the office like wildfire.
By the time Secretary Han knocked on Won-Shik's office door, the rumor had already evolved.
"A beautiful young woman came looking for the CEO."
"The secretary personally escorted her upstairs."
"She didn't even need an appointment."
Some employees jokingly wondered whether their famously work-obsessed CEO had secretly started dating.
Others dismissed it immediately, knowing Kim Won-Shik rarely mixed his personal and professional life.
Still...
The gossip continued.
Inside his office, Kim Won-Shik was reviewing acquisition reports when Secretary Han entered.
"Director."
Without looking up, Won-Shik replied,
"Yes?"
"You have a visitor, sir."
"I don't remember scheduling anyone."
"You didn't."
That finally drew his attention.
Secretary Han stepped aside.
Yun-ji walked into the office with an innocent smile.
"Good morning, Director Kim."
Won-Shik's eyebrows lifted in genuine surprise.
"Yun-ji?"
He stood from his chair.
"I certainly wasn't expecting you."
"I thought surprising you would be more interesting than calling beforehand."
A small laugh escaped him.
"You've definitely succeeded."
After Secretary Han quietly excused himself and closed the door, Won-Shik gestured toward the sofa.
"Please, have a seat."
After they settled into their seats, Kim Won-Shik folded his hands and looked at Yun-ji curiously.
"So," he began, "what brings you to my office today?"
Yun-ji smiled before getting straight to the point.
"I need your help with something."
"I'm listening."
"There's a vacant house next to my residence. I want to buy it."
Won-Shik looked mildly surprised.
"The property beside the Choi residence?"
She nodded.
"I've heard the owner has been considering selling it. Since your company has connections in real estate and legal affairs, I was hoping you could help me contact the owner and handle the paperwork."
He leaned back slightly.
"Buying an entire house isn't exactly a small decision."
"I know."
"May I ask why that particular property?"
Yun-ji glanced out the restaurant window for a brief moment before answering.
"I've been thinking about the future."
She smiled softly.
"I want a space where I can work on my medical research someday. Not immediately, of course—but eventually."
Won-Shik nodded thoughtfully.
"I also want to make one room especially for my best friend."
"Your best friend?"
"She's a painter."
There was unmistakable affection in her voice.
"She's incredibly talented, but she's never really had a place where she could paint without worrying about space or disturbing anyone."
Won-Shik listened quietly.
"So I'd like to give her a room that's entirely hers."
"A painting room?"
Yun-ji laughed lightly.
"That's the idea."
She shrugged.
"But that's all it is for now—an idea."
"I haven't even seen the inside of the house yet."
"I'll probably visit the property first after buying it."
"And then I'll ask my friend to come with me."
Her smile widened ever so slightly.
"She's the one who'll actually use the room, so it only makes sense that she helps decide how it should look."
Won-Shik found himself smiling in return.
"So there aren't any renovation plans yet."
She shook her head.
"Not yet."
"I only know two things."
He raised an eyebrow.
"What are they?"
"I want one room where I can eventually build a proper laboratory for my research."
"And one room where my best friend can paint to her heart's content."
"The rest..."
She smiled.
"I'll figure it out after seeing the house."
Won-Shik chuckled.
"That sounds much more realistic than walking in with blueprints already prepared."
"I'd say you've planned just enough."
"Not too much."
Yun-ji laughed.
"I've learned that reality rarely follows the exact plan in your head."
Her words carried an unexpected weight.
Won-Shik didn't know why, but for a brief second, it felt as though she were speaking from experience rather than simple wisdom.
He let the thought pass and smiled.
"I'll have my secretary contact the owner this afternoon."
"If everything goes smoothly, we should be able to arrange a viewing very soon."
"Thank you."
"It's an important place," Yun-ji said quietly.
"I hope it becomes the beginning of something meaningful."