Assistant Manager Park covered his mouth with one hand as he continued speaking.

“Assistant Manager Moon was right.”

“As if I’d make something like that up.”

“Who knew a pair of glasses could completely hide someone this beautiful? But where did your glasses go?”

“Th-They… broke…”

Yeon-ha’s earlobes flushed bright red.

“Well, that worked out nicely then. You should switch to contact lenses.”

“Or maybe I could buy you another pair of glasses instead?”

“And why would you buy them for her, Assistant Manager Park?”

“Why not? It’d be a gesture of friendship.”

“As if the rest of us don’t want to get close to Ms. Ji Yeon-ha too. Ms. Ji Yeon-ha, I’ll buy you something much nicer.”

“It’s alright.”

Yeon-ha answered firmly.

Kindness was never given without reason.

What she had learned from the world she lived in was that there was no such thing as generosity without a price.

“I have another pair of glasses at home.”

“Ah… really? Still, why wear glasses that don’t even suit you? I’m genuinely curious.”

“Assistant Manager Park.”

Just as Yeon-ha hesitated, wondering how she should respond—

“Ms. Ji Yeon-ha looks uncomfortable.”

Cha Jeong-a, another probationary employee like Yeon-ha, wrapped herself around Yeon-ha’s arm.

“That’s enough now.”

Yeon-ha looked down at Jeong-a clinging to her arm.

“Right?”

“Ah… yes.”

“See? You’re making her uncomfortable.”

Puffing her cheeks slightly, Jeong-a led Yeon-ha back toward their desks.

After finally releasing Yeon-ha’s arm, Jeong-a sat down beside her.

“It’s hard, right? Just endure it for a little while. Everyone’s interest will die down in a few days. Ah, and make sure you keep wearing your glasses.”

Unlike Yeon-ha, Cha Jeong-a was bright and cheerful, making her popular with everyone.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. More importantly, what happened? Are you really going to the collection event tomorrow?”

At Jeong-a’s excited voice, everyone’s attention immediately turned back toward Yeon-ha once again.

“No.”

“Haa… that’s really unfortunate. But you never know, right? Maybe you’ll get another chance next time.”

“I hope so.”

“Stay strong.”

“I will.”

Yeon-ha had never sought attention from others.

Whenever she acted on her true feelings, she was met with cruel words. This had always been the pattern with the countless people who had come and gone in her life.

The weight of other people’s attention had not changed.

And yet, perhaps because she had just endured the overwhelming presence of a far more intimidating man than anyone here, the stares no longer felt quite so unbearable.

Slowly, Yeon-ha lifted her head.

‘If I had smiled like that… maybe his feelings would’ve changed.’

The lingering disappointment she could not shake off felt as though it hung heavily from both shoulders.

***

“Is Ms. Ji Yeon-ha really that pretty, though?”

“It’s because of the contrast effect. That’s why she seems prettier.”

“It’s her skin. They say good skin alone can leave a favorable impression.”

“They were all practically tripping over themselves trying to talk to her. It was disgusting to watch.”

“Seriously, isn’t it funny? They used to call her the office ghost.”

“I bet Jeong-a feels even worse than we do.”

“Why me?”

“How hard did Assistant Manager Park chase after you? He even bought you department store cookies earlier today. But look at him now. People’s hearts really change in an instant.”

“That’s just how men are. Honestly, I was already trying to figure out how to shake Assistant Manager Park off, so this worked out perfectly for me.”

Once the sound of several pairs of footsteps had faded away, the door of the toilet cubicle slowly creaked open.

Standing in front of the sink, Yeon-ha let out a quiet sigh.

She wasn’t heartless enough to remain unaffected by others speaking ill of her.

When she returned to the department a short while later, the atmosphere felt strangely quiet.

Puzzled by this, Yeon-ha tilted her head slightly and noticed Manager Kang standing beside her desk.

“Manager Kang.”

“Take this.”

“Wh-What is this?”

“It’s a hotel keycard. You don’t need to come to the office tomorrow. Be at Room 9901 of the Yuseong Hotel by 6 PM.”

The moment she heard Tae-moo had given his approval, a flush spread softly across Yeon-ha’s cheeks.

“Yes. Understood.”

“You’ll need to prepare yourself thoroughly so there won’t be any shortcomings while assisting the president. Don’t be late.”

***

‘Room 9901… that’s what she said.’

This was one of only four suites in the entire Yuseong Hotel.

There was a private lift for guests staying in the suites. Using the keycard that Manager Kang had given her, Yeon-ha rode it directly to the top floor.

The luxurious carpet lining the hallway absorbed the sound of her footsteps.

At the end of the corridor, she pressed the bell beside the suite door.

Not long after, the door opened.

“You came earlier than expected. Come in.”

Manager Kang turned around and started walking down the hallway towards the entrance.

Having changed into the provided indoor slippers, Yeon-ha stepped into the living room and immediately noticed Tae-moo seated on the wide leather sofa.

Seemingly unaware of her presence, he was engrossed in the thick stack of documents in his hands, flipping through dozens of pages.

At the very least, she did not want to remain someone who barely existed in his eyes.

So Yeon-ha spoke softly.

“Thank you for choosing me.”

