The empty seat that Director Jung had shown her was apparently untouched for quite a long time, as dust had accumulated heavily.

Thinking that there might not be separate cleaning staff for the office, Se Hee carefully wiped the dust-covered desk with wet wipes.

Then she neatly organized the work documents she had brought into the storage spaces.

“Hong will handle the work handover. Usually, we have a welcome ceremony on the day of appointment, but I have a schedule today. Let’s do the welcome party tomorrow.”

Director Jung said apologetically, with an easy-going smile.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Se Hee replied with a smile as well.

“When you’re done setting up, come over here. It’s not much, but I’ll give you a brief explanation of the work.”

At Manager Hong’s kind words, Se Hee quickly finished organizing and immediately got up from her seat.

Just then, the office door opened and a front desk employee rushed in.

“Director, a Japanese guest has arrived.”

She said in an urgent voice.

“And?”

“It seems the guest doesn’t speak English.”

“So?”

Unlike the anxious employee, Director Jung just blinked leisurely.

“The employee who knows Japanese happens to be on vacation today…”

Watching the flustered employee, Se Hee couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

Japan was one of the main visiting countries for SY Hotel.

Not only the main branch but also the branches conducted annual training for all employees to properly speak English, Japanese, and Chinese as basics.

Moreover, that female employee held quite a high position.

Se Hee sighed at the fact that she wasn’t properly trained.

“The person in charge is on vacation today of all days? Hey, Manager Hong.”

Director Jung called Manager Hong lightly as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Yes. I’ll be at the front desk today. Lee, sometimes we also handle front desk duties when we’re short-staffed here.”

Manager Hong spoke naturally to Se Hee as if it was a frequent occurrence and stood up from his seat.

“I’ll go. May I go, Director?”

Se Hee stepped forward.

Having had a talent for languages since childhood and having diligently developed her strengths, Se Hee was excellent not only in English but also in Japanese and Chinese.

Thanks to those skills, she was able to earn tuition money through translation part-time jobs during college

And also easily get this hotel job.

“Oh… Indeed, headquarters staff are different. Alright, go down.”

Director Jung nodded readily towards Se Hee who was taking the initiative.

Se Hee quickly moved her steps for the waiting guest.

A Japanese couple was standing in front of the reception with anxious expressions.

Se Hee first politely apologized and then neatly resolved the issue.

Se Hee watched contentedly as the Japanese guests turned away, repeatedly saying thank you.

“Well, Korean is one thing, but shouldn’t they at least speak English? They really lack the basics, I tell you. The basics.”

The female employee standing next to Se Hee clicked her tongue and badmouthed the Japanese guests.

“It seems that being in charge of hotel front desk duties while unable to speak the language of our hotel’s main visiting country guests is what truly lacks the basics as a hotelier.”

The female employee flinched and looked at Se Hee at her sharp remark.

“And talking behind someone’s back thinking they won’t understand seems like behavior that lacks even basic human decency.”

The female employee’s face soon turned red.

“They understand everything. They understand it all. Got it?”

Suddenly reminded of unpleasant memories, Se Hee ended up speaking with emotion.

The female employee, unable to say a word in response to Se Hee’s words, just pouted her lips.

“Please be careful from now on.”

Se Hee said coldly.

“Yes… I’ll be careful.”

The female employee finally said in a small voice, annoyed.

At that moment.

“You’re still the same.”

A familiar voice reached Se Hee’s ears.

Se Hee turned her head and looked up at the man standing in front of her with surprised eyes.

“It’s been a while, Se Hee. We seem to have a really special connection.”

Seong Jae, dressed in a neat suit, was smiling gently.

“…What brings you here?”

Se Hee asked, flustered.

“Ah, I’m staying here on business. In the suite room. To think you were an employee here, this could be called a fateful encounter.”

Seong Jae smiled brightly.

However, Se Hee’s expression turned stiff.

“Is there any inconvenience you’re experiencing?”

Se Hee responded with an extremely businesslike attitude to Seong Jae’s welcoming smile.

“Nothing inconvenient, just surprising and nice to see you. When do you get off work?”

Seong Jae asked brazenly.

“Customer, I’m sorry but I can’t discuss personal matters.”

Se Hee said firmly.

“Ah ah. As expected, an ice queen. I understand. Well then, take care. See you around.”

Seong Jae turned away with a face full of regret.

But inwardly, he was rejoicing.

How could we meet like this?

It seems the goddess of fortune was on his side.

After parting like that on the cruise, not being able to see her on the last day was so disappointing.

The corners of Seong Jae’s mouth were rising.

His shoulders, which had become heavy due to complicated business matters, rose as if wings had been attached.

Seong Jae headed towards his room with truly light steps.

* * *

The door of the Evans Group’s private jet opened.

Kyle, who slowly descended the stairs, looked up at the high sky.

It was the first time.

Coming directly to the country called Korea.

The sky was clearly different from England’s, but strangely, it didn’t feel unfamiliar.

Is it because it’s his mother’s country?

Or is it because of Lee Se Hee?

Kyle’s gaze, which had been briefly immersed in melancholy, soon shone sharply.

As soon as he got into the luxury car that was waiting, Dave immediately briefed him on today’s schedule.

“Can we wrap it up by 8 PM?”

Kyle checked his wristwatch.

“As SY Hotel’s response is very favorable, it seems we can finish earlier than expected.”

“It should be.”

A cool smile spread across Kyle’s lips.

He had offered exactly twice the amount that the Whaylance Group had put forward.

To allow the owner’s family to step down gracefully, he also guaranteed that there would be no staff reductions except for the executives who had disagreed.

