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Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: A Dangerous Game

POV: Female Lead (Jung Ha-neul)

Ahn Min-jae was jealous.

And now, Ha-neul couldn't stop thinking about it.

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A Newfound Power

It had been three days since the fundraiser.

Three days since Min-jae had looked her in the eye and said, "Because you're mine."

And ever since, he had been avoiding her.

At first, Ha-neul had expected him to deny everything. Maybe even pretend it never happened.

But Min-jae went one step further.

He completely erased her existence.

No teasing remarks. No sarcastic jabs.

Just cold, professional silence.

Ha-neul hated it.

But at the same time…

She found herself enjoying the chase.

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Pushing His Limits

Ha-neul leaned against the counter in the hospital break room, watching as Min-jae deliberately ignored her.

"Min-jae."

Nothing.

"CEO Ahn."

Still nothing.

Ha-neul smirked. "Min-min~"

Min-jae froze mid-sip of his coffee.

Slowly, he set the cup down and turned to her. His expression was impassive, but his grip on the cup? A little too tight.

"Do you have a death wish?" he asked, voice low and deadly.

Ha-neul grinned. "Maybe."

She leaned in slightly. "You haven't been talking to me lately. Did something happen?"

Min-jae's jaw ticked. "No."

"Liar."

He exhaled sharply, fixing her with a glare. "Don't push me, Jung."

She tilted her head. "Or what?"

A muscle in his jaw clenched.

Then, abruptly, he stepped closer—invading her space.

For a second, Ha-neul forgot how to breathe.

His voice dropped to a whisper. "You wouldn't like the answer."

She swallowed. Damn.

But she wasn't backing down.

Not yet.

---

The First Crack in His Armor

Later that night, Ha-neul found herself standing outside Min-jae's office.

She had no idea why she was here.

Or maybe she did.

Taking a breath, she pushed open the door.

Min-jae was sitting at his desk, typing away on his laptop.

He barely glanced up. "Go home, Jung."

Ha-neul stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "Not until you talk to me."

Min-jae exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "There's nothing to talk about."

"Really?" She crossed her arms. "Because three days ago, you said something interesting."

Min-jae went still.

Ha-neul took a step closer. "Something about me being yours?"

Silence.

Another step. "Should we talk about that?"

Min-jae's fingers tightened around his pen.

For a long moment, he didn't move. Didn't speak.

Then, he let out a low chuckle—dark and humorless.

"You think this is a game, don't you?"

Ha-neul blinked. "What—"

Suddenly, Min-jae was in front of her. Too close. Too intense.

"You keep pushing," he murmured, voice low and dangerous.

Ha-neul's heart skipped a beat.

"You think you can tease me, Jung?" His fingers lightly brushed her wrist. "See how far I'll let you go?"

Her breath hitched.

"Be careful," Min-jae whispered. "Because one day, I might just stop holding back."

Ha-neul forgot how to function.

She had won—she had gotten under his skin.

But now…

She wasn't sure if she was ready for what came next.

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