The silence didn't last.
All eyes turned to Hye-Rin.
She broke first.
"It's not— it's not my fault," she said quickly, words tumbling over each other as panic crept into her voice.
Her hands trembled. "I didn't plan for it to go this far. I just— I was scared. I needed security. I made a mistake—"
Ha-Joon stood, slow and deliberate.
"I trusted you," he said.
The room went still again.
"You were the one I trusted the most," he continued calmly. "You've worked here for years. You knew this company. You knew me. Why would you do this?"
Hye-Rin's shoulders shook.
Her voice dropped, small and raw.
"Greed," she whispered. "Selfishness. I wanted more. I thought… I thought I deserved more."
She bowed deeply. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
The door opened softly.
Kai-Wen entered, Do-Yoon beside him.
Ha-Joon didn't look at Hye-Rin again.
"I don't need you to beg me," he said.
He turned instead, reached out, and took Ji-Ah's hand, pulling her gently but firmly closer to his side.
"Beg her," he said.
Hye-Rin froze, then turned.
Her head bowed again, lower this time. "Ji-Ah… I'm sorry."
Do-Yoon stepped forward too, eyes glossy but sincere.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "Even after everything… I still asked you to forgive me."
Ji-Ah looked at them.
For a moment, no one breathed.
Then she nodded. "I forgive you."
Do-Yoon's face brightened instantly, relief softening her features.
Ha-Joon didn't let go of Ji-Ah's hand.
He turned back to Hye-Rin.
"You're removed from your secretary position," he said evenly. "You'll be reassigned as a desk worker. Under the editing team."
A pause.
"Under Ji-Ah's leadership."
Hye-Rin swallowed and nodded. "I understand."
"One more thing," Ha-Joon added, gaze sweeping the room. "Ji-Ah staying with me was meant to be a secret. Too many people know now."
His eyes lingered briefly on the bodyguards near the door. T
hey immediately lowered their heads.
"I expect it to stay a secret."
Kai-Wen spoke first. "Of course."
Seo-Jun nodded. "Understood."
Hye-Rin nodded quickly.
Do-Yoon followed suit.
Even the bodyguards murmured agreement, faces carefully neutral.
Kai-Wen then turned to Ha-Joon, curiosity breaking through the tension.
"Now that you have Do-Hea's company," he said lightly, "how exactly did you get him to sign those papers?"
Ha-Joon glanced at Seo-Jun.
Seo-Jun smiled.
And began to explain.
Seo-Jun cleared his throat, suddenly looking far too pleased with himself.
"I know a woman," he said. "A… friend."
Ha-Joon lifted an eyebrow. Ji-Ah noticed.
"She works at Do-Hea's company," Seo-Jun continued. "Not stealing. Nothing illegal. She's the kind of person people underestimate. She handles document routing, verification timing, and executive scheduling. So when certain papers needed to be… prioritized and placed in front of the right person at the right moment—"
Kai-Wen let out a low whistle.
"So you didn't steal the trap," he said. "You set the table and waited for him to eat."
Seo-Jun smiled. "Exactly."
Hye-Rin's mouth fell open.
Do-Yoon stared in disbelief.
Ji-Ah blinked slowly, impressed despite herself.
Ha-Joon exhaled once. "Call her."
Seo-Jun nodded immediately.
"I should warn you first," he added, already pulling out his phone. "She's… a lot."
"A lot how?" Ji-Ah asked.
Seo-Jun hesitated. "Enthusiastic."
The call ended.
Moments later, the door burst open.
Before Seo-Jun could answer, the door swung open.
She entered like a burst of sunlight.
Her office uniform was neat but full of personality, fitted just enough to show confidence.
Her curly hair bounced freely around her shoulders, wild in a way that felt intentional. Bright eyes.
A smile so open it almost felt illegal in a corporate office.
She spotted Seo-Jun instantly.
"SEO-JUUUN!"
She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him, bouncing on her heels. "Did it work? Tell me it worked. I rearranged my entire schedule for this."
Seo-Jun stiffened, trying to remain professional. "It worked."
She gasped dramatically. "YES."
Kai-Wen leaned in, amused. "So this is the 'friend'?"
Yura froze.
She turned slowly and hit Seo-Jun's hand.
Not hard. Accurate.
"A friend?" she repeated.
Seo-Jun flinched. "I—"
She raised an eyebrow.
He cleared his throat quickly. "Correction. This is my girlfriend."
The room reacted all at once.
Ji-Ah's eyes widened. Do-Yoon's mouth dropped open. Hye-Rin blinked in shock. Kai-Wen let out a low laugh.
Yura crossed her arms, satisfied. "Thank you."
Seo-Jun exhaled.
He gestured around. "Everyone, this is Yura."
Yura waved enthusiastically, hands shaking in the air. "Hi! Nice to meet you! I promise I only cause chaos when necessary."
Ji-Ah stepped closer, smiling. "You look… very excited."
"I am," Yura said proudly. "Corporate justice is my love language."
She turned toward Ha-Joon, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "And you must be the legendary boss."
She offered her hand. "It's an honor."
Ha-Joon studied her for a brief moment, then shook her hand. Firm. Calm.
"…Thank you for your help," he said.
Yura grinned. "Anytime."
Seo-Jun quickly pulled her aside. "I'm sorry if she's a bit much."
Yura leaned toward him and whispered loudly, "You love it."
Kai-Wen shook his head, smiling. "This company is getting interesting."
For the first time that day, laughter slipped into the room.
Yura crossed her arms and pouted dramatically.
"So now that you own Do-Hea's company," she said, tilting her head, "what are you going to do with it? Please don't say 'sell it.' That would break my morally righteous heart."
Ha-Joon didn't hesitate.
"The company stays," he said calmly. "The employees keep their jobs. The structure will change, the leadership will change, but the people don't deserve to suffer for one man's greed."
He paused, voice steady. "A company should protect those who build it, not exploit them."
The room went quiet.
Yura blinked. Then smiled.
"Okay," she said softly. "That was hot."
Seo-Jun coughed.
Ha-Joon ignored that.
"Everyone," he said, standing, "go home. Today is a day off."
Hye-Rin nodded quickly and left first, head lowered.
Kai-Wen gently took Do-Yoon by the arm.
"Let's go," he said. She nodded and followed.
Yura waved as she walked out, still talking. "Seo-Jun, you look handsome today. Very reliable. Very… lawsuit-proof."
Seo-Jun smiled, trying very hard to remain professional.
It did not work.
The bodyguards bowed lightly and exited as well.
Soon, only Ji-Ah remained.
She turned to Ha-Joon, hands clasped. "Thank you, sir."
He didn't turn around. "Go home."
She hesitated. "And… Pip?"
He answered without missing a beat. "Never."
She frowned.
Deeply.
In her head, she launched a full insult campaign. Cold. Tyrant. Musical thief. Emotionally unavailable villain in a suit.
She huffed. "You're unbelievable."
He finally glanced at her. "Still here."
She sighed. "Yes, sir. Leaving."
As she walked out, she muttered under her breath, "One day I'll steal the piano back."
Ha-Joon watched her go.
The corner of his mouth lifted.
Just slightly.