To say her voice truly reached him would have been generous; only the briefest glance swept over her.

“As long as you faithfully fulfill your responsibilities, that will be enough.”

“I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”

Not wanting to disturb Tae-moo, who looked too busy to continue the conversation any further, Yeon-ha simply stood there quietly, her eyes shifting uncertainly.

“Ms. Ji Yeon-ha, come over here.”

Manager Kang emerged from the side room and called to her.

Yeon-ha quickly moved towards him.

The room had been set up as a dressing room.

The moment she entered, hundreds of outfits and various men’s accessories filled her vision, leaving her momentarily flustered.

It felt like a space she shouldn’t be in.

“We prepared clothing for you on our side. Your current outfit is far too plain. Your makeup will need some adjustments as well. The bathroom is over there. Wash your face first, then sit at the vanity.”

After washing her face in the attached bathroom, Yeon-ha entrusted herself completely to Manager Kang’s capable hands.

The way Manager Kang transformed her hairstyle was skillful enough to rival a professional stylist.

“How is it? Looks good, right?”

“Yes…”

It was her first time wearing makeup this bold.

The unfamiliar face reflected in the mirror felt strange to Yeon-ha, yet even she could not deny how beautiful she looked.

“Now all that’s left is changing into the dress.”

Manager Kang had prepared an elegant linen dress for Yeon-ha.

The dress made Yeon-ha feel flustered.

She changed into it anyway, but the hem was far too short.

Every time she moved, she became acutely aware of this, glancing back uneasily.

“Try on the heels too.”

What looked like cubic embellishments on the pointed toes were actually real gemstones.

When she slipped them on, they fit her feet perfectly.

“They suit you well.”

“Um…”

“What is it?”

“The skirt is just… too short. And the neckline is far too low…”

“There’s also a motor show taking place. The racing models wear outfits far more revealing than this. It’s natural for it to feel awkward when it isn’t your usual style.”

Was that really the case?

Hearing it explained that way, it almost sounded reasonable.

Even at the parties she attended with her stepmother, she always wore dresses that resembled mourning clothes.

“Manager Kang.”

“Yes, President.”

Tae-moo’s reflection appeared in the mirror near the entrance.

The moment their eyes met through the glass, Yeon-ha hurriedly pressed both hands against her bare chest to cover her pale skin.

As she tried desperately to calm her racing heart, his cold voice cut sharply through the air.

“Do you not intend to be on time?”

“My apologies. I’ll contact the protocol team and prepare transportation immediately.”

Manager Kang hurriedly left the room.

Left alone beneath Tae-moo’s unwavering gaze, Yeon-ha became so tense that her whole body stiffened.

It was the kind of stare that made her want to shut her eyes.

‘Is he going to change clothes here?’

Unable to understand why Tae-moo still had not left, sweat gathered faintly along the exposed skin of her chest.

“…I-I’ll excuse myself.”

Unable to steady her trembling voice, Yeon-ha turned around and was suddenly blocked by a broad figure.

Her forehead lightly bumped against Tae-moo’s chest.

Startled, she stumbled backwards quickly.

“Wh-What should I do…”

There was a faint smear of powder on the pocket of his suit.

Yeon-ha instinctively raised her hand to brush it away, and his dark gaze fell directly upon it.

“I’m sorry.”

Yeon-ha only just managed to regain her senses before placing her hand on his broad chest.

The mere thought of touching his body left her utterly flustered.

Startled by her own actions, she anxiously scanned his face for any sign of displeasure. Instead, she saw the corner of his neatly shaped lips curve upwards.

There was something dangerous about the way he looked down at her.

“Why did you stop?”

“…Pardon?”

“Continue what you were about to do.”

His lowered gaze remained completely still, as though unwilling to miss even the slightest movement from her.

Yeon-ha felt like an animal caught in a snare.

“I’m giving you permission. You can touch me.”

The hand lingering helplessly in midair was suddenly caught within his larger one.

He guided her palm directly against the firm chest she could already sense without touching, then carefully observed her flustered reaction.

“P-President…”

Yeon-ha felt as though her mind had gone entirely blank.

The solid sensation of muscle beneath her palm was painfully vivid.

Heat rushed to her face, making even the corners of her eyes burn.

“Stop calling me that and do it properly. Go on.”

What kind of reaction was he trying to provoke in her?

Through her hazy, unsteady vision, he seemed dissatisfied in some way.

Perhaps he was irritated by her slow response, or maybe he simply didn’t intend to wait any longer. Either way, he took her hand and guided her movement himself, in a strangely intimate way.

All she had wanted to do was brush the powder off his suit.

But he wouldn’t let her do something so simple.

Instead, led by his large hand, Yeon-ha found herself slowly tracing his firm chest.

“It won’t… come off…”

The rest of her words faded soundlessly as her lips parted helplessly.

Tae-moo lowered his face until his lips nearly brushed against her forehead.

“So it wasn’t an act after all.”

If he leaned any closer, their lips would touch.

Yeon-ha tried to turn her head away, but Tae-moo’s hand closed around her jaw before she could move.

When she realized that he was looking at her chest, she quickly covered the exposed area between her br*asts with her hands, which were now turning red.

“Move your hands.”