“Good morning…!”

Yeo Reum, who was loudly greeting as she entered the cafe, hesitated.

The person making drinks at the workstation was a woman she had never seen before.

The woman, who appeared to be in her late 20s, had an urban and sophisticated face with a slender figure.

But because of that, she looked very cold.

“Are you Jung Yeo Reum?”

“Ah, yes.”

“My name is Jina. I’m twenty-nine years old. I come here once in a while when the boss calls me. There’s still 30 minutes left until work starts, so why did you come so early?”

“To properly familiarize myself with the recipes.”

“You’re diligent, huh? Even though you’re only getting paid minimum wage?”

Even while talking, her hands moved without a break.

“Go organize your outfit and come back. We just got an order for our store’s special hot dog, so watch me make it.”

“Okay!”

Yeo Reum, who was smiling brightly, entered the staff room attached next door.

She put on an apron, fixed her hair, and put on a hat.

She washed her hands clean at the sink and stood at the workstation.

“Have you worked here for a long time, unnie?”

As she placed the hot dog bun on the workstation, the woman responded.

“Just call me Jina. We have no relation outside of this store anyway. In any case, it’s been over 3 years.”

She seemed to have a sharp personality, but unexpectedly, she answered.

She briefly explained the various sauces in front and neatly arranged the contents inside.

As the appetizing hot dog was quickly completed, she also speedily packaged it.

“Want to try it?”

“Yes!”

Yeo Reum quickly made a hot dog just like she did and finished packaging it.

“You’re good at this.”

“Thank you.”

“Then minimum wage is too cheap for you. Now that I see it, our boss really got you for a bargain.”

She really knows how to compliment with a cold expression.

“Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me for just saying it?”

Somehow, her sullen expression looked even prettier to Yeo Reum.

Just then, the order bell rang repeatedly.

Looking at the order details, she spoke to Yeo Reum.

“Want to jump right into it?”

“Yes!”

“Then 6 Americanos, 12 iced, 3 cafe lattes, 2 iced, one of them with an extra shot and less milk. 2 ginger lemonades, one iced, no sweet ice, only with cold water. Today 2 hot chocolates, one without whipped cream, one with lots of whipped cream and toppings.”

“Got it!”

Yeo Reum took out the cups and arranged them, and the woman began brewing the coffee.

Just then, Kyung Hee entered the store while yawning incessantly.

“Boss, you’re here!”

Startled by the loud voice, he looked at the order counter.

The two worked so well together, it was as if they had been working together for several years.

Kyung Hee mumbled while yawning sluggishly.

“I came thinking you might not get along, but…”

*

“What… did you just say?”

“Director Pyo will be demoted to a regular employee, taking responsibility for this incident.”

At Butler Park’s declaration, the other employees nodded in agreement, but only Director Pyo couldn’t.

She was the one who called herself and was called “director,” the highest position among the team leaders.

But a regular employee!

“The chairman didn’t reprimand me at all!”

“Of course. Would a busy person like the chairman directly say such a thing?”

“What do you mean?”

“The chairman was very angry and disappointed about this incident. I was also scolded for not properly managing the staff. The chairman said to properly establish discipline as the butler of this house from now on.”

A spasm ran across Director Pyo’s face.

“As the first step, I decided to demote Jung Ran Pyo’s position.”

“Butler!”

“The madam and Miss Ha Eun knelt to apologize to Miss Yeo Reum and went to Busan to apologize to the victims. But it’s absurd for Jung Ran Pyo, an accomplice, to remain in that position. In fact, you should go to prison and retire from the Blue House, but Miss Yeo Reum said to cover it up, so you’re only being spared.”

Director Pyo’s face rapidly heated up.

Hye Sook, who was standing next to her, didn’t know what to do.

“And the room Jung Ran Pyo is currently using is being illegally occupied, so I will reclaim it starting today. Remove all your belongings and live together in the dormitory from now on.”

“That’s absurd! That room was given to me by the madam! It’s my room!”

“Jung Ran Pyo.”

Compared to the agitated Jung Ran, Butler Park’s voice remained consistently calm.

But the power was immense.

