The rain poured down on Seoul like a relentless curse, mirroring the turmoil brewing within the Park Group's empire. Park Ji-Hyun, a 25-year-old secretary, navigated the rain-soaked streets with practiced efficiency, her umbrella a flaky shield against the deluge. As the illegitimate daughter of the Park Group's chairman, Lee Sung-Ho, Ji-Hyun had learned to move unseen – a ghost in a world of giants.
Her life was a carefully constructed facade, one that hid the sharp edges of her ambition and the ache of her isolation. At Park Group, she was just another cog in the machine, her true identity locked behind a mask of compliance. Few knew she was the chairman's daughter, and fewer still cared.
Ji-Hyun's phone buzzed as she reached the office. Her best friend, Kim Min-Soo, was waiting with the latest gossip. "Hey, Ji! Coffee break?"
"Sure. What's the scoop?"
Min-Soo leaned in as they walked to the café. "Rumor is, Cha Eun-Woong is coming back to Park Group. Like, for real this time."
Ji-Hyun's steps faltered. Eun-Woong was the chairman's nephew – cold, brilliant, and notorious for dismantling companies he touched. "Why?"
"Apparently, he's taking over a project. Don't know details, but everyone's whispering. If he's back, things will get wild."
Ji-Hyun felt a shiver. She'd never met Eun-Woong, but his reputation preceded him. Merciless in business, impossible to predict.
Back at her desk, a memo waited. _Cha Eun-Woong will arrive at 2 PM. Ensure all Thompson files are ready._
Ji-Hyun's stomach tightened. This was big. The Thompson files were sensitive – a potential merger deal that could make or break Park Group's standing in the industry.
At 1:55 PM, the office buzzed. Ji-Hyun stood outside the conference room, Thompson files in hand, as executives filtered in. The chairman arrived, his expression unreadable.
Then, he walked in.
Cha Eun-Woong.
Tall, chiseled features, eyes like frost. His gaze skimmed the room, landed on Ji-Hyun. For a beat, they locked eyes. Hers darted away.
"Ah, Eun-Woong," the chairman said warmly, "welcome back. The Thompson files?"
Ji-Hyun stepped forward, her hands steady despite her racing heart. "Here, sir."
Eun-Woong took the files without a word, his fingers brushing hers. The touch was brief, but it sent a spark through her.
The meeting began, Ji-Hyun poised to take notes. As Eun-Woong dissected the deal with ruthless precision, she realized this was no ordinary takeover. He was preparing to play dirty.
The meeting ended with a nod. "I'll need a private word with you, Uncle," Eun-Woong said, his voice low.
The room emptied. Ji-Hyun lingered, gathering papers, until only she and Eun-Woong remained.
"You're...?" he began, his gaze narrowing.
Ji-Hyun's pulse skipped. Did he know?
"Ji-Hyun, sir," she said softly. "Secretary."
Eun-Woong's eyes lingered, unnerving her. "Get me coffee. Black."
Ji-Hyun nodded and turned to leave, but his voice stopped her. "And, Ji-Hyun?"
"Sir?"
"Don't bother coming back. You're reassigned."