Su-Jin had many responsibilities.
Managing the company’s rising stars.
Overseeing projects.
Making sure things ran smoothly.
And then—there was Seo-Yeon.
His most infuriating employee.
“Miss Eun.”
Seo-Yeon, sitting across from him, blinked.
“Yes, Manager Kang?”
Su-Jin exhaled sharply.
He had this conversation with her at least once a week.
And yet—nothing ever changed.
“How many times—” he began, voice controlled, “—have I told you to dress more appropriately in the office?”
Seo-Yeon tilted her head, feigning innocence.
“Is there a dress code?”
Su-Jin’s jaw clenched.
“No. But there is common sense.”
Seo-Yeon smiled.
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“Oh? Are you saying I don’t have common sense, sir?”
Su-Jin ignored the obvious trap.
“I’m saying—“ he continued, eyes narrowing, “—that you are distracting the entire department.”
Seo-Yeon leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean,” Su-Jin said flatly, “that half the office keeps sneaking glances at you instead of working.”
"That’s their problem, isn’t it?" she teased.
"No, Miss Eun." His tone sharpened. "It’s my problem. Because when productivity drops, it comes back to me."
Seo-Yeon sighed dramatically.
"So, you’re saying I should dress like a grandma to keep these men focused?"
Su-Jin stared. As though he was talking to a statue.
No— maybe a talking squirrel.
"I’m saying you should dress professionally."
Seo-Yeon pretended to think.
"Hmm… do I really have to?"
Su-Jin exhaled slowly.
"Miss Eun—!"
"Why does it bother you so much, Manager Kang?" she interrupted, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Is it because you’re also distracted?"
Su-Jin stilled.
Seo-Yeon grinned.
"After all," she said, tilting her head, "you’re always the one calling me into your office. Maybe it’s not the others you’re worried about—maybe it’s just you?"
.
For a long, tense second, Su-Jin said nothing.
Then, he stood.
Seo-Yeon blinked.
He rounded the desk, closing the space between them in three steps.
Leaned down.
Braced his hands on either side of her chair.
And looked at her dead in the eyes.
"Do you think I’m playing games with you, Miss Eun?"
Seo-Yeon froze.
Because for the first time—he wasn’t scolding her.
For the first time—his voice was lower, quieter.
Not cold.
Not angry.
Something else.
Something dangerous.
"I don’t care if you want to play around with others," Su-Jin continued, his gaze sharp.
"But I am not them."
Seo-Yeon’s heart skipped.
Because suddenly—she wasn’t sure if she was in control anymore.
.
The next day, Seo-Yeon came to work.
Wearing a dress even more revealing than usual.
The moment she passed by Su-Jin’s office, she felt his gaze on her.
But this time?
He didn’t call her in.
Didn’t say a word.
Didn’t even acknowledge her.
And that—that annoyed her more than she expected.
.
"Did something happen between them?"
"I thought Manager Kang always lectures her. But today, he didn’t even look at her."
"Right?! He didn’t even sigh or shake his head! This is serious."
"Wait… do you think…?"
"OH MY GOD."
Somewhere in the corner, Jiho sighed.
"Great. Another workplace disaster waiting to happen."
Suan, sitting beside him, smirked.
"I don’t know, Jiho-ssi. But I think this is going to be fun."
.
Chapter 15: “The Woman Who Pursued and the Man Who Was Clueless”