“Everything in the Blue House belongs to Chairman Kang Ju Hwa, and the heir is Miss Yeo Reum. There is not a single thing here that is Jung Ran Pyo’s.”

At Butler Park’s words, Jung Ran looked suffocated.

“If you’re not satisfied with my decision, you can quit. Now, everyone disperse and attend to your duties.”

The employees glanced at Jung Ran, who was trembling, but instead of saying anything else, they went out.

In a way, they looked satisfied.

The angry Jung Ran pushed past the employees and walked faster.

As soon as she entered her room, she screamed and swept everything on the vanity with both arms.

“Just wait and see! Jung Yeo Reum, just wait and see!”

Pounding on the vanity, Jung Ran screamed while shaking her whole body.

*

The dignified interior, the soft music playing, and the delicious food.

Above all, the man sitting across from her was Jung Rok, the successor of the Hanseo Group.

Hae Rin was satisfied with everything today.

Just then, she suddenly laughed softly while taking a sip of wine.

“Ah, sorry oppa.”

Hae Rin kept laughing.

Jung Rok asked.

“Why?”

“No, looking at this wine suddenly reminded me of the ‘resort wine girl.’ I mean Kang Ha Eun’s video. Did you happen to see it?”

“I only heard about it.”

“You should watch it. It’s really a sight to behold.”

“That much?”

“You have no idea.”

Even while watching Hae Rin laughing in amusement, Jung Rok indifferently cut his steak.

“I’m honestly very refreshed.”

“About what?”

“Kang Ha Eun kept drooling over you without knowing her place.”

“Am I an ice cream or something?”

“You are ice cream to me. So soft and sweet.”

“I’m not really, but thanks for thinking so.”

“Anyway, since this incident became such a big issue, your mother won’t be able to ignore it, right?”

“Probably.”

Hae Rin, pleased with that answer, began to cut her steak.

‘So I’m grateful. Now, to your mother, Kang Ha Eun will be completely out. Jung Rok oppa is mine. In this world, I’m the only one who can match oppa.’

Just then, Jung Rok, who had taken a sip of water, spoke.

“By the way, have you heard that rumor?”

“What rumor?”

“That the heiress of the PR Group has returned?”

“Ah, I heard about it.”

“But you seem unconcerned?”

“Why should I be?”

“What if you get compared to another heiress? Bluntly put, it’s the PR Group. The original heiress of one of Korea’s big 3 groups has appeared.”

The word “original” made Hae Rin feel unpleasant.

However, Jung Rok had his usual smile on his lips.

Thinking it was because she was being sensitive, Hae Rin said,

“That kid doesn’t even get treated like a granddaughter by Chairman Kang Ju Hwa.”

“Really?”

“That’s why they call her the Cinderella heiress or whatever.”

“Her nickname is the Cinderella heiress?”

“More precisely, they say she gets treated like a slave at the Blue House.”

At Jung Rok’s disbelieving gaze, Hae Rin shrugged and said,

“It’s accurate information. I heard Kang Ha Eun directly say it in front of her friends when I went to the hair salon.”

“I see.”

“You also know that Chairman Kang’s son got in a car accident, right?”

“I know.”

“They say the son got more seriously injured trying to shield his wife. She was already the daughter-in-law who made him cut ties with his son for 20 years, so imagine how much more he must hate her. So now, Chairman Kang is busy taking revenge on that granddaughter.”

“Even for Chairman Kang, that’s too much. What sin did the granddaughter commit?”

Hae Rin laughed and said,

“But what can you do? The parents’ sins are the child’s sins. Plus, Ha Eun evaluated her as a total country bumpkin and a huge pig.”

“What?”

“Dull-headed, dense, a total disaster all-around, she said. In a way, since the kid is like that, it might irritate Chairman Kang even more. So he must have decided never to let her out.”

“No way.”

“It’s true. Would Ha Eun make up lies? Anyway, that kid won’t be coming out of the Blue House. According to Ha Eun, her life is mortgaged to Chairman Kang for 20 years.”

“That granddaughter is so pitiful.”

“It can’t be helped. It’s all her own fate.”

