Suan had had enough.

  She had tried being direct.

  She had tried being subtle.

  She had even chosen Jiho for work events just to spend more time with him.

  And yet—nothing.

  Yoon Jiho remained unbothered, undistracted, and entirely oblivious.

  This man—this infuriatingly disciplined, professional man—

  Was acting like he was immune to her.

  So tonight?

  Tonight, she was going to test just how immune he really was.

  .

  The executives were still drinking.

  Still laughing, chatting, toasting to deals and promotions.

  And Suan?

  Suan was in the middle of a group of men.

  Laughing.

  Clinking glasses.

  Her voice smooth, teasing, charming.

  She was leaning in closer than usual.

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  She was smiling at all the right moments.

  And yet—

  Jiho, sitting at the other end of the table, was entirely unbothered.

  He wasn’t watching.

  Wasn’t listening.

  Wasn’t even glancing in her direction.

  He was—of all things—checking emails.

  Suan’s patience?

  Snapped.

  Alright.

  Plan B it is.

  .

  "Ahh… I think I drank too much."

  Suan’s voice was soft, breathy.

  She swayed slightly, leaning against the back of her chair.

  Immediately, the men around her straightened.

  "Miss Kang, are you alright?"

  "Do you need help getting to your room?"

  "I can escort you—"

  And that’s when—finally—

  Jiho looked up.

  His sharp eyes cut straight through the crowd.

  He saw Suan, slumped slightly, looking every bit the woman who had one too many drinks.

  And just as one of the men reached for her arm—

  "That won’t be necessary."

  The entire table stilled.

  Jiho, now standing, adjusted the cuffs of his shirt.

  "I’ll take her."

  Suan, who had been waiting for this exact moment, hid her smirk.

  Oh.

  Now, this was interesting.

  .

  Jiho walked steadily beside her.

  His grip on her arm? Firm but controlled.

  He was treating this like another responsibility.

  Like it was just part of his job.

  Suan, still pretending to be tipsy, tilted her head up at him.

  "Jiho-ssi." she murmured, her voice soft, teasing.

  "You’re really so composed all the time, aren’t you?"

  Jiho didn’t react.

  "Mhmm.." she continued, leaning in slightly.

  "I wonder if you’d still be this controlled if I… did something reckless?"

  Jiho’s body tensed.

  Suan grinned.

  Oh.

  So there was a crack.

  Just a small one.

  But it was there.

  And she was going to shatter it.

  .

  They reached her suite door.

  Jiho reached for the keycard, swiping it effortlessly.

  He pushed the door open.

  Then turned to her.

  "Go inside, and get some rest, Miss Kang."

  Still formal. Still detached.

  But Suan wasn’t done.

  Not yet.

  She leaned against the doorframe.

  Looked up at him.

  And whispered—

  "You’re really not tempted?"

  Jiho’s fingers twitched.

  Suan saw it.

  The hesitation.

  The flicker of something undeniable.

  But just as she thought she had him—

  Jiho exhaled.

  Stepped back.

  And, with a voice so damn steady it almost made her laugh—

  "It seems you’ve sobered up now. Goodnight, Miss Kang."

  Then, he walked away.

  Suan?

  Suan stood there, staring.

  And for the first time in a long time—

  She didn’t know whether to be impressed or pissed.

  Because Yoon Jiho was controlled.

  Too controlled.

  And now, she was even more determined to break him.

  .

  Chapter 18: "The Woman Who Knew How to Push"