HyunSeong never attended company dinner parties.

  Never.

  Not once.

  It was practically an unspoken rule.

  So when he actually showed up this time?

  People noticed.

  "Mr. Hwa is here?"

  "Why is he here?"

  "Did something happen?"

  And then—

  Then, someone laughed.

  "Maybe he's here for a certain someone?"

  And just like that—

  The rumors only grew worse.

  .

  Minra was already stressed.

  She had spent the entire day avoiding Reyne, Eunhe, and Suan’s relentless teasing.

  She just wanted one night of peace.

  But no.

  Of course not.

  Because the moment she sat down, someone had to bring it up.

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  "Minra, be honest. Did something happen between you and Mr. Hwa?"

  She choked on her drink.

  "NOT THIS AGAIN!"

  Eunhe sighed.

  "You’re making it obvious, Minra."

  "I AM NOT MAKING ANYTHING OBVIOUS!"

  "You’re yelling again."

  "THAT’S BECAUSE—"

  She stopped.

  Took a deep breath.

  "I am calm."

  "You are not."

  "I AM CALM!"

  More stares.

  More suspicious glances.

  And Minra?

  Minra wanted to die.

  .

  HyunSeong sat farther away, watching quietly.

  Sipping his drink.

  Eating calmly.

  And secretly, very much enjoying the show.

  Because Minra?

  Minra was so bad at lying.

  So bad at hiding things.

  And honestly?

  It was adorable.

  The way she kept getting flustered.

  The way she kept denying.

  The way she kept making it worse for herself.

  And.

  And maybe—

  Maybe he should have stepped in.

  Maybe he should have stopped it.

  But instead, he just sat back.

  And waited.

  Because he knew—

  Knew she was going to make one very crucial mistake soon.

  And he was right.

  .

  Minra, after enduring an entire hour of teasing, finally gave up.

  Or rather.

  She decided to drown her problems in alcohol.

  Bad idea.

  Terrible idea.

  Because Minra never handled alcohol well.

  And now?

  Now, she was slumped over, blinking dazedly.

  "Okay." she muttered. "I think… I am drunk."

  "You think?" Reyne snickered.

  "You are absolutely wasted." Eunhe sighed.

  "We should get her home." someone suggested.

  And just as people started debating who should take her—

  A smooth, calm voice cut in.

  "I’ll take her."

  The entire table went silent.

  Because that voice?

  That voice belonged to HyunSeong.

  .

  Minra blinked up at him slowly.

  "HyunSeong-ssi?"

  "You’re too drunk to go home alone." he said simply. "And I’m also feeling a little tipsy. I’ll leave early, so I’ll take you along."

  Minra froze.

  So did everyone else.

  Because.

  Because.

  Because.

  What did he just say?

  He was tipsy?

  And leaving with Minra?

  The room was so silent, you could hear a pin drop.

  Then—

  "Wait—"

  "Did he just confirm—?"

  "Oh my god."

  "NO WAY."

  And Reyne?

  Reyne looked like he was about to explode from happiness.

  "I KNEW IT! I KNEW SOMETHING HAPPENED!"

  Minra, still very much drunk, tried to process what was happening.

  But.

  But.

  But.

  Before she could even say anything—

  HyunSeong, completely composed, smoothly helped her up.

  "I’ll take responsibility."

  And with that—

  He walked out with her.

  Leaving behind an entire table of stunned coworkers.

  And just like that—

  The rumors were no longer rumors.

  They were facts.

  .

  Chapter 41: "The Man With Two Names"