The coffee machine in the office pantry seemed louder than usual, its gurgling noise echoing Ji-Hyun's racing thoughts. Cha Eun-Woong's words lingered like a bad omen: _Don't bother coming back. You're reassigned._
What did it mean? The Thompson files were sensitive – had she mishandled them? Ji-Hyun's phone buzzed, breaking the silence. Min-Soo's message popped up: _Hey, what's going on? Office is buzzing about Eun-Woong._
Ji-Hyun typed quickly: _Reassigned. Don't know why._
The pantry door slid open. Eun-Woong stood there, eyes narrowed. "Ji-Hyun, my office. Now."
Her heart skipped. _What did I do?_ She followed him, the corridor feeling like a gauntlet. Colagues shot curious glances her way.
Eun-Woong's office was sleek, cold glass and steel. He didn't sit. "You're Park Sung-Ho's daughter."
Ji-Hyun's breath caught. _He knows._
"Yes, sir," she said softly.
Eun-Woong's gaze pinned her. "Why work as a secretary? Hiding, Park Ji-Hyun?"
The question stung. "I'm proving myself, sir."
A smirk flickered. "Proving? To who? The father who ignored you?"
Anger flared. "That's none of your business."
Eun-Woong leaned closer. "It is now. You're working for me. Directly."
Ji-Hyun's pulse raced. "What does that mean?"
"It means," he said, voice low, "you're going to help me take down the Park Group."
Ji-Hyun's eyes widened. "Why?"
Eun-Woong's smile was ice. "Revenge. The Park Group destroyed my family. Now I'll destroy theirs."
A chill ran down her spine. "You're using me."
"I'm using your leverage," he corrected. "You're going to get me inside. Get me what I need."
Ji-Hyun shook her head. "I won't betray my father."
Eun-Woong's gaze turned glacial. "Not your father. The Park Group. Different thing, isn't it?"
The room spun. Her father's secrets, the whispers, the isolation – it all clicked. "You know."
"Enough," he said. "You'll do this, Ji-Hyun. Or I'll make sure everyone knows what the Park Group really is."
The threat hung in the air. Ji-Hyun's mind raced. Play along. Survive. "What do you want, exactly?"
Eun-Woong's smile was back. "Access. Documents. Information. You'll be my eyes inside."
A deal with the devil. "And if I refuse?"
His eyes glinted. "You'll regret it."
Ji-Hyun nodded slowly. "I'll do it."
The corners of Eun-Woong's lips curled. "Good girl. Report to me tomorrow. We'll plan."
As she turned to leave, he added, "And, Ji-Hyun?"
"Sir?"
"Don't even think about double-crossing me."