At Ga Eun’s confident voice, the atmosphere in the fashion team instantly froze.

“I think you all know from the rumors. My memory isn’t fully intact due to aftereffects from a car accident. I’d appreciate if all team members could help me.”

The team members were overwhelmed by Ga Eun’s gentle yet charismatic demeanor.

“Where is my seat?”

The assistant standing in front led Ga Eun directly to her seat.

Ga Eun’s desk was still covered with Assistant Kang’s belongings. Ga Eun immediately realized that Assistant Kang had been acting as team leader during the time the position was vacant.

“Assistant Kang Jung Yeon must have worked hard while I was away. Please hand over all the materials from that period to me.”

At Ga Eun’s firm words, Jung Yeon hesitated, unable to immediately stop her actions.

“But, I heard your health condition is still not good. I’ll continue to be in charge of work until you fully recover.”

Ga Eun looked up at Jung Yeon’s face as she contradicted her words.

Ga Eun knew well that Kang Jung Yeon was a person planted in the fashion team by her stepmother Yun Sook. Because of her, the fashion team leader position was just a figurehead, and Ga Eun had never been able to properly express her own intentions.

“There’s no need to worry about that. I’ve already familiarized myself with all the past materials before coming.”

Faced with Ga Eun’s boldness, Jung Yeon fell silent, seemingly unable to think of any more excuses to stop her actions. She had no choice but to hand over all the project materials she had been preparing for this season to Ga Eun.

“Then let’s start the meeting in 10 minutes.”

After conveying her intentions to the team members, Ga Eun quickly left the fashion team.

It was still difficult for her to breathe due to the perfume smell of the female employees. She gulped down water from a bottle. Only then did she feel like she could breathe properly.

Ga Eun had already familiarized herself with all the materials in preparation for taking the World Fashion team leader position. She already knew that the fashion show was approaching soon and that Assistant Kang Jung Yeon was in charge of it.

Her stepmother Yun Sook was about to hold a fashion show featuring clothes from designers in her own line again. The clothes of these designers – daughters of high-ranking officials, overseas graduates who didn’t even know the basics of clothing – were always terrible.

Ga Eun had always thought this was also the reason why World Fashion’s sales were gradually declining. She just hadn’t expressed her opinion due to pressure from Yun Sook.

Ga Eun entered the conference room intending to listen directly to the fashion show presentation that Kang Jung Yeon had been preparing.

“Assistant Kang Jung Yeon, I’ll listen to your presentation first.”

Overwhelmed by Ga Eun’s completely different atmosphere from before, Jung Yeon moved with trembling dry lips.

“The keyword for this spring season is retro.”

Ga Eun stared intently at the presentation Jung Yeon had prepared without adding any opinions. After finishing the presentation, Jung Yeon swallowed dryly, waiting for Ga Eun’s words.

The situation was completely different from six months ago. At that time, the entire fashion team had supported Kang Jung Yeon’s opinion rather than Ga Eun, who was the team leader.

“Retro was an item we did last season, wasn’t it?”

“Well… it’s still a steadily selling product.”

Ga Eun cut off Jung Yeon’s words as she spilled out excuses.

“How about making practicality the keyword for this spring season?”

As soon as Jung Yeon’s presentation ended, Ga Eun stood up and moved to the front. When she connected her own prepared materials to the laptop, the presentation screen changed instantly.

“These days, young people want clothes that are not only uniquely designed but also practical. How about World Fashion showcasing clothes made with self-healing NCT fabric at this fashion show?”

The team members’ eyes widened in surprise at Ga Eun’s sudden proposal.

“Even if there’s a hole in the NCT fabric, if you rub it with your hand, the hole disappears without a trace.”

Ga Eun demonstrated in front of the team members using the fabric she had prepared.

Listening to Ga Eun’s unexpected presentation, Jung Yeon belatedly started to try to stop her.

“But there’s not much time left until the fashion show, and it won’t be easy to find a fabric factory.”

Ga Eun already knew that her stepmother and Assistant Kang Jung Yeon would try to interfere with her challenge.

“Don’t worry. I know a factory that manufactures NCT fabric well. We’ll be able to make the clothes within the timeframe.”

Faced with Ga Eun’s confident attitude, Jung Yeon had no choice but to play her last card.

“Don’t you remember? You were fired for taking money from the factory manager. Oh, did you say you have memory loss?”

The excitement in the conference room cooled down at Jung Yeon’s words. Ga Eun approached closer to where Jung Yeon was sitting and moved her lips leisurely.

“The police are looking for the real culprit, so there’s no need to worry about that.”

