Suan had been in control.
Always.
Until this moment.
Because Yoon Jiho—the man who had resisted, ignored, and dodged every single one of her attempts—
Was now the one pressing her against his desk.
His hands? Not touching her.
His voice? Low. Controlled. Dangerous.
"Tell me something, Suan."
She 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 didn’t know the answer.
Because for the first time—Jiho was no longer the one running.
Suan was.
.
Jiho leaned in—just slightly.
Suan didn’t move.
Didn’t smirk.
Didn’t tease.
Because suddenly—
She was actually flustered.
Jiho, seeing her reaction, smirked.
"What’s wrong?" he murmured. "Not as bold when you’re the one being cornered?"
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Suan’s fingers twitched.
She wasn’t going to lose.
She refused.
"I never said I was backing down." she whispered back.
Jiho tilted his head.
"No?"
And then—he moved closer.
His hand?
Finally, just barely grazing the side of her face.
Close.
Too close.
So close she felt the warmth of his breath against her skin.
But he didn’t close the gap.
No.
Instead—he smirked.
And pulled away.
"Then why do you look so nervous, Miss Kang?"
And with that—
Jiho stepped back, adjusted his cuffs, and walked away.
Suan?
Suan stood there.
Absolutely. Completely. Speechless.
For the first time—
She had been the one left flustered.
And she had no one to blame.
Except herself.
.
Seo-Yeon had been getting up from her chair.
Completely normal.
Completely fine.
Until she felt it.
The soft rip.
The way the air hit her thigh.
And then—
The stunned silence.
Seo-Yeon froze.
Her short skirt—already a risky choice—
Had just ripped even higher.
Leaving way too much exposed.
Eyes were on her.
Some were trying not to stare.
Some were very obviously staring.
Seo-Yeon quickly grabbed the fabric, trying to cover herself.
Which, unfortunately, only made it look worse.
She expected someone—anyone—to help.
But no one moved.
No one said a word.
And then—footsteps.
She looked up.
And her stomach dropped.
Su-Jin.
That—
.
Seo-Yeon braced herself.
She knew what was coming.
"See? This is why I told you not to wear something so revealing."
"You never listen."
"This is unprofessional."
"Are you happy now?"
She could already hear it.
She closed her eyes, waiting for the scolding.
But when she opened them—
Su-Jin was already in front of her.
And instead of words—
He simply took off his outer suit.
Draped it around her waist.
And then—
He turned.
And glared.
Not at her.
At everyone else.
At every single person who had been staring—
And not helping.
The air in the room turned tense.
People quickly looked away.
Pretended to be busy.
Su-Jin, still not saying a word, grabbed her wrist.
And walked her straight to his office.
Seo-Yeon?
Seo-Yeon had never been this embarrassed in her life.
.
Once inside, Su-Jin finally let go.
Seo-Yeon huffed.
"You didn’t have to drag me like that, Manager Kang."
Su-Jin leaned against his desk.
Crossed his arms.
And stared at her.
"You didn’t have to wear something that short, Miss Eun."
Seo-Yeon groaned.
"Here we go again—"
"But," he interrupted, his voice softer.
"I didn’t say you deserved that."
Seo-Yeon paused.
Because that—
That she wasn’t expecting.
Su-Jin sighed.
"I don’t care what you wear," he admitted. "I care that people take advantage of it."
Seo-Yeon blinked.
For the first time—
Su-Jin didn’t sound like a strict manager.
He sounded genuinely concerned.
And somehow, that made her more flustered than anything else.
.
Chapter 21: "The Manager Who Didn't Explain"
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