The next day, Shin Hye walked into her office – an abandoned building she had claimed as her own. As soon as she stepped inside, the murmurs and movements halted. Everyone paused for a moment, lowering their heads in a respectful bow. To them, she was more than just a boss. She valued each of them – just as she once valued Kim Tae Hyun.
**
Flashback
Years ago, Kim Tae Hyun had been just a young teenage boy, living with his step-uncle after losing his parents in an accident. That night, Shin Hye, then only twenty, was walking down the dimly lit street. Her steps were slow and calm, her face devoid of any emotion – the same cold expression that never left her.
As she passed an old, rusted house, the door suddenly burst open. A thin thirteen-year-old boy stumbled out, tears streaming down his bruised face. Without looking where he was going, he crashed straight into Shin Hye.
His lips were bleeding, eyes swollen from intense crying. Bruises marked his innocent face, and his body was flushed red with pain. Unknowingly, he dashed straight into her, stumbling back as his teary eyes met hers.
For a brief moment, his gaze softened in confusion and fear. He quickly stepped back, but then looked up again into her eyes.
Her eyes were dark – pitch black like a moonless night sky, with only the faintest starlight reflecting in their depths. Short wavy black hair framed her pale face, making her beauty feel cold and distant.
To her, he was just an innocent, wounded child. But before she could think further, a loud voice echoed from the doorway. His uncle rushed out and grabbed him roughly by the neck.
Uncle (shouting):"Where the hell do you think you're going? I'm not gonna spare you! Give me back that money, you worthless brat!"
The boy looked at Shin Hye with those helpless, tear-filled eyes, silently begging for help, though no words left his trembling lips.
His uncle turned to Shin Hye, glaring.
Uncle:"Who are you? Don't stick your nose in our business. Move along."
Shin Hye lowered her gaze slightly, her voice dropping to a cold, quiet whisper only she could hear.
Shin Hye (muttering softly):"Bastards like you… not even sparing a child."
In a desperate attempt to escape, Tae Hyun bit his uncle's hand hard. The man shouted in pain as Tae Hyun broke free, running straight to Shin Hye. Without thinking, he wrapped his small arms around her waist from behind, his face buried against her back.
Tae Hyun (voice trembling, muffled):"Help me… please… I beg you."
Shin Hye felt his cold, wounded hands clutching her tightly. Slowly, she placed her warm hands over his trembling ones. She turned slightly to look at him – his cheeks were stained with tears, his lips trembling with silent sobs.
Suddenly, she noticed his uncle raising a thick wooden stick, ready to strike. In a swift move, Shin Hye pulled Tae Hyun aside, dodging the swing. The man growled in anger and lunged forward, swinging again.
But before the stick could land, Shin Hye stepped in closer. With one hand, she grabbed his wrist mid-air, her grip iron-strong despite her delicate appearance. Her black eyes stared straight into his with a cold emptiness that sent a shiver down his spine.
He tried to pull away, but she twisted his wrist sharply, forcing him to drop the stick. Without a second's hesitation, she kicked his knee, making him stumble forward. As he bent over in pain, she snatched up the fallen stick and pressed it against his neck, pushing him down onto the dirt ground.
He coughed and gasped, eyes wide with sudden fear.
Shin Hye (voice calm, eerily soft):"Touch him again… and I'll break more than just your pride."
She released the stick from his throat, and he scrambled back, clutching his neck and staring at her in horror. Without another glance at him, Shin Hye turned to Tae Hyun, gently wiping the tears from his bruised face.
The man struggled to stand, rubbing his aching knee. Glaring at Tae Hyun, he shouted:
Uncle:"He stole my money!"
Shin Hye stepped closer, her heels clicking against the cracked pavement. The man instinctively stepped back, fear flashing in his eyes as he noticed her elegant black coat and expensive leather boots. She didn't look like someone to mess with.
Shin Hye (voice calm and cold):"So what? You're going to kill him… over a tiny mistake?"
Uncle (trying to act brave, his voice trembling slightly):"Listen, miss… I don't know who you are, but he's the son of my brother. Leave this matter to me."
Shin Hye turned her gaze to Tae Hyun, her black eyes unreadable.
Shin Hye:"Give him his money back, kid."
Tae Hyun lowered his head in shame. Slowly, he pulled out a crumpled ₩50,000 note (around 40 USD – enough to be his uncle's emergency savings) from his jacket pocket and held it out with trembling hands.
His uncle snatched the money instantly, his eyes gleaming with greed as he inspected it, a disgusting grin spreading across his face.
Tae Hyun (muttering under his breath with a small scowl):"Disgusting… money monster."
His voice was so quiet it almost sounded funny, but the hatred burning in his eyes was clear.
The man shoved the money into his pocket and glared at Tae Hyun.
Uncle (raising his hand):
"Now come here. I'm gonna teach you a lesson you'll never forget!"