The way Jiho’s hand tightened around her wrist.

  The way his jaw clenched just slightly.

  The way his eyes darkened—just for a fraction of a second.

  She had found the crack in his armor.

  And now?

  Now, she wanted to shatter it.

  Because Yoon Jiho—the man who had resisted every single one of her moves—

  Was finally, finally showing signs of breaking.

  And she wasn't going to stop now.

  .

  Jiho was still gripping her wrist.

  Firm.

  Controlled.

  His breathing? Steady.

  But Suan wasn’t blind.

  She saw the way his fingers slightly twitched.

  Like he was debating whether to let go or pull her closer.

  Suan’s lips curled up.

  "Jiho-ssi." she murmured.

  Soft. Dangerous.

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  His eyes snapped to hers.

  She leaned in—just a little.

  Close enough that he could feel her breath against his skin.

  "I wonder," she whispered, tilting her head.

  "How long are you going to keep pretending you’re unaffected?"

  Jiho’s grip tightened.

  His breath hitched—just slightly.

  But his voice?

  Still controlled.

  "Miss Kang." he warned.

  Suan’s smile didn’t waver.

  "That’s not an answer."

  .

  She took another step closer.

  The space between them? Almost nonexistent.

  Jiho was breathing slower now.

  Like he was actively trying to keep himself in check.

  Suan, still smirking, rested a hand against his chest.

  Felt his heartbeat.

  Fast.

  Faster than he wanted to admit.

  "If I really did what I said earlier—" she murmured, eyes locked on his.

  "If I really caused a problem for the company—would you clean up my mess?"

  Jiho exhaled through his nose.

  "Miss Kang."

  Still formal.

  Still distant.

  But his voice?

  Lower. Rougher.

  And that?

  That was the exact reaction Suan wanted.

  "You didn’t answer." she teased.

  "Would you?"

  Jiho’s hand shot up.

  Not to push her away.

  But to grab her chin.

  To make her stop talking.

  To make her look at him—really look at him.

  "You want to test me that badly?" he asked, voice quiet.

  Suan grinned.

  "What do you think?"

  Jiho exhaled sharply.

  Then—without another word—

  He let go.

  Stepped back.

  Turned away.

  And ran a hand through his hair, looking like he was questioning his life choices.

  .

  Suan raised a brow.

  "Running away?" she mused.

  Jiho’s head snapped back to her.

  "I’m walking away." he corrected.

  "Same thing."

  "It’s not."

  "It is if you’re walking away from something you want."

  Jiho froze.

  Suan knew she had him.

  And then she pushed one last time.

  "What if I don’t let you leave?"

  Jiho turned—fast.

  Faster than he should have.

  And before Suan could even process it—

  Her back was against his desk.

  Jiho, finally—finally—closing the distance.

  His hand? Braced beside her.

  His voice? Lower than ever.

  "Suan." he murmured.

  Not Miss Kang.

  Just Suan.

  And for the first time?

  She realized maybe she had pushed too far.

  Because Yoon Jiho?

  Wasn’t holding back anymore.

  .

  Jiho leaned in.

  Not touching her.

  Not yet.

  Just close enough to make her feel the weight of her own actions.

  "Tell me something, Suan." he murmured.

  Suan swallowed.

  "If I cross the line right now, would it still be a game to you?"

  Her breath hitched.

  Because for the first time—she wasn’t sure.

  Because for the first time—Jiho was looking at her like she was the one who had lost control.

  .

  Chapter 20: "The Push That Went Too Far"