Ji-Ah was called back into Ha-Joon's office.
When she entered, Ha-Joon stood beside his desk, Seo-Jun just behind him.
Two unfamiliar men stood near the wall, both in neat suits, posture far too straight to be "normal workers."
Ha-Joon gestured. "These are new staff members."
Both men bowed deeply at the same time. "Hello, Ms. Park."
Ji-Ah blinked. Slowly. "…Staff?"
"Yes," the taller one said quickly. "We handle… logistics."
The shorter one nodded. "And operations."
They bowed again.
Ji-Ah glanced at their earpieces. Then at their broad shoulders. Then back at Ha-Joon.
"…Do your logistics include martial arts?" she asked.
Seo-Jun turned away to cough.
Ha-Joon didn't blink. "They'll assist you."
One of the men stepped forward. "I'm Lee."
"And I'm Choi," the other added. "We'll be working near you."
Ji-Ah smiled politely. "Working. Right."
She leaned slightly toward Ha-Joon. "If they tackle someone, do I file that under overtime?"
"No," he replied calmly. "Under prevention."
She sighed. "Great. I've been upgraded again."
The guards bowed once more.
Ji-Ah bowed back—awkwardly. "Nice to meet you… coworkers."
Seo-Jun finally smiled.
Ha-Joon watched her.
Unamused.
But reassured.
--
Ji-Ah walked briskly outside the building, Jun-Seok and Min-Hyuk following a few steps behind, silent and rigid.
She smirked, deciding to test her "coworkers."
She zigzagged across the sidewalk, then suddenly ducked behind a lamppost.
The taller guard nearly collided with it.
"Ms. Park?" Jun-Seok's calm voice carried tension.
Ji-Ah grinned. "All good. Keep up."
Choi adjusted his steps instantly.
Satisfied, she straightened, enjoying the small victory. These guys are sharp… but not invincible.
The next day…
Ji-Ah stepped into Ha-Joon's office with her usual careful pace, coffee in hand.
Ha-Joon stood by his desk, hair falling slightly over his forehead, sharp eyes scanning the room.
Do-Hyun was there too, leaning over a file, reviewing documents.
"Coffee, sir," Ji-Ah said softly, setting the cup down.
Ha-Joon didn't look up.
Just then, the office door opened wider, and a tall, sharp-featured man entered.
Dark suit, piercing gaze, confident stride—Do-Hae.
Ha-Joon's expression didn't change. "Do-Hae."
Do-Hae's eyes flicked over the office, landing briefly on Ji-Ah.
She froze, instantly alert, holding the coffee tighter.
Ha-Joon gestured to the empty chair. "We need to discuss business."
Do-Hyun, still holding his documents, stepped slightly aside but watched silently.
Do-Hae's gaze was steady.
"I hear there's been… movement in my territory," he said smoothly, almost teasingly.
Ji-Ah kept her posture straight, heart racing but voice calm in her head: Don't flinch. Not now.
Ha-Joon's tone remained flat. "This ends here."
Do-Hae smirked faintly. "We'll see."
Ji-Ah set the coffee down carefully, backing just slightly, as her guards subtly shifted behind her, ready but unseen.
And for the first time, she realized Do-Hae wasn't just another threat on paper—he was precise, observant, and somehow… aware of her too.
Ha-Joon gestured toward the large chair across from his desk.
"Sit," he said, voice flat.
Do-Hae took it, posture straight, hands folded on the table.
His gaze flicked briefly to Ji-Ah, who stood at the side, coffee in hand, then back to Ha-Joon.
Ha-Joon opened the file. "Your recent actions across Jeju—interfering with Hanryeon's Tech Operations—are noted. And now, your claim on our shares."
Do-Hae leaned back slightly.
"I'm simply reclaiming what was promised to me when I left. Legally, I have a right. Ethically…" He smirked. "…well, ethics rarely factor into business, do they?"
Do-Hyun shifted papers nervously. "We need to quantify the losses. If this escalates, it could affect multiple subsidiaries."
Ha-Joon's expression remained unreadable. "You've overstepped. I won't allow the company, or its shareholders, to be compromised."
Do-Hae's tone was calm but precise. "I expected resistance. I didn't expect theatrics."
Ji-Ah's fingers tightened slightly around the coffee cup.
Theatrical or not, he's dangerous, she thought.
Her guards subtly moved closer behind her, eyes sharp.
Ha-Joon leaned forward, voice low. "Then we need an arrangement. One that keeps your interference limited and our assets intact."
Do-Hae smirked faintly. "Negotiation is possible… but I play to win."
Do-Hyun scribbled notes, muttering about numbers and percentages.
Ha-Joon's gaze swept the room.
Calm. Calculating.
"Then we proceed carefully. Every step recorded, every action monitored. Ms. Park,"—his eyes flicked briefly to Ji-Ah—"you'll maintain security oversight."
Ji-Ah froze slightly but nodded. Perfect. Just me and these two guards watching everything… nothing can go wrong.
Do-Hae's smirk didn't fade. "Very well. Let's see who moves first."
The air in the office was taut, quiet except for the soft rustle of papers and Ji-Ah's subtle, controlled breathing.
Do-Hae was about to leave when Ji-Ah stepped forward, coffee in hand, eyes sharp.
"Wait," she said, voice crisp.
"How exactly do you plan to claim shares? With charm? Threats? Or did someone teach you that in your villain handbook?"
Do-Hae froze for a fraction of a second, then arched an eyebrow. "And you are…?"
"Ms. Park," she said smoothly. "Assistant. Question-asker. Ego-deflator. Pick one."
Ha-Joon's eyes flicked to her.
A tiny smirk grazed his lips—so slight, it could be missed entirely.
Do-Hae's lips twitched. "Bold. Very bold."
Ji-Ah leaned slightly closer. "Also, you might want to work on the stare. Right now? Bitter looks better than scary."
Do-Hae's gaze sharpened, cool and assessing. "Interesting. You survive… by talking fast."
Ji-Ah shrugged, smirk tugging at her own lips. "Better than surviving by being boring. Unlike some people I've met."
Ha-Joon's smirk lingered just a heartbeat longer, then vanished as he returned to the file, leaving Ji-Ah satisfied—and Do-Hae quietly intrigued.
--
Ji-Ah set the coffee down, glanced at Ha-Joon, then turned to leave.
Her guards flanked her silently, footsteps precise on the office floor.
As she reached the doorway, a shadow fell across her path.
Do-Hae.
He stopped a few feet away, hands in his pockets, expression calm but intent.
"Ms. Park," he said smoothly.
Ji-Ah raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. "Mr. Do-Hae. To what do I owe the pleasure of… threatening office assistants?"
He smirked faintly.
"I'm not threatening. Just observing. And if I can't get the shares… well, someone as interesting as you might have to… assist me in understanding why."
Ji-Ah blinked, then let out a sharp laugh. "Assist you? Oh please. The only thing I'd assist you with is showing you the door."
Do-Hae's gaze lingered for a moment, studying her posture, the glint in her eyes.
Then he inclined his head slightly and stepped back.
"We'll see."
He turned and walked out, leaving a faint tension behind him.
Ji-Ah let out a long breath, muttering under her breath as she shook her head.
"Bitter, arrogant, dramatic… and somehow still thinks he's scary. Pathetic."
Her guards, stoic as ever, didn't react.
Ji-Ah rolled her eyes and continued walking, secretly pleased with herself for not freezing under his gaze.