And my good fortune.

The PR Group’s heiress suddenly appearing almost shook my position.

But how fortunate.

Who would like such a dull pig?

Hae Rin smiled brightly and cut her steak.

“By the way, are the Blue House employees strictly disciplined? Like purposely harassing new employees to establish authority?”

“Look at Kang Ha Eun’s personality. It would be more than that.”

“Ah, then she must be having a really hard time…”

Suddenly, Jung Rok’s face turned serious, and Ha Eun asked.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

Jung Rok swallowed his words, saying it was no big deal.

‘I wonder if that employee also got fired?’

Probably… she did.

She ruined the employer’s shoes to that extent, so of course she would be fired.

Just how much did they torment her for her to take it out like that?

Thanks to her wits, he was able to clean up the irregularities of the luxury team all at once.

Jung Rok mechanically cut his steak, recalling the spunky Blue House employee.

‘Even when I offered compensation, she only sent an email saying it wasn’t necessary. Without even telling me her name.’

Jung Rok was becoming more and more absorbed in his own thoughts.

‘I wonder if she’s eating properly. She shouldn’t go hungry.’

The image of her casually ordering jjajangmyeon at the store and even gargling with bottled water came to mind.

Jung Rok couldn’t help but smile.

The more he thought about it, the more interesting that lady was.

“You also find it really funny, oppa?”

At the sudden voice, Jung Rok came to his senses and looked ahead.

Hae Rin was smiling brightly.

“According to Ha Eun, that heiress is exactly like a white pig. Ah, it’s so funny to me.”

Hae Rin laughed even more in amusement, and Jung Rok smiled again, recalling Yeo Reum who drew on the shoes and laughed loudly.

*

“Yeo Reum, can you deliver this on your way home?”

Jina held out a plastic bag containing hot dogs and drinks.

“It’s not far. The comic book room on the 4th floor of this building.”

Kyung Hee, who was organizing cups, asked.

“Did our building owner order it?”

“Yes. If you go to the comic book room and say it, they’ll know. Can you do it?”

“Of course.”

Yeo Reum slightly bowed her head to the two of them and headed to the elevator.

Arriving on the 4th floor, she entered the comic book room, which was quite spacious contrary to her expectation.

However, perhaps because it was 3 p.m. on a weekday, there were no customers.

Yeo Reum approached a man in his early 20s who was dancing wildly while holding a book, shaking his whole body.

Startled, he took out his wireless earphones.

“I’m from Cafe Today. Delivery for the building owner.”

“Ah, my brother? He should be over in that corner.”

He put his earphones back in and organized the books while even kicking his feet.

Yeo Reum went to the place he indicated.

She saw a man sitting with his back against a bookshelf where the sunlight shone well.

“…San Ha?”

Turning his head, he had a dumbfounded expression upon seeing Yeo Reum.

Without a second thought, Yeo Reum quickly approached him and sat across from him.

“How are you here?”

“That’s my line. How are you here, magpie?”

Yeo Reum held up what she had brought.

“Don’t tell me the new part-timer at the cafe was you, magpie?”

“Then the building owner was you, San Ha? Wow, amazing! And we are fated after all! Fate!”

Unlike the excited Yeo Reum, San Ha only took the plastic bag.

He spoke to Yeo Reum, who was subtly clinging to him.

“Since you delivered it, go now.”

“I’m off work! I have a ton of free time from now on!”

“I’m busy. So go.”

“Why are you suddenly being so distant?”

“To protect my chastity.”

Yeo Reum’s lips protruded sulkily.

“Acting cute won’t work.”

With his adamant rejection, she had no choice but to try to get up.

Just then, the leg of the part-timer, who was absorbed in organizing books, strongly kicked the bookshelf.

As a result, the loosely inserted books began to fall all at once.

Startled, Yeo Reum let out a scream and covered her head with both hands.

She curled up her body and squeezed her eyes shut.

But nothing happened.

She slowly opened her eyes.

A sudden deep shadow.

Looking up, San Ha was blocking the books with his whole body, with one arm against the bookshelf above Yeo Reum’s head.