Jung Yeon’s mouth fell open at Ga Eun’s unexpected words. Jung Yeon instinctively knew that a police investigation would be more disadvantageous to her than anyone else.

“Then, does everyone agree with this opinion?”

The entire atmosphere moved by Ga Eun’s proactive attitude. The team members seemed to be thinking about which side they should align with to preserve their lives.

The team members had also been harboring many complaints about World Group’s designs until now but couldn’t express them.

“Of course I agree.”

“I agree.”

Words that Ga Eun had never heard in her position as fashion team leader poured out all at once. The team members started to flatter Ga Eun as if they had never done otherwise.

The person excluded by the team members was now Kang Jung Yeon, not Yoon Ga Eun.

Jung Yeon hurriedly went outside the company and called stepmother Yun Sook.

“We’re in big trouble. It looks like we won’t be able to showcase the designers’ clothes at this fashion show, madam.”

Yun Sook, who was receiving a massage at a massage shop, sat up on the massage pad in shock.

“What do you mean?”

“Team Leader Yoon Ga Eun brought a new item. Really, is she really suffering from memory loss?”

While Jung Yeon was relaying everything to Yun Sook, stomping her feet, Ga Eun was standing in front of her.

“Oh my goodness.”

Jung Yeon was so startled that she dropped her phone on the floor.

“I have something to say to Assistant Kang Jung Yeon.”

“Yes?”

Jung Yeon’s eyes wavered at Ga Eun’s icy gaze.

“Shall we have a cup of coffee together?”

Ga Eun took Jung Yeon straight to the in-house cafe on the first floor. In the elevator, Jung Yeon looked terrified, not knowing what Ga Eun would say.

“What would you like to order?”

“Americano.”

She kept glancing at Ga Eun, unable to look her directly in the eye. The situation had reversed from when she had arrogantly disregarded Ga Eun.

Even after the coffee arrived, Ga Eun didn’t immediately open her lips. As Ga Eun’s heavy silence continued, it was Jung Yeon who felt increasingly anxious.

After continuously racking her brain, Jung Yeon looked more directly into Ga Eun’s eyes.

“What did you want to say to me? Team Leader.”

Ga Eun had a lot to say to Kang Jung Yeon.

It was Kang Jung Yeon who had instigated the fashion team members whenever Ga Eun was in danger of being removed from the team leader position due to false accusations. Due to her instigation, ominous rumors about Ga Eun had spread not only in the fashion team but throughout World Group.

But for now, Ga Eun had no intention of doing anything to Assistant Kang Jung Yeon. She only planned to provoke her to catch Lee Yun Sook’s movements.

“Thank you for taking over the team leader’s work while I was in the hospital.”

Jung Yeon’s eyes widened at the completely unexpected words.

With her throat parched, Jung Yeon gulped down the hot Americano, not realizing her palate was burning. Greatly flustered, Jung Yeon blurted out what was in her mind.

“I just did what Director Lee told me to do.”

Jung Yeon seemed momentarily flustered when Yun Sook’s name was mentioned from her own mouth and cut off her words.

“I look forward to working with you in the future, Assistant Kang Jung Yeon.”

Ga Eun extended her hand first for a handshake. Jung Yeon’s hand trembled as she reluctantly took Ga Eun’s hand.

“Well then, I’ll go up first.”

Leaving Jung Yeon in that state, Ga Eun stood up first and returned to the fashion team office. As Ga Eun entered, the team members who had been gathered in one place dispersed as if nothing had happened.

“Quick delivery has arrived.”

Just as Ga Eun was about to sit at her desk, a large bouquet of flowers was delivered to her.

“Oh my, it’s from Director Ji Do Jun.”

Assistant Moon, who had belatedly taken Ga Eun’s side, exclaimed dramatically. There wasn’t even a slight smile on Ga Eun’s face as she received the bouquet. She took out the mini card inserted in the bouquet.

After reading the card written by Do Jun himself, Ga Eun threw it straight into the trash. Then she focused on the work she had to handle today.

When it was time to leave work, the team members left the office one by one, watching Ga Eun’s reaction. Ga Eun only left the office after finishing her work until the very end.

It was already past 9 o’clock.

‘Surely, he wouldn’t wait until now.’

Ga Eun came out to the main entrance of the company and looked at the restaurant across the street. Ji Do Jun was still waiting for her there.

As the traffic light changed, Ga Eun hesitated for a moment. She abandoned her initial intention to get into a taxi right away and slowly walked towards the restaurant.

As she opened the restaurant door and entered, her eyes met directly with Do Jun who was waiting for her.

“Now it’s my turn to wait.”

Do Jun, who had never waited for anyone before, was waiting for Ga Eun for the first time.