That evening the atmosphere inside the mansion was strangely tense.
After the confrontation between Aria and Luna earlier, the cast members were clearly divided.
Some whispered quietly.
Some avoided eye contact.
And some simply watched the drama unfold like it was part of the show.
Because in a way… it was.
The CEO himself had announced something unexpected.
he was treating everyone to dinner.
The actors gathered in the elegant dining hall prepared by the production team.
Long tables were filled with food, lights were warm, and cameras were placed around the room to capture reactions.
Aria stood near the entrance, already tired.
Right then—
The familiar voice appeared again.
[New Task Issued.]
Aria closed her eyes slowly.
"…Please don't ruin my night."
The system displayed the objective.
[Objective: Act like a clingy, loving girlfriend toward Kim Min-jae during dinner.]
[Secondary Objective: Make Chen and Luna jealous.]
Aria froze.
Then she whispered to herself.
"…Here we go again."
She covered her face with both hands.
"Why."
"WHY."
Her thoughts started complaining loudly.
"Why do I have to humiliate myself every time?"
"Why can't the system give me a normal task like drinking water or breathing?"
Across the room—
Kim Min-jae nearly laughed again.
He had just heard every single word in her mind.
He leaned back in his chair calmly, clearly enjoying the situation.
Meanwhile Aria walked toward the table like someone heading toward execution.
She sat beside Min-jae.
And immediately grabbed his arm.
"…Hello boyfriend."
Her tone was completely flat.
Min-jae raised an eyebrow.
"You sound very enthusiastic."
Aria forced a smile.
Then she leaned closer to him dramatically.
Inside her mind she was screaming.
"Kill me."
Min-jae had to hide his smile.
Across the table—
Chen noticed everything.
He looked confused.
Aria was leaning against the CEO's shoulder like they had been dating for years.
But something about her expression looked… forced.
He frowned slightly.
Meanwhile Luna was watching silently.
Her smile looked calm as always.
But her eyes were cold.
Just then—
One of Luna's close friends suddenly stood up.
She pointed at Aria angrily.
"Are you serious right now?"
The entire room turned quiet.
Aria blinked.
The girl continued loudly.
"You insulted Luna earlier for no reason!"
"You think you're so important just because the CEO likes you?"
The atmosphere instantly became awkward.
Some actors lowered their heads.
Others watched carefully.
Aria was about to respond—
But the system voice appeared again.
[New Task Issued.]
Her eyes widened slightly.
[Objective: Remove Luna's friend from the show.]
[Hint: Use your boyfriend.]
Aria slowly turned toward Kim Min-jae.
Inside her mind she sighed dramatically.
"System… you're really evil."
Min-jae heard that clearly.
He waited quietly.
Meanwhile Luna stepped forward calmly.
She placed a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Let's just sit and enjoy dinner," Luna said softly.
But before anyone could relax—
A staff member suddenly stopped Luna and her group.
"I'm sorry… but Luna and her friends are not invited to this dinner."
The room gasped.
Luna's smile froze slightly.
Her friend looked furious.
"What?!"
Luna slowly looked toward the head of the table.
At Aria
Then she spoke calmly.
"You're not the one buying this dinner, are you?" she said quietly.
Her eyes moved toward Aria.
"How can she stop us from joining?"
Aria felt everyone looking at her.
Her brain screamed.
"WHY IS THIS TURNING INTO A WAR?"
Then Luna spoke again.
But this time directly to Min-jae.
"Mr. Kim," she said softly.
"Does her opinion matter that much?"
Aria's heart skipped.
She immediately turned toward him.
Inside her mind she panicked.
"Oh no."
"If he says no, I'm finished."
But Kim Min-jae didn't hesitate.
He calmly placed his hand over Aria's.
Then he answered.
"Of course it does."
The room went completely silent.
Luna's eyes widened slightly.
Min-jae continued in a calm voice.
"Anyone who ignores her words…"
"…can leave the show."
Shock spread across the room.
Even Chen looked stunned.
Aria herself froze.
Inside her mind she whispered in disbelief.
"Did… did he just support me?"
Min-jae heard the thought and smiled slightly.
Meanwhile Luna stood still for a moment.
Her expression remained composed.
But her eyes had completely changed.
For the first time—
Aria had not only challenged her…
She had won.
And standing beside her—
Was the most powerful man in the entire production.