However, he only set the condition that all work manuals after the acquisition must follow the Evans Group’s regulations.

It was natural for them to accept readily.

After today passes, the owner of the forest where my injured little bird has hidden will change.

Although it’s an affair I’ve orchestrated so she can rest in my space, she’ll probably be quite surprised.

Perhaps she’ll even try to run away from that forest.

Kyle’s eyes flashed.

I need to prepare a trap.

One that will make her rush in as if bewitched just by looking at it.

With a perfect trap.

So that she can never escape from me.

A strong possessiveness rippled red in Kyle’s blue eyes.

* * *

Late at night after work.

Se Hee arrived at the company housing under Manager Hong’s guidance.

The housing, which was in the form of small villas, didn’t have many people.

“There are many empty rooms, so you should be able to use one by yourself.”

Manager Hong handed Se Hee the key to the room she would use and informed her about the precautions.

The 15-pyeong space with an ocean view felt as luxurious as a resort hotel room to Se Hee.

“If anything happens, call me anytime. My house is nearby so I can come as quickly as possible. There shouldn’t be big problems since it’s company housing, but I’m worried since you’re a woman living alone.”

Manager Hong, seeming concerned about Se Hee having to stay alone, took care of her like an older brother.

Having come down to the Yangyang branch a long time ago, Manager Hong had already left the company housing, having settled with his family.

His wife, who had been worrying about the children’s education for several years, said she didn’t want to be apart anymore and they all moved together.

“When you go out, it’ll be convenient to call a taxi here. I’ll give you a ride now on my way out.”

“Yes. Thank you for everything.”

Se Hee got a ride in Manager Hong’s car and got off at a nearby mart.

Having suddenly received the assignment and come down the same day, she couldn’t organize her belongings and came with just herself, so she had to buy various necessities.

Thinking she would just buy urgently needed items and get the rest when visiting home on the weekend, Se Hee selected items.

She thought she’d buy just a little, but when she finished shopping, both hands were full.

Fortunately, the mart wasn’t far from the company housing.

As she was walking step by step to organize her thoughts and familiarize herself with the way, someone lifted Se Hee’s heavy plastic bags.

Se Hee turned around, startled.

“Whew, why did you buy so much?”

Hyo Jun, who had suddenly appeared from somewhere, walked alongside Se Hee and pulled at her bags.

“Wh-what?”

Se Hee, who had turned pale as if she’d seen a ghost, violently shook off Hyo Jun’s hand.

“What do you mean, what? It’s me. Cha Hyo Jun. Still doesn’t feel real? I came to see if you’ve finally realized what my position in the company is.”

Hyo Jun said arrogantly, even boldly grabbing Se Hee’s hand.

“What position? Ha, forget it. Let go of this.”

Se Hee retorted irritably.

“Pretending not to know. Why are you acting so stiff? Why do you think I came here? I told you I’d be Lee Se Hee’s lifeline. If you just listen to me well, that is.”

Hyo Jun pulled Se Hee closer subtly and smiled mischievously.

“Are you… in your right mind? Are you not letting go of this?”

Se Hee shouted, growing increasingly fierce.

“Stop with the useless stubbornness. It’s Cha Hyo Jun’s world now.”

“Let go while I’m asking nicely.”

Se Hee, frowning and ignoring Hyo Jun’s words, roughly shook her caught hand again.

“Geez, you just don’t listen.”

“You’re the one who doesn’t listen. Are you deaf? I said stop it.”

Hyo Jun roughly wrapped his arm around Se Hee’s waist as she burst out shouting.

“Kyaah! What are you doing? Don’t touch my body!”

Se Hee screamed, but Hyo Jun had no intention of listening.

“Let’s do this the easy way. The easy way. Don’t make such a fuss. Okay?”

Hyo Jun said nonchalantly, tightening his arm around Se Hee’s waist and pulling her closer to his side.

“You crazy…”

Se Hee, finally exploding with anger, threw the bag she was holding at Hyo Jun.

With a dull bursting sound, Hyo Jun staggered backward after being hit in the abdomen.

“Se, Se Hee.”

Hyo Jun called Se Hee with a surprised face.

“I warned you. Not to touch me. You… I’m already about to go crazy, and you just had to. You’re asking for it. Let’s fight today.”

Se Hee took out a long cleaning tool she had just bought from the mart.

“L-Lee Se Hee, why are you acting like this? Ugh.”

The stick flew mercilessly onto Hyo Jun’s back as he stood there in disbelief.

A series of crisp sounds began to emanate from Hyo Jun’s body as he stood there unable to dodge in time.

“Se Hee! Se Hee. Wait a moment. Why have you changed like this? Are you the Lee Se Hee I knew? Se Hee. Just a moment. Let’s, let’s talk.”

Hyo Jun hurriedly waved his hands in panic.

“I’m doing this because you don’t listen when I talk. Yeah, I’ve changed. It’s all because of you. Got it? Thank you so much, really.”

As soon as the words ended, Se Hee attacked Hyo Jun again.

Surprised, Hyo Jun finally started screaming, and police officers patrolling the area came running.

Se Hee found herself in an awkward situation.

“I was hit one-sidedly, right? This is assault. Assault.”

Hyo Jun started complaining to the police officers, showing his reddened back.

Se Hee, holding a weapon in her hand, could only flounder.

Because in the current situation, anyone would see her as the aggressor.

“Both of you will need to come to the police station for now.”

The police officers looked back and forth between Hyo Jun and Se Hee with troubled expressions.

At that moment, someone quietly appeared in front of them.

“Ahem, I’m a passing witness.”