The meeting had barely ended before Mi-na, Jin Ho, and Ji-a stormed toward the elevator like a pack of wolves who'd just been outmaneuvered. Faces stiff, lips pursed, and pride dented. Mi-na jabbed the button for the elevator repeatedly like it had personally offended her.
Just as the elevator doors slid open and they stepped in, a voice rang out.
"Ah, excuse us," Jin Woo said politely, stepping in with Na-ri and Minji. "The other elevators were full. Do you mind if we join you?"
Jin Ho, already halfway in, gave a forced nod. "Of course not."
Inside, the tension was thick. Not a single breeze of peace could be found in that small metal box.
Na-ri leaned into Jin Woo, her voice sweet and just loud enough. "Babe, should we do dinner at the Italian place tonight? I'm craving Pasta.."
Jin Woo chuckled softly. "How about you come to my place instead, I'll make it for you?."
Minji giggled from the corner. "I'm actually jealous. Na-ri, you're so lucky. You guys are so cute."
Na-ri smiled warmly, then turned to her aunt and uncle with that same gracious voice. "I'm really thankful for your concern, Aunt Mi-na, Uncle Jin Ho. But don't worry… Jin Woo would never hurt me. He genuinely loves me."
Jin Woo nodded like the perfect gentleman. "That's right. She's the only one in my heart."
Then came the dagger.
Na-ri tilted her head slightly and added with emphasis, "He's not the type to be swayed by another woman."
Her eyes locked with Ji-a's, who clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palm. Mi-na instinctively placed a hand on her daughter's arm to calm her down.
Na-ri smiled brighter. "We have your blessings, don't we?"
Mi-na's lips curved into a stiff smile. "Of course."
Jin Ho forced a nod. "Yes. We're… happy for you both."
Ding.
Na-ri's floor. She turned to Jin Woo sweetly. "See you tonight, Babe."
He grinned. "Don't be late."
As the doors slid shut again, Minji snorted. "He should've been an actor."
Na-ri laughed lightly. "He really should."
Inside the elevator, Mi-na pressed her lips together. Her floor came next, and she stepped out without a word. Jin Ho followed. Then came silence.
Just Ji-a and Jin Woo now.
She took a breath and finally said, "Are you really sure about this engagement?"
He didn't look at her.
She continued, "Na-ri's been with Tae Joon since high school. She doesn't love you. She's just using you to get back at him. You're—"
"I don't care if she's using me," Jin Woo cut her off calmly. "I'd volunteer to be used by her if that's what it took to keep her close."
Ji-a blinked. "You can't be serious?"
He turned to face her finally. "Listen closely Miss Jung Ji-a. If you try anything funny—anything—to hurt Na-ri, I won't think twice about hurting you. So don't test me."
Ji-a opened her mouth to respond, but his phone rang. He pulled it out and answered casually, "Yes, Dad. I'm still at Empire Group... Yeah, I'm heading out now."
Ding.
Ji-a's stop. She stepped out, lips tight, eyes burning.
In her office, she paced like a caged animal, chewing on her thumbnail. "He's not like Tae Joon... He won't be swayed easily and can't be seduced by me. He seems serious about Na-ri. So how the hell am I supposed to ruin them?" She exhaled sharply. "Mom better know what she's doing…"
Meanwhile, Jin Woo returned to Royal Hotels, but Na-ri wasn't done being a menace.
Back at Empire Group, Ji-a was about to have the worst afternoon of her career.
Na-ri buzzed her office phone.
"Ji-a, come to my office. I have something for you to review."
Ji-a took the files Na-ri handed her, nodded, and left.
Thirty minutes later, she returned, neatly summarised report in hand.
Na-ri skimmed it—barely.
"This is a mess. Redo it," she said flatly, tossing it back like it was contaminated.
Ji-a bit her lip, holding back the sting. "Yes."
She redid it. Again. Again. And again.
On her fifth try, Na-ri finally clicked her tongue and said, "Bring me the first one. I think that was better."
Ji-a blinked. "But you said—"
Na-ri's eyes narrowed. "Did I ask for your opinion?"
Minji had walked in just then, sipping her iced Americano. Na-ri held the report up. "Minji, look at this rubbish Ji-a wrote."
Minji raised a brow as she scanned it. "This? Ji-a, seriously? Even a middle schooler could do better than this. What's so hard here? It's literally just rearranging numbers and writing two sentences. Are you okay?"
Ji-a inhaled sharply, clenching her fists behind her back. She wanted to scream but she couldn't. Her mother already told her to hold it in.
Na-ri crossed her arms, fully enjoying herself. "Maybe I should transfer you to the mailroom. Might be easier."
"Kang Na-ri–" Ji-a tried to scream.
"I am your boss," Na-ri reminded, sweetly venomous. "Let me finish."
Ji-a shut her mouth.
Na-ri finally approved the last draft. As Ji-a turned to leave, Na-ri's phone buzzed.
She lit up.
She looked up and smiled. "That's Jin Woo. He's waiting at the front. He's taking me out on a date."
She stood, smoothing her outfit and arranging strands of her hair.
Before she left, she turned to Ji-a and smiled sweetly. "You did good work today. So I'll reward you. There's a gift waiting for you at home."
Ji-a blinked. "A gift?"
"Yes. Oh and one more thing." She said handing Ji-a another document. "I'll need the report by tomorrow morning."
Ji-a stared, frozen.
Na-ri winked. "Don't look so surprised. Be grateful. I'm helping you become better. Don't worry I'll think about talking to grandpa to give you a promotion."
She turned and walked out with Minji trailing behind, laughing.
Ji-a squeezed the documents. Her eyes were welling up with tears. She couldn't take it anymore.