That evening, the office buzzed with an unusual energy.
"Did you hear? Choi Min-jae's visiting headquarters today."
"That Choi Min-jae? From CM Group?"
"Yeah, the heir himself. Apparently he has some business with LJ Group."
Hye-rin didn't pay much attention until she saw him.
Choi Min-jae walked in like the entire building belonged to him, suit tailored to perfection, smile charming but calculated. He exchanged handshakes with executives like they were old friends.
And then his eyes landed on Lee Joon-hyuk.
For the first time since she'd joined the company, Hye-rin saw Joon-hyuk's aloof mask shift. Not much, but enough. His jaw tightened, his gaze sharpening like a blade.
"Lee Joon-hyuk," Choi Min-jae greeted smoothly. "It's been a while."
"Not long enough," Joon-hyuk replied coolly.
The air between them felt electric two predators sizing each other up.
From the corner of the room, Hye-rin felt like she was witnessing the start of a storm. And somehow, she had the sinking feeling she was standing right in the middle of it.