The internet flooded with breaking news about the shocking situation at Chonsan High School.
Reporters swarmed outside the tightly shut school gates, cameras flashing as they delivered live updates.
"…The school has been officially closed down following the disturbing incident that took place yesterday. All staff members were arrested last night and are currently being held at the police station as investigations continue into what has been happening behind the school's closed doors…"
Another reporter's voice echoed from a different broadcast:
"…Choi Mina, the only daughter of Mrs. Choi Minsol, faced severe bullying at the hands of her classmates, which prompted Miss Choi Minjae to make an unannounced appearance at the school…"
Clips went viral online showing Minjae's physical altercation with parents. A reporter's voice played over the footage:
"…A guardian meeting that was meant to resolve the matter spiraled into chaos when the infamous 'Choi Tigress,' Minjae, stormed in. She was seen physically manhandling parents, asserting dominance over the entire school, keeping them effectively hostage for over four hours, and even going as far as threatening students…"
Within minutes, the comment sections exploded with divided opinions.
@HanByul93: "This is just insane! Shouldn't the police be arresting her instead? Where the hell is this country heading with injustice like this?"
@TigerWatch: "Of course, why am I not surprised? You can take the Choi out of the Tigress, but you can't take the Tigress out of her."
@YeonSoo_real: "I knew not to trust her speech at the inaugural ceremony. It was all for show. Nobody changes that easily."
@JusticeSeeker88: "How serious could the bullying have been that she had to physically assault parents? She should be in jail, not walking free."
@VelvetClaw: "Classic power abuse. She thinks her family name makes her untouchable. It's only a matter of time before someone brings her down."
@HaneulVoice: "If this is what leadership looks like, then we're doomed. She's no protector—she's a tyrant with a polished mask."
Mina trembled with anger as she stared at the news report on her laptop. Each hateful comment cut into her heart, twisting her chest with pain—not for herself, but for her aunt.
"This is just wrong!!" she cried out, tears spilling down her cheeks. In a burst of rage, she shoved everything off the table—the laptop, the flower vase, the stack of books—all crashing to the floor in a sharp clatter. Outside her room, the maids froze at the sound of shattering glass and overturned furniture. It was the first time they had ever seen Mina lose control.
"Let her be," Madam Kim said calmly as she passed by, noticing a few of the maids about to rush in.
Unlike Minjae, the staff felt comfortable around Mina. To them, she wasn't just a young heiress—she was a sweet, gentle girl they cherished like a younger sister. Seeing her break down stirred an instinct in them to comfort her. But Madam Kim's quiet command reminded them of the unspoken line between their worlds, a line they could not cross.
Inside, Mina's rage only burned hotter. Just last night, she had let herself smile again—her happiest moment in so long, when all her worries had briefly disappeared. And now, everything came crashing back. Tears rolled freely down her face. She clenched her fists, her whole body trembling, until suddenly, a thought struck her.
Her brow furrowed. She wiped her tears away, walked to her wardrobe, snatched a pink face cap, and stormed out of her room with determination blazing in her eyes.
---
Mina pulled up in front of a wide mansion. Minjae had taught her how to drive a few years back, but Minsol never allowed her to drive herself, insisting she was too young and that a driver should always handle it. But this time, Mina hadn't asked for permission. She came alone.
At the gate, she approached the gateman with her sweetest voice.
"Hi, I'm looking for Kim Ryusu. Does she live here?"
The man gave her a long, skeptical look, scanning her from head to toe. She wasn't familiar, but then again, Ryusu's friends came and went so often he could barely keep track.
"Your name?" he asked flatly.
"Olivia," Mina replied with a practiced smile.
He studied her for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Just a moment." He stepped inside.
A few minutes later, the gate slid open. Kim Ryusu appeared, her eyes darting side to side before settling on the figure in the face cap.
"Olivia," Ryusu said casually. "Good thing you're here, I was expecting—" Her words cut short as Mina lifted her head, revealing her face.
"Mina?" Ryusu's tone shifted instantly, dripping with annoyance and disgust.
Ryusu was no stranger to Mina. She wasn't part of Olivia's squad, but she had played her role well—shoving Mina back into the circle when she tried to escape, standing close enough to laugh and encourage the torment. A senior at Chonsan High, she was the lead bully in her class and Olivia's closest ally, which gave Olivia even more confidence to push her cruelty further.
---
"What do you think you're doing?" Ryusu snapped as Mina suddenly grabbed her wrist and tugged her forward.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Ryusu yanked her hand free and glared.
"Are you insane—" She didn't finish before Mina shoved her hard against the wall.
"Ah!" Ryusu groaned, scowling in pain. "You—" she snarled, grabbing Mina's hair and yanking so hard that her cap fell to the ground.
"How dare you? You've lost your mind, haven't you?" she hissed, enraged at Mina's audacity. Just days ago, Mina wouldn't even have met her eyes. Now she was pushing back.
Ryusu tightened her grip, expecting Mina to cry out. But Mina didn't flinch. She stared back at her with dead, unblinking eyes. And then, in a sudden movement, Mina seized Ryusu's hair instead and slammed her down onto the ground.
"Yesterday I saw you recording," Mina said coldly, her voice steady. "Secretly. What did you do with the video?"
Ryusu scoffed as she pulled herself up slowly. "You must be out of your mind, Mina. You think just because your aunt showed up, you suddenly have courage? Maybe you need someone to knock the sense back into you—" She raised her hand to strike, but froze when Mina bent down, picked up a heavy stick, and leveled it at her.
Ryusu instinctively stepped back.
"I don't mind repeating my actions, Kim Ryusu. I've done it before," Mina said, her eyes locked on hers.
"And I will do it again."
Ryusu's confidence wavered. Mina wasn't bluffing.
"Tell me," Mina demanded. "Were you the one who gave the video to the media?"
Ryusu shook her head. "I wasn't the only one recording."
"How much did you record?" Mina pressed.
"Everything," Ryusu answered, almost proud.
For a long moment, silence hung between them. Mina's stare was sharp, unrelenting. Then, just when Ryusu braced for another explosion, Mina's lips curved into the faintest smile.
"Alright, then," she said softly, draping an arm around Ryusu's shoulder. "Why don't you invite me to your room? Oh and I'd like to make use of your laptop." Her tone was almost playful, but her grip was iron. "And don't even think of trying anything funny. If you do, I'll make sure my aunt knows your name—no, your father's name. You've seen how far she'll go for me. Don't you think she'd be willing to do me the favor? considering how she came to my aid yesterday "
Ryusu's face stiffened, but she nodded slightly.
As they walked toward the mansion, Mina's smile never wavered. "Oh, and just so you know—this isn't me oppressing the poor in the Choi way. You're rich too so..."
Ryusu forced a shaky laugh, nodding stiffly as Mina guided her forward, both of them wearing fake smiles like masks.
---
Meanwhile Minjae stood at the construction site, Sang-tae at her side and Jung-shin a step behind. She was discussing plans with a group of men, flipping through files as they spoke.
"...This is the initial building plan we agreed with Mrs. Choi Min-sol," one of the men explained, pointing to a spot on the blueprint.
Just then, Mr. Chang approached carrying a folder. Sang-tae offered a slight bow and Mr. Chang returned it, but Minjae barely glanced up—she stayed focused on the discussion with the contractors, well aware of Mr. Chang's presence but unwilling to be distracted from the work at hand.