Minra hated this.
Hated the way the past three days felt empty.
Hated the way she kept reaching for her phone, only to stop herself.
Hated the way her heart jumped at every notification, hoping it was him.
Hated the way HyunSeong kept his distance.
Hated the way Shuun stopped texting her.
Hated the way it felt like something was missing.
Something she wasn’t supposed to lose.
Something she didn’t want to lose.
And now?
Now, she was done waiting.
Done feeling like she was the only one who cared.
Done pretending she was fine when she wasn’t.
So she turned.
Turned to the one person who was reckless enough to help her.
The one person who could stir up chaos without regret.
The one person who would never say no to a challenge.
"Reyne."
.
Reyne, who had been midway through his coffee, raised an eyebrow.
"What? If you wanted to scold me about how I spread baseless rumors about you and Mr. Hwa—"
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Minra cut him off.
"Don’t you want to confirm it?"
Reyne blinked.
"What?"
"My relationship with HyunSeong-ssi."
Reyne sat up straighter.
"Wait— hold on, you mean you—"
She didn’t give him time to think.
Didn’t give him time to overanalyze.
Instead, she handed him her phone.
A single contact name flashing on the screen.
Shuun.
"Call this number if I don’t come back from the boss’ office in ten minutes."
Reyne, staring at her like she had lost her mind, looked down at the phone.
Then back at her.
Then at the phone again.
Then back at her.
And then, his entire face lit up with realization.
"OH. OH— THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD!"
Minra exhaled.
"Reyne—"
"NO, NO, GO. I’LL HANDLE THIS PART!!"
Minra didn’t wait for more.
She turned—
Walked straight toward HyunSeong’s office.
And Reyne?
Reyne grinned.
Because whether this went terribly or perfectly—
It was going to be legendary.
.
HyunSeong was deep in reports, fingers tapping against the desk as he reviewed the latest numbers.
Then.
A knock.
"Come in."
He didn’t look up.
Didn’t think anything of it.
Didn’t expect—
Didn’t expect her.
Didn’t expect Minra to walk straight to his desk, no hesitation.
Didn’t expect the determination in her eyes.
Didn’t expect what she said next.
"Is this how you said you’ll take responsibility?"
HyunSeong’s fingers paused.
“By avoiding me?”
His breath hitched.
Slowly—
Slowly, he set his pen down.
And for the first time in three days, he looked at her.
"Avoiding what?" His voice was calm. Controlled.
Too controlled.
"You know what."
"Minra, I’m busy—"
"Are you?"
She took another step closer.
"Are you really busy? Or are you just pretending again?"
HyunSeong clenched his jaw.
"Minra—"
Then.
Then his phone rang.
Not his work phone.
Not his personal phone.
But.
Shuun’s phone.
And when he looked at the screen—
The caller ID was her.
Minra.
Right in front of him.
Calling him.
Calling Shuun.
And in that moment—
His world stopped.
.
HyunSeong felt his heartbeat slow.
A heavy, suffocating silence filled the room.
Minra didn’t move.
Didn’t blink.
Didn’t look away.
And.
And for the first time—
HyunSeong felt helpless.
Because.
Because there was no way out of this.
No excuse.
No lie strong enough to cover it.
Because she knew.
She had known.
For how long?
For how long had she been watching him, waiting, planning this moment?
He slowly looked back up at her.
Watched as she tilted her head, eyes unwavering.
And then—
Then she whispered.
“Answer it.”
“Shuun.”
And HyunSeong—
For the first time in his life—
Didn’t know what to do.
.
Chapter 46: "The Woman Who Cornered Him"
