The office was grand—too grand for someone like her. Chandeliers glittered from the high ceiling, and the marble floor reflected her scuffed shoes. Standing at the entrance of Seo Industries, Ji-eun Kang took a deep breath, adjusting the frayed strap of her bag. This was it. Her one chance to secure a stable job—one that could finally put food on the table for her mother and little brother.
She tightened her grip on the resume in her hands and stepped inside, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Dressed in a simple blouse and worn-out jeans, she felt completely out of place among the sea of designer suits. She ignored the curious stares as she made her way to the reception desk.
"Excuse me, miss?" The receptionist, a perfectly polished woman with sharp features, gave her a once-over. "Do you have an appointment?"
Ji-eun straightened her posture, refusing to shrink under the scrutiny. "I was asked to come in for the final interview. The HR department called me yesterday. My name is Ji-eun Kang."
The woman arched a brow but checked her computer. "You're scheduled at 10 AM with—oh."
Before she could finish, a deep, icy voice sliced through the air.
"Who let her in here looking like that?"
A hush fell over the lobby. Ji-eun turned sharply, her stomach flipping as her gaze collided with him.
Joon-hyuk Seo—the CEO. The man whispered about in business circles, known for his ruthlessness and unattainable status. He stood tall, clad in an all-black suit that made him look like he had walked straight out of a K-drama. His dark eyes scanned her from head to toe, his sharp jaw clenching in clear disapproval.
He's ridiculously handsome. Too bad he's an arrogant jerk.
"I have an interview—" she started, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Not anymore." Joon-hyuk's expression didn't change as he turned to the receptionist. "Who approved this? We don't hire… charity cases."
A ripple of shock went through the room. Ji-eun's breath hitched, but the sting of humiliation quickly burned into fury.
Oh, hell no.
"Excuse me?" she snapped, stepping closer. "I worked hard for this interview. I passed every test. I am more than qualified for this job."
Joon-hyuk tilted his head slightly, as if entertained by her defiance. "And yet, you think attitude alone will help you survive in my company?"
"And you think expensive suits and a cold heart make you superior?" she shot back, crossing her arms to sound confident. Tho her heart was about to go off anysoon .
A heavy silence settled in the lobby. The employees gawked, the receptionist paled, and even the security guards seemed unsure of what to do.
For a moment, Joon-hyuk just stared at her, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. Then, to her utter shock, a slow smirk tugged at his lips.
"You have guts," he murmured, his voice almost amused. "Fine. You want this job? Prove yourself. Come to my office at noon. Let's see how long you last."
Ji-eun clenched her fists but lifted her chin. You want to play games, Mr. CEO? Fine. Bring it on.
"I'll be there."
And with that, she spun on her heel and marched toward the elevators, leaving Joon-hyuk Seo watching her with an unreadable expression.
---
Ji-eun nervously clutched her work ID as she stood before the grand office doors of Kang Enterprises. The receptionist had delivered the message just moments ago—CEO Kang Joon-hyuk had summoned her to his office.
She wasn't sure what to expect. After their disastrous first encounter, she had done her best to keep her head down and avoid any more accidents. But now, she was being called in. Was she about to be fired on her first day?
Taking a deep breath, she knocked lightly before stepping inside. The office was as intimidating as the man himself—minimalistic, sleek, and way too spacious. Joon-hyuk sat behind a large mahogany desk, fingers interlocked as he studied her.
"Miss Han," he said coolly. "Do you know why you're here?"
Ji-eun swallowed hard. "No, sir."
He leaned back, assessing her. "You're an intern, yet you managed to spill coffee on the CEO within your first hour here. That's quite a record."
Her face burned with embarrassment. "I'm really sorry about that. It was an accident."
"And yet, here you are." His gaze flickered to the documents on his desk. "Tell me, why did you apply here?"
Ji-eun hesitated. The truth was simple—she needed this job to support her mother and younger brother. But something about Joon-hyuk's piercing stare made it hard to say aloud.
"I… I want to gain experience at a top company," she answered carefully.
Joon-hyuk's lips curled in amusement. "Is that so? Well, you have a lot to prove. Kang Enterprises doesn't tolerate mediocrity, Miss Han. If you can't handle the pressure, you should leave now."
Ji-eun straightened her posture. "I can handle it."
For a moment, silence filled the room as Joon-hyuk studied her unwavering expression. Then, to her surprise, he pushed a stack of files toward her.
"Good. Then start with these. Report to my secretary for further instructions. And Miss Han…"
She stopped just as she was about to turn.
"Try not to spill anything on me again."
Ji-eun nodded quickly before rushing out, heart pounding.
She wasn't fired. But something told her working under Kang Joon-hyuk was going to be a challenge unlike any other.