The city never really slept, but this morning Seoul felt different — restless, hungry for scandal.
By the time Hye-rin reached her office, the whispers had already found her. The moment she stepped through the lobby doors, every passing glance felt sharper, every half-smile too forced.
Security had tightened, but even so, she could hear the noise from outside — a cluster of reporters shouting questions that made her stomach twist.
> "Ms. Kang, did you really marry CEO Lee to save your parents' business?"
"Is it true you were bullied in high school by him?"
"Are the rumors about your gold-digging true?"
Each question felt like a knife dipped in gossip.
She kept her head high, hands gripping her bag so tightly her knuckles paled. She didn't respond. Didn't look back. She couldn't afford to break, not here.
Inside, the office air was mercifully quiet. Her colleagues avoided eye contact — not out of judgment, but pity. That was worse.
